by Andris Bear
As cute as the dress was, it was better suited to one of her younger sisters. Evangeline hadn’t rocked the adolescent girl look even when she had been an adolescent girl. Tonight, she wanted to be sophisticated yet casual. Sexy but respectable. Basically, she wanted to be all things a handsome mechanic would find irresistible.
Peering at the discarded dress, she asked, “So what does a handsome mechanic find irresistible?”
Hell if she knew.
She returned the rejected dress to the closet. Flipping through the hangers, she disregarded most of the items. Jeans were too hot—she couldn’t be irresistible if she was dripping sweat and B.O.
Shorts were too casual for her taste, but none of her numerous skirts tickled her fancy.
Her gaze snagged a slip of silky red. She bit her lip, debating.
She’d bought the dress on a whim months ago, even then doubting she would ever have the guts to wear it. But mix a sale and a credit card, and bam! A never-worn purchase was made.
Mostly because the thing should have come with its own fire siren.
Before she talked herself out of it, she pulled it off the hanger and slipped it on.
Returning to the mirror, she soaked in her reflection. “Killer boobs, baby.”
She posed, stretched, and preened for several minutes, watching the soft fabric move with her. The dress made her feel sassy, but it was a little more va-va-va-voom than a first date called for.
Sighing, she removed the dress, then returned it to its hanger in the closet. The blue sleeveless one next to it was comfy, classy, and flattered her complexion. Better to fall back on a good standby than tempt fate with a bad fit. Right?
Chicken.
Yep. After slipping it over her head, Evangeline turned to the jewelry box on her dresser, searching out her silver pendant.
The phone ringing stopped her in her tracks. Recognizing the number, she slid her finger over the screen to accept the call before tapping the speaker icon. “Yeah,” she said.
“Hey, Evie. It’s your favorite sister.”
Evangeline smiled. “Hey, Alex. I don’t know about favorite, but you’re definitely the most confident.”
Alexandra was the oldest of Evangeline’s three younger sisters. Her personality made the red dress seem tailored to the timid and meek—a trait Evangeline both admired and despised.
“Now, now, don’t let your jealousy out,” Alex cooed, no doubt enjoying herself. “We both know how happy you are to hear from me.”
Rolling her eyes, Evangeline resumed searching for her necklace. “Yes, I have missed you, almost as much as I haven’t missed you stealing my clothes. It’s kind of nice knowing my things are where I left them.”
“First of all,” Alex stated in a tone that had Evangeline visualizing her sister waving a finger in the air. “I borrowed your shoes—rarely—and maybe a few earrings. But your clothing? Not on a dare. Nuns find your taste too modest. Second, I’m the middle sister—that’s what I’m meant to do.”
Frowning at the phone, Evangeline asked, “Have you forgotten about Elle and Mal? How are you a middle child?”
“They’re twins. They share the youngest spot. Therefore, I am the problematic middle sibling.”
Laughter floated off Eangeline’s lips. “Okay, fine. I’m getting ready for a date, so state your business, problem child.”
“A date? Tell me more.”
“It’s a first date. Nothing to tell,” Evangeline evaded.
“Let me guess—tall, dark, and nerdy. You met him at a chess meet or the plaid section of Sears.”
“You are such a brat,” Evangeline said with a laugh. “He is tall and dark but not nerdy.” She didn’t bother denying having ever played chess or wearing plaid as her sister would only concoct some other jab.
It was how Alex showed affection.
“What are you wearing?”
Evangeline glared at the phone. “Leave me alone.”
Laughter boomed from the speaker. “Oh, Evie, you’re wearing that damn blue dress, aren’t you?”
Silence answered for her. Then she said, “I hate you. Why are you bothering me anyway? Have you grown bored of the twins, thought you’d give me some torment?”
“Well, it does spice up my evening but sadly, no. When are you coming home?”
Evangeline paused. “I don’t know. Why?” She had only worked at the library for three months and didn’t have much, if any, time built up.
Silence filled the line.
Alarm coursed through her. Grabbing the phone, Evangeline lifted it to her mouth. “What’s wrong?”
Her sister’s sigh sounded. “I can’t exactly say anything is wrong. Things are just…weird here.”
“Weird how?” Evangeline asked, tension coiling in her gut. Evasion was so not Alex’s style. That she wasn’t blurting out her thoughts in her usual fashion confused Evangeline more than anything her sister said.
“Mom and Dad are being… secretive.”
Eyebrows lifting, Evangeline gave her a skeptical chuff. “Secretive? About what? What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know, okay? Maybe secretive is too strong a word, but they’re definitely off.” Alex’s tone communicated her frustration. “We’ve each caught them staring at us with pensive frowns. They lower their voices or stop talking altogether when one of us walks into the room. Then Mal—”
“Do you think Mom and Dad have been replaced by pods?” Evangeline joked. Relief pulsed through her. Here she’d feared something serious, but a few worried glances? Pssh. “Overreacting much?”
“Maybe,” Alex admitted. “But I think a visit from you would ease their minds. You know they never wanted you to move.”
Understatement of the century. Her parents had not been unenthusiastic supporters of her moving out on her own. When they had found out she had chosen to move to Whisper Grove? They had lost their shit, refusing any explanation as to why.
“Yeah, I know.” Not sure what Alex was worried over, even less over what her sister expected her to do about it, Evangeline offered, “I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll figure out a couple of days for me to visit. It should only require promising Mimi my first born.”
“Okay, call me. And have fun on your date.” Alex added a high-pitched singsong quality to the last word, which was immediately followed by a dead line.
Evangeline snorted as she pushed to end the call. Her eyes caught on the time, and she realized she had fifteen minutes until she was supposed to meet Shane. Letting off a frustrated growl, she raced from the bedroom, snagged her purse, and headed out the door.
Bless her date’s heart, her car started on the first try—as it had ever since Shane did whatever he’d done. Greasy spark plugs? A prostate check? A virgin sacrifice? All she knew was she was grateful he’d fixed it because she couldn’t afford to be late for work again. Especially if she wanted to take off more than one day in a row.
Running through the conversation with her sister, Evangeline wondered what Alex was festering about. So their parents were acting “off.” Having four daughters, they were bound to be a little kooky. Besides, it wasn’t as if they had chased her down the street with a machete.
She decided to let the worry go until tomorrow. Tonight, she had a date with a cute guy who just might be worth the effort. Smiling, she cranked the radio—which was also working again—and enjoyed the ride.
When she pulled into the lot, Shane was leaning against his truck. He smiled as she parked behind it, making sure to give his bumper plenty of space. The last thing their first date needed was a second fender bender.
Butterflies dove through her belly as she pulled the key, grabbed her purse, and climbed out of the car.
“You made it,” he said with a wry smile. “I thought you might have agreed to dinner to get your car back, then ditched me.”
“I tossed a coin.” She shrugged, nonchalant. “It landed in your favor.”
“Lady luck is on my side,” he said, offeri
ng his elbow. “Not that I doubted it—I heard the familiar roar of your muffler a mile out.”
She shot a glance toward the back of her car as she slipped her arm through his, letting him lead her toward the truck. It did make a lot of racket, but it was nothing that cranking the radio couldn’t cure.
“If dinner goes well, I might let you fix that for me, maybe even earn yourself a second date.”
“Are you using me for my mechanic skills?” Pausing by the passenger door, he clutched his chest. “You wound me.”
Laughter bubbled at his easygoing dramatics. He was cute and playful, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d be crushing on him in no time. “Somehow I doubt it’s too deep.”
Shane winked, opening the door. Evangeline climbed in, fixed her dress, then buckled, waiting for him to do the same.
“How do you feel about The Landing?” he asked, cranking the engine. Unlike her growling vehicle, his turned over with a purr.
Having never been to the restaurant, she didn’t feel either way about it. She did know where it was located, though, and figured that counted for something. “Sounds good.”
“I was hoping you’d agree since it was The Landing or the Magic Fairy Diner.”
Cocking a brow at him, she asked, “You don’t like fairies?”
“Are you kidding? Fairies are some of my favorite people. I just didn’t think you’d want your dinner wrapped in foil and stuffed in a plastic bag.”
He had an answer for everything, didn’t he? And didn’t she just like that about him? Shaking her head, she kept that little bit to herself as he pulled out of the parking lot.
They rode in companionable silence for the few minutes it took to reach the restaurant. If the sparse parking was any indication, the place was packed.
Once inside, Shane gave his name to the hostess—a young woman who appeared to want to be anywhere but at work. After she led them to a table at the edge of the room, she stated their waiter would be with them shortly before bustling off to greet new arrivals at the door.
Evangeline leaned back in her seat, checking out the décor. The walls were a warm, nondescript beige, while the various paintings and pictures were colorful landscapes and portraits. While it was nothing spectacular, it set a comfortable stage.
As promised, their waiter appeared, asking for their drink orders.
“Water for me,” she said as she accepted the menu.
Shane asked what beers they offered, waited for the waiter to rattle them off, then selected one.
“Water, huh?” he asked once the waiter left. Lifting his menu, he peered at her over the rim. “You aren’t one of those girls who is afraid to eat in front of a man, are you?”
Her snort almost got away from her. “Oh, honey. My liquid vice is coffee, but if I have any now, I’ll be wired until Tuesday. As for food, I’d order every French fry in the place. Maybe with a side of burger.”
“That’s good to know,” he said on a laugh. Leaning forward, he added, “But if you want every fry in the joint, so be it.”
Before she could pass on the offer to make a glutton out of herself, a figure strode up to their table, leading with, “If this isn’t the oddest pairing I’ve ever seen, I don’t know what is.”
That’s a strange way to take someone’s order.
Expecting the waiter, Evangeline’s mouth fell open to find Freya Stone standing before her.
“Freya.” The name left Shane’s mouth on a sigh. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
The statuesque blonde ignored him in favor of scrutinizing Evangeline to the point of rude. As if sensing Evangeline’s annoyance, her mouth curled at one side. “The…sure is …mine. So… to see… again, Winther.”
Despite wanting to appear attractive—not to mention sane—to her date, Evangeline clamped her hands over her ears at the howling static cutting off Freya’s words.
“Are you all right?” Shane asked, leaning forward to touch her arm.
“What is wrong with you?” Freya asked with all the concern of a raging bull.
The harsh whispering disappeared as quickly as it had started, leaving her with no better understanding than when it happened before. What was wrong with her? Why was it happening?
How in the hell could she make it stop?
Lowering her hands, she tried to play it off with a small smile. “Sometimes when I get overwhelmed, my ears pop.”
Not entirely a lie.
Shane’s concern eased at her explanation, and he gave her a sympathetic smile.
“Or you’re just another low-class Winther butting in where they don’t belong,” Freya stated casually, turning her attention to her phone.
“Freya.” Shane attempted to put a hand on her arm, but Freya spun out of reach with a smirk.
“You might want to check your standards, Carlson. You’re aiming pretty low.” With a wink and a smirk for Evangeline, Freya excused herself.
Shane sat back in his seat with a hard exhale. “Ignore her. She hates everyone—especially herself.”
“I can see why,” Evangeline murmured, watching her retreating back until she disappeared. “What is it about my last name that shortens her bra straps?”
“You’re a Winther. In Whisper Grove.” He stated that as if it should mean something.
“So?” she prodded. It wasn’t as if she was the first. Generations of her family had once lived in the sleepy town, which was why she’d chosen to live here after graduating college.
If Evangeline wasn’t mistaken, her date squirmed in his seat. His gaze bobbed like a buoy in a storm, intent to land anywhere but her. “Seriously, what’s the deal? Is she a Montague, and me a Capulet? Are we rival gang members?”
“More like Slytherin and Gryffindor,” he muttered, not quite under his breath. Finally, the handsome man across from her met her eyes, sucked in a steadying breath, and then announced, “You’re rival witches.”
Chapter Seven
Evangeline gave him a slow blink of her dark eyes. “Did you just call me a witch?”
Shane laughed at her expression. “Yeah, it’s sort of a bragging right—a compliment, really.”
“Compliment?” A delicate chuff floated off her lips. “I can think of better ones than a being called a witch. Beautiful. Intelligent. Witty. Charming.”
“Not in this town. Whisper Grove was originally called Winther Grove. Your family, assuming you come from the same Winther line, founded this place as a safe haven for—”
“Witches?” she guessed with a raised brow.
“Yep. We even celebrate with a parade every year.”
“A witch parade. I’d like to see that.” Her gaze narrowed. “Are you messing with me?”
“No,” he said with a chuckle. “I assumed you’d heard all the stories by now.”
Her noncommittal hum was cut short by the waiter approaching their table to deliver their drinks and ask if they were ready to order. Shane chose a steak, medium-rare, while Evangeline went for her promised burger and fries.
“I’ll get this in, and it’ll be up in no time,” the young man said, moving on to another table.
“Thanks,” she said before setting her sights on Shane. “So tell me one of the stories.”
His mind scrambled. He wasn’t exactly a believer, so when someone starting waxing poetic about witches in town, he usually tuned them out. Why give credence to rumors? It would only encourage those who spread them.
Rubbing his forehead, he went with a local legend. “Well, supposedly, this location was chosen because the mountains on each side kept their ‘magic’ from escaping and alerting the people in nearby villages that witches had settled here.”
“Now those same mountains bounce my cell signal all over the valley,” she said with a wry twist of her lips. “It’s the lotto just trying to place a phone call. Maybe I should cast a spell for decent cell coverage?”
Shane laughed. Relaxing into the booth, he took a pull from his beer. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t
you?”
“I may come from a powerful line of witches—what’s not to enjoy?” She grimaced. “Except that line apparently comes with built-in enemies.”
“Don’t mind Freya. She’s always been tightly wound.”
Evangeline snorted. “More like something that rhymes with witch.”
“That too. Oh, another bit of history for you—the Winthers welcomed other covens into theirs, believing it made them stronger and better able to hide what they were so they could live in peace. But one coven—the Stone coven—didn’t want peace. They wanted to practice darker, sacrificial magic.”
“Sacrificial, like human sacrifice?”
“That’s the rumor. Once the Stones and other like-minded witches split off from the Winthers and formed their own coven, normals and witches started disappearing, never to be seen again.” He winked at her dubious expression.
“Normals?” She laughed. “Given what I’ve just heard, I don’t think any of you nuts are normal. Covens, black magic, human sacrifice—”
“Don’t forget the parade to celebrate the covens, black magic, and human sacrifice. It’s a big deal around here.”
“Like I said—nuts.”
The waiter brought their food, placed the plates in front of them, and asked if they needed anything else. Shane assured him they didn’t, and the kid left.
“Sweet Moses, did you order the whole cow?” Evangeline asked, sizing up his steak. “That thing is huge.”
“Hey, keep your eyes on your own cow, Winther, or I’ll take your fries.”
Giving him a suspicious glare, she scooted her plate closer. “Touch them, and I will cast a spell to make you quack like a duck and fart like a moose.” Cringing, she lifted a hand. “But not until you drop me off for the night.”
He stifled a laugh. “That’s generous of you. For a girl who claims to know nothing of witchcraft, you’re quick to throw down a nasty spell.”
Her shoulders lifted in a delicate shrug. “Might as well embrace my heritage, right? Soon, I’ll be mixing potions with newt eyeballs and puppy tails in my bubbling cauldron. All I need is a spooky house and a broom to fly.”
“I don’t know where you can pick up a flying broom, but you’ve already got the spooky house. Assuming it allows you to enter.”
