Magical Blessings Read online

  Magical Blessings

  Book Two of The Magic Potter Series

  by Candace Colt

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2020 by Candace Colt

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. All characters, events, scenes, plots and associated elements remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of CPC Publishing, LLC. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author or CPC Publishing.

  Published in the United States of America.

  Interior graphic © Depositphotos

  Cover design: Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs

  Dedication

  Lisa Johnson and her Muddy Potter Art and Clay Studio

  Dunedin, Florida

  And

  To the memory of Leslie Halpern, author, and poet

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to the wonderful Cat’s Paw Cove team!

  Wynter Daniels

  Catherine Kean

  Kerry Evelyn

  Cover Artist

  Dar Albert at WickedSmartDesigns.com

  Professional Proofing

  Tammy Payne at booknooknuts.com

  My Cheerleaders

  Darcy Devlon

  Jackie Linder

  My Beta Buddies

  Brynda Wolf

  Pam Boutte

  You, my wonderful readers!

  And…

  My patient-as-a-saint husband!

  Reader Letter

  Dear Reader,

  Cat’s Paw Cove is a magical town dreamed up by Wynter Daniels and Catherine Kean, a charming seaside paradise where cats are king, and anything is possible. We are so excited to bring you not only our own stories, but also contributions from an incredibly talented group of Guest Authors. With paranormal and mystery romance, time travel, and more, there’s something for everyone.

  We hope you’ll enjoy reading the series as much as we enjoy writing it. For more information about the Cat’s Paw Cove series, please visit the Cat’s Paw Cove Romance website.

  We also invite you to join our fun, friendly Facebook group where we share cat pictures, you can interact with our authors, and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CatsPawCove/

  Happy reading!

  Wynter Daniels & Catherine Kean

  Blurb

  MAGICAL BLESSINGS: Book Two of The Magic Potter Series

  by Candace Colt

  Abby Blessing is cursed. Every time she says the word “love,” there’s an unexplained power failure. She’s tried everything. Hypnosis, Reiki, meditation, crystals, vitamins, a Keto diet. Nothing works. Back in Cat’s Paw Cove for a short visit, she’s resigned to live a cloistered life.

  Beau Grayson, the sexiest and best electrician in town, is a technical genius with a magical gift to talk to cats. But around beautiful women, he’s as tongue-tied as King George VI and has zero ability to manage his office. When an out-of-town chain threatens to force him out, Beau has to step up his game.

  With her uncanny organizational skills, Abby agrees to help Beau. But her curse and his inability to solder three words around her doom any chance for romance.

  The only one who believes they are a perfect match is Scarlett, a tortoiseshell cat with real “Tortitude.” Will her kitty magic be enough to bring these two humans together for the happy ever after they deserve?

  Chapter One

  Abby Blessing opened the kitchen curtains and, with a proud smile, greeted the gorgeous Cat’s Paw Cove sunrise. Included in Abby’s deal to take care of her cousin’s pottery studio was having this upstairs apartment all to herself.

  Technically, however, she wasn’t alone. Abby had a roommate: a four-month-old, mitten-toed tortoiseshell kitten. Nonetheless, this would be a terrific gig, even if it had to end when her cousin Theo returned from her honeymoon.

  The studio was Theo’s pride and joy, and Abby would do her best to keep things running as usual. After all, how hard could it be? She’d made it to day three, although day one hadn’t counted since that had been Theo’s and Ethan’s wedding day, and the shop had been closed. Yesterday—Sunday—had been day two, and the studio had been closed again.

  The Magic Potter would be open today from ten to four, and since her cousin had arranged for a part-time instructor to teach the students, all Abby had to do was handle sales. With years of assorted part-time barista and restaurant server jobs, she could do sales transactions in her sleep, which was nothing new. Work and play had often overlapped for the twenty-five-year-old. That is until the curse had flipped the off-switch to her lifestyle.

  Abby started the kettle to make a cup of Jasmine tea and, as quietly as possible, removed the kibble container from the pantry. After a long eight-count exhale, she was psyched. This time, she vowed, the first kitten feeding of the day would be different.

  Abby covered the container with a dishtowel to muffle the barely audible snap of the lid. She waited, anticipating the thunder of kitty paws. Hearing none, she scooped a helping of crunchies and bent down to the bowl. As the first piece hit the ceramic dish, Scarlett appeared as if by magic.

  Before Abby finished delivering the cat food, Scarlett had muscled her way to the dish and stuck her pink nose into its contents. As the last of the kibble left the scoop, a single morsel landed on the oblivious feline’s head.

  “We did it!” Abby swiped the nugget into the dish. Without looking up, the feline responded with a small, throaty chirp.

  Finally, she and Scarlett had gotten their timing right. The initial solo feeding had been a disaster. Possibly one piece of kibble had gone in the bowl but had been consumed too fast to count. The rest had dumped over the cat and cascaded to the floor. That one time had taught Abby that if Scarlett’s food missed its target, it entered the infamous not-touching-that-on-your-life zone. Interesting how a critter that licked its private parts with no regard to time, place, or audience had a phobia for eating food off the floor.

  To celebrate her victory, Abby put a teabag into the hot water to steep, and a cinnamon toaster pastry in the microwave. While she waited, she sorted through Theo’s teabag mish-mash. It was exhausting to dig through loose teas, herb teas, morning versus evening teas each time Abby wanted a cup.

  “Much better,” Abby said as she patted the neatly stacked rows. “I bet there’s something that I can put these in.”

  She gasped at the sight in the first cabinet she opened. Glassware mixed with plastic, and on the same shelf? Who does that? Her cousin Theo was going to get another wedding gift; an organized kitchen.

  While Scarlett continued her post-meal grooming, Abby enjoyed her own breakfast. Once the kitten had finished her bath, she sat on her haunches and kept her beady-green-eyed stare on Abby. The kitten had things on her mind, but who knew what they were?

  If only Abby had been gifted with Theo’s ability to talk to cats, or at least, to Scarlett, since they were temporary roommates. Sadly, that magical gift was exclusive to Theo’s side of the family. The original Blessing cat wizened old Aloysius, nicknamed Wishes, who’d been part of the family for umpteen generations, had left weeks ago. But at Christmas, before traveling back to the 18th century, Wishes had hand-selected Scarlett from an abandoned litter at Coquina Castle.

  The only commonality Abby had been able to find between the two cats was their brindled rust-colored fur. Beyond that, Scarlett had a patch of white on the tip of each toe. Wishes had had a few centuries under his collar to mellow out, an
d it was too bad he hadn’t stayed long enough to mentor the kitten. Though Scarlett could talk with Theo, it was too early to know if the young feline’s magic would manifest in other ways.

  Good thing the impetuous cuddle-magnet was adorable since she had no sense of personal danger. Abby shoved her sleeve up to the elbow to check last night’s scratches. Everything seemed to be fair game for kitty exploration, including human extremities.

  Abby washed her cup and plate and went downstairs to start the day. Ten minutes till opening, and already three women had gathered on the porch. Once she saw Abby, one woman, taller than the other two, pressed her face to the glass storm door and waved.

  Deidra Blessing? With Theo’s wedding over, shouldn’t the mother of the bride be relaxing? Abby’s heart pinched at the thought that Deidra might be checking on her.

  Tall and graceful, Deidra Blessing would look like a million bucks even if she wore a garbage bag. In black leggings, a long white shirt, and a linen jacket, she was a knock-out. No makeup needed on her ageless complexion. With her silver hair drawn into a ponytail, she was a stunning woman, just like her daughter.

  Abby self-consciously patted her own hair. Her naturally curly red locks made their own path du jour. No matter how much she fiddled with it or how many pricy products she used, most days like today, her hair behaved more like Bette Midler’s bouffant in Hocus Pocus.

  She glanced around the shop to be sure everything was picked up and presentable then opened the door.

  Once inside, Deidra air-kissed Abby’s cheeks. “Hope you don’t mind a surprise visit.”

  Was this going to be a regular thing? “Of course, I don’t mind. This was your store before you retired.”

  “We won’t stay long, but I had to bring my friends up to see the place.” Deidra turned to the women at her side. “Polly and Dot, this is my niece, Abby.”

  Polly’s arm full of bangle bracelets tinkled like temple chimes as she shook Abby’s hand. “We’ve heard so much about this store.” Polly’s gaze roamed the walls.

  “Nice to meet you, Polly.” Abby tried not to inhale the pungent perfume cloud surrounding the woman. At the same time, she stifled a giggle at Polly’s ruby red lips and purple eye shadow. She had to give the lady credit for the effort to match everything down to her sequined purple ball cap, her purple-tipped hair, and violet fingernail polish.

  “Good morning,” a more subdued Dot said.

  “Welcome,” Abby said.

  Dot was everything Polly didn’t seem to be: Quiet and conservatively dressed in a simple pair of slacks and a sweater. No bangles. No waxy makeup. And, thank goodness, no heavy perfume.

  “We drove up to see the shop and do lunch, but we need to be back before five when our community happy hour starts,” Deidra said. “Everything going well for you?”

  “Yes.” If the roof caved in, Abby wouldn’t tell her.

  “You go about your business. I’ll take care of the girls,” Deidra said.

  Already Polly was on a self-guided tour through the retail room. “Where are the pieces you told us about?” she called over her shoulder.

  Deidra rolled her eyes. “Hang on a minute.”

  “Anything special you’re interested in?” Abby asked.

  Theo’s mother winked. “Very special.”

  Abby angled her head toward her aunt. “Not sure I understand.”

  “Theo didn’t tell you?” Deidra’s voice quivered with a hint of alarm.

  Abby opened her hands in an ‘I have no clue’ gesture.

  “Come with me,” Deidra said.

  Abby followed her aunt and Dot to the display room where Polly already stood scanning the shelf with the elf-faced dolls.

  No more than seven inches tall, each was fashioned with fabric bodies, wool hair, and sock caps. They had sticks for arms and legs and clay faces. With off-center noses, tiny glass bead eyes, rosy lips, and pearly teeth, they were so real-looking Abby wondered if they could talk. Since this was Cat’s Paw Cove, a town famous for its magic, they just might.

  The figures were impressive, even bordering on cute, but what was the big deal about them? They were too fragile to be kids’ toys. What would somebody do with these dust gatherers?

  Deidra held up a cautionary finger. “Now, remember what I said. Let the doll decide whether she wants to go home with you.”

  Abby was a regular, or reg, as non-magicals were called here. Knowing what she did about this town, not much surprised her. But dolls choosing their new owners? That piqued her curiosity.

  “Aunt Deidra, am I missing something?” Abby asked.

  Polly and Dot tittered.

  “You’re bound to be asked questions,” Deidra said. “Let’s go into the studio, and I’ll explain.”

  Abby and her aunt sat down on wooden stools behind two potter’s wheels, far enough away that the other ladies couldn’t listen in on their conversation.

  “Do you miss this place?” Abby asked.

  “Sometimes. Since my daughter owns the shop, I can come in anytime I want. And my nails are cleaner than they’ve been in years.”

  They shared a laugh, and Abby felt a lot better.

  Scarlett appeared from somewhere and jumped into Deidra’s lap. “I wish Theo had told you,” the silver-haired woman added.

  “Now you’re scaring me,” Abby said.

  “I don’t mean to, but I should warn you.”

  That last comment didn’t help matters. “About?”

  “The dolls are infused with unusual power.” Deidra picked up the kitty and touched noses with her. “She’s getting big so fast.”

  Scarlett purred and laid a gentle paw on Deidra’s cheek.

  “What kind of unusual power?” Abby asked, determined to draw the conversation back.

  “Dot and Polly were your uncle’s and my first friends when we moved into our retirement community. Both of them lost their husbands in the last five years.”

  “Aunt Deidra, the point?”

  “Sweetie, I’m a reg just like you, but when I work with the clay, well, I’m not sure how, but each piece has energy. How should I say this?”

  Her aunt’s mysterious smile unsettled Abby. “Go on.”

  “Now, I want you to keep calm.”

  “I am calm.” Abby’s racing heart disagreed. “What kind of energy?”

  Deidra put the cat down and started the potter’s wheel. She leaned back and clasped her hands in her lap while the wheel made gentle circles.

  “Abby, these ladies have a lot of years ahead, and they shouldn’t be lonely ones. The dolls can help them.”

  A tingle coiled up Abby’s spine. “Help them, how?”

  “I’ve never figured how exactly, but the dolls help people find someone,” Deidra whispered as she brushed clay dust off her lap. “This is one reason we worried about you staying here. I knew we should have told you before.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. Wait. Surely Aunt Deidre didn’t mean that? “Don’t tell me these dolls manifest—”

  “Please, sweetie. You know what happens when you say….”

  “LOVE?”

  Abby clapped her hand over her mouth. Too late: She’d said the word.

  A terrifying boom resonated through the building.

  The potter’s wheel and ceiling fans stopped. The lights went out, and the electronic cash register beeped, indicating a power failure.

  Dot and Polly raced into the workshop.

  “What happened?” Dot asked.

  “How odd. I didn’t see any storm clouds outside,” Polly said.

  Deidra and Abby exchanged glances.

  “It’s no big deal. I’m sure it’s a temporary electrical glitch.” Deidra tapped on her phone. “Let me see if the electrician’s number is in my contacts.”

  Chapter Two

  Beau Grayson grabbed his toolbox from his truck and started up the walkway to The Magic Potter. The yard and shrubs looked a hundred percent improved since he’d made his last call here. Ethan Cooper had
been the best thing to happen to Theo Blessing in more ways than one.

  She was a great person, a talented potter, and magical wonder, but minding the details wasn’t her forte. Ethan had more work to do on the property to get it back into shape, but it looked pretty darn good now.

  A couple weeks ago, Ethan had contacted Beau about a new design for outdoor lighting, which would add a great touch to the old house. After the newlyweds returned home, they’d finalize those plans. If he could land more jobs like this, and people saw what he could do, maybe business would pick up. Right now, he was running on fumes.

  At the moment, Beau had to attend to the emergency call. He’d been surprised to hear Deidra Blessing’s voice, but when she’d explained the situation, he’d changed up his schedule.

  He tapped on the front door. Deidre waved him inside.

  “The breakers looked fine to me, Beau, but I’d still like you to check,” she said.

  Two older women holding small dolls stood off to the side. As he passed, the ladies flashed sappy smiles and gawked at him with eyes as wide as a PVC pipe. It was a bit early in the day to be drinking, but the way they ogled him suggested they’d already fit in some mimosa time.

  One of them reeked of way too much perfume. As he stifled a sneeze, Beau politely smiled to the women on his way to the laundry room and the breaker box.

  In the doorway to the dark room, he jumped as though he’d walked barefoot on a hotwire. No wonder his heart thumped like a drum. Nobody mentioned there was anyone in here, especially not a curvaceous red-head, shining a flashlight on the fuse box.

  “I can’t believe this happened again. Just no,” the woman said. “This will be so expensive. Theo and Ethan will be pissed. And all because of me.”