“You’re not really my cousin,” I blurted out.
“That’s kind of mean,” Rowan said with a good-natured chuckle.
“I just meant we’re not related by blood,” I stammered and felt the heat rising in my cheeks.
“I don’t see why that matters,” he said and rubbed the blond stubble on his tan, chiseled jaw. “Unless you’re trying to say the years have been good to me,” he teased.
“I, uh… I mean…” My face burned with humiliation. It was as if he’d read my mind.
“The years have been good to you too, Allegra,” he said. “You look beautiful, but then again, you were always beautiful.”
“First of all, I don’t look beautiful. My hair is… I don’t even know what it is, and this outfit is an old t-shirt and ancient yoga pants.” I could deflect a compliment like nobody’s business when I got going.
“And secondly?” He cocked his head to the side in a way that made me both furious and made me bite my bottom lip.
“Secondly, I was not beautiful when we were friends. I was a butterball at best. I was a land whale and a complete nerd.”
He studied me for a moment. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a nerd, Allegra. You loved books and learning. It was cool. Second of all, you weren’t a land whale. You were a beautiful girl. Just because you weren’t a stick figure didn’t mean you were fat.”
“Are you saying I’m a stick figure now?” I narrowed my eyes. If this was a dream, Adonis Rowan needed to go back to complimenting me, stat.
“She’s going to be a handful,” the dog said.
“Right, I’m dreaming,” I answered. “It doesn’t matter if gorgeous adult Rowan thinks I’m pretty because none of this is real.”
“So, you do think I’m gorgeous?”
I looked up at the roof of the garage and called out, “I would like to wake up now.”
“Okay,” Rowan began, “brace yourself, Allegra. You are not dreaming. The dog, his name is Voodoo by the way, is talking, and you’re a witch. Yay! See, that was easy.”
Once again, I found myself sitting on the ground. “I think I need some water.”
Denial can only get you so far. While everything that was happening would have fit perfectly into a dream, nothing about my situation at the time had that hazy, dream-like feel. Everything felt like stark, cold reality.
“Let me help you up,” Rowan said and offered me his hand. “We’ll go inside and get you a glass of water.”
I took his hand and felt something pass between us. It sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn’t tell if it was just a reaction to my attraction to him or if he’d used some sort of magic on me.
I let out a disturbed laugh. He used magic on me? That had to be completely ridiculous, but there I was contemplating it.
“All right. Water would be good.”
I sat at the kitchen table drinking my glass of water for a good five minutes without saying anything. The whole time Rowan sat across from me quietly, and Voodoo sat at my feet.
“What do you mean I’m a witch?” I finally asked.
“I mean that you have magical abilities to influence the world around you,” Rowan said. “Think of it like this. Everything is made up of energy. You can use your energy to affect the energy of everything else.”
“That sounds really scientific,” I said. “Is that all there is to it?”
“No, but it’s a good place to start,” Rowan said.
“I can’t believe I’m even entertaining this. Maybe you’re just severely mentally ill,” I postulated. “And right now, I’m feeding into your delusions by even listening to this.”
“That’s where I come in,” Voodoo said. “It’s hard to deny a talking dog.”
“You’re right. Maybe I’m the one who is severely mentally ill. Perhaps I’ve had some sort of stress-induced break with reality.”
“This is going nowhere,” Voodoo said. “Why don’t you just show her?”
“All right, that’s a good idea,” Rowan said. “Allegra, I’m going to prove to you that you’re a witch. Well, I’m going to prove to you that I’m a witch. At least then you’ll know what I’m saying is real, and we’ll go from there.”
He stood up from the table and walked into the middle of the kitchen floor. Rowan offered me a reassuring smile, and then held his hand out toward me palm side up. He started to wiggle his fingers as if he was trying to tell me to come to him. At first, I didn’t know what he was doing.
Then I noticed the water in my glass was rising up out of the container. It came completely out and floated through the air in his direction. Just before it hit him, Rowan turned and waved his hand at the sink. The water from my glass sailed past him and splashed into the basin.
“What?” was all I could think to say.
“If you think that’s cool, then you should see what I can do with a thunderstorm,” Rowan said.
“No, dude. Probably not today,” Voodoo said. “Let’s leave that one in the hopper for when she’s a little more acclimated.”
“Okay, so we can influence the energy of… everything… with our energy. What’s up with the talking dog?”
“I’m right here,” Voodoo said. “You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not in the room, and what’s up with me is that I’m your familiar.”
“I’ve heard of that,” I said. “I thought familiars were supposed to be black cats, though.”
“That’s a dumb rumor,” Voodoo said. “But, hey, you’re taking this well, so there’s that.”
“I suppose I am,” I said. “I don’t know any other way to take it, but I could just be in shock. So, is this whole town full of witches? Was my uncle?”
“The whole town is not,” Rowan said. “So don’t talk about this with anyone unless you know for sure. Obviously, everyone in your family is, so that’s fine. The rest Voodoo and I will help you figure out.”
“But you and I aren’t related by blood and you’re a witch,” I said.
“Your family isn’t the only family of witches in the world, Allegra.”
“When you say my family, do you mean on my father’s or mother’s side?”
“Both,” Rowan said.
“Then why aren’t my parents witches?”
“They are,” Rowan said sadly, “but they turned their back on it a long time ago. When they moved away from here and stopped using their magic, it dried up. They’ve forgotten who they are.”
“That’s what happened to me?” I asked as it all clicked into place.
“Yep, but Leo got you back. It’s going to be amazing,” Rowan said. “I can’t wait to watch you become the powerful goddess you were meant to be.”
“If this is what I am meant to be, then why was I so obsessed with my fitness business? What happened to me?” I was more asking myself than Rowan or Voodoo, but Rowan answered.
“You mean the dieting and fitness obsession?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s what I do mean.”
As I sat there at the table, I began to realize how miserable I had been. Every day of my life since I was a teenager had been a struggle against… against something. It had to have been my magic?
I’d been so miserable, but I’d convinced myself that if I just worked a little bit harder or ate a little bit better, the secret to happiness was right around the corner. Had I been running away from this my entire adulthood?
“It happens to witches who deny their true nature,” Rowan explained. “It’s why your father has his many addictions and your mother is obsessed with finding love. They were looking for something to fill a hole that can never be filled with anything else. It drives witches who stop using their magic crazy.”
It clicked into place even more. “I’d been silently going bonkers for years, and the diet and exercise were my way of trying to feel in control.”
“Yeah,” Rowan said sadly.
He sat back down with me at the table, but this time next to me, and took my hand. Again, I felt
that jolt that sent a shiver down my spine. It was a little easier to identify that time. Energy trying to connect.
“So, what now?”
“Once Bethany comes to tell you that they are done in the shop, we’ll go there and clean up. We’ll get everything ready to open again tomorrow.”
“That’s it? We just move on with life?”
“Well, yeah. What else would we do? The shop isn’t going to run itself, but once you’re in control of your powers, some things will be easier. Just don’t let any of your employees catch you doing magic.”
“Uncle Leo didn’t hire witches to work in the shop?” I asked.
“Most of the witches in town have other jobs. There is one girl who works in the afternoons that is witch. Tarryn works a couple of days a week after school, but she’s the only witch.”
“Lyn, the manager, isn’t?”
“Nope, but she’s a good manager. You won’t have to do much actual work in the store, thanks to her. She runs a tight ship.”
“That’s good to know,” I said. “So we just wait for Bethany and then we’ll go?”
“She’s walking up the driveway right now,” Rowan said.
“How did you know that? Are you psychic too?” I asked.
“A little,” Rowan said with a shrug. “But I also heard her car pull up.”
“Oh.”
Before either of us, or Voodoo, could say anything else, the doorbell rang.
“You should get that,” Voodoo said.
“Right. It’s my house.”
I went to the door and found Bethany typing into her phone. It was a few awkward seconds before she looked up and acknowledged me standing there.
“Sorry, had something I needed to finish up,” she apologized.
“Would you like to come in? I could make coffee.”
“No need,” she said shortly, “I just came by to let you know you can go back in the store. We’re all done in there.”
“Well, thank you,” I said. “Do you need anything else from me?”
“Not right now, but I did want to tell you that I tried to call. Your cell phone is disconnected.”
“That didn’t take him long,” I grumbled.
“You might want to check and see if Leo left his old phone connected. He might not have given… Anyway, you should check.”
“I will do that, thank you,” I said.
“I have that number, so let me know if you do end up using his phone.”
“Yes, ma’am,”
I was about to thank her again when Rowan walked up. “Hello, Bethany,” he said in a voice that sounded extra sultry.
Bethany’s cheeks stained red, “Oh, hello, Rowan. I didn’t expect to see you here.” I could swear I saw a hint of jealousy in her eyes. “That’s right. You two are cousins.”
“By marriage only,” he said matter-of-factly.
Was he trying to make her jealous?
“Oh, right,” she said. “Well, it’s nice that you’re here helping Allegra out.”
“I do appreciate the help,” I said with a smile.
Bethany shot me a look that would have probably killed me if she was a witch. I actually didn’t know if she was or not, and I’d have to ask Rowan when she was gone.
She said goodbye and left abruptly. When she was gone, I turned to Rowan. Not only did I want to know if she was a witch, but I had to know why that scene had gone down the way it had.
“Two questions,” I said.
“Go on,” Rowan responded.
“One, is she a witch? Two, what was that all about?”
“Beth is not a witch, and I don’t know what you mean.”
“She blushed like crazy when she saw you,” I said.
“A lot of women do.”
I could see that, but I knew there was more to the story. He wasn’t being completely honest. It was almost like I could feel it.
“Sure, but she was jealous to see you here with me,” I said. “If looks could kill, I’d be one dead witch right now.”
“You’re reading too much into it,” he said.
“Rowan.”
“All right, fine. There’s been a bit of a flirtation there, but that’s been going on for years. Neither of us has ever acted on it,” he said.
It was my turn to be jealous. I had no idea why, but it’s how I felt. It’s not like Rowan was mine or anything. I couldn’t waltz into town and lay claim to him just because we’d been close friends as kids.
“Why not?”
“I’m just not sure I’m as interested in her as she is in me.”
Phew.
Wait, why was I relieved by that? I had just met Rowan. I had just been dumped by the man I was going to marry. I needed to slow that train down.
Plus, there’s Alex.
“What?” I asked aloud before realizing the little voice had come from inside me.
“She’s a great woman and very attractive, but I don’t know.”
Rowan had thought I was asking him for clarification on his feelings about Bethany. At least that spared me from having to explain to him that my conscious, or subconscious, had brought up another man.
“How about we go clean up the store?” I said in an attempt to put an end to any discussion or thought about what man I suddenly found myself attracted to at the most inconvenient time possible.
“Wow,” Rowan said when we stepped inside the shop. “I can’t believe they left it like this.”
“At least the dead body is gone,” Voodoo offered.
“That’s about all that can be said for this situation,” Rowan responded.
“It looks like someone broke in and robbed the place,” I said despondently. “I can’t believe they made this much of a mess. Did they really have to unplug the coolers to move them and not plug them back in?”
“I’m going to have a talk with Bethany about this later,” Rowan said. “She should get better control of her deputies.”
“She’ll take that well,” I said and rolled my eyes.
“She’ll take it better from me than from you,” he said.
“This is going to take forever,” I said. “We’re not going to be able to open tomorrow either because all of this ice cream is melting. I’ll have to get ahold of Lyn and find out how to order all new stock.”
“She’s forgotten already,” Voodoo said.
“Forgotten what?” I asked, but then it dawned on me. “Oh, right, the witch thing. We can use magic to clean this place up?”
“Voodoo and I can use magic to clean this place up. You’re not ready,” Rowan said.
“Yeah, she’d probably blow this place sky high.” Voodoo chuckled.
“Hilarious,” I said. “Well, then you guys should get to it then. Hey wait, what’s that?” I said and pointed to white piece of paper on the floor.
“It’s napkins,” Rowan answered.
“No, it’s not.” I went over and picked the item up. Sure enough, it was a piece of paper. “I wonder why they left this.”
“Looks like they were more concerned with wrecking stuff than actually searching,” Rowan said. “What does it say?”
“It says, I know what you’ve been up to with your clients. We need to work on another business arrangement. – A”, I read. “A like Anton?”
“It would appear that way. Sounds like things weren’t too great between them,” Rowan said. “That’s not surprising.”
“I’m guessing Lukas wasn’t a witch?” I mused.
“No, not at all. If he had been, he’d have had to face the Grand Council for his behavior,” Rowan said.
“People think I killed him because he tried to get me to sleep with him in exchange for changing my uncle’s will. When I turned him down, he made this huge scene like he was turning me down. It’s a mess,” I said. “But not as big of a mess as my store.”
“Close your eyes and don’t open them until I say,” Rowan said.
“Why?”
“Just do it.” He laughed. “I pr
omise you’ll be happy you did.”
“You’re just going to do it right now with her here? Is she ready for that kind of magic flowing around her?” Voodoo asked.
“You protect her,” Rowan said. “She’ll be fine.”
Voodoo meandered over and sat at my feet. “Okay, close your eyes, Allegra. I’ve got your back.”
“You’re going to do the magic thing and put this place back together, aren’t you? I want to see it.”
“Someday soon you’ll be able. Right now, just close your eyes.”
The soothing sound of his voice made my lids feel heavy, and I had to wonder if he’d used some sort of spell to make my eyes close. While I couldn’t see, I could hear the whisper of things moving around me. I could feel the surge of energy swirling in the air, but any time it got intense, Voodoo shifted at my feet and the pressure released.
For a split second, it almost felt like I was falling, though. I panicked, thinking that it had all been a dream and I really was about to open my eyes and find myself back in my bed at the penthouse. I didn’t want that. Not anymore. The new world I’d found myself in was the one I desperately wanted to be real.
“Rowan,” I hoped that he’d answer me and allay my fear.
He did. “All done. You can open your eyes, Allegra.”
I did and breathed a sigh of relief because when I opened my eyes, I was still in the ice cream shop. I didn’t wake up in the penthouse.
“It looks like nothing ever happened here,” I said.
“That was the point,” Rowan responded.
“Did you fix the back door too? I kind of broke that.”
“Everything is back in working order. The ice cream is saved too. You won’t need to order more.”
“And I’ll be able to learn to do stuff like this too?” I asked.
“Well, we’re going to start much smaller, but yes. Someday you could even learn to be more powerful.”
“Wait, could I eat whatever I want and not get fat?” If that were the case, it would be like I died and went to heaven.
Cold as a Witch's Toffee Page 7
