Page 44 of Charmed, I'm Sure

All four of us—yes, I’m counting the crows—freeze. Out waddles a raccoon, plump as a holiday turkey, with the absolute audacity to stare me down likeI’mthe intruder here.

“Oh, hey little guy,” I murmur, crouching low. “You, uh…like witches?”

The raccoon blinks slowly, then ambles closer. I swear he is either sizing me up or he’s about to pounce. Money’s out on which one it will be.

“Matilda says that Bellamy will love you,” I try, as if it’s perfectly normal to explain things to it. “And she’s not always wrong.”

From the branch above, one crow cackles. “This is going to be good.”

I reach into my pocket, pulling out the emergency snack stash. Yes, I have pocket snacks. Don’t judge. You never know when you are going to get hungry. The chocolate chip chunk cookies are wrapped in wax paper. The raccoon perks up instantly, wadding right into my personal space and grabbing one of the offered cookies.

Five minutes later, I’m marching toward Curios & Curses with a raccoon under one arm and the other hand clutching my coffee, feeling like this is either the best idea I’ve ever had…or the one that is going to get me banned from her shop for life.

By the time I reach her shop, I’m pretty sure the raccoon and I are in a committed relationship. Or maybe she just wants more cookies. It’s really hard to tell.

Either way, she’s perched on my shoulder like a pirate’s parrot, tail flicking against my cheek, little paws clutching my hoodie. In my front pocket, Sir Hops-A-Lot is riding along, unimpressed as usual. Every few steps, he lets out a disapproving croak that sounds suspiciously like,You’re making a terrible choice, Miles.

The bells over the shop door jingle as I nudge it open with my foot. Bellamy’s head pops up from behind the book she’s reading, her hair slightly mussed like she’s been elbow-deep in spellwork.

Her eyes narrow immediately. “Why…is there a raccoon on you?”

“Funny story,” I say, stepping inside and shutting the door. “This is—”

“I swear to The Weaver, Miles, if you name her something ridiculous…”

“Lady Bandit,” I finish proudly.

Her mouth opens. Closes. Opens again. “…You brought me a wild animal.”

I gasp in mock horror, my hands flying up to cup her ears. “She’s not wild, I’ll have you know,” I protest. “She’s…raccoon-shaped affection. Matilda said you’d love her.”

Sir Hops-A-Lot croaks from my pocket like he’s trying to ensure she knows he wasn’t involved. Lady Bandit jumps down and circles around on the ground beneath her feet, exposing her belly to her, waiting for belly rubs.

Before Bellamy can answer, Nyx trots in from the back room. The second his eyes land on Lady Bandit, his tail flicks, his ears perk, and he does something I’ve never seen before—he rubs his head against her stomach.

Bellamy freezes. “No. Absolutely not. Why are they flirting with each other?”

Lady Bandit chitters, twisting from side to side enjoying all the affection from Nyx. He lays down beside her on the rug as she cuddles into his side. He licks her fur with the attention of a lover.

Bellamy slowly turns her gaze from them on the floor to me, standing her with my hands stuffed into my hoodie pockets.

“You brought a feral animal into my shop, and it’s already seducing my familiar?”

I grin. “I think this is a win-win in my book.”

Bellamy narrows her eyes at me like she’s debating the exact hex to use against me right now. Hopefully, it won’t be my face this time. “Miles,” she says in a dangerously calm voice, “this raccoon better not give me rabies.”

“She’s a lady,” I assure her. “She would never act so improper.”

Bellamy groans, rubbing her temples. “I hate this town.”

“Liar,” I say softly.

Her eyes snap to mine, but there’s no heat in them. Just a flicker of something that I can’t quite name yet. Or maybe I’m too afraid to try.

Chapter Fourteen

Raccoon My Heart