Spells of the Heart

by Ellen Dugan

  “Did you thank my uncle?” Duncan asked.

  “I didn’t even figure out what was going on until after he’d left.”

  Duncan crossed his arms. “So, no, you didn’t.”

  “I’ll have to thank him when he comes home,” I decided. “Maybe I can invite him and Julian over for dinner here at the bungalow or something.”

  Duncan wrapped his arms around me. “I can help you cook.”

  “Yeah, that’d be good. I can try out a new recipe.” At my words, the cookbook’s pages began to flip.

  On their own.

  Duncan leaned over to read the page. “Impress Your Guests Lasagna.” He started to chuckle.

  I narrowed my eyes at Irene’s book. “Lasagna’s not a bad idea, but we’ll have to dig up something online. I’m certainly not going to use a recipe from that cookbook for a dinner with your family. Goddess only knows what the magickal side effects would be.”

  While Duncan laughed over Irene’s meddling, the delivery men called me down to the basement to demonstrate how the new washer and dryer worked.

  ***

  The morning of Halloween, I tugged on a pair of black skinny jeans, layered a midnight blue vest over a white blouse, and tugged on my over-the-knee black boots. I stood in the upstairs bathroom, while Luna sat on the closed toilet seat, and I worked on applying dramatic black eyeliner and exaggerated charcoal shadow.

  “Here’s where I try and channel my inner goth-girl,” I muttered. I practically had my nose to the mirror as I blended the eye shadow. I’d had quite the internal debate over what sort of costume would be appropriate to wear to work. Finally I’d settled on street clothes that I could morph into a costume and some accessories. I’d ended up buying a costume pirate hat and plastic sword at a Halloween store, and borrowed a burgundy silk scarf from Ivy for a sash, figuring that it would work for a lady pirate costume.

  I put my glasses back on, stepped back and checked my reflection. “Well shiver me timbers,” I said, impressed that it had turned out so well. Eye shadow colors had to typically be deeper when you wore glasses, and I’d gotten good at that... but this was Halloween, so I went four times darker than I thought I should and hoped for the best.

  I grinned at my reflection and wondered what Duncan’s reaction would be when he saw me tonight. I tightened the sash at my waist, picked up my hat and sword and clattered down the bungalow steps with Luna hot on my heels.

  When I arrived at the museum offices, I found that my co-workers had really gotten into the spirit of things. I grinned when I saw that Olivia was sitting behind her desk, pounding away at the keyboard with a satin, neon green witches hat perched on her head. Her Halloween sweater was black, orange and green and there was a plastic cauldron on her desk filled with candy.

  “Happy Halloween!” Olivia said, waving to me.

  “Looking good, Olivia.” I winked and managed to catch the candy bar that she tossed my way.

  I peeked into Julian’s offices and there was Holly sitting behind her desk, wearing a white blouse, a navy tie, and a Hogwarts house cardigan. “Happy Halloween!” I said.

  Holly spun in her chair and started to smile. “Ahoy, Lady Pirate!”

  I shook my head. “Figures, you’d be a Ravenclaw.”

  “I like the pirate costume.” Holly’s eyes twinkled. “I didn’t know you were into pirates.”

  “Sure, what’s not to like?” I tucked my tongue in my cheek.

  “Ah-ha.” She smirked. “You’re wearing it for Duncan.”

  “Stay out of my head, Blondie.”

  “You’re the one projecting her emotions.” Holly wrinkled her nose at me.

  I was distracted from making a comeback when Julian strode into his office. As usual, he was wearing a gorgeous suit, but today he’d slicked back his hair, was wearing glasses and his white dress shirt was unbuttoned to his waist.

  My jaw dropped. The open white shirt framed a royal blue t-shirt, and the large, bright red S was displayed to an impressive advantage across his chest. It was as if he’d been caught ripping the suit aside to morph into the Man of Steel.

  “Julian, that’s awesome!” I said, and burst into laughter.

  He sketched a bow. “Thank you.”

  “The things you learn about people on Halloween,” I said. “I’ll see you two later.” I gave them a wave and left. It didn’t hit me until I’d gone half way down the hall that Holly’s reaction to Julian’s costume had been a blank face and silence.

  I went back to my own office in the archives and thought it over. Julian had always been an attractive man, but the costume he wore today took him to downright smoking hot. My cousin’s reaction to it had been to go completely still in her chair. She hadn’t moved a muscle, or even breathed.

  As a matter of fact, the more I thought about it, the more I began to see that she had worked at not displaying any emotion. There was something going on there, I realized. I’d pushed my way into Holly’s mind once, when she’d come home a year ago...and I’d learned more than I’d bargained for. To my knowledge I was still the only one who knew her secret. I sat back at my desk and started working my way through the notes for the upcoming fundraiser, making a mental note to keep a closer eye on Holly.

  In the mundane way. By observation, not mental snooping with my witchcraft.

  “Autumn, I’m expecting Wyatt Hastings for a meeting in a few minutes, but for the life of me I can’t find my notes.”

  I looked up at Dr. Meyer’s voice, focused on the man, and burst out laughing. He stood in the open doorway to his office, wearing steampunk goggles. His hair was spiking out all over his head. He sported a grungy lab coat that had a stick-on name tag that read ‘Dr. Frankenstein’.

  “Yes, Master.” I said, and got up to go help.

  “I could get used to that,” Dr. Meyer quipped.

  “Did you check your desk for the notes?”

  “Of course, but they’re not there.”

  “Umm hmm.” Odds were the notes were sitting in plain sight—right on his desk—where I’d left them.

  “Hastings is a local author and he’s actually agreed to attend the fundraiser.” Dr. Meyer was rooting through his paperwork making a bigger mess out of his already disordered desk. “I need to make a good impression.”

  “And yet you chose to come to work dressed as Dr. Frankenstein?” I tipped my head to one side. “I hope your author writes comedy.”

  “He writes murder mysteries.”

  “Oh?” I lifted up the notes I’d typed for him the day before. “I’m not familiar with his name.”

  “He uses a pen name.” Dr. Meyer took the papers and began flipping quickly through them. “Now, if you could stall him for a few minutes so I can prepare.”

  “Sure,” I said, closing the door to Dr. Meyer’s office on my way out. I’d managed about ten minutes of work before someone cleared their throat.

  “Hello?” A quietly attractive man was standing in the doorway of the archives.

  “Can I help you?” I asked.

  The man was very slim, with brown hair and a neat, short beard. His straight, heavy brows gave him a somber expression, but his dark lashes made his pale eyes stand out. “Is this the archives, or the theater department?” He hovered, unsmiling in the doorway for a moment.

  “Yes, this is the archives,” I said. “The museum staff decided to dress up today.” He continued to stare at me. “You know...for Halloween?” I reminded him.

  He startled. “Oh, I completely forgot. Today is Halloween, isn’t it?”

  “Aye!” I couldn’t help but say in my best pirate voice.

  He put his shoulders back, walked forward and stuck out his hand. “Hello, I’m Wyatt Hastings. I have a meeting with Dr. Hal Meyer.”

  I automatically reached out to shake his hand, and I discerned why he was braced for an introduction. Burn scars spread across the back of his wrist. Thick and red, they disappeared up and under the cuff of his burgundy sweater.

  �
��Nice to meet you,” I said, feeling instant sympathy. To my surprise, when our hands touched, my psychic abilities bounced right off him. I almost flinched from the ricocheting sensation, but I caught myself, knowing instinctively that if I would’ve reacted in any way, he would assume that it was because of the scars.

  “Charmed,” he said, meeting my eyes, almost as if he were daring me to comment.

  I released his hand and gave him a courteous smile. “Dr. Meyer tells me you’re a mystery writer.”

  “Yes I am.” His gray eyes measured me.

  I gestured for him to take a seat. “Dr. Meyer will be out in a few moments.” How intriguing. The man had one very impressive psychic shield. I thought. I wonder why he’s so guarded?

  “Thank you.” He sat rigidly on the edge of his chair. He glanced nervously around the room, and it was clear to see that he wished he were anywhere else.

  Determined to make the man smile, I tipped my pirate hat farther back on my head. “Mr. Hastings, I should probably warn you...” I trailed off a little dramatically.

  “Yes?” His eyebrows lifted.

  “Dr. Meyer is also dressed up for Halloween, so don’t be surprised.”

  He smiled the tiniest bit, but it changed his whole persona. “Dare I ask as what?”

  “Dr. Frankenstein,” I said, completely straight faced.

  A second later when my boss came bursting through his office door, Mr. Hastings had a polite expression in place. They shut themselves in the office for their meeting, and I was surprised to hear what sounded like an animated and pleasant conversation coming from behind the office door a short time later.

  ***

  That night, I made it home right as dusk fell. It was cloudy, with a little breeze and perfect for Halloween night. I let myself in through the kitchen door, set down my plastic sword, stuck a lighter in my pocket, and started hauling the pumpkins I’d carved the night before out to the front porch.

  I lined them up so there was a jack-o’-lantern on the end of each step. Pumpkins in place, I stood at the base of the steps and considered my decorations. The orange decorative lights did illuminate the porch nicely, and the cornstalks framed my red front door making it festive and spooky. “Hmm...It still needs something,” I muttered.

  Inspiration hit and I ducked back inside, snatched up the battery operated pumpkin from the mantle and tucked him next to the skeleton displayed on the porch bench. I clicked the pumpkin on, and the flickering added a bit more flair. It was the perfect finishing touch.

  As I stood on my front porch, I waved at Ivy and Nathan as they added carved pumpkins to the display in front of the manor. I didn’t have the budget to go all out like the manor did every year for their Halloween display, but I was determined to try and catch some clearance sales after the holiday and see what I could add for next year.

  I pushed my tricorn hat back, and got busy lighting the candles inside the jack-o’-lanterns on the steps. Afterwards, I jogged down the sidewalk and all the way out to the street. I twirled back around and took in the bungalow on my home’s first Halloween night.

  Half a dozen jack-o’-lanterns were lined up like sentries at both ends of the steps. The strands of orange holiday lights added a glow to the yellow paint on the house and a little atmosphere to the covered front porch. The large red mum bloomed away at the end of the steps, and the solar path lighting I’d installed over the summer invited trick-or-treaters to walk up the pathway to the bungalow.

  As I stood there admiring the overall effect, Duncan pulled his blue pickup into the driveway. He stopped, and I walked over to him as he idled in the driveway. He leaned out the window and stared.

  “Whoa!” He whistled appreciatively as I strolled over.

  I flipped my hair over my shoulder. “Happy Halloween.”

  “I love that costume.”

  “I wore it to work today, I figured it would also be good for trick-or-treaters.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Are you going to pull your truck around back? I wouldn’t leave it in the driveway tonight.”

  He continued to stare.

  “Duncan?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

  “I brought a bucket of chicken for dinner,” he said, as if he suddenly remembered.

  “Okay. Sounds good.” I fought against a smile as he gave me the once over, again.

  “I’ll pull around to the garage.” He nodded and eased his truck around to the back of the house.

  I chuckled to myself over his reaction.

  Within a half hour, kids started making their way to the bungalow. The streets were crowded with little ones and their parents, plus packs of younger teens. Duncan helped me haul the little bistro table and chairs around from my back porch so we could sit out front and hand out candy.

  I couldn’t help but think back to the last time he and I had handed out candy to trick-or-treaters. As if the memories of our first Halloween together had conjured them up, Sophia and Chloe Jacobs came skipping up the path of my front yard.

  “Autumn!” they yelled.

  I started to grin. Sophia was dressed as Batman, complete with a bat mask, a yellow and black Batman shirt, black tights and a black tutu. Chloe brought up the rear, and she wore a small black mask, a crimson Robin shirt, with a lime colored tutu and deep green tights. The gender-bender costumes were bright, colorful and absolutely adorable.

  Nine-year old Sophia had her hair pulled back in a long ponytail, and a bright yellow bow with bats on it completed her outfit. She popped her hands on her hips and struck a pose at the base of my porch steps. Her little sister Chloe had pigtails that were done in little buns on top of her head, decorated with red and lime green curling ribbons.

  “Trick-or-treat!” Chloe said.

  “Your costumes are amazing!” I came down the steps to give each of the girls a big hug.

  As I chatted with the girls, Duncan came down the steps with the bowl of candy.

  “Hello,” Sophia/ Batman walked right up to him. “I remember you. You’re Duncan.”

  “The last time I saw you two on Halloween, you were dressed like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.” Duncan dropped a couple of candy bars in the girl’s bag.

  “We’re taller now,” Sophia announced.

  I gave the girl’s ponytail a gentle tug. “And growing up really fast.”

  Chloe/ Robin stepped forward holding out her bag to Duncan. “Hello, good citizen.”

  Duncan’s lips twitched. “I’m very glad to know that there are a couple of superheroes out tonight.” He dropped two candy bars in Chloe’s bag. “I feel safer that way.”

  Chloe continued to hold her bag open expectantly. Duncan hesitated, and the seven year old grinned up at him, batting her eyes. Duncan shook his head ruefully and added more candy bars to her loot.

  Sucker, I thought at him, knowing he’d hear me.

  I managed to get the girls to pause long enough that I could get a few photos of the three of us with my cell phone. After a parting hug, they were racing down the path to where their father waited on the sidewalk.

  “Happy Halloween!” I called to Kyle Jacobs.

  Duncan climbed up the steps to the porch. “That kid’s superpower is charm.”

  “Which one?” I asked, following him.

  “The one dressed like Robin.”

  “That’s Chloe.”

  “Those kids are awesome.”

  I suddenly remembered what he’d said to me four years ago, after I’d first met the girls. “You want a couple of those for yourself?”

  He reached out for my hand. “Yes. Whenever you’re ready.”

  My mouth dropped open. My teasing comment had been turned right back around on me, and I wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “You asked.” He pointed out.

  I was saved from further reply as I spotted Morgan rushing up to the bungalow. Lexie and Bran were behind him, pushing Belinda in a stroller. Morgan was dressed as Peter Pan and the baby was dressed in a bright emerald sweater, a soft green
headband and little felt fairy wings.

  I went down the steps to greet them.

  “Captain Hook!” Morgan skidded to a stop and stared at me.

  “Tonight I’m a nice Lady Pirate,” I said solemnly.

  Morgan seemed to think that over and marched past me up the steps and stuck his plastic pumpkin out for Duncan. “Trick-or-treat,” he said.

  “I have something special for you and your sister,” I told Morgan. I went back up to the porch and reached under the table for the gift bags I’d made. The first clear cellophane bag was stuffed with homemade cookies and larger candy bars for Morgan. “Here you go.” I dropped the bag into his pumpkin.

  “Yes!” Morgan cheered.

  “That’s a lot of sugar.” Bran frowned at me.

  I wrinkled my nose at my brother. “Lighten up Bran. It’s Halloween after all.” The second bag I handed to Lexie had an infant teething ring in it and some bows for Belinda’s future hair.

  Belinda sat propped up in her stroller and kicked her feet. She let out a little squeal when I bent over and gave her a kiss. “Happy first Halloween, baby.”

  Bran nodded at Duncan. “I suppose we’ll be seeing you at the Masquerade Fund raiser this weekend.”

  Duncan tucked his hands in his pockets. “Wait till you see the decorations. They’ve been working on the mansion for a week. It’s creepy and somehow elegant all at the same time.”

  “Oh yeah?” Lexie handed the baby a toy to keep her entertained.

  Duncan shifted, blocking Bran’s view of his son, as Morgan sat on the steps and stealthily unwrapped a miniature candy bar. “It’s all black and gold with enough Venetian style masks to give you nightmares.”

  “We’re looking forward to it.” Bran spotted Morgan with a mouthful of chocolate. “What’s the rule Morgan John?”

  Lexie chuckled. “Nice try covering for the boy. I’ll give you that, Duncan.”

  Caught, Morgan stood and walked over to his father. “No candy until we get home.” He stared at the ground.

  “Do I get a hug before you go?” I asked Morgan.

  Morgan spun and gave me a hug. Next, he rushed at Duncan and threw his arms around his legs. “Happy Halloween!” he said, and took off at a run across the yard. Bran shouted at him to wait.