Vision of the Witch (Witches of Keating Hollow Book 10)

by Deanna Chase

  Grayson nodded. He was glad to hear she was making friends. She deserved to have that in her life. “Yeah. She said it was girls’ night.”

  Rhys nodded. “Right. Let’s just hope they don’t get the golf carts out.” His smile grew into a grin. “On a night like tonight, that would be a lot of mud to deal with later.”

  “Do I even want to know what you’re talking about?” he asked.

  “Probably not. Well, not unless you like stripping your girl down and washing the mud out of her hair.”

  Grayson would gladly do that and more. But mud in her hair? He narrowed his eyes at the other man. “I think you need to tell me more.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “It’s not the kind of thing you explain. It’s more of an adventure you need to experience. Hold on. Let me call Clay.”

  Grayson waited as Rhys made the call. A few minutes later, Rhys grinned at him and said, “Better finish that beer. The party will be here shortly.”

  Chapter 21

  Amelia couldn’t remember a time when she’d been more relaxed. Her time at the spa with her new circle of friends had been everything she’d never known she needed. Her toes were sparkly, her brows were shaped, and her skin was radiant. She made a mental note to start scheduling self-care days at least once a month. She deserved it, right? Of course she did.

  “Hey, ladies,” Hanna called as she walked back out onto the patio holding a tray of cookies. “Better get a snack, because it looks like our night isn’t over yet.”

  Amelia took one of the pink frosted sugar cookies, and couldn’t deny that she felt like a little girl on Christmas. This girls’ night was the gift that kept on giving. “What’s next? Body scrubs from Hotties R Us?”

  Georgia snickered. “Now that would be one hell of a service. What do you say, Faith? When can I book my appointment?”

  “Uh, excuse me, but as the bestie, I think I’m entitled to priority status,” Hanna said as she batted her eyelashes at Faith.

  Faith rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure that kind of service would involve a very different kind of business permit.”

  “We can probably fundraise for the fee.” Hanna gave her an innocent smile.

  “I bet you could. I wonder what Rhys would think about that?”

  Hanna flipped her dark curls over her shoulder and let out a huff. “Please. He’s working so much these days I’d half expect him to make the appointment for me himself just so he could get a little extra sleep… if you know what I mean.”

  Faith laughed.

  Georgia let out a sigh. “I wish I knew what you meant. It’s been way too long since this girl has had anything from Hotties R Us.”

  “Me, too,” Amelia said.

  All three of the other women turned and stared first at her and then her belly.

  Amelia’s face warmed. She cleared her throat and added, “Well, at least a few months anyway.”

  “Seriously?” Georgia said. “You haven’t been getting it on with that hot man? Not even while he’s been staying with you?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. We just reconnected and are sort of taking it slow.”

  “Sort of is one way of putting it,” Georgia teased.

  “Okay, Hanna,” Faith said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “What is it you have planned for us next? A trip to the brewery so you can get a quickie in the office with your hubby?”

  “Funny,” Hanna deadpanned at the petite blonde. “Like you and Hunter haven’t christened a few spaces here at the spa.”

  Faith made a non-committal shrug. “This girl doesn’t kiss and tell.”

  “Sure she doesn’t.” Hanna turned to Georgia and Amelia. “Anyway, come on. We’re off on the next adventure.”

  Georgia popped up out of her zero-gravity chair, but Amelia took her time, not wanting to miss out but also knowing she should go home. Being at the spa had been fine, but she’d been waited on hand and foot the entire time. If they were going out… that was against Healer Whipple’s orders. She wasn’t about to disobey.

  Still, Amelia followed them into the spa and out into the reception area. “Guys?”

  All three of them turned to look at her.

  “This has been really great, but I think I better get home. I’m just not supposed to be on my feet much and—”

  The door swung open, making the bells chime, and four handsome men walked in, all smiles and their expressions full of mischief. But there was one in particular that drew Amelia’s attention. “Grayson?” she asked. “What are you doing here?”

  He walked over to her and slipped his hand over hers, squeezing gently. Then he pulled her away from the rest of the group and lowered his voice. “I know you said you needed a little space, and I fully intended to give it to you. I swear.”

  “And yet, you’re here,” she said, cocking an eyebrow.

  “It appears so.” He glanced back at the other guys. Rhys had his arm around Hanna while Clay stood nearby talking to Georgia. There was a guy she didn’t recognize with his arm around Faith, who, she assumed, was her husband, Hunter.

  “Is this some sort of double date on steroids?” Amelia asked him.

  He chuckled. “It sure looks like that, doesn’t it?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “No. Not a date at all. Golf cart races.” He grinned at her. “I got dragged along by Rhys, not even knowing we were going to come here. Though, I can’t say I’m unhappy about it.”

  Her heart sank as she stared at him and then the rest of the crowd. She’d heard a lot about the infamous golf cart races, but she couldn’t participate. What had Grayson been thinking? “That’ll probably be fun for you, but we both know I can’t do this. I’m going to head home. I shouldn’t even be on my feet now.”

  “I know,” Grayson said quickly. “That’s why we aren’t racing. We’re the judges.”

  “So you think I’m just going to stand around while other people race in golf carts?” she asked, sounding exasperated.

  “No. They brought us a third cart to use.” He tugged gently at her hand. “Just come check it out, and then if you still want to go home, I’ll take you.”

  She sighed. “All right. But just for a minute. I’ve already been on my feet too long.”

  Grayson led the way, and once they were outside the building, she spotted three golf carts. One was purple, decked out with flashing lights, and sat six people. Prince’s “1999” blared from the speakers, and Wanda Danvers, the real estate agent who’d helped her find her rental, sat behind the wheel talking animatedly into the phone. “You’re missing out, Abby. I’m telling you it’s going to be epic,” she said as she waved at Amelia. Amelia waved back, smiling at the other woman.

  A second six-person cart without any obvious alterations was parked right next to Wanda’s. And the last one was a four-seater with oversized tires and custom seats that looked like they were designed for the cab of a truck, not a golf cart.

  “That last one is ours,” Grayson said. “It’s Lincoln Townsend’s. He had it modified to be more comfortable a few months back because he uses it a lot at his orchard.”

  Amelia walked over to the cart in question, staring at it wide-eyed. “I can’t believe this. It looks a lot more comfortable than those other two.”

  “It is. I was the one who drove it over here.” He gestured to the back where there was a pillow and a blanket. “Those are for you just in case you get cold or need more back support.”

  The door of the spa opened, and the rest of the gang filed out.

  “Hey, Amelia,” Hanna called. “You in?”

  Amelia took a moment to consider, and as she glanced around at everyone, a smile curved her lips. “Yeah, I’m in. Let’s do this.”

  “Yes!” Georgia said, running up to her and giving her a quick hug. “Make sure you declare my team the winner. It’s a bestie’s duty. You know that, right?”

  “I’m on it,” Amelia said, saluting her. “Now, go make it look good at least. If you’re way
behind, I’ll still call it for you, but you know, they might notice it’s rigged.”

  She chuckled. “I’ll make sure not to disappoint you.” With a wave, she ran over to the purple cart and jumped into the front seat next to Wanda. The pair seemed to know each other already and almost immediately started laughing at something one of them had said.

  In no time, the women filled Wanda’s cart and the three men took the other cart. Grayson helped Amelia into their ride, and then Grayson drove, following the racers down Main Street toward the river. Music was still playing, and Amelia started to feel like a carefree teenager again. She smiled at Grayson and said, “Thank you. Even just tooling around is fun.”

  He returned her smile and then offered his hand. She hesitated for a moment but then slipped her fingers between his. Grayson held her hand right up until he had to make a right turn onto the dedicated golf cart path that ran through town.

  “This is pretty cool,” Grayson said. “I had no idea this was here.”

  “I did. When I first came to town, I spent a lot of time walking around just to think stuff through. This path was a nice surprise. I didn’t know about the golf cart races until very recently though, and I haven’t been in one either.”

  Grayson chuckled. “I guess it’s a good thing we’re just the judges. Less pressure.”

  “Yeah.” Amelia pressed her palm to her belly. “Not until this peanut shows up.”

  Grayson’s expression turned soft as he nodded his agreement. “No argument here.”

  The other two golf carts came to a stop not far from the river’s edge. Grayson maneuvered their cart until they were parked off to the side as observers.

  Both Hanna and Rhys jumped out of the carts. They stood with their heads together, clearly debating something. When they were done, they shook hands and then turned to their respective teams.

  “Rhys and I have agreed,” Hanna said. “Since we have judges this time, we’ve decided the race will be determined entirely on the basis of technique. It doesn’t matter who crosses the finish line first. The only thing we care about is magical style. Whichever team has the most flair will be declared the winner.”

  “Sweet!” Wanda, who was standing next to her cart, raised her arms in the air and swiveled her hips. “I’m all about the style.” Georgia and Faith jumped out and mimicked her. Faith put a little too much juice into her swivel and toppled over right into a small patch of mud. When she sat up, a clump of it was caught in her hair.

  “Dammit!” Faith said just as everyone else fell out laughing.

  When the hysterics started to die down, Rhys pointed at Faith and then called to Grayson. “See? Mud. Every time.”

  Grayson nodded at him and said, “I look forward to the cleanup.”

  Rhys nodded with a knowing smile.

  “What’s that all about?” Amelia asked.

  Grayson just chuckled. “Nothing important.”

  “Right.” Amelia eyed him, thoroughly enjoying herself. She knew she was supposed to be taking time to figure out how she felt about dating a man who appeared to still be emotionally tied to someone else, but she just didn’t want to think about anything other than having a good time.

  “Amelia,” Hanna said, striding toward her. “Like we talked about before, there aren’t really any rules. We’re still going to race to the end and back, but just look at what we do magically, and then you and Grayson decide the winner. The prize is bragging rights, so really, no pressure.”

  “That’s what you think,” she said, nodding toward Georgia. “She’s already ordered me to declare her the winner. Everyone better bring something special, or else they’re doomed.”

  Hanna just rolled her eyes and hurried back over to her cart. “Girls versus boys. Let the revelry begin!”

  There was no hesitation. Both carts took off at full speed. The women’s cart had a rain cloud right over it, giving off a torrential amount of rain as well as some thunder. The men’s cart had mud all over the windshield from the constant barrage of mud balls flying at it.

  Other shenanigans ensued as each group tried to slow the other one down, and Amelia had to wonder if they’d forgotten that crossing the finish line first didn’t necessarily make them the winner.

  But when Wanda started making tiny fire-breathing dragons swoop around the carts, that’s when things got wild. Flying water monkeys, mud trolls, a flock of leaves in the shape of birds, and a variety of other animated animals appeared. At first, they seemed to be avoiding the other side, but the minute they collided, that was the ballgame. Small fire-breathing mud monkeys started running around the carts, making Amelia laugh.

  Finally Amelia blew a special whistle and said, “I’ve seen enough. The prize goes to… the women’s cart! The only reason you won is because I loved Wanda’s use of mixed media.”

  The guys groaned while the women cheered and slapped hands. “Winners!” they cried out together.

  “At least we have mud,” Rhys said as he walked past them and hugged Hanna from behind.

  “What’s so great about mud?” Amelia asked.

  “The cleanup is fun for some people,” Grayson said.

  “If you say so.” Amelia leaned back in the bench seat and said, “I wish we could stay longer, but I’m starting to get really tired.”

  “Okay, let’s go.” Grayson got back behind the wheel, and after they said goodbye to their new friends, they took off back toward town.

  “You’re going to take me home on this?” Amelia exclaimed. Was he nuts? She lived halfway up the mountain.

  “No.” He rolled his eyes at her. “We’re taking it back to Lin and then we’ll pick up my SUV. I left it there.”

  “Oh, good,” she let out a sigh of relief. “I was afraid I’d be frozen by the time we got there.”

  He glanced over at her and shook his head. “Have I ever not taken care of you?”

  She shook her head. “Nope.”

  “That’s what I thought. Now relax. I’ll have you home in no time.”

  “Grayson?” she asked.

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you,” she said softly. “I had a really nice time tonight.”

  “So did I.”

  “When we get back to my place, do you think we can talk?” Amelia asked, her chest aching because she didn’t want to talk about the story that came out earlier that day, but they really had no choice.

  “Are you sure you’re up for it tonight?” he asked. “I know you’re tired.”

  “Not that tired.” She hadn’t stopped looking at him all night, and suddenly she wished she wasn’t on bedrest. Because all she wanted was to wrap her arms around him and make him hers again.

  Chapter 22

  Grayson followed Amelia into her house and said, “Go make yourself comfortable. I’ll make us some hot chocolate.”

  She smiled at him, that warm smile he’d come to take so much comfort in. “Thanks.” After giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, she disappeared down the hall with Grayson watching her.

  Hope bloomed deep in his chest. All night she’d been relaxed and happy. That had to mean good things, right? Maybe with Kira gone they could put that damn story behind them and get back to where they’d been, ready to try again.

  He busied himself in the kitchen, and when he returned to the living room, Amelia was already curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her legs.

  “Thank you.” She smiled up at him and cupped both palms around the mug.

  “Anytime.” He took a seat at the other end of the couch and said, “I want to apologize for that picture on that website this morning.”

  She tilted her head and asked, “Just that it was published, that I saw it, or for the content itself?”

  There wasn’t any accusation in her tone, just a mild curiosity. He cleared his throat. “All three, I guess? The story is garbage, and I was able to get them to take it down already.”

  “You did? Wow. I guess you really were good at your job.” Ther
e was a hint of a teasing smile on her lips.

  He let out a soft chuckle. “I had to be if I wanted to stay employed in that kind of work for any length of time.”

  “I guess so.” She took a sip of her hot chocolate and let out a tiny moan of pleasure.

  Damn, he wanted to hear that again. But the next time, he wanted it to be his lips on hers that elicited that sound. “As for the content, I wasn’t kissing her. I was hugging her after she told me something really painful and personal. I know how it looks, but I swear it isn’t that.”

  She nodded. “Honestly, I think I already knew that.”

  “Really? How?” He was desperately curious to know why she’d decided to trust him. He wasn’t sure he deserved it. Not after the way he’d left her back in December.

  “When I was relaxing at the spa, I had time to think about the last few days. It occurred to me that you spent very little time with Katy, instead, choosing to stay here with me and take care of my every need. You weren’t desperate to spend any time with her. And when she was here, your interactions with each other were familiar, comfortable, but not indicative of two people who seemed romantically interested in one another. More like brother and sister, even though I know you used to be a couple.”

  “Yeah. I’d say that’s pretty accurate. We certainly fight like brother and sister often enough,” he said, nodding his agreement. “I honestly don’t see her in a romantic way anymore. Besides, that relationship was more about each of us needing someone than being some great love match. We broke it off, and that was that. We’ve never been together again after that.”

  “You stuck around because you’re a caregiver,” she said and reached for his hand. “You have a need to take care of the people around you.”

  He couldn’t deny that. His therapist had once told him it was likely a byproduct of losing his parents at such a young age. He had a deep-seated desire to protect those he loved. “Guilty.”

  “I also realized that the one thing you’ve never done is lie to me. Did you hold stuff back? Sure. But now that I know why, I completely understand. So why did I let one stupid gossip article come between us? Pure jealousy and insecurity.”