EPILOGUE
Thanksgiving eve was the turning point in our relationship. Dex and I were now officially a couple, and I’d never been happier. He and Lorna joined my family for Thanksgiving dinner, and we all had a great time.
Oh, and in case you wondered…Dex did in fact help me get those apple pies in the oven early the next morning. Once the pies were in and the timer was set, he picked me up, sat me on the counter and proceeded to thoroughly make love to me…in the kitchen.
It was fabulous, but now I can’t smell apples and cinnamon without getting turned on.
The holidays passed in a colorful and happy blur. My Yia-yia sent me a new Hekate’s Wheel pendant from Greece that was enchanted—or blessed if you prefer—by her. I wear it every day now.
In late January, Dex and I went to Hattie and Johnny’s wedding. Lorna and Circe also attended. It was a beautiful day, and the four of us sat at a table together at the reception.
Hattie was stunning in her vintage bridal gown, and I was touched to see that she still was wearing the protective pendant that I’d given her.
Johnny was handsome in his navy-blue tux, and each reception table boasted a large bouquet of blue hydrangeas, which the magickal herbalist in me approved of.
Those blooms would help enforce protection for the bride and groom’s big day, plus they also symbolize devotion.
Circe returned to our table carrying four glasses: a soft drink for Dex and white wines for the rest of us.
“Guess what?” she said, placing my drink in front of me. “I just overheard Hattie’s mom telling someone that Jolene came down with a rampant case of mono, and that she had to miss her cousin’s big day.”
“What a shame,” Lorna said dryly.
“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person,” Circe agreed.
A man walked up to the table and asked Circe to dance before she’d even taken her seat again. She flashed him a smile and accepted.
“I’m glad Jolene’s not here to spoil Hattie and Johnny’s day,” Dex said, draping his arm around the back of my chair. “And her illness certainly sounds like karma to me.”
“Magick happens,” I agreed, leaning into him.
“Speaking of,” Lorna said, “I was thinking...I could use some help with the magickal community going forward. It would take some of the pressure off my shoulders actually if I had a couple of capable Lieutenants—so to speak.” She paused and took a sip of her wine. “Interested?”
I glanced over at Dex. “What do you think?”
He smiled. “We do make a hell of a team, you and me.”
“Yeah, we do,” I said. Then I turned back to Lorna. “I’d be honored.”
“As would I,” Dex said.
I felt a hand drop on my shoulder. Turning, I found Hattie and Johnny standing there beaming at us. “Come dance with us!” she said. “All of you!”
The music had switched to the classic song, “We Are Family,” and in unspoken agreement, Dex, Lorna, and I rose to our feet and headed for the dance floor. Dex gallantly escorted Hattie, and Johnny had taken both mine and Lorna’s hands.
Together in a large circle we all danced. Circe shimmied over and most of the wedding guests were now out on the floor, grooving, laughing and singing along with the music.
It was wonderful. The bride and groom were safe and crazy in love. My cousin Circe, my friend Lorna, and my lover Dex were all dancing with me, and the energy was happy, bright and celebratory.
Tossing back my head, I laughed with joy. Good magick had triumphed over dark, and I could hardly wait to see what the future had in store for us.
THE END
Lorna’s story and Book 2 in the Apothecary Shoppe Mysteries will be coming very soon!
Grimoires & Glamoury— Summer of 2026
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