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

“I never said you were. I just don’t want you doing anything stupid ... like rushing into the office and throwing yourself on an invisible sword in an attempt to save Landon. Stay out of this until we know more.”

I’d been raised by busybodies, so that was easier said than done. “I’ll be good,” I promised. “I won’t do anything stupid.”

“What are you going to do?” Landon asked. “We know that Amelia isn’t behind the shades, but she could be working with them. If she isn’t already, she could soon join them.”

I glanced between a still glowering Amelia and the newspaper office. “I think I’m going to tap some ghostly help.”

Landon followed my gaze to the office. “You think Viola can help with this?”

“Probably not, but I have to at least ask. I’m stuck while you’re in your meeting anyway.”

Landon leaned forward and stared directly into my eyes. “You’re going to stick close to town until we can regroup.”

I feigned shock and hurt. “You act as if you don’t trust me.”

“I know you. If you get an idea in your head, you’ll run off and test it. I prefer you wait for me.”

I took pity on him. “I won’t run off. Besides, I won’t be able to focus on much of anything until I know Steve doesn’t want to bust you for marrying a witch. I promise to stay close to downtown.”

“Good enough.” Landon stuck out his lips in exaggerated fashion for a kiss.

I gave him what he wanted. “We’re closer,” I whispered before pulling back. “I feel as if we have all the pieces but they’re not arranged properly.”

“All the pieces?”

“Okay, maybe we’re missing one.”

“It’s a big piece.”

“Yeah, but once we have it the rest will slide into place.”

“Just as soon as my boss is out of town we’ll start looking again.”

“I’ll dig in with Viola and wait it out.”

“I’ll call as soon as I can and tell you what Steve really wants. We’re still good here, Bay. There’s no reason to freak out.”

“I’m a Winchester. Sometimes the only thing I can do is freak out.”

“I don’t think this meeting will be anywhere near as terrifying as you believe.”

I desperately hoped he was right.

26

Twenty-Six

Landon sent me back to the newspaper office with a box of food, including some maple-bacon flavored hard candy he found at a kiosk and demanded I hide it from Aunt Tillie.

“She’ll hex it to make me act like a fool.”

I wanted to point out he already acted like a fool when bacon was involved, but it seemed unnecessarily combative at this point. “I’ll guard it with my life,” I promised.

He caught my chin before I could walk away. “The thing I want guarded most is you.”

“Are you telling me to leave the candy behind if something bad happens?” I asked with a laugh.

“Of course not. You have two hands. You can throw magic around with one and protect my candy with the other.” He grinned as he leaned in to give me a kiss and then sobered. “Don’t run off without me.”

“I won’t.” I meant it – mostly. “As long as you stop hovering and focus on your job.”

“Fine.” He gave me another kiss. “Do me a favor and don’t obsess about this,” he ordered as he headed for the police station. “It’ll be fine.”

“I’ll do my best.” I remained rooted to my spot and watched as he crossed the lawn, not missing the fact that he looked at least three times to where Amelia had been standing before he reached the door. Hannah joined him there. She looked dressed for success, but even from this distance she was pale. I hoped Steve’s visit wouldn’t add to what I was certain was a monster of a headache.

With nothing left to do but fret, I carried Landon’s box of goodies to The Whistler. The security system he’d insisted on installing seemed like a goddess-send now, what with a killer lurking and Brian’s determination to make my life miserable.

I dropped the box of candy on my desk, smirking when I realized there was rope licorice at the very bottom. That was my favorite. Landon could take it or leave it. Even in the middle of a crisis, he went out of his way to make sure I had comfort food.

I left the licorice on my desk — it would be a treat for later — and went looking for Viola. I found her in the kitchenette watching television, as was her way. She didn’t bother looking up when she heard me.

“You tell him, Judy,” she snapped at the television. “He stole that woman’s scooter and her hat. People saw him wearing the hat and nothing else in the neighborhood, which means he’s a pervert. Nail him.”

I drew my eyebrows together and tried to figure out what was happening on the screen. “What are you watching?”

Viola finally dragged her eyes to me. “Judge Judy. Do you know who that is?”

I nodded. “Aunt Tillie rails weekly about her having a show in which she gets to punish people.”

Viola snorted. “Sounds like Tillie. Although ... .” She trailed off. Viola was never what could be considered sharp. Sometimes watching the gears in her mind work was painful.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I was just thinking how a television show where a witch gets to dole out hexes to jerky people would get a million viewers. I might find Tillie impossible to get along with — don’t ever tell her I said that — but other people would eat her up.”

“Yes ... and then likely spit her out,” I agreed. “She has a certain presence that can’t be denied. I think giving her a television show would be a mistake, though. She would get off on the power and punish the innocent as well as the guilty.”

“That might be even funnier.”

“Yeah, I’m not keen on giving her too much power.” I went to the Keurig and flipped it on to make some