her arms out to the sides, took in a deep breath, tasting the sea salt on her tongue, and felt all the tension drain from her body. This was her happy place. The small beachside town in Northern California, populated with a high density of witches like her, had become her home over twenty years ago. It was where she wanted to live and work for the rest of her life. And she’d be damned if she’d let Bill ruin it for her.
He’s waiting for you.
The words seemed to float in from the sea, barely a whisper.
“What?” Grace asked the universe as she frowned. “Who’s waiting for me?”
New possibilities await you. Open your heart and your mind. He’s waiting.
Grace sucked in a sharp breath. The words had been stronger that time, making her squint out at the ocean as if she might see whoever it was that had spoken. That was absurd. Of course she wouldn’t see anyone.
The words weren’t from Eos or any other goddess. They were from the magical energy that churned within the very heart of her adopted town—Premonition Pointe.
She’d heard of the “voice of Premonition Pointe” before. But it was the first time she’d ever heard it speak to her. Miss Francie, the town baker, heard the voice after her husband of forty years passed. And Penelope heard it after her husband ran off with a woman thirty years younger than her four years ago. Of course, not everyone had lost a husband. Some had illnesses to overcome. Others were just at a crossroads in their lives regarding their careers or relationships.
Grace had come to think of the voice as a guiding oracle of sorts. What had it told her? He’s waiting. Open your heart and mind. New possibilities await.
Sure, she thought. New possibilities sounded right up her alley. The only question was who exactly was waiting for her? Kevin Landers? She doubted it. In fact, she was certain he’d be happier if she ditched her appointment with him. But no way. It was too important to her.
Grace was determined to be open to new possibilities… whatever they were.
With her head held high, she turned, walked across the bluff, cleaned up the debris left from the night before, and hurried back to her cottage. She had an interview she needed to crush.
Grace strode into Landers Realty with her head held high and exuding confidence. Selling real estate was practically in her DNA at that point in her life. Doing the job wouldn’t be an issue. She just had to convince Kevin that he needed her.
“Good morning,” a waif of a woman, who couldn’t have been older than twenty-one, said pleasantly. “How can we help you with your real estate needs?”
Real estate needs? Grace almost smirked at the overly formal greeting but kept herself in check. She needed this job, and she wasn’t going to score any points by suggesting a more personal welcome. Peering briefly at the nameplate on the desk, Grace said, “Hi, Nina. I’m here to meet with Mr. Landers. Can you tell him Grace Valentine is here?”
“Oh, right. Grace,” the dark-haired woman said, her pleasant facade shifting quickly to something close to contempt as she stood on her slim six-inch heels. “I’ll see if Mr. Landers is free.”
“Thank you,” Grace said, giving Nina a wide smile. She was going to kill them all with kindness even if it did make her want to vomit. Moving over to the window, Grace stared at her reflection. She’d pulled her hair up into an elegant bun in an effort to hide her silver roots, but that had been wishful thinking. Nothing short of a scarf was going to hide her neglected dye job. Otherwise, she thought she cleaned up relatively nicely. Smiling to herself, she took in her black ankle-length trousers and the romantic blue blouse that matched the fabulous shoes her friends had given her the night before, and decided her outfit and shoes made her look better than she had in weeks.
When footsteps sounded behind her, she turned, feeling as if she could take on the world.
“Grace Valentine,” a vaguely familiar and incredibly handsome man said, giving her a warm smile as he held his hand out. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Grace felt a flutter in her gut as she took his hand automatically. The man had to be at least ten years younger than her, but there was no denying he was the most beautiful specimen she’d ever seen in real life.