Page 25 of Flirty Fall Fling

“Different.” He rests his elbow on the doorframe. “Lighter. I actually slept a full eight hours straight. That usually doesn’t happen.”

“That means it’s working. Negative energy can disrupt so much in your life.”

“Or I was tired?”

“Still skeptical.”

I take the turn onto the gravel, and the car bounces hard enough to rattle the mason jars in the back. The glass clinks together, and he looks over his shoulder.

“I’m just trying to figure out how you did all the things at the house. Did you set up the radio to say that? The door slamming?”

I laugh and shake my head. “I wish.”

He glances out the window, and I notice he’s cleaned up his stubble.

“I do have to thank you though. I took your advice and spent yesterday doing things I enjoyed. Had a great day.” He’s smiling.

It makes me smile too.

The road narrows, and the trees close in on either side.

Eventually, the valley opens to our left, and Pine Haven’s lights are already twinkling below. He looks down at them, and his face softens in the fading light. While his guard drops, I keep driving down the long gravel road.

“This is the real place where you’ll harvest my organs, isn’t it?” he asks.

Now, I’m laughing. The ease of being with him has me tightening my grip on the steering wheel.

As he grins, I focus on the road. This time, when he glances over at me, I don’t look back.

The small cabin appears through the last of the aspens. The headlights splash over the place that was used as a fire watch for decades. I kill the engine and park in front of it.

“Wow,” Jamie says, climbing out of the car, standing tall. “Reminds me of Yellowstone National Park.”

“It does have that vibe,” I tell him.

“It’s yours?”

“My parents’, but it’s more of a family cabin. My aunt came here to cast fire spells and dance naked under the full moon. It’s not quite full, but I thought we could do that tonight.”

He glances over at the firepit, and his eyes widen.

I keep a straight face for as long as I can before I burst into laughter. “I’m just kidding. You really should’ve seen your face.” I giggle, reaching into the back seat and grabbing the tote full of supplies.

“That wasn’t funny,” he mumbles.

“I found it to be hilarious,” I say to him.

He grabs the tote from my hands and studies everything that’s packed inside while I unlock the door. Instead of flicking on the overhead lights, I walk around and turn on the lamps placed around the small space. Jamie places the tote on the counter.

“This cabin is great. Exactly how I’d imagine Hansel and Gretel,” he says. “Going to chop me up and put me in the oven?”

His eyes scan over the tiny fireplace and wood stove in the opposite corner. He looks like a giant in this space.

“Keep it up, and you’ll have another curse to deal with,” I warn with a smirk. “If you need to use the bathroom, it’s right through there. It’s on a septic system, so you might have to hold down the handle on the toilet for a little longer than usual.”

“I’m good. Thanks.” He spins one of the mason jars I stuffed earlier today. “What are these?”

“Spells we’re casting tonight. Let’s go outside.” I pull the back of his shirt. “Grab the tote.”