Truth of Fire by Abby Wood

Chapter One
     

     
    “Thrice around the circle’s edge, we’re protected by your might.
    Oh gracious Goddess, watch over all three of us day and night.”
    Carly hopped out of the circle of stones and flung back the hood of her cape. “Do you think it will work?”
    “Carly!” Her sister Bonnie slapped her upper arm. “Shit. Why do you always have to question the Goddess?” Bonnie turned toward the oldest Jacobson triplet. “Alexis?”
    The eldest sister, gifted with the element of air, held up her hand. “Please, you two, let me finish.”
    Casting her gaze toward the sky, Carly sighed. She raised her hood and stepped back within the sacred circle. Oh Goddess, give me strength.
    With her arms raised, her palms open to the night, Alexis closed her eyes and finished the spell.
    “Oh Goddess of air,
    We ask that you be fair.
    Use your love and speed
    To give us our every need.
    Make us strong and bold.
    Please bring us a man to hold
    Upon this Hallows Eve
    To her…to her…to me.
    Blessed be!”
    The wind picked up around the clearing and whipped Carly’s robe open. She hugged her waist and never took her gaze off Alexis. Her sister’s hood had come off, and her blonde curly hair, which matched Carly’s own, took on a life of its own.
    Alexis lowered her arms and opened her eyes. The wind disappeared, and peacefulness settled over the siblings. Carly rushed forward along with Bonnie to support Alexis. Calling upon the elements often drained them, but the wind always seemed especially strong.
    “It is done.” Alexis put her arms around each of her sisters. “Are you two ready? We’ve only given the Goddesses one week to do a big job.”
    Bonnie snorted. “Are you kidding? I think I’ve waited a lifetime for this moment. I can’t believe the time has come and I will find the right man to love.”
    Carly groaned. “I can’t even look at a man without turning several shades of red. I don’t see how this will work. You two are much better at relationships than I am.”
    Alexis laughed. “Oh dear sister, it will work. You’ll see soon enough that the Goddesses always know what they are doing.” She winked at Bonnie. “Besides, the powers that be know that they’ll have to give you a little extra help along the way.”
    Carly glanced back and forth between them. “What aren’t you telling me? You did something, didn’t you?” She narrowed her eyes. “Come on, spill…”
    Alexis grinned. “Get ready, dear sister, because you’ll be the first Jacobson sister to find true love.”
     
     

Chapter Two
     

     
    As the antique grandfather clock finished its seventh round of dongs , Carly laid down her hairbrush and headed toward the front door. Ugh, why did I have to pick today of all days to oversleep?
    With only a week to go until the end of October, she’d have to work fast to prep the flowers for the haunting celebration the townspeople threw every Halloween and to arrange the cornstalks that were stored in the back of the shop. No one ever thought the floral business stayed busy this time of year, but people still ordered flowers and decorated their homes for trick-or-treaters.
    After grabbing her sweatshirt off the coat rack, she slipped it over her head and ran her fingers through all her curls. If she hurried, she’d arrive at the flower shop before the boss noticed she overslept.
    A fine mist lay heavy over the quaint little coastal town of Lindbergh, Oregon. She loved this time of year, when the leaves fell and the skies stayed darker. Carly jogged across the one street that ran through the center of town and flew in the front door of Rose’s Emporium.
    “Carly!”
    She stumbled to a stop, raised her gaze, and lost all ability to speak.
    Standing beside Paul, her supervisor, was the best-looking man she’d ever seen. She caught her lip behind her top teeth. Oh, please tell me you are quitting and this man is here to take over your job.
    “Come here and meet the owner of Rose’s.”