by Deanna Chase
“Because, my dear sister, they needed to be stored somewhere cool and out of the sunlight.”
Noel studied the wine bottles again, then the closet, and then she started laughing.
“What are you cackling about?” Abby demanded.
“You hid these in here so no one would find them. No one like Clair, perhaps?” she asked, referring to their dad’s long-time girlfriend. “She’s been known to enjoy her wine… especially really good red wine.”
Abby got a sheepish expression on her face. “Okay, maybe. The winery sent it here because this is my business return address, and it showed up late in the day on a night she was cooking for Dad. I just… I put it in here and then promptly forgot about it.”
Noel laughed again. “Of course you did.”
“Okay, you caught me. Whatever.” Abby strode to the door. “But you should be thanking me, because without this, we’d be stuck drinking hot cocoa. And not the fun kind.” She jerked her head. “Come on. We have a golf cart race to win.”
“Can we just make one stop?” Noel asked as Abby steered the cart onto the golf cart path along the magical river that ran through the town.
“We already have booze, Noel,” Abby said, holding up a plastic cup of wine. “I can’t think of anything else we might need.”
Noel chuckled. “No, it’s not that. I want to check on Yvette. She’s been really off lately and I’m not sure she’s doing okay.”
Abby glanced over at Noel, her eyebrows pinched in concern. “You know what? You’re right. She’s been really tense the last few times I saw her. Do you think she and Isaac are having issues?”
Noel gazed up at the full moon and sighed. “I hope not. Isaac has been really good to this family. I’d hate to have to beat the crap out of him for mistreating my sister.”
“You and me both,” Abby said and made the turn onto Main Street. It was a chilly December evening, and the town had rolled up the carpet for the evening. The only places that were still open were the two restaurants and the Townsend Brewery. Judging by the number of cars parked on the street, it didn’t appear that any of them were all that busy.
Abby turned right off the main road and in no time, they pulled to a stop in front of a tidy, two-story Victorian. Light poured from the house, and two cars sat in the driveway.
“Looks like they’re home,” Noel said as they strolled up the walkway.
Abby rang the doorbell and wrapped her arms around her body. “Brr. Is it colder here? Suddenly I’m freezing.”
“It’s forty-one degrees, Abby. I told you it was too cold for golf cart races,” Noel said, rolling her eyes.
“It wasn’t this cold when we were on the cart. I swear, this house is in some sort of winter vortex.”
The door swung open and Yvette stood in the threshold, her eyes red and puffy as if she’d been crying. Her chestnut hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, and she had a coffee stain on her white shirt.
“Vette?” Noel asked, alarmed by her appearance. She was a complete wreck. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Yvette glanced over her shoulder and shook her head. “I can’t talk now.”
Isaac appeared just behind her with a duffel bag in his hand. He was dressed in slacks and a steel-blue, button-down shirt. His thick dark hair was freshly cut and his jaw clean-shaven. Tall, and broad shouldered, the man looked like he’d just stepped off the pages of a cologne ad.
“Where are you going?” Yvette asked him. “You can’t leave now. We were in the middle of a discussion.”
“No, we weren’t. You were accusing me of lying while I was trying to explain where I’ve been the last two nights. And you know what? I don’t have the energy for this. I’m going to go stay with Jake for a few days.”
“Isaac!” she shouted as he strode to his car. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Leaving,” he said and jumped into a brand-new BMW.
“When did he get that?” Noel whispered to Abby.
“No idea. Last I saw, he was driving a Toyota.”
“If you’re leaving then don’t bother coming back, you bastard!” Yvette yelled as the car sped down the street. She let out a tiny little sob and then spun around and disappeared into the house.
Noel and Abby glanced at each other, and without a word they followed her inside. They found Yvette slumped in a chair at her kitchen table, an unopened bottle of wine sitting in front of her.
“Want me to open that for you?” Abby asked, gesturing to the wine.
Yvette tilted her head up, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I—I think I’m gonna need something str—stronger.”
“You got it.” Noel moved to the freezer on the other side of the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of Gray Goose. Without missing a beat, she poured Yvette a shot then proceeded to rummage around in the fridge for some mixers.
Yvette downed the vodka and poured herself another one before she said, “There’s ginger beer in the door.”
“Perfect.” Noel gathered the ingredients for Moscow Mules while Abby held Yvette’s hand.
“What’s going on, Vette?” Abby asked her. “I know things haven’t been one hundred percent lately, but what is it? Another woman?”
Fat tears streamed down Yvette’s face as she shrugged. “I don’t know for sure.” She closed her eyes and sucked in a shaky breath, trying to get her emotions under control. “I just know that he’s lying to me about something. He didn’t come home until almost two in the morning last night. The night before that it was midnight.”
“Where did he say he was?” Noel asked as she sliced a lime.
“At the office.” Another sob got caught in her throat as she added, “But I called there yesterday and—” She paused to collect herself. When she spoke again, her voice was barely audible. “They said he’d already left. That was at seven.”
“Oh, honey.” Abby wrapped her arms around her sister, pulling her in close as Yvette continued to cry. “I’m so sorry. What did he say when you asked him about it?”
“He said he was at a dinner meeting. But it’s not true,” she said, her voice muffled. “I have access to the business card. There aren’t any charges. He’s the boss, he always pays.”
Noel brought a pitcher of the Moscow Mules over to the table and poured each of them a glass. Abby’s gaze met hers, and the two stared at each other, neither knowing how to navigate this crisis.
“Here.” Noel set a glass in front of each of them. She knew it wasn’t the most mature response to an impending breakup, but in that moment, there didn’t appear to be anything else to do. “Drink this. Then we’re going to clean you up and take you out. We have a golf cart race to win.”
Abby flashed Yvette a small smile and nodded encouragement.
“I don’t want to go anywhere,” Yvette said through sniffles.
“We’re not going to leave you here to wallow,” Abby said gently. “Come on, Vette. Let’s just go for a ride and get some fresh air. It will do you good to get out of here for a bit.”
Yvette lifted her head and glanced at Noel. “You’ll make her bring me back if I want to just come home?”
Noel stifled a chuckle. “Of course, Yvette. I’ve got your back.”
“Hey!” Abby exclaimed. “What are you two implying?”
“I think you’re getting a bad rep when it comes to that golf cart,” Noel said with a shrug. “Races, donuts… what’s next? A souped-up engine?”
“Well…” Abby started.
“You didn’t!” Yvette turned to Abby, her eyes wide with surprise. “Are you insane?”
“I have to beat Wanda somehow!” She threw up her hands. “Have you seen the way she gloats? She’s even keeping a scorecard in her cart and rubs it in my face every time I see her. I need to get back on top just so I don’t have to hear it anymore. I swear, if I didn’t love her so much, I’d have to spike her wine with silencing potion.”
“Abby, seriously?” Yvette said. “Silencing potion?”
&n
bsp; “She’s kidding,” Noel grabbed a thermos out of Yvette’s cabinet. She held it up. “Can’t go unless we have our libations.”
“You stock the cart,” Abby said to Noel. “I’m going to take Yvette upstairs and get her cleaned up a little. We’ll be down in two minutes flat.”
Noel watched Abby lead Yvette from the room. She’d been in Yvette’s shoes three years ago, confused, angry, and hurt. The familiar ache of loss echoed in her soul, and she prayed Isaac and her sister could work it out. They’d been happy not too long ago. There was no telling what had happened between them, but for her sister’s sake, she hoped whatever it was could be fixed. Until then, she was going to do everything in her power to make sure Yvette knew she wasn’t alone and that her sisters would be there for her… no matter what.
Chapter 16
Wanda’s cart flashed with purple lights as she idled at the makeshift starting line near the edge of the woods. She tapped her breaks twice, indicating that it was time to start.
“I’ll get to the line when I’m good and ready,” Abby said and took a big gulp of Moscow Mule. “She thinks she’s so cute with her purple lights and Prince blaring from her surround sound. But you know what I have?”
Noel laughed at her. Abby had supposedly brought the extra alcohol for Yvette, but she’d had her fair share and it was starting to show. “What’s that, Abs?”
Abby flipped a switch. The lights came on, bathing them in a pink glow. She grinned and hit a button on her iPhone. Natalie Cole belted from the surround sound, singing about her pink Cadillac. “You know the only thing that would make this better?”
“If I were driving?” Noel asked, taking the booze thermos from her sister.
“Very funny,” she said dryly. “The only thing that would make it better is—”
“If the cart itself were pink,” Yvette said, grabbing the booze from Noel.
“Exactly!” Abby high-fived Yvette and started to climb into the driver’s seat, only she missed the step and ended up slipping in the wet grass.
“Okay, that’s it. I’m driving,” Noel said, sliding over behind the wheel.
“Oh, heck no!” Abby pushed her out of the way and jumped into her spot. “I’ve been waiting for forever to beat the pants off Wanda. I’m not backing down now.”
The cart jerked forward, and both Noel and Yvette let out a cry of surprise.
“Okay, seriously now,” Noel said, holding on tightly to the rail. “Abby, are you sure you’re okay to drive?”
“Yep. The grass is just slippery. I’ve got this.” She inched up to the starting line right next to Wanda’s cart.
Wanda turned her music down and indicated for Abby to do the same.
“What is it, Wanda? Ready for a serious butt-whipping?” Abby taunted.
“Butt-whipping?” Hanna said with a laugh. “What are we, twelve?”
“It would appear so,” Noel said as she waved a greeting to Hanna and Wanda. Hanna waved back, but Wanda was focused on Abby.
“You’re going down… again, Townsend. Ready to eat dirt?” Wanda taunted back and added, “That makes four to zero in my favor. I can’t wait to add another check mark to my tally.”
“We’ll just see about that.” Abby tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Let’s get this done. To the river and back? First one over the line wins bragging rights and two dozen Decadent Delights from A Spoonful of Magic.”
Noel and Yvette shared a glance. Decadent Delights were Miss Maple’s special creation, handmade by her and infused with her earth magic. They were the definition of to-die-for.
“Let’s do it,” Wanda said and handed a horn to Hanna. “When the horn blows, you better be on your toes.”
“Hit it!” Abby said.
Hanna held the horn in the air and said, “Ready, set, go!”
The piercing sound filled the air, and both golf carts lurched forward. Noel and Yvette cheered and started chanting, “Go, go, go, go!”
Wanda turned Prince back on, and the volume drowned out their cries of support.
“Oh, no she didn’t.” Noel raised her hand, held her thumb and forefinger an inch apart, and whispered, “Volume.”
Prince’s voice faded to a dull roar, and Noel cackled as Wanda flipped her off.
“That’s hilarious, Noel, but if you haven’t noticed, they’re ahead by half a cart length,” Abby said, sitting on the edge of the seat and leaning forward as if that would make the cart go faster.
“I thought you said you added a booster to this thing,” Noel said.
“I did, but I have to use it at the end, otherwise it drains too much of the battery. And even then, it’s not going to make up that much distance.”
“I have an idea,” Yvette said from the back seat. She leaned forward, poking her head between them. “Noel can use her air magic to give us a boost.”
“Yvette! That’s cheating,” Noel said with a bark of laughter. “We can’t do that.”
“The hell we can’t,” Abby said, bouncing in her seat. “Go on, Noel, give us a boost.”
“Do it! Do it! Do it!” Yvette chanted. The huge grin on her face as she gave herself over to the moment was such a stark contrast to the way they’d found her, and Noel just couldn’t say no. She’d make the golf cart grow wings and fly if it meant she could prolong this moment of joy for her sister.
“All right. I’m on it.” Noel twisted around and climbed into the back of the cart with Yvette. She pointed to her empty seat and gestured for Yvette to take her place. “Go on. Be Abby’s new wingman.”
Yvette let out a whoop and pulled herself over the seat. She and Abby continued to chant, “Do it! Do it! Do it!”
Chuckling to herself, Noel faced the back of the golf cart, held her hands straight out, and said, “Blow.”
Wind began to build behind the cart, gathering like a giant ball of invisible energy. When the ball was practically bursting with energy, Noel turned back around and rested her arms on the seat in front of her.
“Go, go, go!” Yvette cried as Abby steered the cart and made the U-turn at the edge of the river.
Wanda and Hanna were a full length ahead of them by then. Noel just smiled, thinking about the look on Wanda’s face when she saw them sail right past her. It was going to be epic.
As soon as Abby had the cart through the turn and headed straight for the finish line, Noel cried, “Release!”
The energy in the ball of wind crackled and flew toward the back bumper of the cart, shooting it forward with an impressive force.
The three sisters pumped their fists in the air as they passed Hanna and Wanda, overtaking them by an entire cart length.
Noel heard Wanda curse, and she chuckled to herself. Now that they’d opened the door to using magic, there was no telling what the other two would try. But she highly doubted that Wanda’s fire magic or Hanna’s water magic would be much help in this situation.
Just as she started to contemplate how they might use their magic to their advantage, heavy rain started to pelt the cart.
“What the heck? Abby exclaimed. “It wasn’t supposed to rain tonight.”
“It’s just raining on us!” Yvette called over the pounding raindrops.
“Son of a… and not one of us is a water witch who can counteract this nonsense,” Noel said.
“Where’s Faith when you need her?” Abby flipped the windshield wipers on, but the force of the rain was just too much for them.
“I’ve got this.” Noel sat back in the seat, closed her eyes, and imagined a bubble of air in front of the windshield.
“It’s working!” Abby called over her shoulder.
“But we’re slowing down,” Yvette said.
Noel’s eyes flew open, and sure enough, the air bubble was slowing the cart down and Wanda’s cart was gaining on them.
“Come on!” Yvette urged.
“You’ve got this, Abby,” Noel said. “Keep the pedal to the metal.”
“We’re going as fast as we can,�
�� Abby said, glancing over at Wanda.
Wanda waved as her cart inched past them. Then she threw her head back and laughed. “I can’t wait to dig into the Decadent Delights!”
“Nuh-uh,” Abby said. Then she pressed a red button on the dash of the cart. For a moment, Noel was sure the booster hadn’t worked, and she slumped back into the seat, deflated.
But suddenly, the cart shuddered with energy and darted forward, beating Wanda to the line with only inches to spare.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes!” Abby pulled the cart to a stop, jumped out, and did a crazy dance that involved a lot of butt shaking. “I won! Finally!”
Yvette followed her and the pair of them held hands as they jumped around in a circle.
“She only won because you helped her,” Wanda said to Noel, shaking her head in exasperation.
“Maybe,” Noel said. “But she’s the one that pulled it out in the end. You have to give her credit for that. And we had three people to your two. Just admit it was an impressive win, coming from behind like that.”
“Yeah, okay, sure. Impressive. Whatever. I’m still the queen of the golf cart races.”
“There’s no doubt about that,” Noel said, laughing. “Nice job, Hanna. That rain nearly did the trick.”
“Thanks. That was fun… even if we didn’t win,” she said.
“We’ll get ‘em next time,” Wanda said as she climbed into her cart. “Enjoy it, Townsend,” Wanda called to Abby as they flew by. “Next time I’ll be more than ready for your little tricks.”
“I’m gonna have to step up my game,” Abby said as she raised the booze thermos and took a victory sip. “Wanda’s gonna be plotting for days on how to take me down.”
“Oh, Abby. You can worry about that later.” Yvette climbed into the driver’s seat and with a gleam in her eye, she added, “Right now we need to celebrate. Get in.”
“She’s right,” Noel said, taking the seat next to Yvette. “You just won. Let’s enjoy it!”
Abby climbed aboard and said, “Okay, I’m in. Let’s celebrate!”
“Whoohoo!” Yvette pressed the pedal to the floor, cranked the wheel, and spun them around in a donut. She let out another whoop and cranked the wheel in the opposite direction. Only instead of the cart turning, it went straight, heading directly for the ditch. “Oh, no! Stop, stop!” Yvette cried, pumping the breaks. “I can’t stop. We’re going to—oomph!”
