Page 30 of Hex and the Kitty (Whispering Pines #9)

THIRTY

M olly flipped the “Be Back Soon” sign on the Bewitched Bakery’s front door, her fingers tingling with anticipation. Two weeks without Mari—two weeks of strange smoke monsters, midnight ward checks, and a tiger shifter who made her heart race like no man ever had. She needed her sister’s advice, desperately.

The cobblestones warmed beneath autumn sunshine as Molly hurried through Whispering Pines. Shop owners waved from doorways; magical trinkets glimmered in storefront displays. Her mind drifted to Warrick during their moonlit stakeout—the solid weight of his arm around her shoulders, the heat radiating from his body, his face inches from hers. The memory of his golden eyes darkening with desire before that cursed alarm interrupted them sent a delicious shiver down her spine.

Mari’s cottage appeared around the corner, its garden bursting with protective herbs and vibrant chrysanthemums. Before Molly’s knuckles touched the door, it swung open.

“Three minutes late and your cheeks are flushed,” Mari announced, pulling her into a hug. “Which means you’re thinking about someone tall, golden-eyed, and brooding.”

Molly breathed in her sister’s familiar scent of vanilla and cloves. “Am I that transparent?”

“Only to someone who’s known you since you were creating floating cookie dough in Mom’s kitchen.” Mari steered her inside. “Come in before those pastries get cold.”

The cottage radiated comfort—pastel florals, cream walls, and honeymoon photos showcasing Mari and Arden on tropical beaches. Love permeated the space, palpable as any spell.

“These are stunning,” Molly said, picking up a photo of the newlyweds silhouetted against a sunset. Mari’s hair blew wild in the ocean breeze while Arden gazed at her with undisguised adoration. Something twisted in Molly’s chest—not jealousy, but longing. Could someone ever look at her that way? Could Warrick?

“The photographer caught Arden mid-growl in half the shots,” Mari laughed, setting a steaming quiche on the table alongside a garden salad. “Sit. Eat. Then spill everything about this fire chief who’s got my sister casting accidental light shows.”

“News travels fast,” Molly groaned, sliding into a chair.

“Small town, big gossip. Celeste told Daisy who mentioned to Roarke who commented to Arden during their patrol shift.” Mari poured herbal tea into delicate cups. “But first, I want to share something.”

Mari’s hand drifted to her stomach, her expression softening into something new—a radiance that transcended even newlywed glow.

Molly’s fork clattered against her plate. “Mari! Are you?—“

Her sister nodded, eyes shimmering. “Eight weeks.”

Molly launched from her chair, nearly upending the teacups as she rushed to embrace Mari. Their laughter mingled with happy tears, turning to giggles when Mari whispered that Arden had taken to growling protectively at strangers who came too close to her.

“He’s already calling the baby ‘pup’ even though we don’t know if wolf shifter genes will dominate,” Mari said, wiping her eyes. “I never imagined this life for myself, Molls. Not after Victor.”

Molly squeezed her sister’s hand. “You deserve every bit of this happiness.”

“So do you.” Mari’s gaze turned knowing. “Now tell me about Warrick. And don’t leave out a single smoldering glance.”

Heat crept up Molly’s neck. She stabbed a piece of quiche with her fork. “It started as this ridiculous fake dating scheme to stop everyone’s meddling, but now...”

“Now you’re wondering if his lips taste as good as they look?”

“Mari!” Molly sputtered, nearly choking on her tea. But her protest lacked conviction. “It’s more than physical. When he looks at me—really looks at me—it’s like he sees past all the chaos and sparkle to something... essential. No one’s ever made me feel so simultaneously terrified and safe.”

Mari leaned forward. “The best ones do that to us. Arden scared me senseless at first with his intensity. I feared opening my heart after Victor, but Arden never pushed—just stayed steady until I realized his wolfishness complemented my magic.”

“That’s it exactly! Warrick’s so different from me. He’s structured where I’m spontaneous, commanding where I’m bubbly. But when we’re together...” Molly trailed off, remembering how effortlessly they’d worked in tandem during the ward check, his strength complementing her magical intuition. “It’s like we balance each other.”

“Balance creates the strongest magic,” Mari said softly. “And the strongest relationships.”

“But what if I’m reading too much into this? What if for him it’s still just about keeping the matchmakers at bay?”

Mari reached across the table, brushing a curl from Molly’s forehead—a tender gesture from childhood. “Arden says Warrick’s been prowling around the station like a lovesick teenager. Apparently, he nearly took Reed’s head off when Reed suggested a double date that might keep you out past midnight.”

“Really?” Molly couldn’t suppress her smile.

“Tigers are territorial, Molls. And from what I hear, Warrick’s made it clear to every shifter in town that you’re under his protection.” Mari raised an eyebrow. “That’s not fake dating behavior.”

Molly pushed her food around her plate, stomach fluttering. “Last night during the firehouse ward check, we kissed. I’ve never wanted anything so badly. When our faces were close, I could smell cinnamon and cedar on his skin, and my magic triggered this ridiculous glowing spell. We lit up like fireflies. It was mortifying, but the way he looked at me afterward...”

“Like you’d hung the moon?”

“Like I’d created it just for him.” Molly met her sister’s gaze. “I think I’m falling in love with him, Mari. And it terrifies me.”

Mari squeezed her hand. “Of course, it does. Love’s the biggest magic there is—unpredictable, overwhelming, and completely worth it. But ask yourself this: does the thought of not pursuing this connection scare you more than taking the risk?”

Molly closed her eyes, imagining life without Warrick’s quiet strength, his rare smiles, the electricity when their hands brushed. The hollow ache that accompanied the thought provided her answer.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Losing this chance terrifies me more.”

“Then you already know what to do.” Mari’s smile turned mischievous. “And for goddess’s sake, next time just kiss the man before your magic turns you both into nightlights.”

When they parted an hour later, Molly hugged Mari fiercely. “I can’t believe my big sister’s having a baby.”

“Believe it. And prepare for 3 AM calls when I need magical teething remedies.” Mari pressed her cheek against Molly’s. “Follow your heart, Molls. Tigers mate for life, you know.”