by Rose Pressey
“I worry about you too, Elly.”
“They weren’t shooting at me.”
“No, but Kris Kringle might return. After all, he was at your house.”
“Fortunately, I think I can take care of him if he comes by again.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
Tom didn’t acknowledge my comment. Turning away from him, I hurried to the door, stepping inside of the café. When I looked out the window Tom was headed for his car. Once he reached the Mercedes, he turned around and looked in my direction. I tossed my hand up in a wave, trying to act casual. Mary Jane ran over to me. Laura walked in the door after me. She must have been out on a break.
“What’s going on?” Mary Jane asked.
“What happened?” Laura asked.
“Something happened,” Mary Jane added.
“What makes you think something’s wrong?” I asked, trying unsuccessfully to sound calm.
“Maybe by the look on your face and the text message that you sent that said ‘Oh, my gosh. My life just flashed before my eyes.’”
“Sorry about that,” I said. “Maybe I should have said something less dramatic. It was dangerous though.”
“What happened?” Mary Jane asked.
“Tom and I were shot at. We hid behind his car,” I said as I headed toward the counter.
“What?” Mary Jane screeched.
“Everything’s okay now though,” I said as I put my purse away.
“How can everything be okay when someone shot at you? Who did that?” Mary Jane asked.
“I thought Mystic Hollow was a safe city. I’m beginning to wonder if that’s true,” Laura said.
“Well, every place has crime,” I said.
“Your attempt at making us feel better isn’t working,” Mary Jane said. “Okay, so maybe Mystic Hollow doesn’t have that much crime, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen because it did. Now will you just quit stalling and tell me who did this?”
“I don’t know who did it. We didn’t see them. It might have been Kris Kringle. Maybe Santa was shooting at us. I never thought I’d utter that sentence,” I said.
“Well, Santa’s on his own naughty list now,” Mary Jane said.
“I think the person was actually shooting at Tom,” I said. “I just happened to be following him and I pulled into this building’s parking lot, got out of my car, and that was when the bullet rang out.”
“Why were you following Tom? I never know what kind of crazy thing you’re going to get into,” Mary Jane said. “Every time you go out I worry and worry about you.”
“You sound like my mom,” I said.
“Well, I can’t help it,” she said.
“Can they try to figure out who it was?” Laura asked. “Do you think it has anything to do with Mildred?”
“I certainly have my suspicions that it’s related to Mildred,” I said. “Plus, I thought I saw her. It was far away though and I couldn’t make out any details.”
Mary Jane’s eyes widened. “You saw Mildred. Where did she go?”
“The woman left. Like I said, I don’t know for sure that it was her.”
“It could have just been a random person hanging around the old school,” Laura said.
“How did you know it was the old school?” I asked with a frown.
“Oh, um, that’s the only place in town that would have an empty parking lot,” Laura said.
“Right. Yeah, I guess you’re right. Anyway, I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that the person just happened to shoot a gun when we pulled into the parking lot.”
“But who would know that Tom was in town unless it had something to do with Mildred?”
“Exactly,” I said.
“Tom told me that Mildred was working for the association, but I’m not sure why.”
“And he didn’t tell you why?” Mary Jane asked.
“No, he was still being secretive. He said that he couldn’t tell me,” I said. “I plan on trying to figure out on my own.”
“Just please tell me that you’re not going to get into any more trouble,” Mary Jane said.
“I’ll try not to get into trouble. I really don’t want to get into trouble.”
“I know you don’t like too, but you seem to attract it.”
“Oh, I can’t argue with that,” I said. “I have something to tell you.”
Mary Jane sat down on the stool. “I don’t think I can handle any more news. Tell me it’s not bad.”
“Oh, I think it’s definitely bad. Based on her past behavior.”
Mary Jane frowned. “Mrs. Evans? What did she do? I knew it. She doesn’t like the cookies. Well, forget her. Let her figure out the catering on her own. She’ll never get anyone at the last minute.”
“It’s not that. She invited me to have dinner with her. Right here in the café and she’ll be here any minute.”
Mary Jane stared at me with an open mouth.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
“I think you said Mrs. Evans is coming here to have dinner with you.”
“That’s what I said,” I said.
“And you agreed to this?”
“Well, I didn’t want to be mean. I felt like I had to. Plus, she was being really nice.”
“Mrs. Evans is never nice,” Laura said.
Chapter 16
“No magic spells in her food when she gets here, okay?” I asked.
Mary Jane held her hands up. “I promise.”
“And Mary Jane, don’t get my stash of chocolate cake and give her a happy spell from that.”
Mary Jane held her hands up again. “I promise.”
The bell over the door jingled and we all spun around. Fear instantly spiked through me when I saw Mrs. Evans walk through the door. I guessed this was it. I had to deal with her. It wouldn’t be so bad. After all, she had been extremely nice on the phone. But I knew that was just an act. Probably just to get me to have dinner with her. Her stare was focused on me as she made her way across the floor. I thought she might be coming to tell me off. A second later though a huge smile spread across her face. I hadn’t been expecting that. It was a pleasant surprise.
Maybe she realized that it wasn’t necessary to be so hostile toward me. We could be friends. And I was doing everything she asked me to do for the holiday festival. I approached her, meeting her halfway across the dining room floor.
“Good evening, Mrs. Evans. I’m glad you could come,” I said with a forced smile.
Just then she reached for me and I flinched. However, instead of punching me, she wrapped her arms around me and gave a big hug. What the heck was going on here? Had she had a near-death experience and now she was changing her attitude? That had to be it. There was no other explanation. Finally, she released her hold on me. I’d thought I was going to smother from her tight embrace. I glanced over my shoulder at Mary Jane and Laura. They stared in stunned silence with mouths wide open.
“I’m just so excited that we’re having dinner,” she said as she peered around the room. “Where should we sit?”
“How about over there by the window? It’s a comfy spot,” I said.
“How perfect. Although I’m sure all the seats are great in your café.”
This was almost more than I could handle. I had to know what was going on with her. I would just come right out and ask her why she was being so nice to me. Maybe that would flip the switch and she would be rude all over again, but this was just bizarre.
I walked with her over to the table. Mary Jane followed us, bringing a menu for Mrs. Evans. I wasn’t sure I could eat since this situation was so bizarre. It had put my stomach in a knot. Mary Jane placed the menu down on the table and then hurried away as if Mrs. Evans might actually bite her hand. I wouldn’t totally be surprised if something like that happened. Mrs. Evans picked up the menu to take a look.
I studied her as she perused the menu.
“Everything looks so delicious,” she sa
id. “I don’t know how I can choose. How about you choose for me?”
“The roast beef is today’s special,” I managed as I stared.
“Perfect. I’ll have it.”
I glanced over at Mary Jane. She was still transfixed on everything that was happening at the table. I motioned for her to come over.
“I think we’ll both have today’s special,” I said.
“Coming right up,” Mary Jane said as she eased the menu away from the table.
She darted back from the table and gave me a look when Mrs. Evans wasn’t watching. Now that that was over, we would have to talk to each other. What would we say? I had no idea. I supposed I could talk about the holiday festival, but that had been a sore subject.
“I have to admit I was surprised that you called and asked me to have dinner with you,” I said.
“Well, it just hit me all of a sudden that you are such a charming woman and that I should get to know you better. It would be easier for the holiday festival too.”
“Yes, I suppose it would be easier,” I said. “It’s just that you seemed unhappy with me earlier, so for you to make such a big change is a bit odd. You understand?”
“Whatever do you mean, dear? I didn’t realize that I was doing anything wrong.”
Maybe she really hadn’t realized her behavior had been rude. I could believe that. So I guessed I was supposed to just go along with this. I would be nice to her now, although I wasn’t sure what to talk about.
“Is there anything else you need for the festival?” I asked.
Just as she was about to speak, her phone rang. “If you’ll excuse me. I hate to be rude, but I need to take this call. It’s from the lovely lady you met at the office.”
“The one who didn’t think you liked me all that much.”
“Yes. how could I forget?”
Mrs. Evans answered the call and I tried not to pay attention, but she was sitting right in front of me, so it was kind of hard.
Her eyes widened. “Well, yes, I realize that. I can be there soon.”
Oh, now maybe she had to go, and I would be able to cut this dinner short.
When she ended the call, I asked, “Is everything all right?”
“It’s just that she had a problem with one of the other employees and didn’t know how to handle it. Normally I would say I wouldn’t go back to work at such a late hour, but this needs to be taken care of. Normally Melinda is so tough and firm with everyone. It’s a bit surprising to see her be such a pushover.”
“You mean her personality changed?” I asked.
“Yes, it was so sudden. I’m sure it’s just something personal she’s going through.”
That was when it hit me. Mrs. Evans had gotten the wrong cookies. My spells had been completely messed up. It was making everyone be the opposite of what they truly were. When Tom found out about this he would freak out. He would probably put me in jail and close the café. That would be bad, but what would I do now?
“At least I can spend some time with you and finish dinner though,” Mrs. Evans said. “Is everything all right? You look upset. Did I do something to upset you, dear? I hope not.”
“Everything is fine,” I said with a forced smile.
There was no way I was going to let her know that I had accidentally given her a spell. How could I let this happen? I’d been so careful with marking the containers. There was no way they could’ve gotten switched.
Mary Jane came over with our food now. I hoped Mrs. Evans ate quickly. I had to tell somebody about what it happened. Maybe I could excuse myself from the table and speak with Mary Jane about this. She would have an idea of what I could do. Anything to avoid telling Tom about this. Could I do a reverse spell? How long would the spell last? I wasn’t sure, but I had to find out right away.
“I hope you like the food,” I said.
“I’m sure it will be delightful,” Mrs. Evans stuck her fork into the entrée and took a big bite. “Oh, this is scrumptious. You are the best cook in the world.”
She would’ve never said that before the spell. Now I knew for sure that it was working. Except this wasn’t the person I wanted to have a spell and the spell was wrong. It was all wrong and I wasn’t sure how I had gotten mixed up.
I barely touched my food, of course, but Mrs. Evans quickly devoured her entire dish.
“That was so delicious. Thank you so much. How much do I owe you?”
“It’s no charge,” I said.
“But I invited you to dinner. I didn’t expect you to pay for it.”
“Well, maybe you can take me out again sometime.”
She screeched as if she had been pinched or something. Mary Jane and Laura rushed over
“Is everything okay?”
“I think she was just excited,” I said.
“I would love to go out again,” Mrs. Evans said.
Mary Jane’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe that I had agreed to do this all over again.
“All right, I’ll call you,” I said.
“We still need to discuss the festival,” she said. “Plus, you’re coming to the festival as my special guest, right?” Mrs. Evans asked.
“Absolutely,” I said with a forced smile.
“I’ll see you soon.” And with that she walked out the door.
I was just as confused now as I have been when she first arrived. But for completely different reasons.
“What was that all about?” Mary Jane asked. “Why are you going to dinner with her again and being her special guest at the festival? It’s as if we’re in some kind of different dimension. An alternate universe.”
“I have something to tell you,” I said.
“This doesn’t sound good,” Mary Jane said.
“It’s not good and I’m not sure what to do about it. When I tell you this it cannot leave this room, okay?”
Laura and Mary Jane nodded without saying a word. They looked terrified.
“I accidentally gave Mrs. Evans the wrong spell.”
Both of their mouths dropped open.
“How did this happen?” Mary Jane asked.
“I have no idea. If Tom finds out then I’m in big trouble.”
Chapter 17
“I know what I need to do right now,” I said as I jumped up from the table and headed across the floor.
Mary Jane and Laura hurried behind me.
“What are you going to do now?” Mary Jane asked from over my shoulder.
“I have to check the book and see if I can get a spell that will get rid of this mess. Something that will make people just happy, but not too happy. I don’t know.” I waved my hands in a panic. “I don’t know what I’m looking for. I’m in a panic.”
“I can see that,” Mary Jane said.
I hit the kitchen door with the palms of my hands and burst into the area. My attention went directly to the spellbook on the shelf. I ran over and grabbed the thing, wobbling back and forth under the weight of the book. I slammed the book down onto the island with a thud.
“Why is that thing so big?” Mary Jane asked.
“I guess to fit all the magic,” I said.
I flipped open the cover and started leafing through the pages. I had no idea what I was looking for, but maybe I should wait and see if the spell magically moved to the right page. That had been a fluke before. I shouldn’t count on something like that again. That wasn’t the way the magic worked. Although I wished it was.
“Well, here’s a spell for happiness.” I tapped the page.
“But if they’re already happy then you don’t want it to be even worse.”
“I don’t have a spell to turn someone back to an angry mean lady.”
Laura laughed. I glanced over at her.
“Sorry,” she said.
“It’s okay. I guess it was kind of funny. In a weird kind of way. Y’all can laugh more if I ever get this worked out. In the meantime, I have to make sure Tom doesn’t find out.”
“Tom doesn’t
find out what?” Tom asked from somewhere behind me.
When I screamed, Laura and Mary Jane screamed as well. I thought I might pass out. My legs shook and I had to grab the island to keep from toppling over. I still couldn’t tell him the truth.
“Okay, if you must know, I was baking you a cherry pie to thank you for all the hard work you’re doing. I wanted it to be a surprise.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Now you’ve ruined the surprise.”
Tom stared at me. I knew he didn’t believe me. Back to that facial expression thing that I needed to work on. But I’d already said it now and I couldn’t take it back. I had to continue with my lie. His focus was still on me. Mary Jane and Laura seemed nervous, as if they would rat me out if Tom confronted them. Mary Jane would try hard to keep quiet, but I didn’t know about Laura. I didn’t know much about her. She might accidentally blab. I hoped she could keep her mouth shut.
“Why do you have the spellbook out if you’re making me a cherry pie?”
“Oh, this?” I pointed. “I was just showing Laura a spell that she needs to do for the mashed potatoes.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“We’re ready to make your pie now. Did you have something you need to tell me?” I asked.
“Can I talk to you out here?” Tom gestured.
With a pit in my stomach, I moved away from the island and over to the door. Tom and I stepped out into the dining area.
“I was basically just coming to check on you and make sure everything was all right. Now I’m a bit suspicious,” Tom said with a quirk of his eyebrow.
I laughed nervously again. “Now my surprise is ruined.”
“Yes, you said that. I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear anything about the pie,” Tom said.
“Do you have any news for me?” I knew my voice sounded nervous still.
Things were probably getting worse by the second. Although it was probably better that the detectives didn’t get the cookies with the spell. The thought of how bad it could’ve been made me shiver on the inside. If their personalities were opposite it could’ve been a catastrophe.
“I guess I should get back to the other detectives and let you get to that cherry pie,” he said.