I shifted my attention to Jerry, who was in the middle of telling his kidnapping story for what appeared to be the tenth time. He was energetic and enthusiastic, and my brothers interjected their appreciation for Jerry’s bravery and courage every chance they got.
I rested my hand on Jerry’s shoulder before I sat, meeting his happy gaze. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Bug. How are you?”
“I’m good … now.”
“Oh, don’t get schmaltzy,” Redmond said, wagging his fork from across the table. “Everything turned out okay. There’s no reason for anyone to cry.”
“Speaking of that, I talked to Woody,” Dad said, reaching for his mug of coffee. “No charges will be pressed because every witness at the bar told a story about an instance in which Angelina lied to them. She’s probably on the warpath, but what else is new? You’re free to maim another day, Aisling.”
“That’s good news,” I said. “I guess that means we can schedule your spa day as soon as possible, Jerry.”
“The sooner the better,” Jerry said. “I need a massage … and a facial … and a manicure. Look at my fingernails. That basement was positively gross.”
“All of that sounds … awful,” Braden said. “I hope you guys have a good time when you go, though. You’ve earned it.”
“Oh, now, don’t be a spoilsport, Braden,” Dad chided. “A spa day sounds like a lovely way to waste an afternoon.”
Braden narrowed his eyes, suspicious. “Have you ever been to a spa? It’s a woman thing. Men don’t do it. No offense, Jerry.”
“None taken, butt munch,” Jerry shot back. He didn’t look particularly upset about Braden’s disparaging remarks.
“I have been to a spa,” Dad said. “In fact, I have a standing monthly visit at a place in Southfield. They give delightful pedicures.”
Wow! I couldn’t picture my father at a spa … or letting someone else touch his feet, for that matter. “Seriously?”
Dad ignored the incredulous tone of my voice. “Seriously. In fact, I called the workers at my regular spa and they’re shutting down the facility today to attend a special party.” Dad gave his newspaper an extra snap as he opened it.
I realized before the others what Dad was saying. “You called them to come here, didn’t you?”
“I did,” Dad confirmed. “Everyone is getting a spa day up in the game room in one hour. That includes massages, pedicures, manicures, facials … you name it. I also called that tea room Jerry is so excited about, and they’re doing a special tasting just for him.”
Griffin snorted. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a spa day with tea,” he said. “I’ll just watch everyone else. I think that will be best.”
“Me, too,” Braden said, making a face. “That’s a … chick thing.”
“Hey!” Jerry was affronted. “Men have spa days, too.”
“They do,” Aidan agreed. “I’m looking forward to it. There’s nothing better than getting a massage from a hot guy … while being close to your hot guy.”
“Ugh.” Redmond rolled his eyes. “Are all the therapists men? I can’t be rubbed by a man. No offense, Jerry.”
“I don’t know why you would think that would bother me,” Jerry sniffed. “Just because I was kidnapped and tortured for hours, surely it’s fine to make fun of me whenever the mood strikes.”
Redmond was taken aback. “I … is it all male massage therapists?” He was resigned and it forced me to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from giggling.
“There are two men and four women,” Dad answered. “I believe they’re all considered … hot.”
“Well, maybe a massage doesn’t sound too bad,” Griffin said, earning a dark look from me. “Don’t worry, Aisling. You’re still my favorite. We can get massages together.”
“Don’t give in to this nonsense,” Braden ordered. “Real men don’t have spa days.”
“No, apparently real men merely whine about them,” I said, grabbing a grape from Jerry’s plate and lobbing it at Braden’s head. “You sound like a mooing cow.”
“I’ll thump you if you’re not careful,” Braden warned. “I’ll make you cry.”
“I’ll make you cry if you ruin everyone’s spa day, Braden,” Dad countered, feigning interest in his newspaper. “In fact, if you’re dead set against it, I’m sure you can pick up a few clients today. You can work while the rest of us play.”
“Yay!” I clapped my hands as Braden scowled.
“Well, a spa day doesn’t sound completely horrible,” Braden conceded. He was defeated, and we all knew it.
“That’s what I thought you would say,” Dad said. “Everyone eat up. It’s going to be a marvelous and relaxing day … and it will all be in Jerry’s honor.”
Whenever I think my father doesn’t get it, he surprises me with his giving nature and good heart. He knew exactly what Jerry needed, and he went out of his way to give it to him.
Jerry preened under the attention as Aidan rubbed his nose against his boyfriend’s cheek.
“A spa day, huh?” Griffin glanced at me. “I was hoping to go home and spend the day in bed, but I think we can delay it one more night. I am still recovering, after all. Here we have good food and people paid to rub us. What do you think?”
“I think that sounds like the perfect way to spend the day,” I said, pushing worry about my mother to the side and focusing on the friends and family I knew to be loyal and lovable. “We can look at furniture catalogs while we’re getting facials and pedicures.”
“I’m not sure I’m keen on getting a pedicure,” Griffin said.
“Everyone is getting pedicures,” Dad interjected. “Jerry gets to pick nail polish colors for everyone, too.”
“Oh, it’s my happy day,” Jerry enthused, dabbing at the corner of his eye with his napkin. “It’s a dream come true.”
“I know,” Dad said. “That’s why we’re all participating. Some dreams require family to make them come true. Jerry is king for the day. Whatever he wants, he gets.”
Good dreams spring from family and friends, while some dreads revolve around mysterious mothers and their intentions. The irony wasn’t lost on me. That wasn’t a worry for today, though.
“I think Braden should have pink toenails, Jerry,” I said, arching an evil eyebrow when Braden scorched me with a look. “I also think his fingernails would be delightful in mauve.”
“I will kill you,” Braden hissed. “Watch your back. I’m coming.”
“I don’t care who gets what,” Dad said. “I only know that no one had better put makeup or a dress on that suit of armor in the game room. It will make a tempting target, but I’m serious when I say it’s not to happen. Does everyone understand?”
“Rule eighty-eight,” I said.
“What’s rule eighty-eight?” Griffin asked.
“No dressing up house statues as prostitutes,” everyone said in unison.
“And don’t you forget it,” Dad said.
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Acknowledgments
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that..
Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.
If you’re interested in my future works, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or join my mailing list. I do not believe in spam. I only announce new releases or free promotions.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the autho
r’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Books by Amanda M. Lee
An Avery Shaw Mystery
Who, What, Where, When, Die
If it Bleeds, it Leads
Buried Leads
Shot Off The Presses
The Preditorial Page
Misquoted & Demoted
Headlines & Deadlines
Misprints & Mistakes
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Mystery
Any Witch Way You Can
Every Witch Way But Wicked
Witching You Were Here
Witching on a Star
Something to Witch About
Witch Me Luck
Life’s a Witch
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short
Careful What You Witch For
Wicked Brew
On a Witch and a Prayer
You Only Witch Once
The Christmas Witch
Bewitched
A Solstice Celebration
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fantasy
Witchy Tales
An Aisling Grimlock Mystery
Grim Tidings
Grim Offerings
Grim Discovery
Covenant College
Awakening
Whispering
Conjuring
Waxing & Waning
Graduating
A Mystic Caravan Mystery
Freaky Days
Grim Reunion (Aisling Grimlock Book 4) Page 29
