Once behind the wheel of my car, I headed toward town. I was still trying to figure out why my uncle was hanging out with Charlie. I was probably reading too much into it, but I still thought they had made friends way too soon. Fitzgerald claimed he wanted to get to know me more, so why the first chance he got to go somewhere with me did he take off with a stranger? That was only a question he could answer. But right now I didn’t even feel like asking. I would let it go.
Within a short time, I had navigated the streets of historic Enchantment Pointe and reached my mother’s shop. The historic section of town housed all the specialty shops and boutiques. The main road ran along the river, twisting and turning. A stone wall surrounded the outer edge of town with cobblestone sidewalks and wrought-iron accents sprinkled around.
I pulled up to the nearest parking space in front and jumped out. I couldn’t wait to tell my mother about what had happened now. Would she think it was as strange as I did?
Her store had a large sign that hung above the door that read in fancy black letters, ‘Bewitching Bath and Potions.’ Her place was in an old brick building that had been around since the 1800s. There was a Sit-a-Spell Bakery on one side and an antique shop on the other.
Annette LaVeau made all the items right there in her shop. Her merchandise included soaps, lotions, scrubs, and bath salts. She had a special knack for mixing scents—magical oils were her specialty. She was a workaholic when it came to her business: sections of the store were designated for specific items, and you’d better not get them out of place either. Fragrances, oils, powders and herbs on the right. Soaps, shower gels, lotions, shampoos and conditioners on the left.
When I pushed through the door, I spotted Annabelle behind the counter. Fat bars of sunlight streamed through the windows and brightened the already white space.
She smiled when she saw me walking her way. A large pot surrounded by ingredients covered the space in front of her. “Am I glad you’re here.”
Uh-oh. I hoped my mother hadn’t given her too much trouble.
My mother popped out from behind the curtain that led from the back of the store.
“Welcome to Bewitching…” She stopped when she realized it was me. “Oh, it’s just you.”
One. Two. Yes, both her eyebrows were in place. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a twist at the back of her head. She wore a bright pink blouse with matching pants. Her makeup was perfect, even her eyebrows, which was no easy feat since I’d accidentally scorched one off in a botched magic spell. Lucky for me my mother reserved reminding me about scaring her for life to mostly just family functions.
“Where is he?” My mother looked over my shoulder.
“You mean my long-lost uncle? He left with that investigator Charlie.” I tapped my fingers against the counter and gave her that stern look I’d gotten from her over the years.
My mother quirked her one real eyebrow. “Where did they go?”
I shrugged. “They said they were coming to town, but I’m not sure why.” I picked up a new lavender-scented soap my mother had made.
My mother wiped her hands on her apron. “I have to tell you that your uncle is weird.”
“This is not a surprise to me now that I’ve met him,” I said.
“He sounds eccentric,” Annabelle said as she poured a potion into the cauldron. She looked like an old pro back there behind the counter.
“The whole family is strange.” My mother threw spices into the cauldron, causing yellow sparks to fly into the air.
While I did agree with her about the odd Flannigan family, I couldn’t help but remember that some of their weird blood coursed through my veins.
The bell over the door jingled and we turned to see who had entered. A smile spread across Uncle Fitzgerald’s face from ear to ear as he walked toward us.
“Speak of the devil,” Annabelle said under her breath.
I didn’t even want to think of devils after recently dealing with demons. Where was Charlie? Fitzgerald could have just caught a ride with me if she was just going to dump him. I wasn’t so sure he should be walking around by himself. Fitzgerald looked like the type who could easily find himself in trouble. As a matter of fact, I bet trouble followed him everywhere he went.
“Good afternoon, beautiful ladies. I thought I’d stop in and see how things were going.” He picked up a bottle of magical shampoo and studied the label. “Does this stuff work?”
My mother closed the distance between them and took the bottle from his hands. “Of course it works. What kind of place do you think I’m running here?”
He seemed unfazed by her comment as he moved on to the wall with various soaps. I exchanged looks with Annabelle and my mother.
“Uncle Fitzgerald, where is Charlie?” I asked.
He looked at me, perplexed. “Who?”
“The woman who drove you to town?”
This time he stared at me blankly, but then finally said, “Oh, yes, she dropped me off at the bakery and I walked over here.”
I nodded. “I thought you were going to hang out with her.”
“Hang out?” he asked with a quirked bushy brow. “No. I don’t think she wants to hang out with an old man like me.” He held his belly as he laughed. “I’d just slow her down.”
“Where did she go?” I peeked out the window, thinking I might see her.
He looked at a lavender and vanilla face-moisturizing cream. “You know, I need some of this for my wrinkles.” Uncle Fitz pointed at the wrinkles around his eyes.
Annabelle giggled.
“Uncle Fitzgerald, where is Charlie?” I asked again.
“Oh, I don’t know, she didn’t say.”
I might not know where she was, but she would no doubt be back at LaVeau Manor soon.
“Say, I have a good idea,” he said with a point of his finger.
“What’s that?” I frowned. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear this idea of his.
“How about I cook dinner for everyone? I am a fantastic cook. I can whip up something great.” He flashed a smile at us.
I looked at Annabelle and my mother.
“That’s such a sweet gesture, Fitzgerald,” my mother said. “We’d love to.”
“Sure, that would be great, Fitzgerald.” That was awfully sweet of him.
“I suppose I will need a ride home though, Hallie. I’m not sure Charlie will be back this way for some time.” He sniffed another bottle of lotion.
“Okay, sure, Uncle Fitz,” I said.
Fitzgerald was simply too long. From this point forward he would be Fitz. He didn’t seem to notice or care.
“I’ll just pick up a few things from the store.” He waved as he ambled out the store. “It won’t take me long. I enjoy the walk. I’ll be back soon.” He mumbled to himself as he walked out the door. “I’ll need chicken, rice, asparagus…”
After a couple hours, Uncle Fitz met me back at the store and after loading the groceries into the car, we headed toward the manor. My mother and Annabelle were coming by later. This should make for an interesting evening.
Chapter Five
Uncle Fitz and I traveled the streets of Enchantment Pointe back to the manor. Clouds were forming in the distance and I expected it would rain soon. After parking in front, I hurried out of the car and grabbed the bags before Uncle Fitz had a chance to get them. A stone fence separated my property from the main road, and a crushed pebble circle drive spanned the length of the manor. Walls of trees flanked both sides of the property all the way down to the river. The massive structure towered over me. Branches on the old oak trees swayed in the wind, as if waving a warning. There was an undeniable essence of mystery about the house. I suspected that the place held secrets other than the Book of Mystics, things that I hadn’t even begun to discover.
I carried the groceries into the house, but Uncle Fitz wouldn’t allow me in the kitchen to help with dinner. He insisted that he prepare the meal entirely by himself.
The sun dipped toward the horizon
, the last faint color of the day lingering in the sky. It would be dark soon. The clouds rolled in closer. My stomach rumbled and I wondered how much longer he would be. I paced in the parlor, listening for a fire or explosion from the kitchen. So far I’d only heard the clatter from a few pots and pans. Nicolas, Annabelle, and my mother would be here soon. So far, Charlie hadn’t shown up. I’d told Uncle Fitz to set a place for her just in case she came back in time for dinner.
A hand wrapped around my shoulder and I spun around ready to kick whoever was behind me in the groin.
Nicolas held his hands up. “Whoa. It’s just me.”
I lowered my fists. “Sorry. I’m still a little jumpy.”
He pulled me close, pressing his hard chest against mine. “It’s understandable. After all that’s happened.”
Pans clattered in the kitchen.
“What’s going on in there?” he asked.
“My uncle is making dinner for everyone.”
Nicolas nodded. “Interesting. And who is this uncle?”
“My father’s brother. I don’t really know him, but my mother vouched for him.”
Nicolas looked in the direction of the kitchen. Of course he couldn’t see all the way in there.
Nicolas patted his flat stomach. “Am I invited to dinner?”
“Of course. I thought I told you.”
“No, you asked what time I would be here, but you didn’t mention dinner.” Nicolas peered toward the kitchen. “Is he using magic in there?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. As long as it’s taking him, I hope he’s not using magic because he’s worse than me.”
“Do you know what he’s cooking?” Nicolas asked.
“I have no idea, but I’m starving so I hope it won’t be much longer.”
Nicolas looked at his gold wristwatch. “Is it just the three of us for dinner?”
“Annabelle and my mother are coming over. Charlie hasn’t been back since she left earlier today. She dropped off Uncle Fitz and I brought him back home with me. I certainly don’t mind that she has been gone this long though.”
Nicolas leaned down to kiss me, but before his lips reached mine my phone rang, interrupting the moment.
He groaned and whispered, “Don’t answer that.”
“It might be my mother. If I don’t answer she’ll just keep calling until I do.”
He kept his arms around me for a moment and then released. “You’re right. My lips will be waiting for you,” he said with a smile.
“I’ll hold you to that.” I winked.
I rushed across the room and retrieved my cell phone from my purse. My stomach danced a little when I saw the number on the screen. I hadn’t meant for that reaction, but nonetheless, it had happened. Why was Liam calling? Just to say hello or was something wrong? It was bad that now every time he called I worried that there was a problem. It would take a while of having quiet before I would be able to let my guard down.
“Good evening,” I said when I answered the phone.
“Are you home?” Liam asked.
His voice sounded anything but calm. Panic surged through me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Are you home?” Liam repeated.
“Yes, I’m home. Why do you ask?” I glanced at Nicolas to see if he was watching me.
The doorbell rang, making me jump just a little bit.
“Do you want me to get that?” Nicolas mouthed.
“Meet me at your front door,” Liam said.
“What? Is that you at my front door?” I asked as I moved across the room toward the door.
Nicolas followed behind me. I was still holding the phone up to my ear when I opened the front door. Liam Rankin was standing in front of me also with his phone up to his ear.
“I guess we can hang up now, right?” I pointed to my phone.
He lowered his and I did the same.
Liam looked even more like his brother tonight because they wore the same color shirt and pants. Did they coordinate their outfits? Highly unlikely. Anyone who looked at the men knew instantly that they were brothers. Liam’s handsome features were highlighted by the glowing light from by the front door. His shirt stretched across his chest showcasing his muscular chest.
Liam looked over my shoulder at Nicolas and then back at me. I’d seen the look on Liam’s face before and it wasn’t a good sign. Something told me he wasn’t there to deliver good news. I should have known something was about to happen. I felt that weird vibe in the air again. It always materialized when something was wrong.
“What is wrong?” I asked.
“I tried to call you earlier but you never answered. That’s why I drove up here.” Liam shoved his phone into his pocket.
I wondered why he had driven all the way from New Orleans. It was about an hour away. I’d never heard my phone ring. Maybe I’d accidentally turned it off. No, because he’d called just now so that wasn’t possible. Something weird was going on around here again. I had a feeling it had to do with Charlie’s arrival. The timing was just too perfect.
“I just got a call. Charlie is missing.”
I shook my head. “What do you mean?”
“I got a call from one of the board members. He said he tried to call you but didn’t get an answer.”
“Clearly I need to get a new cell phone provider. Or they can send me a message via carrier pigeon.”
Liam smiled and then said, “They’ve tried to contact her all day and she didn’t answer.”
“Maybe Charlie needs a new carrier too. Seriously though, maybe the lines were down.” I stepped back so that Liam could enter.
Liam stepped through the door and glanced toward the back of the house. He probably smelled Uncle Fitz’s cooking. “Apparently Charlie was supposed to have a meeting and she missed it. They think something has happened to her.”
I folded my arms in front of my chest. “Well, I think it’s a little too soon to think that. I saw her this morning.”
“But you haven’t seen her since?” Liam asked.
“Well, no, but it hasn’t been twenty-four hours,” I said.
Liam exchanged a look from me to Nicolas. “Just to be safe I think we should look for her.”
“I think Hallie’s right, it may be too soon to go out looking for her,” Nicolas said.
Liam stared at him for a moment. “Just trust me on this. We should look for her.”
Nicolas shook his head. Surprisingly Nicolas hadn’t argued the fact with his brother. That made me happy. I didn’t want the two of them to get into a fight right now.
I would have to stop this exchange. I’d go along with what Liam said, but I didn’t know why he seemed so worried. Charlie was probably out shopping.
“Okay, so how do we find her?” I asked. Liam must have his reasons for wanting to look for Charlie so soon.
“Who was the last person to see her? Was it you?”
I nodded. “Yes, I saw her here this morning and then she left for town. Oh, wait. My uncle left with her this morning.”
“Your uncle?” Liam asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes, Fitzgerald Flannigan. He rode with her to town, but she dropped him off at the bakery and we haven’t seen her since.”
“Where is your uncle now?” Liam looked over his shoulder.
“You won’t find a car out there. He didn’t drive here.” I motioned over my shoulder. “He’s in the kitchen making dinner.”
“Why don’t you tell us why you are so concerned with finding Charlie so soon? She’s probably just around town,” Nicolas said.
Liam stared for a moment. The look of concern on Liam’s face was troubling. “Okay. I’ll tell you why. The board thinks that Hallie had something to do with her disappearance.”
“What?” Nicolas and I said in unison.
“That is crazy. You know I had nothing to do with that, right?” I looked at Liam.
He nodded. “Of course you didn’t have anything to do with it, Hallie
, but the board doesn’t know you like I do.”
Nicolas watched Liam and I interact. I wondered if he still thought about the time I’d spent with Liam. Yes, I’d kissed Liam, but I was with Nicolas now. I knew Nicolas was thinking about my time with Liam. But knowing that the board thought I was involved in Charlie’s disappearance was disturbing. We didn’t even know that anything had happened to her, but regardless I had to find her now.
“Did anyone drive through town to see if her car was parked somewhere?” I asked.
“No, not that I know of,” Liam said.
That would be the first thing to do. She was probably in town shopping and had forgotten her appointment. Something could be wrong with the cell coverage in town. It had happened before. Although the last time had been because of a spell.
Footsteps sounded from behind us and I turned around. Uncle Fitz was walking toward us. He was wearing my orange and black polka-dot apron with the ruffles on the front. Of course on me it came down to my knees. On Uncle Fitz it only covered his chest. He eyed the men and then finally offered his big smile.
“Hello, gentlemen. I didn’t know you would have so many guests, Hallie, I hope I prepared enough dinner.”
“I’m afraid dinner will have to wait, Uncle Fitz. We have a bit of a problem on our hands.”
The smile disappeared from his face. “Oh, dear. Is everything okay?” He stepped closer.
“It seems that the board is looking for Charlie. No one has talked with her since this morning. Actually you were the last person to see or talk with her.”
“Where was the last place you saw her?” Liam asked.
Uncle Fitz gave him a look that said, Who the hell are you? But his expression turned to sweetness again when he looked at me.
“Sorry, Uncle Fitz, this is Liam Rankin. He is the leader of the New Orleans Coven and a friend. This is Nicolas Marcos. He is the Enchantment Pointe leader and…” Oh, now I had to actually say it in front of Liam. “Nicolas is my boyfriend.”
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