“Love you too.”

  The news about that little scene in the market meant Ruby had to get home—her parents’ house—to let them know what happened before the first phone call or text happened. There weren’t many secrets in a town as isolated and small as Diablo Lake. Mainly because the gossip network was lightning fast.

  Hell, the wolves had decided to claim it was part of being a wolf shifter to be bold and nosy as you please. It worked because they were generally harmless and tended to be charming too, which eased the nosiness. Usually.

  As she drove away from town, she cranked the window down, her music up and let herself just be as the scents of her hometown flowed into the car.

  Fall crept in through the bite in the air and the first burst of orange and gold had begun to dress the trees. Soon signs of the biggest holidays of the year would show up in town. First Halloween, then Samhain and Collins Hill Days. Which launched into Thanksgiving, and all the winter holidays. Her absolute favorite season and she was home for good, making the difference she’d spent years dreaming of and working toward.

  She’d venture back out into the world again. Travel to get more training. Travel because she loved it. But not much could compete with the magic of Diablo Lake all dressed up for some shindig or other. No, this was home in a way she understood would not be true of any other place. She’d always return.

  Nothing compared with the way she felt as she saw the lights burning inside the house she’d grown up in casting a glow on the spot Ruby parked her car. She faced the shed where her dad stored all the lawn junk in the shadow of a huge, gnarled oak that still held the swing she and countless other kids had played on.

  Her dad had taught her how to ride a bike on the sidewalk out front. She’d learned to drive on their slow poke street. And now Nichole and Greg’s car was there, parked in front of the garage their apartment was above. Her mom’s youngest sister Ruby’s aunt Rehema’s Jeep was in front of the main house.

  So many of her favorite people all in one place.

  Before she went into the house though, she called Damon to leave a message about wanting his help, but he answered instead.

  “Ruby Jean Thorne,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

  She couldn’t help the smile at the sound of his voice and then naturally the tingles came right along. It was a great voice.

  “Hey, Damon. I’m back in Diablo Lake now and I need a place to live. I hear you’re the person to call. Do you have any time to show me what’s available? House or apartment, though I prefer a house.”

  “I heard you were back. And I was glad to hear it. Yep, I’ve got some rentals available to look at. A few you’d have to wait a month or so to move into, most of them you’d be able to get within a few days at the longest. If you’ve got about ninety minutes I can show them all to you.”

  “That would be perfect. Thank you.”

  “How about tomorrow? Two or three? We get afternoon help at the Mercantile so I’ll have the time then.”

  “Three works well. I’ll be at the clinic. We’re nearly ready to open up but there are last-minute details to finish. I can meet you at the Mercantile.”

  “I’ll pick you up at the clinic. I’m nosy,” he admitted. “I want to check it out.”

  Nosy, he most definitely was. She laughed and he joined her. That rhythm they’d had before seemed to click back into place. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at three.”

  * * *

  Grinning, Damon updated his calendar before stepping back into what was three quarters of a laundry room. Pretty much every night after closing up the Mercantile, he headed up to the house he was building to work on it.

  Winter was coming and he really wasn’t relishing the idea of living in that trailer once it started snowing so he wanted to get enough finished that he could move in and complete the rest into the spring.

  And then on to getting Major’s house finished. Damon and his twin had bought the land over the summer and while Major was still working on his house plans, Damon had been ready to go first.

  Major had been helping finish off the framing of the mudroom slash laundry room that would lead from the back of the house into the main living area. As dirty as he could get either working or running as wolf, he needed a place to dump his dirty stuff so he didn’t bring it in.

  “You sure took your time,” Major groused without any real heat. He just wanted to complain.

  “That’s why it’s my time. I do with it what I want.”

  His brother said some stuff their grandmother would have cut a peach tree switch over, but he just laughed and flipped Major off.

  “I’ve got an appointment tomorrow afternoon at three. I’m showing Ruby Thorne some properties. She’s looking to move out of her parents’ house.”

  Major snorted. “I’ve seen her around town over the last two weeks. She’s looking real good.”

  Damon had thought very much the same thing when he’d seen her across the street just a few days prior. But while it was okay when he thought so, Major didn’t have those rights. When he came back to himself, Major stared at him, one brow raised.

  “Interestin’. Just what are you up to?” Major didn’t meet Damon’s gaze straight on, instead focusing just to the left. Avoiding a fight.

  How quickly had he shifted into that space where his wolf rose to a perceived challenge over Ruby? Damon shook his head and held up a hand, palm open. “That was unexpected. I apologize.”

  Major nodded and then rolled his eyes. “Apologize for what? Being a wolf shifter? Fuck off. You two had chemistry back then, seems only right you’d have it now.” His brother went back to work without saying another thing.

  Damon remembered having a very similar moment with his oldest brother, Jace, back when Jace and Katie Faith had first come together again. She’d been away from Diablo Lake for a few years and had returned home, all grown up. Just like Ruby had.

  The similarities bore some thinking on, so he figured there was no harm in thinking while working.

  * * *

  Ruby heard laughter before she’d even reached the steps leading up to the back door. Her dogs, Kenneth the Magnificent and Biscuit, ran around in the large yard just outside the kitchen along with her parents’ dog, Pipes—so named because she had no problem using hers to bark and yodel any time she felt a need.

  “Hey there, babies,” Ruby called out and they all three turned and galloped her way. Pipes was a leftover casserole of a rescue. Probably some Lab and maybe a German shepherd. A collie perhaps. Whatever she was, she was on the large side of a medium-sized dog with blue eyes and splotches of white and dark brown on her fur. She yodeled and crooned and barked and talked back and fit into their family just fine. She also kept an eye on the boys, busy, curious little Cairn terriers, like a responsible older sister.

  After Ruby gave pets and compliments about general goodness and beauty, they all headed up into the house.

  A chorus of hellos greeted her when she got into the kitchen. “There are some groceries in my backseat,” she told her brother Greg. “Can you please bring them in?”

  “Sure thing,” he said, pausing to kiss her cheek on his way past.

  Nichole rolled into the room with a big smile. “Hey there, gorgeous.”

  There were lots of hugs and smooches and the like once Ruby put her things in her old bedroom and changed into a far more comfortable outfit.

  They ran things from the kitchen to the table, adding a few more settings as two more cousins showed up. But before long, they were all seated at the big, scarred wooden table in the dining room, passing around platters of food as a pleasant murmur of conversation settled in.

  “Before the phone calls start, I need to tell y’all about what happened at the grocery store tonight,” she said after the edge of hunger had been taken off.

  Her mother put her fork down and clasped her hands, waiting.

  “It’s not a big deal,” Ruby hastened to add before anyone got worried. She told them all about the scene at the grocery store and her mom rolled her eyes.

  “That woman. She just can’t help herself. It’s like she’s got a compulsion to embarrass her momma every chance she gets.” Anita Thorne waved a hand. “I’m glad you spoke up and let her know you weren’t the one. I’ll be sure to underline that with a look if I see her around town.” Her mother made a sound, like a hum, but with threat. Scarlett better run the other way if she caught sight of Anita.

  Ruby hoped so because she didn’t have the time or inclination to play clownish games with Scarlett Pembry. And if Scarlett started something with Anita, well, it’d be a whole different sort of problem.

  “And I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with Damon Dooley. He’s gonna show me available rentals in town.”

  Her mother’s dark look regarding Scarlett washed away, replaced with an arch smile at Ruby. “You make sure you like the feel of whatever place. You understand? You don’t need to rush. It’s important to feel right in your home. And I know you. You’re going to need a big garden space. We’re in no hurry to have you leave though. So don’t choose some dark little place in a terrible neighborhood.”

  Ruby couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Bad neighborhood? Oh that one with the house with the curtains drawn all the time?”

  “I still say that’s suspicious,” her mom replied, setting off another wave of laughter. “What are they hiding?”

  “Or, they’re all freaked out by that witch in the thirty-year-old Buick who keeps driving by trying to peek in their front window,” Ruby teased. “Ow!” She drew back the hand her mom had just whacked with the back of her spoon, trying not to laugh anymore. “Okay! I promise not to move into some dark little hovel in any bad neighborhood that may or may not exist. I can’t live here forever, Mom. I do really appreciate being here until I find the right place though. And I’ll most definitely use all the offers of help to move when it’s time.”

  Her mom’s mouth flattened into a line but it was really more a matter of her trying not to smile at being ribbed by her children.

  “You didn’t get all sad like this when I moved away,” Greg said, grinning.

  “Well. You brought back Nichole. So that saved me from being too sad about it.”

  Ruby snickered. “She likes me best,” she told her brother in an exaggerated stage whisper. “But your wife is a close second.”

  Greg tapped the side of his nose, their childhood shorthand for a middle finger and wow, Ruby was simply joyous at having this back in her life regularly.

  “Stop hogging the potatoes,” she told her brother.

  Chapter Two

  “Pulsating pepperoni.”

  Peals of laughter rang through the air.

  “Baloney pony.”

  “Oh! Pepperoni pony!”

  “I’m not entirely sure where the relation to pony is and I’m a little wary about it.”

  Damon Dooley stood just outside the doorway of the soon to be opened Diablo Lake medical clinic and listened to his sister-in-law rattle off dirty names for dicks with her friends like that was what everyone did on a Tuesday afternoon.

  And the second voice was Ruby’s. The absolutely gorgeous witch he was about to show rental properties to. He shifted forward enough to see the room—and the women inside it—better.

  “Pony, like you know, something you ride. You’re a twisted hussy, Ruby. I always did admire that about you.” That voice belonged to Aimee Benton, the new mayor.

  They laughed again, their magic rising all around the room. A bar of autumn sunshine glinted around Ruby, her magic dancing in the air like dust motes. Damon—both man and wolf—was struck still at the sight.

  “Snausage,” Nichole, Ruby’s sister-in-law, suggested.

  Ruby’s face screwed up. “Ew! No! My mom buys those for the dogs. Anyway, they’re not very big and they make the boys fart really bad.”

  “Point taken,” Aimee said. “I don’t rightly recall if we decided on a meat theme, but I think it’s always more festive to have a theme.”

  “You would. Because you’re odd. I mean, the whole town knows it but just know I love you anyway.” Katie Faith sighed exaggeratedly.

  Ruby choked back a snicker. “Oh hush. I think a theme is wonderful. Like superheroes or puppies and whatnot. Only jauntier.” More laughter. “What kind of person doesn’t like jaunty things, Katie Faith?”

  “A monster, that’s what kind,” Aimee said.

  “Staff of love,” Katie Faith offered after an eye roll at her friends.

  “Weak.”

  “Was not! That was old-school. Vintage is very in fashion, you know.” Katie Faith rolled her eyes when the other women just stared at her. “Fine. How about turgid torpedo?”

  “Oh!” Ruby clapped. “Extra point for the use of turgid. Very traditional and old-school.”

  “If we’re going back to old-school, how about tallywhacker?” Aimee asked. “That’s one my Nan uses.”

  “Mine says pecker. Not very poetical or anything.” Nichole sounded sad about that.

  “There’s something to be said for simplicity though,” Ruby told her. “Maybe spice it up like. So purple-cloaked pecker.”

  In unison, the others made gagging sounds. “No. That’s just well, it conjures up some scary stuff,” Katie Faith said.

  “You know purple-helmeted love lance or what have you. Also, a cloak is very fashionable. I have several myself,” Ruby said, one brow up.

  Aimee put up a finger. “Peckers or capes?”

  Ruby snickered. “Guess.”

  “Oh I know! Spear of destiny.” Katie Faith nodded decisively.

  “Isn’t that something biblical? Because my mother will whip my ass if I’m over here making fun of penises with biblical references,” Ruby said.

  Though he was thoroughly enjoying sneaking a peek at the secret world of women, Damon couldn’t stop the snicker of amusement from escaping his lips. Giving himself away. Ah well.

  As a group, the four witches turned to catch sight of him standing there. That’s when the zing rebounded between him and Ruby Thorne and he had to tighten his hand on the doorjamb to keep his knees from buckling.

  One corner of her mouth rose and his watered because he knew what she tasted like. And until right then, he’d forgotten just how much he’d missed his lips on hers.

  And now she was home and they were both six years older and wiser. He sure hoped he was because a woman like the one he currently stared at deserved that.

  “Well, hey there, Damon Dooley,” Ruby said, the smile taking over her entire face as she approached him.

  She’d been pretty six years ago, but she was luminous now, her magic around her shoulders like a mantle. He wanted to roll around in her, coat himself in her. Damon reined it in, assuring the wolf they’d get to that point but it was important to wait for the right time.

  Rather than a handshake, Damon opened his arms, waiting a beat to be sure she had the chance to stop her trajectory. Thank the lord above, she came right into his hug, her body fitting just perfect against his.

  Her magic washed over him. Roses and jasmine. Warm and lush and so fucking good he forced himself to step back before he buried his face in all those gorgeous dark curls and took a whiff.

  His wolf stretched just beneath the skin, claws carefully unsheathed as if to say, yes. And the man agreed.

  “Hey yourself, Ruby darlin’. You look great. I mean, the place looks great. Too,” he said, blushing and wondering why he was so nervous. He was good at charming women! And he had a history with this one.

  But she was just...so much. Ruby had always been confident but this woman before him had grown from confidence to magnificence in a deep red sweater and black pants that looked like leather but weren’t. The sky-high heels on the boots completed the look and sent his pulse racing. Sexy. Gorgeous.

  Katie Faith looked at him over Ruby’s shoulder, a smirk on her face. Clearly he was telegraphing just how much she was affecting him all over his features. Damn it, he’d never hear the end of this.

  He rubbed the back of his neck, ducking his head a moment but when he looked up once more, Ruby’s smile brought his own in answer.

  “It’s really coming together, thanks,” she said. “At this rate, we can start seeing patients here next week. I really appreciate you making time to show me places today.”

  You lived in a secret town in the middle of nowhere and you took as many jobs as you needed to pay the bills. Damon and his twin, Major, were the more or less official real estate agents for all of Diablo Lake so it fell to him to show vacancies for rent and for purchase on the several times a year the issue came up.

  He sure as shit made sure to be available the soonest possible to help out an old friend. Ex-girlfriend. Both. Whatever.

  Sometimes he was way smarter than he remembered.

  “You ready to go or do you need a few more minutes?”

  “Just let me grab my bag and jacket.” She hurried off as he watched, Rubystruck.

  “Wow.”

  Damon stifled back a growl of annoyance toward his sister-in-law at the remark.

  “I heard that growl,” Katie Faith said, laughter in her voice. “And before you say a word, remember how you tortured Jace when he and I were first dancing around one another.”

  He had to withhold an eye roll because she was right. He and Major messed with their older brother on a regular basis but especially when he’d been wooing Katie Faith.