Page 2 of Spellbound & Speechless (Witches of Starbrook #2)

Aspen

This is where I grew up. It looks the same now, but…

different. From the outside, it’s like no time has passed.

The same weathered, faded red paint coats the home.

The porch swing out front is ungreased, squeaking as it blows in the wind.

The wind chimes are still loud enough to chase off malevolent spirits.

I’m home again. These sounds once lulled me to sleep on blustery nights.

The inside is what has changed. Herbs and incense still hit my nose, as they always have, musky and aromatic.

Most of Mom’s spirit remains, but her old knitting projects and books must have been packed away.

There’s a new painting in the living room—likely picked by Laurel, considering the strange colors and shapes.

I tilt my head to the side, trying to understand what I’m looking at. Her taste has always been eclectic.

A chill runs through the house. It looks like no one has started a fire today, and of my sisters, I’m the only one who doesn’t know how to do the job. Perhaps if I had stuck around longer, Mom would have taught me .

I rub my hands together, hoping someone will get the hint.

Rowan breezes through the house. Why shouldn’t she? It’s her home. My sisters are all perfectly comfortable here. I’m the one who is a guest.

I could follow her, but Timber catches my attention first. He lets out a low whine, lifting his head as I sit beside him on the couch.

“There’s my good boy.” I rub my hands along the dog’s golden fur. “I missed you.”

“We missed you .” Juniper stands in the doorway and crosses her arms. The rest of our sisters pile up behind her.

“Juni!” I cross the room and wrap my arms around my oldest sister’s shoulders. “How wonderful to see you.”

“It’s good to see you, too.” Juniper sighs and pats my back. “Why didn’t we see you sooner? Rowan says you’ve been here for days.”

Of course, Rowan already tattled on me. Typical.

“Only since the weekend.” I pull away and look at her earnestly. “I swear.”

Juniper should be easier to win over than Rowan. As the oldest sister, Juniper was always like a second mother to me. It wasn’t fair that she had to step into the role, and it’s not how I see her now, but I can only hope she still has a soft spot for me.

I need any advantage I can get.

Juniper is several inches shorter than any of us, curvier, and has piercing blue eyes, like our father’s.

Her dyed, dark hair is done in the perfect blowout, and her bangs are always sleek and styled.

She always wears black—a black dress, black lipstick, and impossibly dark lashes.

I think each of us admires Juniper, but I cannot deny that she’s intimidating, especially with all the time that’s stretched between us.

“I’m just happy to see you.” Juniper’s shoulders slump. “You’ve missed a lot.”

“I’m sure I did. Your tavern looks great on social media!” Her tavern—the newest shop in Starbrook, a town that never changes. “I can’t wait to see it in person.”

“Mhm.” Juniper quickly brushes off my change of subject. “Let’s take a seat. It seems we have a lot to discuss.”

Do we? I gulp. Am I ready for these discussions? It doesn’t matter. I’m already here.

“I’ll put on tea!” Maple, the second oldest, beams.

Maple is always smiling. She still has her natural ginger hair—she and Rowan are the only ones who do—and her plump, pink cheeks speak of a well-lived life. Jealousy pricks at the back of my mind. Maple is living out her dreams as a chef, and I’m…

Well, I’m here, and I have no idea what my dream career is. As much as I love designing clothes, it’s clear the fashion industry isn’t for me. My skin isn’t thick enough. I doubt it will ever be.

We all sit around the table. Naturally, Laurel is the last to join us. She’s the youngest sister, the eternal baby of the family. The baby and the middle sister, forever at war—that’s our story.

At least Rowan and I are best frenemies. I can’t say that about Laurel, though I hope we’re both more mature now.

My eyes widen as I take in the sight of Laurel’s hair.

“It’s… still green…” I blink.

“You didn’t know?” Laurel rolls her eyes. “Wow. I guess you haven’t kept up with me on social media.”

“Laur—”

“It’s fine.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “If you don’t like my hair, that’s none of my business. Keep your thoughts to yourself.”

“I didn’t say I don’t like it! I just thought you would be open to changing it by now.”

I don’t like her hair, but I still love my baby sister. She spent the least time with our Mom, and I can only imagine how that weighed on her. It’s the same way it weighed on me, I suppose. I left home right after high school and lost quite a few years with Mom as well.

“Enough.” Juniper sits at the head of the table where our mother once sat. “What happened, Aspen?”

“Strange way to ask what the hell she’s doing here,” Laurel mutters.

Maple pours five cups of tea.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say, pushing off the inevitable.

“You didn’t tell us you were visiting,” Juniper says, “and this doesn’t feel like an ordinary visit.”

“Yeah. It’s not as if you ever visit,” Laurel says.

“Laurel. Please.” I sigh and drag a cup of tea over the wooden table, bringing it closer to me. “Look… maybe it’s not a visit , exactly…”

Rowan’s eyes narrow.

My steaming teacup rests between my hands. It’s hot enough to burn my fingers, but I won’t let go. “I lost my internship. It was supposed to be the job. I thought it would turn into a paid position, but it didn’t, and then word got around the industry… and no one wanted me.”

“What do you mean?” Juniper’s lips part. “When did this happen?”

I press my mouth into a tight line. “A year ago.”

Laurel grins. “Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh, Juni? ”

“Stop,” Juniper says. “This isn’t about me.”

Juniper lost her job a few months before I did. Maybe I could have gone to her about it, and we could have bonded, but it was impossible to swallow my pride. I’m still struggling to do that now.

“What I mean to say is… I couldn’t find another job in the city.” The words flow from my mouth before I can stop them. Opening up to my sisters is too easy. “I tried for months, for nearly a year. I can’t keep doing it. My money ran out, I’m here now, and I used the last on the motel.”

Gods. I’ve never felt more like a failure. Leaving my job was necessary. If I had stuck around, I would have hated myself and my work. Why couldn’t I have found something else?

Juniper pinches the bridge of her slender nose. “You could have stayed here. You know that your room is waiting for you. Why waste your money on a motel?”

“I was finding my courage.” I hang my head. “But I never found it. Not really.”

“Oh, honey. You don’t need courage to be here with us.” Maple offers me the kindest, warmest smile I’ve seen in months. She is a bonfire personified. “We’re just happy to have you home.”

“Yeah.” My shoulders slump. “I suppose I am home.”

But at what cost? They’re happy to see me, but it doesn’t bring the relief I’m hoping for.

“You’re moving back in,” Juniper says. “No complaining. No denying. You will not spend another cent at that motel.”

Based on her stiff voice, some people would assume Juniper is unhappy. I know the truth. She wants me here.

“Well, if you insist.” A big smile breaks out on my face. “I’ll stay.”