Page 109 of Falling for Keeps

“Okay.” I shake my head, wishing it hadn’t come to this. “Bye, Jen.”

She hangs up, exerting control where she can, and I drop my phone on my desk. It’s not the outcome I was hoping for when we moved to Vermont, but I feel better now it’s been handled. I spent so much time trying to protect Penny from the pain of me falling for someone else, I let her find loss in another avenue.

It’s true that I’ll never be able to protect her from everything, but she’s only nine. I’m still going to do my best. It helps to have so many adults in her corner.

“Locking up, Doc,” Barb says from down the hall. She pokes her head into my office, wearing a black witch’s hat over her long, curled hair, and a black and purple dress.

“You look spooky.”

“I’m ready to party, Dr. Price. That wedding took it out of me.”

“Glad you can let loose.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “There’s a silent auction, you know. I don’t think Emma would be mad if you came and bid on something.”

“Excellent idea.” I grin, powering down my computer. “Maybe I’ll see you over there.”

“Have a good night,” she calls, escaping down the hall.

We’ve been working together the last week, staying late and calling through the patient files to find out who still sees us at this practice, who’s moved on, and who would like to come back now that we’re under new ownership. It’s been successful, filling up the books. I’m starting to feel nearly as busy as I was in Tennessee. For the first time since opening our doors, I can breathe. I really think this is going to work out.

The library is dimmer than usual, decorated with purple, orange, and green string lights. The safety lights are on, too, so there’s no threat of anyone not being able to see. A banner hangs along the back wall that reads BROOMS UP, WITCHES! and there are two tables lining the wall with baskets and tickets for the silent auction.

Emma stands at the microphone with her friend Demi, fiddling with the karaoke machine as music flows through the room. Autumn Ridge really turned out for this tonight. I’ve never seen so many women in witch costumes in my life. There are a wide variety—some only sporting a tiny hat on a headband and the rest of their clothes normal, and some who’ve decked themselves out in the whole shebang, striped tights and pointy boots and everything.

Obviously, Emma is one of those. She’s wearing a purple dress that cinches at the waist and has green stripes on some sort of underskirt. Her hair is curled and bouncy, her makeup dramatic. She looks amazing.

I spot Tate Walker in the back, so I skirt the women dancing and eating what looks like Sadie’s cream puffs. Might have to snag one of those on my way out.

“Hey, man,” I say, clapping Tate on the back.

He stands. “No costume?”

“I’m not supposed to be here.”

“You could borrow a witch hat and blend right in.”

I glance down at my navy scrubs. Not likely. “I saw Seth when I got here. There are no rules about it being women-only, are there?”

“Not explicitly.” Tate and I both look toward the BROOMS UP, WITCHES! sign.

Okay, fine. I knew my presence tonight was short-lived.

“I think you’ve been caught,” Tate says, nodding toward the back of the room where the microphone is set up. Emma stands there, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. Her dark brown eyes are on me, and despite the stern demeanor, there’s a definite amused smile on her lips.

“Better go beg forgiveness. See you around.”

He settles back in his chair in the corner of the room, a book in front of him.

And I head to the woman I love.

Emma

Tonight is a total hit. Everyone is eating the food, snacking on Sadie’s maple treats, and vibing to the music. Demi set up a karaoke machine despite my greater hesitations, but I don’t think I’ll fall under the spell of other peoples’ mediocre singing—and sometimes great singing, if I’m being honest—and make out with the closest guy. Because the only guy I want to kiss for the rest of my life is walking toward me now.

I’m taken. We’ve officially broken the karaoke curse.

Carson’s wearing his scrubs and athletic shoes with a jacket, and he looks put together and confident.