Page 42 of The Pumpkin Spice Spell (Wisteria Cove #1)

Willa

The sea used to be where I felt free.

But now?

Freedom would be waking up next to you,

every morning,

right here.

-Tate

T he snow’s melted into little puddles along the sidewalk, and it’s quiet this morning, and I’m grateful for it. It’s a perfect pause between festival chaos and Thanksgiving prep. Today is a big baking day, and we are getting ready for our friends’ feast tomorrow, a tradition we do every year.

Ivy perches on the stool at the counter, nursing a mug of tea while Cobweb purrs on the windowsill, watching the leaves flutter in the breeze on the ground, tail flicking in rhythm with the soft music playing overhead.

“You’re glowing,” Ivy says with a grin, nudging her mug toward mine. “What’s it like to be finally, disgustingly happy?”

I laugh and lean against the counter. “It’s amazing. Like, actually amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this grounded in my entire life. Like…I know where I belong.”

Ivy raises a brow and gives me that big-sister-you-chose look. “How do you feel about moving out to the cabin?”

“I’m really excited,” I admit, my cheeks warming. “Tate and I—” I pause, heart fluttering a little just saying it out loud. “We’re building something real. It’s…a life. A future. I didn’t think we’d have this.”

I take a breath, trying not to get emotional. “We’re decorating the cabin this week. I already found the perfect garland for the fireplace. And I ordered stockings. One for me, one for him, and one for Cobweb.”

Ivy gasps dramatically. “Family stockings. You’re officially a family.”

“I’m really happy,” I say with a grin. “I want all of this. The traditions. Christmas pancakes and morning cuddles and coffee on the porch. I want to wake up with him and fall asleep knowing that we’re together and have our own home.”

“You said all of that with the dreamiest look on your face,” Ivy murmurs.

“I never thought you’d actually settle down.

You said yourself over the years that you were going to be a cat lady above the bookstore.

Hey…nothing wrong with that, but you really have done a one-eighty. It was amazing to watch.”

“Because it feels like the chapter I’ve been waiting to write or read.

” I sip my tea and glance out the window, where the harbor glints just beyond the rooftops.

“Rowan’s going to move into the loft while she gets the shop ready to open, and I’ll still run the bookstore, obviously.

But now there’s a rhythm to everything. There’s balance. ”

Ivy stares into her mug for a moment. “I’m so happy for you. Really, I am. I mean… it’s like watching someone step right into the life they were meant for.”

There’s something wistful in her tone, a flicker of longing that tugs at me. She hasn’t talked about what happened with Derek. The latest is that they got in a big fight, and I didn’t get all of the details, but I gathered it was bad. I’m pretty sure Roan is ready to hex him big time.

“I want that, too,” she says softly, not meeting my eyes. “Not your exact life. I mean, I’d totally steal your man if I thought I had a chance?—”

“Ha,” I snort and see her laughing.

“I’m totally kidding. I love Tate like a brother. But I’m not blind. He’s hot.”

I snort and sip my tea and tease. “Okay, so you’re into brothers. Got it.”

She rolls her eyes. “I want something that’s mine. A plan and a dream. To finally have a place to land. I’m tired of hopping jobs and not having a place to belong.”

“You’re not floating, Ivy. You’re going to find your happily ever after.”

She laughs. “Thanks. I don’t know about that. I’m pretty sure things are over with Derek. I just want to matter to someone, you know? I want someone to love me and show up for me like I show up for them.”

I reach across the counter and wrap my fingers around hers. “You matter more than you’ll ever know. This town would fall apart without you. And something good’s coming. I can feel it.”

“I hope so,” she says, her voice thickening a little. “I’m trying so hard to believe that.”

“You’re magic, Ivy. And you deserve to feel it, too.”

Just then, the bell over the door jingles. Tate steps inside, cheeks pink from the wind, a garland of pine boughs looped over one arm and a box of lights in the other. He catches my eye and grins with that easy, heart-wrecking grin that undoes me every time straight to my core.

“Sorry I’m late,” he says, setting the box down. “Had to wrestle with Old Pete and Donna about which bulbs were too ‘damn tacky’ to go on the harbor poles.”

“He’s particular about his harbor poles,” I say.

“Don’t I know it.” Tate glances between Ivy and me. “Should I come back later?”

“No,” Ivy says, hopping down from the stool. “You’re the muscle we need. You can help us string those up before we get distracted again.”

He salutes, all warm flannel and muscular forearms, then starts unspooling the lights. I catch Ivy watching him for a second before she whispers, “Yeah. I see the appeal.”

“Brother fucker,” I whisper-tease back.

“Yeah, that one’s all yours. I might just become the cat lady who ends up living above the bookstore,” she says with a wink, then heads toward the back to check on the new shipment of books that just arrived.

I step over to Tate and wrap my arms around his waist from behind. He stills for a second, then turns and pulls me into him like he’s been waiting all day.

“Hey,” he murmurs into my hair. “You excited to decorate at the cabin later?”

“Only if you promise to do it shirtless while drinking cocoa.”

“Maybe,” he smirks as he pulls back and brushes his knuckles over my cheek. “You okay?”

“I’m perfect. How are you doing?”

“I’m great now,” he says as he pulls me tighter, planting a kiss on my head.

And for the first time in my life, I mean that with no hesitation, any fear. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

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 about that. 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.”

“I’ll think about it,” she says finally. “It does sound kind of...right.”

“Right is the word for it. You both need this. End of story.”

Tate chuckles from the counter. “Now who is meddling.”

“Shut up. You know I'm right,” I tell him with a look.

He gives Ivy a two-finger salute and disappears into the back, humming some ridiculous tune under his breath.

I look at Ivy, and there’s a spark in her eyes that wasn’t there before. It looks like hope. Something I haven’t seen since Derek got ahold of her.