Another faraway look came to Meg’s eyes as she stared out the window. A few seconds of silence followed, prompting Pamela to speak up.
“Are you thinking about dessert?” Pamela asked.
Meg shook her head. “No. I was actually thinking about the future.”
“What about it?”
“I don’t know exactly what life has in store for us next, but we could be in for a truly magical time.”
The End.
Hexes and Other Hairy Situations
Chapter One
“Do you know what the best part of being a cat is?” Penelope asked. “You can nap all day and no one judges you.”
Penelope expected Pamela Hutton to laugh at her joke, but Pamela was too awestruck to do anything but stare.
How could she not be? It was the first time she had ever seen a talking cat. Much less one who was as sassy as Penelope.
It had been a crazy month for Pamela. Just a few weeks ago, she believed that she was the only witch in all of Enchanted Bay. Now she realized that was far from the case. Not only were Meg and Beth Walton also witches, but they also owned a talking cat.
While Pamela tried to wrap her head around that fact, Meg decided to crack a joke.
After all, Meg was all-too accustomed to Penelope’s cattitude.
“I thought you were going to say the best part of being a cat was being able to get away with being ridiculously bossy,” Meg remarked.
“That’s a good perk too,” Penelope replied.
Beth put her hands on her hips. “For you. Not the rest of us.”
“Come on. I dare you to tell me I’m not the most entertaining cat you’ve ever met,” Penelope said.
Meg chuckled. “Just when I think you can’t get any sassier, you find a way.”
“What can I say? It just comes naturally to me,” Penelope replied.
Meg and Beth both smiled.
Meanwhile, Pamela remained slack-jawed.
Penelope took notice of how quiet Pamela was being and became concerned. “Are you all right?”
“Honestly, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that talking cats exist,” Pamela said.
Meg nodded. “I understand. It is a lot to process.”
“You can say that again,” Pamela replied.
“Honestly, life has managed to surprise all of us recently,” Beth said. “I had no clue that another family of witches lived in Enchanted Bay.”
“Neither did I,” Penelope said. “And I’ve lived here my entire life.”
Beth bit the corner of her lip. “Growing up, it would have been nice to know that we weren’t alone.”
“I agree,” Pamela said. “I also keep thinking, if only my mother was still alive to see this.”
“I’m so sorry that she isn’t. From the sound of it, we probably would have gotten along really well,” Beth said.
“I’m sure you would have.” Pamela started to get choked up thinking about her deceased mother. “Times like this, I miss her more than ever.”
“Why don’t we talk about something else?” Meg suggested.
Pamela nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. But before we move on, I hope you realize how lucky you are to still have your mother and your grandmother in your life.”
“I know,” Meg said.
“Good. Because if life has taught me anything, you can’t predict what’s going to happen next,” Pamela said.
“As someone who has investigated an uncomfortable amount of murders, unpredictability is something I’m quite familiar with,” Meg said.
“Hey. Instead of dwelling on all the things that have gone wrong over the years, why don’t we focus on things that have gone right? For example, the fact that we all found each other,” Penelope said.
“You’re right. Here’s hoping we all have a magical future together,” Pamela said.
Chapter Two
The next morning, Meg’s day started off surprisingly early. She was in the middle of a pleasant dream when her cell phone rang. While her first urge was to ignore the call, she knew that checking the identification screen on her phone was essential.
It was rare for someone to call her this early. In addition, when someone did phone her at that hour, it was usually because some sort of an emergency was taking place. With that in mind, Meg reached for her phone.
When she saw Pamela Hutton’s name come up on her screen, she immediately accepted the call. Instead of wasting time with small talk, Meg got right to the point.
“Pamela, is everything okay?” Meg asked.
“I’m sorry for calling you so early, but I just woke up from a terrible dream,” Pamela said.
“A dream?” Meg said. “So, you’re not in any danger then?”
“Actually, the reason I’m calling is because I’m worried that your fiancé might be in trouble.”
Meg’s eyes widened. “Really? What makes you think that?”
“Like I said before, I just had this nightmare.”
“What was it about?”
“You were at Connor’s place watching some television with him when you heard a strange noise coming from outside.”
“What sort of noise?”
“A rustling, followed by a thud,” Pamela said. “Connor got up from the couch to investigate. When he opened the front door, it became clear where the noise had come from.”
“Where?” Meg asked.
“From the wolf that was standing at the door,” Pamela said.
Meg’s nose scrunched. “Wait a minute. A wolf? As in, a real wolf?”
“Unfortunately.”
“What happened next?”
“I’m just telling you right now. You aren’t going to like my answer.”
“Why not? Did the wolf attack Connor?”
“I don’t know.”
Meg’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“Before the wolf made a move, I woke up from my nightmare,” Pamela said.
“Are you serious?”
“I know it’s really frustrating, but that’s exactly what happened. Anyway, once I calmed myself down, I grabbed my phone and called you.”
“What a crazy dream.”
“I’ll say. Although, I wish I had more details for you.”
“Let’s be honest. If you did, they would probably be grisly.”
“You’re right. I mean, there aren’t many good ways for a scenario like that to end.”
“There sure aren’t. That’s why I’m glad it was just a dream.”
“For now.”
Meg grimaced. “Pamela, you don’t actually believe that a real wolf is going to show up at Connor’s door, do you?”
“I didn’t say that. The wolf might just be symbolic of some other dangerous situation that could be on the horizon.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Make no mistake. I would love it if I’m wrong. But, at the moment, I can’t rule out the possibility that I’m correct.”
“I understand.”
“When was the last time you spoke to Connor?”
“Yesterday evening.”
“You might want to give him a call. Just to make sure everything is all right,” Pamela suggested.
“That’s a good idea.”
“I hope he’s not in danger.”
“I’m going to find out. But before I call him, thanks for giving me that warning.”
“Of course. I don’t want anything bad to happen to one of my friends.”
Chapter Three
Meg immediately phoned Connor. Thankfully, he was at home. And safe. As a matter of fact, Meg’s call had woken him up from a sweet and peaceful dream.
“What a relief. I’m so happy you aren’t in harm’s way,” Meg said.
“I’m just fine,” Connor said. “Although, Pamela’s nightmare sounded really disturbing.”
“It sure was. I wish I knew what to make of it.”
“I think it’s a clear sign that I need t
o be on the lookout for danger.”
“Well, yeah. But it would be nice to have more information to work with. There are all sorts of things that can go wrong.”
“Especially in my line of work.”
“Isn’t that the truth?”
“Which gives me all the more reason to be vigilant.”
“Do me a favor and be extra careful at work today.”
“I will.”
“Good. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Neither do I.”
“I love you,” Meg said.
“I love you too,” Connor replied.
Chapter Four
A few hours later, Meg headed over to Enchanted Donuts to start her work shift at her family’s bakery. Shortly after Meg clocked in, her mother arrived.
It was a slow day at the shop, which gave Meg and Beth the opportunity to have a little chat.
“Now that I know we aren’t the only witches in town, I can’t help but wonder if there is some other major secret in Enchanted Bay that we aren’t wise to.”
“I sure hope not,” Beth said. “You know how I feel about surprises.”
“You do realize that not all surprises are bad, right?”
“True. But most are. You don’t have to dive very deep into the past to see that.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“Good. I’m not in the mood to argue.”
“Although, you have to admit. Meeting Pamela was a great surprise,” Meg said. “Isn’t she a blast?”
Surprisingly, Beth left her daughter hanging.
At first, Meg couldn’t figure out why her mother didn’t answer the question.
“Mom, don’t you think Pamela is great?” Meg said.
Once again, Beth didn’t reply.
As Meg looked into her mother’s eyes, she realized that Beth’s attention had shifted elsewhere.
Beth stared out the window at a tall man who was standing across the street. The balding skinny guy looked like he was in his fifties.
Meg didn’t recognize him, but her mother sure did. As a matter of fact, not only was this man’s face familiar to Beth, but she seemed really interested in talking to him.
Beth headed for the front door of the donut shop. “Meg, take over.”
Meg threw out her arms. “Wait a minute. Where are you going?”
“Just watch over the shop. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Beth said.
Meg wasn’t ready to let the conversation end there. “Who is that man?” she asked.
Beth didn’t answer Meg. Instead, Meg’s mother walked across the street with purpose.
While Beth approached the mystery man, Meg got the urge to cast a spell that would give her enhanced hearing abilities.
Unfortunately, right then, three customers came into the shop.
So much for eavesdropping on her mother’s conversation.
Meg suddenly had her hands full.
Chapter Five
The closer Beth got to the mystery man, the more her eyes lit up with rage. When she finally made her way across the street, Beth didn’t hold back her feelings.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped.
The man stopped dead in his tracks and turned to Beth with fear in his eyes.
He tried to conceal his true emotions with a smile and a pleasant greeting.
“Elizabeth. What a coincidence. You’re just the woman I was looking for,” the man said.
“I find that hard to believe. Especially since the last time we spoke, you couldn’t wait to get away from me,” Beth said.
“That was a long time ago.”
“Not long enough for me to forget what happened. Or what you did. It is burned into my brain.”
“I don’t suppose we can push the past aside—”
Beth scoffed. “You can’t be serious. You’re lucky I’m not blowing my top right now. Honestly, the only reason I’m being this restrained is because we’re in public right now.”
“Fair enough.”
Beth snarled. “Fair? You’re the last person who should ever use that word.”
“You’re right. That wasn’t great phrasing.”
Beth stared daggers into the man’s eyes. “The phrasing wasn’t the only thing wrong with your response. After what you did, you should be on your knees begging for forgiveness. Yet here you are, all these years later, showing up here acting like nothing happened. You have a lot of nerve.”
“Look. I’m sorry about what happened—”
“Are you really?” Beth asked.
“Of course.”
“Then why has it taken you over thirty years to say that?”
“I wish I had a good answer for you.”
“Honestly, at this point, I would take any answer.”
“I was really stupid back then.”
“What about now? Have you wizened up? Because judging by this conversation, it sure seems like you haven’t.”
“Will you please give me a chance to explain myself?”
She pointed at him. “Go ahead. I’m all ears.”
“I wouldn’t have come back to Enchanted Bay unless it was really important.”
“Really, Trevor? Now you feel like it’s important to visit your daughter? Where was that sentiment the first thirty-four years of her life?”
Trevor bit the corner of his lip. “Actually, I didn’t come here to see our daughter.”
Beth folded her arms. “Please tell me you’re kidding me.”
“You wanted me to be honest with you. The fact is, I wouldn’t even know what I’d say to her after all this time.”
“You could start by apologizing to her. Maybe if you beg hard enough, she’ll actually forgive you.”
“I doubt that.”
“How can you be so sure? You don’t even know her.”
“That’s true.”
“So, are you going to apologize to her?”
“I can’t deal with that right now. Too much is going on for me to be able to handle a situation as emotional as that.”
“What do you mean, too much is going on?”
“Beth, my brother is dead.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“How do you think I feel?” Trevor said. “This was completely devastating news to me. Mike’s death came as a huge shock.”
“How did it happen?”
“That’s the really troubling part. The medical examiner ruled Mike’s death as a suicide.”
“Wow. What a way to go.”
Trevor nodded. “If that’s what really happened.”
“What do you mean, if? Do you question the medical examiner’s findings?”
“I don’t believe Mike took his own life. Not for an instant.”
“Why not?”
“He wasn’t depressed. It doesn’t make any sense that he would kill himself. There has to be another explanation.”
“Such as?”
“Maybe someone killed him and staged the scene to look like a suicide.”
“Are you serious?”
“I’m not sure exactly. But I’m determined to get to the bottom of this. That’s why I’m back in Enchanted Bay.”
Beth squinted. “I’m confused.”
“I know it’s going to sound crazy, but I want your help,” Trevor said.
Beth scoffed. “I can’t believe what I just heard.”
“Trust me. It wasn’t easy for me to come here. And if there was any other way—”
“Let me stop you right there. If you think I’m going to help you after you walked out on me and our unborn daughter, you’re even crazier than I thought.”
“I realize what I did to you both was terrible. And that I don’t deserve this favor—”
“You sure don’t. What you deserve is to be exiled into another dimension. Now get out of my sight.” Beth turned around to walk away.
“Please help me,” Trevor said. “You’re my only hope.”
Beth snarled. “You’
re the most selfish person I know. You should have never come here.”
“Do you want me to get down on my knees? To beg? Because I’ll do it,” Trevor said.
Beth threw out her arms. “What do you want me to do? I can’t bring your brother back from the dead.”
“I understand that. But isn’t there some kind of spell you can cast to communicate with him in the afterlife? Some sort of séance?”
As a matter of fact, there was such a spell. Beth wasn’t eager to cast it, though. Especially not on Trevor’s behalf.
Beth broke into laughter after hearing Trevor’s statement.
Trevor’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s so funny?”
“The irony of life. I mean, all those years ago, you abandoned me and Meg because you found out I was a witch. Now here you are, asking me to use my magical powers to help you.”
“Like I said before. If there was any other way to find out the truth about my brother’s death—”
Beth held up her pointer finger. “That’s it. I’ve had enough. It’s time for you to do me a favor. Get back in your car, leave Enchanted Bay, and never come back. Got it?”
Instead of following Beth’s orders, Trevor got down on his knees.
“Please. I’m begging you here. Just cast this one spell and I’ll never bother you again?”
“Will you get up? You’re going to cause a scene.”
“If I get up, will you cast the spell for me?”
“Fine.”
Trevor’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“On one condition,” Beth said.
“What’s that?”
“If I do this, you have to promise that you’ll never come back to Enchanted Bay again.”
Chapter Six
Once Trevor agreed to the terms of the deal, Beth was eager to cast the séance spell and get Trevor out of her life again. That said, she needed to find a private place to perform the incantation. In addition, there was another thing that she needed to take into account. A séance spell was so emotionally draining to cast that it required two witches to successfully pull it off.
Normally, Meg was the second witch in that equation. Beth wasn’t about to involve her daughter in this messy situation. If anything, Beth was doing her best to keep Meg in the dark.
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