Interrupted Magic by Karla Brandenburg (best reads of all time .TXT) 📕

full time. Well, he might have, if he’d convinced his lady-love to move in. The folly was more an elaborate workspace with amenities he didn’t have to sacrifice if he didn’t want to. I wasn’t prepared for clients approaching the castle looking for potions from me when I got here. Somehow I always thought they came to see him.”

“That was part of why Nora opened a shop in town, as a place for people looking for what she called special orders.” I snuggled closer to him. “When I moved here after college, she passed the reins to me. I can’t say I’ve had many people stop by the house, at least not until recently. I imagine that’s going to change.”

“Why are you selling the shop?”

I gave him the abbreviated version of how Nora had built the gift shop with support from the local consignments, to the small-town gossip that had interrupted the business during the transition in ownership, and ending with the new business model featuring Cassandra’s clothing line.

“I still have contracts with local B&Bs for soaps and lotions, and my internet store has been a boon.” I rolled to my back and rested my arm across my forehead. “Now that my gift for alchemy is on the fritz, I don’t even have special order customers anymore.”

He put an arm on either side to hover over me. “I have an untended garden at the folly. If you chose to, and I hope you will, you could take that over and continue to supply your internet store and your B&B contracts.” He smoothed my hair. “Pratt may be a small town, but I’m not aware of the constant stream of gossip you seem to suffer with here. Something to think about.”

“I’ve worked hard to get to where I am today,” I breathed, mesmerized by the glow in his eyes. “I’m not sure I’m ready to walk away from everything I’ve built here.”

“With your shop closing, I’m trying to offer you another option, but I don’t want to pressure you. I know this thing between us is new and doesn’t make any sense to a rational mind. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t believe with all my heart it was the right thing to do. For me. And, I hope, for you.”

Saying yes would have been easy, especially with Ian’s body poised over mine, and yet my life’s lessons refused to be unlearned so quickly. Instead of an answer, I leaned up to kiss him and took advantage of the physical sanctuary he provided.

We spent the night alternating short respites of sleep interspersed with brief conversations spent learning more about each other, and taking advantage of the way our bodies fit together. When the sun woke us for the last time, we showered together and descended the steps to the workroom.

The grimoires remained stubbornly shut. Ian worked with me in the garden and watched while I checked on my products inside.

“I envy your ready access to the raw materials you need,” he said. “I have the basics at the folly, but nothing beats fresh from the garden.” He shot me a significant look which I interpreted as another entreaty to grow my garden there. I’d told him I’d consider his offer, but I needed time to work through the changes in my life.

We walked to Ian’s car on my way to work. He hugged me tight and I clung to him, reluctant to let him go. His voice rumbled through me. “I’ll see you tonight at the folly?”

I nodded, and with one last kiss, he got into his CRV and left.

Cassandra hadn’t arrived when I unlocked the boutique. I fed Ash and set about opening for the day. I made a note to contact Sam Bluecrow about the silver jewelry we sold for him, the last of the consignments. I covered the bracelet he’d made for my mother, one which he’d expected her to pass on to me.

Yvonne took one step inside the door. “I’ve talked to the members of the business owners’ association,” she said tersely. “They’ve approved the sale of the boutique. One of them knows someone who wants to open a specialty coffee shop. How soon can you wrap things up here?”

Without a special meeting? I blinked, surprised at her vehemence. “It will take time to process an offer. Cassandra and I had planned to stay open at least until the end of September.” A little more than a month away.

“I’ll have the interested party put together an offer. I’m sure it will be a fair price.” She turned on a heel and marched out, passing Cassandra on her way.

“Do I want to know what she’s fired up about today?” Cassandra asked me.

“They have a buyer,” I told her.

“And don’t let the door hit you on the way out?” she joked.

“Something like that.” I forced a smile. “You could buy me out. Open a tailor shop.”

She barked a sarcastic laugh. “With these people? I’m better off sticking with my clients at the mall in Meadow Hill.”

“I’m sorry if our friendship has affected your business.”

She reached for my hand. “I’m grateful for your friendship, Brynn. It’s these poisonous townspeople who have affected my business. That’s why I moved out of town and why I worked at the mall before. Your internet store will do better without the overhead. Right now, I want to know all about your new man. The whole town is buzzing about him.”

My cheeks warmed. “I probably shouldn’t have kissed him in public.”

Cassandra laughed. “The buzz about the kiss was nothing compared to the overnight guest.”

My heart skipped a beat. “How did they...?”

“Small town. Gossips watching your every move. For what it’s worth, I’m pretty sure Kyle shared that little tidbit.” She leaned her elbows on the counter and cradled her chin in her hands. “Tell me it was worth it, that this guy is legendary.”

I wrapped myself up in the way Ian made me feel. “Like you and Lucas legendary.”

“Without the pause to grow up, I