When he finally lifted his head, he found that his unshaven beard had rubbed her sensitive skin to a bright red. He touched her cheek gently and cast a small healing spell to smooth the irritation away.

Her gaze grew fierce. She said, “Hurry up.”

He promised, “I’ll be as fast as I can.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

On the long flight back to the Bay Area, Molly purchased Wi-Fi and plowed through some of the immense backlog of emails she had received. Genuine people deserved a genuine reply.

There were several new emails from Julia. She deleted them unread.

There was also an email from Gloria. Raising her eyebrows, she clicked on that to skim through it.

“… I don’t comprehend how my own daughter could treat me so terribly… leave me alone to bury Austin all by myself… and after you had the gall to stay away for months, Molly Ann, all I get is an email…”

Some people clung to their nastiness. She only hoped it gave Gloria some satisfaction, because her own daughter never would. She hit Delete.

She was exhausted and out of sorts by the time she reached Everwood but pulling into the parking lot at the old Victorian house by the ocean caused her mood to soar. As she climbed out of her car, Sarah left the house to greet her with a bright smile and a tight hug.

“I was worried about you.” Molly held Sarah carefully. Such a fragile body to hold such a wonderful, powerful spirit.

“And I was worried about you,” Sarah said. “I’m so glad to have you home.”

Fretting about Josiah did no good, so she plunged back into her new, wonderful life. She bought every member of the Everwood coven chocolate and flowers in thanks for their help, returned to her healing and fighting lessons, and cooked strong batches of Power-filled foods and tinctures for Sarah.

I’m home safe, she texted to Josiah. And I miss you.

I’m safe too, he replied. I miss you, and I’ll be there soon.

Nine days later, a newcomer came to Everwood. He talked to various people about acquiring space to set up a new law clinic that would operate on a sliding-scale fee, and he rented a furnished oceanfront apartment. Excited gossip ran through the town like wildfire.

He was an up-and-comer, people said. A man of Power and means who would be a real asset to the town. A man to watch.

Soon after arriving, he drove up to the Victorian house on the hill and knocked on the front door.

“I got it!” Molly called out as she went to answer the summons.

When she opened the door, she looked at the tall, imposing man. Amber, catlike eyes smiled into hers. “My name is Alexei Volkov,” the man said. “Come have dinner with me?”

Pleasure expanded inside, light and airy and filled with a sunlit ocean breeze.