Witchin' USA (A Moonstone Bay Cozy Mystery Book 1) Read online

  “I’m really sorry,” I offered. I meant it. “I don’t know what happened.”

  “I let you drive against my better judgment,” Booker barked. “That’s what happened.”

  “Not that I’m keen to exonerate her, but I’m pretty sure whoever was out there purposely tricked her,” Galen offered, never moving his hand from my knee. The contact was warm and friendly. It also caused my brain to go haywire. “She saw movement in the road and swerved to avoid it. I think whoever it was picked that exact spot because he knew the road dipped there.”

  “See. It wasn’t my fault.” I offered up a grave expression. “I could’ve died.”

  “She’s feeling sorry for herself,” Galen explained. “She also thought we had sex last night and spent the day feeling guilty. She thought she forgot. As if.”

  Booker snorted, his good humor returning. “I heard you were totally forgettable, dude. That’s what all the women say when they upgrade to me.”

  “You’re a funny guy.” Galen rolled his eyes and shook his head.

  “Yeah? Well, I’m not feeling really funny right now,” Booker said. “Whoever was out there ransacked the bus. I didn’t have much in there, but it was tossed around.”

  I felt sick to my stomach. “I’ll pay for whatever damage was done.”

  “I didn’t say there was damage,” Booker clarified. “I simply said someone was looking for something.”

  “But what?” Galen asked, squeezing my knee in a reassuring manner. “Don’t get all worked up, Hadley. Booker said the bus was fine. Your only mistake was getting out of it in the middle of the night.”

  “What was I supposed to do?” I challenged. “Should I have sat there and waited until someone stumbled across me? I didn’t have any water and I hadn’t seen a vehicle in … well … forever. I don’t think anyone drives on that road.”

  “People drive it, but it’s not a busy highway,” Galen corrected. “As for waiting, yes, you should have waited. I would’ve found you.”

  “I didn’t know you were looking for me,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest. “I thought my only options were sitting there all night or heading to town. I was afraid to sit there all night in case something attacked.”

  “So you got out of the vehicle and made sure something would attack?”

  “I’m done talking to you.” I held up my hand to cover Galen’s face. “It’s too much.”

  “You are definitely a piece of work,” Galen muttered, fixing his full attention on Booker. “So whoever it was thought Hadley had something with her in the bus. I can’t help but wonder what that was.”

  “I can’t either,” Booker agreed. “What did you do before heading out to Wesley’s house?”

  “I got into a bar fight with Sarah Santiago. I told you about that already.”

  Booker chuckled. “What did you do before that?”

  “I went to Lilac’s bar to tell her … .” I broke off, risking a worried look in Galen’s direction before shifting gears. “I wanted some girl time.”

  “In other words she wanted to tell Lilac that I was so bad in bed she didn’t even remember it,” Galen teased, his eyes lighted with mirth. “I’ll never live this down.”

  “And you worked so hard to cultivate your kickass sex rep,” Booker drawled. “Now that it’s gone, I’m the most eligible bachelor on the island. I can’t wait to use that title to my advantage. I might even put it on my business cards.”

  “I can’t wait until you do, too,” Galen said. “I could use a break from the notoriety.”

  The testosterone was firing on all cylinders, and I couldn’t help being annoyed. “Can we stop talking about your fiery loins and focus on me?”

  “I don’t understand what you’re asking,” Galen deadpanned. “Do you want me to stop talking about my fiery loins or focus on you? I can’t do one without the other.”

  I was mortified. “I hate you,” I muttered, covering my face with my hand. “I’ll never live this down.”

  “I have no idea, but it’s going to be a lot of fun for me regardless,” Galen said. “As for whatever this individual was looking for, I think it must be tied to the lighthouse.” He shifted from teasing to serious without missing a beat. “Someone wants something that they believe originated in this lighthouse.”

  “You think that’s why Mark broke in the other night,” Booker mused, sitting in the chair across the room and thoughtfully tapping his chin. “You think he was really here to steal something rather than hurt Hadley.”

  “No, I think he was here to hurt Hadley,” Galen said. “You don’t bring an ax to a burglary unless you plan on doing some damage.”

  “Maybe he brought a weapon for protection in case he got caught.”

  “Then why an ax,” Galen argued. “Why not bring a knife? It’s easier to wield and hide in your clothing. Plus, he didn’t search the house as far as I can tell. He went straight to the bedroom.”

  “Maybe he thought whatever he was looking for was there.”

  “Or maybe he knew Hadley would be there and went for her first,” Galen said. “Maybe he wanted to kill her and then search for whatever he wanted without risking her waking up and notifying the police.”

  Booker asked, legitimately curious. “Did you bring anything with you of value when you moved here, Hadley?”

  I was so used to Booker and Galen talking to each other I didn’t bother to hide my surprise when they finally addressed me. “I thought maybe you forgot I was here.”

  “That’s not possible,” Galen said. “Did you bring any family heirlooms or anything valuable when you moved?”

  “I don’t own any family heirlooms. I brought clothes, shoes and a few photographs of my mother and father. That’s it. Everything else is in storage at my father’s house in Michigan.”

  “I don’t think it’s her that’s drawing the attention,” Galen said after a beat. “I think it’s the lighthouse. Someone must believe that May had something of value stowed here.”

  “But what?” Booker prodded. “May had some antiques and jewelry, but most people would recognize it, so stealing it would be a waste of time. No one would allow them to fence it without calling you.”

  “What about the books?” Galen suggested, lifting his eyes to the ceiling. “Maybe there’s something of importance in the books.”

  “Why don’t we just ask May?” I suggested. “She seems to pop in whenever the mood strikes. Wouldn’t she know?”

  “That’s a good question.” Galen cleared his throat. “May, are you here?”

  Everyone waited, expectant. Nothing happened.

  Booker tried. “May, if you’re here, we really need to talk to you.” Again, nothing.

  “Do you think she’s playing coy?” I couldn’t help being suspicious. “Maybe she’s trying to avoid answering questions. Wesley told me some really odd things when we were together this afternoon.”

  Galen’s eyes sparked with interest. “Like what?”

  “He told me that they loved each other, but couldn’t live together. They spent one day a week after their divorce pretending they were married.” I lowered my voice to make sure only Galen and Booker could hear me. “I think they spent that entire day having sex.”

  Instead of being appalled – or even surprised – Booker and Galen dissolved into twin fits of laughter.

  “It’s not funny.” I made a petulant face. “I’m scarred for life knowing that.”

  “I think you’re kind of a prude,” Galen countered, pressing the palm of his hand to his forehead and grinning. “I think we’re going to have to fix that.”

  “Is this more of that ‘I’ll remember when I have sex with you’ crap? If so, I’m not convinced I’m going to have sex with you.”

  Galen moved his hand to my shoulder and patted. “You’ll get used to the idea. Trust me.”

  “Oh, so cute.” Booker made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “Do you need me here for the verbal foreplay or can I go?”r />
  “You can go for now,” Galen replied. “I’ll need you back here to hang out tomorrow.”

  Now it was Booker’s turn to balk. “You want me to babysit?”

  “I don’t need a babysitter,” I argued.

  “Yes, you do,” Booker and Galen said, locking gazes like angry bulls would lock horns.

  “You definitely need a babysitter,” Booker said. “I just don’t have time to be your babysitter. I have a job tomorrow.”

  “Postpone it,” Galen instructed. “Hadley’s safety is more important.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I said.

  “Of course you can.” Galen’s hand was placating as he continued patting my shoulder. His tone, however, was dismissive. “Booker, we can’t leave her here alone. It’s late and she’ll need help going through all the books and stuff on the third floor tomorrow.”

  “Why can’t you help her?” Booker challenged. “That will give you a chance to enjoy all of the verbal foreplay you can possibly shake a stick at.” His smirk was impish. “Do you see what I did there? I helped you with the foreplay.”

  “We don’t need help with the foreplay.”

  I couldn’t decide if that was a good or bad thing. “I don’t need a babysitter,” I repeated.

  “You can’t stay alone,” Galen shot back. “Someone has tried to go after you twice now … and that’s just that we know of. There might’ve been other times you were watched or stalked that we’re unaware of.”

  “I think you’re being a bit overbearing,” I argued.

  “Get used to that.” Galen kept his eyes on Booker. “She cannot be alone tomorrow.”

  “Then we’ll have to find a way to cover shifts.” Booker refused to back down. “I really have a job that I can’t flake out on.”

  Galen pursed his lips, his mind busy as he debated pushing Booker further. Finally he must have realized that it was a lost cause. “Fine. I’ll call Lilac in the morning to see if she can stop by. If she’s busy, I’m sure Aurora can make a cameo.”

  That sounded absolutely terrible. “Will she be naked?”

  “Only if you’re lucky.” Booker winked as he stood. “I’ll see if I can carve some time out in the afternoon, but I can’t make any promises.”

  “You can only do what you can do.” Galen said the words with an easy tone, but his expression reflected something else. “I’ll figure a way to keep her covered myself if I have to. Don’t put yourself out or anything.”

  “Hey! I’ve done nothing but put out since she landed on this island.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “That makes me look as bad as when I thought I couldn’t remember having sex with this one.” I jerked my thumb in Galen’s direction. “I’m really sick of looking like a sex maniac.”

  “That’s the only reason we like you so much,” Booker teased. “As for tomorrow … I said I would do my best, Galen. I meant it.”

  “Fine.” Galen blew out a sigh. “I’ll figure it out myself. I don’t need you to do my job.”

  25

  Twenty-Five

  “What are you doing?”

  I expected Galen to leave, perhaps tease me a bit more about the misunderstanding before admonishing me to keep the door locked overnight. Instead he locked the door once Booker left and gestured toward the stairs.

  “It’s time for sleep,” Galen said. “It’s been a long day.”

  “I agree. It’s just … what are you doing?”

  Galen smiled, perhaps sensing my discomfort. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Upstairs?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “There’s only one bed upstairs.”

  “Yes, and I’ve slept in it twice now.” Galen climbed two steps. “You really do move fast. You’re a forward woman. I like that about you.”

  He was messing with me. There could be no other explanation. “I didn’t invite you to sleep in the same bed with me either time.”

  “How would you know? You were out of it both times.”

  “Yes, but I know myself.”

  “And yet you were extremely upset this morning because you thought you’d slept with me, which I’m guessing goes against that prudish streak I’m becoming so fond of,” Galen pointed out.

  “Yes, but … .” Crap!

  “Do you want to know what I think?” Galen’s stance was haughty, his expression smug. “I think you assumed we’d had sex because you want to have sex with me.”

  “That is ridiculous!” Well, it is. I don’t find him attractive in the least.

  “I don’t think so.” Galen climbed a bit higher, his eyes never leaving mine even as he hit a bend in the circular staircase. “I think you believed it because you wanted it to happen. Quite frankly, I’m flattered. We can’t discuss that until I’m sure you’re safe, though. Mixing business with pleasure is a bad idea.”

  I found myself trailing him for lack of anything better to do. “And yet you seem to think you’re sleeping in my bed.”

  “I am. I’m too tall for that couch.”

  “It was good enough for Booker.”

  “Booker is a … unique … individual.”

  The way he phrased it was odd. “What is he?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re a wolf shifter. Everyone here is some sort of paranormal creature. What is Booker?”

  “You’ll have to ask him that.” Galen disappeared from view when he hit the second floor. By the time I caught up with him he was already shoeless and shirtless.

  “Don’t you dare get naked,” I hissed, extending a finger. “I draw the line at you getting naked.”

  “I just told you that I don’t mix business with pleasure.” Galen dropped his shorts but left his boxers – which featured colorful margaritas – in place. “You’re going to have to stop begging. I find you adorable and sexy, but I can’t focus on that until we solve the case.”

  His sense of humor was grating on a level I didn’t know existed. “I am not begging.”

  “If that’s your story.” Galen lifted the covers and slid underneath. “Can you kill the lights? I really need a good night’s sleep.”

  I was flabbergasted and briefly wondered if he would keep up the charade if I melted down. In the end, I was too keyed up to sleep alone and exhaustion stalked me to the point where I thought I legitimately might fall down … and soon.

  “Fine.” I blew out a sigh and killed the lights, grabbing a T-shirt from the open dresser drawer and changing my clothes in the dark to make sure he couldn’t see anything. Sure, he’d already seen more than enough, but I had no intention of adding to the madness.

  Galen lifted the covers for me when I approached the bed and I rolled in next to him, making sure to keep a bit of distance between us.

  “Goodnight.” Galen surprised me when he pressed a kiss to my cheek.

  “Knock that off!” I smacked his shoulder. “Stay on your side of the bed. I’m not kidding.”

  “Okay.”

  “And I don’t beg.” I turned my back to him. “I never beg.”

  “That’s too bad.” Galen sounded as if he was about to lose the battle for consciousness. “Just for the record, when I dream about you tonight, you’re totally going to beg.”

  “Stop it,” I ordered. “I mean it!”

  “Shh. I’m trying to sleep. Must you be so unprofessional? This is a job, not playtime.”

  Galen was clearly enjoying himself, which only served to further infuriate me. “I’m starting to really dislike you.”

  “Well, at least I’ll be guaranteed the knowledge that you won’t forget me when we actually get to engage in some real playtime.”

  “You’re infuriating.”

  “Shh. It’s quiet time.”

  With nothing better to do than focus on my anger I dropped off within five minutes.

  I WOKE TO A WARM body draped over mine from behind. It took me a moment to gather my thoughts, and when I realized someone was exhaling against my ear I was over
whelmed with the urge to start some vigorous smacking. Of course, Galen was so warm and comfortable that the feeling was only fleeting.

  “This is un-freaking believable,” I muttered, with a frustrated groan.

  Galen stirred, although he didn’t move to pull away. “Shh. It’s not time to get up yet.”

  I flicked my eyes to the window, where the sun filtered through the blinds. I saw the waves rolling toward the beach. It was a beautiful setting, calm and relaxing. Of course, the fact that I was in bed with a man who could shift into a wolf – one who thought an awful lot about himself – was utterly frustrating and ruined the moment.

  “You’re drooling on my cheek.”

  Galen didn’t shift his weight away from me. “That’s a compliment. You’re so cute, with your bedhead and red cheeks, I can’t help but drool.”

  “Oh, geez.” I elbowed him in the stomach. He was expecting the move, so he managed to evade most of the blow. I didn’t miss the way his body shook with laughter. “You’re so full of yourself.”

  “I can’t help it.” Galen sobered as he rolled to his back and ran a hand through his dark hair. “You’re so easy to tease that I can’t seem to stop myself.”

  I shifted to face him, taking a moment to tame the wild mass of hair that had clumped together over the course of the night. He, of course, looked ridiculously fresh and handsome. The morning stubble only served to enhance his features. It was so unfair.

  “You should have some sympathy for me after what I’ve been through.”

  “I do. That’s why I enjoy the teasing. You need to lighten up.”

  “Believe it or not, before I came here and discovered a grandfather I never knew, tripped over a body on the beach, saw a naked woman swimming for … who knows what reason, got attacked by a wolf and almost got taken out with an ax, I was a pretty easygoing person.”

  Galen pursed his lips, considering. “Fair point,” he said after a beat. “You’re basically saying once this is solved you’ll be easy to deal with, right?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll be easy. Wait … that came out wrong.”

  Galen barked out a laugh. “Don’t worry about it.” He stretched his arms before folding them behind his head. The new position served to make him look buffer than before, which should’ve been against the law. “We need to talk about what you’re going to do with your day.”