A Fairy Tricky Halloween

By Patricia Otto

Crisis matchmaker fairy Dandelion Glitterfield's next match assignment is a doozy. A quiet loner, who likes his solitude and does not believe in fairies.

   Furniture-maker Cooper Cornish isn't looking for love. Heck he isn't even looking for a relationship. Then he dances with a mysterious witch at a masquerade ball and his emotions are wide awake. Before he can find out her name, she's gone. Now the witch haunts his dreams, ignites his desires, as the memory of holding her in his arms makes a tiny crack in his wall. Who is she and how does he find her?

   Sally Tanager is a nurse at the assisted living facility where Cooper's grandmother lives. Dancing with him at the masquerade ball her sister dragged her to, wasn't supposed to be exciting. Or incredible. Then she finds out her sister has contracted him to build shelves for her store. And sis is interested in more than Cooper's building skills. Game changer. The next time they see each other, Sally realizes Cooper doesn't know she was the witch. The sister-don't-take-my-man code is safe. Or is it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patricia S. Otto
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781943860128

Patricia Otto

A few decades ago, I found out that most people don't make up stories about the people they watch while sipping ice tea at a cafe. They do not take a cast of characters from a book or movie and give them a whole new story. Who knew? I thought everyone did that. Then there were the out-of-the-blue-characters. The ones conjured up in my head, telling me their tales, pushing me to write their stories. Sharing them only seemed fair.

Book preview

A Fairy Tricky Halloween

by

Patricia Otto

Copyright

A Fairy Tricky Halloween Copyright © 2021 by Patricia Otto

Cover Art by Glass Slipper Web Design. Cover Photos: Deposit Photos

EBooks are not transferable. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the author. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of the copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the internet, any electronic or prints means without the publisher's permission.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locations or organizations is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION: For Raul’s daughters—C., R., and B. Thanks for the glimpse into the relationship between sisters.

A Fairy Tricky Halloween

Chapter 1

Dandi stopped at the mirror to check his reflection. Hair, coiffed to perfection, skin, flawless, outfit, polished and fashion-forward, wings, iridescent. You are one marvelous fairy. He snapped his fingers at his reflection before turning from the mirror to the door beside him. The gold embossed sign on the door read Crank, Assignment Manager, Mergers. He knocked.

Come in, a voice called from inside. The serious-minded, senior fairy with the knack for helping humans find love, Crank looked up from his work when Dandi closed the door. He waved Dandi toward a chair. Ah, Dandelion. Sit, sit.

Yes, sir.

Crank leaned back to study Dandi. I’ll get right to it. Crank tented his fingers. You’ve had some rough times of late. Your last two matchmaking assignments have been underwhelming, shall we say?

Dandi opened his mouth to speak, but Crank held up a finger.

Have you thought about changing departments? Maybe you are burned out, or you’re no longer cut out for emergency matchmaking. The Emergency Intervention Matchmaking unit is for young fairies.

I’m hardly an ancient relic, Crank.

No, but you’ve been in crisis matching for a while now.

Because I’m good at it.

In the past, you were one of the best. But maybe it’s time for a change. Perhaps something like a companionship position. There’s no shame in requesting a transfer.

Dandi jumped to his feet. No. I’ve just had a bit of the dry spell. You know I’m good at this.

You do have a solid record of bringing humans together. Crank stroked his beard. For that reason, the Board of Fairies has decided to let you try one more time.

Dandi lowered to his chair, exhaling with relief.

Crank slid a computer tablet across his desk. Here is your next assignment.

Dandi watched the video on the tablet. You are kidding. He twisted his mouth to one side. Another beefcake loner who says maybe ten sentences a day, likes football, and thinks flannel is semi-formal. He leaned forward. Where are the guys who have season tickets to the ballet and wear tailored three-piece suits?

They generally don’t have trouble finding love.

Good point.

This human really needs your touch. You’ve got that rare combination of bluntness tempered by finesse.

Dandi lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head. Go on.

Recent events notwithstanding, you’re good at the meet-cute. You read people in a snap and can adjust your plan on the fly.

And?

You are shrewd.

And?

And you’re not afraid to be clever.

And? Don’t stop now.

Don’t push it, Dandelion Glitterfield. This human is a challenge, something you love. He’s granite on the outside, peanut butter on the inside. Crank leaned back. Are you up to the task?

Absolutely.

Good. I’ll let the Board know.

When do I start?

Now.

Oh. O-okay.

Good luck. Crank gestured for Dandi to leave.

Dandi stood then straightened his brocade vest. Skill, not luck.

Confidence. I like it. He’s at this address. Crank handed Dandi a slip of paper.

Sir. Dandi strode out of the room. After closing the door, he leaned against it. Dandi, ol’ sprite, he whispered, that performance deserves an Oscar. He fanned his face. It’s do-or-die time. I hope Lonewolf McFlannel cooperates. I don’t need to spend the next month convincing him that fairies exist. The Board is going to be looking for results, not excuses. He rubbed the space between his eyes. Shooting stars, I do not want to end up in accounting or, Cupid forbid, the mailroom.

# # #

Cooper Cornish massaged the mineral oil in a circular motion along the maple shelf of the bookcase he was making. The rich, organic aroma soothed his spirit as it brought out the varied shades of the wood. The bookcase had simple lines and solid shelves, just what the client ordered. The wood stain his client insisted on turned out better than he expected. Coop was concerned the mineral oil stain would be too red, but the maple kept it brown. He tossed the cloth on the floor beside the oil can then stepped back for a better look.

Coop sat in the decrepit lounge chair, the only piece of furniture in the workshop other than an architect’s desk and whatever project he was working on. He reached for an ale in the cooler beside him, twisted the cap, and took a long swig.

A movement caught his eye. He turned. Nothing. He took another swallow. Another movement grabbed his attention. He looked again. Nothing.

He studied the bookcase. This was his best piece yet. Making furniture was utterly gratifying, something starting and running a marketing firm had never been. In the year since he stepped aside to let his partner run the marketing business, Cornish Woodworks was getting popular.

What are we looking at?

Coop jumped up, catching a glimpse of a three-inch, winged bug, diving behind the cooler. What the hell? He kicked the cooler then checked the area around the chair. Damn, I’m losing it. He settled back into the chair.

Seriously, what are we looking at?

Coop saw the bug on the arm of his chair. What the hell? He slapped the insect.

Ouch.

Coop jumped to his feet, cursing under his breath. He swiped at the bug rubbing its