by J. D. Shaw
“Mother mentioned that your apartment was trashed. Were they looking for something?”
“I’m sure it was the grimoire.” Nana Mary sighed. “Which probably explains why they came looking for you last night.”
“They figured out you had transferred the power to me.” Vivienne pondered. “Why not Mother?”
“Because whoever it is knows how the power works and can wield magic. They are crafty and dangerous and now it sounds like they have the grimoire in their possession too.”
“I’m so sorry about all of this.” Vivienne shook her head. “I’ve really screwed things up.”
“No, my darling granddaughter, you haven’t.” Nana Mary reached out and pulled her into a hug. “It’s not supposed to be like this. Besides, that grimoire is rightfully yours. Eventually, it will come back to you. You’re both bound by blood.”
“I’m just so glad that you’re alive. Where are you going to go?”
“I’ve got a few powerful friends to visit.” Nana Mary patted Vivienne on the back. “This is going to require a conclave to fix.”
“What’s a conclave?”
“It’s a gathering of the elder witches in the regional covens. It usually only meets during blue moons, but when a crisis occurs, it can be convened as required. We address problems and dispense justice to those who break the natural laws of magic or practice the dark craft.”
Vivienne gave Nana Mary a smile. “You’re going to ask for magical help with this?”
“You bet your grimoire I am.” Nana Mary smiled back. “It may take some time, so you’re going to have to be extra careful. I wish you could come with me, but you aren’t practiced enough in the craft to safely travel to the meeting place and the two of us travelling together would draw too much attention.”
“I’ll watch my back.” Vivienne added. “And I’ve got Joshua to help out too.” She snapped her fingers. “Speaking of which, I need to tell you something about him.”
“What is it?”
Vivienne looked around the deserted park to make sure they were alone. “He was able to read the grimoire.” She whispered. “Does that mean he’s a witch?”
“He can?” Nana Mary expression was one of genuine surprise. “He’s not part of the local coven here in town.”
Vivienne was disappointed. Joshua continued to remain an enigma and it was really starting to tick her off. “So should I tell him what’s going on?”
“Does your heart tell you he can be trusted?” Nana Mary asked.
She paused for a moment. “I want to, but he lied about working the other night. It’s starting to bother me a little.”
Nana Mary clucked her tongue. “Men are fickle. He probably wanted a night out with the guys to drink beer and watch football. They’re all terrible liars.”
“I guess so.” Vivienne nodded. “He’s not like any other man I’ve ever met.”
“So what’s the problem?”
Vivienne thought for a moment and felt foolish. “Here I am ticked off about him lying about work, and I’m withholding the truth about who I really am. I guess that makes me just as bad.” She sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Go with your instinct. Look into his eyes and then you’ll know if you should tell him.” Nana Mary stood up from the picnic table. “Now, I really should be going before I’m discovered.”
“What about the police and everyone looking for you? What about Mother?” Vivienne asked.
“There’s no time for me to wrap up everything in a nice package. I’ll leave that to you.” Nana Mary smiled and reached into a pocket in her jeans. She pulled out a tiny purple bag. “This powder will keep Nora calm and she’ll believe whatever you tell her. Slip a pinch of it in her coffee or tea when you get a chance.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a special blend of herbs and magic that I picked up at last Halloween’s conclave meeting. She’ll believe every word that leaves your lips. Oh, what the politicians would do to get their hands on this stuff.”
“What about the police?” Vivienne pressed on.
“Tell them I went to Arizona for a family crisis.” Nana Mary took one last look at the lake and all the foliage from the surrounding hillside. “You’re a smart cookie, Vivienne. I’m counting on that to keep you alive.”
She stood up from the picnic table and kissed Nana Mary goodbye. “I’ll do my best.”
Nana Mary reached around her neck and pulled off her necklace with the pentagram charm. She handed it to Vivienne. “Put this on and don’t ever take it off. It will give you some extra protection.”
Vivienne placed it around her neck and smiled. “Is it magically charmed?”
“It is indeed.” Nana Mary replied cryptically. “Now I really must be going.” She turned and walked away toward the lower playground and woods. She waved one final time before disappearing onto one of the many hiking trails that snaked along the park.
“Good luck Nana Mary.” She whispered and stared at the little bag of powder in her hand. How many times had she slipped that into Nora’s drinks over the years? That’s one recipe she’d have to ask for the next time they met.
Chapter 20
“She’s gone to Arizona to visit Cousin Howard and his family.” Vivienne lied to her mother after mixing the powder into a mug of orange pekoe tea which she had slurped down alarmingly fast. “She’ll be out of touch for awhile but you won’t worry about it because she’s fine.”
Nora nodded accordingly. “Yes, that makes sense now. I feel so foolish for worrying.”
“She’ll be back before we know it.”
“That’s right.” Nora smiled. “She’s very independent for a woman her age.”
The powder was amazing stuff. Vivienne thought to herself. Her mother had taken every word as the gospel truth, no questions asked. “You better call Sheriff Rigsbee and let him know what happened.”
Nora got up from the table and went to the telephone. “Yes, he’ll be glad to know she’s not missing anymore.” She dialed the number and smiled at Vivienne. “Hello, this is Nora Finch calling for Sherriff Rigsbee. May I speak to him please?”
Vivienne washed up the mugs of tea while Nora explained how she had just spoken to Nana Mary and Cousin Howard in Arizona. Something about a family crisis and Nana Mary had left in a hurry to catch a red eye flight to be at the family’s side.
She handed the phone to Vivienne who apologized on behalf of their family for causing a stir. It had taken quite a bit of talking, but at last Sheriff Rigsbee seemed convinced that the facts added up and he called off the search. He asked that given the number of missing person reports called in for their family lately, they try to keep better tabs on each other. Vivienne couldn’t agree more.
Afterwards, she called Whispering Oaks to explain the situation and apologized for causing any problems. The director of the facility was nice enough, but she could tell from the tone in his voice that he was just a little peeved at the whole mess.
With her cover story in place, Vivienne left Nora’s and returned to the Sweet Dreams Bakery. It was nearly eleven in the morning and she had to throw away the half-baked cookies in the oven and start the process all over.
As she dumped the cookie dough into the garbage bin, there was a knock at the front door. Samantha Charles waved from outside, her Mercedes parked behind her. Vivienne set the cookie trays on the prep station and went to greet her. “Samantha, I thought I’d missed you.”
Samantha grinned. “Did I forget to mention how I always run late for everything?”
“Come in.” Vivienne stepped back into the store. “I’m so glad you stopped by.”
“This is so cute.” Samantha looked around the bakery with wonder. “You’ve really created a charming little place.”
“Thank you.” Vivienne beamed with pride. “I don’t know if it’ll ever open.”
“Oh, it will.” Samantha gushed. “I’m sure it’ll be a smashing success too.”
“You’re t
oo kind.” Vivienne gestured to a bistro table. “Would you like to have some tea?”
“No, I’ve really got to be on the road in a few minutes if I want to be home before dark.”
“Have the others left too?” Vivienne asked.
“Fiona is staying here a few more days to help Victoria with some historic commission thing.” Samantha added. “The rest of us are going back though.”
“I do hope you’ll come back and visit soon.” Vivienne pulled out one of her new business cards that sat in a little holder on the table. “I’ll ship anywhere too.”
Samantha admired the card and opened her purse to place it inside. “Can I have a few more? I’ll let everyone know back in the city.”
“Sure.” Vivienne beamed and handed her a small handful. “I don’t have online ordering yet, but I hope to soon.”
Samantha placed the cards in her purse and smiled. “Thanks again for being so nice. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”
“That’s what friends do.” Vivienne added.
“We are friends now, aren’t we?” Samantha asked.
“I’d like to think so.”
Samantha leaned forward and gave Vivienne a hug. “I better get going now. I’ll be seeing you on Social Butterfly, right?”
“Sure, from time to time.” Vivienne agreed. “If I ever get a chance to visit New York, I’ll let you know.”
“Don’t get a hotel.” Samantha insisted. “You’ll stay at my apartment. I’ve got tons of room.”
“I’m game for that.”
Samantha left the bakery and climbed into her sleek car. She gave a little wave as she pulled away with a friendly honk of the horn.
Vivienne watched her leave and then considered how behind she was on getting product made. There wasn’t time to waste anymore. She walked over the phone and called Clara.
As far as convincing people to see things her way, Vivienne was on fire. By three in the afternoon, she had managed to convince Clara to release Stephanie from her employment and hired her on as her new baker’s assistant. For the first time in days, things finally seemed to be getting back on track.
“I’m so excited to be working here.” Stephanie gushed as she whipped up several batches of chocolate chip cookie dough in the huge electric mixers.
“Are you kidding? I’m the one who should be excited to have such a creative person working for me.” Vivienne added as she began to slice the refrigerated checkerboard cookie dough with a knife.
“I feel so creative here.” Stephanie stopped the mixers and scraped the dough out of the metal bowls with a large spatula. “Miss Clara was nice and all, but I always felt like she was mad at me.”
“That’s just how she treats everyone.” Vivienne spoke as she slid the checkerboard cookies onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. “She likes to keep people on their toes.”
“Well, it worked like a charm.” Stephanie agreed.
Vivienne slid the baking sheets into the oven and set the timer. She looked up at the wall clock. “How about working until six today and then you can come in tomorrow morning at eight?”
“Sure.” Stephanie replied. “Are we still going to open in two days?”
“Good grief, I sincerely hope so.” Vivienne reached down to the wooden legs on one of the work tables and gave it a little knock.
As she had hoped, their teamwork resulted in one entire bakery case filled to capacity with all sorts of delicious cookies and other sugary confections. Stephanie was quite the helper and her artistic flair was evident on the delicate little designs she had created on some of the iced sugar cookies. She had no sooner said goodnight to Stephanie when Joshua pulled up front in his patrol car and parked. Vivienne stood with the door open, her arms folded across her chest.
“I just got your voicemail a short time ago. I called it in to the department but they told me you found Nana Mary safe and sound.”
“Yes.” Vivienne nodded. “Where were you?”
“I was asleep all day.” He walked up to her dressed in his regulation uniform and hat. “I worked the overnight. It really screws up my internal clock.” He moved closer to kiss her but she side stepped into the store.
She had hoped, given the opportunity to confess, that he would jump at the chance. But he didn’t and she felt betrayed once again. “That’s not what Officer Greg told me last night.”
He followed her into the store, allowing the door to close. “You talked to Officer Greg?”
She moved to the tea display and began to arrange the boxes in a new order. “Yes, that would be after I was attacked by some creep last night. I’d have thought you’d have heard about it?”
“Whoa.” Joshua crossed over to her with concern. “You were attacked?”
She turned to face him. “That was after I locked myself out of my car at Clara’s and was walking to Main Street to make a phone call.”
“Vivienne, I’m sorry. I had no idea.” He reached out to hold her but she scooted over to the bakery case.
“Look, I get it. You want some time apart and maybe I was moving too fast.” She examined the cookies under the soft lights in the case. “You don’t have to lie about working to avoid seeing me. If I’m being too forward just say so.”
“That’s not what I did.” Joshua removed his hat and set it on the nearby bistro table. “It’s really complicated.”
She spun around to face him, her face burning with anger. “You’re damn right it is. You were supposed to be working the night shift but you weren’t there. I was attacked on the street by some maniac and you weren’t there. I thought my Nana Mary was missing this morning and you weren’t there. Are you seeing a pattern here?”
“Vivienne, please try to understand. I would never abandon you when you need me.” He pleaded.
“If it wasn’t for that wild animal, I don’t know what would have happened.” Her voice cracked a bit.
“A wild animal saved you?” He sat down in the bistro chair.
“I’d really like to be alone right now Joshua.” She felt the tears building up and fought to hold them back. “I have so much to do.”
He looked up at her with his steel-blue eyes. “I was there, Vivienne. At least, I think I was.”
A single tear dribbled down her right cheek and she brushed it away. “What are you talking about?”
He bit down on his lower lip in frustration. “It wasn’t a coyote. It was a wolf.”
“How would you know that?” She asked.
“Because I’m pretty sure I was that wolf.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“What?” She blinked in response. “Is this some kind of joke to lighten the mood?”
“It was me.” His face was solemn. “I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but at this point I’ve got nothing to lose. I’m a werewolf.”
She was about to laugh when she looked into his eyes and noticed they were the very the very same steel-blue eyes that her furry four-legged savior had. She grabbed the other bistro chair and sat down to face him. “I don’t know which is crazier. The fact that you say you’re a werewolf or the fact that I actually believe you.”
He reached across the table and took her hands in his. “It’s not something I’ve ever told anyone. They’d lock me up if I did.”
“I thought werewolves walked upright like people? The kind you see in the movies and on television. You know, big burly beasts with sharp claws and teeth that terrorize the town?”
Joshua stared at her for a moment in silence. "They’ve got it all wrong. When we transform, we literally turn into an actual wolf identical to the regular animal. The only thing different is that our eyes retain our human coloring.”
“Do you attack people?” Vivienne asked.
“We keep to ourselves out in the woods mostly.”
“Since we’re doing the complete honesty thing, I may as well tell you something too, so brace yourself.” She took a deep breath. “I’m descended from a long line
of magical women which technically makes me a hereditary witch.”
The news didn’t seem to faze him one bit. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “Not exactly a fairy tale romance that we have here, is it?”
She let out a little laugh and shook her head. “It depends on the author, I suppose.”
“I had a feeling there was something different about you when I saw that book of yours the other night.” Joshua admitted.
“You could read it.” She added. “No one else except Nana Mary could do that.”
“Is she really okay?” Joshua asked with concern in his voice.
“Yes. She’s gone to summon help from the elder witches.” She replied. “We were both attacked by someone who can use magic, and to make matters worse, they stole my grimoire in the process.”
“Did she fly on a broom?” He asked with a little grin.
“I doubt it.” Vivienne cracked a smile. “I don’t think balancing on a wooden pole would be very comfortable. Give me a big first class seat with champagne and warm nuts any day.”
“Well, I have no memory of what happens when I assume wolf form.” Joshua confided to her. “I’m sorry I can’t tell who attacked you last night. But, I’m glad I could at least help a little bit.”
“So is your entire family made up of werewolves?” Vivienne asked. “Is that why you’re so secretive about your past?”
“We don’t form the same sort of family bonds like humans do. After we mature, we leave home and rarely ever go back. It’s like that with most were-creatures, I guess.”
“You mean there are more than werewolves?”
“More than you could possibly imagine. For every animal, there is most likely a were-creature existing out in the world.”
Vivienne became fascinated with the man before her. He was something other than human, just like her, and it felt insanely good to talk so openly about events that defied reality. “I have so many more questions to ask.”
He looked at his watch. “I really do have to work tonight. Can I answer them tomorrow?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry I was cross with you earlier. It’s just been such a terrible past few days.”
