Page 35 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

“I’m aware of the Majors/Adams party. I got my invitation last week.

” A frown came over Brandon’s too-handsome face, then disappeared.

“As far as tonight, we’re not hung over.

On the contrary, we’re still celebrating.

There are some people I’d love to introduce you to here.

I asked Trent for you two to join me and Sabrina at our table.

We’ve got so much to talk about with your future. ”

Mia tried to keep her laugh light. “Trent and I are here to do the same thing. Talking about our future as a couple. I’m probably feeling all the warm fuzzies from Christina and Levi’s upcoming nuptials, but he’s being very persuasive. I’m sorry we can’t join you tonight. Maybe another time.”

She leaned her head on Trent’s shoulder and looked up at him, hoping he’d get the message.

“You have to strike when the iron’s hot,” Trent added, smiling down at her. “Thanks again for the offer, Brandon. I’m sure we can get together soon.”

As they walked away from Brandon and toward the dining room, she snuck a peek back. Brandon was on his phone but still staring at them. “The entire coven, according to Blake, is in the dining room. Any way that we can still get pizza?”

“Sorry, but at least your acting skills are spot-on. Impromptu presentations were never my strong point in drama class.” He paused at the hostess stand. “A reservation for two for Majors? A private table, if you have one?”

The woman, a young girl actually, smiled at him. “My boss, James, had me hold back the alcove for you two. It’s the most private table we have. Come this way.”

As they walked through the dining room toward the back, Mia felt all eyes on them. She leaned close and whispered, “This is because of that darn exam score, isn’t it?”

“Or you saying no last night. Or both.” Trent helped her into the booth, then slid in next to her.

“Kat will be your waitress,” the young hostess said as she disappeared.

“All I can say is, thank the Goddess for James.” Mia scanned the menu and peeked over the top. Blake was right. Every person she knew from the coven was here. Trent would probably know the rest. “Anyone looking out of place or guilty?”

“You’re still looking for Howard’s killer?” He glanced around the room. “Everyone here I’ve known for years. Most of them were at my initiation.”

“I figured, but I was hoping it might be easy.” She sipped her water as their waitress came and put a basket of bread on the table.

“One of our tables sent you a bottle of champagne.” Kat set it down and wrestled to open the bottle.

“Is this from James’s wine cellar?” Mia asked, watching the woman fill their glasses.

She nodded and looked up, surprise widening her eyes. “Oh, Miss Malone, I didn’t realize it was you. Yes, he and I ran down and got it. Mr. Holder has a great collection, but I should have asked you if this vintage was fine. I can get something else. Should I tell him you’re here?”

“This is lovely, Kat. Tell him I said hi, but if he’s busy, not to bother coming out.

I’ll chat with him on Monday.” Mia saw Brandon lifting a glass to them, and Trent responded, then turned back to look at her.

“I think we’re ready to order. And if anyone else tries to buy us a drink, please turn them down.

I’ve got so much work to do this weekend. ”

Kat laughed. “Tell me about it. I’ve got to get my laundry done on Monday. It’s the first day I’ve been off for ten days. And then I come back on schedule Tuesday. But at least I’m getting hours.”

After taking their orders, Kat left.

“Good call on the upfront drink refusal.” Trent held up his glass. “I’m assuming this is safe?”

“No one can get into James’s wine cellar.

Even on busy nights like this, he goes down with the waitresses.

It’s his rule. When he’s not here, he leaves a limited selection upstairs and takes his keys with him.

It used to drive Frank crazy.” She sipped the champagne, glancing around the room.

“They want me to join. If this show of support wasn’t so creepy, it would be heartwarming. ”

“The coven survives by adding new, powerful talents to their roles. I suspect, having you as part of the Magic Springs group would move them up on the national ranking system. They’re concerned they aren’t relevant in today’s anything-goes society.

” He broke a roll and buttered it. “Tell James I love the way they salt their butter. And the tops of the rolls.”

“Tell him yourself.” Mia smiled at her friend who had come out of the kitchen. “He’s here.”

“Can you believe that I was supposed to be out of here at five? Then all these reservations hit, and Blake told me to stay until closing. Told me, not asked. I see she just ordered room service, so I’ll give it a couple of hours, then leave the night shift to finish up.

” He leaned on the empty side of the booth.

“Everyone is saying your party last night was off the hook. Thanks for inviting me, by the way.”

“It wasn’t my party. It was held at the academy. Mia’s Morsels was catering, but if you want to work the next one, I’m sure Abigail would love a prep chef.” Mia broke open a still-steaming roll. “And Trent loves the bread.”

“Everyone does. It’s full of salt.” James adjusted a fork that wasn’t straight. “I don’t need a second job, but if you do have a party, you should invite me.”

“Come to Christina’s engagement party on Wednesday. She’d love to see you. Mia’s Morsels is catering, but we’re having it here. Mother Adams has a little bit of pull with the corporation.”

“Mother Adams has a friend on the board. Maybe she can get Blake to change her rules for contract catering,” James corrected her. He refilled their wineglasses. “Someone has expensive taste in wine. We’ve only sold two of these bottles since I bought the case last year.”

“It’s nice, thank you.” Mia wondered if James was starting to figure out the coven’s power. Sometimes their actions were obvious, even to humans. “Blake’s been acting weird lately, don’t you think?”

“How can you tell with the Queen of Cold?” James asked as he reached for his beeping pager.

“Sorry, I’m needed in the kitchen. I hope you didn’t order the pasta.

The girl I have cooking on that station tonight is a total airhead.

Some days she’s great, others, well, pasta.

If I didn’t feel so sorry for her, I would have fired her weeks ago. ”

After James left, their dinners were delivered, and except for making sure they were okay, Kat left them alone.

The dining room had begun to empty. Brandon had clearly passed on the message that Mia wasn’t in a talking mood.

Mia set her fork down and took a sip of water.

“I need to learn more about the coven administration side. I don’t understand why they’re so set on getting me to join. ”

“Mom used to be a board member,” Trent said as he cut into his steak. “You could ask her for a quick tutorial. She’d be glad to talk about it. I think she misses the work. Or she did, before you asked her to run Mia’s Morsels. She quit when Levi took over the inherited power.”

Mia knew what Trent wasn’t saying. She’d quit when the power didn’t totally transfer to Levi. She didn’t want to put her sons in danger by exposing what she knew to the coven board. Mia leaned closer. “Have you ever talked to Steve about what happened to him when he transferred power to you?”

Trent set his fork down, picked up his phone, and texted someone. Then he gathered his fork back up and continued eating. “No, but I’m going to talk to him tomorrow.”

“He’s back in town?” Mia had thought the oldest brother had left midweek.

Trent nodded. “His business issues got settled, so he came back Thursday night. He’s staying with the folks. He doesn’t think this thing with Howard is done yet.”

Mia thought Steve Majors was right on that front. She didn’t want to be thinking this, but if she didn’t ask, she’d be wondering anyway.

She took a breath, then asked, “Trent, when did Steve come into town? And who told him about Alfred Howard?”