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  HC

  I clicked away from my short story “Murder Yule” and onto the delivery bot app. Yellowstone National Park was about as remote as you could get, but with some patience and a stream connection, you could get pretty much anything you wanted in the year 2859.

  As I searched for “baked brie” amongst the delivery options, my wife, Paddy, wandered in. “Snow’s about melted, Wimpy. Ready to brave it? Think you can handle the cold?”

  “How’re we feeling about baked brie for lunch?” I asked in reply.

  “Well, that’s a mighty specific request to make all the way out here, dear, but if that’s the mood you’re in. . . What exactly have you been writing?”

  “I’m hoping you’ll be my beta-reader for this story since my usual gal is otherwise occupied—“

  “Hah! You think your number-one fan doesn’t wanna read your snow-inspired story, love? You don’t know Samantha half as well as you think you do. Just try keeping that girl away from Harley and Muriel and see the monster you unleash.”

  I shivered, “Best not mention monsters while we’re in a forest. You’ll understand once you read the story,” I assured my wife as she plucked the data pad from my fingers.

  “What is it, Wimpy, a yeti tearing through Seattle? What kind of story did you write me this time? Oh! ‘Murder Yule!’ How very spooky. It better be funny!”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “I wouldn’t want to disappoint the love of my life. Now, dear, you give that a read, and I’m off to shower. Then whaddaya say we head to the Old Faithful Inn, where baked brie is an appetizer?”

  “Ha, ha! Deal, Wimpy,” she said, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

  When I stepped out of the bathroom, freshened and ready for the day ahead, I heard Paddy's giggle over the sound of the Righteous Brothers coming through the pad’s speakers.

  I smirked to myself, wondering how many plays that song was gonna get once my latest story went live on Purple Road.

  You’re welcome, “Unchained Melody,” I thought.

  It wasn’t a bad song. It was a classic, and romance lovers everywhere would appreciate it. I felt it a welcome accompaniment to my return to the limelight.

  Decades had passed since I’d written my bestseller, Red Phoenix, and this short story would be the perfect way to tease my long-term fans and lure new readers of love stories to my side. A good love story needed a soundtrack, and what was better than “Unchained Melody,” even if it was in one of those slow-mo action scenes?

  I approached my wife who was snuggled on the sofa under a blanket, pad in hand. Leaning over, I peeked at her progress and saw she was on the final chapter. I kissed the side of her neck, noticing with appreciation how her head tilted to give me better access.

  Lips against her artery, I had no doubt what we’d find if we took her heart rate.

  A familiar rhythm. The very beat pulsing through the speakers as the Righteous Brothers sang.

  Ninety-eight beats per minute.

  Perfect for a song. Excellent for a heart receiving a kiss.

  I chuckled to myself, feeling every bit the clever bastard.

  Two things were timeless: music and love. Put them together, and you've got magic.

  I didn’t need anything else to explain why my characters kept experiencing the impossible.

  Music + Love = Magic

  That was an equation you could count on.

  Every.

  Single.

  Time.

  The end.

  For now.