Witches of Palmetto Point Series Boxset Books 1 - 3: Haunting Charlie, Wayward Spirits and Devil's Snare

by Wendy Wang

  Turning on the cold spigot she pumped out some liquid soap and scrubbed her hands together till the soap lathered. Even if she never used the toilet, she always washed her hands. Just the idea of the germs in this place gave her the heebie-jeebies. Her gaze drifted back up to the mirror to find Helen Jackson leaning against one of the stall dividers behind her. A yelp ushered out of Charlie's mouth.

  “Jesus Helen. We’ve already had this conversation. You’re dead. You need to just find a light and walk toward it,” Charlie snapped. She cast a quick glance at the door, hoping no one was close enough to the door to hear.

  Helen looked almost exactly the same as she had the day she died. Her short salt-and-pepper hair was styled and even dead, she still rocked business casual — with black slacks, black flats and a red blouse that set off nicely against her dark skin. Only Helen was not quite as solid as she once was.

  “You think I want to be in this bathroom?” Helen threw up her arms in an animated fashion. “I should be in the churchyard. Or at the very least haunting that little pimply faced supervisor. Instead I’m trapped in here. Lawd, I don’t know what I did to deserve this!”

  Charlie finished rinsing her hands and pulled a paper towel from the dispenser.

  “I'm sorry,” she said. “It must really suck being stuck in here.”

  “Well that's an understatement if I've ever heard one,” Helen grumbled. Her lips twisted into a grimace. “How come you can see me? Nobody else can? They walk right through me. Sit right down on top of me. Ain't nothing more shocking than to be sitting on the toilet thinking about the afterlife and have some big old girl come in and sit down on top of you with her naked butt.”

  Charlie laughed out loud.

  Anger flashed across Helen’s face. “It ain't funny.”

  “No,” Charlie said covering her mouth and biting the insides of her cheeks to stop from smiling. “You're right it's not—” She gave Helen a sideways glance. “It may be a little funny.”

  “No!” Helen protested, holding up her hand, one finger pointed toward the sky.

  “Okay. Okay. You’re right, I'm sorry. It’s not funny at all.” Charlie sighed and leaned against the counter. She folded her arms across her chest. “You know I don't really know why I can see you. Maybe it’s because I come from a family that has more people like me than like you.”

  “What? Dead people?”

  “No. Normal people. I've just been seeing dead people since I was little girl.”

  “And you ain’t scared? Lawd, if I saw a dead person when I was alive, I’d have lost my mind.” Helen fanned herself with her hand. Charlie was tempted to ask her if she was hot too, but she knew the spirit’s reactions were more about habit than anything else. “My grandma would've called you a witch.”

  “Well according to my ex-husband, your grandma would've been right.” Charlie winked. “It was good to see you, Helen. You take care and avoid being sat on. My break is almost over and I don't want to be written up.”

  “Lawd no. We don’t want that,” Helen said. “I don’t think there’s enough room in here for the both of us.”

  Chapter 3

  Charlie rose early on Friday to miss the morning traffic in Charleston. Once she left West Ashley, she sped down Highway 17 headed toward Talmadge Island to meet her cousins for breakfast.

  Charlie turned onto Market Street, the main thoroughfare of the little town of Palmetto Point. After her parents died, she went to live with her grandmother, and knew the town well.

  The island locals were mainly made up of a mix of wealthy retirees and families that had been on the island for generations. The official downtown area spanned barely five blocks but was chock full of thriving businesses. The town was just small enough to have staved off the invasion of larger chain stores, which along with its quaint and well-manicured streets, gave a sense of stepping back in time. Parking spaces lined the street in front of the array of business and Charlie pulled into a prime spot in front of her cousin’s restaurant The Kitchen Witch Café.

  When she entered, the bell over the door rang and the scent of banana pancakes and bacon and rushed over her senses. Once inside the bustling restaurant, she glanced around. The place was packed, and the tables filled with people taking advantage of six a.m. to eight a.m., buy one-get one half-off breakfast specials. Only a few spaces at the counter remained empty.

  Charlie waved at the woman behind the cash register—her cousin Jen Holloway. Jen’s dark pixie haircut with magenta fringed bangs framed her heart-shaped face perfectly.

  Jen returned a wave and a wide grin spread across her full lips. “Hey Cuz.”

  Charlie suppressed the twinge of jealousy at her cousin’s success. The Kitchen Witch was one of the busiest and most popular restaurants on the island.

  “Looks like business is booming.”

  “It’s always kinda crazy on Fridays because of the specials. Daphne's already here. She's holed up in the last booth so we can have some privacy.” Jen pointed to their younger cousin.

  Charlie wasn’t sure how much real privacy they were going to get in a place this busy. Hopefully the noise would help.

  “Lisa just texted me should be here in a few minutes. Why don't you go sit down?” Jen handed Charlie a menu, and she hesitated.

  “What's wrong?” Jen asked.

  “Nothing. I just — I just didn't think this through. I'm trying not to spend any extra money this month.”

  “Honey don't worry about it, okay? Family eats free, now what do you want to drink?”

  “Jen.” Charlie protested.

  “Don’t argue.”

  Normally she'd be a little embarrassed about her predicament. She had actually planned to come and sit. Maybe drink some tea or coffee. If she'd been with normal people, she would've said she was on a diet, but her cousins were like her—they could all see through a lie. It was, as her cousin Lisa liked to say, their super power.

  “Fine,” Charlie relented. “But I'll pay you back. I don't know when but I will pay you back. I promise.”

  “Sure,” Jen said. Her blue eyes glittered with mischief. “I’ll let you come and babysit Ruby for me sometime.”

  “I thought your dad took care of Ruby for you.”

  “You're right. Then you can babysit my dad.”

  “Well, he needs it I guess,” Charlie teased.

  “He sure does.” Jen grinned. “Now what do you want to drink? Coffee, iced tea? Orange juice?”

  “Coffee sounds good.”

  “Coming right up, now go to sit down.”

  “Yes ma'am.” Charlie made her way to the booth and took a seat next to Daphne. Her cousin didn't even look up from her phone. Charlie snapped her fingers in the space between Daphne's face and her screen.

  “Hey—” Daphne scowled, protesting before finally looking up. “Oh. Hey. When did you get here?”

  “Good morning to you too,” Charlie said. “I’ve been here ten minutes. You didn’t even notice?”

  “Liar.” Daphne's cheeks pinked, and she pushed her hair behind one ear. She laid her phone on the table with the screen facing down. “I guess we’re just waiting for Lisa.”

  “Uh huh,” Charlie said smiling at her younger cousin. The resemblance was so strong between Daphne and Jen they could’ve been sisters, with their deep brunette hair, large blue eyes, and impish features. “So did you do Jen’s hair?”

  “Of course.” Daphne laid her arm across the table and rested her hand across the back of her phone. Charlie suppressed the urge to grin and shake her head. The girl just couldn’t live one second without her phone in her hand. “I could do something similar for you. Maybe a pink stripe.”

  Charlie laughed it off. “I don’t think so.”

  “Come on — you know you want a pink stripe. Something that screams I’m available and in my sexual prime, boys.”

  Charlie’s cheeks burned, and she shook her head. “No. That is absolutely not what I want.”

  Daphne shrugged one
slender shoulder. “Suit yourself. But the offer stands.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind.” Charlie’s gaze drifted to the counter where she watched Jen remove her black apron and put it in one of the cubbyholes beneath the counter.

  “Evangeline,” Jen said loud enough that Charlie and Daphne could hear her. “Can you take over for me out here please?”

  A minute later, an older woman emerged from the kitchen wearing a black apron. Her long silver hair was pinned up in a messy bun and she glanced over at the table and waved.

  “Hey Evangeline,” Charlie said.

  “Hey Mama,” Daphne said.

  Evangeline smiled and the skin around her eyes crinkled. “Hey girls.”

  “Your mama looks good,” Charlie said quietly.

  “Yes she does. You know, I have girls younger than me begging me to make their hair that color.” Daphne said. At twenty-six she owned the most popular hair salon in town.

  All her cousins were successful — either owning their own business or having a profession. And what was she? A call center worker. She wasn’t complaining, really. It was good job. It paid the bills, and she had the all-important health insurance. With overtime, she’d managed to save over ten thousand dollars for a down payment in just over a year. But there had to be more than just waking up and going to work, coming home, and vegging in front of the television. If she disappeared tomorrow, they’d just replace her with someone else as fast as they could.

  Jen sat across from them and they got the niceties out of the way — asking about children, and work, and Charlie told them about the condo she’d put an offer on.

  “That’s great!” Daphne said. “We should definitely celebrate.”

  “Well they haven’t accepted the offer it yet,” she said, dosing her coffee with milk and sugar. “Hopefully I’ll hear today and if they do accept it, I don’t know how much the closing costs are going to be yet so I’m being stingy till I hear one way or the other.”

  “I am so happy for you. I know how hard it’s been having to start over.” Daphne said

  “It's fine.” Charlie said, fidgeting with the edges of the menu.

  “Well I'm proud of you,” Jen said.

  “Should I be proud too?” Lisa said approaching the table. Lisa was dressed in a smart gray skirt, a silky, pale yellow blouse that set off well against her long, strawberry-blonde hair.

  “Absolutely,” Jen said. “Charlie's buying a condo.”

  “That's awesome Charlie —” Lisa started to sit down but Jen pushed her way out.

  “No,” Jen said. “You take the inside.”

  “I hate the inside,” Lisa said.

  “I know but if Evangeline needs me, you’ll to have to keep moving in and out. You know how crazy that would make you.”

  “I guess,” Lisa said, scowling at her sister. She slid inside the booth and gave Charlie and Daphne a smile. “It's good to see you girls. I don't think I’ve seen you since Christmas, Charlie.”

  “I know.” Charlie fidgeted. “It's been hectic. I've been working a lot of overtime.”

  “All right, well let me know when you close on your condo and I'll go with you.”

  “Really? I'd love that. I hate having to deal with all the legal stuff.”

  “Well, that’s the thing about having a cousin who’s a lawyer, you get your legal advice for free.” Lisa winked.

  “I really appreciate that,” Charlie said. “But, they haven’t even accepted my offer yet.”

  “Still, when they do—” Lisa picked up a menu and began perusing it. “What’s good?”

  Jen signaled to one of the waitresses and got their orders out of the way. Lisa folded her hands on the table and shifted her gaze to their youngest cousin.

  “All right, Daphne.” Lisa used her most lawyerly voice. “It’s your show. What’s so important that you couldn't just say it in a text.”

  Daphne glanced into each of their faces before finally settling her gaze on Charlie. “Well, I have a problem—”

  “Oh no. Sweetie, are you okay?” Jen put her hand over Daphne’s and concern etched her forehead.

  “Me? Oh I’m fine. It’s not my problem exactly. It’s a client of mine.”

  “A client?” Lisa said, sounding dubious. She narrowed her hazel eyes. “I’m not sure exactly how we can help one of your clients. You’re the expert on hair.”

  Daphne shook her head. “It’s not that kind of problem. It’s more of a —” She glanced around, making sure no one around them was paying attention and whispered, “ghost problem.”

  Lisa and Jen groaned and sat back against the back of the booth seat.

  “Come on you two, don't be like that. You haven't even heard what it is yet,” Daphne whined, falling into the youngest sibling role.

  Charlie’s shoulders sagged, and she glanced down at her hands. Maybe she could just slip under the table and run. The weight of their stares pinned her in place, putting any thought of escape out of reach. She took a deep breath and looked Daphne in the eye. “What kind of ghost problem are we talking about exactly?”

  “Well, I have this client — Susan Tate. She recently inherited Talmadge House.”

  “No. Absolutely not.” Lisa’s voice carried a warning. “Nope. Nope and nope.”

  “What? You don’t even know what I’m gonna say!” Daphne protested.

  “Yes I do,” Lisa said. “You want us to go clean that damned house.”

  “Just hear me out—” Daphne implored. “This could be really good for Charlie.”

  “For me? Wait, why for me?” Charlie’s gaze shifted to Daphne.

  “Because it would be great exposure for your business,” Daphne said.

  “I don’t have a business,” Charlie protested.

  “Yes you do. You have a website. You have a Facebook page. You take money for your services. You definitely have a business.”

  “Trust me, I don’t need to advertise. I get plenty of people wanting readings just from word-of-mouth. Seems like everybody wants to talk to their dead Aunt Tilly or know their future.” The words tasted bitter in Charlie’s mouth. Sometimes she hated what she was. What she could see and hear that no one else could.

  “Daphne. Why don’t you concentrate on your business?” Lisa scowled. “And just leave Charlie alone.”

  “You are so contrary sometimes. You know that?” Daphne folded her arms across her chest. “And you!” She rounded on Charlie. “You have this awesome gift and you don’t even use it to its fullest potential.”

  “It’s really not awesome Daphne.” Charlie’s cheeks grew hot, and she clenched her teeth. “Scott and I broke up because of my awesome gift and he ended up with custody of Evan. So, whatever you think, it’ really more curse than blessing.”

  They all grew quiet. Charlie’s words hung over them like a cold, heavy mist.

  “Well,” Daphne’s fiddled with her spoon. Guilt wrinkled her elfin features. “I kinda already told her that you would do it.”

  “Dammit Daphne,” Charlie said. “You had no right to do that.”

  “I know. But you're not going to have to do it alone. We’ll help you. Won’t we?” Daphne's voice grew bossy and less contrite. She gave Jen and Lisa a pointed look. Lisa frowned and rolled her eyes.

  “You are a manipulative brat,” Lisa said. She sighed, relenting. “But of course, we’ll help Charlie. Although, ghosts have never been my forte. Last time I dealt with a spirit it wasn’t exactly friendly.” Lisa’s hand drifted to her head and rubbed her temple absently. Charlie bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. Lisa’s last encounter with a ghost had ended with a handful of silverware lobbed at her by an angry woman who was not quite ready to move onto the next plane. An antique silver fork had stabbed Lisa in temple and blood had been spilled all over Lisa’s favorite silk blouse.

  Daphne smirked. “See? Even spirits recognize contrary when they see it.”

  “Stop it you two. I swear you’re as bad as Ruby sometimes.” Je
n scolded.”

  “Between the four of us we have plenty of power to reign in whatever is haunting that house, but only if--” Jen’s dark blue eyes settled on Charlie. “This is something Charlie wants to do. If she doesn’t, I fully support that too.”

  Charlie gave Jen a grateful smile. As practicing witches, her cousins had their own gifts. They weren’t sensitive the way she was. None of them could see or hear spirits like she did, although there were instances where a spirit would make itself known, such as throwing things or becoming a floating ball of light. But unlike Jen, Lisa and Daphne, Charlie had no affinity for magic. No talent for using the living world to affect the people she met. The world of the dead was a different matter though. “I guess it won't hurt to go talk to her,” Charlie said. “You know I've never been to Talmadge House.”

  “I have,” Lisa said. “All I can say is it’s depressing.”

  “Why clean it now?” Jen asked.

  “Well Susan wants to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast and I have total faith we can help her so she can make that happen. And if Charlie fails, we always have Lisa.”

  “Me? What exactly do you expect me to do?” Lisa’s brows rose half-way up her forehead and her eyes widened.

  “Well, if Charlie can't make the spirits leave by asking nicely, you can get all bossy and lawyerly on them.”

  Jen and Charlie snickered.

  “Ha ha. Funny,” Lisa said. “And what exactly are you gonna do? You gonna hold them down and give them highlights?”

  “Actually, I was thinking that I would film it. We could put it up on YouTube. Then Charlie you could link to it on her website as another service you offer.”

  “Seriously?” Lisa asked. “You want to be a ghost hunter?”

  “Not me. Charlie,” Daphne said. “I think there's real potential here. I mean we’re in one of the most haunted areas in the whole country. And I can help with all the social media stuff to market yourself.”