Bigfoots Don't Do Mini Coopers (Kate Storm Book 1) (3 page)

“
I’m not sure.” This window was a bit tricky. “I’m hoping no more than two or three days at the most.” I grunted as I put my shoulder under the frame and shoved. “Are you all right with that?” With a final
oomph
the window jerked open.

“
I’m always here when ya need me, Doll.” He blinked his bulging brown eyes slowly up at me. It’s come to my attention lately that Al has a manipulative side to his doggy hide.

“
Don’t forget your Spell Book.” He turned around. “It’s on the third shelf.”

I glowered at his backside. I have no idea how he maneuvered his way around my scent
less spell, but one thing was blatantly clear. I’d have to find a more secure hiding spot for my Spell Book.

The very last thing I needed right now was for my Chihuahua to get into my love spells.

4. Smells Like Bear and Monkey.

Ash laid Bigfoot on the pull-out. A concealing spell is one of those oldies and frequently used ones. It also has a time limit. Probably some warlock’s idea of a joke.

Wisps of my magic drifted into the air above Bigfoot as my spell dissolved. Magic takes a lot of ene
rgy and I was running low on mine.

Al hopped onto a small section of empty space between Bigfoot
’s elbow and the edge of the mattress. “Smells like bear.” He leaned forward and sniffed, before backing up quickly. “And monkey.”

I live in Idaho
and have walked passed the body of a bear or two in the back of a pick-up to know the first part was true. I’ve never been to the zoo or seen a live monkey before. Or smelled one. They’re cute on TV, but . . .

I took a shallow breath. I somehow doubted I
’d have the urge to view one up close after a day or two. Possibly not after another hour.

I stepped a casual foot or two back. And promptly ran into Ash. He could stay away from the odor. I was the one with the guilty conscience.

His big arms slid around my middle to pull me back into the heat and comfort of him. We all studied the body on my pull-out.

Ash coughed. “
How long did you say the healing spell would take?”

I breathed through my mouth.
Way too long
.

“
A few days.” It had taken me a good twenty-four hours to heal from a beating. Tack on another forty-eight for internal bleeding and I figured I was close. Aunt Tabs would know for certain.

Internal bleeding.
I checked out the view through my open window. Once I had my stomach under control I glanced back at the Bigfoot.

Matted dark fur huddled together in dreadlocked clumps all over its body. A wide array of assorted vegetation had made its way into most of the soaked wads. And where there is a leaf there is some sort of hungry bug. Translation: I
’d be in the market for a new pull-out after Bigfoot recovered.

And a lot of disinfectant while it did recover.

Darn my guilty conscience.

Big foot shifted. Let out a tortured moan.

Ah. I could afford a new couch now that business has picked up. Yes, I could also cast a spell to clean my couch, but there would always be the thought that a wet, smelly, extremely hairy body had laid on it. And then there were the bugs.

I patted Ash
’s arm, letting my fingers linger on his firm male skin. “I’ve got to call Aunt Tabs.” He slid his hands down to my hips, squeezed and patted my backside.

I took four steps before my brain kicked back in. “
Al, why don’t you come with me?”

“
Why don’t you use your cellular phone?” Hell is a little behind in technology. They don’t have electricity or flushing toilets. Ash has adjusted to being in this realm and the conveniences of modern life quite well. His Dodge has a Turbo.

He
’s still working on the lingo. “Cell phone, not cellular. And I can’t. Mine got destroyed in the rain.” I looked at Al. “Coming?”

Al hopped down from the mattress. His ears at full attention and his tiny chest leading the way, he trotted past Ash who made a show of crossing his arms over his chest and leaning casually against the wall.

I’m fairly certain Ash added an extra muscle flex in with his stance. I know Al lifted his lip.

Males. Ego does not differentiate when it comes to species.

I picked up the phone in my kitchen and hit number two on the speed dial. The phone rang twice before she picked up.

“
Hello, dear.”

I love caller ID. Actually, we witches have had it forever. We refer to it as intuition or magic. But caller ID saves an extra spell. Aunt Tabs claims it
’s lazy, although she didn’t complain overly much when I had it installed on her phone a few weeks ago.

“
Hi, Aunt Tabs.”

I realize Tabitha sounds like the stereotypical witch name. My mother
’s name was Samantha. Again a little too witchy.
However,
if mom hadn’t been dating a certain TV producer during the sixties who happened to need a real live witch for his TV show - under budget didn’t begin to describe it - then the names wouldn’t have become as popular as they have today.

Mom was a great witch. Not so great at remembering things. She could not remember the names they originally p
lanned to use, so they went with her real name and my Aunt’s name for the daughter.

DO NOT get me started on the Elizabeth Montgomery why
’s and reason’s for.

“
What’s wrong?” Witchy intuition, I’m telling you. Better than an X-ray any day.

“
I need your help with a healing spell.” More than likely several healing spells.

“
Don’t you have your Spell Book?” Aunt Tabs might be my aunt, but ever since my mother had died she’d taken her role as care-taker VERY SERIOUSLY. My pulse pitter-pattered at the mere thought of losing that book. My aunt is a single witch and she’d held down two jobs before I quit school.

“
Yep. Have it right here.” I tried to inject my smile through the phone. “I’m having a little trouble with the exact species part.”

I counted to four befor
e Aunt Tabs asked, “You don’t know the species?” It simply sounded odd no matter who said it.

“
Not really. No. I ran over Bigfoot on the way to Sandra and  Spike’s party.” Actually it was more of a case of accordian-ing into Bigfoot, but the specific details wouldn’t improve my story.

“
Bigfoot? I thought he was a myth.”

I was
so
ruining everyone’s faith in that legend tonight.

“
Nope. Turns out it’s not. Big, hairy, smelly and
not
dent proof.”

“
I’m on my way over.”

I sort of figured that would be the case. I
t’s not often one runs across a truly mythological creature. Which meant I had about fifteen minutes to encourage Ash to leave.

Less if she came by broom.

I’m not ashamed of Ash or our relationship. But the whole Cursed In Love thing hanging over our coven can be a real downer. I’d been doing a successful duck and dodge with Ash and Aunt Tabs so far. I wasn’t up for the big meet tonight.

Plus, Ash is a Demon Lord. Aunt Tabs hasn
’t had too many fond thoughts of Demon Lords since one had kidnapped her last century.

I sort of thought it was romantic myself.

“Is she comin’ over?” Al asked.

Aunt Tabs watched Al while I was at work. They have a tight relationship. She also makes him homemade manicotti.

“Yeah. She’s on her way.” I caught his quick grin before he turned and trotted, practically skipping, down the hall.

I hit the living room at a fast pace. I
’d have been running if my apartment was bigger. I entered in time to hear Al. “Yer outta here, Ass.”

“
You know, my boots are bigger than you are, furball.” Ash stood up straight, looming over Big Al.

I snatched Al up. “
I’ll be right back.” Al opened his little mouth and I squeezed. You’d think my boyfriend and my Chihuahua would be on their best behavior after the night I’d had.

I opened the door to my bedroom and set him down on my bed. “
Not another word.” He headed over and planted his tiny butt on my pillow.

From the look in his bulging eyes I knew he figured he
’d won that round. He was the one in my bed after all.

I shut the
door.
Crazy Chihuahua
.

I turned around. Ash stood at the end of the hall, next to the front door. His amber eyes stroked up and down my body in a swift caress.

“You’re kicking me out?”

“
My aunt is on her way over.”

“
Time for me to leave then.”

I
’m not the only one who prefers to keep our relationship just between us.

A little vise squeezed my heart. Not fair, I know.
I
was the one asking him to leave. And yet . . . I wanted him to demand to be in my life. All aspects of it. I wanted him to tell me about the shadows that lurked in his eyes. I wanted . . . A lot of things.

Sadly, we don
’t always get what we want.

I plastered a smile on my face as I walked toward him. “
We certainly don’t want you to be here when Aunt Tabs arrives.” Great, now I was using the royal
we
. And there was a distinct bite to my words.

I wrapped my fingers around the cool metal of the doorknob. Strong, determined fingers closed over mine. He squeezed gently. Then the warmth of his chest pressed against my back, pushed me forward unti
l I couldn’t move any farther. Caught between the smooth, cool wood of the door and the muscled heat of Ash.

His head dropped forward over mine. His words rumbling down at me. “
I don’t want to leave, Kate.” His hips pressed into my back, the firm ridge of his erection adding physical proof to his words. “I want you.”

Spirits help me, I wanted him too. And it flat out terrified me. He already had most of my heart. If I gave him my body as well, what would I have of me? When the curse took effect, how would I
survive it?

“
Ash.” His name caught in my throat. His chin rubbed slowly back and forth over my hair. My eyes closed and the scents and textures of him surrounded me. I inhaled the earthy, slightly smoky scent that made up Ash.

I turned my head, rubbed my
cheek over the soft leather of his vest. He drew his arms in, enclosing me in the tight cage of his embrace, his possession.

“
Tomorrow night. I want to see you.”

His chest vibrated against my back as he spoke. Something dark and faintly dangerous edged hi
s voice. Reminded me he held secrets I was not aware of. And that he did not want to share with me.

My chest tightened, suffocated in a panicked moment of his possession and my emotions. Our relationship. The curse. His secrecy.

I’ve never allowed myself to dream. I’ve always been aware of my history and my flaws. They’ve been shoved into my face enough times to be impossible to ignore.

These things I know. I
’m familiar with. But to want something, to
know
I would have to fight for it and the very real possibility that I could easily lose that battle . . . That scared the wand right out of my hand.

The odds were already stacked against us.

My throat closed in. Pinpricks of fear tingled down my spine.

Ash slid his hand under my hair, his strong fingers closed
over the nape of my neck, caressed the sensitive skin there.

“
Kate?”

I
’m many things. Half breed. Cursed. Witch. But a coward I’m not.

“
Seven tomorrow night.”

On the other hand, I may just be a complete idiot.

5. Minor and Major Upheavals.

I watched the taillights of Ash’s truck disappear around the corner. My lips still tingled. Along with several other body parts. Damn, that demon knew how to kiss.

Licking my lips, I turned to head back up to my apartment. A flash of light caught my eye.
Same apartment four doors down. I watched as the curtains shifted then went still.

Interesting. Looked like I was going to get a chance to brush up on my Witch Detective skills again.

Bright light cut through the dark to my other side. I turned to watch the headlights zoom down my street. As she slammed to a stop behind my yellow Mini, I could only be thankful she hadn’t come by broom.

1. She
’d missed Ash by seconds and 2. The nosy new neighbor was a definite concern.

An umbrella emerged from the silver Pr
ius, snapped open to display a lovely leopard print, and rose elegantly into the dismal evening as my aunt got out.

She tightened the belt on her grey metallic raincoat before closing the door. Aunt Tabs chose her car with as much care for the weather in I
daho as I did.
Screw that.

She has front wheel drive too which makes driving a white knuckled adventure for about eight solid months out of the year. That plus a near constant stream of spells.

Amazingly, I fit in better in our small town than my aunt. My jeans and t-shirts are standard fare in this part of West. My thick biker’s boots are less common than the cowboy boots, hiking boots and running shoes, but no one bats their eyes too hard.

Aunt Tabs had on a pair of three inch leopard print heels  peeking
out from under skinny jeans. The jeans were slate grey with a silvery metallic thread which caused them to sparkle even in the dimness of the evening. A fuchsia purse was slung over her shoulder.

The skin along my neck tingled in alarm. “
You should lock your car.”

Aunt Tabs paused on the sidewalk, frowned. Small towns have their goods and bads like everything else. One of the definite goods is the crime rate. Or lack there of.

I brushed some water out of my eyes and nodded, “you should lock your car.”

Something in my tone must have alerted her because she didn
’t argue. Aunt Tabitha walked back around the front of her Prius, opened the door and pulled out her keys. She beeped the lock.

I did the same with my Mini.

The one thing about being a secret minority, you get used to  keeping a low profile and trusting your instincts. Mine were suddenly screaming loud enough to be heard four counties over.

The
tap tap
of her heels rang out as we walked up the sidewalk. My boots more or less squelched in the rain.

A
unt Tabs shook out her umbrella in the entry. Despite the rain her silky blonde hair was smooth and perfectly in place. I wrung out my curls. Little drops of water sprinkled the floor next to my aunt. I squeezed a surprisingly steady stream near my own feet. Guess I’d been too distracted to notice the rain was more than a drizzle.

Before she could begin, I said, “
I have a new neighbor a few doors down. He appears to be suspiciously nosy.”

“
Shit.” Aunt Tabs rarely curses, then again she had also survived the Salem Witch Trials. Like I’ve said: some things stay with a witch. Persecution is a big one.

She pulled her wand out of her purse. “
Do you need me to work a spell?” Aunt Tabs is generally a neutral witch. She has her own life and she likes it. However, she is also a very protective aunt. Another reason I have kept her and Ash from meeting. Given her history with Demon Lords, I don’t think she’d blink at turning him into a small frog. Complete with warts.

“
No. I’m good.” I waved at her to put her wand away. “I think I’m going to check him out first before I do anything like erase his memory.”

“
Well, just be careful.”

“
Always, Aunt Tabs.”

We headed up the stairs. I opened the door. Damp, chilly air rushed out. “
Why are your windows open? It’s cold tonight.” She looked around eagerly. “Does Bigfoot like the cold? Are you sure it’s Bigfoot?”

Wow. She was as giddy as a witch at her first ceremony. I
’d never seen her so excited. Guess a mythological creature will do that to anyone.

“
Positive Aunt Tabs. It’s on my couch.” She trotted into the living room. I followed more slowly and with my hand already over my nose.

“
Sweet Spirits. It IS Bigfoot.” Aunt Tabitha rushed over to the pull out. Just as quickly she backed up. “Ah.” She clamped her forearm over her face. “It . . .” She coughed.

“
Really, really smells.” I stayed where I was. At the doorway to the living room. “What species do you think it is?” The sooner this thing was out of my apartment, the better I’d be able to breathe.

“
Ah mmm naw shur.”

“
You’re talking into your elbow, Aunt Tabs.” I pointed out. “I can’t understand you.”

She moved her arm just far enough away to say, “
I’m not really certain.” She blinked hard. “The smell is so strong my eyes are watering.”

Didn
’t I know it.

She pulled her wand out of h
er purse. Whispered a few words. Immediately the smell died down to a bare whiff of stench, like standing over a trash can to smell the rotten eggs instead of noticing the aroma the moment you opened the door.

What kind of witch was I? I could have looked
up the spell for odor control. Drat my one track mind and my utter despair over possibly being a mythological annihilator.

We both heaved a sigh. I hurried over to the window and closed it, reconsidered and re-opened it a few inches. The rain wouldn
’t be able to get in now and the breeze would allow the air to circulate enough to keep the remaining odor down to a bare minimum.

“
Is someone out there with ya, Doll? Do ya need my help?”

Aunt Tabs narrowed her eyes. “
Why is Al locked in your bedroom?”

“
To keep him out of trouble.” I didn’t look her in the eye as I left to get Big Al. It wasn’t a lie. I had to remind myself of that three times before my stomach unknotted.

I opened my bedroom door. Big Al sniffed the air. The fur on his neck smoothed down a
nd he lowered his lip. “Did she bring manicotti?” He didn’t wait for a reply before he hustled down the hall.

And I thought I had a one track mind.

“Lookin’ good as usual, Tabby.” As far as I know, Al is the only one my aunt will allow to call her by that name. She’s as much a sucker for his bulging eyes as I am.

“
Why thank you, Al.” I entered the living room in time to see her give a little head toss. He might be a dog now, but Al will always be a ladies man.

“
New shoes?”

She stretched out one heel for h
im to sniff. “Yes. They just came yesterday.”

I rolled my eyes. “
Sorry to interrupt, but do you think we could turn our attention to the dying creature on my pull out?” I kept my eyes glued on the two of them. As long as I didn’t look at the Bigfoot, my stomach remained calm.

“
Yes, of course.” Aunt Tabs leaned over the edge of the mattress. “You hit him with your car?” She tossed the question over her shoulder. “Or is it a her?”

“
Don’t know the answer to that either. That’s a lot of fur. And yes, I hit it with my car.”

My aunt turned her head, narrowed her eyes at me. “
You must be brushing up on your spells.” Like any good mother, she never let an I-can’t-believe-you-quit-the-Witch-Academy moment pass by.

“
Vampire assassins will do that,” I returned. There hadn’t been Witch Academies when my aunt was little. I’d lasted as long as I could.

She wrinkled her nose and let the subject drop. She continued to look Bigfoot over, lifted one arm, checked the hand, moved near the feet then the head, lifted a lip. Finall
y she looked at me. “I don’t know what species it is either.” She frowned at the creature. “I’m a witch, not a scientist.”

“
Are you saying we can’t help it?” My stomach churned. I truly was going to be responsible for the demise of a species.

“
No. We can help it.” Air rushed into my lungs again. “We’ll just have to use a general healing spell. It will take much longer, but it will still work.” She pulled out her wand. “I think we should use a sleeping spell too. I’d hate for it to take off before we healed it.”

Wouldn
’t be a good idea for the neighborhood either.

I watched as she waved her wand, whispered the spells, comforted by the familiarity. For the first time tonight, the upheaval in my stomach slowed and quit.

“There. That should do it.” Aunt Tabs smiled, patted Bigfoot’s cheek. She turned towards me. “I think . . .” She paused, eyed me closely. “How about a cup of tea?”

I nodded. For once, at a loss for words. I
’m good - no, great - at covering up my insecurities and faults with both my tongue and a concentrated lack of caring.

And I
’m always conscious that it’s a damn thin veil.

Pull it back and I
’m a mess. Boiling cauldron just waiting to go over.

Half-breed. Cursed. Witch. And I
’d almost committed murder.

I
’ve killed once before and it hadn’t bothered me. In a fight for my life, I’ll do anything to win. But this . . .

I followed Big Al and my aunt into the kitchen. I sat at one chair at the table and Al took another. Aunt Tabs moved comfortably around, filling the kettle, taking out mugs.

“Green or black?” she asked.

“
Green.” Al and I answered as one.

While she got out tea bags and honey, Al nudged me. His nose warm and wet against my arm. “
You okay, Doll?”  

“
Yeah.” I took a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m fine, Al.” I scratched behind his ears. “Thanks for checking.”

He leaned into my touch. “
Anytime, Doll.”

Aunt Tabs set a mug in front of me and a small bowl in front of Al. She sat down with her own mug. “
Feeling better?”

I nodded. Al took a few laps of his tea, leaned forward with his ears at at
tention, “Do ya think you’re comin’ down with somethin’?” 

I choked on the sip I
’d just taken. Death and murder are a common occurrence to a hit-man.

“
We don’t handle killing people, or creatures of any kind, all that well, Al.” Aunt Tabs answered for me.

“
Why not?” He tilted his head to the side. “Besides it isn’t dead.”

“
No. It’s alive, but it
could
have died. And I would have been responsible.” My voice came out a little hoarse.

“
So?” Al tilted his head the other way.

I considered how best to explain.
“I don’t like killing things.” That was a little too vague. “People, animals, Bigfoots.” I tried to be as encompassing as I could. “Plants.”

“
Ya killed that vampire assassin.” Al beamed proudly.

“
Yes, but only because he wanted to kill me. And Morgan.” I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have stopped there either. Ivan had wanted everything to do with me erased from existence. Which would have included my aunt and Al.

“
I didn’t
want
to kill him.” That wasn’t strictly the truth, but considering my choices, my conscience and morals didn’t have a problem with his death. Or my part in it.

“
If you didn’t want to kill him, I coulda done it for ya.”

It is scary as all get out to know Al had actually functioned in society. Complete and utter sincerity shown from his watery
chocolate eyes.

I decided now was not the time for a lesson on Wiccan beliefs. “
Thanks Al, I appreciate that.” 

“
Anytime, Doll. Anytime.” Al lapped some more tea.

Speaking of things Wiccan, “
Aunt Tabs, how much do you know about our family curse?”

Al and
my aunt both stopped what they were doing and stared at me. The silence was absolute.

I
’d just pointed out the fire-breathing dragon in the room we all usually ignored. The curse on our coven is not something we discuss. Ever.

I waited patiently.

“Not much.” Aunt Tabitha took a long sip of her tea, set down the mug then picked it back up. “My mother wouldn’t discuss it.”

“
Your mother and father were the ones cursed, right?” I’d never met my grandparents. They’d passed before I was born.