Today’s Sunday Snippet comes from Passion in the Cards, the first book (of four so far) in the Trappers Cove Romance series, set in a quirky, funky, kitschy Washington State beach town. Trappers Cove offers all the charm, humor, and chosen family goodness you’d expect in a small-town romance series, plus lots of spice and the beach!
Madame Zora’s Psychic Emporium plays a part in every Trappers Cove story. You know the type: a funky shop selling crystals, incense, hippie skirts, love potions, tarot readings…Here, woo-woo fortuneteller and free-spirited nomad Gemma tries to convince organic farmer to expand his business–and help her beloved Aunt Zora in the process.
“Hey, Jesse.”
He turned toward her with a quizzical scowl.
“You know about the Esoteric Arts Expo in Portland next month?”
“Yeah. Got the extra herbs Zora ordered under a bank of grow-lights.”
“You’ll be there, right?”
His dark brows drew together. “At the expo? No. Why?”
Gemma grasped his arms, relishing the firm muscle through his thick woolen coat. “You’ve got an organic herb farm! You could offer teas, tinctures, potted plants. Give me a list of what you grow, and I’ll write up their magical properties.”
Jesse snorted, which only made him more bull-like. “Listen, I grow culinary herbs, stuff for tea and home remedies, not magic potions.”
Yup, bull-headed to a fault. She forced her lips to unscowl. Being judgmental would get her nowhere with his type. He needed practical proof. “How could you ignore this huge market? The esoteric community is hungry for local products with integrity.”
“My business is none of yours.” With another sexy snort, he stepped closer and spread his stance, looming over her. “You ever actually worked the land, princess? It’s not airy-fairy spirituality. It’s heavy lifting and dirt under your nails.” He held a broad palm before her face and wiggled his fingers. Immediately, her imagination zoomed to how those powerful hands would feel on her bare skin, their rough scrape raising goosebumps of pleasure. Would he be a forceful lover? Brutal, even? Or perhaps surprisingly tender?
She gave her head a little shake, took his hand, and inspected his palm. “Interesting Mount of Venus.” She rubbed the base of his thumb. “Nice and fleshy.”
She had his attention now. People loved being told about themselves. With narrowed eyes, he peered at the spot she was massaging. “Mount of Venus? What does that mean?”
“Fullness here shows you’re passionate, sensual. And see this mark? Like a little X?”
He squinted, rumpling his eyebrows adorably.
“This means you have a lot of love to give.” She was only quoting her library of palmistry books, but a skeptic like him would probably assume she was spouting pickup lines.
Instead of scoffing, he held her gaze for a long, heated moment. His nostrils flared, but whatever snarky comment he concocted remained behind his tightly pressed lips. His broad chest rose and fell.
Focus. Plan. Expo.
She forced her shoulders down. “So why not share some of that love with Zora and me? You help us with new products for the Esoteric Expo, and we’ll help you with new customers for your herbs.”
See? I can be practical and logical—just the way you like it, stubborn Taurus.
Still holding her gaze, Jesse flexed his jaw muscles as he thought it over.
Unwilling to break contact, Gemma continued to rub circles on his palm. “All I ask is a chance to peek inside.” She meant his farm, of course. Ought to choose her phrasing more carefully. “Zora could really use some new products to draw in customers during the slow winter season.” Giving into temptation, she sidled closer and inhaled his green, herbal scent. “Just an hour of your time? For Zora?”
With an exaggerated roll of his dark eyes, he huffed before giving her directions to his herb farm east of town.
“Excellent! I’ll come by tomorrow morning. What’s a good time?”
He smirked. “Six-thirty works for me.”
Trying to scare me off. She squared her shoulders and served him a snarky grin of her own. “Great. See you then.”
She sashayed back into the shop. Was it her imagination, or did he gun his truck’s engine just for her? Battling his disbelief was going to be fun, and if she played her cards skillfully, she’d forge an alliance that benefited both him and her aunt. Maybe even earn some good-karma points to boost her next endeavor, whatever that might be.
And if the heat simmering in his dark eyes turned out to signify more than irritation?
Nope. Not so soon after the Caleb debacle. Hands off the hunky farmer.
Get Passion in the Cards for just 99¢ through 4/30!
