Read Online The Witch's Halloween Hero (Nocturne Falls) by Kristen Painter - Free Book Online

Chapter 1
Bartholomew Stanhill stood on the front porch of Corette William’s house, not quite sorted enough to knock. He smoothed the lapels of his tuxedo one more time with his free hand. In his other, he carried a small shopping bag that held a box with two Halloween cupcakes in it and a clear clamshell containing a stunning tiger lily corsage. He was totally prepared for this evening; there was nothing to be worried about. After all, his entire life was about preparation.
Tonight was no exception. He took a breath and lifted his hand, then hesitated and put it down again.
His nerves weren’t because tonight’s event, the Black and Orange Ball, was the biggest social event of the year in Nocturne Falls. Social events were all part and parcel with living in this town. No, his nerves were because of the small velvet box in his jacket pocket. The one holding the exquisite sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring he’d picked out for Corette.
Tonight was the night. He was going to ask her to marry him. Granted, their lives would never be normal. Corette was a witch with three grown daughters who were also witches, and between them and her bridal shop in town, her life was a whirlwind of activity. Although she always made time for him.
Stanhill was a rook for Hugh Ellingham, one of the founders of Nocturne Falls and an almost-four-hundred-year-old vampire. Stanhill was slightly older, but in his own opinion, the touch of gray that Hugh would never have was His Lordship’s loss.
Being a rook meant Stanhill had the immortality of a vampire with a half measure of a vampire’s strength and speed, but it also meant he couldn’t be too far from Hugh. Any distance too great and they would both suffer.
Stanhill had known the risks and conditions before Hugh had turned him into a rook, but it had been a choice between life or death, as would have been forthcoming from the plague that was ravaging those around them. And as Hugh’s former valet, a life of service was one he was comfortable with. So choosing life, even with all that being a rook entailed, had been the right decision.
Especially now that Corette was a part of that life. After all these years, she’d taught him that love was still possible. It was an unbelievable gift.
He glanced into the bag at the corsage he’d brought and smiled, thinking about the winsome witch. Tonight would be one for the memory books. He finally brought his knuckles up to the door. He knocked three times, then stood back to wait.
A moment later, his beloved opened the door. In a split second, he took Corette in. Her black satin gown accentuated her brilliantly curved figure with the perfection of old Hollywood. Her deep auburn hair matched the look as it fell in coiffed waves around her beautiful face. She offered him a soft smile, but the light in her eyes he was accustomed to seeing wasn’t there. Was she nervous about something too?
She pulled the door a little wider. “Hello.”
“Hello, love.” He knew what they both needed. A reminder of what mattered. He stepped inside, pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
Her hands flew up to his chest and shoved him away. “What are you doing?”
His mouth came open in shock at her reaction, but before he could respond, Pandora, Corette’s flame-haired middle daughter, flew around the corner and into the foyer.
“Stanhill! Don’t you look handsome? Good to see you. Sort of. Oh, bother. I was afraid this would happen.” Her mouth bunched to one side as she glanced at Corette. “Mom, I said I would get the door.”
“Afraid what would happen?” he asked.
Corette pointed at Stanhill, eyes snapping with anger. “This man kissed me.”
Stanhill stared at her, befuddled as to why that was a problem. “You’ve never complained about it before.”
Pandora gave her mother a stern look. “Mom, Marigold needs you in the kitchen. Now.”
Corette shot Stanhill an accusatory glare before stalking off.
He watched her go, totally confused.