Courage of the Witch

by Deanna Chase

  “Are you seriously turning down sex so I can think?” Hanna asked incredulously. She was so cute with her outrage that he nearly picked her up and carried her into the house, damn the consequences.

  “No, I’m pretty sure I have plenty of thinking to do, too,” he said gently. “I just don’t want to get in too deep until you have thought all this through. I don’t want to risk what we have because we’re too impatient.

  “Rhys, dammit,” Hanna said, wiping the single tear from her cheek. “Fine. No sleepovers yet. But be forewarned… they will be expected as this relationship moves forward.”

  “And thank the gods for that,” Rhys said, moving in to kiss her goodnight one last time before he headed back to his cold and lonely bed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hanna hummed to herself as she decorated a batch of sugar cookies with the words, Come on in. The coffee’s more than fine. She was careful to use the same script as the Incantation Café sign out front. After weeks of mulling over the idea to do a window display, Hanna was finally ready to get something going.

  “What’s got you in such a good mood today?” her mother asked from the doorway that led to the back room.

  “I had a good date last night,” Hanna said, adding a few fancy swirls to one of the cookies.

  “You did? With who?” her mother asked. “Was it—”

  “Hanna?” a voice called from the café.

  “Hold on, Mom.” Hanna brushed past her mother and spotted Noel Townsend standing in the lobby. Her face was glowing as if she’d just come from a facial, but Hanna knew Noel’s newfound radiance had nothing to do with the spa and everything to do with the baby on board. “Look at you,” Hanna said, rushing around the counter. “Look at that baby bump. I swear you weren’t showing last week when you were in here. How many months is it now?”

  “Just about four and a half months,” Noel said with a grin. “And I was showing, but I was doing a fairly decent job of hiding it. Now, there’s no disguising this girl.” Noel pressed a hand to her abdomen. “She’s letting everyone know she’s coming.”

  “A girl?” Hanna said with a sigh. “Oh my gosh. Is your family allergic to the Y chromosome?”

  Noel laughed. “It sure looks that way, doesn’t it?”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Hanna gave her friend a big hug and felt the sting of happy tears burn her eyes. “Drew must be over the moon.”

  Noel squeezed Hanna’s hands. “He is.”

  “He’s always wanted kids, you know.” Hanna bit her lower lip and tried not to think about what might have been. Drew and Charlotte had been high school sweethearts, and Drew had spent a lot of time at the Pelsh residence back in high school.

  “I do,” Noel said softly, holding Hanna’s gaze. “She’s still with him, you know.”

  Hanna’s throat tightened, and dammit, one tear rolled down her face. “I’m sorry, Noel. This isn’t fair to you. You and Drew, you’re perfect together. You know I love and support you both, it’s just that sometimes the past sneaks up on me and bites me in the ass, and I start thinking about what might have been had she lived.”

  “I know, sweetie. Trust me. I know. You think I don’t sometimes wonder what might have been if Xavier hadn’t disappeared? What my life and Daisy’s life might have been like?” Noel was referring to her first husband and the fact that he’d disappeared one day, leaving her alone with her small child. He’d resurfaced recently, but by then it was too late for them. Too much had happened, and Noel was already in love with Drew. She gave Hanna a watery smile, her eyes tearing now, too. “We all loved Charlotte. She would’ve wanted us to go forward and be happy.”

  “You’re right.” Hanna pulled her into another hug. “I love you, and I can’t wait to meet your new little one. Mixing your genes with Drew’s means she’s going to be the cutest thing that ever graced Keating Hollow.”

  “Until you and Rhys decide it’s time to procreate,” she said with a huge grin.

  Hanna’s face felt hot as she let out a nervous laugh. “Well, there’s no chance of that yet. We haven’t even um… you know.”

  “You will,” Noel said with a wink. “You two have been dancing around this for years.”

  “I suppose.” Hanna eyed her. “I guess this means Faith told you about our date.”

  She nodded. “First thing this morning while I was in for a foot massage. Have you met the new girl? Luna? Her hands are magic.”

  “Literally,” Hanna said, rotating her ankle. “Between her and Faith, they should add healing services to the menu.”

  “I heard about that,” Noel said with a nod and started to move toward the register where Candy was standing. The young girl was staring out the window, her eyes unfocused and a small dopey smile on her face.

  Hanna waved a hand in front of her. “Hey, earth to Candy. You in there?”

  Candy jerked and turned her attention to Noel. “Oh, oops. Sorry. I was thinking about a school project.”

  Noel raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Must be some project. You looked more like you were reliving a hot one-night stand or something.”

  “Noel!” Candy cried and glanced around, no doubt looking for her aunt. “Don’t say things like that with Aunty Mary around. She talks too much.”

  Noel chuckled. “Sounds like I hit a nerve.”

  Candy scowled at her, and Hanna chuckled. Candy turned her fiery glare on her cousin. “Don’t you start, too. I’m just trying to get through this day so I can—”

  “Meet him at his dorm room?” Noel teased.

  “Oh, stop. What do you want?” Candy demanded.

  “Hot chocolate, extra whip.” Noel put a five on the counter. “Keep the change for your condom budget.”

  Candy’s mouth dropped open in a surprised “O.” Then she rolled her eyes at Noel. “You people need better entertainment.”

  They both laughed. After Noel had her hot chocolate in hand, Hanna said, “Hey, can I borrow you for a minute?”

  “Sure. I’ve got time before I need to pick up Daisy.”

  “Excellent. I’m working on a window display. I want to spruce it up like Hollow Books and A Spoon Full of Magic do with their front windows, but I need an air witch to help me out. Mom could do it, but she’s been busy doing accounting stuff all week.”

  “Sure. What do you need?”

  Hanna waved her over to the window all the way to the left that was behind the coffee condiment bar. “I want to create a floating display that highlights how to pour coffee art while cookies rise in the air around it. They have a welcoming message on them. I can handle spelling the liquid to do what it needs to do, but I need an air witch to spell the coffee cups and pitcher as well as the cookies to keep the display going. Do you think you can do that?”

  “Sure.” She furrowed her brow. “I think I’ll need you to demonstrate the coffee art though, so I can spell the dishes to mimic your movements.”

  “Okay.” Hanna moved the condiment bar out of the way and called over her shoulder, “Candy? Can you bring me a shot of espresso, a pitcher of steamed milk, and a mug?”

  “Yep.”

  Hanna took a moment to clean up the window, and by the time she was done, Candy had her supplies ready. “Thanks.”

  With Noel standing next to her, Hanna used her considerable barista skills to demonstrate the latte art heart. She first poured the espresso into the cup and then lifted the pitcher up and down, slow, and fast, until the espresso helped form a heart in the latte’s foam top. The whole time she demonstrated, she felt the faint tingle of Noel’s magic wrapping around her.

  “Isn’t that lovely,” Noel said.

  Hanna had let go of the espresso shot glass and pitcher, but due to Noel’s magic, they kept repeating her movements on a thirty second interval. All Hanna had to do was spell the liquid to return to the shot glass and pitcher each time so that the scene would replay over and over.

  “This is going to be perfect,” Hanna said, clasping her hands toge
ther. All she had to do was think about the espresso and the milk separating back into the pitcher and shot glass and suddenly the window she’d envisioned had come alive. Now all she needed were the cookies. “I’ll be right back.”

  Five minutes later, Hanna and Noel were outside, observing the café wares perform the coffee art and watching the cookies rise in the air to welcome patrons into the store. Noel had her hot chocolate while Hanna sipped on a chai latte.

  “That’s cool,” a familiar male voice said from right behind Hanna.

  She turned and grinned at Rhys. “Noel helped me.”

  “It’s very well done.” He nodded at Noel. “Maybe the brew pub needs something like that.”

  “Maybe. Talk to Clay.” Hanna wrapped her arms around him just because she could and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips. “I was hoping I’d see you today.”

  “Oh, you’ll be seeing me every day from now on, gorgeous,” he said and tucked her against his chest, running a hand down her back.

  Noel let out a contented sigh. “You two are just so perfect. I can’t believe it took you this long to get it together.”

  Rhys glanced over at her and smiled. “You know what, Noel? Me neither. But now that I’ve overcome my severe case of dumbassery, I’m hoping Hanna won’t hold it against me.”

  “Don’t worry,” Hanna said. “I think we’re past that now. Just don’t eff up again.”

  “Yes, love,” he said softly, and this time when he kissed her there was nothing sweet about it.

  When he finally pulled back, Noel fanned herself. “Holy hotness, batman. Did someone just turn the heat up or what? I think I need a cold shower.” Then she winked at them. “Congrats, you two. See you later.”

  They waved as she walked off, her hot chocolate still in her hand.

  “Need a coffee?” Hanna asked him.

  “I need more of you, but since it appears half the town is staring at us, maybe we’ll save that for later.”

  Hanna peered past him and noted that Shannon and Miss Maple were standing outside of A Spoonful of Magic watching them while Clarissa was pushing a gawking Pauly Putzner back into the sheriff’s office. And then there was Ms. Betty. She was shuffling her way down the street, her eyes bugging out, and she was making a beeline straight for them.

  “Uh-oh. If Ms. Betty gets her hands on your backside, you won’t be able to sit for a week,” she said, laughing. “Remember what she did to Jacob?”

  Rhys groaned. Ms. Betty had gotten a little handsy with Yvette’s significant other right after he’d moved to town and was known for making a multitude of inappropriate comments. “Let’s get inside. Maybe she’ll forget where she was headed.”

  Hanna laughed. “I’ll save you if she doesn’t.”

  They scurried inside, and Hanna got busy making him the decaf mocha he’d asked for.

  “Decaf?” Mary Pelsh said with a tinge of judgment in her tone. “Since when have you started laying off the caffeine?” she asked Rhys.

  “Healer’s orders,” he said with a smile. “How are you doing, Mrs. Pelsh?”

  “Well, since you asked, Rhys,” she said, sounding combative. “I’ve been better to tell you the truth.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Rhys said as Hanna hurried over.

  “Mom?” Hanna asked, concerned. It was rare for her mother to be short with people. Graciousness was her thing and snapping at people was unheard of. “What’s going on? You sound upset.”

  “I am upset.” She scowled at both of them. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Hanna and Rhys glanced at each other, both confused.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Pelsh,” Rhys started. “What do you mean? We were just outside talking to Noel—”

  “I mean this.” She waved a hand between the two of them. “So, what? You’re a couple again?” She glared at Rhys then turned her attention to Hanna. “I can’t believe you’re letting him back into your life like this. He’s only going to hurt you.”

  “Mom!” Hanna gasped, horrified her mother had called her out like that right in front of Rhys and the few customers they had in the café. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t I?” She whipped back to Rhys. “Did you or did you not dump my daughter and then proceed to ignore her for over a year until you decided you’d made a mistake?”

  “I…” Rhys glanced at Hanna and grimaced.

  “Well?” Mary demanded.

  “Rhys, you don’t owe her any explanations,” Hanna said softly. What was wrong with her mother? Hadn’t she been thrilled when they went out to dinner just before she sprained her ankle? Hanna had no idea why her mother had done a one-eighty. She raised her voice and added, “Mother, we’ll talk about this at home. In private.”

  But Rhys and her mother were still staring at each other, Mary with her arms crossed over her chest and Rhys standing straight with his head high. His expression turned determined as he said, “I love your daughter, Mrs. Pelsh. I know I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve apologized to her. I can see now that I should have apologized to you as well. It was never my intention to hurt her. In fact, I was trying to protect her. Maybe—”

  “I’ve heard enough,” Mary said, her tone final. “Just know that I don’t approve.” She turned on her heel and stormed back into her office, slamming the door behind her.

  Hanna jumped as the door rattled against the frame, and then she looked at Rhys helplessly. “I’m so sorry about that. I had no idea she’d behave that way. Hell, I had no idea she felt that way.”

  Rhys stared at the closed door and frowned. “I guess I need to just give her time.”

  Hanna slipped her arm through his and guided him to the counter where Candy had left his decaf mocha. Once he had it in hand, she led him outside. “You know my mom loves you, right?”

  He let out a small snort. “Sure. It just pours off her.”

  Hanna chuckled softly. “Mary Pelsh never gets worked up about anything except the people she loves.”

  “She loves you, Han,” he said, tugging her away from the front windows of the café. When they were out of sight, he dipped his head and gave her a light kiss. “You’re the common denominator here.”

  “Maybe, but you’ve been in my life since I was a teenager. She did love you and I know she does now. She’s just mad. Let me talk to her. I’m sure this will blow over.”

  He sighed and pulled her in, resting his chin on her shoulder. “I sure hope so, love. Because the last thing I want to do is come between you and your mother.”

  Hanna hugged him, loving him even more for caring so much about her family. “You won’t,” she promised. “We just need to let her get used to us. When she sees you aren’t going anywhere, she’ll come around.”

  “All right.” He pulled back and smiled down at her. “In the meantime, will you come by the pub for my dinner break tonight? I’d take you out, but I have to close.”

  Hanna had wondered how their schedules were going to work. She normally opened the café, and he spent three or four days a week closing the brew pub. A slow smile claimed her lips. “I’d love to.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Mom!” Hanna tore through her parent’s living room, livid at her mother. The way she’d treated Rhys was just downright rude and unacceptable.

  “In here, Hanna,” her mother called from the kitchen in the back of the house.

  Hanna stormed in and stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted her mother with her head down on the table, a used tissue clutched in her hand. “Mom?” she said more gently as she sat next to her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything.” Mary’s head popped up and she looked at her daughter with red-rimmed eyes. “I was horrible today. I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Hanna reached out and placed her hand over her mother’s wrist. “It’s all right. No permanent damage was done. I’m sure Rhys—”

  Mary waved a hand. “I don’t care what Rhys thinks, honey. I only care about upset
ting you. I shouldn’t have gone off like that in the store today. It was unprofessional. That’s not what our customers have come to expect from us.”

  Hanna pulled her hand back and straightened, anger simmering in her gut again. “So, you’re upset about the way our fight looked to customers?”

  “Mostly I’m upset that I upset you,” she said.

  Hanna pushed her chair back and moved to the counter, where she started making a fresh pot of coffee just to keep her hands busy. After she flipped the switch on, she turned and stared at her mother. “What is your problem with Rhys?”

  “He’s not the right man for you.” Her mother’s tears were gone, and her expression was hard as steel.

  “You don’t get to make that decision, Mother,” Hanna said, not backing down for a second. “Are you saying that your relationship with Daddy has always been sunshine and roses? That you’ve never had any ups and downs or doubts about whether you should be together? Rhys’s only crime was trying to protect me.”

  Mary’s eyes narrowed. “Protect you from what, exactly?”

  “Getting hurt.” Hanna threw her hands up in the air. “From falling in love with him, marrying him, and maybe even having his children and then losing him to the same heart condition that took his dad and his grandfather.”

  “Well, at least he got that part right.” Mary stood up. “It’s too bad he’s not strong enough to stick with that position.”

  Hanna felt as if cold water had been dumped down her back. Did her mother really think Rhys should stay away from her because of what might happen in the future? “Is that what this is all about?” Hanna’s voice was a little shaky as she added, “Are you saying Rhys doesn’t deserve to be loved because of a condition he has no control over?”

  Mary closed her eyes and sighed. “Hanna… Oh, honey. It sounds so awful when you say it like that. Of course, I don’t think he doesn’t deserve to be loved.” She sat back down and patted the table with her palm. “Please, come sit with me and let me get this out. Then I swear, whatever you decide, I won’t say another word.”