Uma turned to find Sean McLeary approaching their table, carrying his own copy ofThe Curious Moon.Something about his easy confidence made her pulse quicken unexpectedly—the way he moved with purpose but without arrogance, how his green eyes held both authority and warmth.
"Sean!"Honey beamed, scooting over to make room."Perfect timing.We were just reading about your celebrity guests."
"Aye, quite the collection we've got," Sean said, settling into the booth.His presence seemed to fill the space in a way that made Uma hyperaware of her own breathing."Though between you and me, I'm more curious about the local residents than the visiting spirits."
His eyes met Uma's across the table, and she felt that flutter again.She shifted in her seat."Oh?And why's that?"she managed.
"Well," Sean's grin turned slightly mischievous, "I've heard this town's seen some excitement recently.Something about vampires?"
Uma's expression softened slightly."We handled it."
"I'm sure you did.Must have been quite the experience though."Sean leaned forward.
"You've done your research," Uma said, though her tone carried a hint of flirting.There was something almost smooth about how he'd rattled off their recent troubles."Hope it wasn't too boring reading through all those official reports."
"Part of the job," Sean replied."Though I have to say, the reports didn't mention how welcoming the locals would be."
The comment hit Uma with unexpected force.She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially from someone whose job it was to be observant - not charming.She swept it from her mind and took a sip of her coffee.
Roam appeared at their table with his usual silent grace."Morning," he said, his blue eyes flicking between Sean and Uma with obvious assessment.
"Roam!"Honey's face lit up as he leaned down to kiss her cheek."We were just hearing about Sean's research into our town's infamous history."
"Is that so?"Roam's tone was carefully neutral as he pulled up a chair."Find anything particularly noteworthy?"
"Mostly just impressed by how well you all handle crisis situations," Sean said easily."Takes real community spirit to face down the kinds of threats you've dealt with."
Uma found herself studying Sean, trying to read between the lines.There was genuine respect in his voice when he talked about their town, but also something else—a kind of professional admiration that suggested he understood exactly how difficult their battles had been.It was endearing, sweet, and definitely attractive.
"And what exactly do your reports say about how we handle things?"she asked.
"That you're resourceful, brave, and fiercely protective of each other," Sean replied, his gaze steady on hers."The kind of people who don't back down from a fight, especially when their home is threatened."
The respect in his tone curled her lips into a smile.She was impressed that he understood just by reading a few files."Right then," she said, inhaling a deep breath."What's your professional opinion on tonight's festivities?Think your guests will behave themselves?"
“Well, the whole tone will be set by the celebrity guests, in my experience.Madame Grimm seems level-headed enough," Sean said."Cornelius...well, he'll be dramatic, but that's half the entertainment value.The real question is whether any other spirits decide to get adventurous.”
"Speaking of adventurous," Honey interjected, "has anyone heard from Evangelina this morning?She was practically vibrating with excitement yesterday, but now she seems...to have vanished.That’s unlike her.”
Roam's expression grew thoughtful."She has been unusually quiet.When I checked the cemetery this morning, she was deep in conversation with some of the early arriving spirits.Seemed to be asking them a lot of questions."
"About what?"Uma asked.
"That's what I'd like to know," Roam replied."She mentioned something about the atmosphere not being quite the right."
At a corner table, Colin scooted close to Gloria."Isn't that the author you're always reading?"
Gloria's eyes widened as she looked at the newspaper."Oh, my stars, it is!”
“Says here he's got a mysterious new book."Colin scanned the paper.
Gloria leaned forward eagerly.“A new romance,” she paused and wrinkled her nose.
“What’ the matter?”Colin studied her crinkled expression.
"Well, let's just say his last book wasn't his best work.But… I have hope?Do you think...maybe we could get him to come to Spellbinders?"
"We could ask," Colin said gently, glancing toward Sean's table." I'd need to clear it with Roam and that new fellow, wouldn't I?”
