by Amy Boyles
It would be her word against mine. I would lose.
Wouldn’t I?
Unless the mayor had been suspecting something strange of Emily. If that was the case, then Emily might be in the house to attack the mayor.
For the goddess’s sake, why didn’t I just look to see what was going on?
I peered into a window. Emily sat on the couch. It looked like the mayor had gone into the kitchen, probably to get Emily something to calm her down.
I had to get inside without anyone knowing…but how?
“What are you doing out here snooping?”
I sucked air and whirled around, my head nearly spinning off I moved so fast.
Towering over me, a dark look on his face, stood Thorne. “Do I need to arrest you for being a peeping Tom?”
I glared at him. “No,” I whispered. “It’s Emily. She killed Langdon. She’s another Bigfoot.”
He cocked a curious brow. “Is she, now?”
“Yes. She chased me. My mother and aunt have Jimmy in the forest.” I watched him, but Thorne didn’t reveal an expression of surprise. My voice faltered. “You already know this, don’t you?”
He nodded. “My men have him. Your mother sent me this way. Your aunt and mother are helping my men.”
“Vampires need help from witches?”
I think he growled. I stared at him. “Emily’s inside. I’m afraid she’s going to hurt the mayor if we barge in.”
His gaze flickered to the window. “I need to slip inside.”
“We do,” I corrected.
He opened his mouth to argue but then shut it. I guess Thorne had already figured out he couldn’t argue with me and win.
“There’s a rose trellis on the other side of the house,” he said.
“I’m right behind you.”
Thorne climbed the trellis like a native and in one swift movement, he had the window open and had slipped through.
Me, on the other hand, I found the trellis harder to climb than expected. I did my best not to pant and heave, but I still did, and in the end Thorne hoisted me through the opening like I was nothing more than a pillow.
Warning flashed in his eyes. “Stay back. Be quiet.”
We slipped soundlessly from the upstairs bedroom to the hallway.
“It was that matchmaker,” Emily was saying. “You have to fire her and tell Thorne what she’s done.”
“I will,” Mayor Dixon said calmly. “Just tell me everything.”
As Emily started to talk, I watched Thorne. He looked as concerned as I was. It was the same dilemma; would the mayor’s life be in danger if we showed up?
“Let me see if I can call Thorne,” Winnifred said. “My phone’s in the kitchen.”
Thorne pointed two fingers at me and then to the floor, which I assumed meant stay where I was.
I would. Sort of.
Thorne disappeared down the stairwell. The mayor shrieked, it sounded like wood splintered and then Emily’s voice, much deeper, filled the house.
“Make one move, vampire, and I’ll kill her,” Emily said.
Oh great, Thorne’s plan hadn’t gone the way he wanted. I stepped slowly down the stairs and peered into the living room.
Emily’s back was to me. She stood tall, in Bigfoot form. She had one hand on the mayor’s neck. Thorne stared her down, his fingers flexing as if he wanted to wring her throat.
“And I thought I’d just be dealing with a meddlesome matchmaker,” she said. “But it looks like now things have gotten complicated.”
“But why, Emily?” the mayor croaked. “Why are you doing this?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I told you my family had been cursed but I didn’t say how. I’m a Bigfoot. It’s my curse. But I’m blessed in that my magic lets me make other Bigfoots. And I need a mate.”
She kept talking. “At first I thought Langdon would make a good mate, so I turned him into a Bigfoot but he was stupid. Then Langdon threatened to tell others what I had done—he was unstable, so I killed him.”
I cringed. Emily really had some issues.
But me thinking about Emily wasn’t going to stop the madness in front of me. If Thorne moved, Emily would crush the mayor’s throat.
He might be a vampire, and a killer at that, but I didn’t think Thorne wanted the mayor to die.
I could help. I had some power, even though it was waning. But I didn’t really know how to wield it, so what good was I? I glanced to my right. There sat a heavy silver candelabra. If I could pick it up and smash it over Emily’s head, that would help.
Of course, Emily was also eight feet tall now. Not exactly a featherweight opponent.
Right as I was trying to figure out a way to help the mayor, a squealing pig ran from the kitchen into the living room.
“What in the…?” Emily said, distracted.
Pig ran between her legs. Emily whirled around. I picked up the candelabra and smashed it against her face.
Emily dropped the mayor, and quick as lightning, Thorne had the howling Bigfoot wrestled to the ground.
A second later, half a dozen law enforcement officers crashed into the house, helping Thorne handcuff Emily and make sure the mayor was okay.
A little while later I stood outside, the warm summer air sending the smell of flowering gardenias up my nose.
Mayor Winnifred Dixon shot me a weary smile. I crossed to her and wrapped an arm over her shoulder. “If you’d wanted me to matchmake Bigfoot, why didn’t you just say so?”
She laughed.
Pig ran up to me, snorting happily. I scooped her into my arms and gave the swine a squeeze. “You did good, Pig.”
Mama rushed in with Rose following behind her. “Charming, are you okay?”
I nodded. “I’m fine, and thank y’all. If you hadn’t sent Pig in to rescue us, I’m not sure what would’ve happened.”
“What are mothers for?” Mama ran her hands over me to make sure I was telling the truth and wasn’t really hurt. “But in the forest, how’d you get away from the creature?”
A whimsical smile danced on my lips. “Why, magic of course.”
Mama’s eyebrow practically coiled around her nose it arched so dramatically. “You used the magic?”
“Yep, I used the magic. Granted, I didn’t exactly know what I was doing, but it worked out okay.”
“Charming…”
“Don’t worry,” I said soothingly. “I know you’re worried about the prophecy. I won’t do anything to mess up magic for the rest of the world.”
She glared at me.
“I promise.”
“Pig,” Aunt Rose declared. “You saved the day.”
I handed Pig to Rose, who pulled a chocolate bar from her pocket and gave it to the snorting animal. “Yep. Looks like she’s a great addition to our little gang.”
Broom swiveled around impatiently. I laughed. “You too, Broom. No one’s forgetting about you.”
Broom dipped into a bow.
“Miss Calhoun!”
My breath caught in my throat at the sight of Jimmy running toward me. He wasn’t a Bigfoot anymore, he was human, and someone had been kind enough to find clothes for him. They were a bit big, the shirt hanging off his shoulders and the pants rolled up to the ankles, but Jimmy was safe.
I rushed over and threw my arms around his neck. “Jimmy! You’re okay.”
“Thanks to you, Miss Calhoun.”
My hands slid down his arms as we parted. I gripped his hands and smiled so wide my face nearly cracked in two. “Jimmy, I’m so sorry all of this happened.”
He raked his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “None of this is your fault. I’m sorry I let you down.”
I stared at him, shocked he would say such a thing. “You didn’t let me down. I let you down by sending you to a town where you were turned into Bigfoot and placed under a spell that could’ve killed you.”
He shook his head. “It’s not your fault. I went sticking my nose in places and then got spelled by Emily
. I’m just glad y’all caught her.”
I cocked my head at an angle that suggested I was confused, which I was. “But how’d you change back?”
“Emily changed me. She didn’t want to, but your mom shoved a mandrake root in her hand and told her to do it.”
I glanced at my mother and shot her a look of appreciation that she didn’t see. My mother, for all her quirks and pompous attitude, had saved the day.
“Jimmy, first thing in the morning, why don’t you go home? I’ll work on this project here.”
Excitement radiated across his face. “You mean it, Miss Calhoun?”
“I sure do.”
I gave Jimmy another hug before he walked back to the medical truck.
A dark shadow stretched across the pavement beside me. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was.
“You did well tonight,” Thorne admitted.
I cocked my chin at him in arrogance. “Was that so hard?”
Mischief danced in his silvery eyes. “Was what so hard?”
“Admitting I helped and that I can be of service?”
“Yes.”
We stared at each other before we each cracked a smile. Thorne chuckled and I swear it was one of the most pleasant sounds I’d ever heard.
What was wrong with me? Vampires weren’t pleasant.
“Thank you for your help. So, I guess you’ll be leaving town soon?”
“Does the thought excite you?” I said.
His voice deepened. Our gazes locked, and a sliver of energy zipped straight to my stomach. “You have no idea what excites me.”
For some reason I had the idea he was suggesting something to do with me. The air thickened with tension. I cleared my throat and looked away.
“No, I won’t be leaving.” I took a step forward and leaned so close my lips nearly grazed his throat. I whispered, “And you have no idea what excites me, either.”
I retreated a step, threw him a wink and walked back to my family, who were ready to go home.
TWENTY-FOUR
The police released Cap the next day. I had my next move all planned out and had convinced Belinda to quench the mandrake spell.
“I don’t understand why I need to be here, Charming,” the mayor huffed.
I tapped a pen on my matchmaking folder. “Just you wait. There’s something I want you to witness.”
Belinda stood by the tavern doors. She worried her lips nervously.
“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered. “Just hold on.”
“What is?” Mayor Winnifred Dixon asked.
“All of it. This town, if I’m right.”
She blotted a handkerchief over her throat. “Right about what?”
The doors opened, and Cap strode out. “This,” I said.
He took one look at Belinda, and his face filled with longing and want. My heart lurched for them. At the same moment my heart leaped to my gizzard, Cap took two long strides toward Belinda, wove his fingers through her dark hair, dipped her down and gave her the kiss to end all kisses.
“What is that?” the mayor said.
A light haloed Belinda and Cap. The ground rumbled, and it was like the energy emanating from them was washing the town clean. The grime faded, the kudzu receded and Witch's Forge opened to the public once more.
I pointed at Cap and Belinda. “That is the solution to your problems. I don’t know if Witch's Forge is back to normal, but I have a feeling the falls have opened and now you can get regular folks in here again. But first”—I pointed a finger at her—“you’ve got to dispel that horrible law that witches and wizards of different magics can’t marry. They need to marry. The blight on this town was caused by too much magical inbreeding.”
The mayor’s jaw dropped. She raised her hand, and a sheet of paper appeared in front of her.
She jumped back, screaming, “Ah!”
I smirked. “Not used to your magic doing what you ask, are you?”
“No, I’m not.” She stared at the piece of paper. “This is the law that our founding fathers created.”
I clapped a hand on her shoulder. “With all due respect, the founding fathers were wrong. Witches need to marry wizards of different magic. It’s important.”
Mayor Dixon stared at the paper before taking it in her fingers and ripping it apart.
“From now on,” the mayor proclaimed, “everyone can marry whoever they want.” She quickly turned to me, fear in her eyes. “But you’re not finished here yet, are you, Charming? You’re still under contract.”
I smiled. “Don’t you worry, Mayor. When I arrived, I thought this was the worst hillbilly town I’d ever stepped foot in.” My gaze landed on Thorne, who studied me before turning away. “But now I think it’s A-okay.”
“Well done, Charming. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a town to ready.” The mayor walked off, clapping. “Attention, everyone, Witch's Forge is now open for business. Tourists—humans are coming. We must be ready.”
I crossed my arms and smiled, delighted in my handiwork.
“Charming.” My mother popped up beside me. “Looks like you’ve done well.”
I squeezed her arm. “Great. Now you can leave and return to your life. I’m sure there’s a Nepalese village in need of your training.”
She shook her head. “Oh no. I’m staying. Remember, the prophecy.”
I clicked my tongue. “Right.”
“I won’t leave until you do.”
Great.
Rose walked up with Pig on a leash. “Charming, what you’ve done here is great. Now if y’all don’t mind, Pig and I are hungry. I’ve got a meal back at the house. Anyone care to join me?”
I wrapped my arm over her shoulder. “I’d love to.”
We started to walk away when someone calling my name, again, caught my attention.
“Charming!”
Kimberly ran up to me. She clasped my hands. “Charming, the train is arriving. I just got an alert.”
I quirked a brow. “An alert?”
Her cheeks crimsoned. “I have one of my cousins on lookout. Do you think my soul mate is on it?”
I glanced at my file folder. “I’m not sure. Maybe we should check it out.”
Kimberly clapped. “I’m so excited. Let’s go meet my soul mate!”
I straightened and threw my head back. “Lead the way, Kimberly. Take me to the train station.”
* * *
<<<<>>>>
Cursed Brides and Alibis
A Southern Belles and Spells Matchmaker Mystery Book Two
Chapter 1
I stood at the Witch’s Forge train station eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Smoky Express. This particular train had only rolled into town a few times since I’d been staying in Witch’s Forge. After years of being shut down, this steam-huffing beauty was active once again.
Today was an incredibly special day.
My ancient great-aunt Rose, who reminded me of Rose from the Golden Girls, stood beside me hugging a potbellied pig, aptly named Pig, to her chest. See? She was Rose from TV incarnate.
My aunt unfolded her hand and magically revealed a chocolate square that Pig greedily jowled up.
I scanned the horizon for any sign of the Express. “You’re going to make that pig fat, feeding her all that chocolate.”
“Oh nonsense, Charming,” Rose said. “What else is magic for if not to take away calories you just put on?”
I shook my head. “It’s not to be abused, that much I know.”
Rose scoffed. “I’m not abusing anything. Pig is hungry and I’m feeding her.” Rose beamed at the snorting creature. “Aren’t I feeding you?” she cooed in a baby voice.
Pig snorted with happiness.
I rolled my eyes and glanced back at the tracks impatiently. “She’s a pig. She doesn’t understand things like obesity and high blood sugar.”
“A watched pot never boils,” Rose chimed.
“Great way to change the subject,” I remarked. “Besides, t
his watched pot was supposed to arrive ten minutes ago.”
Rose shrugged. “Well, staring won’t bring it here any sooner.”
“If I wiggle my eyebrows, will that help?” I joked.
Rose ignored me and returned to cooing at Pig.
“Charming! Oh, Charming!”
I groaned, instantly recognizing the voice. But instead of showing my annoyed face, I plastered on a big smile and turned around to see Kimberly Peterson, Witch’s Forge’s self-proclaimed Most Eligible Bachelorette, striding up unsteadily in glittering five-inch heels.
Not surprisingly, Kimberly lost her balance and stumbled onto me. I reached for her, and she grasped my hands in an iron grip. Her ample bosom, shoved into a tiny spandex tube top, heaved.
“Thank you for catching me. If I don’t anchor myself to someone or something every few feet, I fall over,” Kimberly admitted.
“Those heels look awfully unsteady.”
“I know. They are,” she gushed proudly. “But they look so great. And I’m supposed to meet the one today. At least, that’s what I’m hoping. I’ve been drinking all kinds of tea potions that will make him appear, and you yourself said that my soul mate would arrive by train.”
Kimberly told the truth. Several weeks ago I’d seen her soul mate, sort of. At least an image of him—dark hair, tall. In the background I’d also spotted a train, which I took to mean that her soul mate would arrive by one.
I smiled proudly. “Let’s hope today’s the day.”
Kimberly threw her arms around me in a hug that smashed her breasts against my cheek. “Oh Charming, you are the best matchmaker ever!”
I peeled my face from her. “Maybe you should change your shoes. You don’t want to meet your soul mate by falling over him and twisting an ankle.”
“But I bought them for this occasion,” she pouted. “Besides”—she batted her eyelashes at me—“maybe I can stumble just right—where he gets to see my goods.”
“Dear, everyone can see your goods,” Rose said.
Kimberly glanced past me to my aunt. “What?”
Before a catfight broke out, I steered Kimberly down the platform. “We hope he arrives today, but we can’t be sure. My magic didn’t show me the exact day.”
