Charmed & Ready

by Candace Havens

  I giggled. I love Simone. "Is she doing okay? She had some nasty stab wounds."

  "She was covered with blood but refused treatment until she knew for sure you'd be fine. She's quite fearless, that one. You two make a good team."

  "She's definitely that, and yes we do. Um, thanks for looking after me. I know you must have a million things to do."

  He shrugged. "I wanted to be here. Beyond all of this, you are my friend."

  I picked up a piece of toast from the tray. Awkward. There's no better word for this particular scenario. I still had feelings for Azir. More than friendship feelings, but not at all like what I felt for Sam.

  I offered him the other piece and he took it. "Azir, if I ask you a question will you answer me honestly?"

  He chuckled. "It depends on the question." His intense stare made me shiver.

  "Was Sam with you last week?"

  He nodded.

  "You don't have to tell me the specifics, but did anything happen to him?"

  "No, not that I know of. It was a difficult mission and there were many children involved. We were transporting them from the Philippines to a safe house. That's all I can tell you."

  "Oh. Okay. But nothing happened?"

  "Not out of the ordinary. Why, did something happen between you and Sam?"

  This was the last person I should discuss my man troubles with, but he would probably have the best perspective. He did love me once.

  "I called him while you were on the mission and a woman answered his phone. I suspected the worst, because well, I'm me. Later he told me the phone had been stolen."

  I sighed. "Then there was an unfortunate mix-up and he thought Zane and I were sleeping together."

  Azir's eyebrows rose. "Were you?"

  "We didn't fool around but we did pass out in the same bed. Sam found out, and he won't listen to reason. But there's something beyond his being jealous. I don't know. He hasn't been himself since the attack a few months ago." The words fell out of my mouth like an uncontrolled waterfall. I couldn't stop talking.

  He reached and took my hand. "Bronwyn, it's difficult for a man to be in a relationship with you."

  I tried to give him my evilest stare.

  Holding up a hand in surrender, he continued. "You are often in precarious situations, and everything is life and death. It's difficult for a man whose natural instinct is to protect you to deal with this.

  "And the fact that you were in bed with a man known for his prowess with women wouldn't be an easy thing for anyone to understand. It doesn't matter that it was innocent. Certainly, this is not difficult to comprehend?"

  I circled my head around, trying to release the tension in my neck. "I do understand it. But he knows I love him and wouldn't do anything to hurt him. Well, I keep doing things, but I don't mean to."

  He laughed again. "Like I said, loving you isn't always easy. He loves you, Bronwyn. How could he not? You are beautiful, intelligent and one of the most powerfully endearing women I've ever met."

  His words made a tear fall to my cheek.

  Reaching up with his thumb, he wiped it away.

  "What you have to decide is if you are willing to meet him halfway. Do you want to fight for Sam? Maybe you don't love him as much as you think you do."

  A sob came out of my throat and he stood. He moved the tray and then sat down, taking me in his arms as he did.

  "Yes. I love him, Azir. I do, so much I can't stand it."

  "This, my love, is why I didn't fight harder for you. Your love for him is deep. Love like this doesn't come along often, and you should fight for it with everything you have."

  I blubbered against his chest. His scent was a blend of spicy cologne and powerful man. An intoxicating combination. Taking a breath, I pushed away.

  I stared at his rich brown eyes, and those illegally long lashes. It would be so easy to love this man. But my heart belonged to Sam.

  "If you love him so much, Bronwyn, then get mad. You aren't the kind of woman who sits around whining. You go after what you want."

  "I will go after what I want. I have to get home. I wish I didn't have to wait for this stupid concert on Saturday. Well it's not stupid, but you know what I mean."

  He hugged me. "That may happen sooner than you think."

  Garnout walked in. I wondered where he'd been. Usually when I'm hurt he's first on the scene. I'd been surprised when I heard the shaman was the one to help heal me.

  "Greetings, young witch."

  I nodded toward him.

  Azir stood. "I'll leave you now."

  Garnout motioned for him to sit down. "No need, I can only stay for a moment." He put a hand on my head and said a chant.

  The wizard lifted my chin with his fingers. "You're healing. Shaman Roy did well."

  I'd yet to meet this Shaman Roy, but evidently he had the metaphysical healing arts down to a science. But I have to admit Roy seemed an odd name for one so powerful.

  "Your friend Caleb will be here in the morning to take you back to Sweet." Garnout sat on the side of the bed. "Until you've fully healed, you'll be of little use here."

  "But—" How could I do my job if he sent me home? There were thousands of people to protect at the concert.

  He laughed. "Your poker face needs work, Bronwyn. No one is usurping your powers. But Zane no longer needs your protection. There are several local covens here who will join to protect the arena for the concert." He held up a hand. "No, you could do it better, but I'll pop in to make sure everything runs as it should. We feel now, with the girl gone, and the warlocks you and Simone killed, the threat is diminished."

  He cleared his throat, and put his hand my head again. "Yes, you'll be fine, but you need at least two weeks of peace and quiet."

  My life in Sweet was slower, but seldom peaceful or quiet.

  "It feels wrong to leave the job again before it's completed. I was sent home early from London, and it just doesn't look good."

  Zane walked in. My room had become Spago on a Friday night in the old days. Wolfgang Puck would be jealous.

  He waved a hand. "Don't be gormless, luv. You've saved my life so many times in the last few weeks you deserve an award. Go home and take care of yourself."

  I put my hands on my hips. "What is this, boss Bronwyn day?"

  "I want to see the Bronwitch," a child whispered outside in the hallway.

  "Bring her in, Georgette," Zane called to them.

  His assistant came around the corner with the tiny girl on her hip. Zoë's big eyes looked at me in wonder. Her little hand went up in a tiny wave.

  "Hi, Bronwitch," she whispered. Then she giggled.

  The sound made me smile.

  "Hello, my brave friend, Zoë. I see you've come to see Uncle Zane."

  She wiggled to be put down on the end of the bed. She was dressed in a bright blue jumper and white blouse. With her black Mary Janes, she looked like a tiny fairy schoolgirl.

  "Yes, and I'm going to get to stay forever." She drew out the last word with her arms opening wide.

  Zane reached down and picked her up. He swung her in a circle. "That's right. Poppet and me, well, we're a full-time team now."

  I couldn't help laughing. They both seemed so happy.

  Zane's face turned serious. "Go home, Bronwyn. Heal. Then you can come play with us again."

  Zoë held out her hand. "Wait, if the Bronwitch goes I can't see her."

  "Don't worry, I'll still check on you, and remember when you wear that necklace all you have to do is say my name."

  That made her smile. "Okay." She turned to Zane. "I think I want a pony."

  Everyone in the room laughed.

  I bet she gets the horse. That little girl is going to be a powerful witch one day.

  So now, I'm packing up.

  I can't wait to get home.

  * * *

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Thursday, noon

  Sweet, Texas

  Spells: 0

  Potions: 2r />
  There isn't anything like waking up in your own bed, with your stuff surrounding you. There's a completeness about it. And it's one of the things that makes me happy.

  Kira stopped by with tea and breakfast this morning. She's feeling much better about her new abilities and says there are more dead people than live ones in Sweet.

  "Thank God you taught me how to see auras." She laughed. "You'd be surprised how many dead people hang out at the Piggly Wiggly. It's hard not to talk to them, especially when they insist on talking to me, but I'm learning."

  I pulled a muffin filled with blueberries out of the bag. The smell of fresh baked goods, yum. "Maybe you should hang a shingle out at the library and make appointments for all the dead folks."

  She nearly spat tea, she laughed so hard. "Okay, the sad thing is, I actually thought about it. I feel like I'm supposed to be helping them. Most of them just have the oddest questions like, 'How's Eldon doing? I haven't seen him in years.' Of course I don't have a clue who they're talking about."

  "Have you told Caleb yet?"

  She looked down at her hands. "No. I will, though. Soon."

  "Um, you might think about doing it really soon. He thinks you're having an affair." I bit my lip to keep from laughing. The whole situation was so absurd.

  This time she did spit. She jumped up to grab a paper towel from the cabinet. "What would make him think such a thing?"

  "Well, on the way home from L.A. yesterday, he told me you were in the bathroom whispering to someone. You've been coming home late, and you act like you're hiding something."

  She sighed. "I'd laugh if it weren't so sad. I'll tell him tonight."

  I wanted to ask her about Sam, but we never got around to it. She had to run off to the library. I'm so lame, I called and left a message this morning that if he wanted to talk, I was back.

  Haven't heard a peep.

  Friday, 2 P. M.

  Soon to be fat witches without a boyfriend: 1

  I'm going to become a lesbian. I bet Kira has a book about it in the library.

  That's it. I hate men. They're fucked up in the worst way.

  Sam sucks.

  There. I said it and the world didn't explode. Though my stomach may if I eat any more of these Sno Balls. Why am I so passionate about pink, coconut-covered chocolate cupcakes? It's a sick obsession. Better cupcakes than men. Cupcakes don't rip your heart out of your chest and stomp on it with five hundred dollar shoes. Oh, that's Zane. Sam's shoes probably only cost a hundred.

  I hate him. Did I mention that?

  I decide to drive by his office. I'm a sick witch. I need to be checked out. I go in and his nurse says he's busy with a patient.

  "No problem, I'll just sit out here." Normally she would have sent me back to the office to wait for him. That's okay. So, I wait and wait.

  Finally, I see him crossing between exam rooms. He stops in the hallway and stares at me. Dressed in his lab coat, jeans and a light blue shirt, he looks amazing. I smile and wave.

  His face is expressionless. But he nods and then turns and walks into the room.

  A few minutes later, the phone rings. The nurse looks right at me. "Yes, yes. Okay." And she hangs up.

  She smiles. That really nasty smile that people get right before they are going to say something mean. "Bronwyn, I'm sorry. But he really can't fit anyone else in today. I can make an appointment with Dr. Gray for you for tomorrow if you'd like."

  I bit the inside of my lip to keep from saying what I really wanted to. I smiled. "No, thanks." I walked out.

  Oh, I was so fucking mad at him. Too busy, my ass.

  So, I go to Piggly Wiggly. A girl has got to have a Sno Balls cupcake when things like this happen. And my cupboards are really bare after being gone so long. I used to be addicted to iced sugar cookies, but I ate so many one day that they made me sick. Haven't been able to look at them since.

  Margie's there at the grocery store. It's her day off. She accidentally pushes her basket into the canned green beans display and hugs me.

  "I'm so glad you're home. Kira said you've had a rough time the last few weeks." She squeezed my hands in hers.

  I couldn't help but smile. "I'm fine, Margie, but as always, very glad to be home. How's it going with your new man?"

  She giggled like a little girl. "God, it's great. Like the most wonderful thing ever." Then she frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't go on like this with—"

  "With what?"

  Margie stared at her shoes. "Um, well. The trouble with Sam, and him seeing that girl and all while you were away."

  There was a sudden rumble in the store, and the cantaloupes and watermelons fell to the floor with giant clunks.

  Closed my eyes and brought myself under control.

  Margie had grabbed one of the shelves. "What the hell was that?"

  I pretended I didn't know and shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I better be going. It was great to see you, Margie. Let's catch up soon." I ran to the checkout.

  The cashier, being the intelligent woman that she was, didn't say a word about the six boxes of Sno Balls cupcakes, two gallons of rocky road, bottle of chocolate milk or the five bottles of wine that lined my basket. I did manage to remember cat litter and cat food, which in retrospect makes the whole thing even sadder.

  So I go home and unload all the groceries. I stuff six cupcakes down my throat while I put it all away. If it hadn't been eleven in the morning I would have opened the wine.

  Then I remembered what Azir said. That if I wanted Sam and if I really loved him, I had to fight for him.

  I ran upstairs and changed clothes. But before I could start my plan, I needed some fried chicken from Lulu's. There's nothing better for a troubled mind or heart than fried chicken.

  I felt so good when I stepped into Lulu's. I wore my gorgeous new jeans, and a Dolce and Gabbana scarf blouse with the Marc Jacobs Mary Janes. Okay, so I was a little overdressed for Sweet, but I didn't give a damn.

  I'd even managed to get my hair to curl in a semblance of the same style Sir David had done. I looked damn good.

  I saw Sam in the corner booth. He looked up when I walked in. His baby blues raking me from head to toe. I saw the lust in his eyes first, and a hint of love. I know the look, and it's one of my favorite things in the world. I adore turning him on.

  When the woman across from him turned around, I wanted to throw up. She was beautiful. Long straight blond hair, and a face that was angelic. I hated her instantly.

  Turning tail and running sounded like the best idea. But Ms. Johnnie, who had taken in the exchange from behind the counter, yelled, "Helen, get out here. The most beautiful girl in the world just walked in the door."

  Helen came around the corner with a spatula. "Well, darlin', you are a sight for this old woman." She hugged me. It took everything I had not to sag in her arms and sob.

  "You stand strong girl, and show what you're made of," Helen whispered in my ear. She may have been in the kitchen, but she hadn't missed anything.

  "Oh, it's so good to see you both." I smiled. I'm sure my eyes were shiny with tears, but none fell. And I'm damn proud of that.

  "You're here to pick up your order of fried chicken? Kira called and said you might be by. She says she can't get away for lunch and would you bring her some?" Johnnie had given me an out. A way I could run away and not look like the big loser I was.

  "Yes, I'll take Kira her lunch. And you guys are going to have to start overnighting this chicken to me when I'm gone. Every time I leave town I go through withdrawals."

  They both cackled. In a matter of seconds they had a giant bag of food ready to go.

  "Don't be a stranger." Ms. Johnnie hollered as I was walking out. It took everything I had not to look back at Sam.

  I didn't imagine Kira had called, but she was grateful for the meal.

  "Bron, I saw him the other night with her, but I—" she touched my arm. "I didn't know what to think. Maybe she's just a friend. She doesn't live here, I know that."


  We sat behind the large desk where she's set up her office in the library.

  "I don't know what to do. Maybe I should let him move on. Azir said it best—it isn't easy being in a relationship with me."

  Kira snorted. "That's bullshit. You are one of the kindest, most loyal people I've ever met. Yes, you do have habit of almost getting killed every few weeks, but you know we all have our faults."

  I laughed out loud and hugged her.

  "Thank you for being my friend."

  "Well, what are you going to do?" She sipped her tea. "You gonna let that blond bimbo steal your man? She's the rebound girl. It'll never last."

  I shook my head. "I don't know. But the way he looked at me—he wanted me."

  "Fight for him, Bron. He hasn't been himself since you left the first time to go to London. Something's up. Maybe if you just sat down and talked, hashed it all out, you two could make it work."

  "Maybe." I could just kill the bimbo. Well, maybe kill is too strong of a word. Serious maiming. Now that could work.

  So now I'm at home stuffing my face. But I have to stop. Kira's right, I'm not going to let some blond bimbo ruin the best thing that's ever happened to me.

  I love Sam, and I know we belong together.

  I bet that's exactly what stalkers say. But I owe it to myself to at least give it a try.

  Watch out, Sam. Here I come.

  * * *

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Friday, 10 A. M.

  Charms: 1

  Battle-ready witches: 1

  I spent the morning preparing for battle. That's right. I made a list of all of Sam's favorite things. From my pink lacy Victoria's Secret panties to the red shirt with the V down to there. He loves vanilla, I'll bathe in it. High heels are huge turn-ons. I'll wear them.

  This is a war of seduction, and I will win. I'll make him forget all of the crap of the last few weeks. He'll know there's no other man for me, and that I'm all the woman he ever needs.