Chapter 20

20

Harlow was luxuriatingin Cash’s bed the next morning when a series of texts started to chime on her phone.

Cash groaned and rolled over, wrapping his arms around her as he planted kisses along the back of her neck. His voice was full of grit when he muttered, “Ignore it.”

Gods, how she wished she could. Their night together had been incredible, and she’d like nothing better than to stay in their love bubble. But just as the sun was pulling them into the new day, so were her responsibilities. “Can’t, big guy. It’s Imogen.” Ever since the possession, Harlow had made it a strict rule that she always answered her sister, no matter the circumstances.

“But it’s so early,” Cash complained. He tightened his hold on her and pressed his hard body against her, nearly making her forget about everything except the hot-blooded man lying behind her.

When the phone started playing “Grounded” by Silver Scars, Harlow was immediately jolted out of her lust haze.

Pulling out of Cash’s embrace, she reached for the phone and said, “Imogen? What’s wrong?”

“Good morning, sister,” Imogen said cheerfully. “Nothing’s wrong. I just have a huge favor to ask.”

Harlow sat up and rubbed at her eyes. Then she squinted at the clock on Cash’s side of the bed. “Right now? It’s practically the crack of dawn.”

“Please. I’ve been up since five, preparing for my day.”

“Preparing for what?” Harlow rubbed at her eyes and suppressed a groan.

“I have my first client today,” her sister said, pride radiating in her tone.

“What? How?” The news had jolted Harlow awake. Imogen hadn’t even done any advertising yet. As far as Harlow knew, all she’d done was start her website, order business cards, and written a simple business plan. “Or more importantly, who is your client?”

“Sadie Lewis. She works at Keating Hollow Brewery, and apparently Abby stopped by there last night on her way home from girls’ night. They got to talking, and it turns out that Sadie’s cousin is coming to town to get married in a few months and has asked Sadie to put it together for her. Abby passed my name on, and Sadie emailed me right away. We chatted last night and are meeting at the Pelsh winery today at ten.”

“Wow. Congratulations!” Harlow was thrilled for her sister and this opportunity. “This is huge. Sadie’s been working at the brewery forever. She knows everyone in town. With her as a solid reference, your business should be booming in no time.”

“From your lips to the goddess’s ears,” Imogen said.

“Okay, so what’s the favor you need from me?”

Imogen cleared her throat. And when she spoke, her voice was shaky with nervous energy. “Will you come with me?”

“Me? Why?” Harlow asked, completely taken off guard. “I don’t know anything about planning weddings. That’s your specialty.”

“I’ve got the wedding part covered. I think I just need some moral support. Someone to make sure I don’t mess up the business end of it. Will you come?”

Harlow found herself nodding as her entire body lit with joy. She’d missed them relying on each other when big things were happening. “Of course I’ll come. Let me get up and get some coffee in me, and then I’ll meet you at home and we can go together.”

“Okay. That’s good.” She blew out a breath. “I wanted to get there a little early to tour the place first before Sadie gets there. Do you think you can get here by about a quarter to nine?”

“Can do. See you soon, sis.” Harlow ended the call and looked down at Cash. “My sister called.”

“I caught that.” He reached up, brushed a lock of hair over her shoulder, and then trailed his fingers over her collar bone, his touch sending a shiver of desire through her. “I guess that ruins the plans I had for you this morning.”

Harlow covered his hand with hers, stopping his seductive touch. “How about a new plan?”

“What’s that,” he asked, his sleepy eyes and stubbled jaw making him nearly irresistible.

“Join me in the shower?” She slipped from the bed, not bothering to cover her naked body.

Cash was out of the bed so fast it startled her. Then she let out a bark of laughter as she led him into the bathroom.

Five minutes later, with the hot stream of water sluicing over them and his hands covering every inch of her body, all of her amusement had vanished.

“This plan is so much better,” he murmured against her skin.

Harlow arched her neck back, giving him more access as she murmured her agreement. “So much better.”

Then the rest of the world slipped away as they got lost in each other one more time before they started their days.

* * *

“There you are,”Imogen said, pacing the front porch of their rental. Her hair was styled in a sleek ponytail, and she looked chic in her cigarette pants and a flowy white blouse that showed off one shoulder.

“You look great,” Harlow said as she glanced at the time on her phone. It was 8:41 am. “Am I late?”

Imogen shrugged. “No. I don’t think so. I’m just excited, I guess.”

Harlow gestured back to the driveway. “Where’s the Mustang?”

“Oh, that.” Imogen scowled. “We were going to run out for some things at the grocery store last night, but it started making a squealing noise. We dropped it off at the shop on the way to the store and then Shaun brought me back here. They said it’s a belt. Should be fixed sometime today.”

Harlow nodded and wondered if that was the real reason that her sister wanted her to go with her to the winery. She needed a ride. The thought depressed her, so she put it out of her head and ran up the stairs. “Let me just drop off my bag and we can get going.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll meet you in the car.”

“Dang, you are in a rush.” Harlow laughed, ran inside, dropped off her bag, and wished she had time for one more cup of coffee before they took off for the winery. Her shower with Cash had severely limited her time before she’d had to rush back home. And after being up half the night, she was already feeling the effects from her lack of sleep the past two nights.

Instead of coffee, she opted for sugar, grabbing a bottle of water and the last two pastries that were on the counter. It would have to do.

Once she was back outside, she found Imogen sitting in the passenger’s seat of the Subaru, looking polished and ready to conquer the day.

Harlow climbed into the Subaru and glanced down at the jeans and plain black T-shirt she was wearing and wished she’d taken the time to dress a little more professionally. Or had her hair done any time in the past six months. Goddess knew she could use a cut and color. Next to her sister, she looked like someone in serious need of a makeover.

“Harlow, what are you waiting for?” Imogen asked, clearly frustrated that they weren’t on the road yet.

“Sorry.” Harlow put the car in gear and took off. Once they were on the main road, she held the pastry bag up. “Want one?”

“No thanks. I’m too nervous to eat.”

Harlow shrugged. “Your loss.”

By the time they made it to the winery, Harlow had eaten both pastries. Clearly, skipping both dinner and breakfast in favor of her time with Cash had left her famished.

“You have glaze on your face,” Imogen said and then hopped out of the SUV.

Harlow lowered the visor to look in the mirror and let out a chuckle. Sure enough, she looked like a five-year-old who’d yet to master the art of using a napkin. Once she was cleaned up, she found her sister and another woman who looked like an older version of Hanna Pelsh standing just outside of a large barn.

“Hello, you must be Harlow.” The woman held her hand out. “I’m Mary Pelsh.”

“Mary, hi, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Harlow said, shaking her hand. “And to finally get out here to see your winery. It’s just as gorgeous as Hanna said.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Mary spread her arms out wide. “Are you two ready for the tour?”

“Absolutely,” Imogen said and fell into step beside the older woman.

Harlow trailed behind them, taking in the rows and rows of grapes with the mountains as a backdrop. No doubt this was the perfect setting for a wedding. The pictures would be to die for. As they made their way through the barn, Mary told them the space could be used for the ceremony or the reception or both. She went through the options of other alternative event spaces outside, with or without a tent. Then they chatted briefly about the vendors that they and their clients had used and the experiences they’d had.

Harlow had no earthly idea why Imogen needed her there. Her sister was killing the meeting. She was knowledgeable about the industry and exuded self-confidence.

With nothing interesting to contribute, Harlow started to daydream about her own wedding that she and Cash would have one day. It wasn’t a matter of if; it was when. She knew that when they got around to discussing it again, she’d be all in and nothing would stop her from saying “I do” to him this time. She imagined a fall wedding ceremony with the vines heavy with grapes, ready to be harvested. It would be a smallish affair, intimate, with a party afterward at Equinox. Happiness filled her soul, and she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.

“Harlow?” The sound of her sister’s insistent tone told Harlow that maybe it wasn’t the first time Imogen had tried to get her attention.

“Huh?” Harlow asked, spinning around to face her and the amused Mary Pelsh.

“Mary offered us the use of their four-wheelers so we could take a quick trip along the horseless carriage trail,” Imogen said. “Are you up for that?”

“Sure. But horseless carriage trail? What’s that?”

“It’s an enchantment we use for special events,” Mary said. “Weddings, fall harvest, pumpkin fest, even Christmas. That kind of thing. We have a trail on the property and magical spots along the way that add to the experience. Most of it isn’t spelled right now, but to give you some examples, in the past we’ve had animated snowmen, enchanted fireflies, and a magical skating rink that stays frozen year-round for those who like to have blades strapped to their feet. It’s not my thing, but people seem to like it.”

Harlow laughed. “I’m with you, Mary. If the skates were enchanted to keep me upright, I might consider it.”

“Oh, they are,” Mary said with a nod. “It just gets too cold for me. You two are welcome to try it out if you have time.” She pointed to the back of the barn. “The four-wheelers are back there. Keys are in them already. See you soon. If your client shows up before you’re back, I’ll look after her.”

“Enchanted skates,” Harlow said, shaking her head. “I was just joking about that. Can you imagine? Maybe that’s how the Olympians stay upright after flying through the air while doing their triple loops or whatever those jumps are called.”

“I’m fairly certain all forms of magic are prohibited for the Olympics, Harlow,” Imogen said, sounding amused.

“Right. Of course.” Harlow grinned at her sister. “Are you going to try it?”

“Maybe another time. Right now, I want to stay focused.”

“Gotcha.”

When they were settled on the four-wheelers, Imogen took off, waving a hand for Harlow to follow her. There was a very clearly marked path starting behind the barn that ran the length of the grape vines and eventually disappeared into a thicket of trees. Everything was lush and smelled like she imagined heaven would smell.

She knew it must be one fantastic ride in a horseless carriage. Very romantic and preferable to the four-wheelers, but time was of the essence. Imogen’s client would be there shortly.

The trail gave way to a meadow that was filled with spring wildflowers, and the sight nearly took Harlow’s breath away.

Imogen slowed to a stop at the top of a small hill and leaned forward, gazing at the beauty.

Harlow joined her, and at the same time, they both said, “This is the perfect ceremony spot.”

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“I guess things don’t change after all,” Harlow said. “We still share a brain sometimes.”

“We do.” Imogen slipped off her four-wheeler and walked to the edge of the hill. Without warning, she raised her arms and called, “Papilionibus!”

Almost instantly, three electric-blue butterflies appeared and fluttered around Imogen.

At the same time, the hair stood up on the back of Harlow’s neck and a wave of nausea hit her. She instantly reached for the iron stake strapped to her leg. She couldn’t see it, but she sure could feel it.

A spirit had arrived. And not a friendly one.

“Imogen! Look out!” Harlow cried the moment the spirit materialized, sending the blue butterflies scattering.

Imogen ducked, just in time to avoid being decked by a fallen log. The spirit that was standing near it snarled and went after her again, only this time, Harlow was there, her spike piercing the dark energy right where its heart would be. The spirit froze in place, unable to move as long as Harlow had a hold of the spike.

“Who are you?” Harlow demanded.

The spirit snarled.

“Eloquent,” she said sarcastically. “Why are you attacking my sister?”

The spirit said nothing, continuing to stare at Imogen, seemingly obsessed with her.

“Harlow?” Imogen asked in a shaky voice. “Why is that thing here?”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t appear to be mentally capable enough to communicate with us.” That happened sometimes when a spirit spent too much time suspended between worlds. “Give me a second. I’ll get rid of it.”

Harlow chanted an incantation, and when magic filled her fingers, she twisted the spike. Her magic poured into the spike and into the spirit. A few seconds later, the spirit started to pulse and then eventually shattered into a million little particles and disappeared into thin air.

“What in the hell?” Imogen raged, her face red and her fists balled. “Why am I always the target?”

Harlow didn’t point out that she and Cash had been targets more times than she could count, wisely keeping that thought to herself. But they’d willingly put themselves in those positions. Imogen was just practicing a spell for butterflies.

Then it hit her. That was the second time in two days when Imogen had cast a spell and a spirit appeared. She bit down on her bottom lip. Was it possible that Imogen’s magic was summoning spirits?

“Gen,” Harlow said tentatively.

“What?” Imogen was scowling and looked like she was ready to tear her hair out.

“Yesterday when you were practicing Gran’s spells out in the forest behind the house, did you notice anything unusual happening?”

“Huh?” she asked, clearly taken off guard. Then Harlow’s question registered, and she shook her head. “No, not that I noticed. Why?”

“Both last night and today, as soon as you cast a spell, a spirit showed up. I was just wondering if the two things were connected.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Imogen said, dismissing the theory immediately. “A lot of people were casting spells last night, including you. How do we know it’s not you who’s attracting them?”

Harlow could point out that she hadn’t used any magic that day but didn’t. It was entirely possible that Harlow was the magnet. She had been in the past and likely would be in the future. But her gut was telling her it was Imogen, and if there was one thing Harlow had learned in all her years of hunting ghosts, it was that she had to trust her gut. “I don’t think it’s me,” Harlow said. “But we can’t be sure.” She reached over and squeezed her sister’s hand. “Please just be careful, okay? I worry about you.”

Imogen’s shoulders were stiff, and there was fire in her eyes when she said, “I’m always careful. Let’s go. Sadie will be here any minute.”

Harlow watched as her sister climbed on the four-wheeler and took off back toward the winery. She glanced around one last time and opened up her senses, trying to see if she could connect with any spirits. Nothing. Whatever that thing had been, it was gone, and all that remained was a gorgeous, peaceful wildflower garden.