by Deanna Chase
“All right.” As Clay rose and followed Lorna into an office that had the same vibe as her reception area, he realized her brilliance. He’d walked in the office tense and antsy with irritation. But just sitting in her waiting room and talking informally had already eased some of his tension. For him, that was exactly what he needed. Otherwise he’d lose his mind.
In Lorna’s office, Clay sat in a comfortable armchair in front of her desk. She poured them both a cup of coffee and sat across from him, pen in hand. “Okay, tell me everything about Val, the good, the bad, the ugly. And don’t hold back.”
Clay sucked in a deep breath. “Okay, but remember… you asked for it.”
Chapter 16
Abby sat at the dining room table, working through her emails. A lot of product requests for the holidays had come in over the last few days, which meant she was going to have to get it together and get back to work. Ever since her failure to complete the potion for her dad, she’d been putting off making any new inventory. She just didn’t have it in her to use her magic, even if she knew it was working well enough for her product line.
The lead of the mechanical pencil scratched against the notebook paper as she logged the ingredients she’d need to restock. She was so engrossed in her work that it took her a moment to realize someone was laying into a horn out front of their house.
She got up and checked on her dad, finding him in the kitchen indulging in the brownies she’d made the night before. Finally, she thought. He’d barely eaten over the last few days, and while a brownie was hardly the height of nutrition, the calories were very welcome.
“Hey,” she said. “You expecting someone?”
“Nope,” he said and took a sip of his coffee. “None of my friends drive a party golf cart.”
“What? How do you know there’s a party cart out there?” she asked, laughing.
“I can tell by that sad horn.” He gave her a bob of his head. “Go on. Wanda’s waiting.”
Abby shook her head. How he knew Wanda was waiting, she had no idea. Sometimes he just had a strange sixth sense about things. She walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re something else, you know that?”
“That’s what the ladies tell me.”
Abby groaned and headed out to the front of their house. Sure enough, Wanda was sitting in her party cart, Bruno Mars blaring from the speakers. Her freshly dyed red hair bounced around her smiling face as she danced in her seat, arms raised in the air.
“Well, hello there,” Abby said, grinning at her. “What’s going on?”
“I came to kidnap you. Hop in.” She patted the seat next to her.
Abby glanced back at her house, chewing on her bottom lip. Her dad was having a good day.
“Come on. Live a little, Townsend. You’ve been home for over a week and no one has seen you. Well, no one but Clay.” She pumped her eyebrows. “I bet that was interesting.”
“What makes you think I’ve seen Clay?”
“Please.” She laughed, the sound so infectious it made Abby smile. “Everyone at the brewery is talking about you two being holed-up in the brew shed. Don’t even try to deny it.”
“I’m not,” Abby said as she rounded the cart and climbed in. “I just wanted to know who was talking about me.” She shrugged. “He was helping me out.”
“Is that what we’re calling it these days?” She winked, making it clear she was just teasing.
Abby considered explaining what exactly they’d been working on, but dismissed the idea. She didn’t need everyone’s advice on fixing her magic, and that’s exactly what she would get if the town found out she was trying to practice again. “If by ‘it’ you mean just friends, then sure.”
Wanda shook her head, her expression amused. “Girl, nothing about you and Clay was ever ‘just friends.’ But if that’s the call you want to make, I’m with you.”
“You know, you’re right about that. But this time, Wanda, it’s true. We’re just friends, or at least we’re friendly. We have a lot of history to unpack before we’re besties.”
“I hear that.” Wanda put the cart in gear and turned around. “You never did call me for that midnight run down by the lake. You up for it this weekend?”
The sun was shining down on them, warming not only Abby’s skin but also her heart. And with her dad doing okay, Abby couldn’t resist. “Yes. I’ll bring the Irish cocoa.”
“Now you’re talkin’ my language.” Wanda waved at the beverage holder. “There’s liquid courage in that water bottle if you need it.”
“Liquid courage? For what?” Abby asked.
“I found out who owns that white Mini Cooper you took out your first day in town.” Wanda paused at the end of the driveway then took a left turn, away from town. There were only a couple of houses out that way, including one Abby knew just as well as her own home.
“Wanda?” Abby asked, her heart racing. “Please tell me we aren’t going where I think we’re going.”
“Sorry. No can do.” The song shifted, and Abba started pouring out of the speakers. “Turns out that Mini Cooper belongs to none other than Mary Pelsh.”
Abby closed her eyes and took deep breaths, trying to settle herself. She hadn’t seen Charlotte’s mom since the funeral, though Hanna told her every chance she got that Charlotte’s parents really wanted to see Abby. And now she was going to make her grand debut by confessing to smashing in the rear of their brand new car.
“Just perfect,” she muttered. Of course it belonged to Mary. The way the universe had been working against her, that new development made perfect sense. She turned to Wanda. “Did we have to go right this minute?”
“No, but you know how gossip spreads through this town. She’s bound to find out it was you sooner rather than later, and I figured this isn’t something you want to let fester.” She pointed at the water bottle. “Drink. You need it.”
Abby eyed the bottle and raised a curious eyebrow. “What it is?”
“Booze! Don’t ask stupid questions. Just do what you have to do.”
“Right,” Abby said and grabbed the booze bottle. Then before she could think too hard about it, she twisted off the cap, and took a large swig. The Crown and Coke hit the back of her throat, and she winced as she forced it down. Abby wasn’t big on drinking hard alcohol, but she had to hand it to Wanda; if ever there was a time for it, this was it.
Wanda winked at her and steered the cart down the long winding driveway that led to the Pelsh’s property. Abby put the bottle back in the cup holder, thinking better of showing up sauced. That wasn’t how she wanted to speak to them for the first time in years. She had to get ahold of herself.
“Ready?” Wanda asked, pulling to a stop in front of their modest one story home.
“No.” But Abby climbed out of the cart anyway. Now that she was here, the desire to see Mary was overwhelming. Emotion welled in her chest, and suddenly it was a little harder to breathe. Still, her feet seemed to move on their own up the flower-lined walkway until she was standing at their front door.
Wanda was right behind her, and before Abby could change her mind, Wanda pressed the doorbell. Abby heard it ring inside the house, followed by the sharp bark of a dog.
The door swung open and Mary Pelsh appeared wearing leggings, a long tunic, and chic, black, knee-high boots. Shock rolled over her face as her dark eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Then she gasped as she stepped onto the porch and wrapped Abby in her arms.
“Abigail,” she said with a relieved sigh. “Hanna told me you were in town. I was so hoping you’d come by and see us.”
“I’m sorry,” Abby blurted and squeezed the woman who’d been like a second mother to her. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Mary pulled back slightly, searching Abby’s face. “Whatever do you have to be sorry about?”
Abby shook her head, unable to speak as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Oh, sweetie. Come in. I’ll get you a tissue and something to drink.”
Mary glanced over Abby’s shoulder and nodded at Wanda. “You, too. Let’s go sit and chat a bit.”
Mary kept her arm entwined with Abby’s as she guided her into the bright, sunny kitchen. “Have a seat,” she said, waving at the breakfast table. “I’ll get us some tea.”
“Thanks, Mary,” Wanda said and sat next to Abby near the bay window that looked out on the redwood forest.
Mary grabbed a sparkly wand, pointed it at the kettle on the stove, and said, “Prepare the tea.” The cabinet door just to the left of the stove opened, and a container of loose leaf tea flew out. The kettle floated to the sink where the faucet turned on by itself and filled the pot.
Abby couldn’t help but smile as she watched the spectacle. Mary was an air witch and extremely gifted at telekinesis. Only it was more than just moving objects with her mind. It was almost as if she communicated with the air around her, willing it to choreograph the dance required to make everything come together to produce the perfect cup of tea.
“How about a pastry or two?” Without waiting for an answer, Mary pointed her wand at a plate of Danishes and sent them to the table. Napkins, plates, and spoons followed, landing gently in front of both Wanda and Abby.
“Your skills have really improved, Mrs. P,” Abby said. “I can still remember the time you made cupcakes for Charlotte’s birthday.” She turned to Wanda. “But when she sent them to the table, they flew through the air spinning around and around and most of them ended up splattered on the table.” Abby laughed, still remembering the horrified look on Charlotte’s face. “But that was nothing compared to when one hit Andrew Baker right in his… um...” Abby pointed to her lap. “The kids started calling him cupcake balls.”
“Oh, that was horrible. Charlotte had a crush on him, too,” Mary added.
Abby nodded. “She sure did. And when they finally started dating in high school, she always affectionately called him cupcake.”
“So that’s where that nickname came from.” Wanda laughed. “You know he works at the police station now, and the other officers call him that. I just figured it was a rookie-hazing kind of thing.”
Abby shook her head. “Nope.”
“Thank goodness he’s always been a good-natured guy, or that could’ve scarred him for life,” Mary said with a shudder. “After that, I stopped showing off if the kids had friends over. I didn’t want another cupcake balls incident.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about now Mrs. P. Charlotte would be proud,” Abby said and was surprised to find that, for once, talking about Charlotte didn’t make her want to vomit. In fact, it was kind of nice to remember her as she was before she got sick.
“Thanks. I like to think so.” Mary took a seat next to Abby and pushed the Danishes in her direction. “Eat. You need something to soak up the alcohol in your system.”
“I…” Abby narrowed her eyes at Mary. “How did you know I’d had a drink? It was just one sip.”
“Air witch, remember?” She tapped her temple. “I just know things.”
Wanda snorted. “More like she can smell it.”
“That too.” Mary took a cheese Danish and tore off a piece before adding, “I have an extremely sensitive nose. If it’s in the air, I’m aware of it.”
Of course. Abby should’ve remembered that. Mrs. P could scent out just about anything—boys, booze, bullshit. She’d kept them on their toes, for sure. Abby grabbed a Danish of her own and nibbled on a small piece until the tea floated through the air and landed softly right in front of her. She picked up the cup and took a sip of the blueberry and sage blend. “It’s delicious.”
“It’s a favorite of mine.” Mary took her own sip and eyed Abby. “Now, Abigail, I think it’s time you told me exactly why you’ve stayed away for so long. You know we wanted to see you.”
Abby swallowed the rest of her pastry, her mouth suddenly dry, and she shook her head. “I just… couldn’t. Not after what happened.”
Mary’s hand closed over Abby’s. “And what is it you think happened?”
“I…” Abby looked to Wanda as if she had the answer, but Wanda hadn’t been there. She didn’t know what Abby knew. Finally, she turned and looked Mary in the eyes. “It’s my fault Charlotte died. I gave her an energy potion that masked her symptoms, and instead of asking for help, she tried to go to that stupid dance instead.”
Tears filled Mary’s eyes as she squeezed Abby’s hand harder. “You are not the reason Charlotte isn’t with us, Abby. You were only trying to help. No one blames you.”
“I do.” Abby’s voice was hollow, void of emotion. She had to get through this and finally say what she’d been holding in for so many years. “If it wasn’t for me, she would’ve been too weak to leave the house. You or your husband would’ve noticed and taken her to the healer, a real healer who knew what to do for her. Instead, because of me, she was feeling good that night. Good enough to put on that prom dress and act like everything was just fine. But it wasn’t. She was dying, and we were dancing, celebrating that we had our whole lives in front of us. If I’d known, I never would’ve… well, there are lots of things I’d do differently.”
Mary sat in silence, her eyes closed, shaking her head.
“I’m so, so sorry,” Abby said again and got up from the table. “I should go now. I never wanted to add to your pain. It’s why—”
“Abby!” Mary grabbed her hand and held on tightly. “There’s something you don’t know. Please have a seat.”
Abby froze, unsure of how to proceed. She’d been so certain the Pelshes would hate her after they found out she’d given Charlotte a potion when they’d specifically asked her not to. They’d asked her to let their healers deal with Charlotte’s illness. But Charlotte had told Abby it was just an infection. What could possible go wrong? The medication they’d had her on would clear it right up. What harm would a little energy potion be?
Mary’s sad eyes searched Abby’s. Then she averted her gaze and stared at the pastry in front of her. “Charlotte was sick for a long time.”
“What?” Abby and Wanda asked at the same time.
“She had an autoimmune disease that caused her to have a weakened immune system.”
Abby blinked. “She had an autoimmune disease? But how… I mean, why did she never tell us that?”
“She didn’t want anyone to treat her any differently,” Mary said with a sigh. “You remember how she’d be out sick a couple days every few months?”
“But she wasn’t really sick. She told us… oh.” Abby shook her head. How could she be so stupid? Charlotte had told them her mom liked to have spontaneous mother-daughter days where they’d head off to the beach or go out of town on long weekends. Abby had been so jealous, never questioning it might not be the truth.
“Technically, she wasn’t usually sick. We were off getting her treatments with a specialist in Salem. The disease she had is rare and only shows up in one percent of female witches. A healer back east was treating her. But eventually, the treatments stopped working.”
They stopped working. The words rang in Abby’s mind. Her friend had been very sick, and she’d known nothing about it. “What did you do?”
Mary pressed her lips together into a thin line, clearly struggling through this conversation. “We were trying some experimental treatments with a healer who was studying at Humboldt State. It was all trials. Most didn’t pan out, but one was promising and seemed to be helping. Then she got that lung infection. By then, she’d been battling her disease for ten years, Abby. She was fed up and just wanted to keep living her life. I’m not surprised she asked you for the energy potion. She was tired of missing out on life.”
“I appreciate that, Mrs. P. But I still don’t see how I’m not at fault. If I hadn’t—”
“She was dying, Abby. When she got the lung infection, the new treatment ceased to be effective. There was nothing out there to save her,” Mary said gently. “Don’t you see? Charlotte died living. It was her wish. She didn’t want to be
wasting away in a bed. She wanted to live life to the fullest, and you helped her do that.”
Abby stood abruptly, unable to accept what her friend’s mom was saying. “I know you’re trying to let me off the hook here, and I appreciate the effort, but I can’t ignore the fact that my potion caused her early demise.” Tears filled her eyes again, and she did nothing to stop them from spilling down her cheeks. “That’s something I’ll have to live with the rest of my life, knowing that you didn’t get to say goodbye, that she should’ve still had more time, that I went against your wishes. I was arrogant and thought I knew better. That arrogance cost me my best friend. So please, don’t try to make me feel better.”
Silence hung in the kitchen. Abby started to feel like a trapped animal, like the walls were closing in on her. She had to get out of there. Now. She turned to go, but Mary stood just as abruptly and wrapped her arms around Abby, clutching her so tightly Abby’s ribs started to ache.
“It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault,” Mary said over and over and over again. “Someday I hope you learn to stop blaming yourself because it’s not your fault. It never was and never could be.”
Abby hung on to Mary, letting herself be comforted in her embrace, but still knowing the truth. Her actions had taken her best friend from the earth too soon. The pain that knowledge brought her wasn’t likely to fade.
“Promise me something?” Mary asked.
“Anything,” Abby said, knowing she owed Mary whatever she asked for.
“Go see someone. Talk to someone about this.”
Abby stiffened. “I don’t—”
“Please, Abby.” Mary let her go and scooted around the counter. She reached in a drawer and produced a business card. “Talk to Doctor Kass. She really helped me get through the pain after we lost Charlotte.”
“I did talk to someone in New Orleans.” Abby ran her hands down her tear-stained face. “It didn’t… Well let’s just say it made things worse.”
“Oh, honey.” Mary grabbed her hands again. “I’m so sorry that didn’t work out. But Doctor Kass was a lifesaver. Nothing but a comfort to me. At least try? Try for Charlotte? She wouldn’t want you to be in such pain after all these years.”