Not wanting to see what might show up next under those trees, I headed across the street toward my new home. I went inside, flipping on the lights, then locked the door behind me.
“Honey, I’m home,” I called, jokingly, once more.
I was startled, however, when a stiff breeze blew in from the greenhouse, fluttering the cards in the recipe box which sat open on the counter. One of the cards jumped out and danced—as if a hand was pushing it—across the floor where it landed at my feet.
I bent to pick up the card.
Reading over the ingredients and the spell, I grinned. “Emma Jane, you’re a genius,” I called into the ether then headed into the kitchen.
Chapter 18: Horatio
“Stop fidgeting,” Viola chided. “Everything looks great.”
She was right. The lobby of the old theater had never looked more beautiful. Flower arrangements filled the place with the sweet scents of roses, carnations, and lilies. The brass on the bar glistened. The bartender served the well-dressed guests glass after glass of Blushing Grape wine. The aromas of butter and garlic filled the room. The chefs were preparing hors d'oeuvres for after the ceremony. A sweets display, which featured a cute little sign noting it was a “preview” of the reopening of Green Earth Apothecary and SerendipiTEA Gardens, was garnering a lot of attention. Town socialites and theater bugs munched on Julie’s sweets while we all waited for the ceremony to begin.
“It’s not that,” I said, distracted. I checked my watch again. No Julie. No Dad. Where was everyone? Clearly, Julie had been by, but where was she? My need for her to be there, for her strong presence, for her support, weighed on me. How was it someone I was just getting to know suddenly meant so much to me, occupied so much of my headspace?
“She’ll be back,” Viola whispered.
Of course Viola would figure it out. I grinned at her.
The door opened. It was the mayor. Great, now we’d definitely have to get started. He paused, shaking hands and chatting with everyone as he worked his way toward the theater doors.
“Here, let me fix your tie,” Viola said, turning me. Just like Mom might have done, Viola straightened my tie with a stiff jerk then adjusted the little grape leaf and purple rose corsage on my lapel.
“Easy,” I said lightly, but I noticed then that my voice seemed to echo over the crowd. The room had become silent.
We turned to find Dad standing in the doorway.
I hadn’t spoken to him since the night of The Grove meeting.
“Dad,” Viola called cheerfully. Passing me a knowing don’t get into it with him now look, Viola crossed the room and linked her arm in his.
Seeing that my dad wasn’t there to make a scene, the others started talking again.
“Hey,” someone said lightly, setting a soft hand on my shoulder.
I turned to find Julie standing there. She was wearing a stunning black dress, her hair pulled up into a loose bun at the back, her dreads wound loosely. She looked so beautiful.
“You look amazing,” I gasped.
She laughed. “You too. How long before you get started?”
I was just about to answer her when the theater lights dimmed. “Um, now.”
Julie nodded. “Okay, I’ll catch you after then,” she said then headed toward her sweets display. As I watched her go, I had to be mindful I was about to stand on stage in front of a hundred people. Admiring Julie’s curvy body even a second more could prove embarrassing for me.
“Ready dear?” Professor Lane asked then, looping her arm in mine. “When was the last time you were on this stage?”
“Peter Pan.”
“Oh, yes. You made a very convincing pirate.”
“I didn’t have any lines,” I replied.
Professor Lane laughed. “Really?”
“I was Tinker Belle,” Viola said from behind us. I looked back to see Viola gently guiding Dad into the theater. Maybe it was just my imagination, but he looked pale and thinner. The last few days, it seemed, had been hard on him. Viola said he hadn’t come into the office nor had he been by the restaurant. He just stayed at home. No one had even seen him.
“And you were stunning,” Professor Lane said, smiling at her. “We do need to get you back on the stage, my dear. Don’t you think so, Aaron? Viola always took after her mother. She’s a natural.”
My dad muttered something incomprehensible in assent.
“Let’s get you into place, shall we?” Professor Lane said. With that, she led me toward the stage. How many times had I sat beside my mother in those old theater seats as she directed work, watched a performance, or simply provided her expertise? Now I was there to honor her memory, and nothing made me feel sadder and more proud in the very same moment.
Chapter 19: Julie
I watched as the crowd entered the theater, the ushers shutting the doors behind them, then got to work.
A phone call to Viola had done the trick and soon I had the greenlight to put my plan in action. Working quickly and quietly, I set up my display. First, I set out the cupcake stands and strung the display with blue lights and grape vines. I then worked quickly pulling out the massive box of cupcakes I’d made that morning. The cupcakes, made from Blushing Grape Vineyard’s ice wine, Frozen Kisses, and sweetened with apricots, had turned out perfectly.
The bartender had already started setting out wine stands all around the room as the caterer prepared the rich feast of hors d’oeuvres that would follow the renaming ceremony. The chefs, who I soon discovered were students from the culinary school, worked at stations preparing bacon-wrapped scallops, duck foie gras, shrimp ceviche, stuffed squash blossoms, and a myriad of other culinary delights. With a little arm wrestling, my cupcakes were now the singular dessert at the event—and with reason. If I could get Aaron Hunter to taste one, everything in Horatio’s world had a chance to go back to right.
My cupcakes, the white frosting sprinkled with crystal sugar and topped with a sugared grape, looked perfect. Emma Jane’s recipe for the wine cupcakes, and its corresponding spell, would work. If only I could get all the Hunters to cooperate.
I turned to my display.
“Do your work,” I whispered to the little cupcakes then repeated the spell that was on the recipe card once more:
Let all that’s frozen come to pass
And sugar thaw that heart at last
Where broken hearts have torn away
And shattered love one autumn’s day
Let butter enlighten and renew
And eggs rebirth a heart now true
The heart that’s frozen passing grim
And be like love born again.
I was ready.
A half an hour later, the doors opened, and the crowd entered the lobby. I lifted the tray on which I’d set three perfect cupcakes and three glasses of Frozen Kisses ice wine. Moving carefully, I made my way through the crowd toward Viola, Horatio, and Aaron.
“Hi, Julie,” Viola said sweetly, but I could see her eyes were red and puffy.
I was suddenly very sorry I’d missed Horatio’s speech.
I turned and smiled at him. His eyes too were wet with tears. How special their mom must have been to them. As the thought struck me, I considered my feelings toward my own mother, buried under the hurricane of events that currently surrounded me. Bittersweet, more than anything, described the lingering feelings I felt toward her. I took a deep breath and refocused on the Hunters before I got pulled too deeply down the well of my own thoughts.
“They’re serving Frozen Kisses,” I said, handing a wine flute to each of them. Without looking up, Mr. Hunter took the glass from me.
“Mom’s favorite,” Viola said softly.
“And, I made something special,” I added, pressing the silver platter forward. On the platter were the three perfect cupcakes. “I prepared these with the ice wine. I paired it with apricots. I think the marriage came out perfectly, but you’re the experts. Mind trying and let me know how I did?”
Horatio was the first to take a taste. A small bit of frosting clung to the corner of his mouth. I had to restrain myself from wanting to lick it off. Instead, I dabbed it quickly with my fingertips. From the look in his eyes, I could see Horatio’s mind had drifted to the same place mine had.
“Perfect,” he said. “It really does taste like the wine. Try it, Vi.”
“I just cut carbs this morning,” she said, but her eyes sparkled as she eyed the cupcake.
“Just one bite?” I said nicely. “Just a taste to see if I’ve got it right?”
Looking like all she wanted was someone to give her a good reason, Viola tasted the confection, sighing deeply as she did so. “God, Julie. You’re going to make everyone in Chancellor fat.”
I laughed. “Well, these are the first official Green Earth Apothecary and SerendipiTEA brand cupcakes. I’ve named this one the Eleonora.”
I was about to try to convince Mr. Hunter to take a bite when Viola turned to her dad and practically shoved the cupcake into his mouth.
“Try it,” she said.
He smiled politely as he chewed.
“No hard feelings, Mr. Hunter. You’re welcome to use my parking lot in the evening after I close the shop, by the way. So tell me, how did I do? Do you like the cupcake?”
Aaron Hunter stared at me with his steely blue eyes like he was considering whether or not I was trying to be an ass or if I was actually attempting to be nice. But then, I saw it. A kind of sparkle passed his gaze, a momentary iridescence glimmering over the eye and then it was gone. And a second later, his face softened. And his eyes…well, the color suddenly looked different. Warmer. Like the ice had, indeed, melted.
“It’s delicious, Julie. My wife would have loved it,” he said. He paused for a moment, sipped the wine, then said, “And thank you for the offer. I…I’m sorry for how I acted. I’m not myself these days,” he added, then his face twisted. “Horatio,” he said then, turning to his son. But he seemed at a loss for words.
Wordlessly, I took the wine flutes from their hands then stood and watched in delighted awe as father embraced his son.
“I’m sorry,” I heard Aaron whisper. “I’m so proud of you. I’m sorry. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Horatio replied.
Now my eyes were watering. It had worked. I closed my eyes. Thank you, Emma Jane.
Before I knew what had happened, I felt arms wrap around me, and I was drowned in Horatio’s heavenly cologne. I cast an eye at Viola and Aaron who were hugging, whispering softly to one another.
“You,” Horatio whispered, but that was all he said. He had no way to know what I had done, not really, but that you was both caring and appreciative all in one breath. “Thank you for coming here tonight.”
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” I replied softly.
After a moment, he let me go.
“I have to thank everyone for coming. Can I stop by tonight after the party?”
I nodded.
“Save me another one of those cupcakes,” he said, winking to me, then went to work the room.
The whole lobby shimmered with golden light, and I could feel love and joy emanating from everyone. It seemed, at least for the moment, that there was nothing a magical cupcake couldn’t set to right.
It was close to midnight when the Mercedes SUV pulled up outside. Soft music pulsed out from the speakers attached to my phone, and I had everything ready…candles, champagne, strawberries, and two more of the magical cupcakes.
I opened the door before he even knocked.
“Hi,” I said softly, closing the door behind him.
“Wow, look at this place,” Horatio breathed. The whole shop was bathed in candlelight, the warm glow making the place feel magical. “Julie,” he began, turning to me, but before he could say another word, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his. They were soft, warm, and held the lingering tastes of wine and sugar. I kissed him hard, my tongue roving inside his mouth, wanting to absorb his sweetness. We kissed for what felt like forever. Finally seeing stars, I pulled away and giggled, steadying myself.
“I have spots in front of my eyes. I don’t know if it is the wine, the cupcakes, or just…you. But something about this night has just seemed…”
“Magical?” I offered.
“That’s the perfect word.”
“How about I bewitch you just a little more,” I replied as I gazed into his eyes.
Pulling me close, Horatio kissed my neck. “You smell like vanilla,” he whispered, “and taste sweet,” he said, kissing me. “And salty,” he added after another kiss, “and…”
“And?”
“And I can’t get enough,” he whispered in my ear.
“Then you’re not trying hard enough,” I said.
With that, Horatio gently lifted me. I wrapped my legs around his waist. Without another word, he carried me to the back where we fell into one another, at the very witching hour of night, in the sweetest of rapture.
Epilogue
“Thanks so much! enjoy them,” I called as a mother guided her daughter out the front door. The little girl was carrying a crinkly brown paper wrapper full of the freshly toasted sugared walnuts I had warming in a repurposed antique popcorn machine. It was the week of my grand opening, and the Chancellor Christmas bazaar, and the shop was packed. I’d completely outdone myself decorating for Christmas. I’d managed to fit seven fully-decorated Christmas trees in the small shop, and the greenhouse was loaded with amazing pink, peppermint striped, and ruby-red poinsettias. Violet’s granddaughter, Lacey, a student at the college, had started working with me the week before, and was doing an amazing job. I watched in quiet satisfaction as she raced back and forth from the kitchen to the tea garden in the greenhouse serving egg nog, frosted sugar cookies, peppermint or cranberry tea, and gallons of hot chocolate. The tea house was a hit.
“Julie,” my dad said. “I think this dip might be bad. It tastes weird,” he added as he looked from his pretzel to the jar in his hand.
“That’s because it’s lemon peel face cream,” I replied with a laugh.
“Face cream?” my dad said, looking puzzled.
“Don’t worry. It’s organic,” I replied.
My dad laughed out loud and set the jar down.
Just then the bell above the door rang and Alice, Rayne, and Horatio entered. Everyone was bundled up and covered in a light dusting of snow.
“Ready?” Alice asked.
“Jules, it’s so busy here. You sure you have time?” Horatio asked, casting a glance around the store.
“Go,” Lacey called as she passed through with a tray. “We can spare you an hour.”
“Horatio! Nice to see you again,” Dad called.
“Nice to see you too, Mister Dayton. Mind if I borrow Julie for a bit?”
“Take an hour, Julie. We’ve got you covered. Oh! And I have something for you. I almost forgot.” Going behind the counter, he pulled out a bag and handed it to me.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Ice skates. They belonged to your mother. You’re the same shoe size, right? Don’t you remember when she used to take you down to Lily Hill Park? You went every winter when you were a kid…well, until Mom’s back started to give her problems. You know she wanted to be a professional ice skater? She was part of the Chasing Stars skate team. I just found her trophies and photos the other day when I was packing some things up.”
Chasing stars. I slowly unwrapped the package and looked at the ice skates. They were white and decorated with faded silver stars. All at once, memories of my mother and me ice skating flooded over me like they’d been unlocked from somewhere deep within my memory. All these years I thought she’d wanted me to play it safe because that’s what she did. I’d either forgotten or never knew that she, too, had wanted more. And in that moment, I understood my mother in a way I never had before.
“Do you remember how to skate?” Horatio asked.
I sh
ook my head. “No, but I’ll try,” I said then started pulling on my coat. Following behind Rayne and Alice, Horatio and I headed outside.
Main Street was closed to traffic and had been transformed into a winter wonderland. The snow and ice sculpture competitions were well underway. Fat snowflakes drifted downward. A sleigh pulled excited revelers past, the jingle bells ringing merrily. Across the street, Milt Row and the other husbands of the coven witches were standing around a bonfire as they sold Christmas trees from a lot just near The Grove.
“Where’s Viola?” I asked.
“Stuck,” Horatio answered. “Falling Waters is booked.”
“We’ll get her out today yet, if I have something to say about it,” Rayne said, gazing longingly toward the restaurant, his eyes twinkling. I looked from Horatio to Alice. Neither of them seemed to notice the expression on Rayne’s face.
“You going to spend the whole day on your butt again?” Alice asked Horatio jokingly.
“Hey, I spent the week practicing so I wouldn’t look like a total failure in front of Julie. Thanks for completely shattering the image.”
Alice laughed. “Sorry!”
Rayne sighed heavily then turned his gaze from the restaurant.
Walking arm in arm with Horatio, my mind got busy.
“And just why are you grinning like that?” Horatio asked, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “My sweet,” he added, nibbling my ear.
“Oh. No reason,” I said, but I was already thinking through the recipes in the box. My heart was brimming with love. I wanted everyone to feel just like I did. Maybe Rayne and Viola just needed a push in the right direction.
Well, that was nothing a magical cupcake couldn’t solve.
Thank You
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The Cupcake Witch: The Witching Hour Collection (The Chancellor Fairy Tales Book 2) Page 8
