A Taste of Magic (21 page)

“Aren’t you the person who bluntly told me not to get too excited?” Jon asked, pacing the length of the lobby at A Taste of Magic. “You know we need this. Not just to pay off Marc, but to get everything back on track. I don’t want to screw it up.”

We were expecting Penelope and Grace Henderson at any moment. I no longer worried about getting the job. I’d put the time and my magic into the samples they would taste test, so success shouldn’t be an issue. Well, I hoped not. And no, I didn’t feel guilty—use what you got, that was my new motto. Besides, we’d give them their money’s worth, and they’d be thrilled at the results. I was positive of that.

“Yes, but now you can’t be nervous. Now, since they’ll be here at any second, you need to be persuasive, charming, and sure we are the best in the business.”

He stopped pacing and thrust his hands into his pants pockets. “I can do that.”

Smiling reassuringly, I said, “Of course you can. You’re the most charming man I know.”

The bell on the door jangled, and the well-dressed politician’s wife and her daughter strolled in. Penelope Henderson was tall, almost six foot, with ash blonde hair cropped close to her head. The effect was one of aged beauty and almost larger than life eyes.

Grace, in contrast, was barely taller than five foot and had long sweeping hair and a pixyish face. Unlike her mother, who wore a fashionable jewel-toned tea-length dress, Grace was dressed simply. Jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers. Of course, I’d bet money that her ensemble, as casual as it was, cost more than most of my wardrobe put together. That’s the way it was with high society.

“Mr. Winterson and Ms. Stevens, I presume? I am Mrs. Henderson, and this is my daughter, Grace.”

Moving forward I stretched out my hand in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Please, come in. We have some samples for you and some ideas to share for your wedding.” I directed this last comment toward Grace, which earned me an icy glare from the mother. Apparently, the bride wasn’t in charge.

The door jangled again, and I glanced over. As soon as I saw who’d entered the shop, my blood turned cold. This wasn’t a scenario I’d considered. And suddenly, I wasn’t nearly as sure of our success as I’d been just a few seconds earlier. Troy Bellamy stood at the shop entrance, straight as a rod, angry eyes focused on me.

“Jon, why don’t you escort our guests into the backroom to show them the samples we’ve prepared? I’ll take care of our new customer.” I spoke calmly, and my smooth voice didn’t betray my nerves. Not sure how I managed it, I pulled it off. Troy walked closer, stopping somewhere between the front door and the counter. What was he doing there?

Jon glanced at me and nodded. “Please, come with me. I know you’ll love what A Taste of Magic can offer your daughter’s wedding.”

Mrs. Henderson stiffened her back. “I’d prefer to discuss matters here, where the sun is shining in the windows.”

“It’s plenty light enough. I assure you.” I sent a pleading look to Jon. The last thing we needed was Troy creating havoc with the client of our career. Losing this job would hurt. Big time.

Jon, bless his soul, with no clue at all to the severity of the situation, took it in stride. “Let me show you. If you’re still uncomfortable, we can bring everything out front.”

The mother didn’t look convinced, but Grace stepped in. “We have an appointment with the caterer in an hour, Mother.

Let’s not make them move everything out here. That will just waste time.”

Nodding briskly, Penelope Henderson said, “True. So very true.” With her hand on her daughter’s elbow, Mrs. Henderson guided Grace toward Jon. “Let’s get this over with then.”

I told myself to breathe. Once Jon had escorted the Hendersons out of the lobby, I pulled myself up straight. Facing the interloper, who’d stayed quiet thus far, I said, “Troy. What a surprise.” An unpleasant one, but still a surprise. “What can I do for you?”

He sneered. “I figured it out. It was the cake, wasn’t it? You hexed me with a cake.”

Stiffening, I looked over my shoulder. If the Hendersons had heard that, there was no way A Taste of Magic would get their business. And that would ruin everything. I waited a pause, but luckily, it seemed okay. They weren’t running from the shop yet.

“Don’t deny it,” Troy said. “Like I said before, my mother is a witch. You can’t fool me.”

My mind ran through all the possibilities of each answer I could give him. I chose to stay on the side of safety. Keeping my voice low, I said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Troy. You look like you’re feeling better.”

He nodded. “Yeah. After your sister cashed in my hard-earned check, all the symptoms faded. Funny that, don’t you think?”

His shirt was clean and tucked in, his pants freshly pressed; he could have been on his way to a job interview. Add in the fact that he wasn’t a terribly big man and I didn’t understand my anxiety. But then I looked into his eyes again, and I saw danger there. This man would do what ever he could to get what ever he wanted. Once again, I wondered how Alice had missed that.

“What can I do for you?” I repeated.

“I want my money back. It was never a loan. Your sister just gave it to me. I figure you owe it now.” His voice was loud— too loud—and I shot a glance over my shoulder. How could they
not
hear him?

“You figured wrong. I’m not paying you any money, Troy.”

“Hey,” he said good-naturedly, all charm and sweetness. “You can pay me in installments. I’m cool with that. It seems to me you have a pretty sweet deal here with this fancy bakery and all.”

And that’s when I knew this man was a lot scarier than I’d given him credit for. Yeah—he’d frightened me before, but to be able to hide your true nature in a blink? That terrified me.

In two steps, he was right in front of me. I stepped backward. He moved up again.

“No.” I pushed the word out, but a ball of fear unraveled inside.

“Oh, you’ll pay me all right. I figure you can’t hurt me again because damn if I’ll be stupid enough to eat any of your concoctions a second time.”

The coldness of his gaze struck deep in my belly. I thought, for just a second, about giving him the money. He was a scary man, and it
was
just money. But on the other hand, what he was doing wasn’t right. I mentally weighed all this in my head while trying to determine how I could get him out of the shop before he did something crazy. Plus, his voice was sure to carry to the back room if it got much louder. Something I definitely didn’t want to happen.

The quickest and safest way was giving in. I hesitated, but then I thought about what he did to my sister. What he was trying to do to me. And you know what? Giving in wasn’t an option—at least not for me. I tried to walk behind the counter to give myself more room, but he grabbed my wrist. And that reminded me of Marc.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

Something happened then. I don’t know what, exactly, but he pissed me off. Raising my gaze to his, I said, “You will get your hands off me now.”

“Aw, whatcha gonna do?”

I took my other hand and placed it on the hand that still held mine. In a controlled voice, I said, “I don’t need a cake, Troy. What ever gave you that idea?”

“You’re bluffing.”

Forcing myself to remain calm, I remembered the power of the magic, how it felt when it rushed through my veins. That added to my courage. “Try me.”

Something in my eyes must have scared the hell out of him. Dropping my hand, he backtracked until I could breathe again. His eyes darted around the shop and then back at me. I could see he was trying to decide if I was serious or not. He needed to believe, without a doubt, that I was utterly serious. Mentally, I called to Miranda.
If there was ever a time for you to help me, Great-Grandma, this would be it
.

A brush of feeling passed through me. I didn’t know if that meant she was there or if I was just overly hopeful. But I grabbed this feeling with both hands. Metaphorically, of course. I straightened myself, put one foot in front of the other, and then laid my palm on his chest. “Want to see what I can do, Troy?”

Closing my eyes, I decided to fake him out. I moved my lips as if I were casting a silent spell. He ripped my hand off his chest and swore. “Fuck. No money is worth this.”

“Smart man.” I opened my eyes. “Leave me and my family alone, and I’ll leave you alone. That’s a promise. But if you bother me or my sister again, you’ll wish for the rest of your life you’d stayed away. I won’t make this same offer again.”

Dots of color popped up on his face. He swiped his hand over his forehead. And then—thank God—he exited A Taste of Magic without looking back. All the trembles I’d hid surfaced. That man? He scared me like no one ever had.

I gave myself a few minutes to calm down. Hopefully, we hadn’t been loud enough to be heard in the back room, but I needed to settle myself before I could find out. If I’d screwed up this job for us, I’d never forgive myself.

I didn’t know if Miranda had actually shown up or not. Probably not, because I kind of thought if she had, I wouldn’t have to guess about it. She was pretty good about making herself known. Regardless, I didn’t think I’d be dealing with Troy again. The fear in his eyes told me he’d stay away from me and Alice.

Since I felt better, I went to help Jon with the Hendersons. It wasn’t necessary. Jon had it under control, with both Penelope and Grace smiling and chatting amiably. Like I said before, Jon was a master at charm. He could schmooze with the best of them.

I was fairly sure we’d be getting the Henderson job. And if we did, our business life would be right where we wanted it to be.

If only Jon and I were able to do the same with our personal lives, we’d be all set.

Chapter Fifteen

“Why are we doing this?” I asked Grandma Verda and Maddie. “Remind me, please.”

Maddie shrugged as she set the Ouija board in the center of my kitchen table. “I just want to see what happens.”

“I don’t know. These things scare me. A lot.”

Grandma Verda chuckled. “Miranda in your bedroom doesn’t frighten you, but a piece of wood with some numbers and letters on it does?”

“Yes. Besides, she doesn’t seem to have any problems talking to me whenever she wants.” Though, she never said very much. That didn’t mean a Ouija board was the answer.

“My mother said Miranda tried to connect with her, but she never did with me. I always wondered about it,” Grandma Verda said.

Ah, that’s what her statement was about the other night. I’d never gotten around to asking, and she hadn’t volunteered the information before now. “Why do you think she’s trying to talk to me? I can’t figure that out.”

Grandma tipped her head as her gaze hit mine. “I’ve been thinking about that. Maybe because you both experienced heartbreak? The loss of a man, of a relationship, you loved?”

“Maybe,” I said, considering her words. “But even so, what happened to me with Marc is very different than what happened to her. I’m not pregnant, for one thing.”

“It’s just a guess. But if this works …” Grandma nodded toward the Ouija board. “Maybe you can find out for sure.”

She had a point. That didn’t mean I was on board with it, though. “I’m not convinced this is the right plan. Can’t we just wait and see if she comes back again?”

“Quit worrying. There are three things that can happen. One, nothing. Two, Miranda talks to us. Three, someone else talks to us,” Maddie said.

“Exactly. It’s number three that’s freaking me out.” I mean, come on, now that I knew magic existed, what’s to say there weren’t a bunch of creepy things out there that were also true? Like vengeful spirits and poltergeists? I shivered. “I really don’t want to do it.”

“Humor me, Liz. You brought me into this. I’d like to see what Miranda has to say with my own ears. Or eyes, I guess, in this case. We used to play with these things when we were in college. You never seemed afraid then,” Maddie said.

“Oh, I was. I just kept my mouth shut.”

“If you don’t want to try it, we don’t have to.” Maddie tapped her fingers on the board. “It’s just an idea. Verda’s right. Maybe direct questions will give you more information. Or maybe you’ll find a way to contact her when you want to, instead of always being surprised when she shows up.”

Grandma Verda slid me a look. “Let’s give it a go. I’d sure like to know what Miranda wants. She disappeared the other night almost immediately.”

“That’s normal for her.” Hesitantly, I sat down and placed my fingers on the plastic doohickey. Maddie and Grandma Verda did the same. “Now what?”

“I think you should try first, Elizabeth. She seems to be attached to you,” Grandma Verda suggested.

Sighing, I nodded. “We’re trying to reach my great-great-great-grandmother Miranda Ayres. Miranda, are you there?”

Even though I’d hemmed and hawed about it, I really didn’t expect anything to happen. I mean, why would Miranda choose a Ouija board to communicate when she could elicit a light show whenever she wanted? So, yeah, I was more than a little surprised when the damn planchette moved over YES. And then, the scent of fresh-cut flowers filled the room. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I knew it was her.

“Um, wow,” Maddie said. “Ask her something else.”

“Grandma, did you move that?”

Shaking her head no, she said, “Maddie’s right. Ask another question.”

“Miranda, is there a reason you want me to be able to see you?”

YES.

“Why?” My hand trembled. I tried to hold it steady.

I–T

W–I–L–L

M–A–K–E

O–U–R

C–O–N–N–E–C–T-I–O–N

S–T–R–O–N–G–E–R.

Hmm. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

YES.

“What? Spell it for us.”

B–E–L–I–E–V–E

“Believe,” Maddie announced.

“Yeah, got that. I do believe. Kind of hard not to, so I don’t understand.”

Grandma Verda said, “What do we need to believe in?”

The planchette didn’t move, so I repeated Grandma’s question. Still nothing.

“Miranda? I’m confused. Could you help me out?”

NO.

“Geez, thanks,” I said sarcastically. “This is a waste of time.” Y–O–U

“Shh, Lizzie,” Grandma whispered.

M–U–S–T

“You must. You must what?” I asked.

B–E–L–I–E–V–E.

“Obviously, I do believe or I wouldn’t be doing this, would I? No, I don’t think so.” Stubborn ghost.

S–A–R–C–A–S–M

W–O–N–T

H–E–L–P.

Maddie laughed. “That’s awesome. She has your attitude, Lizzie. Or maybe you have hers.”

“Oh hush,” I said. “What will help then?”

J–U–S–T

B–E–L–I–E–V–E.

“This isn’t telling us anything more than we knew before. Ask her something else,” Maddie said.

“Oh. I know.” This was actually kind of fun. In a weird bonding with your long-dead-relatives sort of way. We could have been in one of those Maxwell House commercials. “Miranda, were you with me at A Taste of Magic when Troy came in?”

NO.

That was all me? I scared Troy off all on my own?

YES.

“What did she say yes to? No one asked a question,” Grandma said. “And who’s Troy?”

“Um, I did. Well, I
thought
a question. I’ll tell you about Troy later.”
What do I need to believe in?

Y–O–U

N–E–E–D

T–O

F–I–N–D

T–H–E

A–N–S–W–E–R.

“She went too fast. I couldn’t figure it out,” Grandma said. “What did she say? What did you ask, Lizzie?”

“I asked her what I needed to believe in.”

“She said, ‘You need to find the answer,’ ” Maddie replied. Frustrated, I dropped my hands and stood. “That’s enough. At least now I know where the women in our family get their mule-headedness from.”

Grandma Verda laughed and removed her hands, too. “I could have told you that without Miranda.”

Maddie tossed me a glance. Her skin, normally a golden hue, was pale white. “How can you two be so cavalier about this? This is totally insane.” Clasping both hands around her glass, she shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s just completely unreal to me.”

“Well, I didn’t exactly take it easily the first time Miranda spoke to me. I’d be worried if you weren’t nervous,” I said.

“Lizzie. Maddie.
Look
,” Grandma said.

The triangle was moving by itself. Really fast. My stomach jumped, and perspiration bubbled on my forehead. “She shouldn’t be able to do that, should she?”

“What’s it saying?” Maddie asked.

“Start over, Miranda,” Grandma said.

The triangle stopped, moved to the center of the board, paused for a second and then started over.

M–A–G–I–C

I–S

G–E–T–T–I–N–G

S–T–R–O–N–G–E–R

U–S–E

I–T

W–I–S–E–L–Y.

The triangle hovered, circling the board but not stopping anywhere in particular. “I know it’s getting stronger, Miranda,” I whispered. Finally, it rested on GOOD-BYE.

Instantly, the flower scent vanished. I picked up the little plastic triangle. It felt warm in my hand. “I guess she’s telling me to be careful of what I wish for.”

Sound advice, even if it had come from a ghost.

Shirley jumped onto Grandma Verda’s lap and meowed.

Grandma Verda nodded. “She never warned me when I used it. You must be really powerful, Lizzie.”

“She is. You should have seen the light show in my place the other day,” Maddie interjected. “Not to mention the wind. It knocked over my plants it was so strong.”

“Wind? Light show? I never had lights or wind—just a tingly feeling that filled me. That’s how I knew what ever I’d cast had taken hold.”

“Really?” This interested me. “I wish Mom had experience with this, too. I’d like to know how it’s differed for each of us.”

Grandma Verda snorted. “Your mother, as much as I love her, never believed in magic. She’s the picture of your grandfather, through and through. Now, tell me who Troy is.”

My grandmother never let anything slip between the cracks. Apparently, my mother hadn’t filled her in. I hesitated. How much to tell her? “Alice’s ex. He’s a jerk. He came by the shop to talk to me.”

Grandma didn’t press. She just nodded and stroked her cat’s head. Shirley meowed again, louder this time. “It’s your dinnertime, isn’t it sweetie,” my grandmother murmured. “Girls, this has been a lot of fun for an old woman, but I need to feed Shirley and go see Vinny.”

Ugh. I couldn’t bear to smell the cat food again. “Do you need a ride to the hospital, Grandma?”

“No, dear. Your father brought my car over yesterday. I can get myself there.”

“Just drive carefully.” At her nod, I turned to Maddie. “Feel like going out to eat?”

“Sure. Let me run upstairs and check my messages and we can take off.”

I gave Grandma Verda a kiss. “I’m going with Maddie. I’ll see you later tonight.”

Following Maddie into the hallway, I couldn’t seem to stop myself from glancing at Nate’s door. I missed him.

Oh, hell. Why not? “Maddie? I’m going to ask Nate to come with us.”

She grinned. The color was slowly returning to her cheeks. “Sounds good. I’ll be right back.”

Knocking on the door, I crossed my fingers. Even though I knew that didn’t really work, some habits were hard to break. Besides, if I could contact my great-great-great-grandmother via a Ouija board, anything was possible. Right? Right.

When he opened the door, he looked surprised. Not in an unpleasant, what-the-hell-do-you-want manner, but also not in a where-have-you-been-all-my-life way, either.

Nate’s green eyes swept over me. “Hey, Liz. Is everything okay?”

“I don’t only come to see you when something is wrong, you know.”

He grinned, and my heart zipped. “I know. I just like to ascertain there are no problems right off the bat. Must be the cop in me.”

I wouldn’t mind having that. You know, a cop in me. Well, one in particular, anyway. I know, naughty, huh? I couldn’t seem to help it. “Maddie and I are going to get some dinner. We wondered if you’d like to join us.”

“We?”

Warmth crept over my skin. “Okay.
I
. I wondered if you’d like to join us.”

“I would love to, but I have plans tonight.”

Disappointed at the turn of events, I tried to keep a smile on my face. Last minute thing anyway, ya know? It shouldn’t bother me. “Maybe another time?”

Nate leaned against the doorjamb and opened his mouth. Closing it again, he combed his fingers through his short hair before answering. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” He hesitated again. “I’d like to go out. It’s always nice to hang with friends. Just give me some notice next time.”

“I thought …” I broke off, not sure what to say. Or rather, if I should say it. I certainly had more than friendly feelings toward Nate, and I definitely thought he had more than friendly feelings for me. “Are you involved with someone?” I blurted.

“I like you, Liz. You just seem to be in a different place than I am right now.” He reached over and tugged my hair. “But I can always use another friend.”

“Yeah, friends are great,” I mumbled.
Different place?
“I’m going to get Maddie. I don’t know what’s taking her so long.”

Before I was able to escape, the door to the building slammed shut, and the red-haired beauty from the other day approached us. She glided down the hallway. Seriously, it was as if she floated on air. I didn’t know how to walk like that. Most days I was lucky if I didn’t trip over my own feet.

And then I realized. If Nate had given her a key to the building, he must be serious about her. That hurt. Maybe it shouldn’t, but it did. “Your plans are here,” I said.

“Liz—”

“Hi, sweetie,” Ms. Beauty Queen said when she got to us. Standing up on her tiptoes, she gave Nate a kiss on his cheek. “You’re ready, I hope?

“I should go. You guys have a… good time.” It was obvious Nate was uncomfortable, and, hell, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. I couldn’t stand there any longer, and Maddie hadn’t made an appearance yet, so I’d go to her. Backing up, I almost ran to the stairway.

“Elizabeth, wait,” Nate called after me as I took the stairs two at a time. I figured he probably wanted to introduce me to his girlfriend, but honestly, why bother? Even if she wasn’t his girlfriend, he’d already brushed me off. I didn’t need to cry in front of him. That would make everything so much worse than it already was. Obviously, the magic of the muffins had long since dissipated. Which meant everything we’d experienced together was false.