By the time she finished her lengthy sentence, her voice cracked a little and I noticed that which might have been the very beginnings of a tear. A lump formed in my throat.
I moved from my seat to the open spot on the sofa next to her, leaning against her. "Did you have to bring Miranda? Josie's a hot mess now."
Mother chuckled. "She knows all about your tales. She is as equally as impressed as I am. She was a little stricter with her rules than I, though. Count your blessings, daughter."
"Always. You can be scary and a pain in the ass, but I do love you. Most of the time."
"And where do you think you got your charm from?"
"Dad?"
She swatted me on the top of my head. I winced in pain and let out a little yelp.
"Oh, Dot. I'm sorry! I forgot."
"It was worth it!" I looked up at her and smiled.
"What?"
"You called me Dot."
∞ ∞ ∞
"Welcome to the Cedar Falls diner, Mother."
"It's very greenish-blue."
"Teal. Don't let the décor fool you, the food is superb."
My mother was many things. High priestess. Haughty. Snobbish. Overbearing. The list goes on and on. But, one thing she truly excelled at, was appreciating food. I grew up eating out. It was safer for everybody than letting my mother into a kitchen. If it didn't involve a cauldron, she was lost. Over the years we rotated through every restaurant in Ashville, several hundred times. There are a lot of meals in ninety-nine years…
Her favorite and mine had to be the classic diner. There was just something about the food. It didn't matter the meal or the time of day. You could order an omelet for dinner or a burger for breakfast. The food just warmed you up. She was even a huge fan of Guy Fieri.
"Hi, hon. How you feeling?"
"Hey, Marge. This is my mother, Madeline."
"Oh! Pleased to meet you. You have a wonderful daughter."
"I know." She began to peruse the menu.
I rolled my eyes at Marge.
"Coke?"
"Please."
"And what would you like to drink, Mrs. Blackwell?"
"I would love a cup of coffee and a large orange juice."
"Be right back with those." Marge headed off.
"Mother. Please be nice. I know you can. You do it at home."
"To those humans whom I've interacted with for years, dear. I'm not going to be nice to someone I just met. It just isn't done."
"Believe it or not. You're not wrong there. But try for my sake. Please."
"Very well."
"Here you are, ladies." Marge set our drinks down on the table.
"Thanks, Marge."
"Know what you want to eat?"
"I'll have the turkey platter."
"Steak omelet, please."
"Sounds good. Have it right out."
"The coffee is delicious," Mother said after Marge had left.
"The cook is also the real estate agent, title company, and coroner."
She slowly set her coffee back down, staring at it.
"The food is safe mother. He wears gloves."
"I despise real estate agents. You know that."
"Okay. Not where I thought you were going with that. Anyhoo, the town is hurting. People are doing what they can to keep it alive."
"Yes. Josie told me about your book store."
"Shit!"
"Dorothea, language."
"I was supposed to hear from the contractor yesterday."
"Call him back. I'm sure he'll understand you exploding."
"True. He probably already knows. News travels faster here than in Ashville. By the way. You need to have our police records destroyed. Luckily the Chief here is part of the coven, but anybody can see those records."
"I'll have a chat with Chief Winslow when I get back."
"Thank you. What happened with the mayor?"
"I removed the hex, but not before the townsfolk started referring to him as Mayor Shithead. It worked out beautifully."
"You're pure evil."
"Not pure, dear. By any stretch of the imagination."
"More than I needed to know."
"So, I hear you are quite popular with the male townsfolk."
"We are not having this conversation."
"You had a gentleman caller the night before? And you cancelled your evening plans tonight?"
I was going to kill Josie.
"And a date with the Chief on Friday, Mother. Let it go, please."
"Oh. I did not hear about that one."
I groaned.
We were saved from further discussion with a well-timed delivery of turkey and omelet. I ignored anything else she might have said and enjoyed my meal. From the looks of it, Mother was enjoying hers as well.
"You were quite right about the place, daughter."
"I know! I love their food."
"What are your plans for the rest of the evening?"
"I thought we might spend some time together."
"I need to get back home. I was thinking of leaving now."
That kind of shocked me. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. You are quite well. It was silly of me to come, but I had to make sure for myself."
"Thanks."
She nodded and actually smiled. "You are doing well here. But be a little more careful in the future. Whomever tried to kill you will certainly try again. And the easiest way to catch them is a well-placed trap. Or figure out what the other victims had in common."
"That's actually somewhat brilliant. I hadn't thought of the trap. As for a commonality between the others, only the killer knows."
"In a town this size? I'm sure there are others outside the coven who might have seen something. Perhaps you are barking up the wrong tree?"
My jaw dropped open.
My mother was scary.
Scary smart.
"That is brilliant."
"I know," she said with a grin. "Good luck with everything. I shall collect Miranda and be on our way. Thank you for dinner."
"Thank you for coming and your wonderful advice."
"That is always free, my dear. Be safe. Blessed be."
"Blessed be, Mother."
She slipped out of the booth and headed for the door. Marge came over and set the check down on the table. "Is she really your mother?"
"Yes? Why?"
"She looks young enough to be your sister."
"Good genes, Marge. Good genes."
"I want some. Think she'd sell them to me?"
Chapter 17
"Hello?"
Jimmy was kind of cute when he was sleep answering his phone. "Morning, sunshine. You up?"
"In what sense?"
"I'm not asking you if you have morning wood. I'm asking if you're awake."
"What time is it?"
"Eight in the morning."
"No. I'm not up." The line clicked dead.
I called back.
"Dot. Are you on fire right now?"
"No."
"Can you call me back in like two hours?"
"I need you, Jimmy. I need you real bad."
"Huh?"
"Yeah. Not having a car sucks. I need you to run me to Syracuse to buy a new one."
"Don't you have to wait for the insurance money?" He groaned.
"Well, I'd get a rental car…you know. If this town had a rental car place. So, fuck it. I'm going to buy a new car."
"You can afford to have two car payments until the insurance pays off your other one?"
"I bought that car outright. You get a big discount when you pay with cash."
"I really truly despise you right at this moment."
"But you'll come pick me up?"
He sighed. It was over. I had won. "Yes."
"Okay. I'll buy you breakfast."
"I don't eat breakfast."
"Lunch then."
"Dinner."
"Have plans."
"Didn't say tonight."
"Be there in a bit. Let me at least take a shower." The line clicked dead again.
I left my bedroom and scribbled a note for Josie. She was hanging out with Candace again today, so I wrote good luck and drew a heart on the note. Sometimes I made myself want to throw up.
With a little time to kill, I straightened up the house and put a pot of coffee on. I poured two mugs into travel containers and skipped out the front door. I'd transferred enough money from my primary account over to my local account last night to cover the cost of a new Kia. I didn't have to stop by the bank and pull out cash, but I wanted to. It was worth it to see their faces, and I wasn't kidding. They really do lower the price when you pay in cash. All the dealer fees and games go away.
Jimmy pulled up in his blue pickup. I waved and nearly slipped on some ice on the steps. He was laughing in the truck, I could see him and hear him. I set his mug of coffee down and walked over to the truck, getting in.
"Is that my coffee over there?"
"Yes."
"And you left it over there to punish me for laughing at you?"
"Yes."
"Even though I'm going to drive you an hour to go buy a new car at eight o'clock in the morning on my day off?"
"Yes. After you stop at the bank."
"That's just mean."
"There was ice on the step. I slipped. I could have seriously hurt myself, cracked my skull, and died. You found that funny?"
"A little. Yes. You should have seen your face."
"You're a sick individual, Jimmy."
"Thank you." He didn't argue. He simply got out of the truck, walked over to the stoop, and retrieved his coffee.
"You're welcome," I said as he took his first sip.
"Thank you for the coffee, Lady."
"Thank you for taking me. Seriously though. Could you swing by the bank?"
"Sure."
We pulled out and headed straight there. We had a few minutes to kill as it didn't open until nine. The bank manager recognized me as she was walking by. "Dot?"
"Morning, Mrs. Dolenz."
"Please, call me Jeanne. Come on in."
I followed her in, once she unlocked the door and unset the alarm. She made a face when I told her what I was there for, but told me to wait patiently while they got the vault open.
Fifteen minutes later, Jimmy and I were on our way.
He flipped the radio on as soon as we hit the highway. I braced myself for country, but smiled when I recognized Queen. I started singing along. I wasn't a very good singer, but I didn't care. Cars and showers were made to be sang in.
I glanced over at Jimmy. He looked like he was in pain. I sang louder and started laughing.
"At least you know you suck."
"I do. I recorded myself once," I said, turning down the radio. "I played it back and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Why do we always sound different in our heads?"
"Everything sounds better in our heads."
"Very true. You are a wise man, Jimmy."
"Not all the time."
"See. It takes wisdom to recognize that."
I leaned against the center console separating us in the truck. He took a swig of his coffee and set it down in the holder. Grabbing his hand, I pulled it closer to me, just holding it. I was feeling a little affectionate. I made him miserable this morning, but he came through for me.
"Thanks for taking me. Seriously. Sorry to bother you on your day off, and for being a pain in the ass."
"It's okay. I find it quite endearing and I don't mind helping you out. Ever. Later times would be appreciated, but are not in fact, necessary."
I giggled a little. Instead of holding his hand, I hugged his arm. His hand rested on my thigh. I opened my legs a little and his fingertips slid between them. He wasn't anywhere close to anyplace naughty, and I sighed in disappointment. I was wearing leggings, so it might have been for the best. Walking into the car dealership with a big wet spot on the front of my pants and handing them a wad of cash might get me arrested.
Instead, I just enjoyed his warmth. His heater wasn't the best in the world, so I stole his.
"You smell really good."
I blinked in shock. "Thanks?"
"You do. I don't know what it is either. Smoky but fruity at the same time?"
"The fruit is strawberries from my lotion. The smoky is the perfume I wear. I've worn it for years."
"Sounds like a weird combo, but it works. Really well."
"Does sniffing me turn you on?"
"A little, yes."
I reached over to his lap. Sure enough, he wasn't lying… "Perv."
"You're the one touching Mister Happypants."
I lost it. I started laughing and couldn't stop. "That's better than Captain Nightstick."
"Chief?"
I nodded.
"Yeah. Didn't need to know that."
"Sorry."
I leaned over and nibbled on his earlobe, whispering, "Am I forgiven?"
He nodded. "As much as I'm enjoying the attention… We are doing eighty on the highway."
That was all the temptation I needed. I grinned at him evilly and unhooked my seatbelt. "You're right, Jimmy. I shouldn't be distracting you while you're driving." I turned and leaned back against the door, making sure it was locked. I put my feet up on my seat and spread my legs. The silky material of the leggings stretching taught over my mound. I rubbed myself playfully.
"Oh, you suck."
"I do. But I probably shouldn't while you're driving…"
He groaned and squirmed in his seat.
"I could find a rest area or a text stop…"
"Jimmy. I couldn't do anything like that in a public place. I'm way too shy." I pushed myself back in the seat, slipping my leggings down further. "Oops."
I reached down and slid them over my ass and bringing my knees up. Exposing the front of my black lace panties to him.
"Holy fuck," he groaned. He reached down and started rubbing his cock through his jeans.
"Eyes on the road, mister."
I felt the truck jerk as he got fully back in his lane. "Dot. Stop. Seriously. I can't take my eyes off you and we're going to wreck."
"Okay." I turned in my seat facing the right way and re-buckled my seatbelt. I didn't pull my pants back up, though.
His sigh made it all worth it.
∞ ∞ ∞
The Sportage barely even made a bump when I pulled into my driveway. I'd intended to buy another Soul, but the salesman talked me into the SUV on the sole premise that it would be better suited for winter driving. It made sense. And it was shiny and black. I even got him to knock five-grand off the sticker price for paying in cash. His face was awesome when I handed it to him.
Jimmy pulled in behind me. I got out of the car and hit the lock button, shooting him a sultry glance over my shoulder as I practically ran to the front door.
Please don't be home. Please don't be home, I chanted in my head about Josie, as I unlocked the door and opened it.
"Josie, you home?"
Silence was the only beautiful sound in the house.
Jimmy slipped in the door behind me. He pulled off his jacket and let it fall to the floor, guiding me into the living room and pushing me down on the couch. I landed with my ass half hanging off. He knelt between my legs and leaned over me, kissing my neck with his eager lips. I could feel the hardness of him in his jeans, grinding against my sensitive flesh. I lay back and let him have a little fun first.
He lifted the front of my heavy sweater and the T-shirt beneath. I didn't wear a bra, the two heavy layers providing enough cover. He palmed both of my breasts and kissed my chest between them, planting kisses all the way down over my stomach and to the top of my pants.
He let go to pull them down. He did leave the panties on, to my surprise. I was almost glad he did. I was practically dripping. He leaned in and kissed me, right on the tiny lace bow on the front of them. And then he moved a little lower. His l
ips nuzzled me through the material and I became even wetter as I ground myself against his mouth.
"Oh fuck, that feels good," I said breathlessly.
"It tastes even better."
"Do I? Taste good?"
"Honestly, yes. I know it sounds kind of corny, but you taste like honey and strawberries." He moved his lips down to the moist center of my panties and kissed and licked. My breath came in ragged gasps.
Then my eyes narrowed as he moved back up, aiming to kiss me. I didn't know what to do, so I closed my eyes. His lips brushed against mine and I could feel the wetness coating them. My scent reached my nose and, I hate to admit it, I liked it.
"Lick your lips."
I really didn't want to, but I did. While it wasn't something that would turn me on, I didn't mind my taste. I shrugged. "I wouldn't go so far as honey and strawberries, but not bad."
"Oh, I quite enjoy it," he said and slipped his finger inside my panties, sliding inside me with complete ease. I cried out as my hips bucked against his hand.
"Jimmy!"
"Yes, Dot?"
The doorbell rang.
"Fuck."
"Want me to ignore it or see who it is?"
"See who it is, please."
"Okay, but you might want to pull your pants up."
"I'll be in the bathroom. Crying."
He kissed me on the lips, "Don't worry. We have all the time in the world," he said as he ran his fingers over the front of my panties one more time. I shuddered as he stood up.
I pulled my pants on and ran for the guest bath. It was closer, and I could hear who was at the door. Standing in front of the mirror, I heard it open and a gun fire twice. For a brief moment, I thought it was some sort of sick fucking prank until I heard Jimmy hit the floor. My scream tore open my recently healed throat.
Chapter 18
I cast a quick stone shield and ran out the bathroom door. The front door was still open, and Jimmie lay on the floor just inside. I ran for the front door, but no one was there. I dropped to the ground beside him. Two wet, red spots dotted his shirt and were spreading fast. The floor beneath him started pooling blood.
"Jimmy? Jimmy!"
First Moon : A Reverse Harem Tale (Lovin' the Coven Book 1) Page 13
