Page 63 of Save a Wish

I dug in my tote bag for the business cards and left Marilynn with several.

Driving home back to Hank’s cabin felt like a victory lap. If all my sessions went like this first one today, I’d be helping so many people. I’d be feeling so fulfilled. I’d be living my purpose. Finally.

I’d also be making enough money to afford my own place and a car. Although, I’d grown to love Hank’s cabin and rather liked driving his daughter’s old vehicle. Perhaps Hank would let me start paying him to rent the cabin and car. I didn’t want to take advantage of his charity for much longer. He’d given me a comfortable place to land when I’d first arrived in Greenridge, but now that this new life was taking off, I wanted to do things right.

I also wished my sister could see me now. She’d always listened to the silly dreams I’d had of breaking free of Verdalach traditions. She’d thought I was scandalous for thinking half of the things I’d shared with her and had constantly cautioned me about having such notions. I truly believed, however, that Maeve had wanted me to be happy.

And now I was.

And I wanted to call Beckett and gush over my first successful session.

As if the universe had heard me, my phone buzzed in my pocket right after I’d entered the cabin and set down my singing bowls. I pulled it out to find a text from Beckett.

Beckett: I want to hear all about your first session. Can I bring dinner to your cabin tonight?

That was an easy question to answer.

Me: Yes. I’d love that.

Beckett: 6:00?

Me: Perfect.

Beckett: XOXO

I pressed the phone to my chest over my heart. This day was turning out to be fantastic. A great session with my first client. A new booking for next week. The hope of more clients once Marilynn handed out those business cards.

A snuggling-at-home date with Beckett.

Too bad it was only noontime now, but I could use these present moments to organize a few surprises for Beckett. When he came over tonight, he’d know how grateful I was for his help and his company.

Chapter Twenty-two

Beckett

I jogged from my SUV to Sadie’s front door, a bag full of deliciousness from Bear Belly Tavern clutched to my chest. The sunny autumn day had unfortunately surrendered to a rainy, cool evening and I pulled my Hartley’s Nest fleece tighter around me as I knocked. When the door slowly opened, however, I wasn’t cold at all.

Sadie stood in the doorway, soft, golden light from behind her illuminating the outfit she wore. Silky, hunter green lingerie covered her amazing body.

Well, actually, the mini-dress-style of it hardly covered anything and that was the beauty of it. Thin straps rested on her delicate shoulders. The neckline plunged down between her breasts, allowing me teasing peeks at the mounds. The bottom hem fell to the tops of her thighs and when she shifted her legs a bit, matching green underwear flashed for a millisecond.

I actually licked my lips at the sight of her. With all that red hair falling like a curtain about her shoulders and the green of her eyes made deeper by the color of the lingerie and the sultry grin on her lips, Sadie was absolute perfection.

“Amelia gave me a picture she colored today,” I said. “It was of a fairy princess from one of her coloring books. She made the hair red and the eyes green and told me it was a picture of Sadie. She ordered me to put it on my refrigerator so, of course, I did. The picture was funny and cute, but looking at you now . . .” I gestured to her with my hand. “Now I see that picture was one hundred percent accurate. You are a fairy princess.”

I expected Sadie to laugh or tell me I was silly. Something. Instead she bristled, her head shaking a bit as she stared at me, all traces of that temptress smile erased. A heartbeat of silence drifted between us then she squared her shoulders.

“I’m not a fairy.” Her mouth opened and closed a few times. “I’m not a fairy,” she repeated then stepped aside. “Come in.”

I crossed the threshold, wiping my feet on a mat by the door. “Did I say something wrong?”

Because Sadie’s aura had definitely darkened. And, hey, look at me. Reading someone’s aura.

“No.” Sadie took the Bear Belly Tavern bag from me and walked into the kitchen. She set it on the kitchen table while I removed my shoes so I wouldn’t get Hank’s lovely hardwood floors all wet. “You always say all the right things.”

That seductive smile was back as she slinked her way over to me. Grabbing hold of the sides of my fleece that I’d unzipped, she pulled me in close and captured my mouth in a steamy kiss. Her right leg rubbed against mine as she slowly dragged it up, up, up, and I grabbed hold of it, snapping her closer so our bodies met.

My free hand dove into that crimson mane of hers. When I fisted some of that hair and coaxed Sadie’s head back a bit so I could nip at her exposed throat, she released a low hum that acted like a starting flag at a car race.