Page 30 of Bearly Believable Romance

Suddenly, a loud pop and a shower of sparks erupted from the corner of the room, causing everyone to jump. Daisy, her pink hair standing on end and her face smudged with soot, grinned sheepishly. “Oops! I guess I got a little too excited about the festival fireworks display. My magic just kind of... exploded.”

Celeste shook her head, a fond smile playing on her lips. “Daisy, honey, what are we going to do with you?”

As the women rushed to help clean up the mess, giggling and teasing Daisy good-naturedly, Tabitha felt a sense of peace wash over her. This was where she belonged, surrounded by the love and support of her chosen family, in a town that had welcomed her with open arms.

Ellie, her eyes soft with understanding, wrapped an arm around Tabitha’s shoulders. “You know, when I first came to Whispering Pines, I felt like an outsider too. But these women, this town... They have a way of making you feel like you’ve always been a part of their story.”

Tabitha nodded, her heart full to bursting. “I never knew how much I needed this, needed them... Until I found it.”

When Bram showed up to walk her home, her heart felt full of joy. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him. He stood outside, leaning on a street lamp, a smile spread over his face when he saw her. She rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him. She’d missed him. It had only been a few hours, but she loved spending time with Bram. They kissed and all was right with the world.

“Looks like you had fun.” He held her hand in his as they walked.

“I did.”

“You sound surprised.” He met her gaze with a slight frown.

She shrugged and thought about it. “I don’t really have friends. My parents felt it was a waste of time I could be spending on my magic. On learning and practicing. So this is new. It’s really amazing.”

He stopped walking and pulled her into his arms again. “That had to be lonely for you.”

“Yeah, but I got used to it.”

He squeezed her close to him. “Get unused to it. You’ll never have to feel lonely again. You have friends now.” He kissed her forehead. “You have me.”

SIXTEEN

Tabitha twirled in front of the full-length mirror, admiring her shimmering satin dress the color of autumn leaves. The garment hugged her curves before flaring into a flowy skirt perfect for dancing under the moonlight. She couldn’t wait to see Bram’s reaction when he laid eyes on her.

Their relationship had blossomed from a ruse into something real and wonderful. Bram brought joy and laughter into her life like no one else ever had. Tabitha wanted tonight to be magical - a night neither of them would ever forget.

She fastened a delicate silver pendant around her neck, an heirloom from her grandmother. Tabitha sensed the power thrumming within the metal as she whispered an enchantment. The necklace glowed faintly, imbuing her with an extra boost of charm and confidence. Perfect.

Slipping on strappy heels, she gave herself one last appraisal before heading out the door, excitement building in her chest. Whispering Pines was alive with activity as Tabitha strolled through the quaint cobblestone streets toward the festival grounds. Cheerful music drifted on the crisp evening air mingled with the sweet aroma of caramel apples and cinnamon donuts.

Townsfolk called out friendly greetings as she passed, their smiles warm and welcoming. In the months since moving here, Tabitha had made a concerted effort to get to know her neighbors, both human and supernatural. It warmed her heart to feel so accepted like she truly belonged.

Twinkling fairy lights in the trees cast a magical glow over the clearing where the festival was being held. Hay bales and pumpkins provided rustic autumn flair. Children shrieked with laughter as they bobbed for apples while couples swayed together on the dance floor.

“There you are,” a deep, familiar voice rumbled behind her. “I was starting to think you’d changed your mind about being my date.”

Tabitha turned to find Bram looking devastatingly handsome in dark jeans and an emerald-green Henley that made his eyes gleam. Her heart flipped at his roguish grin.

“And miss all this?” She gestured at the lively scene. “Not a chance. Besides, I believe I was promised a night of fun and romance.”

“That you were.” Bram produced a beautiful wrist corsage seemingly from thin air. Delicate orange roses and baby’s breath were nestled among glowing amber crystals. “For you, my lady.”

“It’s stunning,” Tabitha breathed as he slid it onto her wrist. The crystals pulsed with enchantment. “Where in the world did you find something like this?”

“I may have had some help from Celeste,” Bram admitted with a wink. “She’s a whiz with flower magic.”

Speaking of the vivacious redhead, Celeste bounded up to them with Kade in tow, her emerald dress swishing around her ankles.

“You two are just the most gorgeous couple,” she declared, pulling them both into an exuberant hug. “Doesn’t Tabby look divine, Bram? That dress is to die for.”

“She certainly does,” Bram agreed, smiling down at Tabitha in a way that made her insides melt.

Kade chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife. “All right, let’s not embarrass them. There’s plenty of time for that later.”

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