Page 71 of Magical Mischief

“I like hearing all relevant facts.” I smiled and walked back into the living room while my dad lazily trotted over, investigating my mom’s suitcase, gave it a sniff, and hopped onto a cushion near the hearth.

Carrying her teacup, I resumed hostess duties and listened with half an ear, struggling to wrap my head around her abrupt reappearance.

Mom droned on about how the ocean was claustrophobic and how she loathed the stench of stale shoreline.

Meanwhile, Stella tapped a foot, trying not to roll her eyes again. Nova politely nodded, though the dryness in her eyes suggested she might prefer casting a spell to end this all.

I finally exhaled and interrupted, biting back a laugh at the train wreck.

“Mom,” I said, faking calm, “why exactly are you here? Did you come to see me, or…?” I gestured awkwardly. “I’m just…well, it’s a surprise.”

She set her teacup down. “I told you. I left the cruise. I needed someplace on land, at least temporarily, before I go back to my big, empty house. Stonewick might be dull, but it’s not afloat at sea.” Her gaze flicked over me, assessing. “And you’re my daughter. I thought… maybe we could reconnect. You’ve been through a lot.” Her tone wavered between sincerity and exasperation, like she was half regretful, half disdainful of the place.

My chest tightened.

Reconnect.

My mom had never been focused on me as a person, so this was a surprise to say the least. We’d had our tender moments, and despite her saltiness at the moment, she’d often shown great compassion toward me.

“I see. Well, I guess you can stay here for a bit, but I…”We’re in the middle of breaking a curse and opening the Academy. But sure! Why not?“…things are complicated right now.”

Keegan cleared his throat. “Very complicated.”

Mom’s eyes flicked to him, studying his broad shoulders, and she winked at him before turning her attention back to me.

“Anyway, darling, maybe, I can set you straight.”

Stella stifled a snicker behind her mug.

“Set Maeve straight, indeed,” Stella muttered, crossing her ankles. “She understands more about Stonewick’s heart than you ever could.”

A swirl of sadness churned in my gut. My mom had no idea how close I was to genuinely opening the Academy, or how much heartbreak had forced me to this path.

But I bit my tongue, not wanting to spark an argument. This would be a brief visit and nothing more.

“She’s been invaluable to our town,” Nova said, studying my mom. “But I don’t know how much of our history you care to remember.”

Good question.

My mother’s lips twitched with an unreadable expression.

“So you’re the big savior of Stonewick, then, darling? That’s… interesting. I guess greatness does run in the family.” She let out a small huff of a laugh, not quite warm.

Stella plastered a bright smile and lifted her brows. “Well, that’s a very sweet observation for you to notice about your family, but since we have Wards to fix, curses to break, and all that, how about we let you…er, rest from your cruise?” Stella gestured to the front door.

“We’d love to host you at my hotel,” Keegan said, nodding.

“Oh, that sounds much better than trying to have you relax here,” I offered with a smile. “My cottage has been like Grand Central Station since the latest developments.”

Relief spread through my mom, and I realized she’d started having second thoughts about staying at the cottage the moment she stepped inside.

“You’ll have to fill me in,” my mom said. “But first, I think I will take you up on your offer, kind soul.” She looked at Keegan and nodded.

“He’ll get you checked into the hotel, and we can catch up about everything we need to go over once you’re rested.” I stood and hugged my mom as she nodded in agreement.

“Sounds divine, dear.”

And as I watched my mom leave with Keegan, I vowed to get to the Academy one way or another.