Page 54 of Hex and the Kitty (Whispering Pines #9)
FIFTY-FOUR
W ith hesitant fingers, Molly unzipped the garment bag. Inside, hung a gown that stole her breath—midnight blue fabric that seemed to capture the night sky itself with delicate silver beadwork creating the illusion of stars across the bodice and cascading down the skirt.
“I don’t understand,” Molly whispered, touching the fabric with reverent fingertips.
“Warrick commissioned it from Avelyn Hartley’s boutique,” Luna explained. “He mentioned seeing you admire it in the window last week during your evening walk.”
The memory surfaced instantly—she and Warrick strolling after closing the bakery, her steps slowing as they passed the boutique window. The dress had captured her imagination, perfect for their starry night theme. She’d sighed, commenting how it reminded her of the night sky over her childhood home, where stars shone without city lights to dim them.
“But I didn’t—“ Molly paused, remembering how she’d talked herself out of entering the shop. With the sabotage tension and uncertainty about the ball itself, she’d convinced herself the purchase would be frivolous.
“He went in the next morning,” Celeste said softly. “Asked Avelyn to hold it for you, then worked with her on alterations.”
“How did he know my size?” Molly asked, fingers trailing over the beadwork.
Celeste grinned. “A little magical assistance from yours truly.”
Molly carefully lifted the dress from its hanger, cradling the fabric against her. Something crackled in the pocket—a small cream-colored note. She extracted it, recognizing Warrick’s strong, precise handwriting:
For the witch whose eyes mirror the stars when she speaks of magic. —Yours, B
The simple words blurred as tears welled in Molly’s eyes. In all her past relationships, no one had ever listened so attentively, remembered her passing comments, or translated them into such thoughtful action.
“He noticed,” she whispered, more to herself than the others.
Luna squeezed her shoulder gently. “Men like Warrick Shaw don’t miss details about the women they care for. Now, I’ll leave you in these capable hands. See you at the ball.”
After Luna departed, Molly sat on her bed, still holding the dress, absorbing the significance of the gesture. Beyond its beauty, the gift represented something profound—Warrick truly saw her, not just her outward appearance or magical ability, but the person beneath.
“Earth to Molly,” Ellie waved a hand before her face. “We have a schedule to keep. Shower first, then hair, then makeup.”
The next few hours passed in a pleasant haze. Following Ellie’s instructions, Molly bathed with the mysterious beauty potion, which left her skin subtly luminescent. She submitted to her friends’ ministrations as they styled her copper curls into an elegant arrangement with wisps framing her face and tiny enchanted flowers woven throughout.
“They respond to your emotions,” Ellie explained, securing the last bloom. “Blue for calm, gold for joy, rose for romance.”
Celeste applied subtle makeup that enhanced Molly’s features without overwhelming them. “The man already thinks you’re perfect,” she reasoned. “This is just highlighting your natural beauty.”
Throughout the preparations, conversation flowed easily between the friends. They shared stories of their own relationships—Celeste describing how she’d initially resisted Kade’s intensity, Ellie recounting her journey from grief to reopening her heart to Reed.
“Did you know immediately?” Molly asked Celeste. “That Kade was right for you?”
Celeste laughed, shaking her head. “Kade and I have been bonded since children, but you know, when I first moved back, I lost my memories of him. He drove me crazy at first. Too bossy, too overprotective. But beneath all that alpha wolf posturing beat a heart completely devoted to making me happy.”
“How did you learn to trust it?” Molly pressed. “To believe this was real?”
Celeste paused, understanding the deeper question. “When I realized I could be completely myself with him—flaws, magical mishaps, and all—and he not only accepted me but cherished those parts. And when I realized I’d do anything to protect him too. That’s when I knew.”
Molly nodded, thinking of Warrick’s steady presence through dough monsters and smoke creatures alike. How he’d never once suggested her magic needed controlling or her enthusiasm tempering. Instead, he’d matched her step for step, offering his strength to complement her creativity.
“It’s terrifying,” she admitted. “Opening yourself to that kind of vulnerability.”
“That’s how you know it’s real,” Ellie said softly. “The scary parts are worth facing when the right person stands beside you.”