Page 67 of Unmarked Magic

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You act like this is old news,” I said suspiciously.

He shrugged, and his wide shoulders heaved beneath his bush shirt. “It had crossed my mind. You guys have always had a thing between you. I guess I dismissed it as the years went on.”

That thought had also crossed my mind.

He dipped his head. “There is no right or wrong way in which the bond works. It decides the time, place, and person.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”

He pushed off the bench, approaching me. “Anyway, I need to keep moving. But I’m happy for you guys.” He stepped closer, giving me a hug.

“Thanks. I’ll drop off the tray when I’m ready for the next lot of botanicals.”

He chuckled. “Sure thing. You’re the only person who has a spare key to my place. Consider yourself a lucky woman.”

I rolled my eyes with a smile. “Speaking of... ” Across the road, a woman with a long blond braid caught my attention as she unlocked a vacant store.

“Who’s that?” The words came from my mouth without another thought, because that shop had sat empty for at least a year now. “I’m not sure she’s from here. Have you seen her before?”

Colt followed my line of sight, stilling as his eyes landed on the woman in question. Not frozen. Not shocked. Something stranger. Like every instinct inside him had suddenly gone quiet. His gaze locked onto her like a moth would a flame, entranced by the woman’s presence. It was as if the world had quietly fallen away.

She wore faded denim jeans with neat rips in the knees, and on her slim shoulders clung a knitted oatmeal sweater. Her Converse shoes brushed the faded doormat at the entrance to the store as the door pushed open, revealing its hollow interior gaping back at us.

Beside me, Colt cleared his throat. “Ah no, haven’t seen her around.”

I pressed him with my gaze, holding my tongue for his benefit. He was either lying through his teeth, or this new stranger had grasped his attention in a way I had never witnessed before.

Interesting. I wisely kept that observation to myself, making a mental note to go over and introduce myself when I closed the shop if she was still around.

Colt made to pick up the empty tray. Adjusting it in his arms, he gave me a tight smile. “I should get going.”

I frowned. “Is everything okay?”

Was this something to do with that woman?

He gave a halfhearted smile, his gaze flicking to the shop across the street before returning to me. “Yeah, I just need to get the last of these delivered.” Heading for the door, he then swung it open, and it chimed again. “Enjoy your evening.” Waving, he left, heading for his pickup.

I watched him climb into his truck before glancing across the street once more to where the empty store stared back at me. Its newspaper-covered windows gave me no hint as to what was happening inside.

Who was that mystery woman?

People rarely stumbled upon Cutters Cove. Usually, they came here with a purpose, and it made me wonder what hers was.

Intrigue nestled itself deep in my chest, wanting to find out. From his perch in the corner, Smoke mewed.

“I bet you know who she is,” I said. He remained on the rug, perched there like he owned the place. Again, he mewed, lazily flicking his tail across the floor. “I bet you know everyone’s secrets in this town. Including mine.”

Another mew.

I frowned at him. If he could talk, he would be the biggest gossip in town. I was sure he made his way from shop to shop, collecting scraps from each owner, listening as they told him all their secrets.

I scowled as he blinked, entirely unbothered. Again, he mewed.

“Oh hush, I know.”

Smoke pattered across the floor and jumped up onto the window ledge. His ears twitched, his gaze shifting across the street.

I followed his stare, my curiosity sharpening as it locked onto the vacant shop once more. Maybe Smoke knew everyone’s secrets after all.