Witching For Joy (Premonition Pointe #3) - Deanna Chase Page 0,25

she has a kind heart. It would really bother her to not do everything she could to find Harlow.”

“Okay,” Joy said, unable to work up the energy to argue further. Then she smiled. “Thank you.”

“I just wish there was more we could do,” Grace said.

“You’ve already done more than expected.” Joy laid down on the blanket and stared up at the stars. The cool breeze off the ocean made gooseflesh pop up on her arms, and she shivered. But she wasn’t cold. She was just happy to feel something other than dread. She closed her eyes and just listened to the sound of the waves crashing below.

“Joy?” Hope called.

“What?” Joy asked without opening her eyes.

“Are you sleeping out here tonight?”

Joy’s eyes popped open, and she looked up at her friends. They’d already packed everything up except the blanket she was lying on. Had she fallen asleep and not noticed? Was she in a weird magical time warp? She needed to get home before she slipped into an entirely different reality. “No. I need to go check on Kyle.”

Hope held out a hand to help her up and asked, “Are you all right? You look disoriented.”

Joy ran a hand down her face. “I’m just exhausted.”

Gigi appeared beside Joy and slipped an arm through hers. “We’ve got you. Come on.”

The four of them made their way back to the road where they deposited Joy into Hope’s SUV.

“Thanks again,” Joy told them as she buckled her seatbelt.

“No worries.” Grace leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

When it was Gigi’s turn, she tucked a small jar into Joy’s hand and whispered, “Thought you could use this. I always break out when I’m stressed, and this salve clears everything right up.”

Joy blinked and looked down at the jar. There wasn’t any label. “Did you make this?”

She grinned. “Yes. I have a knack for herbs. Just dab a little on problem areas before you go to bed and tomorrow morning, your skin will be totally clear.”

“Thank you.” Joy reached over and gave her a hug. “You’re the best.” Joy thought back to earlier in the day when Sam had given her a facial and an ointment and then frowned when it didn’t make an immediate difference. Sam told her to call if nothing changed within twenty-four hours. Maybe Gigi’s cream was the magic she needed.

“Let’s fly,” Hope said, jumping into the SUV.

Joy nodded, and before Hope even pulled out onto the road, Joy leaned her head against the window and fell fast asleep.

Chapter Nine

“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Joy jerked awake. She glanced around and groaned when a pain shot up her neck. She reached up, massaging the kink out of her sore muscles. “Oh, good goddess. I am feeling every one of my forty-eight years.”

“Been there.” Hope smiled sympathetically. “Need help getting inside? Maybe a wheelchair or a walker?”

“You’re evil,” Joy said without any heat. Then she laughed. “I feel like I could sleep for a week.” She peered at her friend, who’d been driving her around all day. “How is it that you aren’t dead on your feet? You’ve been babysitting me all day.”

“I’m just better at faking it.” Hope winked at her but then turned serious. “Are you really okay? Do you need me to do anything before I go?”

Joy shook her head as a rush of love washed over her. “No. Thank you, but I’m going to go in there, color my drawing, and send it to both Grace and Carly. Then I’m climbing into the bath before I crawl into bed and sleep for twelve hours.”

“That sounds heavenly,” Hope said with a sigh.

“Not as heavenly as cuddling up with a sexy dark-haired man who can’t keep his hands off you,” Joy said, referring to Hope’s fiancé, Lucas.

“Well, I can’t complain about that, but every now and then I crave a little me time. If I were to sink into a bath, he’d probably crawl in after me and then forget relaxing. The man is insatiable.”

“Stop. Now you’re just bragging,” Joy said as she climbed out of the SUV. “Go home. Have fun. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Love you,” Hope called.

“Love you, too.” Joy waved and quickly made her way up the walk to her front door.

The house was dark when Joy entered. She turned the light on and glanced around. There had been a time when her home had been her sanctuary. It was where she was most content and at one time, she’d thought she’d never leave. But now that Paul was