02 Pies and Potions - Mystic Cafe

by Rose Pressey

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The sun shone through the window, casting a yellow glow over the café dining room, but there may as well have been a dark cloud hanging over the entire area. Mary Jane sat at our favorite booth at the front of the café, trying to make sense of what had happened the night before. Yes, it was breakfast hours, but the tables were empty. Suddenly, we had no customers. I knew it was because of the murder here last night. Where were the usual gossip mongers?

  “How are things with the sheriff?” I asked as Mary Jane moved over to the counter. “This murder investigation must have put a strain on your relationship. I am so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”

  “What are you talking about? Of course you didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s not your fault.”

  I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that it could easily be all my fault. Sure, I hadn’t killed Mr. Wibble, but I had possibly messed up the potion spell, and I was sure that was what was responsible for Mr. Wibble’s death. It was too much of a coincidence for it not to be.

  I sighed. “Things started messing up when I came back to town.”

  “I don’t even want to hear you say such things. I messed up the first time.”

  She was right about that, but maybe I was like a bad luck charm, wherever I went in town bad things happened. Unlucky, that was me.

  Mary Jane returned and placed a mug of hot chocolate in front of me. “You need extra marshmallows.” She plopped a handful on top of the liquid. “We’re doing okay, I guess.” She shrugged.

  “If things are fine, then you have a funny way of showing it. You don’t sound so confident. You two look happy together.”

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure if he’s all that into me.”

  “What makes you say that? Every time he sees you he’s smiling,” I said.

  “I think he’s just a friendly guy. He smiles at everyone.” She took a sip from her mug.

  “Yeah, right. Are you supposed to see him again soon?”

  “He said he’d stop by tonight, but he just called and cancelled. I don’t know when we’ll go out again which makes me think that we won’t be going out again at all.”

  “Well, he does have a murder investigation to deal with now. I’m sure things will be fine. Just keep the positive attitude.” I winked.

  Mary Jane could use some of the magic, but with it not working as well on her, I wasn’t sure what to do. Some people had a tougher time responding to the magic and unfortunately Mary Jane was one of them. It was as if she were immune to it. But if Mary Jane couldn’t accept the magic, Sheriff Jasper could. What was I thinking though? So far magic had caused nothing but problems for me. With the latest developments, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. Not that I’d be given a choice by the Organization.

  “Maybe Sheriff Jasper needs a little bit of help in the love department.” Mary Jane stared at me, not shifting her gaze.

  “Oh, I know where you’re going with this conversation. Are you sure that’s such a good idea?” Okay, I’d thought of it, but I wouldn’t have suggested it. I was sneaky like that sometimes. If she thought it was her idea… then my magic wouldn’t be a bad thing.

  “It would just move things along, that’s all,” she said. “If he really is interested in me, I’d know. Besides, you gave him the cherry pie to begin with. What’s the difference now?”

  I paused, watching the pleading look on her face. How could I say no to her? She was like a puppy dog and I was a sucker for puppies.

  “Well, I guess we could fix his favorite cherry pie. It would just be a spell for him to tell you his true feelings. Nothing more.”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t want anything more.” She smiled.

  A woman neared the café and I held my breath wishing her to enter, but she continued walking. The Organization wouldn’t need to close the café. With no customers, there would be no café to close.

  “I probably shouldn’t be doing any magic right now.”

  “Did they tell you not to?”

  I shook my head. “No, not yet anyway.”

  “So when do we do this?” She jumped up.

  I was guessing by her burst of energy that she was ready to do it right away. “Well, I guess there’s no time like the present.” I sighed and slid out of the booth. I just hoped she was ready for the potential outcome. Did she know what she was getting herself into?

  “I’ll take him a slice of his favorite pie and a cup of coffee.” She winked.

  “He still hasn’t replaced that old coffeemaker in the police station, huh? Not that I’m complaining because that means they’ll come in here more often.”

  “Nope, they’re still drinking that stuff they call coffee. It’s enough to put hair on your chest.” She shivered.

  “That’s not a good thing.” I laughed.

  “No.” She chuckled.

  I pushed to my feet. “Let’s hurry up. I don’t want Tom to come back and see me doing a love spell.”

  She frowned. “And why is that?”

  I shook my head. “It’s just better that way.”

  “Hmm,” she said.

  When she kept glaring at me, I finally said, “I don’t want him to make fun of me for playing Cupid, that’s all.”

  “He knows you do magic. And I know he knows that love spells are involved.”

  “Yeah, but a love spell is what got him here in the first place.” I didn’t want to tell her what had happened between us. The feelings that I’d been having. She’d only tell me “I told you so.”

  “You’re right. So love spells have a special meaning for you two?” Mary Jane followed along behind me.

  “I guess you could say that. But I don’t think it means anything,” I said as I pushed through the kitchen door.

  “Where is Tom anyway?” Mary Jane asked.

  I pulled the Mystic Magic book down from the shelf. “I haven’t seen him since last night when he was talking with Sheriff Jasper. I’m a little concerned.”

  “How did he take the news about Mr. Wibble?”

  I shrugged while pulling the spices from the shelf. “As well as can be expected, I guess. I called his cell phone, but he didn’t answer.” I grabbed a bowl and placed it on the island counter. “I have a feeling Sydney will be visiting soon.”

  “They’ve talked to Tom. Why were they still hanging around?”

  “Do you know what’s been going on around Mystic Hollow? Sydney wants to close the whole town down.”

  Mary Jane had cut a large slice of double chocolate cake and plopped it onto a plate. “Can she do that?” she asked before stuffing a forkful in her mouth.

  “Unfortunately, yes, she can. With the way things are going around here, she needs to find out where the magic came from. Although I’m sure she’s decided that it’s Tom who is guilty of this.” I flipped to the love spell section.

  “I know we’ll work this out so I hope you don’t let it stress you out too much.”

  “You’re right,” I said. “Like Grandma Imelda says, everything happens for a reason, so if it’s meant for me not to perform magic anymore, then that’s the way it’ll have to be.”

  I prayed that this spell gave Mary Jane the answers she needed. She’d be over the moon if it did. Mary Jane hadn’t had this much bounce in her step since she hit that half-off sale at Dress Barn.

  “What about that spell?” she asked, as she watched from over my shoulder. “Remember he likes cherries and lots of icing.”

  “You know my motto, the more icing the better.”

  My new cherry pie recipe had been a huge hit with Sheriff Jasper. Cherry Crumble Pie was one of my newest creations and one of my favorites, too.

  I combined the smooth flour with salt, butter, and water to form the dough. When I touched the dough, I filled my mind with positive thoughts. Negative thoughts while preparing any dish wouldn’t help with spell casting. It would be almost impossible to have a positive outlook with all that had happened, but for Mary Jane I had to
do this. Grandma Imelda had always said a loving heart made for heavenly cuisine.

  With one glide of the rolling pin, Mary Jane’s happiness popped into my thoughts. Another slide across the dough brought visions of Grandma’s sweet smile and rosy cheeks. With another swipe of the pin, I almost felt Rory’s soft lips on mine. Then another roll across the dough made Tom’s face flash through my mind. Not what I’d been expecting.

  Once I’d finished rolling, I smoothed down the crust with my open palms. Next, I placed it into the dish, covering every inch of the glass. In the center of the pie, I added my signature little heart made from extra dough that I’d cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. My ultimate love pies.

  “You’ve gotten really good at this,” Mary Jane said as I poured filling into the crust. The smell of cherries and butter filled the air.

  “Practice makes perfect.” I rubbed flour on her nose.

  When I added the spices across the pie, they sparked and popped. The red and blue lights twirled as I recited the words.

  “Let his love be known. His affection well aware. He should not be afraid to share.”

  “Did you make that up?” Mary Jane asked.

  I chuckled. “Yeah, you like it?”

  She smiled. “I do.”

  ***

  When I pulled the yummy goodness from the oven, Mary Jane watched from over my shoulder.

  “That’s about the best thing I’ve ever smelled,” she said.

  I inhaled the scent of golden crust and warm cherries. “If the spell doesn’t work at least he’ll get a delicious pie.”

  “Your magic is wonderful, Elly. You worry too much.” Mary Jane squeezed my shoulders.

  “We all have our faults, I guess.”

  “Now I have to get it to him.” Mary Jane slipped the apron off.

  “I’m still not sure why you’re worried. That hunky sheriff has the hots for you. The only thing you need is more confidence.”

  “I’m working on it,” she said while adding a fresh coat of lipstick.

  “Go get him.”

  The pie had just come out of the oven when Tom stepped through the door. He looked extremely troubled with darkened circles under his eyes. I knew he tried to hide his feelings behind a slanted grin.

  “Tom, you didn’t have to come in today,” I said, moving over to his side.

  The look on his face told me that the gravity of the situation had finally hit him. I still couldn’t believe a man had been murdered behind Mystic Café. I hugged Tom and the electricity zinged between us, almost knocking me back. He held me as if he didn’t want to let go. Mary Jane motioned that she’d be in the dining area, giving us some alone time. Finally, he broke our embrace.

  “Who did this, Tom?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”

  “What happened with Sydney?” I asked. “Where did you go with her yesterday?”

  He shook his head. “I tried to reason with her, but she’s just doing her job. She’s only a trainee… or was until I was forced out. When I left, she was immediately promoted to investigator. That’s a lot to take on,” he said.

  “I had no idea. And now she’s lost Mr.Wibble.”

  He nodded. “We need to act fast if we want to find Mr. Wibble’s killer and keep the town from shutting down.”

  “Won’t the police find the killer?”

  “Do you really think I’m going to sit around and wait for the police?”

  “Don’t let Mary Jane hear you say that.” I flashed him a rueful smile.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Tom was being tough about this, but I didn’t believe him when he said he was fine. Magic was his life. What would he do without it?

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the mistake with the potion.” I picked at a towel on the counter to avoid looking at him.

  “You should have, but we can’t worry about that right now. If you want to keep the Organization away from here you have to follow the rules.” His tone was even and calm, soothing.

  “Did the added potion cause what’s happening?” I asked, finally looking up at him.

  “I can’t see how it would make people act this crazy. If anything it would make them silly with happiness, not have the opposite effect.” He stepped closer.

  What he said made sense and I wanted to believe him, but there was always that little doubt.

  “Have you talked to the other shop owners?” I asked.

  He paused and leaned against the counter. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  My heart thumped a little faster. “This doesn’t sound good.”

  “I want to speak with everyone in town who practices the magic. Do you think you could do it with me like last time?”

  “Work with you to figure out what’s going on?” Just like old times.

  He nodded and folded his arms in front of his muscular chest. “That pretty much sums it up, yes.”

  How could I turn him down? “Maybe Mary Jane would like to help as well.”

  Okay, she hadn’t volunteered, but at least that wouldn’t leave Tom and I alone for long.

  “Would that work for you?” I asked.

  “I’d love to have her help. The more the merrier.” A flash of disappointment shone in his eyes.

  I fought off the melancholy that his expression brought and asked, “Where do we start?”

  “I know a lot of strange things have been going on at the barbershop, The Plaid Peacock, and the bookstore.”

  “What type of stuff has been going on?”

  “The spells that are performed are the exact opposite. Happiness brings depression. The health spells aren’t working and the love spells make the person standoffish and uninterested. Hell, you’ve seen the strange behavior.”

  I sighed. Unfortunately, I’d seen the spells and knew exactly how bad things were. “How does Sydney propose to shut the whole town down when not everyone even knows about the magic? Does she want to tell everyone in Mystic Hollow?”

  “No. nothing like that. She’ll just close the businesses. Everyone would move. Mystic Hollow would cease to exist.”

  The bell on the door jangled. “I’ll close the café early and we’ll go.”

  When I got to the dining room, a few customers had trickled in. They were probably tourists. That was the only way someone would dare enter the café today. Mary Jane and Tom took their orders while I retreated to the kitchen to prepare the food.

  When the few customers had been served, the three of us watched the front of the café. My emotions were mixed. On one hand, I prayed for more customers, but on the other, I knew we needed to get started with our sleuthing mission.

  When Tom slipped off into the kitchen, I took that opportunity to talk with Mary Jane about our plan and what I’d volunteered her for.

  “Did I overhear that you’re going somewhere with Tom? What’s that all about?” Mary Jane asked.

  “That’s what I need to talk with you about.” I brushed imaginary crumbs from the counter. “Tom wants to speak with every shop owner. Of course, that will take a great deal of time, so we have to work fast.”

  She nodded. “And…”

  “Sydney will shut the whole town down if we don’t hurry.”

  “I still can’t believe she’s convinced that Tom is responsible for what happened.”

  “She probably blames him for Mr. Wibble’s death. Which I can’t even wrap my mind around. He wouldn’t do something like that to Mystic Hollow, let alone murder someone. Anyway, we want to do some investigating of our own.”

  “Good luck, Elly.”

  “Would you like to help us? Just kind of go around and talk to some people and see what we can find out? Maybe we’ll find a clue.”

  “Or maybe we won’t.” She sighed.

  “Now, don’t be negative. Positive thinking, remember?” I attempted a smile.

  “You’re right. You have to try something, I guess. I can help after
my classes.”

  I gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Thanks, Mary Jane.” I moved closer to the front door and peered out. “Sheriff Jasper and Rory have been hanging out a lot, don’t you think?” I pointed out the window when I saw them talking.

  She shifted from one foot to the other. “I didn’t know how to tell you this, so I didn’t say anything at all.”

  “You’re starting to worry me. What’s going on? Just spit it out. Is it really bad?”

  “No. Calm down. It’s not really bad. Okay, it is sort of, kinda bad, but we’ll work this out, so stay calm. It is a concern though, and I’m not sure what to do about it.”

  I motioned for her to continue. “Hurry, Mary Jane. What is it? You’re giving me a panic attack over here.”

  Finally, she said, “They’re convinced that Tom had something to do with the magic spell and possibly the murder, so they’ve decided to follow him, as if they’re going to catch him in the act or something. They don’t want anyone messing with this town. That was the sheriff’s quote, not mine. He thinks Tom took the murder weapon from your kitchen.”

  When it rained, it poured for Tom. Obviously, he had been in Mystic Café’s kitchen, but I knew Tom was capable of such a thing.

  “I can’t believe this. They think they’re going to be magic investigators now? What makes them so sure that Tom is responsible? I knew Rory thinks there’s something going on between me and Tom.”

  “Well, can you blame him? Tom is in love with you. It’s so obvious.”

  I didn’t know what to say. It was as if someone had sucked the air out of me. Okay, I knew there was a spark between us, but it wasn’t as if anything would ever come of it. Tom had come along at the wrong time. Maybe if I hadn’t met Rory first. But I couldn’t let Rory continue to blame Tom for something he hadn’t done. I was sure Tom wasn’t involved.

  “Well, you need to talk with him. Maybe get everything out in the open,” Mary Jane said.

  “In theory that sounds like the perfect thing to do. In reality, I don’t know how that will work. But I’m definitely going to try. I can’t let this continue.”