by Rose Pressey
The phone rang and grabbed our attention. I hurried over and picked it up. “Mystic Café, may I help you?”
I was expecting to receive a few carry-out orders soon, since I’d posted that we would be closed today until lunch for Grandma Imelda’s return.
“Ms. Blair, it’s Reagan Baer-Turner with the Organization. Has your grandmother arrived?”
I glanced over at Grandma Imelda, who was still staring out the window at the shop. “Yes, she’s here.”
“Great. Why don’t you meet me at the park around nine tonight and I can give you the award.”
That was kind of an odd place to meet. Of course it wasn’t like there was some special awards ceremony in my honor. I was sure she just wanted to hand me the plaque and get out of town.
“Sure, I can meet you there.”
“Oh, and can you bring the Mystic Café spell book?”
“Why do you need the Mystic Magic book?”
Another odd request. I’d never understand the way the Organization worked. They were always doing weird things.
“I just want to make sure that it is updated with your name in it. I forgot to look the other day when I was there,” she said casually.
“Okay, sure, I guess that will be okay. It’s kind of heavy though.”
“I appreciate it, Elly. You’ve been fantastic.”
“I’ll see you then,” I said.
She clicked off the line.
“Who was that?” Grandma Imelda asked from over my shoulder.
“That was Reagan Baer-Turner. She wants to meet us at the park at nine to give me the award.”
Grandma Imelda scrunched her face up. “That is weird. Why doesn’t she just bring it here?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just lucky that the Organization is acknowledging me.”
Grandma Imelda waved her finger in my direction. “Don’t talk like that. I told you that you would be fantastic with the magic. And now it’s happening.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “We have some pies to bake, so let’s get going.”
We turned around to head to the kitchen when the door opening caught our attention. I jumped and spun around. I wasn’t quite sure why I was so on edge.
Mary Jane smiled and waved at us. Grandma Imelda raced toward Mary Jane. They hugged and wiped away the tears. Okay, I was wiping my eyes too after watching them too. After all the time they’d spent together, I knew that they’d been missing each other.
Finally Mary Jane looked my way. “So what’s on the agenda for today?”
“First we make pies,” I said with a smile.
Mary Jane grabbed her apron. “Perfect. Oh, by the way, I spotted our new neighbor Meredith across the street just now and she was taking something out of the back of her shop. It looked suspicious, if you ask me.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “What were you doing behind her shop?”
Mary Jane’s face turned red. “I guess I was just looking around.”
Apparently she was just as suspicious as Grandma Imelda and me.
Chapter 5
“I think that Meredith woman is up to something.” Grandma Imelda waved her finger.
She’d barely spoken the words when Meredith waltzed through the door. We all stared in shock. It was as if we’d been caught cheating on our homework. Luckily, we hadn’t said anything that she could have overheard. Well, other than Grandma Imelda. But I really didn’t think she’d heard.
Meredith stared at us for a second and then asked, “Are you serving lunch yet?”
After a couple seconds, I finally said, “Yes, please come in.”
She probably thought we were crazy for the way that we had acted when she’d first walked through the door.
“Where would you like to sit?” I asked.
She looked around and pointed toward the booth by the front windows. “Over here is fine.”
I grabbed a menu and followed her to the table. When I glanced back, Grandma Imelda and Mary Jane were still staring at us. When I approached the table, I felt Meredith’s magic. It raised the hair on the back of my neck. Her energy sent off an unpleasant tingling sensation that I’d never felt before. Now I knew that she was involved in the magic. I would have to find out more.
I took her order and hurried back to the kitchen to make her sandwich. Of course Mary Jane and Grandma Imelda followed me.
“What did she say?” Mary Jane asked.
“She ordered a sandwich,” I said.
“That’s it?” Mary Jane placed her hands on her hips.
“And a glass of sweet tea,” I added.
“We want to know if she mentioned the magic, dear,” Grandma Imelda said.
I placed cheese on top of the sandwich and then another slice of bread. “No, but I sensed the magic all around her. I figured when she was finished eating I could ask her about it.”
Grandma Imelda placed a dill pickle spear on the side of the plate as I carried it across the room. We huddled by the service window to spy on Meredith for a second. She was busy looking at her smartphone. She must have felt our stares because she looked up and spotted us. I waved and then headed toward the door.
“She must think we’re crazy,” I whispered.
“Or she knows that we’re on to her magic,” Grandma Imelda said.
I paused at the door. “Do you think she’s trying to hide it?”
Grandma Imelda shook her head. “I think she’s trying to hide something.”
I had no idea how I would explain that we had been watching her from the kitchen. I approached the table and placed the plate down in front of her.
“Here you are. Do you need anything else?” I asked with a smile.
Meredith grabbed her napkin. “No, I think that’s all. I noticed you all watching me back there.” She glanced over at Grandma Imelda and Mary Jane.
I looked over at them. They didn’t move but continued to watch us. “Oh, we thought we heard another customer.”
She studied my face for a moment and then nodded. “Okay.”
“Well, let me know if you need anything.”
She gave a half-hearted smile and I backed away from her table.
The three of us were huddled behind the counter. I knew that looked extremely suspicious. She looked over a few times at us. I tried to pretend like I was busy and not watching her, but I knew she wasn’t falling for it.
Grandma Imelda nudged my arm. “Go ask her about the magic.”
Why couldn’t Mary Jane or Grandma Imelda ask? I pushed my shoulders back and marched across the café floor toward her table. I tried to formulate what I would say before reaching her table, but I knew once I opened my mouth whatever I planned wouldn’t be what would come out.
She didn’t look up right away when I approached her table. She took a sip of her water and placed the glass down. Now I was right next to her. I knew she felt my presence so I had to speak.
“How was everything?” I asked in a cheery tone.
She looked at me. “Delicious, thank you. I’d like to pay now.”
I couldn’t let her leave without asking. I placed her ticket on the table. “There was one thing I’d like to ask.”
She stared at me, as if she knew exactly what I was going to say.
Did she know about the magic around town? She had to. That was the only explanation for why I felt magic around her. I looked around as if someone would hear me. Of course there was no one else in the place. Mary Jane and Grandma Imelda stood by the counter staring with wide eyes.
“Yes?” she asked.
“Does your shop have, you know, magic?” I just blurted it out. It was the only way to get the question out. Otherwise it would have stayed tangled in my mouth forever.
She stared at me with a confused look. “Magic? Like magic tricks?”
I quirked an eyebrow. What did she mean by magic tricks? If she meant spells and potions, then yes.
“Spells and potions,” I whispered.
She gave me a bl
ank stare. Actually, she looked at me as if I had two heads. Apparently she had no idea what I was talking about. This was awkward.
“Okay. Well, thanks.” I hurried across the room back to the safety of Mary Jane and Grandma Imelda.
“What happened?” Mary Jane whispered.
Before I could answer Meredith approached with her cash in hand. Meredith thrust it toward me as if she wanted to get out as quickly as possible.
“Thank you,” I said as I took the money. What else could I say?
She hurried out the door, glancing back a couple times and scowling at us. I always tried to make sure customers were happy, but I’d failed this time.
“We’ll probably never see her in here again,” I said with a sigh.
“What happened, dear? It didn’t look as if it went well.”
I blew the hair out of my eyes. “You could say that. When I asked about magic, she acted as if she didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.”
Grandma Imelda leaned against the counter. “That is odd.”
“Why would you sense magic around her then?” Mary Jane asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I think I should find out.”
Grandma Imelda nodded. “Something isn’t right.”
Just then a flood of customers entered the café for lunch. There was a steady stream all day and I didn’t have a chance to even think about the odd occurrence again until it was time to close. I also hadn’t had time to think about the award. Sure, it was just a little plaque, but I was excited. For someone who had been clueless about magic just a short time ago, this was a big deal. I hadn’t known the difference between a dash of magical spices and a spoonful of mystical potions.
The three of us finished up with the cleaning and I turned off the lights. “Are you all set?” Grandma Imelda asked with a huge smile.
I looked the door behind us. “I wish I’d had time to shower and change.”
Grandma Imelda waved her hand. “Reagan knows you run a café.”
“I bet she doesn’t expect for me to show up with ketchup in my hair though.” I pointed at my head.
“I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” Mary Jane said.
“That’s okay. I know you will be there in spirit.”
“You know I will.” Mary Jane hugged us and walked the other way down the sidewalk.
As we set off down the sidewalk, I glanced over at Meredith’s shop. The lights were off and all was quiet. She had closed hours ago. Rory hadn’t called yet, which I thought was a little odd. I had hoped that he would go with us to the park. I couldn’t wait to show him the award.
At that moment Tom popped into my head. I wondered what he would say about my award. I wondered if he knew that I was getting it. Probably not. He would be too busy investigating magic gone awry all over the country. I thought back to the stormy day when Tom had been whisked into the café as if by a magical wind. The same mysterious air surrounded him now as did then.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Grandma Imelda said as we walked toward the park.
I’d forgotten to bring the spellbook with me to the park. I hoped that Reagan didn’t get mad.
“Just thinking about my award, I guess,” I said with a smile.
It was a short walk from the café to the park. I looked across the street at the quaint historic section of town. In many ways Mystic Hollow had changed since the 1800s, but just as many things had remained the same. Old buildings lined the streets and the mystical aura of the town captivated everyone, tourists and residents alike. Cute shops and salon, a bakery and antique shop… Mystic Hollow had a little bit of everything.
“I am very proud of you.” Her tiny mouth curved up into a smile.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Soon the park came into view. It was a dazzling array of lights. Strings of lights hung from the trees and were draped around the small fence that bordered the edges of the green space. Magnolia and oak trees covered the area like a green canopy. I’d told Reagan we would meet her under the gazebo. It was also covered with a collection of twinkling lights. The whole park was magical.
“I don’t see her,” Grandma Imelda said as we approached the gazebo.
I stopped in front of it and scanned the park. “Maybe she hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Let’s have a seat and wait for her.” Grandma Imelda pointed toward the benches under the gazebo.
I peered up at the sky. “It is a beautiful night.”
My feelings overwhelmed me as I sat in the middle of Mystic Hollow Park. I’d never thought I would be good enough at magic to be recognized by the Organization. Now here I was eager to accept the acknowledgement. It was as if I’d finally found my place in the world after years of feeling lost.
Strands of lights covered the gazebo like glowing fireflies. The smell of fall leaves hung in the air. That wasn’t the only thing in the air either. Waves of magical energy emanated around me, weaving around and through the park, up and down streets and back again. Where was it coming from?
I took in the night’s enchanted appearance. The sensation of being watched couldn’t be shaken off. When I glanced over my shoulder, I noticed an owl up in that old oak tree. The tree had been there for at least a hundred years and I was sure that the owl was the same one that had been spying on Mystic Hollow residents ever since I could remember. I could have sworn that bird winked at me.
“It is a bit odd that she wanted to meet us here,” Grandma Imelda said, breaking the silence.
“Yes, I guess it is a little strange.” I looked over my shoulder again to see if I could spot Reagan. “I figured she’s just in a hurry to get out of town.”
“Then she should have come by the café earlier today,” Grandma Imelda said.
I tapped my fingers against the wooden bench. “I’m going to walk around and see if I can spot her.”
“I’ll wait here, dear. Grandma’s feet aren’t as young as they used to be.” She wiggled her feet, showing off her black shoes with the extra thick soles.
I patted her hand. “I’ll be right back.”
I stepped out of the gazebo and walked down the pathway that led through the park. So far Reagan was nowhere in sight. If I didn’t see her in a couple minutes, I would try her phone. Maybe she’d forgotten me. That was hard to believe considering I was supposedly the only reason for her visit.
As I neared the bushes on the other side of the park, I glanced down and spotted what looked like a briefcase. I looked around, but I was the only one in the park other than Grandma Imelda, whom I’d left at the gazebo. I reached down and grabbed the briefcase. That was when I spotted the gold shiny plaque. The park’s dazzling lights twinkled off the polished metal. I knew right away what I’d found. My heart sped up. I picked up the plaque and it had my name written across the front. The black briefcase had to be Reagan’s. Now that I thought about it, I remembered this was the bag she’d had in the café.
I opened the briefcase. Inside all I found was a small black wallet. I pulled it out so I could check the contents. When I saw the driver’s license, I immediately recognized Reagan’s picture. Why was her briefcase and the plaque here without her? My stomach clenched with one of my intuitions that never presaged anything good. I had to call the police.
I hurried back over to the gazebo. Grandma Imelda must have noticed the concerned look on my face because she stood and hurried over to me as I approached.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
I held up the briefcase with one hand and the plaque with the other. “I found Reagan’s bag and the plaque, but she is nowhere in sight.”
“Are you sure?” Grandma Imelda furrowed her brow with concern.
I nodded. “I checked the wallet for her identification.”
“Oh, dear,” Grandma Imelda said.
I placed the bag and plaque on the ground and pulled out my phone. “I have to call the police.”
As I dialed the number, Grandma Imelda said, “You also have to call the
Organization. They will want to look for her. Let’s hope that nothing is wrong and that she just lost her bag.”
I hoped that was the case, but it was doubtful. I told the 911 operator our location and briefly explained what had happened. Now Grandma Imelda wanted me to call the Organization?
Grandma Imelda pointed to my phone. “Call Tom.”
I released a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair. She probably wouldn’t stop telling me to call until I called. I scrolled through the contacts until I came to his number. My stomach flipped while I listened to the rings.
“Elly, I’m surprised to hear from you. Is everything okay?”
My stomach danced when I heard his sweet voice. “Actually, I’m not sure.”
After I explained what had happened, Tom said, “I’ll be there as soon as possible. Elly, call me if anything changes before I get there.”
“You’re coming here?” I asked.
I knew he was thinking the same thing as me.
“I’ll see you soon, Elly,” he said without answering my question.
Was he as excited as me? I couldn’t help the feeling. It would be nice to see him again. I shouldn’t feel this happy when a woman was potentially in danger. I hoped that she was safe, but I wasn’t sure I would stop Tom from coming if she showed up this very second.
“Is he coming?” Grandma Imelda asked. I nodded, but she already knew the answer. “The Organization will be able to investigate in ways the police can’t.”
I knew she was right, but I was nervous nonetheless.
The police arrived moments later and I let them know what I’d found. I wasn’t sure how much time they’d put into looking for Reagan though. She was an adult and could have left of her own free will.
“We’ll check Roxanne Beams’ hotel,” the officer said.
“Can I call you to see if you’ve found her?”
He handed me his card. “If I find out anything, I’ll give you a call.”
Did that mean that he wanted me to wait for him to call? Once the police left the park, it was time for Grandma Imelda and me to get out of there. There was nothing left for us to do tonight.
