Page 2 of Hex Appeal

Not only did Valerie give an enthusiastic “hell, yeah,” but she quit her job at a bar in Vegas so we could go into business together. The original plan was to find a place we could afford and split the space so we could each do our thing.

I’m not sure which of us was more shocked when Gran said she was giving us her old Victorian house so we could set up shop and home.

“Now, you girls know I’ve been spending more time at my condo in Arizona, because of these old bones,” she’d said. “You’d be doing me a favor taking care of that big old house.”

After that, it had all come together pretty quickly. We’re my candle shop by day. Then, with the pull of a few cords and some curtains, we transform into Val’s cocktail lounge.

It all feels so magical in a near-constant pinch-me sort of way.

Of course, there’s a lot of hard work behind the magic. But I’m up for it. I know we both are.

Candle shop by day. Cocktail bar by night. A place where the people in our new community can feel welcome and at home. A place where they can dream and bring those dreams to reality.

With a little help from the notes in my candles and the ingredients in Valerie’s recipes.

I’m about to turn to my third customer when the bell above the door rings again. I glance up in time to see the suncatcher dangling from the door capture a million little rays of rainbow light and send them shining all over the store.

I’d like to think it’s those rays of rainbow, and not the tall drink of water walking through the door, that has me feeling as spellbound as our shop’s name.

“Good morning,” I say, hoping my voice sounds at least slightly less dazzled than I feel. “Can I help you find something?”

“I’m just looking.”

“Of course. Let me know if you have any questions.”

He gives me a nod before turning toward the shelves. And he does, in fact, look. Closely.

He picks up one of the jars and turns it around in his hand, studying the label before popping off the lid and giving it a sniff.

Meanwhile, I study him as discreetly as possible.

His dark hair is trimmed short, and there’s already a hint of five o’clock shadow shadowing his jaw even though it’s barely nine in the morning. The sleeve of his dark T-shirt hugs a muscular bicep, revealing the edge of a tattoo beneath it. I can’t make out much, just a few dark lines disappearing under the fabric.

There’s also a small crest over his heart. A shield of some sort.

I’m still trying to figure out what it means when I remember I have another customer.

“Jessie.” I turn to the third woman who was waiting outside. “Sorry. What can I help you find?”

She leans across the counter conspiratorially. “I have a date.”

“Ooh. Tell me more.”

“With that search and rescue guy I told you about.”

“The hunky one?”

“That’s the one.”

“Well, good for you.” I rub my hands together. “We clearly need to bring out the big guns.”

I lead her toward a display and pluck one of the candles from the shelf. “Try this.”

Jessie takes a sniff and grins. “Perfect.”

“We aim to please.” While she browses, my attention wanders back to the stranger.

He’s moved on to another shelf. And another candle.