Page 23 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

A chuff came from the tree next to the greenbelt.

“Buddy? You followed me?”

The dragon hopped down on the greenbelt and walked with her. He rubbed his head against her leg. Apparently, she was one of his people now. And she wasn’t alone.

Mia swallowed back tears. The fact that he’d been here, just in case, made her feel a little bit better about her upcoming clandestine visit to the Lodge. “Okay, then. Let’s get this over with before they notice we’re gone?”

“Gone from talking to Baldwin or from whatever else you’re planning?” Trent came around the bend and glared at her. Cerby was on his leash and barked at them. “What? Does a dragon have your tongue?”

“Ha-ha. I was just—” Mia paused. She didn’t know what she’d been going to say because she knew she shouldn’t be out alone—or even at all—until after her ceremony.

“Look, Baldwin called and needed to talk this out. The coven’s putting pressure on him to close the case.

Don’t you want to find Howard’s killer?”

“At the risk of losing you? No. But I can see your point. Let’s go back, get my truck, and I’ll take you wherever you want to go.

After we tell my mom where we’re going and when we’ll be back.

In case we need rescuing.” He put his arm around her.

“I was worried when I couldn’t find you.

I got the flowers packed up, and Finn’s taking them over to the nursing home in the catering van. ”

“I’m sorry I worried you.” She glanced down at Cerby, who was now walking with Buddy and chatting. “I take it that Cerby found us?”

“He followed me outside and barked at the gate until I put him on a leash and gave him his head. I think he’ll be a strong tracker.” He nodded at Buddy, who was walking in front of them, his tail dragging on the asphalt and making a line in the hard surface. “How did you get him to come with you?”

“I didn’t. I told him what I was doing, and when I got out of Mark’s truck at the parking area, he was hiding in a tree, watching us.

He said I was one of his people,” Mia felt the overwhelming emotion again.

“Anyway, Mark wants me to chat with the hotel staff and see if Howard met anyone there between Wednesday, when he checked in, and . . .”

“Friday, when someone checked him out.” Trent grinned at his joke. “Okay, not funny, but a little funny, right?”

“You’re a card.” She opened the gate, and they stepped into the backyard. “Do you want me to tell your mom?”

“No, I’ll text her before we leave. Cerby, you have to go inside while we make a trip to the Lodge. Buddy, thanks for looking out for Mia.” Trent patted the dragon on the back, and Buddy chortled and hopped back into his tree. His eyes closed. It was time for a nap.

They let Cerby into the house, and Trent texted his mom. Then they were on the way to the Lodge.

“We probably can’t grab lunch out, just the two of us, right?” she asked as he turned the truck into the Lodge parking lot. “Maybe that place in Twin on the canyon?”

“Are you kidding me? We shouldn’t even be doing this.” Trent turned to look at her and saw her laughing. “Not funny.”

She got out of the car. “It was a little funny. Let’s get this over with before Blake catches me at work.”

The Lodge was decorated with full-on Halloween glory.

Jeani Langston had been busy. She was a local event decorator with a magical flare.

The theme was “Witches of the Ages,” a tongue-in-cheek nod to Magic Spring’s hidden history.

A loud witch’s cackle announced their entrance, but the decorations had been up so long that the front desk staff didn’t even look up at the noise.

Carol was manning the desk, looking at something on the computer.

“Hey, Carol, I’m glad I caught you. We had a friend come to visit last week, and unfortunately, he had a heart attack while he was out hiking.

I was wondering if he had other friends in the area we need to let know about his passing.

” Mia figured a version of the truth was the way to go.

Especially since Carol was part of the coven.

“I heard about the little guy. I was shocked to see a leprechaun here in Idaho. Even one who’s not purebred.

I’m not a snob or anything, but it was rare.

” Carol looked around. “He was very charming. I was there when he checked in on Wednesday. He already had a message waiting. I accidentally saw the number. It was local, but the name was Nick. No last name, and I can’t tell you the number besides the two-oh-eight area code. ”

“That’s interesting, maybe a local friend?” Mia glanced at Trent. “Did he have dinner here with anyone?”

“Oh, hold on. I can check his bill. The National Society credit card he used was a black card. We don’t see many of those up here.

” She hit a few keys but kept looking at Mia and Trent.

“Isn’t your ceremony tomorrow? I can’t believe you’re not busy setting everything up.

I’m looking forward to Friday’s party. I bought a new little black dress weeks ago. I hope it still fits.”

“Just trying to tie up some loose ends. Trent wanted a few minutes out of the house,” she replied, grabbing Trent’s hand and squeezing. “So, about Alfred?”

“Oh, right. Here’s his bill. He had dinner for two sent up to the room on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Same meal both nights. That’s odd,” Carol noted, looking up at Mia and grinning.

“Even for one of us. Breakfast for two on Thursday and Friday in the dining room. And it looks like he had lunch for two on Friday, and it was moved from his bill to an employee account.”

“Can you see whose?” Mia leaned forward, trying to see the list of charges, but the angle was wrong.

“Funny, it was Blake’s personal account. Not the marketing account, like she typically charges meals with others to.” Carol shrugged. “That was it. Maybe he was friends with our amazing boss.”

Carol had put air quotes around the word amazing , which made Mia laugh.

“Can you ask around and see if anyone saw Alfred with someone specific? I’d hate for someone to find out through the news or something.

Anyway, Trent’s getting antsy, so we need to go.

See you Friday night. I’ll probably be running around trying to keep the wheels from falling off. ”

“Your parties are always beautiful. Are Jeani and Cheryl decorating?” Carol closed up the computer and handed her a printout. “Just in case you need it for some reason.”

“Thanks. Abigail Majors is dealing with the details, so I’m not sure who’s decorating.

It will be beautiful either way.” Mia said goodbye and tucked the printout into her jeans.

She took Trent’s arm, and they hurried out of the lobby area and back to the truck.

Buddy was in a tree near the edge of the parking lot, watching them, and he gave a quick chirp when he saw them leaving the building.

Mia didn’t speak until after they were on the road headed home. “If Jeani’s decorating, we need to tell her that Levi and Christina are home.”

“Cheryl’s dating a witch from Twin. He’s in a rock band. Levi will be safe.” Trent glanced out the rearview mirror. “Buddy’s following us. I hope there aren’t any drones out taking pictures of the mountains. They’re going to get a nice shot of a baby dragon.”

“They’ll think they’re being pranked. I’m happy for Cheryl.” Mia peered at him. “You already knew that Jeani was doing the decorating. Abigail needs to keep me as updated as she does you.”

“Then you need to come to the Majors Sunday night dinner. I get all my gossip there unless members of my staff at the store are being chatty.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Just checking . . . as soon as these dual engagement parties for Levi and Christina are over by the end of November, can I ask you the question?”

“You can.” Mia’s heart fluttered. “Some people think it’s tacky to get engaged over the holidays, but it’s a great time for professional photo shoots since every place is already decorated.”

“Good to know.” He pulled into the school lot, and they watched as Buddy did a circle, then landed.

Christina opened the door, and Cerby ran out, barking. Trent caught him up in a swoop. “Hey, little guy, what’s wrong?”

“He’s been that way since you left.” Christina grabbed Mia’s arm and hurried her inside. “Abigail’s been a worried mess, and Cerby wouldn’t shut up. Your grandmother even came down from the library to see what the commotion was all about.”

“We were only gone a few minutes.” Mia met Trent’s gaze.

“I’m taking Cerby out to play with Buddy. I believe he’s mad we left him at home and Buddy got to go.” Trent smiled. “Don’t eat all the ham sandwiches.”

Finn stood in the reception area watching. “Man, he’s good. How did he know that Abigail sent me out to tell everyone that lunch was ready?”

* * *

Mia was upstairs working in the potions lab later that afternoon when her grandmother came to find her.

“Are you trying to get yourself kidnapped?” Grans came over and glanced at the potions book as well as inside the cauldron.

“You need a bit more rosemary for the cleansing oil. I’m so glad you decided to do your own preparation potions for tomorrow night’s ceremony.

While you’re here, you should make some salt and herb bath salts for your bathroom.

There’s a lovely decanter in the cupboard. ”

“I wasn’t—” Mia stopped. It didn’t help to argue with her grandmother. “I’ve been thinking about my circle. Both Christina and Trent are considered human, at least in the coven’s mind. Is this something I have to report to them, about who I asked?”

“Oh, dear, no. The ceremony tomorrow is between you and the Goddess. She is the only one you have to think about pleasing.” Grans went ahead and added the rosemary to the cauldron. She couldn’t help herself.