Pandora almost spit soda all over her sister. Talk about keeping a secret. “When?”

Marigold made a face and mumbled something.

Pandora put her hand to her ear. “What was that? I didn’t quite catch it.”

Marigold sighed. “I said, nine months before Saffie was born.”

Pandora laughed. “So almost nine years ago. Yeah, you’ve totally got me beat.” Unable to stop her subconscious, the idea of sex with Cole danced through her brain.

“What was that look?”

“Huh? Nothing.” Pandora’s cheeks warmed. “I need to get ready for the meeting. I’m not kicking you out, but I am about to disappear into the bedroom to get dressed.”

“Yeah, yeah. I need to scoot too.” Marigold headed for the door. “Tell Mr. Second Chances I said hi. If you can stop kissing him long enough.”

Pandora rolled her eyes. Then decided kissing him wasn’t such a bad idea.

Never in his life had the impending visit of a woman given Cole the kind of jittery buzz he was currently experiencing. He’d been to the front door twice to look for Pandora’s car. Actually, three times considering this recent trip. But the driveway remained empty.

“Dad, what are you doing?”

Cole jerked back. “Nothing.”

Kaley grinned. “You’re looking for Miss Williams.”

“So?”

“Good comeback.”

He made a face at her. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready? She’ll be here any second.”

“I am ready.”

He crossed his arms and leaned on the door. “Kaley Van Zant, I don’t know anything about coven meetings, but I do know you’re not going with BBQ sauce on your shirt.”

She looked down as she stretched her T-shirt out. “Oh, man.”

“Go change. You have time.”

She dashed up the steps to her room.

Cole went back to looking out the sidelight. Pandora was just pulling into the drive.

His entire body tightened with need. He opened the door and walked out onto the porch.

Pandora got out of her car and came toward him. She wore skinny jeans, a T-shirt and a tight cardigan that showed off her incredible figure. “Hey.”

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Good. Not a hundred percent, but nothing like this morning.” She joined him on the porch. “Thanks for the pancakes, by the way. That was really thoughtful.”

“Thoughtful enough for a kiss?”

She smiled like she was trying not to. “Kinda pushy, don’t you think?”

That wasn’t a no. He slipped his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck and brushed his mouth across hers. A fluttering of wings filled his ears, and the earth around him seemed to disappear beneath his feet. He released her, not wanting to push her goodwill too far.

She sighed, eyes still closed for a moment. When she opened them, she shook her head slowly. “I really hope you don’t turn out to be bad for me. The flowers were really sweet, too.”

Before he could say anything, Kaley opened the door. “Hey, Miss Williams.”

“Hiya. Ready to go?”

“Yep. Do I need to bring anything?”

“Nope.” Pandora hooked her thumb toward the car. “Hop in. I need to talk to your dad for a sec.”

“Okay.”

“Wow,” Cole said. “Not a single eye roll. Impressive.” He couldn’t stop grinning. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

“The whole familiar thing. And us. The two go hand in hand. There’s no pretending otherwise. We’ve got to get you comfortable with this new side of yourself.”

“I am comfortable. I guess. Other than the way I feel when you touch me, I haven’t really noticed anything different. I haven’t even shifted since that first time, although I’ve felt like it might happen, it hasn’t. Are you still helping me with that?”

“I am. Every time I’ve touched you since, I’ve pushed a spell toward you to keep it from happening so you don’t freak out.”

“You have?”

She nodded.

“Then I do need to work on this. Suggestions?”

“Yes. Go into the attic and talk to Gertrude.”

He stared at her. “You want me to talk to a ghost?”

“You want this to work or don’t you? If anyone can give you the basics on being a familiar, it’s her. And you really need to understand this side of yourself.”

“How do I…summon her or whatever?”

“Just go on up and say hi. She’s not shy. You shouldn’t be either.”

“Okay, I can do that.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Looks like I know what I’m doing tonight.”

She smiled. “Good. You can tell me all about it when I bring Kaley home.”

“Have fun.”

She started down the steps, laughing softly. “Yeah, you too. Tell Gerty I said hi.”

“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

Still laughing, she gave him a wave and jumped into the car. He waited until they’d pulled through the gate, then went inside.

He looked toward the attic. Talk to a ghost. What on earth had his life become? With a shrug, he headed up the steps, trying to psych himself up for whatever was about to happen.

The attic was warm but not unbearable. He flipped the light on. How did one start a conversation with a ghost? He walked to the center of the space. “Um…Aunt Gertrude? If you’re there, Pandora Williams told me to come upstairs and talk to you.”