“Yes, I’m looking for a book called Advanced Spells and Curses for the Overly Ambitious.”
The rooms were fairly cluttered, with books and newspapers piled high and knick-knacks aplenty. I laughed at a partially melted pot displayed on the mantel.
“Oh, you’ve spotted the crime against pottery,” Trixie said with a wry smile.
“A childhood relic?” I queried.
“You would think,” she said. “No, he and Heidi took a pottery class a couple of years ago. That was Freddie’s attempt. He says Heidi insisted that he keep it, but I suspect he chose to keep it as a memento.”
Like Lara and Thom. Now I was more certain than ever what I’d find here.
“Why is he using it to store paper?” I asked. I caught a glimpse of parchment sticking out of the top.
“Who knows with Freddie?” she said. “As you can see, he’s not the tidiest dwarf on the planet.”
“Where’s his desk?” I asked.
“Other side of the kitchen.”
I walked through the narrow kitchen to the desk. It was covered in papers but no sign of the library book.
“I’m going to try the bedroom,” I said.
The thick book was plainly visible on the edge of the bedside table. A pink ribbon marked the page and I had every confidence that the ribbon had once adorned Heidi’s hair.
Trixie padded into the room. “What did you find?”
“The truth,” I said. As I skimmed the page, the realization washed over me. No one did this to him. Freddie did this to himself.
“Is it bad?” Trixie asked, her features etched with worry.
“Nothing that can’t be undone. Not only do we have the Endless Sleep curse in here,” I said, “but we also have the means to reverse it.”
Trixie threw her arms around me and crushed me against her bosom. “Thank the sun and stars. Emma, I don’t care what anyone says, you’re the best.”
“Um, thanks?” I tucked the book under my arm and slipped the pink ribbon into my pocket. I’d need both items to help Freddie, along with my wand.
Trixie’s hand flew to her head. “I look a mess. I don’t want Freddie to wake up and see me like this. He’ll never let me live it down.”
“If you hurry home now, you’ll get there in time to welcome him back. I’ll probably be a little slow anyway.” Since I had no clue what I was doing.
Trixie scuttled outside and I quickly followed.
“Wait until Mother hears the news,” she said. “She’ll be thrilled.”
“It might be a good time for a visit,” I said. “You can deliver the news in person.” We’re only blessed with one mother, a fact I knew painfully well.
Trixie hugged me again. “You’re right, Emma. You’re absolutely right.”
Chapter 17
It took me seven attempts before I successfully reversed the spell. Thankfully, the only casualties were a few scorched pine trees and a hyperactive badger.
You’re destroying my part of the forest, Sedgwick complained. Now I’ll never be able to hunt here.
“Everything will grow back,” I said. “And the badger will slow down…eventually.” We watched as the small mammal performed somersaults across the forest floor.
Freddie finally stirred and my stomach clenched.
“Freddie?” I said softly.
His eyelids fluttered open. “Am I dead? Are you an angel?”
I turned to see the sunlight streaming through the trees behind me. It must have created a halo effect.
“No. My name is Emma. I’m the new witch in Spellbound. Welcome back, by the way.”
He focused on my face. “You broke the spell?”
I reached inside the coffin and squeezed his hand. “Yes.”
He lifted his round head and glared at me. “Why would you do that?”
I recoiled. “What do you mean? You’ve been in a glass casket in an endless sleep. Now you’re awake.” I was expecting a thank you, not dagger eyes.
“How long have I been asleep?” he asked.
“A couple of weeks.”
“Weeks?” he spat. “Who gave you the right to wake me?”
Boy, was he angry. I didn’t see that one coming.
“We thought you’d want to wake up. At first, we were trying to figure out who did this to you…”
Freddie pulled himself into a seated position and stretched his neck muscles. “No one did this to me. Didn’t anyone see my letter?”
“What letter?”
He smacked his forehead. “Seriously? No one read my letter? I left it in the crime against pottery.”
Oops. I guess that explained the piece of paper stuffed inside the pot. Seriously, though, who would think to look there?
“Why did you do this Freddie? People have been so upset. Your sister, your friends, especially Heidi.”
His expression brightened at the mention of Heidi. “Has she been to see me?”
“Of course. She was a mess at your vigil.”
This information seemed to please him. “How much of a mess? Like mascara dripping down her cheeks or just dabbing at her eyes with a tissue?”
“Um, somewhere in between?”
“Is she still with Paul?” I didn’t miss the scowl that punctuated the satyr’s name.
“I think so. At least she was the last time I saw her.”
He slumped against the back of the coffin. “Then I’d like to go back to sleep. Can you trigger the curse again? You need the pink ribbon.”
Trigger the curse? “Freddie, your family has been beside themselves. Your niece and nephew miss their Uncle Freddie.”
He stared into his lap. “I’d rather be asleep than live in this reality.”
“Why?” I couldn’t wrap my head around it. He’d rather be asleep, dreaming about who knows what…Oh. “Freddie, what did you dream about?”
He met my inquisitive gaze. “You’ve got me all figured out. What do you think? Her. It’s always been her.” He sighed. “At least in my dreams, we’re together. We’re in love and I’ve never been happier.” His wistful tone made my heart ache.
“But the Heidi in your dream isn’t the real Heidi,” I said. “She’s just a figment of your imagination.”
“So what?” he countered. “It felt real. Isn’t that what matters?”
Emotions stirred within me. As crazy as he sounded, his words resonated with me. If I could dream about a life with Daniel and it felt real, did it matter that it wasn’t? For an insane moment, I considered building a coffin right next to Freddie’s.
“You don’t even know me,” Freddie said. “Why do you care whether I was awake or asleep?”
“My friend Sophie was arrested for cursing you,” I explained. “I knew she was innocent.” And now I knew that all the suspects were innocent.
“Sophie Gale?” he queried, his brow creased with concern.
“Yes. She was the one who found you and then someone gave the sheriff false information.” I waved a hand. “It was a mess, but it’s done now.”
“I didn’t mean for anyone to take the blame,” he said. “I left the letter and I made the coffin nice and comfortable. Why would someone do that if they wanted to curse me?”
My thoughts exactly.
“Can you do me a favor and help me out of here?” Freddie asked. “My legs are cramping up.”
“Of course.” I offered my arm and he used me to pull himself to a crouched position. Then he climbed over the edge of the coffin and dropped to the ground.
“Man, I didn’t expect to be so stiff.” He raised his arms over his head.
“You should probably see a healer,” I said.
“Freddie?”
We both turned at the same time to see Heidi moving through the trees at a rapid pace.
“Heidi,” he said, beaming.
He tried to move toward her, but his legs failed him and he stumbled. She reached him before he hit the ground and lifted him to his feet.
“Freddie, I can’t believe it. Yo
u’re awake.” She kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around him. “I’ve been so worried.”
He closed his eyes, squeezing her tightly. “How did you know to come now?”
Heidi blushed. “I didn’t. I come here every day to talk to you.”
Freddie blinked. “Every day?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? I’ve missed you like crazy.” She released him and stepped back to examine him. “The whole town has been looking into your curse.”
I wasn’t going to be the one to tell Heidi the truth. That had to come from Freddie.
Freddie took her by the hand. “I’m the one who did the curse, Heidi. I put myself in the coffin.”
Heidi laughed. “Freddie, you shouldn’t joke. Whoever did this to you needs to be locked up.”
Freddie’s expression remained serious. “I cursed myself, Heidi. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Why would you do such a thing?” she asked. “I’ve been going out of my mind.”
“For you,” he said softly. “I did it for you.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I don’t understand. How could cursing yourself be for my benefit?”
“Not for your benefit,” he said, groping for words. “I just…I didn’t want to live in a world where you and I weren’t together.”
“But we’re together all the time,” she chastised him.
“Not in the way I want,” he said, avoiding her gaze.
“Freddie, look at me. Are you serious?”
“Would a joke about a thing like that?”
“I broke up with Paul yesterday,” she said.
Freddie’s head snapped to attention. “You what?”
“Ugh, I guess you finally found out he was cheating on you,” I said. “Thank goodness. I hated knowing that.”
Heidi looked at me blankly. “Paul was cheating on me?”
“Never mind,” I said quickly and shuffled out of sight.
“I broke up with Paul because, while you were asleep, I realized that you were the one I truly wanted to be with.” She placed her palms on his chubby cheeks. “You’re the one I love, Freddie.”
He pressed his lips to hers and I had to stop myself from cheering.
“True love’s kiss would have broken the curse, too,” I said. “If I’d screwed it up, I mean. There was a Plan B.”
Heidi turned to look at me. “Thank you for bringing him back to me, Emma. I don’t know how to live in a world without Freddie.”
They kissed again.
I think that’s your cue to leave, Sedgwick said from a nearby branch.
I found myself rooted to the ground, wishing for my own happily ever after.
Let’s go, pervert.
I let out a deep sigh and followed my owl home.
Chapter 18
“Are you sure about this?” I asked. “It was my idea, so feel free to say no.”
Daniel grinned at me. “Are you kidding? I’m so glad you came up with this.” He wrapped his arm around me and squeezed. “I can always count on you to understand me.”
The pixie at the reception desk fell over herself to greet us. I half expected a red carpet to unfurl beneath our feet.
“Welcome to Spellbound Care Home,” she said. “Are you here to see a loved one?”
“We’re here to see all the loved ones,” Daniel replied. “Which way to the cafeteria? We’re going to feed them with kindness and compassion.”
The pixie seemed thrilled. “We’re delighted to have volunteers. Go on through. Mrs. Murphy is waiting for you.” I’d recently learned that Mrs. Murphy was in charge of facilities.
As we began to walk past the desk, she stopped me. “Ahem, your wand and broomstick, Miss Hart.”
I held up my hands. “I didn’t bring either today. You can frisk me if you like.”
“No need.” The pixie waved me through.
I showed Daniel the way to the cafeteria where Mrs. Murphy awaited our arrival.
“Good to see you, Mr. Starr,” she said, pumping his hand. “It’s not often we get people of your caliber in here. Usually, it’s young ones for school credit, you see.”
“This is my good friend, Emma Hart,” he said.
Her smiled faded. “Yes, yes. I know the name. Made quite the mess in this place during her last visit.”
“And I cleaned up after myself,” I said defensively.
Mrs. Murphy softened. “That you did. Thank you.” She bustled over to the kitchen area. “You’ll both need to wear one of these.” She held out two hairnets and I nearly laughed out loud. They were both covered in blue sparkles.
Daniel placed his over his blond hair without a word of protest and I immediately thought of Fabio, who refused to wear his helmet. Fabio was no Daniel—that much was certain.
“Here,” he said. “Let me do yours.” He took the blue hairnet and slid it over top of my head. “I think you need to pull up your hair first.”
I bunched up my long hair and twisted it at the nape of my neck. He tucked the hair inside the net and admired his handiwork.
“You look so pretty. You should wear your hair up more often.”
My mouth went dry and I turned away before I embarrassed myself.
“I especially like that birthmark at the nape of your neck. It looks like a little blue star.”
I froze. A birthmark in the shape of a star? “I don’t have a birthmark.”
He touched the spot on my neck. “Right there. I guess you can’t see it.”
No, I couldn’t, and yet Raisa knew it was there. I shivered. “Have you ever seen a birthmark like this one?”
“Can’t say that I have, but I like it.”
“Well, well,” a familiar voice croaked. “Look what the owl dragged in.”
“Hello Agnes,” I said. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here,” she said. “Bring anything for me today?”
Not on your life. “I’m afraid not. I was under very strict orders.”
A cackle escaped Agnes. “I’ll bet. So how’s that daughter of mine? Still got a wand stuck up her ass?”
“She says hello,” I told her.
Agnes gave me an appraising look. “Does she really? Could’ve come to tell me herself.”
“I’m working on it,” I said. “For now, you’ll need to be content with me serving you macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs.”
“No, I’ll be content with him serving it.” She held up her plate for Daniel. “I’d polish your halo anytime.”
To his credit, Daniel wasn’t the least bit fazed. He scooped a heaping spoonful of macaroni and cheese onto her plate.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” I asked.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Agnes objected, and I realized how much fun it was to get a rise out of her.
“I’m right here,” Silas said, drifting to the counter. “I heard we had special guests today. Very exciting.”
Estella floated in behind him. “I’m so glad you’re here so I can thank you in person. I have my Freddie back and Trixie has come to see me. She’s even set up a regular visitation schedule.”
“That’s great news,” I told her.
“When you’re finished your macaroni,” I said to Agnes, “can we talk about those six cards you dealt me last time?”
Agnes launched an eyebrow. “Only if you brought the necessary lubricant.”
At the mention of lubricant, Silas drifted closer to her. “What’s this?”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “For my lips,” she snapped.
He flashed a wicked grin. “Even better.”
Daniel laughed. “Is it always like this here?”
“Pretty much,” I replied.
“Excellent,” he said. “Let’s put it on the calendar again for next week. I want it to be part of my regular schedule.”
I rolled my eyes skyward, fairly certain that no one was listening.
Somebody save me.
Daniel handed me the slotted spoon. “You
r turn.” His fingers brushed against mine and my heart filled with joy.
Then again, maybe somebody already had.
Thank you so much for reading Spell’s Bells! If you enjoyed it, please help other readers find this book ~
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Other books in the series:
Curse the Day, Book 1
Doom and Broom, Book 2
Spell's Bells (Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 3) Page 16