A Taste of Magic

by Tracy Madison

  Disappointed, I pulled back from his touch. “I have plans. I meant to talk to you about it earlier, actually.”

  “What type of plans?”

  “My ex-husband is coming for dinner. There’s a few areas we need to clear the air on so...” I grappled with the right explanation, the right words. “Closure. He’s looking for closure and, honestly, we never really had it, so it’s something that needs to happen.”

  “Didn’t you tell me he was remarried? And expecting a baby?”

  “Yes. And that’s why it’s important I talk to him. He’s just going through some doubts, that’s all. He won’t be here long, Nate, and I don’t want to be with him. This just, well, I have to do it.”

  Nate’s eyes gripped mine. “I guess I’m supposed to be the big man here and not let this stress me, right?” He frowned, and I saw worry cross his features. “Are you sure you have no interest in patching things up?”

  “I’m positive. You’re the only man I’m interested in.” Wow, that was easy to say. And it only scared me a little bit. Probably, if things didn’t work out the way I wanted, I’d wish I hadn’t said it. “I don’t even expect him to be here more than a couple of hours, so if you want to come over later, we could watch a movie.”

  “You’re filled with complications, aren’t you?”

  “Me? No complications here.” Yeah, I know. A little lie. Because, come on, if being a gypsy and being able to cast magical spells isn’t a complication, then what is?

  He seemed to make a decision, and he smiled. “I’d like that, but I still want to take you out this weekend. Is your schedule clear for tomorrow night? Or do you need to check your appointment book?” he teased.

  “Ha, you think you’re cute, don’t you? Tomorrow sounds great, and I don’t need to check. I’m free.”

  “Good.” Leaning over, he kissed me gently. “I work the early shift tomorrow, or I’d invite you over.”

  The timbre of his voice made me shiver.

  After Nate left, I shut the TV off and busied myself straightening up, all in an attempt to shake the want from me. My body screamed for release, and I pretty much had to ignore it. That sucked. While in other circumstances I might have found a way to alleviate my blood-pumping desire, with Grandma Verda in residence, I only had one choice.

  Turning the kitchen faucet on full blast, I splashed cold water over my face. When I felt more normal, I pulled out the recipe and the spell I was going to use for Marc and Nate. Two different cakes for two different men. Hopefully, I’d see two different results. For Marc, I wanted his feelings to revert back to normal, so he could focus on his new life. And Nate? I wanted the spell to prove Nate’s feelings for me were real. I wanted that more than anything else.

  After getting the ingredients measured and ready, I made sure the bedroom door was closed tight. Grandma Verda was a heavy sleeper, so I doubted she’d hear me, but I didn’t want to chance waking her. I knew she’d had a difficult time sleeping with worrying over Vinny, Miranda, and, well, me.

  Switching on the mixer, I began.

  “My wish is simple! I’ve cast spells in the past that might have altered people’s emotions and actions. This wish is to erase any of these effects on anyone who eats these cakes, but most specifically on Marc and Nate. I want the truth to come out, and only the truth. I wish for all previous enchantments to be removed!”

  I repeated the wish a couple of more times as the magic bounced through me, around me, creating a maelstrom of colors, wind, and electricity. This time, I felt everything explode from the center of me, from my heart, like I never felt before.

  All the anger of the prior year, the fears, and the desperation flew out of me. Quickly following, all the hopes and dreams I’d begun to have for Nate filled me, surrounded me, and pushed me forward. My knees trembled, and my arms shook. I sucked in air but held on tight, my body rippling with energy.

  The power of it almost brought me to my knees, but I forced myself to remain upright until it all slowly died down. Then I released my grip on the mixer and, folding my arms on the counter, cradled my head in them. Raw emotion from letting go of the last of my fears and anger collided with my worries and hopes over Nate, of what would happen.

  “Liz? What the fuck did you just do?”

  Oh no! I turned to face Nate, my heart in my throat. “Er, that’s a long story.” I tossed him a weak grin, the trembles beginning all over again. He stood in the entry of the kitchen, his body ramrod straight, his eyes narrowed. But what scared me was the frigidness of his expression. “Why are you here? How did you get in?”

  “I left my pager here. When I knocked on the door, you didn’t answer, but I heard you yelling. I got scared, tried the door, found it unlocked.” His gaze swung around the room. “And found you doing something that I, no matter how hard I try, can’t find a reasonable explanation for. I need you to explain this to me. Now, please.”

  “Chill out, Nate, she’s not a devil worshipper. There’s a reasonable explanation, and you’ll hear it,” Grandma Verda said, emerging from the bedroom. She focused on me. “Sweetie, that was incredible. Now I understand why Miranda tried to connect with you. Even my mother’s power wasn’t that strong.”

  “Power? What? Hell, do I even want to know?” Nate backed up against the wall.

  Me? I had no clue what to say. My mouth was glued shut. Yeah, I know. A new concept for me.

  “If you’re interested in my granddaughter, you do. If you’re not, because of something like this, then she’s too good for you, young man. And if that’s the choice you make, I’ll have severely underestimated you.” Grandma Verda pointed a finger at Nate. “I thought you were a pomegranate, not a lemon. Don’t let me down.”

  I was seriously going to have to talk to her about her fruit thing.

  And then, while I was still trying to figure everything out, a kaleidoscope of color washed the room. Goose bumps coated my skin, like before but also different somehow. The scent of flowers filled the room. And I knew, from the bottom of my toes to the top of my head, that I was finally going to meet my great-great-great-grandmother.

  The swirl of colors grew brighter, pulsating to the beat of my heart. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a woman stepped out of the rainbow. She wore a brightly hued dress. Her long dark hair cascaded around her face like perfect, flowing silk. But what amazed me most of all, I think, was the remarkable resemblance she had to my sister.

  Miranda turned to my grandmother first.

  “Give him a chance, Verda.” Her lilting voice floated over me, through me. She wasn’t completely see-through, but she wasn’t completely, wholly there, either. What she was, however, was amazingly beautiful. Like Alice, but still different.

  Every hair on my body stood up on end. I never actually expected to see her. The room hummed with energy, myriad hues sparkling softly all around us like raindrops of every color in the world. Grandma Verda smiled at the apparition and then sagged against the door, probably so she wouldn’t fall to the ground.

  Who could blame her?

  I tore my eyes off Miranda and searched out Nate. When I found him, I walked to his side. I’d never seen his skin so pale. I grabbed his hand, felt the iciness of it, and tightened my hold. He didn’t break free.

  “What is that?” he uttered in a gravelly, what-the-hell-is-going-on-now sort of voice.

  “Not what. Who,” I whispered. “And her name is Miranda. She is my great-great-great-grandmother. And yes, Nate, she’s very real.”

  His eyes zipped around the room. But then he drew in a deep breath. Glancing at me, he said, “Really?”

  At my nod, he focused on Miranda. “It’s—ah—nice to meet you. I think. Wow. Okay. Even I’m a little startled here, and I’ve seen a lot of wild things in my life. Maybe I’m losing my mind?”

  Miranda laughed. A sound not unlike tinkling bells. “You’re adorable. He’s a good choice, Elizabeth. You did the right thing.”

  Nate coughed. He cleared his throat. “Is t
his normal for your family?” he asked me.

  “It’s becoming normal,” I answered.

  He shook his head, as if to clear himself from a daze. “Then I might as well get used to it, huh?” He looked at Miranda again, and I saw something—acceptance, maybe—shimmer in his eyes. “I think I’m falling in love with your great-great-great-granddaughter. So I’m glad you think I’m a good choice.”

  Falling in love? With me?

  Miranda laughed again. “I won’t have the energy to stay long. But my granddaughters will fill you in.” She faced me. “Elizabeth, I need to tell you a few things, but I need to be quick about it. Don’t pass the gift on until you know who it should go to. Who it goes to is as important as the gift itself. You’ll know, soon, who the right person is.”

  I nodded mutely.

  “We’re a lot alike, you and I. This is why you were able to sense me in the very beginning, and this is why I’ve been able to connect with you. Your emotions pulled me to you, and now . . . your decision to take control and be strong allows me to even be here. There’s more coming. More you’ll need to know. But not now. Think about what I’ve said and listen to your heart. Do you understand?”

  But then, before I could even answer and tell her, no, I had no clue what she was talking about, she reached her hand toward my grandmother. “Verda, I did try to come to you. To connect with you. When you struggled so much with your marriage and the wish you made. I’m sorry I couldn’t reach you, but I did watch over you. Always. I’m proud of all the women in my family. Never think otherwise.”

  My grandmother nodded as she wiped the wetness away from her eyes. “I think I felt you then, when things were so difficult.” She smiled softly, as if she’d finally made peace with something. “I’m glad to see you. My mother spoke of you often.”

  “I’ll see you again, Verda. I’ll see all my granddaughters again.” With that, Miranda’s form shimmered slightly, becoming more transparent. “I have to leave now, but remember what I said, Elizabeth.”

  And then, as quickly as she’d arrived, she was gone.

  I thought of everything she’d said, but honestly? My mind wouldn’t let go of the falling in love statement from Nate. What kind of power was that?

  My grandmother tugged at her nightgown and then wiped more tears from her cheeks. “Let me go change, and then we’ll explain everything to your young man.” She disappeared into the bedroom and tightly closed the door behind her.

  Nate grasped my shoulders and turned me to him. “I don’t know what happened here. Not really. But it won’t change that I have serious feelings for you. Please don’t be afraid to tell me everything.”

  I straightened my shoulders. “I’m a gypsy, Nate. It’s in my blood. It’s who I am.”

  “And you get visits from a long-dead relative often?”

  “I wouldn’t say often. But every now and then, yes. Usually, her visits aren’t like this.”

  He thought about that for a minute, and then asked, “When I walked in, what were you doing? All the lights, wind, and other stuff I saw . . . what was that?”

  Here we go. Like it or not, it was truth time. Nervous jitters danced through me, but I pushed them away. “I was casting a spell.” And then, I explained to him what had happened with some of my other spells. I told him why it was important I nullified the prior enchantments from Marc. When I’d run out of words, I snapped my mouth shut.

  “And did you ever spell me?”

  Of course, he had to ask that. I’d ask in the same situation.

  “Just once directly. And it was an accident. It was before I knew about the magic. Remember those banana muffins I baked you?” Warmth tickled my cheeks. My stomach somersaulted. “And that, er, night on the couch? I think that night was the result of those muffins. So maybe . . . what you think you feel for me, you really don’t.”

  He prodded my chin upward, so I’d look into those amazing green eyes of his. “Everything I feel for you is very real. I never ate those muffins, Lizzie. I’m allergic to bananas.”

  I took a breath. “Allergic? Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  I wanted to grab on so badly it almost hurt. But I couldn’t. Not yet. There were still the brownies to deal with. “Well.

  There was one other spell. It wasn’t meant specifically for you. But it might be affecting you.”

  “And that was?”

  “Right before I saw you that night, I’d baked a batch of brownies for me. The spell I cast was for me to date . . . um . . . well...”

  “Go on. It’s okay.”

  “Hot men. And you’re pretty hot.”

  He laughed again, humor glittering in his eyes. “I’ve been interested in you since the beginning. So, no, Liz. It had nothing to do with any brownies. You’re stuck with me.”

  Everything was real? As much as I’d hoped it would be true, I hadn’t allowed myself to think this moment would really happen. I tried to temper my happiness, my excitement. “Well. If you don’t mind, I’d still like you to eat the cake I was making when you walked in on me. Just so I know. For sure.”

  “Absolutely. I’ll stay here tonight until it’s done. I don’t want you worrying about this. I know how I feel about you.” He bent down and kissed me lightly. “Now I just need you to believe it, too.”

  More heat flushed through me, but I didn’t care. If I hadn’t gotten stuck in my window, would I have even met Nate? Thank God I’d gone out that night and lost my keys. Fate, every now and then, knew exactly what she was doing.

  “Are you ready to hear everything, Nate?” my grandmother asked, striding from the bedroom. I could tell she thought it was going to be a problem, convincing Nate not to end things based on gypsies and magic and ghosts.

  Nate released his grip. “Actually, I think we’re all set here, Verda. I wouldn’t mind hearing all the details, but it isn’t necessary.”

  A cop. Practical to his core, from everything I could see, and he was willing to accept this part of who I was at face value. Oh, that didn’t mean he’d buy into all of it, I knew that, but still.

  I said, “We’ll be waiting for a cake to bake anyway. So, yeah, let me make some tea, and we’ll tell you Miranda’s story.” I mean, really, if we did end up together, like in marriage someday, and had children, he had a right to know everything, didn’t he?

  Exactly.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Nate and I entered my apartment, just returning from our night out. While the evening had been fun, I couldn’t completely relax. And probably, neither could Nate. I asked him about every fifteen minutes or so if his feelings had changed. Luckily for me, he hadn’t gotten annoyed with me yet.

  Even more important? Each time I asked, his answer remained the same. And it was the “all things are wonderful” answer I wanted to hear.I kicked my shoes off and headed for the couch. He followed, sitting down next to me. He opened his arms, and I scooted into them. With my head on his chest, my cheek rubbing against the softness of his shirt, my body finally began to unwind. Weird or not, whether it made sense or not, this man affected me in a way Marc never had. And I never would have known these feelings if we’d stayed together. So yeah, in a screwed up, backwards sort of way, it was a blessing he’d left me.

  “So—are you still sure?” I had to ask again. It was almost impossible for me to believe that something this awesome wasn’t the result of magic.

  His arms tightened around me. I couldn’t see his face, but I heard his deep intake of breath. All at once, the calmness that had started to seep into me evaporated. “What? It’s happening. Isn’t it?”

  He answered, his voice low and serious, “Yes, Lizzie. I think it is.”

  Oh God. I knew it was too good to be true. I pulled out of his embrace. Sitting up straight, I tried to swallow my disappointment. My sorrow. “It’s okay. None of this is your fault. It’s mine. And you’ve been so terrific.”

  “Lizzie—”

  I held up a hand. “No. It’s fine. R
eally.” If he tried to explain, if he tried to be nice just to make me feel better, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold back the sadness that was pushing in on me. I hated this, but come on, I knew it was a possibility.

  A light of something hit his eyes. Probably, he felt bad.

  “We can still be friends, right? You said yourself you can always use more friends,” I babbled. I tried not to, but there you have it.

  “Of course we can be friends. But you should let me finish what I was going to say.” He reached over, grasped my wrist, and tugged me back to him.

  Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure what was happening.

  Cupping my face with his hands, he tilted my chin upward so that we were eye to eye. The warmth of his touch settled my nerves. A crawl of hope began deep in my belly, branching out bit by bit, until all of my anxiety fled.

  “What I was going to say,” he said, his lips touching mine in a quick, sweet kiss, “is I’m becoming more enraptured by you every minute we spend together. That’s what’s happening.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  And then, as quick as a heartbeat, everything was right in my world once again. “You scared me,” I said in a rush. “I thought . . . well, you know what I thought.”

  “I will tell you if anything changes, when it changes. I won’t hide that from you. Trust in that. Trust in me. Please?”

  I thought about that for a minute. And you know what? Nate wasn’t Marc. He wouldn’t show up one day, with virtually no clues, and tell me he was finished with me. So yeah, trusting Nate? “I can do that,” I whispered. “I’m sorry I’ve been a little nuts today.”

  “Nuts I can handle. I don’t like seeing you doubt me. Or us. So have some faith, Gypsy Girl.”

  Gypsy girl. How cute was that? “Faith. I can do that,” I repeated.

  We curled up again, with my head on his chest. We didn’t watch television, and we didn’t really talk. Mostly, we just enjoyed being with each other. I thought about the prior day and everything that had occurred. Nate had taken to the whole Miranda story fairly well, considering the circumstances.