Page 32 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

S aturday was one of those warm, clear days in the fall when you think that maybe winter had been canceled for the year.

Mia opened the window in the kitchen and waved at Trent, who was out playing with Cerby and Buddy.

The two friends were enjoying their time together after they’d had to be separated last night.

Grans and Mia were alone at the kitchen table.

Grans had packed her bags and would head back to her house today.

Mia would be alone in the apartment, since Christina and Levi were staying with Abigail until the engagement party in a couple of weeks.

Well, except for the week when they’d stay in Boise with the Adams family.

Maybe she should move Finn upstairs into the apartment with her.

Even the thought of inviting one more person into her space made her hesitate. Grans got up and poured another cup of coffee. “Change isn’t always a bad thing, Mia.”

“Who was talking about change?” Mia grabbed a water pitcher that she’d put oranges and mint into yesterday to infuse. She poured a large glass and sat at the table. “So, who would want to kill Alfred Howard?”

“I could list off a few people.” Grans held up her hand.

“Not counting Trent or his familiar or Cerby’s pet dragon.

I’m beginning to wonder if Blake’s incubus theory isn’t in play here.

There were several people at the party last night telling tales about strange goings-on.

And Trent’s investigation with Cerby wasn’t even top on the list. There have been a few Buddy sightings, however, so I think Trent needs to move him back to his house.

He’s right on the National Forest. It’s a great place for Buddy to grow rather than the backyard at the academy.

You’re too close to town for him to be here. ”

“I know. Buddy kind of forced my hand regarding moving in with Trent. I’m going to miss being here at the academy.

I can’t invite just anyone to rent the apartment.

The library hasn’t been dealt with yet. And I have my potions lab here.

It would also have to be someone attached to the business, since people arrive at all times to do takeout.

” She paused. “Well, maybe that wouldn’t be such an issue.

We could make sure the front door is locked all the time or maybe set up a second entrance for the renter. ”

Mia realized she was thinking it out as she talked. “Anyway, I’ll talk to Trent soon.”

“And Abigail. Maybe she has someone in mind for the apartment.” Grans waved her hand to dismiss the subject. “We need to talk about Gloria. Since she is an actual elder, maybe her hanging in your kitchen is disrespectful to her?”

Gloria started to swing on her rope.

“I’d move her to my potions lab, but I don’t want her to be by herself so much.” Mia put a hand on the doll to stop the swinging. “Where I go, she goes. Her being an elder does add weight to the question of who gave her to me when I was a kid, though. You’re sure it wasn’t you?”

“No, but sometimes the Goddess uses people without their knowledge. I wonder if it was Adele? She was in the house all the time. She would have had access. There’s no way to ask her now, though, since she’s gone forward.” Grans studied the doll.

“Grans, why didn’t Gloria go forward?” Mia brushed the doll’s raffia hair back as she talked.

“I don’t know. I’ve sent a query to Lilith about the doll and Gloria’s attachment, as well as asking about the doll’s prior owner. No response yet.” Grans stood and put her coffee cup in the sink. “She’s probably still traveling. It was a blessing for her to come all this way for your ceremony.”

“Should I send her a thank-you?” Mia had stopped getting flowers, or at least she thought she had. She’d reach out to the florist later today to make sure.

“That would be nice and she’s already attached through the kitchen witch circle.

I’ll send you her address. Don’t do it through email.

That’s too impersonal. Buy a lovely card.

” She kissed Mia on the cheek. “Thank you for taking on your destiny. Call me when your guidebook and assignments arrive. We’ll walk through the first one together.

Now, I need to get home and finish packing up the house.

I’m hoping to get it on the market before the end of the year. ”

“I’ll get Trent to take your bags down.” Mia stood and followed her.

Grans pulled on her jacket. “He’s already packed them into my car, dear. Besides, I think there’s someone downstairs who wants to talk to you.”

Mia groaned. She’d forgotten about her coffee “date” with Jeani.

But she needed to make sure everything was going well with the party tear-down process anyway.

Abigail was home with Thomas and had taken the weekend off since they didn’t have anything going on.

Christina’s Magic Springs engagement party was on Wednesday night.

Then Friday they’d all head to Boise for the second party.

Finally, Grans’s engagement party was scheduled for Sunday. Then Thanksgiving would be here.

Mia knew her Lodge calendar was a complete madhouse starting next week. It was a good day to relax and actually take some time for herself, and maybe get some time to talk with Trent before the holidays blew up both their schedules.

She walked downstairs and said goodbye to her grandmother. The party supply van was parked near the entrance, and she saw Trent walking Muffy to Grans’s car. She waved at him and then went to find Jeani.

The decorator was in the gym, clipboard in hand.

She smiled as she saw Mia approaching. “You’re in time to do a walk-through with me.

I think I’ve got everything packed up and stored, but sometimes the guys get over productive and take a few things not on their list. So the gym’s clear and clean.

” She used her pen and made a checkmark on the page.

Mia saw she’d made one for the academy with Mia’s Morsels listed on the top.

“I already have the number of tables and chairs you own on my checklist, so we can go verify that your storage is still full right now.”

Mia followed her to the small storage area. “Thanks for everything you’ve done this week. It was magical here both nights.”

“I thought it worked out great.” Jeani finished counting the tables and chairs. “My numbers match what we started with, so that’s a good sign. We had to do some cleanup from the back, where the coven had their meeting, but I’ll charge them for the damage.”

Mia followed her outside to the backyard. It looked like it had on Thursday before the decorating for the party. “You did a great job.”

“Thanks. It’s all part of the service.”

Mia groaned. They were both being so polite and not even mentioning the elephant in the room. Mia reached for Jeani’s arm as she turned to go back inside. “Hey, can we sit a moment?”

Jeani froze, then nodded. “Of course. Look, I wanted to apologize for last night. I’d had one too many of the coven’s witches’ brew cocktails.

Those things are powerful. Let me be clear.

I am not in love with Trent. I might have seen a future for us once, but he never did. He was always waiting for you.”

“I appreciate you saying that, but Jeani, I want to make sure we have a friendship. I work too closely with you and your sister for this to be a problem between us. And besides, I like talking to you.” Mia waited, hoping Jeani would agree.

Instead, she pressed her lips together. “Mia, I like you, but right now, being around you makes me crazy. I can deal with a work relationship, but I’m not sure I can be friends.

At least not yet. I’m so embarrassed by my actions last night.

I need time to fix what’s wrong up here.

Or maybe stop drinking. I’ve been told I get sloppy and emotional, and not in a fun, Cameron Diaz way, like in The Holiday .

I’m more of a Carrie, keying-your-car type. ”

Mia laughed and nodded. “I hope you can see your way to a friendship because I get you. Are you decorating for Christina’s party on Wednesday?”

“Of course. I’ll see you at the Lodge.” She stood and held a hand out to pull Mia up off the bench. “Now, let’s finish this up so I can get busy on the plans for that.”

After Jeani and the delivery guys had left, Mia was locking up the gym when she ran into Finn. “What’s on your schedule today?”

“My cousin is picking me up, and we’re going driving. He wants to show me the area.” Finn had on jeans and a sweatshirt. She carried a heavier coat. Her phone beeped, and she glanced at it. “He’s here. I’ll probably be back late, so don’t freak out if you hear me coming in.”

Mia had just finished locking up the gym doors when she realized she was missing an opportunity to actually meet the elusive cousin. She hurried out to the front door, in time to see a black Hummer pulling out of the drive.

Trent and Cerby were walking across the parking lot, so she waited for them. Trent kissed her.

“Good morning. Who did Finn drive off with?” He didn’t move toward the front door, and Cerby sat near his feet.

“Her cousin. I missed the chance to meet him.” She stepped back inside, but Trent didn’t move. “Are you leaving?”

“Yeah, Cerby says Buddy needs to stretch his wings, so we’re heading back to my place. Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

“‘Cerby says’?” Mia looked down at the Maltese, who looked smug. “Dinner tonight would be great. We probably need to talk anyway.”

“That doesn’t sound good.” He leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll pick you up at seven. I’ll have Christina and Levi come over and babysit the kids.”

She was almost upstairs when she heard the security alarm alerting her that someone was in the parking lot. She went back down the stairs and opened the door. Mark was there, a pile of notebooks and a rolled-up flipchart in his arms.