Page 28 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

F inn was at the table the next morning. Trent had found her downstairs, starting to microwave a bowl of instant oatmeal when he took Cerby and Muffy out. He smiled at Mia when she came out of the bedroom. “I saved her from a bad day. Breakfast is important for growing bones.”

Finn shot him a dirty look. “I hope I’m not still growing.”

“You may be an adult in the eyes of the law, but you’re not twenty yet, so you’re still a kid.” Trent threw her a muffin. “Eat. You look like a scarecrow.”

Mia laughed and poured coffee. “Face it, Finn. You’re part of the family now. You get all the benefits, like being teased and worried about.”

“And an endless supply of books to read. Your library is huge.” Finn held up a paranormal mystery book.

“I came up to leave the books I’d finished by the door to your apartment when I heard another door open.

I thought someone was there, so I walked over and found the library.

I can’t believe you didn’t mention it. And it’s so well stocked.

I found a whole series of a fantasy series I haven’t read. ”

“You went into the library.” Mia glanced around the table. Grans and Abigail were looking at each other, shock clearly registering.

“I’m sorry, should I have stayed out? Libraries were always my thing growing up. My mom would take off for work, and I’d go to the library and hang out all day.” She set her fork down. “I broke a rule, didn’t I? I can see it in your faces.”

“No, it’s just that we didn’t think about telling you about the library since we didn’t know how big a reader you were,” Mia said, trying to make up some excuse.

“I don’t think Christina’s ever been inside,” Abigail said, trying to support Mia’s reasoning. “Young people don’t seem to be readers anymore.”

The security alarm went off, and Mia saw Mark Baldwin’s truck entering the parking lot. “Sorry, I’ve got to go. I’ll be back soon and help out with the party prep.”

“No worries, I’ve got the guys here.” Abigail smiled at her sons. “And someone needs to go wake up Christina.”

Mia grabbed her jacket and purse. She kissed Trent, who was walking her to the door. “The library opened for Finn.”

He looked back toward the apartment. “Maybe we found your extra circle member?”

“I’m sure Grans will be finishing her lineage soon. That’s unexpected.” Mia pulled on her jacket when she reached the door.

“Not so unexpected. People find their way to Magic Springs for all kinds of reasons. Finn was drawn here. Who leaves one small Idaho town for an even smaller one in the mountains? Especially a young girl. She should have headed to the bright lights of California.” He opened the door as Mark was coming up the path.

“I’ll see you later. Hi, Mark. She’s all yours. ”

“Don’t say such horrible things. I’ll have her back in a couple of hours. We’ve got an appointment in Twin Falls at an outdoor adventure booking office. Hopefully, this guy didn’t make the appointment online.” Mark waved at Trent, then opened the truck door for Mia.

They were on the highway before Mark said anything else. “So your thing last night was nice. Not what I expected?”

“No chanting or calling to dark spirits to come inhabit my body?” Mia laughed. “You watch too much television.”

“You have to realize I didn’t grow up with this stuff. Sarah, she takes magic for granted, like it’s another gift, like being smart or doing math without a calculator. You seem to question what’s happening more.” He shrugged. “Not that I don’t love my wife, but sometimes, she can scare me.”

“Which is how it should be.” Mia relaxed into her seat. “We all need a little magic we keep to ourselves. I think more people have the potential for magic than we know.”

“You’ve picked up another stray, I see.” He glanced over at Mia. “Are you lonely now that Miss Adams has grown up and made a life for herself ?”

“You think I like dealing with the teenage years?” Mia glanced out the window and saw a deer watching them drive past. She was far enough off the road not to be in danger.

“Finn was Abigail’s hire, but then she was living in her van.

I have too many empty rooms to have an employee on the street. Besides, she’s interesting.”

“Sarah used the same word after she met the girl.” Mark slowed down as they went past the deer. Mia hadn’t thought he’d even seen her, but he had. “I hope she’s not as interesting as Miss Adams was here in Magic Springs.”

“Christina never did anything wrong. Even that arrest in Nevada was her friend’s fault,” Mia started, then realized Mark was grinning. “Stop doing that.”

“I like seeing you riled up.” Mark nodded to the notebook.

“That’s what I found out after interviewing the salesman yesterday.

Howard bought clothes and supplies for a two-day rafting trip.

And he asked about food. He said the guide was providing the meals, but he wanted to buy enough snacks for three people.

He said his friend had paid for the trip. He wanted to contribute in some way.”

Mia scanned the notes. His writing was horrible. “He didn’t mention the friend’s name.”

“The clerk said he must have heard it wrong.”

Mia looked up from the notes. “What did he hear?”

“Mortimer. He called him Mortimer and then Monty when the clerk asked again. Do you know a Mortimer?”

She shook her head. “Sorry, but we can announce his name at the party tonight and see if anyone comes to the front. Are you and Sarah going?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Sarah gave up her magic, remember? We don’t need to have the coven thinking she is like Trent.

Or messing with the baby. I don’t want anyone telling us what Elisa Marie can and can’t be when she grows up.

If I have my way, she’s going to be a princess or a college professor.

Sarah’s hoping for a novelist in the family. ”

Mia thought it must be nice to dream about your child’s future. “She’s lucky to have you two as parents.”

“We’re the lucky ones.” Mark sniffed, then turned his head and wiped at his eyes. “Anyway, when we get there, I need you to do your magic stuff and see what you can learn.”

“My ‘magic stuff ’.” Mia chuckled. “I don’t think it works that way. I’ll keep my senses open to see what feels off. I can usually tell if someone is lying. Unless I’m close to them. Then my familiarity blinds me.”

“I’m sure there’s a story there,” he commented as they drove on the suspension bridge over the canyon. “But I’m not asking.”

“Good, because I’m not telling.” Mia liked hanging out with Mark. She trusted him. They weren’t quite friends yet, but she could see a path where they could get there. She pointed to an older strip mall on the right, painted blue. “Is that the business?”

He nodded and turned into the parking lot past the first light. Home Depot was on the other side of the street, and the parking lot there was busy, even this early on a Friday. This place looked deserted, but it had a neon-red Open sign in the window.

The sign painted on the window announced, Out of This World Adventures . River tours, hiking adventures, and woods to explore. Mia glanced at Mark as they got out of the car. “They seem to have it all covered.”

“We’re only interested in one customer, so don’t get distracted.

The owner is suspected of dealing in a few other out-of-this-world products.

” Mark got his badge out and opened the door.

The overwhelming smell of incense failed to cover up the illegal weed that someone had smoked recently in the space. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

Mia watched as a man walked out of the back through a wall of hanging red beads. The beads must have also had bells at the end that softly tinkled as he moved through.

“Good morning, we weren’t expecting customers this early.” He took a deep breath, and his eyes widened.

Mia assumed he’d seen the badge. But instead of greeting Mark, the man came over and took Mia’s hand. “Carter Johnson. I’m so honored to have you in my shop. What can I help you with? We have some amazing tours overseas that hit all the sacred stops, as well as introductions to the local covens.”

“Okay, so you obviously know Miss Malone.” Mark’s voice was a little too cheerful for Mia’s taste. “I’m Mark Baldwin, Magic Springs police chief. We’re interested in a river tour you sold for last weekend. No one showed up for the tour.”

“I think you mean the river tour for two for two days? They specifically asked for Thomas Majors to be the guide. It’s hard to book a tour with Thomas.

He’s very popular, but they offered a bonus, and he took it.

The tour was paid in advance. If they didn’t show, they’d lose their entire payment.

” Carter walked back to the counter and pulled out a large red book.

Mia stepped closer. It was a calendar. The guy must not use anything electronic.

He pointed to that Friday. “Thomas called an hour after their meeting time to let me know the client hadn’t shown up, so I told Thomas he was clear. Our no-show policies are very explicit. They even sign the contract explaining the penalty.”

“Where were they meeting Thomas?” Mia asked, and Mark threw her a look. She’d forgotten about his direction to stay quiet.

“Thomas has all of his tours start at his house. He has a launching dock on his property. Then he uses a van he parks earlier at the other end to transport them back to his house. During the trip, the clients’ cars are safe on his property.

His wife cooks all the food for the trip.

She’s very talented.” Carter leaned closer to the book.

“You’re probably looking for the client’s information.

It’s not very informative. Edmund Pevensie.

He came into the store and paid in cash last month. My assistant handled the transaction.”

“No phone number, email, or address? Maybe a driver’s license?” Mark asked, writing down the name.