Page 99 of The Pumpkin Spice Spell
Cobweb jumps from the windowsill onto Tate’s shoulder, her tail flicking dramatically.
“I guess she’s perfect, too,” I add. “She wants in your hoodie again.”
“Of course she does,” Tate says, as he gets her adjusted in her custom pocket. I had to order him more hoodies with the pockets because she expects to be carried around and worn now.
As he strings lights across the front window, I watch him, without doubt or fear, but with a heart full of peace. This isn’t the part where I brace for the storm. This is the part where I decorate the life we’re building, knowing the foundation is solid, the love is real, and the lights will shine, even on the darkest nights.
The last-minute shoppers have dwindled down, and we’re getting everything ready for our big Small Business Saturday shopping event. Ivy and Rowan have been busy helping me get all the desserts baked for our enormous family dinner at Mom’s. Every year she outdoes herself, and this year she has invited most of the town.
The bookstore smells like pumpkin pie and apple crisp, and the chili pot on the stove is working overtime against the chill that crept into Wisteria Cove overnight. Ivy’s curled on the window bench with her legs tucked up beneath her, sipping one of my cinnamon honey lattes and absentmindedly tossing a stuffed mouse for Cobweb.
“We were at Donna’s last night,” I tell her. “Remy's in his busy season, and Donna’s on deadline, so he’s scrambling to find help with Junie. There was some mention of him needing help.”
Ivy raises her brows. “What kind of help?”
I grin at her. “A nanny. He’s hoping to find someone to stick around through Christmas, ideally a live-in arrangement. Just while things are crazy with the tree farm and the nursery.”
Ivy blinks. “Interesting.”
“What do you think?” I ask, trying not to sound too excited. “You’re amazing with her. She adores you. Remy trusts you. You’ve known each other forever. And you need a place and some stability right now.”
Ivy looks like she’s trying to argue, but the words won’t come. I can see her wheels turning behind those sea green eyes. Ivy has always struggled as the younger sister who looks nothing like Rowan and me. Rowan and I both have dark hair and are tall. Ivy is short and curvy, with red hair that is always wild, and sea-green eyes. She's bright, vibrant, and outgoing, while Rowan and I are more subdued. When we were little and rotten, we used to tease her, saying someone must have adopted her. But little did we know our dad had the same red hair that had already turned gray. She favors him, and we favor our mom.
Tate joins us and leans his hip against the counter, arms folded. “She’s not wrong,” he says casually, though he’s smirking like he saw this coming a mile away. “Remy’s in over his head. He's burning the candle at both ends. Not sure how long he can keep going, and Junie is bored at the shop every day after school until bedtime. She needs someone who can take care of her and let her enjoy the holiday season, instead of just sitting in the barn every day.”
“I do really love Junie,” Ivy says, “But I’m not even sure that Remy likes me. He barely says a word to me.”
“Oh, he likes you just fine,” I snort with a wave. “He gives you the same looks I've caught you giving him. Silently checking each other out.”
Ivy laughs and shakes her head, looking nervous. “I don’t know aboutthat.And living with him? Isn’t that a little weird?”
“It doesn’t have to be permanent,” I offer gently. “Just the season. Through New Year’s. He’s got the space. You’d have a warm bed, a place to cook in, and a job you’re good at. That’s not weird. That’s practical.”
“And you two are definitely scheming,” Ivy asks, side-eyeing both of us.
“Maybe just a smidge,” I say sweetly.
“Not me,” Tate adds, holding up his hands and grinning.
Ivy gives us both a look and pets Cobweb, stroking her soft fur and sighing.
“I’m serious,” I say, voice softening. “You’ve spent so much time taking care of everyone else, Ivy. Maybe it’s time you did something for you. Even if it’s in the form of a nanny job for a cute five-year-old who wants you to decorate cookies and build blanket forts.”
Her face looks quiet and thoughtful.
“You really think he’d want me?” she asks after a beat. “I mean, to do that?”
Oh, he definitely wants her, I think to myself as my eyes widen with a grin. Tate gives me a look.
“I know he would. And Junie already thinks you hung the moon. Just give it a shot. Worst case, it’s a few weeks of magic and mess.” I say matter of factly. “If it doesn’t work out, you can just come work with Rowan and me.”
She lifts a brow, and mutters, “I mean it does sound like fun...”
“Of course, you could also fall in love and end up wearing matching Christmas pajamas,” I say with a smirk.
“Don’t tempt me. You know I love a romantic love story. Only just not with Remy. I don't think he likes me…or really anyone. I can tell. He looks at me as if I'm annoying.”Ivy bites her lip, staring into her mug.
“He looks at everyone like that,” I tell her. “He's looked like that since his ex, Sloane, left.”
