She stopped herself short of saying someone like you, but left the words hanging. She didn’t want to sound too desperate.
Bram cupped her face between his big hands, his calloused thumbs ever so gently stroking her cheekbones. “You have me, Tabby cat. Now and for as long as you’ll have me.”
He dotted sweet kisses to her forehead, nose, and cheeks before claiming her mouth in a slow, thorough kiss that weakened her knees and sent tingles racing across her skin.
When lack of oxygen finally forced them apart, Tabitha noticed they had wandered to a secluded little hill overlooking the festival grounds. A checkered blanket was spread out, along with a wicker basket.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“Thought we might like a private place to cuddle and watch the fireworks,” Bram grinned. “Celeste helped me set it up earlier.”
Tabitha pressed her face into his muscular chest to hide the sudden prick of happy tears. “Have I mentioned lately how wonderful you are?”
His husky chuckle rumbled beneath her cheek. “Hmm, I might need you to repeat that a few hundred times. Just to make sure it sinks in.”
“Gladly,” she laughed. “But first...”
Tabitha tugged Bram down onto the blanket and snuggled into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. He draped an arm around her, strong and secure. They gazed at the night sky, admiring the stars high above.
Suddenly, a burst of color lit up the heavens with a resounding boom. Pinks, greens, and purples exploded in showers of sparks. Tabitha sighed with pleasure, completely at peace in her love’s arms as the fireworks show began.
Each new blast painted the sky in vivid hues - passionate crimsons giving way to cheerful yellows, then romantic lavenders fading to serene blues. It was as if the very universe was reflecting their growing love, their deepening bond.
Bram dropped a kiss on the top of her head and Tabitha laced her fingers through his, marveling at how perfectly they fit together.
As the fireworks built to a triumphant finale, Tabitha gazed into Bram’s eyes, falling into their clear depths. She loved this man. And the thought didn’t scare her anymore.
SEVENTEEN
The morning sun cast a warm glow through the brewery windows as Bram prepared for the special post-festival event. His thoughts drifted to Tabitha, a soft smile playing on his lips as he recalled their dance under the moonlight. His bear stirred within, a low rumble of contentment. There was no denying it—Tabitha was his mate.
Bram’s heart swelled with love, but a flicker of nervousness crept in. What if she didn’t feel the same way? The thought of rejection made his stomach clench. He shook his head, pushing the doubts aside. Today was about celebrating the successful festival and supporting Tabitha as she unraveled her family’s secrets.
As he arranged the tables, a knock at the door interrupted his musings. Bram opened it to find a courier holding a mysterious package. “Delivery for Bram Hartley,” the courier said, handing over the plain brown box.
Bram thanked him and brought the package inside, curiosity piqued. He carefully unwrapped it to reveal an old, leather-bound book. A note fluttered to the floor, unsigned, stating only that the book might be of interest to Tabitha.
Intrigued, Bram pulled out his phone and called Tabitha. “Hey, I’ve got something here I think you should see. Can you come over to the brewery?”
Tabitha breezed into the brewery, her floral sundress swirling around her knees, a contrast to the rustic wooden furnishings. Bram’s heart skipped a beat as her presence filled the room with warmth like the first rays of sun after a long winter.
“Hey, there, stranger,” Tabitha grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “What’s this mysterious book you’ve found?”
Bram led her to a worn, leather-bound tome on the table, its pages yellowed with age. “It arrived this morning, no sender’s name. But look...”
They huddled over the book, shoulders touching as Bram carefully turned the fragile pages. The musty scent of ancient paper mingled with Tabitha’s lavender perfume, a heady combination that made Bram’s head spin.
The pages were filled with intricate illustrations and cryptic text, referencing spells and incantations that seemed to belong to Tabitha’s grandmother. Amid the arcane symbols, a story began to unfold—a hidden family feud that spanned generations.
Bram’s finger traced a particular passage, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Look at this,” he said, his voice low and serious. “It mentions ‘the dangers of the twins born of light and dark.’ And here, ‘the child of dark must be destroyed.’”
Tabitha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Her eyes widened, a mixture of shock and disbelief. “You think this explains the rift in my family? The reason my parents and grandmother didn’t speak for years?”
Bram nodded, concern etched on his face. His heart ached for Tabitha, for the pain this revelation must be causing her. He reached out, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.
“It’s possible,” he said softly. “But I can’t believe your parents would be that monstrous. To even consider destroying a child...”
Tabitha shook her head, her curls bouncing with the movement. “No, they couldn’t. There has to be more to the story.”
