by Esme Addison
He smiled, but she withdrew her hand. “That’s the problem, Dylan. You have to try to be good.”
The words hung between.
His gaze fell to the ground. “If you ever have a change of heart…”
Her throat was tight as she nodded and turned away. There was nothing else to say.
* * *
That afternoon, spring was in full bloom. Alex, Lidia, Minka, and Kamila gathered around the fountain in the backyard to drink iced tea and enjoy the sunshine. The trees were bursting with flowers and the sky was brilliant. Alex thought this was one of those impossibly beautiful spring days.
“Another perfect day in Bellamy Bay,” Minka announced. She was wearing shorts and a spaghetti-strapped top, trying to get a start on her tan.
Lidia inhaled the sweet, fragrant air and smiled. “I will never, ever take sitting outside for granted again.”
Alex admired the tall pink rosebush Stephanie Bennett had delivered. It was still in a bucket, but only until they decided where to plant it in the garden. Stephanie had spent the night in the hospital after Bryn’s attack, suffering from severe dehydration and a depletion of electrolytes. But once she was released, she had carried the rosebush up the walkway herself. When Alex had run out to greet her, she’d set the plant down to give Alex a long hug.
“You saved me from that awful woman. I can’t ever thank you enough.”
“It was nothing.”
“No, it wasn’t. Everyone in town is talking about how you just happened to stop by for a visit and ended up preventing a brutal attack. You’re a hero.” She’d stepped back from the embrace, keeping her hands on Alex’s arms as she looked her in the eye. “I will never forget what you did for me. I don’t have the first idea how to repay you, but I thought something beautiful for your garden was a start.”
Stephanie didn’t remember anything about the magic she’d witnessed. All she knew was that Bryn had barged into her house and forced her at gunpoint to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement and write a fake suicide note. Then, Alex had saved her.
“I hope you’ll think of me when these roses bloom,” Stephanie had said. “Pink is for gratitude, and I’ll be forever grateful to you for saving my life.”
Now as the family sat around the mermaid fountain, Kamila elbowed Alex playfully in the ribs. “You’re quiet today. You must be thinking about Detective Frazier.”
Alex was horrified to hear herself actually giggle. But yes, she had been thinking about Jack.
“I’m happy we’re giving it another try,” she said. “That’s all.”
“He’d be a fool not to want to go out with you,” Minka said.
Alex didn’t think of it that way. Jack was a nice guy who didn’t play games. When he’d asked her last night if she’d be open to having dinner with him, she’d thought she’d be a fool to say no.
Athena walked over then and rested her head on Alex’s lap. The dog must have sensed something, because she hadn’t strayed from Alex’s side. Alex stroked her soft cheek. She’d always been grateful for Athena, but today she was extra grateful for the comfort her furry guardian provided.
And Athena was happy here. She loved chasing birds around the yard and running along the beach. Bellamy Bay was the perfect spot for her, and Alex had decided on their walk that morning that spring was the time to make a new start. That’s why she was going to politely decline Carter Hawthorne’s generous job offer. She planned to tell him that her family needed her.
But this was only half the truth, because Alex needed her family, too. For ages she’d longed for a missing piece of her life, but her aunt and cousins had filled that hole. But even they, with all of their unconditional love and support, could not replace her mother.
My mother. Bryn’s words about her drowning had been weighing heavily on Alex. Had someone in the Magical community actually killed her? Or had Bryn said that to upset Alex in the moment? Regardless, Alex couldn’t leave now, not when that question was unanswered.
And there was still the matter of the Warsaw Shield, and whether it was actually located on the Bay Realty land. Alex, Minka, and Lidia had vowed to inform the Council of the possibility because they couldn’t risk having it fall into the wrong hands. Alex couldn’t leave town with that matter unresolved, either.
She just hoped her family would allow her to stay.
“I have something to say,” Alex began, and took a glimpse at the women surrounding her. “Ciocia Lidia, you already know I had a job offer in New York. Minka and Kamila, I didn’t mention it because … well, there were other things going on, and the truth is, I wasn’t sure I was going to take it.”
She took a deep breath. “But after giving it some thought, I think that job is wrong for me. I don’t want to spend another moment thinking about how risky life can be, and the ways in which I can mitigate the dangers I face. I have the sense that my mother would not want that for me.”
She pushed back the tears that welled in her eyes every time she thought of her mother. “I like being here in Bellamy Bay with all of you. I enjoy helping people, healing people … making soap and herbal remedies.” She reached over to pet Athena’s back. “So I’m wondering if it would be all right if I stay. I promise I’ll earn my keep, help out at Botanika—”
She couldn’t finish her sentence because Minka had wrapped her arms so tightly around her chest. “I’m so happy you want to stay.”
“Minka,” Kamila said, “I don’t think she can breathe.”
“Sorry.” Minka released her grip, but her happiness was evident in her brilliant smile.
“Of course you can stay for as long as you’d like,” Lidia said as she pulled Alex into a softer embrace. “There is plenty of room, and we could use some help at the shop for the summer.”
“Yeah, I heard that new girl you hired didn’t work out so well,” Kamila said, deadpan, and took a sip of her iced tea. But then she grinned. “That’s what happens when you don’t check references first.”
“Ugh. Please don’t ever mention Bryn again,” Minka said. “She’s powerful. She masked her magic and made me think she was someone else entirely.” She shook her head in disbelief. “My witch radar is usually pretty strong.”
“You need to practice more,” her mother added, before turning to Alex. “You are always welcome in our home and as long as you like. Bellamy Bay is where you belong, too.”
“Thank you all,” Alex said. “For everything. You’ve made me and Athena feel at home. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt that way before.”
“Alex, you’re family,” said Kamila. “We love you.”
“And you’ll really love this,” Alex said, inching forward on the bench. “The practice is paying off.”
With barely a blink, she sent a shot of water straight into the air. It danced in a little loop before landing right next to Athena. The dog leaped to her feet and barked at nothing, her tail wagging. The women broke out in laughter, which only excited Athena more. “You’ve caught on quickly,” Kamila said.
“A natural if I ever saw one, just like your mother.” Lidia patted her on the knee.
“We’ll make a witch of you yet,” Minka agreed.
Alex smiled and leaned back on her seat. Her skin was warm; her heart was warm. Today, her life was perfectly magical.
Author Biography
Ever since Esme Addison discovered Nancy Drew, she’s wanted to solve mysteries. As a mystery author, she’s finally found a way to make that dream come true. A former military spouse, Esme lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and three boys. When she’s not writing, you can find her visiting B&Bs, breweries, wineries, and historical sites.
This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by Holloway LLC
Al
l rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-64385-303-1
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-64385-324-6
Cover illustration by Teresa Fasolino
Printed in the United States.
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Crooked Lane Books
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First Edition: May 2020
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