Page 50 of Holiday Hook Up

“If the Buffalo Bills would ever win a Super Bowl,” she joked sarcastically.

“I could probably tell you the answer to that. Here. Let me try.” He put his fingers on the planchette. “Will Bethany Wilson lease the empty store next to the firehouse?” The heart-shaped piece of wood slid to “Yes.” “Well, look at that.”

“Oh, c’mon on. You totally moved it.”

Okay, maybe he did give it more than a little nudge. “LB, that hurts. You know I have magic in my blood. Ghosts dig me.”

She rolled her eyes and leaned forward, placing her fingers on the planchette. “Will Adam Reed become a famous calendar model?”

He cracked a smile. He knew immediately what she was referring to. That shoot for the Frisky Felines calendar last year had been loads of fun. Bethany had gone out of her way to make him feel comfortable that day. It wasn’t like he was modest. However, the room they used in the animal shelter had been full of gawkers.

She’d kept everything fun and not intimidating. They’d laughed through the entire shoot.

“What can I say. I’ll do anything for the felines.” He tapped her shoulder. “Open your business.”

She finished her water. “Why are you so interested in me opening a photography studio?”

“You did such an awesome job on the Frisky Felines calendar. You were great with all of us. Besides, we need more cat pictures in this town.”

She laughed. “That last point is pretty convincing.”

“You know we’d all help you. Emma, Abby, Caitlin, and of course, Rachel. I would do any renovations you needed.”

“Maybe someday . . .” her voice dragged.

He wasn’t so convinced that even buzzed Bethany could throw caution to the wind. “Tell you what.” He tapped her knee. “How about we make some New Year’s resolutions?”

“Now?”

“Sure, why not? We’ll get a head start. You can work on a new business plan—we’ll table discussion on you leasing a store for now. I’ll then work on adding a new carpentry division to my dad’s company.”

“I like that idea,” she said softly.

“Oh, and a second resolution for me would be to get the Batter Up spell finally right.”

“You’re not sure about Zoe and Will?” she asked, reaching for a piece of garlic bread from the plate on the table and biting down.

“Who knows. Although, that guy has been sporting one hell of a grin this week. Maybe they are finally enjoying their Holiday Hook Up.”

“Maybe,” she said, and looked out the window.

“Not a Will fan?”

“No, that’s not it. He’s a nice guy.”

He glanced outside, huge snowflakes were steadily coming down. “It’s late. I should probably get going. I’ll shovel your pathway in the morning.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Not a problem at all. Besides, I need to work up an appetite for my mom’s Christmas goose. Say, do you have plans for tomorrow?” he asked. It only occurred to him now that she might not with her parents out of the country.

She smiled. “Not really, but I’ll be fine. I have a freezer full of food. I’m going to Skype with my mom and dad in the afternoon. Maybe I’ll finally get around to reading the book I checked out from the library last month.” She smiled. “If I need some holiday cheer, I can always hang out in the store and get started on tagging items for our After Christmas sale.”

The thought of her being alone in her family’s empty store, even if she’d be surrounded by all things Christmas, made his heart squeeze. “Well, you’re welcome to join me at my mother’s.” He got up and walked to the front door. “Tell you what. I’ll stop by in the morning. You can let me know then.”

She came up behind him and reached for his coat, handing it to him. “That sounds like a plan. Thanks, Adam.”

“And another thing.” He grinned down at his beautiful neighbor, tugging her ponytail gently. “No more Ouija and Wine Nights alone. Promise.”

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