Page 3 of Shift of Heart (Shifter Lords #1)

Chapter

Two

F or everyone else, it was too late to plant peonies in the season, but the laws of nature, at least in this regard, did not apply to me.

Next spring, Hattie would have peonies of all sizes and varieties popping out of the ground in a stunning riot of color.

She asked me what I was doing, and I told her I was just adding some nutrients I’d brought over to her soil.

Hattie hadn’t questioned me, though her eyes had lingered on me for a moment too long.

Most people in Joy Springs thought I was a nutter, so it didn’t bother me too much, but Hattie’s gaze was a little too eagle-eyed for my comfort.

Maybe magically boosting her soil and plant bulbs was a bad idea, but I hoped by spring she’d be so pleased by the display, she’d forget about the strange florist who’d done it for her.

The delivery and bulb planting didn’t take more than an hour, so I had plenty of time to burn before the restaurants and shops closed. My stomach had been growling for a while now, another side effect of the magic burning through me, and my favorite place to eat was close by.

With a wave and a promise to deliver Hattie’s next bouquet in a week, I hurried to my bicycle, stowing my empty canvas bag into the basket hooked to the handlebars.

As transportation went, it wasn’t much, but it kept me in good shape, and I didn’t have to pay a car note.

The basket did double duty as my foraging container and unhooked whenever I needed it.

The Thistle and Thread Cafe was an adorable tearoom and restaurant that doubled as a potion shop once all the tourists were tucked safely in their beds. I’d never made use of their offerings, but it never stopped them from offering.

When I first spotted the place, I thought it was adorable, but the name was a constant reminder of the thistle tattoo on my arm, hiding the secret of my blood. For a while, I avoided the cafe, even going so far as to cross the road to avoid inhaling the delicious scents coming from within.

That was until Marnie and Twila, the two Hedgewitch sisters who owned it, stopped by with a basket of still-warm blueberry scones drizzled with lemon icing and a pot of Lavender Fog tea, lightly sweetened with wildflower honey, and topped with a touch of blueberry creamer.

After the first bite of that damn scone, I was a goner.

Even after all this time, the scents coming from inside made all my stress lift from my shoulders and float away. I pushed open the door and smiled at Marnie.

She was the smaller, more boisterous of the sisters.

Marnie smiled and waved, motioning me over to her.

Behind her, two large, wicked-looking knitting needles clicked and clacked, quickly knitting a baby blue blanket with fuzzy yarn.

I’d asked her once how she got away with it with the number of humans coming in and out of her cafe.

She shrugged, her pale blue eyes twinkling, patted my hand, and said, “Darling, they want to see the magic, not believe it. Joy Springs is television magic to them, tricks of the lights, tricks of the camera. They believe the needles are mechanical, so that’s what they become. ”

It made sense in a terrible way, I supposed. Humans let an awful lot of things slide, and when things got a little too real, the government always slid in with some slick explanation of things like EMP pulses or NASA balloons.

A small chalkboard resting by the register announced today’s special, the swirling handwriting and drawings created with brightly colored chalk. Lavender and Earl Grey muffins, French onion soup, and Reuben sandwiches.

I rubbed my hands together in glee. “That soup and sandwich sound delicious. Are there any left over?”

Marnie’s dimple peeked from her plump cheek. “Always for you, darling Evie.”

She rang me up, and when I frowned at the price, Marnie waved it away. “It’s always the same song and dance. We will never charge you full price, so stop insisting!”

I sighed and handed her less than half of the price listed on the board.

Marnie reached over and patted me gently on the cheek. “I’ll bring you something special to drink. Now go on over and find a seat.”

“Thanks, Marnie.”

“Anytime, peach.”

I grabbed silverware and napkins before finding a table by the windows overlooking the town square.

A small pulse of distress caught my attention, and I turned to see what it was.

My eyes trailed over the few humans enjoying their dinner before finding three pothos tangled together on the ledge close to the ceiling.

I hadn’t seen them before, but they were all rootbound and crying out for more light.

Tucking my purse under my arm, I headed over and waved at Marnie.

“You mind?” I called.

Marnie’s eyebrows furrowed before she realized I was pointing to the plants.

“Do your thing, honey.”

I smiled and tossed my purse onto a table before climbing onto a wooden chair and reaching for a plant, only to realize the vines were hopelessly tangled. Frowning, I scooped up all three, wobbling as I tried to keep my balance.

Whoa. Those were much heavier than I expected.

Warm arms wrapped around my calves, calloused palms sliding over my skin.

“Steady,” a deep, rumbly voice said.

My heart leapt into my throat. It had been so long since someone had touched me, and I froze into place, unable to move.

The beginning of fangs pushed against my gums, and I squeezed my eyes shut as a warm, golden light shone against the opposite wall.

Being surprised was terrible for my control, and it didn’t help that whoever it was had a staggering amount of power.

The man’s arms were strong and muscled and felt far warmer than normal. His heat pressed against my skin, comforting and terrifying at the same time.

“Need help?” that voice rumbled again.

“Err. No. No, I don’t. Sorry.” I jostled the plants until I got a better grip and slowly bent. The man released my legs but stayed close and reached for one of the plants.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from snapping at him. My reaction wasn’t his fault. “They’re tangled together. If I give you one, the roots will tear.”

I still couldn’t see who I spoke to, but power rippled over my skin, animalistic and savage. A shifter, for sure, but unlike any I’d ever been around.

“Then I’ll move the table a little closer.”

With one swift, smooth motion, he slid the table within inches of my hands. “Thank you,” I breathed as I set the plants down.

“No problem. You got it under control now?”

Everything but my fangs still yearning to slide from my teeth. “I do. Thank you.”

“Good.” He sauntered off, and I sagged in relief as I climbed off the chair. I turned to get a good look at him, but he was at the front register now, and all I could see was his back.

And what a back it was.

Denim hugged the curves of his spectacular rear end, loosening around well-muscled thighs and calves before ending in a boot cut.

His shoes were leather sneakers, scuffed and worn.

My eyes dragged up to his back. He wore a forest green pullover that pulled slightly against muscled shoulders before tapering into a slim waist. The man’s hair was dark and tousled, and my fingers itched to run through its waves.

“Get a grip, idiot,” I hissed to myself.

The man’s shoulders stiffened. I closed my eyes and turned away, cursing my pale features, now burning with embarrassment. Shifters had uncanny hearing. No doubt the guy could smell how hot I thought he was, and he definitely heard me telling myself to cool it.

I could not turn around until he was gone. He hadn’t seen my face. We could remain faceless, and I could pretend I wasn’t a giant horny moron.

Except...he was a shifter, and he could pick my unique scent out in a concert crowd. But maybe there were so many scents in here he’d have trouble identifying me later.

One could only dream.

Way to go, Evie. Making friends and influencing people, just like always. Maybe dating again wouldn’t be so bad. As long as that person was blind or content to ignore all my proudly waving red flags. Maybe I could find a ghost as a soulmate.

A sigh escaped me as I pulled up a chair and sat down, my back facing the register. The least I could do was finish taking care of these plants since that guy would probably never come back here because of the weird girl, aka me, lusting after his cute butt.

A deep chuckle made my hands still. There was no way he heard that. I’d said it in my head, right?

Right?

If it wouldn’t damage Marnie’s restaurant, I’d cut a hole in the ground and bury myself alive.

I straightened my shoulders, took a deep breath, and pushed all thoughts of the shifter out of my head. Out of sight, out of mind.

With that, I went to work on the plants.

Several minutes later, I’d gotten all three untangled, which lessened their distress, but they were all still suffering.

I couldn’t do magic with the humans still inside, so when Marnie brought over my food and the brew she’d specially made, I whispered to her that I’d either come back before opening time or I could wait until the restaurant closed.

“We’re closing in twenty. Best do it tonight if they’re doing that poorly.” Marnie clicked her tongue. “Someone dropped those by today and asked if we wanted them. I hadn’t even had the chance to look at them yet, but you heard their call, didn’t you?”

I never spoke about my abilities, but Marnie and her sister knew I had a way with flowers. My answer was a shrug. She patted me on the shoulder. “Just let me know what you need, darling. I’ll let you know when we officially close up.”