Forever Charmed (The Halloween LaVeau Series, Book 1) (9 page)

I found it difficult to concentrate for the rest of the morning. My thoughts were consumed by the men and what was happening at
LaVeau Manor. Would Annabelle want to stay over until they left? Who was I kidding? She could barely set foot in the place, much less spend the night. I didn’t want to push her. She was doing well to put her phobia aside and come into the place.

Finally the clock hit twelve and I grabbed my purse. “I have a ton of work at the manor. I’d better go.” It wasn’t a lie. I did have a ton of work. I had to find out what my guests were up to.

“Just be careful,” she said as her one painted-on eyebrow slanted into a frown.

“You know I will.” I waved cheerfully as I walked out the door. There was no need to let on to my apprehension.

I climbed in my car and headed straight for the manor. My mind was filled with trepidation. Part of me was afraid of what might be going on, but another part of me felt exhilarated and excited.

Pebbles crunched under the weight of my tires as I pulled down the driveway. Every time I saw the manor I felt small and insignificant under its shadow. Liam’s car wasn’t parked in front and neither was Nicolas’. Was Nicolas really having his car repaired? Maybe that had all been a lie? Maybe they’d both checked out. That would be for the best if they did. I didn’t like drama in my life. I had enough to worry about with my substandard witchcraft.

When I stepped into the manor, the only sound came from the faint tick-tock of the grandfather clock. It was like the silence that flooded a church after Sunday service. The cat meowed softly at my feet, voicing his displeasure with me. I had to know if the men were still there. They hadn’t left their keys on the table. I placed the roses on the hall table and made my way up the stairs, pausing when I reached the landing. I took in a deep breath, turned the corner and headed for Nicolas’ room. I wouldn’t look in the room if it was locked of course. If the door was still locked I’d know that he was still there. But if the door was open, I’d take a tiny little peek to see if his bag was still there.

I tiptoed down the hallway, trying to keep the floorboards from announcing my arrival. When I reached Nicholas’ door, it was standing open. My heart sank. If he was staying, he probably would have locked the door when he left.

With my foot, I pushed the door open even further. I could say that I’d accidentally kicked it with my foot. That wasn’t snooping, right? It was just an accident. The bed had been made… okay, it was made as well as any typical guy would make it. He’d done a fairly decent job though.

My heart beat faster as I stepped into the room. What was I worried about? I owned the place. But I had rented a room to this man. I shouldn’t be snooping. I would tell him that I came to straighten up his bed if he happened to show up. If I’d been thinking clearly, I would have brought extra towels for him.

I stepped into the space and looked around. Where was Nicolas’ bag? Finally I spotted it to my left, sitting on the floor. My heart did a little dance. Why was I so excited? I needed to get a hold of myself. He was a customer and that was all. My thoughts floated to Liam. Was he still here? And again what did I care? He was just as mysterious as Nicolas. Unfortunately, I was intrigued by both of them.

I stepped over to the bag. Did I dare look inside? No, it wouldn’t be right. It was definitely the wrong thing to do. No matter how much I wanted to know about him. Besides, how much would I really learn just by looking in the bag? Whether he was a boxer or briefs fan? Intriguing as that might be, I would have to leave it to my imagination.

When I glanced to my left, I spotted papers on top of the bureau. I guessed if I happened to look down while walking by them that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. It wouldn’t be my fault if I happened to see something. Maybe the papers would be a clue as to what type of business Mr. Marcos was in town for. I stepped over to the dresser.

“Did you lose something?” the male voice said from very near behind me.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest and a scream escaped my lips. I spun around and clutched my chest. Nicolas was standing behind me. I had been caught in the act. There was no way to explain why I’d been over there snooping around. I glanced down at the dresser. I had to think fast if there was any chance getting out of this dilemma. The copy of
The Raven
that I’d left for spooky effect was lying there.

I grabbed it and showed it to him. “I came to borrow this book. I hope you don’t mind.”

The expression on his face let me know that I wasn’t a good liar.

“Of course.
Please take anything you need out of the room,” he said with a knowing grin.

“Thank you. I’m sorry to disturb you. I’ll just leave you alone.” I moved toward the door.

“Hallie,” Nicolas called out.

I stopped and turned around. When he said my name it made my heart do a little flip.

“I had to pick up a few necessities in town,” he offered, even though I hadn’t asked.

I supposed he was trying to ease into conversation after the incident earlier. Did that mean he planned on staying longer than expected? Well, there was only one way to find out. Why did I feel bad for asking? It was a legitimate question. After all, it was past checkout time and he hadn’t even paid me yet.

“Will you be staying an extra night?” I studied my shoes in order to avoid his penetrating gaze. Avoiding the desire to stare into his electric blue eyes was difficult though.

“Actually, I’m not sure how many nights I’ll need the room. Apparently, my car needs more serious attention than I’d realized. It may take a few days to repair the vehicle. I hope
that’s okay. And I apologize that I haven’t paid you yet.” He pulled out his wallet and handed me a wad of bills. “Please take this and let me know if it isn’t enough. I’ll give you more as soon as I’m sure of how many nights I’ll need to stay.”

I glanced down at the bills. “This is more than enough.” I tried to hand back some of the cash.

He waved his hand and pushed it back. “Please. Keep it and add it to my bill. Like I said, I’m not sure how many nights I’ll be staying.”

Wow. Maybe I wasn’t so bad at this bed-and-breakfast thing after all. Well, maybe the breakfast part. But that was what they had bakeries for.

I debated on whether I should bring up what had happened at my mother’s store. It was beyond weird and he had to know that. I wanted to ask him about the conversation I’d overheard too. But it could be none of my business and perhaps I didn’t want to be involved. Should I wait to see if he mentioned it again? I’d let it go and see if he broached the topic again.

The sound of footsteps ascending the stairs caught our attention. Was it Liam?
Or the ghost? I looked over my shoulder toward the hallway, then back at Nicolas. His facial expression tensed. I knew he was hoping it wasn’t Liam. But I was hoping it was. Did that make me crazy? I wanted to know as much about them as I could find out.

“I’d better check out my other guest.” I pointed over my shoulder.

Nicolas reached for my hand again and my heart skipped a beat. “When can I speak with you privately?”

“If you’d like to come downstairs later I can serve refreshments.” I motioned over my shoulder.

I was trying to remain professional, but did I sound too professional? Too aloof and indifferent? After all, I didn’t know this man.

He nodded and released my hand. I turned and walked out the door, without looking back. I needed to calm my speeding heartbeat.

I couldn’t deny my attraction to Nicolas, so I decided to remain quiet about his earlier warning and disagreement with Liam.

Liam was in the hallway when I came out of Nicolas’ room. The strangest look spread across his face when our eyes met. What did he think had happened? Sure, I’d been in a mysterious, handsome stranger’s room, but I wasn’t a lady of ill repute, as my mother would say.

“Is everything all right?” he asked with worry in his voice.

Why wouldn’t everything be okay? “Yes, it’s fine. I just came to retrieve a book.” I pointed at the hardback.

That sounded incredibly lame. He looked down at the book in my hand.

“
The Raven
. One of my favorites.” He flashed his dazzling smile.

How did I end up with two gorgeous men in my home?

“I enjoy Edgar Allan Poe too,” I answered softly.

“I’m sorry about earlier. Nicolas and I had words and we shouldn’t have involved you, especially at your mother’s store.” He crossed his arms in front of his muscular chest.

I shrugged. “Testosterone at work, I guess. How did you know it was my mother’s place?”

“You look just like her. The same caramel streaks in your golden hair and emerald specks in your green eyes.” He reached out and touched a lock of my hair and I sucked in a sharp breath.

How observant of him. “Are you sure you don’t know Mr. Marcos?” I asked.

Noise sounded from behind me. Nicolas stood at the threshold of his room’s door.

“If you’ll excuse me.” Liam stepped over to his room, walked inside and closed the door.

When I turned around, Nicolas had retreated into his room as well. I was left standing in the hallway wondering what had happened to my life. They were giving me a headache.

There was work to be done and I had to push thoughts of the men out of my mind. I needed food for my guests, although the thought of going to a bakery at this point was sounding more and more like a good idea. Annabelle had agreed to drive me for more groceries. I knew she didn’t want to shop for food, but she wanted more information about what was going on at LaVeau Manor. Having someone to confide in would be about the only thing to keep me sane at the moment. I had to tell her about what I’d overheard. She would freak out when she found out.

When I peeked out the front door, Annabelle was sitting in her blue Honda, motioning for me to come out.

“I see that your guests are still here,” she said when I slipped into the car.

“My cooking didn’t scare them away after all,’ I said around a laugh.

As she pulled onto the road, I studied the scenery out the passenger window, trying to figure out the best way to tell her. I tapped my fingers against the leather seat absentmindedly.

“Is something on your mind?” she asked, glancing over.

Finally, I mustered up enough nerve to explain what had happened.

After describing the whole mystifying scene, Annabelle said, “So he just burst in to the store?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was straight out of a soap opera. I asked them to leave.”

“Your mother must have freaked out.” Annabelle said, steering around a curve.

“Surprisingly, she didn’t say much.” I paused for a moment, measuring my thoughts. “She did mention that there was an odd feeling of magic around.”

“What do you think about that?” Annabelle asked.

“I’m not sure what to think.” Apprehension gnawed at me.