Page 25 of Black and White, Twice the Might (Cadenbury Town #8)

W e’re all tired when we get up the next morning. I’m getting too old to sleep on the floor. We send the boys back to their room to get showered and dressed. I put coffee on for Sly as he tidies the covers.

“I thought the boys were over the nightmares,” I confess softly.

Sly drops the covers onto the bed and pulls me into his arms. “They are mostly. This is the first one in nearly a year.”

“I’ll message Elaine later and see if I can take Enoch to see the animals and have a talk with him. Maybe the thought of staying in one place is subconsciously playing on his mind.”

“It might be, but we’ll protect the hell out of the house. We can even ask the other witches to add their protection around the place if needed. We’ll remind them both that they are safe and loved.”

“Thank you. I bet you never thought you’d get three for one by marrying me.”

Sly laughs. “No, but then until I met you, I had never thought about marriage. The fact that we are looking after your brothers is a bonus.”

I lean in and kiss him. “Love you.”

“Just as I love you.”

We make it down to breakfast and fill up on the amazing food that Larry and Janice bring us.

“Congratulations, I hear you’ve bought the old Myers house,” Larry says, clearing up our empty plates.

“We have. It’s so exciting,” Enoch says happily.

There is still a touch of sadness in his eyes, but he’s smiling, which I call a win.

“It is,” Sly agrees. “It will take us a while to move our stuff in.”

“There is no rush to leave. Stay as long as you need to,” he replies. “Glad you’re moving here. You four belong in this town.”

“Thanks, Larry. We think so too,” I say.

We finish breakfast and go to the house, our house.

We walk in the front door, and the boys high-five each other and run around laughing. We leave them to it, and Sly pulls me into his arms, kissing me senseless, and not being a stupid husband, I wrap my arms around him and kiss him back.

We slowly pull apart. “Our first kiss in our new home,” Sly says, touching my cheek.

“The first of many.”

We pull apart, and Sly shouts, “Boys!”

They come running back to us.

“Let’s empty out the car of what we bought yesterday.”

As they troop outside, I pull out my phone and message Elaine.

I get a message straight back saying come anytime, she and Temp are out all day, but the gate is open, and when finished, the boot room is open so we can wash our hands.

I send a message of thanks and then go and help carry some bags in.

It doesn’t take long to bring the bags in and put them in the relevant rooms. Then Sly takes Xander off to the fair as Enoch and I walk to Elaine’s.

As we walk down the road, just chatting about the house and decorations, we run into Titus and Kean, walking away from the bookshop.

“Hi Titus, Kean,” I say, smiling at them.

“Hey Ebby, Enoch. Where are you two off to?” Kean asks.

“Elaine’s, so I can see about healing some of the sick animals,” Enoch tells them.

“Nice,” Titus says.

“You’re all invited to dinner again tonight, and afterwards, Ernest has decided we’re having a pumpkin carving competition,” Kean tells us.

“That will be fun.” I love carving pumpkins. We all have fun each year, making a mess, but having fun.

“Apparently, we witches aren’t allowed to use magic,” Titus grumps out. There is sadness in his eyes. That isn’t to do with not being able to use magic, and although Kean is laughing, I see sadness in his eyes as well.

Kean laughs and pats his arm. “There, there, honey.”

Enoch and I both laugh at him.

“It will be fun anyway,” Enoch says, grinning his cheeky grin.

Titus finally laughs. “It will be.”

“Forgive me for asking, but are you both okay?” I ask them gently.

Kean sighs. “Yeah, we’re just dealing with some stuff.”

“If Sly or I can help, just shout,” I offer.

“Thanks, but it’s one of those things that’s out of our hands,” Titus replies.

“Okay, but if you ever need our help, the offer is there. Now we must away, we’ll see you tonight,” and after a round of byes, we carry on walking.

“Pumpkin carving will be fun,” I say to Enoch.

“Fun and messy,” he agrees. He looks at me. “You look worried. Is it about last night?”

“Yeah. Are you sure you’re alright living in this town with all the witches?”

“I really am. The ones we’ve met are nice.”

“Is it that we have a permanent house?” I enquire.

“Maybe. What if he finds us?” Enoch asks. “I know Sly took his magic, but what if he comes looking for us and uses his fists?”

I wrap my arm around his shoulder. “He’ll not be able to get through all the protection we’ll have around the house and garden.”

“We can protect you from your father, cheeky chops,” Molly says from behind us.

We stop walking and turn around.

“Hey Molly,” I say.

“Hi,” Enoch says.

“Congratulations on buying the old Myers’ house. That’s the perfect house for you all to put down roots. As for your father, if he does come to town, we can all protect you from him. Indeed, we can ask the wolves to eat him.”

“We can do that if needed,” Adhan agrees, joining us. “We really will keep you all safe. You’re family, and we protect our family.”

“Well said, Alpha,” Molly cackles.

“We’re not really family,” Enoch points out.

“Bad luck, Ernest and Alfred claimed you all as family, so now you are,” he replies, grinning.

I burst out laughing. “Well, thank you for that.”

“Pumpkin carving at ours tonight, you’re all invited,” Adhan says.

“Kean has already invited us. It should be fun. Enoch and I are just off to heal animals. Well, Enoch is, I’m just watching.”

Molly cackles. “Good, that will cheer you right up, cheeky chops.”

Adhan puts a comforting hand on Enoch’s shoulder. “We really will keep you all safe.”

He nods. “I know,” he says softly. “Thank you.”

“At dinner tonight, we can arrange a day to help you move your things into your new house.”

“We also need to arrange a welcome to the town party and a moving-in party,” Molly adds.

“Ernest said something about a party the other day,” Enoch replies.

“Then we’ll chat with him. Now go off and help those poor animals and don’t worry about anything,” Molly says, smiling at Enoch.

He nods.

“We will. Thank you, and we’ll see you later,” I say.

Enoch surprises me when he hugs both Molly and Adhan. “Thanks,” he says.

Molly laughs. “You’ll be fine, cheeky chops.”

He nods again and gives them his signature cheeky smile. “I will be.”

We leave them, with Enoch still smiling and looking completely happy again.

“I really am glad we’re staying here.”

“Good, because it’s too late to leave now.”