Witch Reborn Box Set: Books 1-3: Includes Gemstone Coven Holiday Shorts 1 & 2

by Belinda White

  Then his eyes hit mine for the briefest of moments, and I almost gasped from the strength of the gaze. There was something there. Gray had power. Not witch power, but... something. And just like that, a little of that doubt doubled back.

  I was really hoping he was on our side. Or maybe even more importantly, the Goddess’ side.

  Then my mind went back to that wolf. The one that had miraculously appeared just when needed to save a child’s life. Maybe that wolf hadn’t been sent from the Goddess, after all. Or at least not in as direct a fashion as I’d at first thought. Just maybe, that wolf had gotten a call to be there.

  The thought of werewolves being real was still fairly new to me. But once that thought entered my mind, I just couldn’t shake it. Something in Gray’s eyes told me I was right about this one.

  We helped Callie gather what she needed, and then to lock up the bed and breakfast. Menard insisted on being the one to make the arrest, even though that rankled my feathers to no end. Kramer better dang well end up behind bars and stay there, or Menard would have one heck of a Karma spell thrown at him.

  Hemorrhoids would be the least of the man’s torments. I was getting good at those focused Karma spells. He’d never know what hit him. And even if he figured it out... well, how the devil could he prove it?

  “You okay to drive home?” Orville asked softly.

  I thought about it, then nodded. “Yeah. You got to go back to the office?”

  “Yup. Much as I’d like to hang out with you for a bit, I really need to start the paperwork to get Kramer transferred to Wind’s Crossing. I just don’t trust Menard.”

  That made two of us.

  Then he stepped in and kissed me for a solid minute. Afterward, he rested his forehead against mine.

  “That was far too close back there,” he whispered. “Please don’t go running off on your own again. Next time wait for me. I was only a few seconds behind you, you know.”

  “I can’t promise that, Orville, not when a child’s life is on the line.” Or a family member, or... well, you. I’d risk my life for a loved one any day of the week.

  “I’m thinking I might need to start keeping better tabs on you, Opal Ravenswind.”

  Okay, that got my interest. “And just how do you plan to do that, Sheriff Taylor?”

  He laughed softly. “Oh, you’ll see. Soon. But I’m not quite there yet.”

  And just like that, my heart was racing again. What on earth was my man planning on doing?

  Chapter 24

  The next morning things got back more to normal. Well, at least they got on the right track to normal, anyway.

  Kimberly and I dropped the kids off at school, and then, with deep breaths, we opened the door into the backroom. I wanted to see what the place looked like before I made the final decision to reopen.

  I had to blink more than a couple of times. The backroom was sparkling clean. Not a sign that anything untoward had ever happened within its four walls.

  That was nice, but not what caused my breath to catch. There, standing where the old Fontaine desk had stood, was a new desk. Well, I say a new desk... that wasn’t technically accurate. It was an old desk. A very, very old desk.

  “I hope you like it.” I jumped when Orville’s voice came from right behind me, and I heard Kimberly giggle before ducking into the front to open up the shop.

  I ran my hand over the smooth and polished wood. It was gorgeous. Simple and ornate all at the same time. I’d have chosen this one over the Fontaine desk every single time.

  “I love it. How did you do this?” I’m in the antique business. You didn’t get a desk like this one overnight. Or in the space of a long weekend, either.

  “It took a little help from Sapphire. She sends her regards, by the way.” His brow furrowed. “She also said I should tell you that hopefully this makes up for Sally?” He shook his head. “Not at all sure what that means. She didn’t elaborate.”

  “Sassy. And, as beautiful as this desk is, no it doesn’t.”

  He arched an eyebrow at me, but I wasn’t ready to elaborate on that, either.

  Luckily my cellphone chose that moment to go off. Thank you, Goddess, for that one. My man can be insistent at times, and he had that stubborn look on his face right now.

  “Opal Ravenswind,” I answered.

  “Just for the record, I had nothing to do with any of this.”

  I held the phone out and glanced at the caller ID. In my rush for the wanted distraction, I hadn’t even looked. Maude Fontaine.

  “Oh?” Sorry, but I wasn’t buying that. At all.

  She sighed. “Teddy and I go way back, that much is true. And yes, me getting Malcolm to take me down the aisle was all his idea. Our retirement plan, he called it. But that’s where my involvement ended. Right at the I Dos. I did right by Malcolm.” She paused. “I even grew to love him, in my own way.”

  “You kept Ashley from getting to know her father.” I left it at that. Orville was still tracking down the details to be able to charge Kramer with Ashley’s death. I didn’t want to risk saying anything to cause him more trouble with that.

  Silence. Then finally, “Yes, I did. I’d say I’m sorry about that, but I really do think she was just out for the money. Despite what everyone else is saying to the contrary.”

  “And don’t you think that is just a tad bit ironic? Given the reason you married Malcolm and all?”

  “Maybe. But the main thing I wanted you to know is that I had nothing to do with the deaths. Ashley Connor, Vince Riley, and that poor child... I am glad you saved her, you know. Inheritance or no inheritance, I’d never have given my consent to harm a child.” She paused. “I really hope you believe me.”

  “Somehow, I think whether or not I believe you comes second to whether or not the law believes you. They’re the ones you have to prove it to.”

  “And I will. I just... wanted you to know, that’s all.”

  “And now I do.”

  “Good. Well, goodbye.”

  She hung up without waiting for me to respond. I turned to the Sheriff who was still standing shoulder to shoulder with me. I’d been holding the phone out so that he could hear both sides of the conversation.

  “What do you figure that was all about?” I asked him.

  He chuckled. “I kind of figure she wanted to set you straight before you got around to aiming a Karma spell at her. Word on those hemorrhoids has gotten out on the street, I’m afraid. You just can’t keep something that good to yourself. And no, I wasn’t the one to leak it, either.”

  I grunted. Hadn’t thought of that, but he was probably right.

  “I have to ask, though, do you believe her?” he asked.

  Thinking back to our little meeting at the Flour Pot, I shook my head. “No. Not really. She was far too ready with a rock-solid alibi for Ashley’s death. And far too smug about it too.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing. Just for the record, I’m still trying to tie her into it, but right at the moment, it isn’t looking good. It would take Kramer turning against her, and right now he’s counting on the Fontaine fortune to cover his legal expenses. They will start mounting up pretty darn quick.”

  Then he caught my look. “And no, I don’t think you need to level a spell at Maude. Let me take care of this one, okay?”

  It kind of went against the grain, but I nodded. “For now, anyway. If you can’t find some way to hold her accountable, that might change.”

  “Fair enough.” He hesitated. “About our normal date night...”

  “If you have other things to do, I’d understand. You did just get a ton of stuff dumped in your lap.”

  “No, it isn’t that.” Another hesitation. “I want to take you out, Opal. Not my place. Not your place. Out.”

  Oh.

  It took me a minute, but I finally agreed. I just really hoped he knew what he was doing.

  AFTER HE LEFT, KIMBERLY came back to lay baby Pearl down. I could tell she had something
on her mind.

  “Just spill it, already, before you burst.”

  She got Pearl settled in first. Then she stood and looked at me before going over to her purse and digging out an envelope.

  “All this about wills and estates and everything really got me to thinking.” She was talking very quietly. Part of that was not to wake up the now napping baby Pearl. But another part, I could tell, was because she was nervous. “I’ve had a will drawn up, and I want to show it to you. So you can be prepared if anything ever happens to me. And to make sure you’re okay with it.”

  Then she handed me the envelope and ducked back into the shop. I swallowed as I looked down at it. This was big. And something I should think about doing too. I wasn’t getting any younger.

  The will wasn’t long. A single sheet. Basically, she left everything she owned, little that that was, to be divided evenly between Mason and baby Pearl.

  But the next line was the one she’d wanted me to know about.

  ‘In the event of my death preceding the eighteenth birthday of my youngest child, Pearl, I hereby state my sincerest wish that custody of both of my children should be granted to their Godmother, Opal Ravenswind.’

  I was having trouble seeing through all the darned water in my eyes. The will ended shortly after that. It wasn’t like Kimberly had a complicated estate to settle. But there was another paper in the envelope.

  That’s the one that made it official. I was now the Godmother of two wonderful children. I’d like to say that I immediately went in to give Kimberly the enormous bear hug that she deserved, but I didn’t.

  It took me a few minutes to stop the water leaking from my eyes first.

  Chapter 25

  I’ll admit the sheriff changing our normal Tuesday night routine bothered me. But my heart beat a little easier when we ended up at Callie’s Kitchen. Her bed and breakfast might not be doing such a bang-up time this time of year, but her Tuesday and Friday night suppers were a big hit. My eyes widened when I saw the number of cars in the small lot.

  “There’ll be a waiting list for sure.”

  “Got it covered. We’re expected.” We walked in and Callie and Tory met us at the door. Callie still had her apron on. “I can’t stay long, but I wanted to thank the two of you again for everything. Now, follow me to your table.”

  If I’d expected her to lead us to the main dining room, I’d have been disappointed. I wasn’t. Instead, I was amazed.

  The beautiful sunroom had been transformed. Into something a witch just might find even more beautiful. The full moon was at the top of its glory, filling the small glass space with soft, glorious moonlight.

  And right there in the center of the space was a table set for two. Complete with flowers and candlelight.

  My smile was heartfelt. “This is incredible, Orville. Callie. Thank you.”

  Callie grinned at Orville. “No need to thank me. This is all his idea.”

  He took my arm and lead me to the table. No need for us to order. Two plates loaded down with steaks, baked potatoes, and grilled asparagus were waiting for us. The steam was still coming off the food. The two of them must have had this timed right down to the minute. It wouldn’t have been easy to pull something like this off.

  We took our seats. And yet Callie still stood there, beaming down at us. “I was going to wait because I didn’t want to take away from your night out, but I just have to tell someone before I burst.” She lifted Tory into her arms. “I believe the two of you have met my daughter?”

  I didn’t stay in my seat for long. My arms were around the two of them in record time. “It’s official?”

  She nodded, tears—happy ones—filling her eyes. “It’s official. No one can take her from me now.”

  “Are you going to come forward on... the other thing?” Orville asked, with a side glance at the now squirming Tory.

  Callie took a deep breath. “Yeah. I think so. And before you go thinking bad of me, I don’t want the money. But the thought of it going to Maude... after all she and Teddy did... it just doesn’t seem right to let it all go to her.” She gave Tory a last squeeze and then let her down. “It’ll be going in a trust fund, and I have a good feeling that most of it will go to charity, eventually. But that will be up to Tory when she is old enough to decide things like that. It isn’t my money, after all.”

  “The courts might think differently, you know,” Orville said softly.

  “They might, but I don’t. And that’s what matters in the end.” She stepped back. “Enjoy your meal. Let me know if there is anything you need.”

  She left with Tory in tow, and it was just the two of us. And the moonlight. You just didn’t get any more romantic than that.

  Which had me decidedly worried. So I did what I usually did when I was worried. I changed the subject.

  “I heard they transferred Kramer over to your jail today.”

  “Yup. And I’ll make dang good and sure he gets what’s coming to him too. The man won’t be seeing freedom any time soon. Not for as long as he lives, if I have anything to say about it.”

  “Well, with a murder and an attempted murder against him, I’m hoping he’ll get life for sure.”

  “Anything else you have to say, Opal?”

  I thought hard, but I couldn’t come up with a danged thing. And believe me, I tried. I was that afraid of what was coming next.

  “Well, I was going to wait until after we finished eating, but I don’t think I can wait that long. I don’t think you can either.” He stood and walked over to stand by my chair. Then he pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it even as he fell to one knee.

  “Opal Ravenswind, High Priestess of the Gemstone Coven, and a personal favorite of the Goddess herself... will you marry me?”

  Witch of a Sister

  Witch Reborn 2

  By Belinda White

  Copyright 2020 Belinda White

  THIS EBOOK IS LICENSED for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people.

  WITCH OF A SISTER

  Chapter 1

  I TOOK ANOTHER GLANCE at my books, but nothing needing to be done magically appeared. A glance behind me showed a nice little stock of ready-made spells and potions for our Goddess-loving clients, thanks to a week of my sister Sapphire’s help.

  Drumming my fingers against the desktop, I thought hard. There had to be something left to do other than just sit here and think about... things.

  Where was the tourist crowd when you really needed them? When you needed the distraction from a worrisome dilemma?

  What dilemma?

  None other than an offer of marriage from the love of my life. I have not a single doubt in my mind that there isn’t another man on the face of this earth that I’d rather spend my golden years with than my love, Sheriff Orville Taylor. But it just wasn’t that simple.

  Being tied to me in the public eye? Not a good thing for a sheriff up for re-election next year. I’ve tried to get that across to him. I mean, up until a few nights ago, I thought we were both on the same page there. Turns out, we were in totally separate books.

  A baby giggle brought my eyes down to baby Pearl. She was currently sitting at my feet in her little bouncy chair. When she saw she had my attention, she pointedly glanced over to the one plant in the whole back room of my shop. A small pot of rosemary.

  I stared at the plant for a minute, trying to figure out what was fascinating baby Pearl so. Nothing odd about it that I could see.

  “What are you trying to tell me, baby Pearl?”

  She took a deep breath, then looked at the plant, me, then the door. This non-communicating stage must really be driving the old soul in the tiny body bonkers. But it would just be too weird for a four-month-old to carry on conversations, now wouldn’t it?

  Especially when my Macaw familiar wasn’t around to relay her words. Mom always did have a knack for communicating with animals, especially the ones we used as our familiars. Once the
magic started passing through them, I guess it left them more receptive to someone with Mom’s unique talent.

  And in case you haven’t guessed it yet, that old soul in little baby Pearl? Yes, that’s my mom. And no, baby Pearl’s mother doesn’t know that yet. But as Pearl’s powers start showing more, that will have to change. I’m really hoping Kimberly can handle it.

  My biggest worry was that Kimberly wasn’t a witch. Not a drop of magic in that poor woman. But there was a whole lot of love and determination. Good makings of an ideal mother, if you ask me. The Goddess must have thought so too.

  As if my thoughts drew her in, Kimberly ducked through the curtains leading into the front of the shop.

  “People do know we’re open today, right?”

  I sighed and nodded. “One would hope so. But with all the nasty weather we’ve been having lately, they just might be out taking advantage of a fine spring-like day.” I say spring-like, because even if that darn groundhog was right this year, we still had a few more official weeks of winter. I glanced out the small back room window. That’s when baby Pearl’s message finally got through to me. “With us being so slow, you think you could handle the shop on your own this afternoon?”

  Baby Pearl started in with a long string of baby words and held her little arms out to me just in case I wasn’t getting her full meaning. She wanted to come too.

  “I’ll take Baby Pearl with me. The other kids too, if you want.” I hesitated. “I’m thinking maybe I need to restock my supply of magical ingredients. Sapphire and I went through a bunch last week.”

  “Not a problem with me at all. It’s dead up there.” She thought for a minute. “I know you’d want Nancy because she needs to learn these things too. But are you sure Mason wouldn’t be a bother?”

  I laughed. “That boy is never a bother. Maybe a bit trying at times, but then aren’t we all? Why don’t we leave it up to him?”