Page 54 of When the Witch Met the Minotaur

“Will you consider joining forces at the market?”

Hmm. I look to the window, tasting the idea in my head. “We will have to create a contract. I can’t have you ruining my reputation with your attempts at magic.”

“I wouldn’t be doing any magic at all. I was thinking I’d be your research assistant, finding new spells to try out in your workroom.”

“I love that idea, but you will have magic. You still have your stones. Or did you wall them up in that ditchite structure?”

“I have them, but I meant to give them to you to destroy or just keep safe.”

“No, I believe you can come up with a way to use them safely.”

“Seriously?”

“Now that you know better how they work and why, you can invent something. I am willing to bet the town’s safety on that brain of yours.”

He lifts me onto him and cradles my face with his huge hands. “Thank you, Tully. Thank you for believing in me.”

I smile against his fingers, then nip at his thumb, nearly hard enough to draw blood. “Don’t get too comfortable. You’ll have to earn my trust with this joint venture idea.”

He pulls me into a kiss. I tangle my tongue with his, and he cants my jaw and deepens the kiss with devouring motions thathave me hot and wet all over again. I moan into his mouth and soon we are experimenting with this new love all over again.

Chapter 26

Tully

Itake a seat in Two Cats Bakery. The crowd is light at the moment since it’s lunch break and most like to eat a bigger meal at home, the tavern, the inn, or the pub. The bakery will get busy again at tea time, nearly as stuffed as it is in the mornings. Maplecats snooze on top of the bookshelf by the front window, under the display case of pastries, and in several unoccupied chairs. I pat my lap and one big beauty obliges me by hopping into my lap. I stroke the cat’s leafy, velvety pelt, and a purr starts up, making the kitty’s weighty warmth vibrate against my legs.

Kaya pours me a cup of hot cinnamon tea with absolute gob tons of honey—just how I like it. “I heard about what you’re doing.”

She sets down a small plate of orange zest scones and I have one halfway down my gullet before she can join me at the table.

“Love the new icing,” I say around a mouthful.

“Thank you. I used clove.”

“Perfect.” I take another because they’re really very tiny.

Kaya grins at my delighted munching and slides a handful of gold my way. I choke on my scone and she gets up to pat me on the back until I’m able to breathe again.

“That’s too much, Kaya. You don’t even know what I’m using the money for.”

“You have never once in your entire life asked anyone for anything like this.”

“So?”

“So your reason must be a good one. I trust you, Tully.”

“You probably shouldn’t.”

“Too bad. I do.” She crosses her arms and gives me a haughty little grin.

I chuckle and take the coin. “You’re sure? You said you needed a new mixer mechanism and a full-time employee.” I lean close, and the cat’s purring rumbles against my stomach. “This has to be your whole savings unless you’re some lost princess and you’ve been holding out on us.”

Kaya’s dimpled cheeks lift as she laughs and she dusts a bit of flour from her chin. “There’s always more money to make, right? I’ll be fine.”

“If you say so. I do promise that it’s for a good cause.”

“You might be turning into a solidly sweet person, Tully.”