One wish, one woman in hiding, and one witch racing the clock.

I’m Patience O’Reilly—white witch, amateur sleuth, and ex-private investigator. My specialty? Granting heartfelt wishes with a touch of magic and a nose for secrets.

When a terrified woman shows up at Willow Gardens Retirement Community, she’s desperate for a safe place to hide. Retired social worker Lori Maber is doing her best to help, but the past has a nasty habit of catching up—and someone out there wants this woman silenced.

As I dig deeper, guided by my intuition and the magical whispers only I can hear, I begin to unravel a tangled web of lies, fear, and danger. My police officer boyfriend, Kyle, suspects I’m more than just a sharp ex-PI with good instincts—and he’s not wrong. But keeping my secret is harder than ever.

With my loyal terrier familiar, Lucky, by my side, I’ll risk everything to protect the innocent and make sure this wish comes true… before time runs out.

If you love magical mysteries with heart, humor, and a dash of danger, A Wish in Time is the perfect spellbinding escape.

Being a white witch is both wonderful and exhausting.

My job is to help people by granting a single wish that lasts a lifetime. Not a fleeting desire or a momentary whim, but something that truly matters. Unfortunately, most people don’t know what they really want. They might think they crave riches, power, or beauty, but those things don’t bring real happiness. Without a witch’s assistance, many are disappointed with how things turn out. My wishes are meant to make the world a better place—one fulfilled heart at a time—and I love that.

As I pull into the Willow Gardens parking lot, Lucky is by my side, strapped in his harness in the passenger seat. He’s a scruffy little terrier with an uncanny ability to know when I get too involved. And I always get too involved. It’s my nature, which is why Lucky’s main job is to keep me grounded.

Today marks the start of a new job at Willow Gardens Retirement Community, though it’s familiar territory. I was here once before, granting a wish for two sisters who longed for the trip of a lifetime but hesitated to spend their children’s inheritance. Let’s just say, they had a fantastic adventure. Because of the nature of their wish, I kept a low profile and didn’t explore the place properly. In fact, many of our meetings were held in a café.

As I climb out of my car, the warmth of the midmorning sun kisses my skin. My long, flowing dress brushes against my ankles as I take in the surroundings. The village is expansive—cottages, apartments, a nursing home, even a small medical center—and the air is thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming roses.

Immediately I feel it. The unspoken desires of the residents hum in the air, tugging at me, pulling my thoughts in too many directions at once. I take a steadying breath, center myself, and focus on the one I’ve come to help.