Page 88 of Love's a Witch
“Very chic.” Broca nodded in approval.
“Everything is going to be outside tonight and this weekend. We’ll want to stay warm, and I figured matching would kind of show the town we come as a set, you know?”
I slanted a glance at Nova, who glowered at the ski suits.
“You’re okay with this?”
“She’s right, and I do wear pink well even though it’s not my first choice of color.”
I lifted my chin in surprise. If Nova was okay with it, then I had no choice.
“Pink tartan it is, then.”
Broca walked into the room, relying on a cane, decked out in her pink tartan. Naturally, her pink glasses were covered in rhinestones, and diamond hoops winked at her ears.
“Well, ladies? Shall we show Briarhaven that the MacGregor witches are back and back for good?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Charm on, witches,” Nova crowed, and despite myself, I laughed.
“Charm on indeed. Let’s make this town fall in love with us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURSloane
It was a weekend for the books, as they say. Briarhaven showed up and showed off.
The whole town turned out, determined to give the best Pinecones & Peppermint Fest they could, and I have to say, they did a fabulous job of it.
They managed to take a catastrophe—almost blizzard-like conditions—and turn it into something magickal for everyone to enjoy. I could only imagine the amount of concentrated magick it took for them to do so, but according to Broca, it was significant.
Our arrival at the bonfire Friday night was met with mixed reactions, but we’d expected that. The MacGregors had planned ahead. We were going to kill everyone with kindness, even if it went against my ingrained response, particularly to assholes, and show our town that we should be allowed to stay.
The Rune & Rose was hosting the opening party with a massive bonfire in their car park, along with spiked hot chocolate, and marshmallows for all. Twinkle lights had been strung up, wind shelters built, and speakers bumped out party tunes. The place was packed, with both magickals and tourists alike, and Liam was doing a brisk business at his hot chocolate hut. The collection of snow sculptures in front of the pubhad expanded into the festival, and two large peppermint striped candy canes made of snow were crisscrossed at the entrance.
“One mystic mocha, please,” I said, ordering at the hut. Liam gave me a smile, but when his eyes danced over my shoulder, caught on someone else, I glanced behind me to see Raven laughing with someone by the fire. I wanted so badly to say something to him about her, and yet I forced myself to ignore the quiet yearning in his eyes.
One way to start endearing myself to others would be to not bring up their vulnerabilities.
“This is really great, Liam.” I gestured around at the bonfire, and the well-lit pub behind it. “Your pub is fantastic. You’ve created a really warm and welcoming spot. For me, and my family as well.” He’d been the first to allow us to have a party at his place, even when a huge chunk of the town had ignored the invitation to my birthday cèilidh.
“And you’ll always be welcomed here, Sloane MacGregor. So long as you stick by my rules, you’ll have a seat at my bar.” Liam winked at me, and my heart sighed a bit for Raven. Why was she not dating this cutie?
“What are your rules?” I asked, accepting the takeaway cup of hot chocolate, piled high with pink marshmallows and a candy-cane-striped spoon.
“Dannae be an arsehole.” Liam leaned into his Scots, and I laughed, charmed by him. As I’m sure many women were, judging by the growing line behind me. I took a sip. Refreshing peppermint mixed with rich mocha with just a smidge of Baileys for an edge.
“Delicious,” I said, tipping my cup to him.
“Cannae have a wee peppermint festival with nae peppermint, eh, lass?”
“Truth.” Tipping my cup to him, I wandered toward where Raven stood by the fire, instructing some children on the best way to toast marshmallows. When a few of the mothers saw me approaching, they tried to draw their children away.
“Sloane is the best at roasting marshmallows. Isn’t that right, Sloane?”
Was I? Doubtful. But I was about to become an expert marshmallow maker if that was what it took to win over this town. Bending over, I whispered in one girl’s ear that she needed to ask for sprinkles with hers, and her eyes widened with the excitement. Straightening, I bumped shoulders with Raven as we looked over the festival.
“This is pretty incredible,” Raven said, turning to smile at me. She looked adorable in a maroon coat with a faux-fur-edged cap on her head. “I know the snow sucks, and I know it brings your family a lot of stress. But just look… We’ve really turned it around.”
