Page 1 of Magical Melee (Stonewick Magical Midlife Witch Academy #1)

“I’d love the Abracadabra tea, please.” The excitement rolled off my best friend Skye as she placed her order and nearly lifted off the ground. She eyed me and nodded toward the tea display as if this tea shop wasn’t merely full of gimmicks and tricks to woo the tourists.

I froze in place when I realized I sounded like my ex-husband. Alex was born cynical, and his hidden whispers chiding in my mind always surprised me. His mother once told me he was the only baby she knew who would sigh, frown, and roll his eyes when she’d turn on the elephant mobile over his crib as if the world’s simplicity was too much for him, even at that age.

But tonight was the night of change.

This weekend was all about celebrating my freedom. Granted, the ink had barely dried on my divorce papers, but I couldn’t lie to myself. Alex and I were doomed from the beginning, and he wasn’t my problem anymore.

Not my problem.

Just the thought made my fingers tingle with excitement.

I focused on the shelves lining every wall with fanciful jars filled with loose-leaf teas, and if I didn’t know better, the script seemed to shimmer and shift when I stopped looking directly at the label. My eyes landed on a beautiful mix of purple, orange, and black flecks.

“I’ll take the Calmora tea.”

“Absolutely, Miss. Perfect choice.” The older woman behind the counter wore her silver hair twirled in a bun. Her blue eyes focused on me for a split second before glancing at an English bulldog in the corner of the shop. He wore a black bow tie and appeared rather regal for a dog with a flat face. “We’ll bring it right out to you.”

I didn’t know if she meant her or the dog. I was hoping there was someone else in the back room.

I happily nodded and noticed the dog still watching me. I’d think he was studying me if I didn't know better.

Maybe I needed this trip more than I realized.

Skye turned and shook her head as I raised my purse to fish out my wallet. “I’ve got this. After all, this girl's trip was my idea. Go find a seat by the window so we can people-watch. I’ve heard it gets amazing at night.”

“You’re too good to me.” I beamed at my friend and obeyed.

The woman behind the counter examined us intently as her scarlet red lips curled slightly. “It’s good to have a best friend like that.” She nodded at Skye. “They’ll keep you out of trouble when it counts and get you into plenty of trouble when it doesn’t.”

I spotted a little red speck of lipstick on the woman’s tooth and smiled. I hoped I had that much pizazz when I was her age.

Skye chuckled as I scanned the quaint tea shop and had to agree silently about our friendship. She had been my best friend since she moved across the street from us years ago. She saw the ups and downs of my marriage but was equally blindsided when my life imploded. She was there—always had been.

But the one my heart ached for the most was my amazing daughter Celeste.

In just two days, my daughter Celeste started college. Her future was like a beautifully wrapped gift, full of excitement and endless possibilities. I couldn’t wait to see what amazing things were in store for my one and only.

And me? Well, I needed to figure something out.

This divorce wasn’t the end of me.

No, it would merely be the jumping-off point.

I shook my head in disbelief, thinking about how quickly things changed.

Celeste had been selected for her first-choice college. The acceptance letter came after we’d happily driven as a family to scout the campus last spring. I remember her sitting in the backseat of our luxury SUV, happily bopping her head to her earbuds, eagerly staring out the window —my husband at the steering wheel, grinning like the dope he turned out to be.

Granted, it took me nineteen years to figure it out, but somebody’s lace panties tucked in his back pocket taught me quickly that we’d been living a lie. Or rather, he’d been living one while I was dutifully raising our fantastic daughter, keeping house, and avoiding all the snack foods in life to keep him happy.

Because, as it turned out, my husband loved to sleep with everyone but me.

Surprise!

Alex hadn’t been working out at the gym for me to admire his abs. It was apparently a spectator sport and had been for years.

I was still sore about it.

So, was I tempted to put a little castor bean oil in his favorite workout drinks?

Maybe.

Again, don’t judge.

It’s been a rough few months.

I didn’t actually do it.

Instead, I took the time to imagine him taking a swig while he was pumping iron with his mistress and urgently running to the restroom and not making it in time.

Generally, I didn’t daydream about such childish misadventures, but recently, I clung to them to keep me smiling.

Spotting the perfect table in the corner overlooking the sidewalk, I sat down with a thud and took in the rest of the store.

The shop had been hidden away in a quiet corner of Stonewick, a quirky village in the heart of the Midwest that celebrated all things witchy and magical.

Tucked between an old bookstore and a narrow cobblestone alley that most wouldn’t notice, Stonewick Teas and Sundries evoked something magical merely by stepping inside. Soft light warmed the space from old brass lanterns above, appearing as if they floated effortlessly overhead. The space felt warm and earthy, precisely what I needed.

Skye knew me well.

A large burled-wood table anchored the shop, and smaller tables outlined the rest of the area. A mix of vibrant-colored chairs brightened up the tea shop, and it felt like Hansel and Gretel met Alice in Wonderland.

The scent of exotic teas and spices wafted through the air, making the shop cozy and inviting.

Even though Stonewick was only a couple hours from where I’d lived with my ex, it felt worlds away. Alex thought it was a foolish place and too touristy with its witchy themes, gothic architecture, and Fae Festivals in the heart of Wisconsin. Ironically, my mom felt the same while I was growing up. She said she had better things to spend her money and time on. I won’t go into a detailed list of those things, but avoiding Stonewick was the only thing my ex and mom ever agreed on.

But call me a tourist, so what? I was beginning to love this little village and needed a break from real life.

The pumpkins spreading onto the sidewalk underneath the window added an extra reminder that fall was here, prompting me to figure things out quickly. Staying at a B for others, it might be a week. Who’s to say? I’m not one to judge.”

“I love you so much.” I chuckled and shook my head. “It’s not like that. It’s just…”

“He’s hot. What happens in Stonewick, stays in Stonewick.” She quirked her brows up and down.

I nodded with a grin, watching the man push an envelope into his back pocket and turn to walk to our table.

He towered over us.

His eyes connected with mine, and a charge of electricity shot through me.

“It’s been a long time, Maeve.” The deep timbre of his voice vibrated through me.

I nodded. “It’s good to see you again, Keegan.”

It was hard to reconcile the man that he had become.

I remembered him as the boy who’d hugged me at my dad’s memorial.

Kind. Comforting.

His hazel eyes stayed on mine for a beat too long before he pulled out an envelope and placed it next to my tea.

“Welcome to Stonewick. It’s nice to have you back.” He smiled and turned around to leave as more customers entered the shop.

“I thought you hadn’t been here before,” Skye whispered.

I shook my head and shrugged. “I haven’t. I don’t think…”

My fingers traced over my maiden name—my full name—which I hadn’t used in nineteen years.

Maeve Una Bellemore

“I haven’t seen Keegan since my dad’s service,” I said softly, shocked that I’d even recognized him.

“Weren’t you only seven?”

I nodded, swallowing down the odd sensations swimming through me. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the sweetness of the tea, feeling the steam enter my nose and relax me.

“It’s his eyes,” Skye informed me. “They’re beautiful and so unique.”

I blinked my own open and grinned, pulling myself out of a trance I didn’t understand.

“That might be it.” I nodded, glancing back at the tea, which turned a brighter crimson since he left.

Without another thought, I brought the cup to my lips, sipped the tea, and let my mind wander to the unknown.