Free Forever Charmed (The Halloween LaVeau Series, Book 1) by Rose Pressey Page A

We’re having French toast.”
Would he figure out my plan to lure him into more conversation over breakfast?
I wouldn’t dare tell him that Nicolas was preparing the meal. He’d find out soon enough though.
“I could go for French toast. Thanks.” He flashed his perfect smile.
“Great. We can walk down together,” I said breezily. Was my nonchalant act working? Probably not.
“I’d like that.” The smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame.
His infectious grin had set the tone and I couldn’t help but reciprocate. “So where are you from, Mr. Rankin?”
“Please call me Liam.”
“All right. Where are you from, Liam?”
A melancholy frown flitted across his features. “I’m from New Orleans.”
“And you’re here on business?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m investigating a case. But I’m afraid that I can’t discuss it,” he said.
How did he know I was going to ask what the case was about?
“I understand,” I said as we moved down the steps.
What was so top secret that he couldn’t discuss it?
“So this house is all yours now?” he asked.
Had I told him about inheriting it? I didn’t remember having that conversation with him. I hadn’t spoken to either of them about it. Even if I had, I doubted that Liam would talk to Nicolas about it. They didn’t seem to discuss anything other than arguing.
I glanced over at him. “Yes, it is mine now. How did you know?”
“You told me, don’t you remember?” He looked at me enigmatically.
I couldn’t accuse him of being a liar. That would be rude. But I knew I hadn’t told him. This was very weird.
“My family once had a place like this,” he said softly.
I studied his clean-cut profile. The tenderness of his voice made him seem almost vulnerable at the moment. “Really? What happened to it?”
His expression stilled and grew serious. “It just got into the wrong hands, I suppose.”
“That’s unfortunate,” I said.
“Yes, it most certainly is.” Liam reached the bottom of the stairs first.
He held out his hand to help me down the bottom step. Without warning he flashed that gorgeous smile again and my stomach danced. He was a charmer.
“Thank you,” I said softly, trying to hide a huge smile.
As we made our way through the library, Liam asked. “Have you noticed anything strange since you’ve moved in?”
I whipped a glance at him. “What makes you ask that?”
Had he seen the ghost?
He hesitated. Was he trying to think of what to say? Or was he afraid to tell me about what he’d seen?
“It’s a big house. I figured maybe you’d heard the creaks and groans that come with them.”
“Are you trying to scare me?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Of course not. Have you had many other guests?” he asked.
This was an answer that I didn’t want to give. Should I lie or be truthful?
“As a matter of fact…” I paused. “You and Mr. Marcos are my first guests. But I hope you don’t hold that against me,” I said.
“Of course not. You’re doing a wonderful job.” A dimple appeared on each cheek.
“Even with the burnt pancakes?” I asked.
“Hey, the next batch was good.” His eyes grew openly amused.
Nicolas must have heard us talking because he popped out from the kitchen. He was still wearing the red and white polka dot apron. Liam’s face turned from pleasant to frustrated in a nanosecond.
“I thought I heard you talking. Breakfast is served.” He wiped his hands on the apron.
“Are you working for Ms. LaVeau now?” Liam asked sharply.
“I made her breakfast,” Nicolas said with a slight smile of defiance.
“You know, I’m not hungry after all,” Liam said with a steely glare.
Nicolas shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
“I have business to attend to. I’ll see you later, Hallie.” Liam reached for my hand and placed a delicate kiss against my skin.
After his lips lingered for a second, I watched as he moved across the library and out of sight.
When I turned to Nicolas, I said, “When are you going to tell me what is going on