I glanced around. Mom, Meg, and even Cookie were there. Lizzie was lounging in the corner, dressed in a hoodie and tight cotton pants. She raised her eyebrows when she saw me. “For once I don’t dress up for dinner, and now I hear there’s an event happening?” She did not sound pleased.
“Yup,” I said, grabbing a tray and following Cookie out of the room.
“You did well with Marsha,” Cookie whispered. “All’s well that ends . . . with me still in charge.”
I laughed and rolled my eyes. Even Cookie grinned.
I wasn’t expecting Grant and Dorian to be in the dining room yet, but when we got there they were already lounging around with Kip, Corey, and Cam. Both our guests looked more relaxed than I had seen them since the murders. Dorian was laughing and smiling. A purple bruise had bloomed on his cheek, but he didn’t seem fazed. Grant looked happy. His obvious delight in the evening gave me confidence. I ordered myself to walk in a straight line and not be an idiot and trip.
“Evening,” said Cookie. “Which one of you handsome young things is going to help me get the good wine down from where I’ve hidden it at the top of the cabinet?” She pointed to one of the large china cabinets in the room.
They all started to stand at once. Corey was closest to the cabinet and ended up being Cookie’s “hero,” as she called him.
In order to avoid the guys, I quickly set down my tray and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Lizzie had disappeared. “I told her this was yours and Grant’s official dinner, and she nearly fell over. She went to go change,” said Audrey gleefully, giving me a warm smile. “I’m so happy for you. I had wondered, you know, when he decided to stick around and all of that, but . . . I’m so happy for you,” she said again.
I gave her a hug and took another tray into the dining room. Most of the rest of the food was already there.
No one else was in the room yet. By the end of the night I’d have a boyfriend. Pep had found a new potential fellow, if he could keep up with her. I had a feeling he’d do just fine. The fact that she had chosen someone whose family was part of the criminal element was unlike Pep, but we can’t help who we get the hots for.
Another case had been solved, and I suddenly realized that I was feeling more and more like a real detective.
Then Grant walked in. He smiled at me, showing his dimples. My heart fluttered.
The End
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By Addison Creek
Witch of Mintwood Mysteries
Witch Way to Mintwood
Witch Some Win Some
Spell by Midnight
A Witch on Mintwood Mountain
Witch Raising Situation
Witch Way Round
Witch Wish Way
White Witch Wonder
Muddled Mintwood Murderer
Wonder Wand Way
Miraculous Mintwood Magic
Witch of Mintwood Mysteries 1-3
Witch of Mintwood Mysteries 4-6
Witch of Mintwood Mysteries 7-9
Witchy Minter Wonderland
The Jane Garbo Mysteries
Spooky Business
Spooky Spells
Spooky Spider
Spooky Spindle
Spooky Skeleton
Spooky Scarecrow
Jane Garbo Mysteries 1-3
The Rhinestone Witches Mysteries
Pointy Hats and Witchy Cats
Rhinestone Way
Spooky Scarecrow Page 18