Page 2

2

Niko watched as Indigo drained the last of her wine. She was lovely, her cheeks rosy and her eyes sparkling with pleasure. He’d had a stroke of genius when he’d questioned Lily about Indigo’s favorite meal. His grandmother had taught him how to cook when he was just a boy, and while he didn’t do it often, it was something he was proud of.

“I can’t believe you made this yourself,” Indigo said as she placed her elbows on the table and leaned forward once the plates were removed. “You’re just full of surprises.”

“Lucky for you, I’m not quite done.” He stood and held his hand out to her.

Indigo slipped her warm hand into his as she rose from the table. “I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve this time.”

Warmth filled Niko’s chest as he led her over to the bookcases. The moment they neared, books in two distinctive sections started to glow.

Indigo reached her fingertips toward the glowing spines, but just before she touched one, she snatched her hand back and turned to Niko, her brow pinched. “What’s this?”

“The store and books have been spelled to pick up on each customer’s interests. The books they are most interested in will glow to help them find what they want. You can also just ask for something, and those will light up too.”

Indigo blinked. “Really? You’re telling me that if I pull one of these books, it’s going to be something I want to read?”

Niko gave her a half shrug. “That’s the theory. Why don’t you try it and let me know how it worked?”

“All right. Let’s see.” Indigo narrowed her eyes as she scanned the glowing spines. “It would be better if I could actually see the titles of the books.”

“Dante thought about that, but he likes the idea of each book being a surprise,” Niko said.

“Hmm, okay.” She reached for one of the books and pulled it out. One look at the cover and her expression changed from slight skepticism to pure delight. “Oh my gosh. I’ve been wanting to read this one.”

She held up a book with a bright purple cover that read Alpacas and Alibis on the cover. “It’s a cozy mystery series that’s been on my radar, but I haven’t been able to get to it yet.”

“I guess the spell works,” Niko said, feeling a little smug, considering he was the one that cast the spell for Dante.

Indigo turned her attention back to the books, eagerly going through the lit-up spines. She had a nice pile when she finally pulled one that wasn’t lit with magic. After a moment, she pushed it back onto the shelf. “This one is a little too procedural for me.”

Niko glanced at her pile. “Did you find any new authors, or were all of them writers you’ve read before?” It was something he’d worried about when he cast the spell.

“Oh, no. There are new authors here. I’m impressed, Niko. Please tell Dante for me.”

He smiled. “Happy to.” Then he nodded to the lit-up section that was behind her. “What about those? You haven’t even gotten to them yet.”

“Oh, my. I’m going to go broke if I look at any more books,” she said even as she moved to inspect the next batch.

“The books are on me,” Niko said. “Get whatever you want.” He had been the one to invite her out, after all. Plus, considering he was a silent partner who’d invested in the store, he wasn’t interested in taking her money.

“No way! This pile is going to cost a mint. I can’t let you do that.”

“You can,” he assured her. “In fact, I insist. If I’d taken you to dinner, it would’ve cost more.”

“It’s not about that, It’s…” She trailed off as she shook her head. “I’m not letting you buy my books.”

“All right. If that’s what you want.” He held his hands up, knowing that the point-of-sale system wouldn’t be installed until the next day, and currently there was no way to ring her up.

“It is.” Indigo turned from him to inspect the second shelf of glowing books. She pulled one out and visibly recoiled before quickly replacing the book back onto the shelf. “I think I have plenty to keep me busy,” she said as she turned away from the shelf and looked at him. “Ready to go?”

Niko blinked at her, slightly taken aback. “Did the spell get it wrong? If those books?—”

“No, it was fine. I promise,” she said, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. “I just think this is plenty for now.”

“You’re sure? Cause it kinda looked like maybe the spell got it wrong,” he said, wanting to make sure the spell wasn’t going to turn anyone off.

“I’m sure.” She pasted a bright smile on her face. “I’m just ready for that moonlit kayak ride you promised me.”

“Absolutely.” Niko glanced back at the shelf, still feeling as if he was missing something. She hadn’t liked what she saw, but it was clear she didn’t want to talk about it. He’d have to make a note to have a few more people test out the spell. “Right this way, gorgeous.”

“Wait.” She pulled a few bills out of her bag and placed them on the table. “For the books. And don’t bother to try and refuse it. You aren’t winning this one.”

Niko chuckled softly, knowing when he was outmatched. “You’re a tough negotiator.” He held his arm out to her. “It only makes me like you more. I love a strong woman.”

Indigo rolled her eyes but slipped her arm through his and fell into step beside him as they left the old library.

* * *

Niko stared at Indigo’s wonderous expression and knew he was a goner. He’d known she was special ever since the night they’d spent together back in Florida. The moment she’d left his hotel room, he’d kicked himself for not pushing harder to get her contact information. He’d asked, but she’d been coy and said something about having just one magical night. And since he’d known that she was on vacation, how could he argue with that?

But now, they lived less than twenty miles from each other. For some reason, she was reluctant to date someone in law enforcement. He could only guess at what she’d experienced in the past. He’d heard stories of abusive agents and had even been involved in testifying against another officer after he’d witnessed a disturbing incident involving the agent’s wife. So he understood. He just wished she’d give him a chance to show that he was safe.

“Stop staring at me like that,” Indigo said from her kayak. They’d stopped paddling and were just floating in a cove. One that was a known playground for a pod of orcas. With any luck, they’d show up and make this night even more special.

“Like what?” He gave her a half smile, openly admiring her pale features that were illuminated by the moonlight.

“Like you can’t wait to peel my clothes off and have me for dessert,” she said dryly.

Niko let his gaze travel down her torso while he made zero effort to hide his desire. It was true. He did want to take her home and strip all her clothing away. A sudden image of them in the shower together flashed in his mind. What he wouldn’t give to have his hands on her soapy body.

“Niko!” she said in a loud whisper. “Stop. My clothes are going to spontaneously combust if you keep that up.”

He couldn’t help the self-satisfied chuckled that escaped his lips. It was so gratifying to know that he wasn’t the only one who was affected by the chemistry sparking between them.

She shook her head, but he didn’t miss the shy smile that she tried to hide.

Just as he was about to tease her about wanting him, she sucked in a sharp gasp. “Niko, look!”

He followed her pointed gaze and felt a wave of calm wash over him. A large dorsal fin was gliding through the water straight toward them. The large female orca emerged from the water, showing her head and body before she dove back down under the surface. The minute she submerged, a smaller orca with a peach tint to the white parts of its body mimicked her motion.

“Arabella trusts us,” Indigo said, her tone hushed with awe. “She’s brought her baby to meet us.”

“How old do you think the baby is?” Niko asked her, knowing he was experiencing something extraordinary. The witches of Befana Bay had a special relationship with the resident orcas. Often, they showed up during the paddleboard coven meetings that were held at dawn, and if he remembered correctly, August West, Sage Easton’s significant other, could talk to the magnificent beasts.

“It can’t be more than a week,” Indigo said, her eyes misting with tears of joy. “I saw Arabella the last time I was out kayaking and there was no baby with her then. And if anyone had seen a baby, it would be big news. Baby orcas have a tough survival rate here in the Salish Sea. We’ll need to do everything we can to help Arabella with her little one.”

“How do we help?” he asked.

“The witches will do a protection spell and call on the goddesses for an abundance of Chinook salmon for them to feed on.” She wiped the lone tear that had rolled down her cheek. “Arabella lost a baby four years ago. It was tragic. Everyone will be on full alert with this new little one.”

Niko was silent as he watched the large mother sluice through the water with her offspring beside her. There was such a wonderous joy that radiated from the pair. He prayed to the goddess that the new baby was strong and continued to thrive.

When Arabella and her calf finally slipped away into the night, Indigo paddled over so that she was right next to Niko. Placing her oar over her lap, she leaned over and gave him a whisper of a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Niko. I think this might be the best date I’ve ever had.”

He wanted to reach for her. To take her hand in his and tug her close again, kiss her under the moonlight, but she already had her paddle in the water and was headed back toward shore.

Twenty minutes later, Niko walked Indigo up the stairs to her apartment above her broom shop. Once she had her key in her hand, she turned to him. “Well, I guess this is goodnight.”

“Same time next week?” he asked, brushing a lock of dark hair that had escaped her ponytail out of her eyes.

She took a step back as her eyebrows shot up. “Same time next week for what? Dinner and a kayak ride?”

“Sure. Or we can do something else if you prefer. Movie. Dancing. Midnight rollerblading. Or my personal favorite, drinks on the porch swing while we watch the moonrise.”

Indigo’s smile faded as regret flashed in her eyes. With a frown, she stepped forward and placed her palm against his cheek. “You have no idea how much I’d like that, but it wouldn’t be fair to you. I don’t date law enforcement.”

He’d been expecting the rejection, but he wasn’t going down without a fight. “What if we just never talk about my job? Just think of me as the eccentric bookstore investor who is a little mysterious. Women like that, right?”

“You invested in Dante’s bookstore?” she asked, surprise making her cheeks flush.

“I’m a silent partner,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve always loved bookstores, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be in business with than him. Brax would be okay, too, but he wasn’t looking for investors.”

She sucked in a breath and slowly let it out. “If you were just an eccentric bookstore investor, I’d likely be inviting you in right now, but you deserve someone who will be all in with you, and that’s not me.” Indigo leaned in and brushed a light kiss across his lips before turning and disappearing into her apartment.

Niko stood on her porch for a long moment, feeling a pang of disappointment in his gut. He had no idea who had made her distrust those in law enforcement, but if he had his way, he’d hunt them down and make them pay for whatever wrongs they’d inflicted on her.

With his head bowed, he descended her steps, knowing she was always going to be the one who got away.