Page 14 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)
“I was at the store most of the day. Levi and Christina hung out at the academy, and he got roped into helping cook for tomorrow’s deliveries.
Finn is amazing in the kitchen and is making Christina jealous and anxious about leaving,” Trent slowed down for a rabbit that was trying to decide whether it was crossing the street or not.
Finally, the rabbit dove back into the brush by the side of the road.
Trent sped back up to the speed limit. “So that’s all I heard.
Your grandmother has been in the library all day.
Don’t worry, Mom’s been checking on her every hour and even took her lunch to her. Are you glad the exam’s over?”
Mia was jolted by the change of subject, but he was probably trying to keep her from freaking out over Grans’s day. “I am. Frankly, the whole thing wasn’t what I expected.”
“It never is. How did you like the lobby remake? Cleo did that a couple of years ago. It gives new meaning to hiding in plain sight.” He paused as they got closer to the school. “Did Baldwin reach you?”
“No.” Mia pulled out her phone. Twelve missed calls. “What’s going on? Anything important?”
“He’s anxious about getting back to investigating Howard’s death.
I don’t think the coven has ever pulled him out of an investigation like this.
At least not for as long as I can remember.
Steve and Dad are back from their fishing trip.
Steve stopped at the police station to see what was happening.
Baldwin threw him out and told him to ask his friends.
” Trent kept his gaze on the road. “I’m afraid that with all this meddling, Baldwin’s going to think I killed the guy. ”
“I don’t think that’s true. Mark is as vested in getting to the truth as we are.
He’s not a bad cop.” Mia started listening to the voice mails.
Marks’ messages went from checking in to worried, to finally, in the last one, he sounded resigned.
“Sarah told him I was doing a test for the coven today and wouldn’t be available.
Of course, this was after he’d tried to reach me all day.
Those two need to learn how to communicate better. ”
“So he’s antsy?” Trent parked the truck at the school.
“That’s an understatement. I know you didn’t kill Howard. And, hopefully, neither did Cerby or Buddy.” Mia slipped out of the truck. She hadn’t realized how tired she was. She reached for her half-eaten sandwich, but somewhere between downtown and the academy, she’d finished it.
Trent met her on the sidewalk and put his arm around her.
She leaned into his chest, hoping she’d make it up to the apartment before falling asleep.
He squeezed her as they walked. “Cerby and Buddy didn’t do this.
I told you, dragons don’t leave evidence, like bodies, behind.
And Cerby, he would rather play with someone than end their life.
That was one of the problems Cerby had at training.
The camp directors had a pen full of bunnies.
Cerby opened their cage and let them go.
He didn’t like the idea that they were being used as food or as training snacks. ”
“He has a kind heart,” Mia said. She glanced at the stairs as soon as she walked in. “I’m not sure I can do it.”
“There you two are.” Grans came out of the kitchen. “No going upstairs to sleep. You need to stay awake until midnight, when your results download onto the website. We’ve made margaritas and Mexican food to fortify us while we wait.”
Mia stared at her grandmother. “I don’t think I can make it that long.”
“Don’t be silly. Drink this, and you’ll be as good as new.” Grans handed Mia a drink that smelled like almonds and apples. And maybe a bit of copper.
“I’m not sure,” Mia started but then saw the look Grans had given her. She drank the potion. And felt more awake. She handed the glass back to her grandmother. “What I was going to say was I’m not sure we should be celebrating my other side. Not with Finn in the house.”
“Don’t be silly. We told Finn you were taking a real estate test. She’ll never know the difference.” Grans pointed to a table. “Sit there, and I’ll let the others know you’re back. Abigail was finishing preparing for tomorrow’s deliveries.”
Her grandmother disappeared into the kitchen as she and Trent sat down. “I don’t think I’ve ever won an argument with my grandmother. She’s always covered whatever opposition I’ve had before I even tell her.”
Trent considered this information. “It could be one of two things. She can read your mind, or she can see into the future. Maybe not too far, a day or so. She watches the interaction between the two of you and modifies her reaction in real time. It’s a handy talent to have, but it’s usually only present in families, and you have to be pretty close to the person you’re reading. ”
“Maybe that’s why we’re celebrating. She already knows?”
“I don’t think it works that way.” Trent started to tell her more, but Finn came into the room with a pitcher of margaritas and a tray of glasses.
“I hear it might be celebration time.” Finn set the tray on the table and poured the frozen treat into the glasses. “I didn’t know you were into real estate. My new stepdad is an agent. He helped Mom find the new house. That’s how they met.”
“I hate counting chickens, you know.” Mia also hated lying to the girl, but telling her she was taking the entrance examination to be a kitchen witch was a little complicated.
“Oh, I get it. I told my cousin last night about you guys setting me up with a room here, and he was so happy for me. I haven’t had the best news to share with anyone for a while.
Now I have a job, and a place to live, and hopefully, my van will be fixed in no time.
Next step, a real apartment.” She held up her glass.
“Here’s to new beginnings. Yours and mine. ”
Mia clinked glasses with her newest employee. “I can drink to that.”