Witch Me Luck (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Book 6)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “You’re going to be out in a few minutes.”

  “You’ll probably be at work when I wake up tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be right here,” Landon said, rubbing the back of my neck.

  “What about Sam?”

  “He turned himself in,” Landon said. “We were processing him when I got the call about you.”

  “You can let him go now,” I murmured. “He’s been cleared. We should tell Clove.”

  “Chief Terry is handling Sam and Clove. Don’t worry about that. Go to sleep.”

  I ran my fingers over the faint scar on his shoulder. “Now we’ve both been shot.”

  “Yeah, we’re quite the couple.” Landon brushed his lips against my forehead. “Go to sleep.”

  “Will you wake me up if Nick is caught?”

  “No. Go to sleep.”

  “He won’t be able to get far, will he?”

  “Bay, if I have to track him down and kill him myself, I’ll do it.”

  “I don’t want him dead,” I said. “He’s too stupid for that.”

  “We’ll talk about it tomorrow, Bay. I need you to go to sleep.”

  “What are you going to do?” I was barely holding on.

  “I’m going to watch you sleep and try to pretend that we didn’t get really, really lucky today.”

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured.

  “Why are you sorry?”

  “I told you I would be fine if I went to the Dandridge by myself,” I said. “Look what happened.”

  “You were right about Sam,” Landon said. “We had no way of knowing that Nick was following you. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  Landon nestled down under the blankets. “Bay?”

  “Hmm.”

  “You nearly scared the life out of me today.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” he said. “If you have nightmares, I’ll be right here.”

  “What if you have nightmares?”

  “I have the antidote right next to me,” he said, resting his cheek against my forehead. “Now go to sleep. I think I aged ten years today. I’m exhausted, and you need to rest. We’ll figure this all out in the morning.”

  “Okay.” I thought those were the last words I’d utter before sleep claimed me, but something else bubbled out of my mouth. “I love you.”

  Landon tightened his arms around me. “I love you, too. Now sleep.”

  Thirty-Three

  “What do you think they’re doing in there?”

  “Sleeping.”

  “Do you think they’re naked?”

  “I don’t think either one of them was feeling particularly amorous last night.”

  “Do you think we should knock?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe we should let them sleep longer.”

  Landon groaned as I shifted in his arms, consciousness slowly claiming me.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, rubbing my forehead.

  “They’ve been out there for twenty minutes debating whether they should come in,” Landon said. “I was hoping they would go away, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”

  I smiled. “Who’s out there?”

  “I think it’s all of them.”

  “Even Aunt Tillie?”

  “Not if she knows what’s good for her,” Landon said. He glanced down at me, pushing my messy hair out of my face. “How do you feel?”

  “Well rested.”

  “How is your arm? Let me see it.”

  I held it up so he could study the bandage. “It’s fine. It barely hurts.”

  Landon kissed the edge of the bandage and then lowered my arm. “How is your head?”

  “It feels normal.”

  “Normal for you or normal for me?” Landon asked, his eyes twinkling.

  “Normal for me.”

  “Oh, so we’re still dealing with abnormal here.”

  “You’re so funny.” I poked his side. “How are you feeling?”

  “I wasn’t shot.”

  “This time.”

  Landon sighed. “I’m fine.”

  “Did you have nightmares?”

  “Yes.” He watched me for a moment. “Did you?”

  “No. It was one big ball of blackness.”

  “Good.” He rubbed my back lightly. “Do you want to pretend we’re sleeping or do you want to go out there and deal with them?”

  That was a good question. My growling stomach answered it.

  “You’re hungry,” Landon said.

  “Aren’t you?”

  “I’m starving. I still don’t want to face … them.”

  “Do you think they’re going to curse you or something?” I asked.

  “No. I’m afraid they’re going to smother you, and that’s my job.”

  “I’ll bet they have bacon,” I teased.

  Landon smiled. “You know the way to my heart. Let’s go.”

  “ARE there any eggs and pancakes left at the inn?” I asked, studying the feast my mother and aunts had brought. “You know I can’t eat all of this, right?”

  “You need to keep up your strength,” Mom said, combing her fingers through my tangled hair. “You also need to shower. You shouldn’t let a man see you looking like this. It will scare him away.”

  Landon slapped Mom’s hand away from my hair. “She looks fine. Leave her alone. Her head is still tender.”

  Mom glared at him. “I may have let you push me out of here last night … .”

  “Let me?”

  “This is still my property,” Mom said. “This is my property, too.” She tugged on my hair.

  “Ow!”

  “Stop being a drama queen,” Mom said. “You’re fine.”

  Landon and I exchanged a look.

  “Where’s the bacon?” I asked, trying to push the chill from the room. “Landon is starving.”

  “What makes you think I brought bacon?” Mom asked.

  “Because you’re not mean enough to make him suffer,” I said. I lifted the cover off one of the serving dishes, smiling when I saw the huge mound of crispy bacon. “See.”

  “And that’s why you’re my favorite,” Landon said, rubbing my mother’s shoulder.

  She shot him a rueful smile. “I’m still angry with you. You kept me away from my daughter last night.”

  “She slept like a rock,” Landon said. “And there was no way all three of us were sleeping in that bed.”

  “You could have slept on the couch.”

  “No, I couldn’t have.”

  “Do I smell bacon?” Marcus emerged from Thistle’s bedroom, pulling a shirt over his bare chest and smiling as everyone turned in his direction.

  “I’m sure that bacon is for Bay and Landon,” a bleary-eyed Thistle said, pushing past him. “Where’s the coffee?”

  “Mom brought more than enough for everyone.”

  “You should brush your hair,” Twila said, pushing her hand down on Thistle’s wild pink hair. “This is just … .”

  “Leave her alone,” I said. “We’re not used to early-morning guests.”

  “It’s almost ten,” Mom said.

  “That’s early morning for us.”

  “That’s just a waste of a day,” Marnie said. “Where is Clove?”

  “She’s probably still asleep,” I said. “She had a big day yesterday. Do we even know she’s here?”

  “Where else would she be?” Marnie asked.

  “Well, Sam was cleared yesterday,” I said. “Maybe they made up.”

  Clove’s door opened. Her face was drawn as she took in the scene. “Why is everyone down here?”

  Since she was alone, I guessed she and Sam hadn’t made up yet.

  “In case you missed it, Bay was shot yesterday,” Mom said.

  “I heard.” Clove was grumpy.

  Marnie dug around in her purse. Retrieving a hairbrush, she moved behind her daughter. “Your hair is a mess.”

  “I just woke up.�
��

  “You could still brush your hair.”

  Our mothers have a weird set of priorities.

  “Have you talked to Sam?” I asked, settling in one of the dining room chairs and reaching for the plate of eggs.

  Landon moved my hand back. “I’ll get you a plate,” he said. “Rest your arm.”

  “My arm is fine.”

  “You were shot. Indulge me.”

  I rolled my eyes until they landed on Thistle, who watched the scene with amusement.

  “Sam was already gone from the police station by the time I got there last night,” Clove complained.

  “Why didn’t you go to the Dandridge?”

  “Because he broke up with me.”

  “That’s not what he said.” I reached for a slice of bacon, causing Landon to grab my hand and push it back down.

  “What did he say?” Clove asked, moving to the chair next to me. When she reached for a slice of bacon, Landon ignored her. Instead of eating it, though, she handed it to me. “You got to talk to him yesterday afternoon, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah. I talked him into turning himself in.” I bit into the bacon.

  Landon shot me a dark look. “You can’t wait for thirty seconds?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Landon slid a heaping plate in front of me. “You’re going to eat all of this.”

  I forced a smile onto my face. “If you insist.”

  “What did Sam say to you?” Clove asked.

  “Before you answer that, I have to go,” Mom said, dropping a quick kiss on the top of my head. “Clove and Thistle, you’re responsible for bringing these dishes back to the inn after breakfast. We have to get lunch ready for the guests, and we haven’t cleaned the rooms yet. I’ll be so glad when Belinda gets back in a few days.”

  “Why do we have to bring them back?” Thistle asked. “It’s Bay’s breakfast.”

  “Bay was shot,” Mom and Landon said in unison. I was starting to feel infantilized.

  “Fine. We’ll bring the dishes up.”

  Mom, Marnie and Twila left after sharing two more passive aggressive comments about our hair, and then it was just the five of us. Clove shifted on her chair while I ate.

  “What’s wrong with you?” I asked.

  “I asked you what Sam said,” Clove said. “You were shot, though, so I don’t feel like I can badger you until you’ve finished your breakfast.”

  “You’re not badgering her at all,” Landon said. “She’s going to eat her breakfast and then she’s going back to bed.”

  “I’m fine,” I said.

  “You were … .”

  I cut him off. “Shot. I know. You need to take a chill pill. I feel fine. My head barely hurts. My arm is numb. It’s going to be okay.”

  Landon sank into the open chair on the other side of me. “I’m allowed to worry about my girlfriend when she’s been shot.”

  “You are,” I said. “I’m also allowed to take care of myself because I’m an adult.”

  “Whatever,” Landon grumbled, grabbing a slice of bacon from my plate. “What? You know you’re not going to eat it all. I was overreaching.”

  I squeezed his hand. “It’s a good thing you’re cute when you’re hovering.”

  “Eat your breakfast.”

  “Really? You’re killing me,” Clove said.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I forgot. You want to know what Sam and I talked about.”

  “Yes.”

  “We talked about you,” I said. “Sam said he didn’t break up with you. He said that he suggested you not be seen with him because he didn’t want your reputation to take a hit. He was worried people would turn on Hypnotic because of your relationship with him.”

  “So he broke up with me?”

  “That doesn’t sound like a breakup to me. That sounds like a man trying to protect his girlfriend.”

  “She’s right,” Thistle said, grabbing her own plate of food. “Sam was trying to protect you. Suck it up.”

  “Then why didn’t he come over here last night?” Clove asked.

  “Maybe because Bay was shot and he didn’t want to intrude,” Thistle said. “Maybe because he’s been living in the woods for two days and he needed to shower before he came over here and swept you off your feet.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “I think you’ve gotten yourself tied up in knots,” Thistle said. “Eat your breakfast and take the chill pills Bay is hoarding for Landon.”

  Landon scowled. “I am not overreacting.”

  “No one said you were overreacting,” I said.

  “We were thinking it,” Thistle said.

  “I think it’s nice,” Marcus said. “He wants to take care of her. If Thistle was shot, I’d do the same thing.”

  “Eat your breakfast,” Thistle ordered. “Have you heard whether they caught Nick yet, Landon?”

  “I haven’t checked in with Chief Terry,” Landon said. “I’ll call him in a little bit.”

  I was surprised. “You’re not going down to the station?”

  “I’m not leaving your side.”

  “That’s going to make going to the bathroom interesting,” Thistle said, waggling her eyebrows.

  “You’re not funny,” Landon said.

  His phone chimed from the counter, and I watched as he checked his texts. “What is it?”

  “Chief Terry says that Nick was sighted on the north side of town. He’s going there now.”

  I waited.

  Landon was fixated on his phone screen, his face conflicted. I could see it. After a few moments, he put the phone back on the counter and headed in my direction. “So, I was thinking we could spend the day in bed. We can watch some television, maybe find an old movie or something.”

  “I think you should go.”

  “You don’t want me here?”

  “That’s not what I meant,” I said. “I think you should go on the search with Chief Terry. I know you want to.”

  “I’m not leaving you,” Landon said. “Nick is still out there.”

  “Marcus is here,” I said. “We’re not leaving the house. I think you need to see this through. You’re not going to relax until Nick is in custody. I need you to relax, because you’re going to give me an ulcer if you don’t.”

  Landon sighed, shifting his gaze to Marcus. “Are you willing to stay here?”

  “Absolutely,” Marcus said. “I think we’ll all feel better when Nick is in custody. I’ll watch them.”

  Landon rested his hand on my shoulder, considering. “Okay. Keep them inside, and don’t let them drink.”

  “Why can’t we drink?” Thistle asked, incensed.

  “Because I want you all clear headed in case something happens.”

  “Fine,” Thistle grumbled. “I’m going to totally tie one on when Nick is in custody, though. Prepare yourself.”

  “I’ll mix the chocolate martinis myself,” Landon said. He rubbed my shoulders softly. “Make sure you keep them safe,” he instructed Marcus. “I think we’ve had enough drama for one week.”

  “I PROMISE we’ll stay inside.”

  Landon and I were at the front door twenty minutes later, his hair still damp from the shower. “Make sure you do,” he said. He tugged on a strand of my hair. “I love you.” He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss, smiling when he pulled away and saw the surprised look on my face. “Did you think I forgot what we said to each other last night?”

  “I … actually, I thought maybe you said it only because you wanted to make me happy,” I admitted.

  “That’s not why I said it,” Landon said. “I felt it. I said it. I mean it. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “I know you do. I just wish it didn’t take you getting shot for us to say it.”

  “Did you want it to be special?” I was teasing him. The moment was heavy so I thought it was warranted.

  “I always pictured a picnic in my head for some reason,” he said. “I d
efinitely didn’t think it would come on the heels of you being shot. I just wanted something … different.”

  I wanted that, too. Still, I wouldn’t trade the warmth rushing through my heart for anything. “Hurry back.”

  “I’ll keep in touch.” He kissed me again. “Be good.”

  I watched from the front window as he pulled out of the driveway, a goofy grin on my face. When I turned, I found Thistle and Clove staring at me. “What?”

  “Oh, you guys finally dropped the love bomb on each other,” Thistle said, holding a hand to her heart. “It’s just so … cute.”

  “Shut up.”

  “I think it’s sweet,” Clove said. “I guess Aunt Tillie won the pool.”

  “What pool?”

  “We all had a pool betting on when you guys would admit you loved each other,” Thistle explained. “I thought it was still months away.”

  “I hate you guys sometimes.” I threw myself down on the couch.

  “Bay’s in love,” Thistle sang.

  The front doorknob turned, drawing our attention. Did Landon forget something?

  “Cripes. He can’t be away from you for five minutes,” Thistle said.

  The door flew open, revealing Nick’s menacing figure in the frame. His chest heaved and his eyes stared wildly as he clutched his gun at his side. He wore the same clothes from the day before, and he looked as though he hadn’t slept.

  “Or not,” Thistle said.

  Landon was going to have a fit. I just knew it.

  Thirty-Four

  “Holy crap!” Clove jumped when she saw Nick. “You framed my boyfriend!”

  “And you shot Bay,” Thistle said, glaring at Nick.

  “That, too,” Clove said. “You’re a very bad man.”

  Marcus moved forward, uncertain. “Nick … .”

  “Oh, hey Marcus,” Nick said. “I haven’t seen you since that baseball league the summer before I left for college. Well … at dinner … but we didn’t really have time to talk. How have things been?”

  “Okay,” Marcus said, eyeing the gun in Nick’s hand. “How are things with you?”

  “They’ve been better,” Nick said.

  “So I’ve heard.” Marcus’ movements were slow as he slipped around the arm of the couch. “What are you doing here, man?”

  Nick glanced at the gun. “Don’t worry about this,” Nick said. “I have no intention of shooting you.”