Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“Now this is a spicy story.” Ted rubs his hands together.
“Agreed.” David’s eyes light up.
I hang my head in my hands. If anyone is a coven of silliness, it’s us.
CHAPTER 4
BELL
I peek out of the curtains as my new neighbors linger next door. I’m supposed to be laying low. This is the opposite of low. But I can’t help but stand here watching Jackson. The man has an air about him that’s filled with a soft dominance. I didn’t know that could be a thing, but here we are. I mean, I shot him with a taser and he barely reacted. Not only that, he didn't get mad about it either. I think most men would have lost their shit.
He turns his attention back to my house. I jump back from the window, not wanting to get caught snooping. I don’t want to be known as a nosey neighbor. I’ll go from witch to Karen in two seconds. I’d rather they continue to think I’m a witch.
I don’t think Marly’s chickens are hexed because that’s crazy, but to be honest, this whole thing is. Someone has to be stealing the eggs. Why? Who steals chicken eggs? It’s strange. She said someone was dressed in all black in her backyard last night.
“Oh gosh.” I rush back over toward my door to make sure it’s locked. The destroyed chain hangs from the door. Not good. I’ll order another one, but I’m not sure I’ll know how to install it.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I will not have a panic attack. I grab the wall to steady my balance. Willing myself to not have a panic attack isn’t working. I slide my hand along the wall, guiding myself over toward the sofa, dropping myself onto it when I get there. I continue trying to use the calming techniques I’ve learned and steady my breaths.
Who the heck is lingering around this small neighborhood dressed in all black? I push the thought out, knowing it’s not helping right now. I suck in a deeper breath, my mind racing. Three. The word spins in my mind until I latch on to its meaning. The rule of three like Liberty taught me.
“I see boxes, the coffee table, the chicken painting.” I tap my finger against my knee as I wiggle my toes before I rotate my ankle. What do I hear? The wind. Everything else is utterly quiet. I smell paint, and the deep masculine smell of Jackson lingers. I go with that, unable to hear three sounds.
“It worked.” I rub my sweaty palms down my jeans. “I did it. I stopped it.” I smile, proud of myself. The man lurking in all black comes back to mind, but I don’t break out in a full panic this time. I get up to go find my phone. I triple check all the windows and doors to make sure everything is locked up tight.
I grab my anxiety medicine and take one. I hate them. They always make me tired, but it’s better than having a breakdown. That’s what scares me more than anything. What if my stalker did find me and break in? Would I stand there paralyzed and have a panic attack unable to defend myself? I hate that I have to worry about these things. I fight back the tears at the hopeless feeling that makes my chest feel hollow.
“Bells? You there?” My agent answers on the first ring.
“I’m here. I just had a small scare.”
“What was it?” I hear her moving around. She’s in her office, I’m sure. The woman lives in it. I’ve never met anyone that works harder than her.
“It’s probably nothing, but the woman who lives next door says someone dressed in all black stole her chicken eggs.” The line goes quiet for a long moment.
“Stole her chicken eggs.” As Nina repeats what I said, a laugh pops out of me. I can just imagine the look on her face.
“I’m sorry. I guess I ah—”
“It’s fine, Bells. You’re on edge, which is understandable. I promise there is no way he knows where you are. There are three states that separate you from your old home.” I nod, knowing she’s right. “I’m going to see about getting a security system out there, but everyone is so damn backed up,” she mutters, annoyed. Nina doesn’t handle it well when someone doesn’t hop to when she issues orders.
“I’m locking up tight, and I have my stun gun,” I remind her. “I’ll be okay.”
“You’re going to shoot yourself with that thing.”
“Am not.” Little does she know, I shot someone else. I’m actually pretty proud of myself that I was able to do it. Not that it did much. But still.
“I’ll handle it. Someone will be out there soon to set you up with a system. You need an alarm.”