by Lynn Cahoon
He shook his head. “No, I know where I’m going. I thought I heard a child laughing.”
Mia’s gaze darted to Gloria, but the doll didn’t appear to be watching anymore. “You heard laughter?”
“Weird, right? Probably some ghost of a long-ago student. I’m kind of sensitive that way.” He leaned down to kiss her. “Don’t worry, we’ll get this room set up in no time. Your grandmother sure knows how to adjust on a dime.”
Mia nodded. “She’s always been that way. I’m just glad this apartment is big enough for all of us. I would hate to have to bunk up with Christina or sleep on the couch.”
“That couch is comfortable.” He grinned at Christina. “Not that sharing a room would be bad, but I hear you snore.”
Christina threw a dish towel at Levi. “You tell your brother that’s not true.”
“So you did spend the night at his place?” Trent teased. “I’m going to tell Mom.”
Levi came and put his arms around Christina. “Stop messing with her, big brother. And besides, Christina’s already met Mom and Dad. They like her even though she snores.”
“I do not snore.” Christina tried to wrestle out of Levi’s hug, but he held her tight. Until she stomped on his foot and he released her with a howl.
“Man, you’re strong.” Levi hopped on one foot while he held the other one.
Christina tried to push him over. “And you’re playacting.”
“Come on, children, let’s get a plan ready and get this thing going.” Trent put his arm around Mia. “They grow so fast. What are we going to do when they have their own lives?”
“Be able to talk to each other and eat a meal without a meltdown?” Mia grinned at him. “You know, real kids would be more of a hassle. I’m thinking I’m going to only have fur children when I get married.”
“Monkeys?” Trent grinned. “I’ll go for that.”
“I was thinking cats and dogs, not monkeys. Besides, who said it would be with you?” she teased as she waved him away. “Go get the boxes out of there so I can get the room ready for Ms. Cindy.”
Mr. Darcy meowed and jumped on the table. He pawed at Mia’s arm.
She looked down at him. “No, I don’t think we’ll mention your current status, Dorian. Sometimes people just don’t understand. And she’s only had your grimoire for a few months.”
He rubbed his face against her arm in agreement, then jumped down and ran down the hall.
“I guess Dorian’s checking out the room?” Trent shook his head as he followed Mr. Darcy out into the hall. “It must be hard to be stuck in a cat.”
Mia got together a list of supplies and gave it to Christina. When she tried to give her a credit card, Levi pushed it away. “Trent and I will cover this. Don’t worry about it.”
“Sounds good. Call me when you’re close and I’ll come unlock the door for you.” Mia watched them walk out the door together. They made a good couple.
She shook off the notion and went to grab clean sheets. It was time to get Cindy’s room ready.
An hour later, she got the call. She stood up from the table where she’d been talking to Trent about the incident that morning. “Time to play hostess.”
“Sit down; I’ll go down and let them in. You relax with your tea for a few minutes. I’ve never seen you so agitated about having one more person here. What’s going on?”
Mia shook her head. “I guess it’s all the hoopla about the dead guy. I just wish Baldwin would find out who he was and why he was killed in my yard.”
Trent leaned over her and kissed the top of her head. “He will. Things will work out, just relax.”
When they got into the apartment, Cindy stood by the door looking like she was ready to bolt. Mr. Darcy, or maybe Dorian, wove through her legs, trying to calm her. Mia held out a hand to introduce herself, but Cindy waved it away.
“Sorry, I don’t touch people. No handshakes, no hugs, and definitely no kisses. I’m always freaked out about germs and who’s going to give me something that might keep me from accepting a movie role.” She smiled at Mia. “Thank you so much for opening your home, but I could have stayed at the hotel.”
Grans stood by her and reached out, then dropped her hand before she touched Cindy. “Don’t be silly. You’re having some issues and this is the best place for us to figure out what’s going on so you can go back to your normal life.”
Mia flicked a look at her grandmother. The only way Cindy was going back to her normal life was for her to give up and renounce any power Dorian had left to her. She didn’t know the woman, but she didn’t look like the type to give up power easily. “Let’s get you to your room. We’ll have dinner around five, but I can make you something for lunch if you need it.”
She shook her head. “Is there someplace I can put my meal shakes? I’m on a protein diet and all I need are my shakes and bottled water. I asked whoever called to grab me a supply of water at the store.”
“You may change your mind. Mia’s a professional chef. She caters for local events and has a take-home service with bake-your-own-dinner options.” Christina held up the oversize package of bottled water. “I’ll put your water in the fridge.”
“No need. I like it room temperature.” She nodded to Christina. “Just bring it to my room. That will be fine.”
Mr. Darcy let out a cry. He stood in the kitchen doorway watching Cindy.
“Sorry about that. He’s very talkative today.” Mia nodded for Cindy to go on.
Cindy shrugged. “No worries. I’m not too much for any type of animal. Hopefully, he’ll leave me alone if I leave him alone?”
“One could hope,” Mia muttered. When Cindy looked at her strangely, she squared her shoulders and nodded toward the hallway. “Let me show you to your room.”
Christina stepped in front of her. “I’ll do that.”
As they left the living room, Mia glanced at her grandmother. “She’s so . . .”
“Warm and cuddly?” Trent offered.
Mia shook her head. “Are you sure she’s Dorian’s daughter? I only met the man once—well, when he was alive—but he was so engaged with people. She seems like she’s all about herself.”
Grans sank into a chair. “Believe me, if I didn’t feel like I owed this to Dorian, I wouldn’t be trying. She’s cold, distant, and completely full of herself.”
“And those are her good characteristics,” Levi added.
Trent glanced at Mia. “It’s your house.”
“Grans is right. If we can help her figure out what she’s going to do about the grimoire, we have to at least try. I know it’s not going to be easy, but apparently I don’t have another mouth to feed. Are the rest of you ready for dinner? I’ve got stew on and I baked rolls two nights ago when I couldn’t sleep.” Mia put on a smile she didn’t feel and held out her hand to her grandmother. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving, but I need to put my suitcase in my room and set up food and water for Muffy.” Grans reached down to stroke the small white dog that sat on her lap, leaning into her like he knew she was upset.
“I’ll take your suitcase and Levi can set up Muffy’s bowls.” Trent handed the large grocery bag to his brother. “You just sit here and put your feet up. Can I get you a cup of tea?”
“That would be nice.” Grans beamed at Trent. “You’re such a sweet man.”
Mia went into the kitchen to make the tea Trent had promised. When he came into the room a few minutes later, she nodded to the steaming cup on the tray. “There you go. You can take it to her.”
“Why? I just offered it. You made the tea. You should take it in.”
She shook her head. “No, I think she’ll enjoy it more coming from you. I think she’s missing Dorian tonight.”
He kissed her forehead, then picked up the tray. “I’ll have Levi sit and talk with her while I come in here and help you finish up dinner. Have you heard anything from Baldwin?”
“Nope. But I’ve got a bad feeling about Cindy.”
Mia glanced around to see if Mr. Darcy was around. It wouldn’t be good for him to hear that Mia suspected his daughter of anything. “I know, she just got into town, but something’s off.”
“She’s been in town for three days.” Trent paused in the doorway. “I know the night clerk at the Lodge. Heidi says she checked in alone, but she hasn’t been the only one in that room. She said the room service waitress said she had a gentleman caller. Does Cindy know someone here?”
“Good question.” Mia wondered what Grans had gotten them into by inviting Dorian’s daughter to stay with them.
Chapter 6
Mia hung up the phone and refilled her coffee cup. Mia had been waiting for it to be a reasonable time to call the police station. She and Grans had been sitting at the kitchen table since early that morning, talking about the day. “Baldwin still doesn’t have a clue who the guy is. Shouldn’t there be some sort of fingerprint database they can just access?”
“Do you want to submit your fingerprints to a general database? I don’t think most people would comply with that type of an invasion of privacy.” Grans sipped her coffee.
“It’s only an invasion if you’re planning on committing a crime or winding up dead with no identification on my property.” Mia sighed, conceding the point. “You’re right. I’m just anxious about getting this behind us.”
She and Grans were still sitting at the kitchen table when Cindy came out of her room. She dropped her bag on a free chair before scanning the room. Muffy and Mr. Darcy sat together on the window seat, watching her. Cindy grabbed a cup and poured coffee. She wore satin lounger pj’s and a head turban.
The perfect image of an actress at home? Mia was surprised to see Cindy was significantly older than she’d appeared the day before. Maybe early forties? Mia wondered how to delicately bring up the question of who had been dining with her in her hotel room.
“I suppose you want to talk about that book my father left me.” Cindy sat at the table and looked at the other two women. Then she looked down at Muffy and Mr. Darcy again. “Are real animals supposed to be that quiet? I thought they’d be fighting each other by now.”
“They know better. Haven’t you ever had a pet?” Mia stood up and took a pan of cinnamon rolls out of the oven and put them on the stove. “Do you want one? I know they aren’t protein shakes.”
“Heavens no, I’d gain five pounds with the first bite. Besides my trainer would find out and come to drag me home. He’s already worried I won’t get my workouts in while I’m here. Pets are so messy, and frankly, I’m never home.” She pulled the book out of the bag. “According to the letter my father left me, I inherited his grimoire. But imagine my surprise about how that happened. This is my book of magic spells. I received it when I was eight. Before Father died, it had five spells in it.”
“It looks like there are a lot more now,” Mia commented on the size of the grimoire.
“I pulled it out of a box in the attic the day after the will reading. I guess I was being sentimental.” Cindy stroked the cover. “My father tried to teach me magic, but I didn’t have a talent for it, or the interest. The only spell that ever worked was the one for hiding candy from my brother. I stopped trying when I couldn’t get a candle to light. I figured he was being rhetorical when he said I had magic in my blood. If I’d known he had so many spells, I might have been a better student.”
“What do you mean?” Mia glanced at the gold-filigree cover on the book. It was a lovely grimoire, but it looked brand-new.
Cindy shrugged. “There are so many times in my life when a little extra push from the universe might have changed things. I could have had parts earlier in my career that would have set me up for life. You know the phone stops ringing for women on their fortieth birthday, right?”
“Magic doesn’t work like that. You can’t use it for your own benefit.” Grans broke into the conversation. She glanced down at Mr. Darcy. “I’m sure Dorian explained that.”
“My father was a successful businessman. You’re telling me that these spells”—she put her hand down on the book—“didn’t help him? I find that extremely hard to believe.”
Mr. Darcy let out a loud cry. Everyone looked at him, but his gaze was focused on Cindy.
“What is wrong with that cat? Did you feed him?” She shivered a bit, then refocused on the book. “Anyway, in my father’s letter, he said you could help me understand the spells. I’ve tried working a few but haven’t had much luck. And now some Realtor is trying to lowball my brother, Mike, and me on the real estate sale. I don’t have time for this mess. I need to get back to my real life, see what I can change for my career path.”
“Cindy, I’ll be glad to help teach you, but you need to understand the basic tenets of magic. The first is to do no harm.” Grans spoke in a calm, even voice.
“Like the doctors?” Cindy burst out laughing. “Seriously?”
“Exactly like the doctors. Where do you think they got the idea? Many of the original healers in our country were witches. They brought modern medicine to where it is today. Anyway, there’s also the rule of three.” Grans tapped the table. “This is the most important one. Whatever you do to someone else will come back to you three times worse. It’s a protection to keep witches from using their power to hurt or injure others.”
“So, if I tried a spell to get rid of a certain Realtor, he might go away, but I’d have something three times worse happen to me?” Cindy shook her head. “What’s three times worse even mean? All I wanted was for him to give us a fair value for the property.”
Mia and Grans shared a look. Mia thought about the dead guy in her backyard. Was there a connection? “What did you do, Cindy? Did you try a spell on someone?”
She pursed her lips together as she thought about her response. Finally, she pushed the book toward Grans. “I’m not sure. Can you check the book to see if it uploaded?”
“Spells don’t upload, dear. It’s fairly simple; did you cast a spell or not?” Grans asked Mia’s question again.
Cindy stood and picked up her coffee cup. “Sorry, I don’t know, and I don’t have time for twenty questions. I’ve got to check in with my agent. He’s got some irons in the fire for me.”
Grans waited for her to leave the room, then held her hands over the grimoire. “I can feel Dorian’s presence here.”
Mr. Darcy jumped on the table and rubbed Grans’s arm with his head. Then he reached out a paw and patted the book.
“We know, Dorian. Your family’s spells went into Cindy’s book.” Mia didn’t feel comfortable touching the book. It seemed too personal—not just an invasion of Cindy’s space, but also Dorian’s. She sipped her coffee and focused on Grans. “What are we going to do?”
“ ‘Me,’ not ‘we.’ This is my boyfriend’s mess. I’m the one who should clean it up.” Grans rubbed Mr. Darcy’s head. “I’m taking the book into my room and reading up on what’s in it. Maybe I can figure out what spell Cindy activated.”
“She had to have set something in process. She’s about as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof.” Mia watched as her grandmother stood.
Mr. Darcy growled at Mia.
Holding up her hands in surrender, she laughed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t use that phrase. I suppose it offends you.”
Mr. Darcy winked at her, but no, Mia was sure it was Dorian doing the winking. The mix-up was confusing.
“Anyway, get off the table. You know cats don’t belong on the table,” Mia pointed out.
He meowed and jumped down, following Grans down the hall to her room. She called after him, “You two be good in there.”
Mia heard Grans chuckle as she shut the door and went to work.
Christina came into the kitchen still dressed in pajamas. “Is there coffee?”
“Yes, and muffins. In thirty minutes we’re going to start cooking, so get food, take a shower, and come downstairs by nine. I’d like to get everything done by five. Then tomorrow we’ll do the deliveries.”
“And Wednesday we’ll start the catering job. It’s always something with this business, isn’t it?” She filled a cup with coffee and sipped, watching Mia. “I suppose you’ve been up for hours.”
“Yes, I have.” Mia grabbed her notebook and pens and headed down to her office. It was “time to make the doughnuts,” as that old television commercial used to say. Although she’d planned the week so she could sleep in until seven. Christina didn’t realize it was a luxury to sleep that late. “I’ll see you downstairs. Don’t make me come up or I’ll give you all the bad jobs.”
Christina snorted. “There’s good jobs? When were you going to tell me?”
“Smart aleck.” Mia unlocked the front door to the apartment and tucked her keys in her pocket. She’d leave it open today because there were so many people in the building. And she didn’t want Grans to lock herself out. Humming, she made her way to her office and started planning the day.
She’d already started peeling potatoes when Christina came into the kitchen. She was only twenty minutes late. It was a full-on miracle. “Hey, why don’t you grab those carrots and peel them?”
Christina held up the bunch by the tops. “All of these? What are you making? Carrot soup?”
“Not today, but that’s a good idea.” She glanced around the empty kitchen. “I like seeing people eat. And when it’s food as fresh as this, it’s a double blessing.”
“You’re a good person. Want to know what happened to Tanya at the beach this year?” Christina didn’t wait for Mia’s answer. “She burned herself into lobster mode. I can’t believe anyone could be that stupid.”
“That must have hurt. So, what’s going on with your brother that has you so upset? And don’t tell me nothing, I can see it all over your face.” Mia picked up another potato and quickly peeled it, putting it in the strainer to the side of the workstation.
“Mom said that Isaac was thinking about asking Tanya to marry him. I guess she’s got family connections,” Christina said in a low voice.
