Page 10 of Magical Melee (Stonewick Magical Midlife Witch Academy #1)

I wandered aimlessly, my mind drifting back to the dream. Or was it a memory? The details were too sharp, too specific to dismiss. And the more I thought about it, the more confident I became that I hadn’t simply imagined it. Something had happened last night.

As I walked, my steps led me back to the familiar towering building from the night before.

The iron gate stood in front of me, and the tall building reached toward the sky. The random stained-glass windows sparkled in the sunlight. Today, it didn’t look imposing.

My fingers rested on the cold metal bathed in sunlight.

“Back so soon?”

The voice startled me, and I saw Nova standing inside the gate.

Her expression was both amused and unsurprised.

Her green eyes shone in the sunlight, but she looked no different from last night.

“I… I wasn’t sure if it was real,” I said, struggling to find the right words. “But here I am.”

Nova nodded, stepping closer, her gaze never leaving mine. “Sometimes the lines between dream and reality blur in Stonewick. And sometimes, what we think is a dream is simply a memory waiting to resurface.”

I felt a shiver run through me, and I glanced back at a statue. “So everything you told me… about my family, my father, Stonewick’s magic… it’s true?”

“It is,” Nova replied gently. “Stonewick is in your blood. It’s part of who you are.”

“I’m not sure Keegan feels the same.”

“He’s the leader in our community, not necessarily by choice.” She walked toward me. “He’s wary of change. He knows our history.”

I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in, feeling the truth of them settle into the cracks I’d tried to fill since last night.

I’d built my life around practicality and brushing away improbability. My sole goal was to raise Celeste to be independent and happy. So far, I’d done my job.

But here, surrounded by Stonewick’s strange beauty, I felt a shift. I was suddenly willing to believe there was more to my story than I’d ever allowed myself to see.

Or maybe I wanted it to be that way.

But it scared me, and as I studied Nova, I knew I wasn’t ready for whatever might be waiting for me.

I just wasn’t.

“So, what now?” I asked, meeting Nova’s gaze with a newfound sense of determination. “What am I supposed to do with all of this?”

Nova smiled, a look of quiet pride in her eyes. “That, Maeve, is for you to decide. But know this. You are not alone. Stonewick is here for you, as it was for your father, as it will be for those who come after. You’ll know when it’s time.”

Time for what?

“Everyone is talking to me in these grand and vague notions, and all I know is that I need to get back to reality, pack up anything I might have left behind, and stay at the B&B I reserved to sort out my life.”

Nova’s gaze fell to something on the sidewalk next to me, and I turned to see Frank trotting over to me. He glanced at us both before sitting next to me.

“Follow your heart, Maeve.” Nova smiled and glanced at Frank. “You know what’s best for you.”

She turned and walked toward the building as I nodded and looked toward Stella’s tea shop.

There was no point in staying here and getting lost in la-la land. Maybe Skye paid for the extras with this trip, and these wackadoodles knew when to come out of the creases, cracks, and crevices.

All I knew was that I had two days before I had to be out of my house forever, and I couldn’t keep walking around a town, trying to find answers when everyone here seemed determined to provide the opposite.

I let out a deep breath and smiled at my companion.

“How does no one steal you, Frank?” I asked. “You’re worth a fortune.”

He let out a fluff from his rear, and I laughed, shaking my head.

“Ah, gotcha. You’ve got your own built-in defenses.” He stood and stretched his two front paws. “Come on. I’m going to grab a drink at Stella’s before I head back home.”

We walked slowly down the sidewalk until I reached the tea shop. I reached for the door, and the bell over the door chimed as I stepped into Stonewick Teas and Sundries, the familiar blend of herbal teas wrapped around me like a soothing hug.

There was something about this place that felt like a second home, even though I'd only just arrived in Stonewick. It was both reassuring and, somehow, oddly enchanting.

When Skye brought me here last night, I never imagined that I’d be standing here this morning, trying to find out why Stonewick was connected to my dad.

Stella stood behind the counter, stacking an array of teacups with a level of care usually reserved for priceless artifacts. Her bright red lipstick curved into a delighted grin as she spotted me.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite newcomer!” she exclaimed. Her hands whipped to her narrow hips. “Let me guess. You’re here for more tea.”

“You don’t think the tea made me faint last night, right?” I teased.

Stella chuckled, but she didn’t answer.

“This town has been a trip.” I smiled as she glanced at Frank. “But I think it’s time I go back home and start the rest of my life.”

“Can I interest you in something to take the edge off?”

I laughed, slipping onto a stool at the counter. “You have anything for ‘mysteriously handsome men who refuse to answer questions’?”

She chuckled. Her laughter was light but tinged with understanding. “Ah, Keegan gave you the Stonewick runaround, did he? You’re not the first to be on the receiving end of that particular charm. Nor will you be the last.”

Her words of encouragement didn’t exactly set my mind at ease.

Stella moved gracefully to the shelves behind her, selecting a small tin with a label that read Fortitude Brew. She began scooping loose leaves into a small strainer, her gaze shifting back to me as she set a teapot to boil.

“It’s not just Keegan,” I admitted, feeling a mix of frustration and something else I couldn’t quite name. “Nova’s been just as cryptic, hinting at things without actually saying anything. I feel like everyone in this town knows some big secret, and they’re all taking bets on how long it’ll take me to crack it.” I shrugged. “If it didn’t have to do with my dad, I probably wouldn’t even think twice.”

Stella sighed, measuring out loose leaves with the finesse of a master magician. “Ah, welcome to Stonewick, honey. We don’t reveal things outright here. No, no, that would spoil all the fun! This town is like a good novel. We must keep you guessing until the last chapter.”

“Great,” I muttered.

She placed a steaming cup of tea in front of me with a flourish.

“Where’s the fun in knowing all the answers upfront?” She shook her head. “You strike me as someone who enjoys learning and teaching.”

I took a sip of the tea—earthy and soothing, with a touch of citrus—and tried to let her words settle my frustration.

“It just feels like they’re hiding something important. Nova’s always so cryptic, and Keegan… well, he’s impossible. Flirts one minute, shuts down the next. It’s enough to make a person’s head spin. Actually, he might not even be flirting. I’ve been married so long, I don’t even remember what that’s like. He’s probably just being nice.” I sank my head on my arm and groaned. “Oh, no. He probably wasn’t flirting.”

Stella gave a long, dramatic sigh. “Oh, honey, Keegan’s been making heads spin since he got here, and let me tell you, he’s had plenty of practice.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “But the man cares about this town and everything in it. Annoying as he might be, Keegan’s got his reasons.”

I rolled my eyes, setting my cup down with a huff. “I’m too old for games, especially when they concern the opposite sex.”

“Ha!” Stella cackled, clearly enjoying this more than she should. “Men like Keegan don’t say things, darling. They brood. And then they brood some more, all dark eyes and silent charm. They’re like a well-worn teapot—stubborn as anything and full of hot air.”

Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling despite my irritation. “I suppose it doesn’t help that Nova’s just as bad. One minute, she’s hinting at family connections and destiny, and the next, she’s off in a cloud of incense, leaving me to figure it out alone.”

Stella nodded, patting my hand with a touch of motherly concern. “That’s Nova’s way. She gives you pieces, lets you stew over them, and only then, when you’re nearly out of patience, does she let slip something useful. It’s a game, but it’s not without purpose. The answers stick better when you find them yourself.”

“I just wish it didn’t feel like everyone’s in on something I don’t know.” I sighed, glancing around the cozy shop, half-expecting the jars and teapots to be hiding secrets, too. “I guess it’s supposed to be part of the town’s charm, but it’s wearing on me.”

“Look, Maeve,” Stella said with a softness that surprised me, her hand covering mine. “This town is… different. And the people in it? They’re all here for a reason, just like you. Stonewick doesn’t let just anyone in. Sure, tourists wander the streets and slap down their credit cards for ghost tours, but they don’t see our town. Not like you do.”

“Again, with the vagueness.” I laughed and shook my head.

“If you’re here, it’s because you belong. And that comes with a lot of mystery—but also a lot of magic.”

Her words settled over me, warming me in a way I hadn’t expected. “I keep feeling that… That this place is trying to show me something. Even earlier today, I could’ve sworn I saw a scarf floating in the air before folding and putting itself away on a shelf.”

“Well, that’s purely practical.”

I laughed. “So, you’re saying I didn’t imagine it?”

She chuckled. “No, I didn’t say that. I’m just impressed at how practical your idea of magic is. Self-folding laundry? A very creative imagination, indeed.”

I took a sip of tea and felt the warmth trickle down my throat.

Stella’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she stirred her own cup of tea. “Magic’s just another word for the unexplained. But if Stonewick’s trying to lead you somewhere, you’d best pay attention. It has a way of pointing you exactly where you need to go whether you’re ready for it or not.”

I took a deep breath, glancing around the tea shop and loving every second of being here. “You know, I wasn’t planning to stay. This was just supposed to be a break. But now… I can’t shake the feeling that Stonewick is where I’m meant to be.” I bit my bottom lip for a split second. “Crazy question, but are you hiring?”

“I could use a little help around here, especially on the weekends.” Stella beamed, clapping her hands together.

“Really?” I didn’t expect that response.

“And as it happens, there’s a little house for rent just on the edge of town. A bit private, close to the woods.”

I raised an eyebrow as my curiosity piqued. “A house for rent? Being close to here, it must be outlandishly expensive.”

“Oh, yes. Probably,” she said, eyes gleaming. “But I know the owner. I’ll put in a good word if you’re interested.”

“It’s definitely something to think about.” I nodded, feeling my stomach twist and turn with a mix of excitement and worry.

“Cozy, charming, and full of ‘character,’ as the realtor types say when they mean ‘needs a little love.’ But I have a feeling it would suit you just fine.”

The idea of settling in Stonewick, of making this strange little town my home, made my heart flutter with a mix of excitement and nerves. “I’d have to go back, pack up, make it official…”

“And say goodbye to all those old ghosts,” she added gently, a sympathetic understanding in her eyes. “Sometimes you have to let go of the life you thought you were going to have to make space for the one that’s waiting for you, bigger and better.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. “You’re right. And I think… I think I’m ready. I’ve been holding onto imaginary ideals for too long.”

Stella grinned, lifting her teacup in a mock toast. “That’s the spirit! And who knows, maybe this little house will turn out to be exactly what you need. The town could use another strong soul to keep things interesting.”

I clinked my cup against hers, laughing. “And maybe I’ll get some straight answers while I’m at it.”

Stella chuckled, sipping her tea. “Don’t hold your breath. This is Stonewick, and I know your type. You’re just like your dad. If you knew all the answers, you’d just be bored. But,” she added, leaning in with a gleam in her eye, “a little mystery is good for the soul. Keeps us young.”

The sweetness in her words settled over me like a soft blanket, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. Stonewick was strange, frustrating, and full of secrets, but then so was I.