Page 66 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
“Primrose, I must go and meet Annie Beth.”
“Naturally, Mother.”
“What a wonderful party. Just wonderful, as always,” my mother beamed as my father led her away. “Isn’t our daughter such an impressive businesswoman?”
“Indeed, Popkin.”
Primrose shook her head. “Sorry about that,” Primrose said with a soft smile. “My mother is?—”
“As mothers are. She mentioned a cottage?” I asked, curious.
“I got so mad at you, I bought myself a house,” Primrose replied with a laugh.
“You were so mad at me that…” I began, then chuckled. “I confess to having annoyed many people in the past, but never to such a degree they purchased a house.”
“A home, really,” Primrose said. “I can’t wait to show it to you.”
“I will be delighted to see.”
A moment later, Stevenson appeared, frosting on his snout.
“What have you been into?” I asked.
He turned and looked at Primrose, then gestured outside.
“Am I needed?” she asked.
He gave her a nod, then floated before her.
“I should…” she said, gesturing back to the party.
Again, Stevenson nodded.
“And I must get ready to speak once more,” I told her.
“All right,” she said, squeezing my hand, her eyes locked on mine.
“Primrose, from this day forward, I promise to speak nothing but the truth in my heart. I don’t need a witch’s spell to compel me.”
Primrose tipped her head. “I’m confused. The spell didn’t compel you to do anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you see? It wasn’t the witch’s spell coercing us to do anything. It was only when we both admitted the truth, that we had feelings for one another, that she set us free. She rewarded us for being honest about our feelings.”
“I see,” I said, considering. “Rather bad timing,” I added with a knowing look.
She stepped toward me. “Very bad timing. Maybe I should find us another bottle of wine…for later?”
“I have no objections,” I said, then pulled her close. “And no excuses,” I added, setting a kiss on her lips. Her warm body melted into mine, and I wanted nothing more than to keep her in my arms. I inhaled her freesia perfume along with that warm scent of baked goods that seemed to permeate from her skin. She smelled of fresh morning coffee, Sunday afternoon pie on the porch, late night cookies… She smelled of home.
When I finally let her go, she giggled and then held on to me for a moment. “Dizzy,” she said, smiling at me. “I’ll find you soon,” she said, reaching up on her tiptoes. She gave me a kiss on the cheek, then turned and left, Stevenson floating alongside her. “Did you try the cupcakes?” she asked him.
He snorted in reply.
“Good?”
He nodded.
