Wouldn't Dream of Witching (A Broomsticks & Books Cozy Mystery Book 8) by Sara Bourgeois

Author:Sara Bourgeois [Bourgeois, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Daphne

Bathed in the soft glow of sunset, the bustling town center took on an ethereal charm. Nestled in her familiar alcove on a weathered bench, Daphne leaned against the aged stone wall behind her, fingers absently tracing its intricate grooves and scratches.

Drinking in the panoramic scene before her, Daphne observed the canvas of everyday life, though her mind swirled with thoughts. The tantalizing aroma of fresh bread wafted from the bakery, mingling with the earthy scent of fallen leaves. A playful breeze whispered tales of adventures on faraway shores.

Ever the steadfast lighthouse amid turbulent seas, John stood protectively by her side. Arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes scanned their surroundings vigilantly, like a hawk surveying its domain.

“I’m glad that you’re here,” she murmured, her eyes never straying from the hypnotic dance of townsfolk going about their routines. “I’m sorry if it’s selfish, but having you as my partner through this disaster of a journey feels right.”

John responded with a smirk, his sandpaper voice carrying a note of gentle reproof. “Someone’s gotta keep you from sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Besides, we’ve already proved we make a good team, haven’t we?”

“Can’t argue with that,” she replied, her lips curling into a fleeting smile. A thin but palpable layer of tension hung between them, an unspoken nod to their covert objective: the task of locating Lucas and the possibility of bringing him back home with them. An objective they were all too aware couldn’t be shared with their companions.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” John murmured, leaning in close enough that his words felt like a private serenade. “We’ve got to play this close to our chest. The others can’t sniff out our real mission. Clear?”

“Crystal,” she answered, offering a slight nod of affirmation.

A sudden wave of exuberant laughter crashed over the quiet square as a cluster of children skittered past, their faces glowing with unadulterated joy. Watching their carefree merriment, an unexpected pang of longing gnawed at Daphne. She yearned for the blissful simplicity of her childhood days when magic was a thrilling mystery and the only pressing threats were skinned knees and scoldings for tardy dinner arrivals.

“Hey,” John’s voice cut through her reverie, his tone carrying a hint of comforting reassurance. “We’ll crack this nut too, won’t we? We always manage to.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Daphne mustered a semblance of a smile. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s just…” She trailed off, her gaze darting away as her thoughts spiraled down a darkened path. “It feels like, I don’t know, everything’s just slipping through my fingers, you know?”

John nodded, his storm-blue eyes mirroring her own swirling storm of emotions. “I get it. More than you know, I do,” he admitted, his voice treading the delicate line between concern and understanding.

As silence descended upon them, a peaceful tranquility enveloped their shared space. They stood suspended in a timeless moment, cocooned within the rhythmic ebb and flow of the bustling town center unfolding around them. Daphne could feel a profound connection to John, a physical link that ebbed and flowed like a live current between them.

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