by Robyn Neeley
“. . . Unplanned pregnancy?” Caitlin finished her sentence.
Laughing, Abby touched Caitlin’s plastic cup with hers. “Well, yes. But also—here’s to us being the hottest moms in Buttermilk Falls.”
“Here, here.” They clinked cups just as Brandon, Jason, and Emma came barreling into the kitchen. Jason looked like he’d seen a ghost while Brandon began to pace from the door to the freezer and back.
Abby grabbed her husband’s arm to stop him. “What happened up there?” She glanced over at Emma, who was holding a rectangular, robin’s-egg blue box covered in dust.
“What a pretty box.” Caitlin felt a little out of place since she was all but sure the conversation was going to go into ghosts or witches territory. Just because her babies had Stevens’ blood running through them didn’t mean she had to partake.
She pushed off the counter. Maybe she should go find Tom and Bridget and see if they could take her home. “I think I should call it a night. It’s been a long day. Happy New Y—”
“Not so fast.” Emma reached for her arm. “This involves you, too.”
“Me?” Caitlin asked. “What do I have to do with whatever you found upstairs?”
Emma laid the box down on the kitchen’s island. Caitlin eyed the exquisite pearl embroidery. She loved vintage boxes, and this definitely was one.
“The attic was empty except for this.” Emma glanced over at Caitlin. “It has your name on it.”
“My name?” Caitlin eyed the box and sure enough, her name had been embroidered on the lower right hand corner. Her eyes widened. Hers wasn’t the only name.
“Let me see.” Abby came in between them and peered down. “Caitlin and Josh,” she read out loud. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“What’s inside?” Caitlin asked in barely a whisper.
“I didn’t open it.” Emma shook her head.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Abby touched the lid, but Emma moved her hand and slid the box in front of Caitlin. “It’s addressed to Caitlin. She should open it.”
“Oh, I don’t know . . .” Caitlin took a step back.
Abby gave her a nudge. “Don’t be scared. It’s probably empty.”
“Okay.” Caitlin placed her hands on the dusty box and pulled up. Inside was a cream-colored cloth with a matching cream notecard on top. She pulled it out and opened it.
Truth was the only word written in the middle in cursive. Odd. She set the card down and unfolded the cream-colored cloth. Both Abby and Emma gasped.
“What is it?” Jason asked.
“Abby, do you think this is what Josh needs to perform the Batter Up spell?” Caitlin deadpanned as she held up a shimmering blue mixing spoon.