Prelude to a Witch, Amanda Lee [ebook reader web txt] 📗

“He knows we saw him with the girls,” I pointed out. “He knows we’re suspicious. He’ll be doubly careful now.”

“What about those girls?” Clove asked, her hand busy rubbing her huge stomach. “Have you talked to them since you wiped their memories?”

I shook my head. Talking about the girls who had decided to use magic as a means to escape Hemlock Cove — not caring in the least who they hurt in the process — gave me a sour stomach. “Believe it or not, I would rather talk about Brian than them.”

“They’re still blank canvases?” Thistle asked. “They don’t remember what they did?”

“No, and more importantly, they don’t remember what we did to stop them. They seem to be normal teenagers again.”

“That doesn’t mean they’re not evil,” Aunt Tillie pointed out. “Teenagers are freaking sociopaths.”

“And now you know why we loved you as much as we did as teenagers,” Thistle drawled.

“Shut it!” Aunt Tillie jabbed a finger in Thistle’s direction. “Nobody needs your mouth.”

Quite frankly, I didn’t need any of their mouths. “What’s the deal with the garbage?” I asked, changing the subject. “Why are you moving it into the fire pit? We still have to bag it.”

“Oh, ye of little faith.” Aunt Tillie snapped her fingers, causing the pile of garbage to go up in flames.

I opened my mouth to tell her that conjuring fire was a bad idea and then realized that the campground was completely clean and the garbage would be gone within five minutes. “Nice work.” I clapped her shoulder. “You’re more than just a pretty face.”

Aunt Tillie scowled. “Keep it up and I’ll arrange to have all that garbage replaced.”

“That won’t be necessary.” I reached into my pocket when I felt my phone vibrate, smiling when Landon’s name appeared on the screen. “Maybe he misses me,” I said, beaming at Aunt Tillie in a way that I knew would drive her crazy. “Who is your favorite witch in the world?” I asked by way of greeting.

“That’s not even a competition,” Landon replied. “You’re my favorite everything.”

Right away I knew something was wrong. He wasn’t his normal playful self. “What is it?”

“It’s ... um ... I need you to come out to the Dragonfly.”

My heart practically beat out of my chest. “Did something happen to my dad?” I flicked my eyes to Thistle and Clove in turn. “Any of our dads?”

“No, sweetie, I’m sorry.” Landon was instantly contrite. “I didn’t mean to make you think that. We did find a body, though. Behind the Dragonfly. I need you to come out here and ... well, I just need you.”

I knew what he was saying. The party spot behind the Dragonfly had been cause for concern for weeks. There was something he didn’t want to say over the phone.

“I’m on my way,” I said.

“Thank you. And Bay, don’t drive like a maniac. Take your time. I’ll be here when you get here.”

“I’ll be careful. You don’t have to worry about me.”

That earned a short laugh. “Oh, if only that were true.”

2

Two

I didn’t have time to drop off my cousins and aunt so the whole crew was with me when I parked in the lot at the Dragonfly. Landon stood with my father, their heads bent together in conversation.

“This looks bad,” I said as I got out of my car.

Landon slid me an unreadable look. “It’s not good,” he said. “I’m sorry I had to call you out here.”

“We’re a team, right?” I attempted a smile. “If you need me, I’m always here.”

“I always need you.” He pulled me in for a hug. “I really am sorry. I know you were spending quality time with your family.”

That at least nudged a grin out of me. “We were picking up garbage at the campground.”

“We’re done,” Aunt Tillie added as she joined us. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

Landon flicked his eyes to her. “You’re done already? I thought that would take days. I had plans to take Bay out there this weekend to finish up.”

“You had plans to take Bay out there and act dirty in those cabins and you know it,” Aunt Tillie challenged. “You don’t care about the garbage.”

That elicited a weak smile from Landon. “Those cabins are death traps. I wouldn’t risk taking Bay in them.”

“Oh, you’re so full of it.” Aunt Tillie shifted her attention to my father. They had a tempestuous relationship, which was putting it mildly. “Jack.”

“Tillie.” Dad held her gaze a moment before turning to me. “And my favorite daughter.” He beamed. “How are the wedding plans coming?”

“They’re going well,” I replied. “It’s hard to believe it’s only a few weeks away.”

“Yes, well, I’ve been wondering about that.” He shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable. “Is there a reason you have to get married so quickly?”

The question caught me off guard. “What do you mean?”

“I thought maybe ... .” He didn’t finish the sentence, instead tipping his head to where Clove was being helped out of the car by her father, Warren.

“I think he’s asking if you’re pregnant, sweetie,” Landon said. “My guess is that he’s looking for a reason to hate me again.”

“I don’t need a reason,” Dad shot back. “The way you look at my daughter is reason enough.”

“Your daughter is going to be my wife in about a month, so get over it.”

“And I’m not pregnant,” I added, horrified at the thought. “You have to wait a bit for that.”

“Totally,” Landon agreed. “We want to be in our new house before we add kids to the mix. That’s still a few years off.”

“Hey, a father can dream.” Dad’s smile was charming. “A little one to spoil would be fun.”

“Then spoil Aunt Tillie,” Thistle suggested, gesturing toward our wily great-aunt who had been steadfastly edging her way toward the inn. I saw she had mayhem on the brain, because she glared at Thistle for drawing attention to her. “She’s little and acts