Muse of the Witch (Witches of Keating Hollow Book 9) Read online

  Muse of the Witch

  Deanna Chase

  Bayou Moon Press, LLC

  Copyright © 2020 by Deanna Chase

  Editing: Angie Ramey

  Cover image: © Ravven

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

  Bayou Moon Press, LLC

  www.deannachase.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  About This Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Deanna’s Book List

  About the Author

  About This Book

  Wanda Danvers is always the life of the party. She sets her own terms and answers to no one. Her love life is no exception even if she is dating the talented and handsome Cameron Copeland. But before things can really take off, her teenaged step-sister shows up on her doorstep, needing a place to stay. Now with a teenager to care for, dating is complicated and so is Cameron. Suddenly he’s asking for a commitment… something Wanda has vowed never to give.

  Cameron Copeland knows what he wants. And what he wants is Wanda Danvers. He’s ready to settle down, but how can he convince the commitment-phobic woman of his dreams he means business when he’s always traveling out of town for work? Add in a troubled teenager to the mix and Cameron has some serious work to do. But just as he’s ready to show Wanda he’s worth the risk, his gets a surprise visit of his own. Is it all too much for both Cameron and Wanda, or will they find a way to finally make a family of their own?

  Chapter One

  “You were wearing what when his parents walked in?” Abby Townsend gasped out. A lock of her long blond hair fell out of her messy bun as she threw her head back and laughed.

  “A see-through camisole,” Wanda said with a grimace. She still couldn’t believe that Cameron’s parents had walked in on her while she’d been waiting in his room at the Keating Hollow Inn, ready to rock his world. He was a screenwriter who’d come to Keating Hollow recently to work on his latest project. After Wanda and Cameron had gotten together, they’d had a couple of hot weeks before he’d taken off to work on his latest movie. But he’d texted to let her know he’d be back in town that night and she’d decided to pick up right where they’d left off… Except his parents had clamjammed her. “That’s the first time I’ve ever met a man’s parents with my nipples on full display.”

  “Oh my gods.” Abby clasped a hand over her mouth and shook her head while tears of laughter pooled in her blue eyes. “That’s one hell of a way to make a first impression. What did you do?”

  “What do you think I did?” Wanda took a long sip of her beer and stared up at the star-filled sky. When Wanda had run from the inn, she’d gone straight to Abby’s and talked her into an evening ride on Wanda’s party-mobile golf cart. Normally they’d ride around town with Prince blaring from her sound system, but that night they ended up down by the river just talking. Wanda was drinking a beer, while Abby, the mother-to-be, was sipping on sparkling water.

  “I can’t even imagine. I’d have burrowed under the covers and prayed the bed swallowed me whole,” Abby said.

  Wanda snorted. “That would be one way to go. I, however, jumped out of the bed and promptly fell flat on my face. Then I calmly walked into the bathroom, got dressed, and left with my head held high.”

  “Oh, Wanda,” Abby said, giving her a sympathetic but amused look. “That’s… awful and completely hilarious all at the same time.”

  “I know.” Wanda let out a sigh. “Now I’m going to have to hide out until Cameron leaves town. How’s your guest room?”

  “Full of baby stuff.” Abby placed her hands on her barely there baby bump. “Clay and I might be a little excited.” Her eyes sparkled, and even under the moonlight it was impossible to miss the glow illuminating her skin.

  Wanda loved seeing her best friend so happy. She and Clay were high school sweethearts, but they’d been separated for over ten years when they both left town soon after their friend Charlotte Pelsh passed away. Her death was tragic, and Abby especially hadn’t handled it well. But once she and Clay both moved back to town, they’d managed to find their way back to each other. It hadn’t been easy for either of them, but they were the most in-love couple Wanda had ever known. They were the perfect example of relationship goals. Except Wanda had never wanted to get married. She’d always been happy being single. And then Cameron Copeland came along.

  The man just did things for her. He was sexy, fun, and easy going. And perfect for her. His job kept him traveling for work, which meant he had his life and she had hers. They got together when he was in town and when he was gone, she missed him sure, but she also relished her alone time and the fact that she never had to answer to anyone but herself.

  Independence was Wanda’s middle name.

  “Can I throw you a baby shower, or do your sisters have that covered?” Wanda asked Abby. “You know how much I love a party.”

  Abby gave her friend a huge grin. “I would love that. I think Noel has her hands full with my precious baby niece, so I wouldn’t worry about her having any plans for a shower. Check with Yvette and Faith though. They’ve been feeling me out on what kind of stuff we need, so they probably are up to something.”

  “On it.” Wanda hadn’t ever wanted any children of her own, but she sure did enjoy spoiling the Townsend sisters’ little ones. She was happy playing the favorite aunt to the family that had always treated her as one of their own.

  “I need ice cream,” Abby said suddenly. “No. Scratch that. Put this golf cart in gear, and let’s head to the brew pub. There’s a warm brownie sundae on the menu that’s calling my name.”

  “Beer and brownies? Now you’re talking.” Wanda did as her friend asked, and this time when she turned the music on, she chose “1999” by Prince. As the cart jerked forward, the song blared from the speakers while the flashing purple lights lit up the night.

  “Whoo hoo!” Abby threw her arms in the air and started to sing along with the song at the top of her lungs.

  Wanda glanced at her and felt the joy that bubbled up in her chest when she was with the people she loved. Earlier, when she’d fled from Cameron and his parents, she’d been humiliated and hurt when Cameron had introduced her as just a friend.

  Just a friend.

  What was that? Even though they hadn’t made any promises to each other and she wasn’t looking for a ring, she wasn’t in the habit of hooking up with just anyone. Friends wasn
’t how she’d describe their relationship.

  But she couldn’t help the nagging voice that asked, What else was he supposed to say? Girlfriend? The woman he was dating? Or more accurately, the woman he was sleeping with?

  Wanda let out a disgusted grunt. Had she lost her mind?

  “What was that about?” Abby asked. “Thinking about Cameron again?”

  “Who else?” Wanda turned the golf cart onto Main Street and turned up the music so she wouldn’t have to verbalize her thoughts.

  Abby seemed to get the message, because instead of probing, she once again started singing along with Prince at the top of her lungs.

  Wanda felt her lips tug up into a tiny smile as she sent out a silent thanks for her bestie, Abby Townsend.

  Five minutes later, they were sitting at a table at the Townsend brewpub. Wanda opted for one of their new hard apple ciders while Abby was drinking a new herbal tea she’d been responsible for getting on the menu.

  “Tea and a brownie sundae?” Wanda asked with a laugh. “Seems an odd combo.”

  “My other option is hot chocolate, and that’s too much chocolate even for me.”

  “Really? Since when?” Wanda eyed her friend and then the belly bump. “I’ve seen you eat an entire bag of snack-size Halloween candy and wash it down with a giant glass of chocolate milk.”

  Abby grimaced. Then she chuckled. “Can you believe it? I think this baby has a mind of her own. If she comes out with even a slight aversion to chocolate, I’m going to have to wonder what alien did this to me because no kid of mine could possibly have an anti-chocolate gene.”

  “Seems reasonable to me,” Wanda said in support of her friend as she smiled at Rhys, the assistant manager of the brewpub.

  He placed the oversized brownie sundaes in front of them and asked, “Anything else, ladies?”

  “Hot chocolate.” Wanda winked at Abby. “Two.”

  Abby groaned but didn’t correct her friend.

  Rhys laughed. “On it.”

  “You’re the devil,” Abby said and then shoved a giant spoonful of brownie and ice cream in her mouth.

  Wanda was digging into her own sundae when her phone buzzed with a text. She almost ignored it, but she couldn’t stop herself from wondering if Cameron was trying to get in touch with her. But when she glanced at the screen, the text was from a number she didn’t recognize. She frowned and tapped the screen.

  Wanda, it’s Blake. Where are you?

  “Blake?” Wanda whispered. She hadn’t talked to her half sister in over nine months. Not since she and her father had a falling out and he told her he was done with her. Wanda had been relieved. Her relationship with her father had always been a tumultuous one, and the only reason she’d been in touch with him at all was because of her sister Blake. But when her dad cut her off, her communication with Blake had ended too. Fear curled in Wanda’s gut. Why did her sister have a new number? She quickly tapped out a text letting her know she was at the pub. Then she added, Why? Where are you?

  On your front porch.

  Wanda didn’t even bother to ask why her sister was in Keating Hollow. There was only one reason Blake would travel across the country unannounced. Something had happened with their father. The key is under the pot with the painted sunflower. Go on in. I’ll be right there.

  “What’s wrong?” Abby asked, placing her spoon on the table and giving Wanda her full attention. “You look like you’re ready to murder someone.”

  Wanda threw a couple of bills on the table and stood. “Not someone. My father. Sorry, Abs. I gotta go. Blake just showed up on my doorstep.”

  “Blake?” Abby’s eyes widened. “How? Doesn’t she live in North Carolina?”

  “Yes, she does. And I don’t know how she got here. A seventeen-year-old can’t rent a car.” Wanda’s stomach rolled as she tried not to jump to conclusions. Blake was a smart girl. Surely she hadn’t taken any unnecessary risks. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Maybe you should take her your brownie. We can wrap it up really quick,” Abby said.

  Wanda shook her head. “You take it. I’ve got stuff in my freezer.” Then without another word, she strode out of the brewery, completely forgetting that she’d been Abby’s ride.

  It didn’t take long for Wanda to arrive at her two-story craftsman at the edge of town. The home was in the hills just below the mountain and had a gorgeous view of the town and the river. She’d purchased it a few years ago as a fixer-upper, and she’d spent countless hours refinishing her kitchen and bathroom cabinets, redoing the decks, and painting every room. It was her pride and joy and her sanctuary.

  A small SUV was parked in her normally empty driveway, and she let out a sigh of relief. Her sister had managed to get her hands on a vehicle. Thank the gods. Wanda hit her garage door remote and pulled her golf cart inside. As she was climbing out of the cart, her sister ran into the garage, dropped a duffle bag, and nearly knocked Wanda over with her embrace.

  “I missed you so much,” Blake said, her voice breaking with emotion as she held on tight.

  “I missed you, too, Blake.” Wanda held onto her sister and ran a hand over her long dark hair. When she pulled back, there was no missing the tears streaming down the teenager’s face. “What happened?”

  “They just… left,” she gasped out.

  “What do you mean left?” Wanda frowned at the teen. “Who left?”

  “Mom and Dad.” More tears streamed down her face unchecked. “I came home from a weekend trip to the beach with friends, and most of their stuff was gone.” She sucked in a shuddering breath. “Mom left a note with a prepaid credit card and told me they were going off grid.”

  “Off grid?” Wanda said lamely, trying and failing to comprehend what her sister was saying. Had they loaded up an RV and taken off for the desert or something? “What does that mean, exactly?”

  Blake shook her head. “I don’t know. Dad’s been talking about backpacking around the world for the past few years. But lately they…” She swallowed hard. “Mom’s been using again.”

  “And Dad?” Wanda asked, her heart nearly beating out of her chest. Her dad had left her and her mom when Wanda was little. He’d been a functioning alcoholic. Years later when he finally reached out, he’d told her he was sober. She was happy of course, but their relationship had never recovered. As for Blake, she’d been with her grandparents off and on, but once her dad got sober, she’d moved in with her parents permanently. Now Wanda was wondering just how bad it had gotten if they’d just up and left her.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. He hides it well.”

  There were so many questions that Wanda wanted to ask her, but there would be time for that later. “Okay. Let’s go in and I’ll make hot chocolate and get you something to eat. Then we’ll talk more.”

  Blake nodded but stared at her feet. Her hands were trembling, and Wanda couldn’t imagine how scared she must be.

  “Blake?”

  “Yeah?” She glanced up and blinked away the tears still pooled in her eyes.

  “You’re safe, sweetie. My home is yours. I promise. No matter what, I’m here for you. Understand?”

  Blake nodded again but clutched her bag tighter.

  “Come on.” Wanda opened the door in the garage that led to her kitchen. “You go on upstairs and drop your stuff in the guest room. First one on the right at the top of the stairs. I’ll get the hot cocoa going. Okay?”

  “Do you have marshmallows?” Blake asked with a fragile smile.

  Wanda grinned. “What kind of question is that? Of course I do. Hurry up or else I’ll eat them all.” Wanda winked at her, remembering the one time her father had brought Blake to Keating Hollow about seven years ago. It had been summertime, and Wanda had spent the entire week trying to win her little sister over with every treat in the book. The toasted marshmallows had finally done the trick.

  Blake turned around and started toward the living area. But then she stopped and glanced over her shoulder. In
a very tiny voice, she said, “Thank you, Wanda.”

  Wanda’s heart nearly broke at what her parents had done to her. She wanted to wrap her arms around the young woman and physically hold her together so that she didn’t come apart at the seams. Because it was all too clear now that she was safe, it was likely the young woman would finally succumb to a meltdown. “Ah, baby. There’s nothing to thank me for. This is what family is supposed to do.”

  The tears were back in her eyes, but this time when Blake turned around, the tension that had been holding her shoulders so rigid seemed to ease a bit. And Wanda wondered how long it would be before she saw the happy, bubbly girl she’d first met seven years ago.

  Chapter Two

  “Cameron,” Emily Copeland said in her mom voice. She was standing in the doorway of one of their rooms at the Keating Hollow Inn. He’d been surprised when his parents decided last minute to tag along to visit the magical village, but not nearly as surprised as when they’d walked in on Wanda, who’d been waiting for him in one of their rooms almost naked. “You chase after that girl right this minute. This is not the time to let things go.”

  “She’s not a girl, Mom,” he said, revisiting the image of Wanda in her sexy see-through outfit. He nearly let out a groan at the memory of her lush curves. But when his mother spoke again, all thoughts of the lovely woman fled, and his cheeks heated with embarrassment. Why did he have to be talking to his mother about this?