The Witch's Halloween Hero (Nocturne Falls) (6 page)

He dropped to one knee as he opened the little box.

She gasped again, just like the first time she’d seen the ring, but apparently she didn’t recall that she’d already seen it. He was glad his proposal could truly be a surprise. And a moment she would actually remember. She clasped a hand to her mouth as amewl of happiness escaped.

He held the ring up, the pain in his heart gone, replaced by a sense of joy so overwhelming there weren’t words to describe the lightness of his being. “I love you, Corette Williams. And I always will.”

She reached down and cupped his cheek. “You are the best man I’ve ever known, Stanhill. It would be my great honor to marry you.”

He stood and slid the ring on her finger.

She looked up from the ring to gaze into his face. “You know, I think I must have suspected you were going to propose tonight. I think it’s why I spent so much on this dress.” She laughed as she shook her head. “I can’t believe what a night it’s been.”

“That’s an understatement.” He kissed her softly.

Behind them on the terrace, the french doors flew open and Pandora, Marigold, Charisma, and Delaney came tumbling out.

Delaney pointed toward the fountain. “There they are. Stanhill!” Delaney waved. “Hang on, we’re coming.”

The four women hustled down the flagstone path as best they could in their evening wear, their high heels making a clatter on the stones like a herd of tiny stampeding horses.

“Mom,” Pandora called out. “Are you…okay?”

A huge smiled broke out across Corette’s face, and she lifted her hand to show off her ring. “I have never been better.”

The four skidded to a stop, confusion marring their pretty faces. Marigold spoke first. “You’re marrying a man you don’t know?”

Charisma was next. “That can’t be the case. You know him somehow, don’t you?”

Corette laughed. “I do. I know exactly who Stanhill is.” She gazed up at him. “He’s the love of my life. Always has been, always will be.”

Delaney shook her head. “But the spell?”

“Broken,” Corette said as she reached out to take Charisma’s hand. “By love’s true kiss. Three of them to be exact.”

“I knew it!” Charisma said as she and her sisters hugged their mother.

“Yes, dear, you were right,” Corette admitted.

Delaney hugged Stanhill, her eyes misty with happy tears. “You did it. And you guys are getting married!” She let him go as the sisters stepped back from Corette. “Oh, I’m going to make you the best cake ever.”

Pandora nodded. “And I’ll cast a spell over it to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”

Stanhill put his arm around Corette and the two of them smiled. “The cake sounds lovely,” he said. “But maybe we’ll take a pass on the magic for now.”

Pandora snorted. “Yeah. Considering recent events, that’s probably best.”

Charisma swiped a hand through the air. “This will be a magic-free wedding if it has to be.”

Marigold rocked on the balls of her feet like she’d just had an idea. “How about a bouquet of forget-me-nots?”

Laughter answered her.

Corette nodded. “Under the circumstances, I’d say those would be appropriate.”

Stanhill looked at Corette, his gaze going serious. “I spent most of the night thinking I was going to lose you. Now I’m going to spend the rest of my life with you. I could not be happier.” He looked at the four women gathered around them. “I love each one of you for your help.”

Corette leaned into him and addressed the women as well. “Yes, thank you. Now you girls go back to the house, all of you. Go dance or eat cake or something.”

She glanced at Stanhill, eyes shining with bright desire and unbridled joy. “My fiancé and I have some more kissing to do.”

Click
here
for
Hex the Halls
, our bewitching holiday anthology. Release date: Nov 17th. Want to be up to date on all books & release dates by Kristen Painter?

Sign-up for my
Newsletter
. No spam, just news (sales, freebies, and releases.)

If you loved the book and want to help the series grow, tell a friend about the book and take time to leave a review!

About the Author

Kristen Painter likes to balance her obsessions with shoes and cats by making the lives of her characters miserable and surprising her readers with interesting twists. She currently writes paranormal romance and award-winning urban fantasy. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers:

Website
*
Twitter
*
Facebook
*
Instagram

Other Books by Kristen Painter

URBAN FANTASY:
The House of Comarré series:

Forbidden Blood

Blood Rights

Flesh and Blood

Bad Blood

Out For Blood

Last Blood

The Crescent City series:

House of the Rising Sun

City of Eternal Night

Garden of Dreams and Desires

PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Nocturne Falls series:

The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride

The Werewolf Meets His Match

The Gargoyle Gets His Girl

The Professor Woos The Witch

Sin City Collectors series:

Queen of Hearts

Dead Man’s Hand

Double or Nothing

Stand-alone books:

Dark Kiss of the Reaper

Heart of Fire

All Fired Up