Charms & Witchdemeanors (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Book 8) Read online

  “He does love you, Bay,” Aunt Tillie said, adopting a serious tone. “He’s just angry. He’ll yell. You’ll make up. Your mother will give him a plate of bacon. Everything will be fine.”

  I wanted to believe her, but my heart hurt too much to give in to the temptation. “What if it’s not?”

  “Well, I think you’re about to find out,” Aunt Tillie said, gesturing toward the door. “Here he comes … and he doesn’t look happy.”

  I jolted when the front door of Hypnotic flew open and the sight of Landon in the doorway – something that would usually fill me with pleasure – sent a chill down my spine. “Hi.”

  “Hi?” Landon stalked toward the center of the room, his face red. “Is that all you have to say to me?”

  “I … .” I had no idea what to say.

  “What were you doing at the house?” Landon asked. “How could you be so stupid as to take Aunt Tillie there?”

  “Hey,” Aunt Tillie snapped, extending a warning finger. “She didn’t take me out there. I went on my own and watched in the woods until you left for lunch. She showed up when I was breaking into the house and tried to stop me. It didn’t work.”

  “Oh,” Landon said, marginally relaxing. “I thought you two went out there together.”

  “No,” I said. “I went out looking for Patty’s ghost. I was going to text and tell you I was out there, but I didn’t want a record on your phone.”

  “That was probably smart,” Landon said. “Why didn’t you call me so I could stall Noah?”

  “I didn’t want them listening to the call.”

  “Who is them?” Landon asked cocking an eyebrow.

  “The FBI.”

  “Bay, they don’t do that,” Landon said. “You could’ve placed a thirty-second call. There would’ve been nothing out of the ordinary about my girlfriend calling me to give me a quick update on her day.”

  “I didn’t realize that.”

  “Uh-huh.” Landon narrowed his eyes as he regarded Aunt Tillie. “How about you? Why were you out there?”

  “I wanted to talk to Patty, too,” Aunt Tillie said. “You ruined that by showing up early. Who eats lunch in thirty minutes?”

  “People who have a lot of work to get through,” Landon replied. “I just … what were you thinking? I can’t believe you told that Sally story. I can’t believe Noah almost believed it. I can’t believe you got caught.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, helplessness washing over me. “It wasn’t planned. I heard some things at the senior center and I wanted to see whether Patty could confirm them.”

  “Did she?”

  “We didn’t get a chance to talk to her,” I said. “You guys showed up too quickly. I’m … sorry.”

  “You keep saying that, Bay, but I’m pretty sure you don’t mean it,” Landon said. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you could’ve caused today?”

  “I’m sorry you could get in trouble for what I did,” I offered. “I’ll call your boss and tell him it was my fault.”

  “Don’t even think about it,” Landon said. “Stay away from my boss. Chief Terry already talked to him and smoothed things over. Things are fine on that front.”

  “How did Agent Gullible handle that?” Aunt Tillie asked. “I’ll bet he was furious.”

  “Pouty is more like it,” Landon said. “He’s collecting himself across the street right now. I have only a few minutes.”

  “What are you going to do now?” I asked.

  “Now we go back to investigating and doing what we were doing before you got put in cuffs, Bay,” Landon snapped. “Do you have any idea how much that gutted me?”

  “I … .”

  “Don’t say you’re sorry again,” Landon said. “I can’t take it.”

  “Don’t yell at her,” Aunt Tillie shouted. “She’s already a mess and thinks you’re going to break up with her over this. She’s upset. She was trying to do a good thing and help me. No one needs your attitude … or screaming.”

  Landon opened his mouth to say something, what I’m certain would’ve been a hateful retort on his lips. Instead he shifted his eyes to me. “I’m really angry, Bay.”

  I shrank down in my chair. “I know.”

  “We’re not done fighting. Heck, we’re nowhere near done fighting.”

  “I know.”

  “I need to hear what happened at the senior center and the real story of what went down at Patty’s house, but I don’t have time because I have to deal with my pitiful partner,” Landon said. “I can’t stay here and hash this out with you.”

  My stomach twisted. “I know.”

  “Bay, look at me,” Landon ordered.

  I forced my eyes to his, two sets of blue – one furious, one fearful – collided.

  “We’re going to have another huge fight,” Landon said. “Actually, it’s going to be a continuation of this fight. I need you to realize that I still love you, though. I need you to understand – and not do that freaking out thing you do when we fight. I’m not leaving. I’m sick of saying it, but it’s true.”

  “I … .”

  “No!” Landon shook his head to cut me off. “Don’t freak out. A fight is not a breakup. People fight. That doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.”

  “I … .”

  “I’m not finished,” Landon said. “Nothing you do is going to stop me from loving you. Nothing you do – no matter how sad and pathetic you look – is going to stop us from fighting either.”

  I nodded, resigned.

  “Suck it up, Bay,” Landon said. “You screwed up today and you know it. We worked it out, though. We’re always going to work it out.”

  “Okay,” I said, pressing the heel of my hand to my forehead.

  Landon moved to my side and grabbed my chin, his eyes softening. “It’s going to be okay. I really have to go, though.”

  “Will you be at dinner tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “I guess I’ll see you there,” I said, forcing a wan smile for his benefit.

  “You will,” Landon confirmed. “Now you need to leave and get your cars away from Patty Grimes’ house. I know they’re out there somewhere. I can only give you twenty minutes, so hurry.”

  “Okay.”

  Landon grabbed my face and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “We’re still going to fight.”

  “I know.”

  “Then we’re going to make up,” Landon said, moving toward the door. “I haven’t decided how yet, but somehow it’ll involve bacon.”

  I watched him leave, exhaling heavily as I glanced at Thistle. “I feel a little better now.”

  Thistle smirked. “He’s got something about him that I can’t help but like even when he’s raving like a lunatic.”

  “I think he’s wound a little tight,” Aunt Tillie said.

  “Shut up,” Thistle said, shaking her head. “We need to get moving so we can get your cars. The last thing we need is to get caught out there a second time.”

  “That would be bad,” I agreed, bobbing my head.

  “Oh, chill out,” Aunt Tillie said. “We’ll just say Sally made us do it. I can’t believe we didn’t think of an imaginary person to blame all of our misdeeds on before. This is going to be great moving forward.”

  “You make me tired,” I said.

  “That’s the heatstroke,” Aunt Tillie said. “Now … who wants to get me an ice cream cone before we go?”

  Thirteen

  After returning from picking up our vehicles, I headed for the guesthouse to shower and think. Landon had a right to be angry. I knew that. I couldn’t ignore the agitation rolling through me, though.

  I spent the afternoon working from home, putting together an article on Patty’s death that skirted Aunt Tillie’s potential involvement and sending all of this week’s items to the page designer. Then, with nothing better to do and an upset stomach, I took what was supposed to be a short nap. I had only twenty minutes to get ready for dinner when I woke,
and by the time I scurried to the inn I was frazzled and my makeup was smudged.

  Aunt Tillie sat on the couch in the family’s living quarters as I entered, her gaze trained on Jeopardy as she shouted myriad wrong answers while colorfully referring to the contestants as “idiots” and “morons.” Guests weren’t allowed to pass beyond the dining room, and the only way to enter the private residence area was through a separate door or the kitchen. She glanced at me when I wandered inside, snorting when she saw my rushed efforts to look presentable.

  “You look terrible.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Tillie,” I said dryly. “You look … pleased with yourself.” I couldn’t help but be agitated with her. I had no idea whether I would’ve been caught had she not made a scene and distracted me, but I was too annoyed to believe anything else.

  “I’m always pleased with myself, Bay,” Aunt Tillie said. “That’s what happens when you don’t worry about what others think and focus only on yourself. You should try it one day. You might find it liberating.”

  Was she actually giving me a lecture? “Have you told Mom what happened?”

  “I didn’t see the need,” Aunt Tillie said. “I wasn’t charged with anything. There’s no point in upsetting her.”

  “You mean you don’t want her to yell at you.”

  “I mean I don’t care what anyone says,” Aunt Tillie said, smiling at the empty spot on the couch next to her. “Isn’t that right, Sally?”

  I groaned. “You cannot possibly be considering keeping up the Sally ruse.”

  “Hey, Agent Cry Me a River is in there and he’s going to be watching us,” Aunt Tillie said. “I don’t really have a choice but to keep it up, do I?”

  I opened my mouth to argue and then snapped it shut. She had a point. Darn it! “Do whatever you want,” I said, refusing to let go of my petulance. “I’m going to check on everyone and see how they’re doing before dinner.”

  “Oh, you’re so full of it,” Aunt Tillie muttered. “You’re going to spy on Landon to see if he’s still ticked off. Then you’re going to consider crying because you can’t stand it when he’s angry with you. Just … suck it up, whine box. He’ll get over it.”

  “I am not going to spy on him.” I was totally going to spy on him. The fact that she knew that, though, irritated me beyond belief. “I’m going to spend quality time with my mother.”

  “And spy through the door to gauge Landon’s mood,” Aunt Tillie added. “We both know you’re going to do it. I have no idea why you deny it. If the look is on purpose, though, good job. You look just pathetic enough for him to give in.”

  Well, that was just about all that I could take. I should’ve left things alone, but my immaturity was taking cues from my insecurity and ramping up. “You know you would suck if you ever made it on Jeopardy, right?”

  “You know you might want to wipe your nose because the snot is actually visible, right?”

  I frowned, determined not to let her think she got to me. I stared her down for a moment, willing her to look in my direction. She remained fixated on the television, and I finally gave up and stalked toward the kitchen. I waited until I was close to the door before surreptitiously wiping my nose. Hah! I knew nothing was there.

  “I saw that,” Aunt Tillie said.

  I ignored her and strolled into the kitchen, pasting a bright smile on my face for my mother’s benefit. “How is everyone?”

  “What happened to you?” Marnie asked, wrinkling her nose. “Are you sick?”

  The question didn’t bode well for my plan to sucker Landon into forgiving me with my cuteness. “I worked from home this afternoon and I fell asleep.”

  “Well, you should’ve looked in a mirror before coming up here,” Mom said, her expression thoughtful. “You look pale. Are you sure you’re not sick?”

  “I’m fine,” I said, making a disgusted sound as I batted her hand away when she reached for my forehead to check my temperature, and moved toward the swinging door that separated the kitchen from the dining room. “Has anyone seen Landon? Is he back?”

  “He’s out there,” Mom said. “He has his little friend with him. They’ve been talking shop in front of the guests. I don’t like it. Make him stop.”

  “How am I supposed to make him stop?”

  “Do whatever it is you do that makes his eyes sparkle and has him chasing you out of the house like a madman,” Mom replied, not missing a beat. “Don’t do it in front of the guests, though. We don’t want them thinking we’re running a brothel.”

  “Fine,” I sad, hoping I didn’t sound as huffy to my mother’s ears as I did to my own. “Is he in the library?”

  “Last time I checked,” Mom said. “Go make him happy … and then lower the boom. I don’t want any disturbing chatter at dinner tonight. We have a full inn, so every seat will be taken.”

  I made a face. “You don’t want any disturbing chatter at dinner tonight?”

  “This is a family-friendly establishment,” Mom sniffed.

  “So you basically want the entire family to be quiet?” I pressed. “That’s what you’re saying, right?”

  “Bay, I don’t know whether you’re sick or what, but I’ve had just about as much mother-and-daughter bonding as I can take tonight,” Mom said, fixing me with an “I gave birth to you and you literally owe me your life” look. “Go play with your boyfriend. Make sure his little friend isn’t going to be a pain. That’s your mission. Choosing not to accept it is out of the question.”

  I waited until I was sure Mom’s gaze was fixed on her dinner preparations before rolling my eyes and pushing open the door.

  “I saw that,” Mom called to my back.

  Of course she did.

  I expected Landon to be in the library, so when I found him and Noah already seated at the dining room table I pulled up short. Landon was in the middle of some heavy discussion, but his eyes jumped to me when he sensed my presence.

  “Are you sick?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from lashing out and shook my head, traipsing to my usual spot at the table and hesitantly grabbing the chair. Did he want me to sit someplace else? “I … .”

  “What are you doing?” Landon asked, narrowing his eyes as he looked me up and down. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “She’s probably feeling guilty,” Noah said. “That’s normal when you’re dealing with criminals.”

  I’m pretty sure he had no idea how stupid he sounded. I wanted to tell him, but now probably wasn’t the right time. I forced a smile for the guests at the far end of the table before turning back to Landon. “Do you want me to sit in another chair?”

  “Do you want to sit in another chair?” Landon asked, his face unreadable.

  That wasn’t an answer. Sure, I wasn’t expecting him to fall to his knees and beg me to sit next to him, but it would’ve been nice. “Not particularly.”

  “Then sit down,” Landon prodded.

  Well, now the last place I wanted to sit was next to him. I couldn’t pick another chair, though, because that would incite endless questions from my mother. I blew out a frustrated sigh as I sat, reaching for the pitcher so I could pour myself a glass of water. I could feel Landon’s eyes on me the entire time. When I leaned back I jolted as he pressed his hand to my forehead. “What are you doing?”

  “Are you okay?” Landon asked, removing his hand. “You don’t feel warm, but you look sick.”

  That was probably the sweetest thing he’d said to me in hours. How freaky is that? “I worked from home this afternoon and I accidentally fell asleep. I didn’t wake up until a few minutes ago.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Initially I envisioned pouting until Landon forgave me. Now I was too angry to pout.

  “I didn’t mean anything by it, Bay,” Landon said, his voice devoid of the flirty mirth I’d grown to love. “I was simply asking whether you were sick. I believe that’s what a good boyfriend does.”

  “An
d a good girlfriend doesn’t break the law,” Noah added.

  “No one asked you,” I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Good for you,” Aunt Tillie said, sashaying into the dining room with a mischievous smile on her face. “I told you crying over it wouldn’t do you any good. Anger is definitely the way to go.”

  Landon scorched Aunt Tillie with a death glare as she settled in the spot to his left. “Do you have to make this situation worse?”

  Aunt Tillie shrugged. “I have no idea. I guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?”

  “Where is your friend?” Noah asked Aunt Tillie. “What was her name again?”

  That was a test, and it was a bad one.

  “Sally is watching the end credits of Jeopardy,” Aunt Tillie replied, snagging the bottle of wine in front of her. “She has peculiar interests. Personally I don’t care for the credits, but arguing with her is like arguing with … a brick wall.”

  “Or nothing,” Landon muttered.

  Aunt Tillie made an exaggerated face as she filled her glass. “Sally doesn’t think you’re very funny, Fed.”

  “You just said she was watching the end credits of Jeopardy,” Landon pointed out. “How can she know what I said?”

  “What did you say?” Noah asked. “I couldn’t hear you.”

  Everyone pretended Noah wasn’t at the table.

  “Sally just came in and she’s peeved,” Aunt Tillie supplied. “She’s very quick. You have to be on your toes when she’s around.”

  “Who is Sally?” Mom asked, opening the swinging door with her hip and carrying a tray laden with Chinese food to the table. “We have a full house. We can’t fit anyone else in.”

  “She doesn’t need a chair,” Aunt Tillie said, her smile never slipping. Mom’s arrival unnerved her, though. I could tell.

  Mom pursed her lips. “I’m confused.”

  “Oh, why?” Noah asked, his gaze pointed as it landed on Mom. “I would think you would know all about your aunt’s imaginary friend.”

  Mom stilled. “Imaginary friend?”

  “She’s not imaginary,” Aunt Tillie clarified. “She was a dear friend of mine who died when I was a teenager. She merely stops by to visit from time to time.”