Enchanting Blend (A Paramour Bay Cozy Paranormal Mystery Book 3) Read online

  There was something so genuine about him compared to the men I dated in the city. I guess he would best be described as downhome. Liam had an appeal about him that I found very attractive—he was comfortable. It probably sounds foolish, but he made me feel as if I belonged in this town with him and all the rest of the townsfolk.

  “I never saw myself coming back to Paramour Bay, but not a lot of people were in line to take over for Otis,” Liam revealed with a small shrug. I recognized that being responsible for the safety of Paramour Bay meant a lot to him. “Word around town has it that you signed a three-year lease. What was it that changed your mind about selling the tea shop?”

  “It’s crazy, isn’t it? Nan must have known by putting that caveat in her will about me staying a year before getting any proceeds from the sale of the tea shop would get me to change my mind about returning to the city.” I couldn’t share with Liam the entire truth to my reasoning, but I wouldn’t lie, either. “My staying has nothing to do with the money. Had that been the case, I would have only signed the lease for one year. Paramour Bay, well, it’s unlike any other place I’ve ever lived in before. I love the community, I love that one can be different here without criticism, and I really like owning my own business and working for myself. I think I must be more like my grandmother than my mother, but please don’t ever tell her that.”

  “Your secret is safe with me,” Liam promised, holding up the ubiquitous Boy Scout sign.

  I was pretty sure by that devilish grin Liam bestowed on me that he’d never been a Boy Scout, but that didn’t matter in the least. I could stay in this truck the rest of the night getting to know him.

  Unfortunately, the parking lot was beginning to fill with folks passing by us on either side. It was a sure bet that the partygoers didn’t appreciate walking through the exhaust fumes currently escaping his muffler, not to mention the gossip we would certainly be stirring up.

  “We should probably head on into the party,” Liam echoed my thoughts, though he didn’t turn off the engine. The warm air flowing from the vents was like a cozy blanket being taken out of the dryer. I wasn’t ready to go inside, not when we still had so much to discover. Maybe having our first date out with the entire town hadn’t been the best of ideas. “Hey, did you have a chance to look over those files? I hope they were able to give you some type of closure.”

  “I wouldn’t call it closure, but I did find out that Nan never dated Norman Palmer,” I confessed after giving it some thought. It wasn’t like that bit of information could get me into trouble or lead Liam to the truth about my lineage. Double checking every word that came out of my mouth wasn’t as easy as it sounded. “I happened to be talking to Mom on Saturday morning and brought up that I was interested in the case. I hate that some of the townsfolk believe Nan might have had something to do with that man’s killing.”

  “Rosemary wasn’t dating Norman?” Liam asked in confusion, having already disclosed that he’d read through the reports numerous times. He rubbed his chin in thought. “I was under the impression that they had quite a few meals together during his two-week stay, as well as—”

  “The two of them being seen exchanging a goodnight kiss,” I finished for him, recalling my conversation with Otis. “Nan told Mom that Norman was interested in the tea shop. The crime reports and Otis’ notes do state that Mr. Palmer was also interested in the museum.”

  “Rita Carter passed away a few years ago.” Liam tapped his thumb on the steering wheel. “It’s highly doubtful that she said something about Norman Palmer to Alison, but I guess you could ask her sometime this evening. It’s a shame his killer wasn’t captured.”

  I’d made a mental list of questions I wanted to ask numerous people who were supposed to be in attendance tonight, but this really wasn’t the time or place to bring up unpleasant memories. We were supposed to be ringing in the New Year, and out with the old. In this case, many years old.

  Maybe I could wait to inquire about the investigation and just focus on locating Norman Palmer’s wallet. The killer had gotten away with murder for so long, what was another day or two?

  It did occur to me that I hadn’t once thought about the billfold since Liam had picked me up at the house. There was something so calming about his presence that I tended to believe everything was right in the world when he was around.

  It wasn’t…technically.

  I wanted to clear Nan’s name, but I also really wanted to be able to tell Liam the truth about my family’s history. I was surprise to find my fingertips tingling, followed by a sudden warmth that developed in the palm of my hand.

  “Oh!” I couldn’t prevent the exclamation from spilling out of my mouth when a rather loud knock came at my window. A hand over my chest did nothing for my racing heart. Liam recovered more quickly than me and lowered the passenger window from his side to reveal the former sheriff. “Otis, you almost scared me to death!”

  “No one’s going to die tonight,” Otis replied with a smile, his nose a bit red from the bitter cold. “This evening is all about celebrating with good friends and ringing in the New Year with a smile on your face.”

  “That it is,” Liam replied with a regretful grin my way as he reached for the keys in the ignition. Oddly, the warmth of my palm began to fade. “I guess that’s our cue to head on inside.”

  Otis didn’t hesitate to open my door and offer his hand, leaving me no choice but to follow his lead. I’d wanted to suggest to Liam that we schedule a second date on the calendar where we could talk the night away, but it was looking as if I’d missed yet another opportunity tonight.

  “I left my better half inside. She was worried when we pulled in behind you twenty minutes ago and the two of you didn’t follow us inside.” Otis made sure I was safely out of the truck before closing the door behind me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything coming to a boil.”

  “Liam was filling me in on the founders of Paramour Bay,” I shared as Liam appeared beside me, holding out his arm for me to take. Alison or Oliver must have had a service come and ensure that the parking lot to the museum was clear of any ice, because the black asphalt was glistening in spots underneath the streetlights where the sand or salt had melted the snow. “The history of the town is just fascinating.”

  “My parents were born and raised here, taught me the values of right and wrong, and I’m proud to have served a community that is as close-knit as we are.” Otis leaned past me to open the glass door of the museum, which I have to admit I’ve never had the time to visit. The one-story building was rather large, but I guess it would have to be to store wax figures from years past. “You know, Rita used to throw these get-togethers to ring in the New Year many years ago. Tonight sure does bring back a lot of old memories.”

  Was it bad of me to think Otis meant that declaration somewhat differently than the context of the conversation? He had been twenty-two years of age when Norman Palmer was murdered. Had the newly elected sheriff at the time of the crime gone above and beyond his duties to keep his citizens safe from harm?

  I didn’t want to think that someone I knew could be an unrepentant cold-blooded killer.

  Liam opened the second glass door for me to step over the threshold, revealing—

  Welcome to the 1920s and every decade that followed.

  Nothing like making a grand entrance.

  Leo’s appearance—more like vocal appearance—had me tripping over the metal plate that separated the small entryway from the main area of the museum. Thankfully, Liam caught my arm and helped me regain my footing before my entire body could be sprawled out on the cold, white tile lining the foyer in front of me.

  “Raven, are you okay?” Liam asked with concern, handing over door duty to Otis. “That was a close one.”

  Another couple came out of nowhere, right on our heels. Liam and I moved to the side to let them pass, thus giving me more time to gather my composure.

  What was that rascal of a familiar doing here at the New Year’s gala?<
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  You have to ask me that? I was enjoying a pipe full of catnip when I suddenly remembered that you’re going to try and find Norman Palmer’s wallet tonight. I have no idea how I could have forgotten such a dire expedition into the wild, but I’ve come to stop you from making a huge mistake.

  Liam’s concerned gaze was still on me, but I figured it had more to do with my look of horror that Leo was somewhere in this building than it was my health.

  Of course, I’m in the building. Where else would I be at a time like this?

  “Did I mention that I was a bit accident prone?” I made my question into more of a quip, hoping Liam didn’t notice that my laughter wasn’t exactly genuine. How could it be? I was a horrible actress, which made my life rather difficult when Leo suddenly appeared out of nowhere. That didn’t stop me from glancing down at my boot and feigning displeasure, although I was equally bad at lying. “Is there a restroom close by that I could try and get these salt stains out of the leather with some hot water?”

  Leather? Good lord.

  Leo was right, but would Liam notice that my boots weren’t made of real leather?

  He’s the sheriff, dear. And here I thought I was the one with short-term memory loss.

  “Yes, the restroom is across the hallway on the right. If you find yourself in a singer’s lounge of old crooners, you’ve gone too far,” Otis replied, pointing to a sign overhead in the far corner. He patted my shoulder before scanning the crowd. “Liam, I’m off to find Karen to let her know that the two of you are alive and breathing.”

  My gaze had followed Otis’, and the view left me breathless.

  Wow.

  Being here was like being transported back to another time.

  I was sure that when the museum was conducting business, wax figures of famous men and women were strategically positioned throughout the main area. In their place were two mini-bars stocked with chilled champagne and various hors d’oeuvres and a main bar on the other side of the room. There were a large number of round ten-seat tables surrounding a dancefloor with a slightly raised wooden floor. Even colorful party hats and favors had been sprinkled around the tables to give the otherwise historic interior a splash of color.

  Even with those major changes to the décor, nothing could alter the nostalgic atmosphere this place emanated from years past.

  The venue was perfect for a New Year’s Eve gala.

  I’m not so sure. That Frank Sinatra wax figure doesn’t come close to doing the man justice. You know, he was a close personal friend of mine in a past life.

  A familiar scent greeted me, and it wasn’t Leo’s story.

  I guess I’d been too busy trying not to fall flat on my face, but now that I was able to get my bearings, the inside of the museum smelled of…lemon-scented Pledge?

  My mother used the polish on our wooden furniture when I was little, but I couldn’t figure out why a wax museum would have such an unusual odor.

  You mean your mother didn’t twitch her nose and have the dust magically disappear? How inconvenient for a domestic goddess like your mother.

  The twitching of the nose was a standing joke between Leo and me regarding witchcraft in reference to the old television show, but I didn’t find it humorous at the moment. He was supposed to be at home, safe and sound. He certainly wasn’t supposed to be at this party where his short-term memory loss could be triggered at any moment, allowing himself to materialize in front of all these guests walking among the hors d’oeuvre trays.

  What excuse would I use then to explain his presence?

  I, unlike someone else we both know, have complete control over my supernatural abilities.

  “Are you sure that you’re okay?” Liam still had a hold of my elbow. A part of me wished I didn’t have to leave his side, but a conversation with Leo was definitely in order. I recalled not three weeks ago when Leo lost his so-called control over his ability to appear or disappear. “No broken toes or rattled nerves?”

  We were almost killed! There are exceptions to every rule, you know.

  “You’re not getting out of dancing that easy,” I promised Liam with a smile, in awe of my newfound ability to manage two conversations.

  I was definitely getting better at multitasking.

  Not really, but we can argue about that later after you kick Dudley Do-Right loose. Right now, you need to drop your interest in Norman Palmer’s murder.

  I pointed up to the ceiling to draw Liam’s gaze from mine. A very large silver disco ball was currently hanging from what was hopefully well-secured fasteners of some type. The way my luck was going, that thing would fall on my head before midnight. We’d have our own dropping of the ball.

  Don’t tempt me.

  “Good to know that you’re still up for a little partying,” Liam replied, his dark gaze settling on me once more. He was reading me better than my acting skills could defend. I needed that restroom break.

  Maybe I could request a special song for us.

  Might I suggest “I Shot the Sheriff”?

  “May I take your coats?” a sweet voice asked from behind what normally would be a counter where one would pay for his or her tour of the museum. And just in time, too. I was ready to start lashing out with my newly salt-covered boot in hopes that it connected with Leo’s backside. “Raven!”

  “Kimmie, it’s so nice to see you again!”

  The young woman was none other than Alison and Oliver Bend’s granddaughter, and she’d inadvertently saved Leo from my well-deserved wrath. I was beginning to think that Nan had intentionally gotten the spell wrong to keep Leo on this plane of existence.

  I expected Leo to chime in, but there was only a contemplative silence.

  “It’s good to see you, too.” Kimmie tore a ticket off a large roll, handing it over to Liam. “I love your dress. And those boots are to die for. Sorry about the sodium chloride all over the parking lot. We wanted to avoid the lawsuits and ambulances tonight.”

  Rosemary would never have done something so mean.

  My exchange with Kimmie had given Leo some time to reflect on what I had thought, which had been the whole point.

  Unfortunately, Leo had recovered a little too quickly for my comfort level.

  Shame on you for suggesting such an underhanded devious plan. Your grandmother may not have been a saint, but she was a talented witch in her own right. She wasn’t as fortunate to be born under the same grandiose sign you happened to be graced with, but she’d earned every accolade the coven had bestowed on her prior to her abrupt departure.

  “You look fabulous, too. I love your sense of style,” I complimented Kimmie, meaning every word. Her blonde hair was up in a stylish bun, and her dangling ruby earrings matched the vivid color of her dress. Her bright smile told me that things were going better than the last time we’d run into one another. “How have you been?”

  “Couldn’t be better. Grandma Alison is paying for a friend and I to go to New York City next weekend,” Kimmie exclaimed with excitement as she took Liam’s coat. I set my purse on the counter, allowing Liam to help me out of my dress coat. I was happy that I’d chosen to wear long bell sleeves with a long flowy skirt given the chill in the air. I’d mentioned it before, but these types of museums tended to be a bit on the cooler side due to the wax figures. “I have a huge list of art galleries and museums I want to visit. I’m fairly certain we won’t be able to see them all.”

  “Come by the shop to see me before you go, and I’ll give you a list of restaurants you can’t miss while you’re there. I’ve got the inside track wired on all of them.” It didn’t escape my notice that both of us thought the grass was greener on the other side. I truly hoped that Kimmie found what she was searching for in the Big Apple. I’d been there and done that, and I was very content with my new life here in Connecticut. Nor did I miss Leo’s reference to my birth sign and the significance he’d failed to mention before now. I swear, it was like diving for pearls. You only found the special ones by chance. “Your
grandparents have outdone themselves with this party tonight.”

  “Kimmie, don’t forget to check out The Back Room,” Liam suggested, joining in on the conversation. He was talking about a rather historic landmark in New York City. I’d totally forgotten about the fact that he was a graduate of the NYPD police academy. There was so much I wanted to ask him about his past, but I was once again realizing that maybe this type of gathering hadn’t been the best venue for our first date. “I know you love history, Kimmie. Trust me, you’ll be blown away by the speakeasy theme. The Back Room was where all the gangsters liked to hang out back in the heyday of prohibition, from Bugsy to Lucky. I’m pretty sure your grandmother has their wax figures somewhere in the museum.”

  “Yes, Grandma Rita loved the 1920s,” Kimmie shared with interest, pointing to part of the building way past the restroom sign. “There’s an entire room dedicated to that era in a side room off one of the far back corners. This place is like a maze. It seems like I find something new every time I walk around this palace.”

  Told you. 1920s.

  “Is the entire place open for us to walk around and see everything?” I asked, sharing an innocent look with Liam. It was also my way of telling Leo that I was going to find a way to locate Norman Palmer’s wallet, and nothing he said or did would change my mind. “I haven’t had time to stop in before now, and I would love a chance to see all the historic figures.”

  I will relieve myself on the nearest chest tray for everyone here to see if you so much as step one toe out of the main room.

  Don’t worry.

  Leo wouldn’t dare do such a horrible thing.

  He was against anyone outside the coven knowing about our family history of our gifts.

  You’re the one who broke that rule, remember?