Delaney grinned. “Please tell me that you’re moving and you’re here to stay.”
“Not this time. I just came to have a look around at this place you keep telling me is so awesome.” She grinned. “It really is. At least what I’ve seen so far.”
“And?”
Roxy laughed. “And I’m coming back in a month or two to look at some houses. I talked to that realtor you hooked me up with, Pandora Williams. As soon as I finalize a few things at home, I’ll be back.” Her eyes lit up. “For good.”
“You mean it?”
Roxy nodded. “I need a fresh start and with my new series doing so well, I can afford a lot of things I couldn’t before. Really, though, it’s more about getting away from all the bad memories and creating new ones that have nothing to do with Dean.”
Delaney sighed. Roxy’s ex-husband had been a controlling jerk. “You’ll love it here. I promise. And with what you write, this town is perfect. C’mon, a town that celebrates Halloween three hundred and sixty-five days a year? What better place for a paranormal romance author to live?”
“Yeah, that part kind of got me. Plus, it feels like there’s a great sense of community here. A real small-town, neighborly kind of vibe. Except for the neighbors trying to poison you.”
They both laughed, then Roxy tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “Listen, we can catch up some more later, after you win this thing. I don’t want to be the reason that doesn’t happen.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Hey, you know, there’s a chocolate sampling going on in the main tent.”
“Why do you think I’m ditching you?” Roxy winked. “I’ll be back to watch you get crowned.”
Delaney shook her head. “There’s no tiara involved.”
“There should be. There should be tiaras for everything. Call me if you need anything. I need to see about getting some chocolate in my system. Writers live on that, you know.” Roxy gave Delaney another hug, then with a little wave she disappeared into the crowd.
Delaney went back to work, her spirits lightened by the arrival of her friend. It would be great having her around. The coffee cup caught her eye again. She sighed. Whatever Vicky had slipped in there had not only made her queasy but forgetful. She picked up her phone and dialed Hugh again.
Chapter Three
Tent One was in full pandemonium when Hugh arrived, so he didn’t have to lower his voice much to keep from being overheard. Even so, he edged closer to Delaney. “You want me to do what?”
“Take the coffee to one of the witches and get them to test it,” Delaney said.
“I’m happy to do that. But if you’re feeling poorly, maybe you should—”
“Do not say quit.” She picked up her big wooden mixing spoon, the end of which was clotted with cookie dough or cake batter or frosting, and waved it at him. “Or so help me, I will swat you with this.”
“I wasn’t going to say quit.” He straightened. “Never quit.” But he couldn’t help but be worried. She was everything to him. He’d almost lost her once. That wasn’t something he ever wanted to experience again.
“Good. Because it’s not happening.” She put the spoon down and picked up the coffee cup, holding it out to him. “Take this to Marigold. She’s probably in her shop and with all this craziness going on here, she can’t be that busy.”
He smirked as he took the cup. “My darling, it’s Valentine’s Day. I’m sure the florist’s shop makes this place look deserted.”
Delaney put her hand on her forehead. “I totally forgot. Okay, not Marigold then. What about Charisma?”
“I’m not sure she’s in town.”
Delaney rested her hands on her hips. “Pandora? She’s got to be around.” She looked into the crowd. “In fact, she might be meeting with my friend Roxy about houses.”
“I don’t know about that, but Pandora probably is here somewhere. At least I know her boyfriend and his daughter are. Stanhill and I saw them earlier. Say, Cole’s daughter’s a witch, right?”
“A witch-in-training. This is probably full-on witch stuff. Oh, maybe you could get Corette? I know she’d do it.”
He frowned. “Not a good idea.” He lowered his voice. “She’s a judge this year. Can’t be seen fraternizing.”
Delaney’s eyes rounded and she shook her head. “No, definitely not. Okay, maybe you could look around and see if you can find Pandora, then bring her back here? I have to get this dough in to chill or I’m never going to be able to roll it out.”