Chapter 26

26

“She’s gone, right?”Shaun called as he rushed into the house. “I felt her leave. Tell me she’s gone.”

“She’s gone,” Imogen said, walking over to Shaun and burying herself in his arms.

Shaun’s gaze found Harlow. “Are you all right?”

Harlow nodded, clutching Cash’s hand with both of hers. He had one arm around her and had pulled her in so that she was leaning against him. “You felt her leave?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes. For days now, ever since I had that premonition that didn’t come true, I’ve felt a little off. Almost like I was coming down with something. And today when I had my last premonition, I was almost feverish. But suddenly, right after I felt all that magic in the air, that uneasiness that I’d thought was just me feeling rundown lifted, and now I remember those visions completely differently.”

Cash tightened his grip on Harlow and said, “I suspected she was manipulating your visions when they didn’t come true.”

Shaun stiffened. “How?”

“Who knows? How did she possess both Imogen and Harlow?” Cash asked.

“She was a very old, very powerful spirit,” Harlow said, finally ready to take charge of the conversation. “Because we all have ties to Imogen, she was likely able to tap into us easier because she had a piece of Imogen’s energy. Possession does that to a person.”

“Oh, gods,” Imogen said, burying her face in Shaun’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry I brought her into your life.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he whispered. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“He’s right, Gen,” Harlow said. “None of this is your fault. We all suffered from her selfishness.” Harlow glanced around at the witches that Imogen brought with her and felt a sense of gratitude that made her soul ache. “How did you guys get here or know we needed help?”

Imogen cleared her throat. “After the night out on the golf carts, I got a sense of the Keating Hollow witches’ considerable power and decided I couldn’t leave your fate solely in Cash’s hands. I knew I wouldn’t know what to do to help, but I figured a witch who was a medium might have some answers, so I hightailed it to Keating Hollow Books and found Brinn. Once I explained what was happening, she insisted on helping, as did Miranda, who’d just stopped in to sign more books. And it was Brinn’s idea to pick up Zya from the yarn shop since Brinn said she was the most powerful medium she knew. All of them acted without hesitation.”

It was something Harlow would always be grateful for and would never forget. This was what life was all about. Family. Chosen family. This was her fortune. Not the dollars that were stashed away in a bank account. It was the people who would show up for each other when they were needed most. Tears stung her eyes. Brinn, Miranda, and Zya had been friends, though not particularly close friends since she’d moved to town, but Harlow was beginning to see that maybe that was her fault. These gorgeous, courageous women had come to her aid, no questions asked, and had helped save her and Imogen from a spirit that had been ruining their lives for well over a year.

Breaking away from Cash, Harlow hugged and thanked all three of them and then said, “You’re family now. Just know that whatever you need, I’m here. No questions asked.”

Miranda let out a small chuckle. “We already knew that, Harlow. The way you took care of everyone during the solstice, that’s just who you are. We’re fortunate to have you here in Keating Hollow.”

Brinn and Zya both agreed and then the four of them shared a group hug while tears trickled down Harlow’s cheeks. When she finally broke free, Imogen was there, thanking them and vowing to always be of help when they needed her.

“Well, I think our work here is done,” Zya said with a cheeky grin. “We have two more witches in our arsenal who have pledged their lives to us. Come on, witches. It’s time we go plan our world domination.” She winked at Harlow and then all of them started to crack up. When they sobered, Zya said, “No, seriously. You two are part of our coven now. Meetings are Tuesday nights at six.”

“You have coven meetings?” Harlow asked, not sure she wanted to devote one night a week to spell work.

“It’s book club,” Brinn said, rolling her eyes. “We have wine or cocktails and charcuterie. You should come. We’d love to have you.” She turned to Imogen. “You, too. You’re one of us now.”

“I’m in,” Imogen said immediately.

Harlow smiled at her sister. She’d closed herself off for so long, and now she was opening up and making friends. There was no way she’d miss book club. “I’ll be there. Tell me what to bring.”

“We’ll add you to the group chat,” Brinn said and squeezed her hand. “Ready ladies? I need to get back to the store.”

The three witches said their goodbyes, leaving Shaun, Imogen, Cash, and Harlow in the unfamiliar house.

“You know what?” Harlow said.

“What, gorgeous?” Cash asked.

“Cora had one good idea. We should hire someone to clean this place up and find out who the owner is so we can let them know what’s gone down.”

“I’m sure Wanda can tell us,” Imogen said.

Harlow nodded, more than ready for a hot bath and a giant glass of wine. “Good, we have a plan. Should we get out of here?”

“Definitely.”

Once they were outside, Imogen went to use her magic to lock the door but then hesitated. “I don’t think I can,” she said, glancing around nervously.

“Sure you can,” Harlow urged. “You unlocked it fine.”

“But I also summoned Cora. What if she comes back?” Her face turned pale. “What if my magic summons some other ghost?”

“Cora is gone for good,” Harlow said earnestly. “That spell you guys did, it was a permanent banishing. I felt it in my bones, Gen. I promise you. But if any other spirit shows up, which, let’s face it, is always going to be a possibility when I’m around, we’ll deal with it. I’m here. So are Shaun and Cash. We’ll deal with it together.”

Cash and Shaun, who were standing behind them, both murmured their agreement.

Imogen stood at the door, her hand shaking. But she was a Thane, and nothing kept the Thane girls down for long. After a moment, she touched the knob. The lock slid into place and then they all waited.

Nothing.

There were no spirits, nothing terrible had happened, and life as a witch had gone back to normal.

Imogen let out a relieved sigh. “Thank the gods.” She gave Harlow a hug and then walked over to Shaun. The two of them linked their fingers and led the way to Cash’s Jeep.

When they finally had cell reception again, Harlow called the tow truck for the Mustang, and then they stopped at her rental first. Shaun and Imogen disappeared into the house the moment Cash stopped the car.

Harlow chuckled as she watched them hurry inside. “They are so dating. I don’t care what they say.”

“No doubt about it,” Cash agreed. “I think they both are afraid to define anything. But we know better. At this rate, we’re gonna wake up and they’ll have been together for two years, still telling us they’re not serious.”

Harlow laughed. “And what about us? Are we serious?”

“About as serious as a relationship can get,” Cash said as he pulled the black velvet box out of his pocket. “I was going to wait longer to give this back to you, but after today, I just don’t want to wait one more minute.”

“Wait!” Harlow held her index finger up. “I need just one sec before you finish that sentence. Can you do that for me? Hold on while I run inside and get something?”

Cash frowned in confusion but nodded. “You’re kind of putting a crimp in my speech, but sure. I can wait a moment.”

“You won’t regret it,” Harlow said, flashing him a stunning smile. “I promise.” She jumped out of the Jeep, ran into the house, packed a quick overnight bag, and then grabbed the cigar box that she kept on her dresser. When she returned to the SUV, she noted she’d only been gone for two minutes. “I’m ready now.”

He chuckled. “I think maybe the moment has passed.”

“The hell it has,” she said, turning to him. “Break out that velvet box, buddy.”

Cash opened his hand, revealing he’d been holding it the entire time. “Harlow Thane, the last time I proposed to you it was in a car. If that car wasn’t being towed to the repair shop as we speak, I’d have asked you for the second time in the car we love so much. But since I can’t, my Jeep will have to do.”

Harlow let out a small huff of laughter. “Seems fitting after all that’s happened.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” His eyes glinted as he opened the velvet box, revealing the perfect ring, the one she’d worn for nearly eight months before she’d given it back to him last year. “Harlow Thane, will you marry me. Be my partner, wife, and best friend for the rest of our days?”

Harlow’s heart was ready to burst. Before she answered with a resounding yes, she opened the cigar box and pulled out the small pouch that housed the ring she’d had made for him just before everything went to hell last year. She held it out and said, “I will if you will.”

Cash took the platinum ring and read the inscribed quote out loud. “All of our days and nights.” His eyes turned misty. It was the quote he always used to say to her when he told her he loved her. “Hell yes, gorgeous,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I love you. And I always will for all of my days and nights.”

“Good.” She slipped her diamond ring on her finger, leaned over, and said, “That’s never coming off this time. No matter what. That’s a promise.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“You better.”

Cash pulled her into his arms and kissed her like he was a starving man. When he finally pulled away, Harlow said, “Let’s get moving. I have plans for you.”

His eyes glinted with mischief as he slammed the Jeep into gear and sped all the way home.