by Rose Pressey
“I’ve been doing this for a long time, I know what to ask, and I get right to the point.”
I did spend too much time sniffing the candles at Kiki's place, but I didn’t need to share that with Tom. I opened the door to the café. Tom held the door open for me while I walked through, then he followed.
“Where’s Mary Jane?” I asked.
“She went home.”
“What did you do to her?” I set my purse on the counter.
“What makes you think I did something to her?”
I looked him up and down, then frowned. “Oh, lucky guess.”
“I didn’t do anything. Guess you’ll have to ask her.”
“Fine. I want to wish her good luck on her test in the morning, anyway. I’ll call her and if you did anything, she’ll tell me.” I stuck out my tongue. “What did you find out from her?” I poured myself a glass of water.
Tom frowned. “Nothing.”
“See, I told you.” I took a gulp.
“I have to talk with everyone, those are the rules.”
“Rules, rules. I’m kind of sick of hearing about the rules.” I ran my finger along the rim of the glass.
“Well, if we don’t find the book, you won’t be hearing about the rules for much longer. There’s no need for rules if you’re not doing the magic and the café is closed.”
“Thanks for reminding me. I’d almost forgotten.” I plopped down at the nearest booth and Tom sat across from me. “What did you find out from the others?” I looked at him, searching his face.
He folded his hands together and placed them on the table. “Nothing.”
“I thought you were an expert at this investigating stuff?” A wry smile pulled at my lips.
Tom didn’t respond to my sarcasm. “Mrs. Perkins said she heard the glass break. She lives all the way across town and never goes out at night.”
“How did she hear anything?” I asked. “As a matter of fact, I thought her hearing was bad.”
He took my glass of water. “She has an ear for magic. She may not hear anything else, but she can hear magic from miles away, especially when it’s bad. Her words, not mine.”
I placed my head in my hands. “This is not going to work and nothing will help.”
“You’re not being very optimistic.” He held the glass to his lips for a moment, then took a long drink.
I looked up. “By the way, I thought I saw you talking to Kim.” A casual way to mention it, I thought. Smoothly slid into the conversation.
“Oh yeah, she stopped me. Not sure what she wanted. She asked if we were dating.” He set the empty glass down.
“What? I can’t believe her.” I shook my head in disbelief. “What business is that of hers? You did tell her no, though, right?”
He frowned. “You mean you wouldn’t date me?”
My stomach flipped. I hated being put on the spot like that. Tom was handsome and he was growing on me, I had to admit. But he was there for business and not good business, either. It was never good to mix business with pleasure. Did he expect me to become his magical investigative assistant when they closed the café? Plus, I couldn’t get Rory out of my head.
Tom grabbed my hand and squeezed. “What about when my business here is done?”
Before I could answer, Rory opened the door and I was like a deer caught in the headlights. Like a robber who’d just been caught with one leg out the window and a bag full of loot.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I saw the light on.” He froze on the spot.
I jumped up and hurried over. “You’re not interrupting anything.” I pointed toward Tom. “We were just discussing business.” Yeah, while holding hands was what it looked like to him. Some business meeting. Of all the rotten lousy timing.
“It’s none of my business.” He held his hands up. “Y’all continue and I can talk with you later.” Rory frowned and moved toward the door, grabbing the handle.
“No need. I was just leaving,” Tom said as he jumped to his feet.
Rory backed away from the door, and Tom rushed out without saying another word. He seemed upset and I didn’t know what to think. I hoped I hadn’t hurt his feelings. What if he closed the café without helping me anymore? Was he really interested in dating me?
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Rory said again once Tom had disappeared out of sight.
“Really, it’s not how it looks. We were only discussing business.” It never ceased to amaze me how easily I put my foot in my mouth.
He held his hands up once more. “Like I said, it’s none of my business. You can do whatever you want.”
Maybe a subject change was in order.
I gave an awkward smile, then said, “Kim asked if Tom and I were dating. Isn’t that an odd question?”
Okay, that stupid statement wasn’t much of a subject change. The fact that he wasn’t the only one who thought we were dating only reinforced the idea.
“She’s nosy like that. She always wants to know what’s going on. I’d ignore her if I were you.” He dragged his hand through his hair and let out a deep breath.
Believe me, I tried. I wished he would follow his own advice. Did Rory know what he wanted?
“Do you want to have a seat?” I gestured toward a chair. “Can I get you something to drink or something to eat?”
He moved closer, invading my personal space. “Something to drink isn’t what I want.”
When he looked at me, it sent a tremor of longing through my body.
I swallowed hard, then held my breath, wondering what was next. “What do you want?”
“This.” He pressed his lips against mine. They were cool and my lips tingled as his brushed across mine. Rory wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. Being in Rory’s arms felt natural, as if I’d come home.
A knock rattled the window. Rory released me from his embrace. We spun around to find at least ten women huddled around the front door, peering through the glass. Talk about a mood killer.
“It looks as if we’re wanted,” I said, gesturing with a tilt of my head.
Though I knew it wasn’t both of us, but Rory they wanted.
The pack of ladies waved feverishly. They were a mixture of ages—a couple of grandmothers, mothers and daughters. Fortunately, there were no teenagers. That was the last thing he needed.
I stepped out onto the sidewalk. With any luck, I’d disperse the crowd before they had a chance to pack Rory off like a piece of meat. Rory followed me, although in hindsight, he probably should have run out the backdoor.
The women didn’t seem to notice me. They never looked in my direction as they reached out their hands toward Rory. It was like a scene from Night of the Living Dead.
“What do you think they want?” Rory looked at me wide-eyed.
I winced at the thought of answering his question truthfully. A couple women ran their fingers through his hair, while others rubbed his chest. He pushed at their hands as politely as he could.
“Please, ladies. What is wrong with you?” He brushed a grandma’s hands away from his hair. “I have to get out of here.” He twisted, stepping to his left. By his expression, he must have been too stunned by their behavior to run.
“Don’t leave, Rory,” a blonde woman said.
“Let’s go for a walk.” The redhead looped her arm through his.
Why? So they could capture him and chain him up in a basement as their love slave? No way. I felt so bad for him, but what could I do? Beating them off with my rolling pin wasn’t an option. Or was it? No. No violence. I’d have to think of something else.
Rory stared at me with a look that was a cross between apologetic and desperate, as if pleading for my help. There was no way I’d not put up a fight for him if they tried to drag him away. They were like zombies looking for their next victim to drag off into the night. I’d seen clips of Elvis being attacked like this. But I was no Colonel Parker. How would I save him?
I sucked in a deep bre
ath and pushed forward as if plowing through a blockade.
“Hey, back off, honey,” Amy Strong protested. I hadn’t seen her sidle up. Were there more women coming? This would turn into a mob soon.
“He doesn’t want you.” Was that my mom’s friend yelling at me while poking me in the ribs with an elbow?
I grabbed Rory’s arm and pushed him back, away from the women.
“Ladies, back off.” I nudged Rory’s arm and he took off in a run. “Rory, hurry.”
We ran toward his truck, which was only parked a few feet away. I yanked open the passenger door, jumped in and locked the door.
Rory glanced my way and I motioned for him to jump behind the wheel. “Hurry. Save yourself.”
Once he rounded the front of the trunk and hopped in, the women converged around the truck like a pack of wolves circling their prey. He let out a few deep breaths and cranked the engine. He gestured for the women to get out of the way. After a brief pause, they slumped their shoulders and stepped away from the truck. But not without some protesting that I’d taken him away. A few pumped their fists at me.
What did I say to him? He had to be extremely embarrassed. Maybe if I acted as if it was no big deal? If Rory knew the truth, he wouldn’t be embarrassed. No, if he knew the magical facts, he’d never speak with me again. I opened my mouth, but the words didn’t form. Why was I such a coward? Of course, Rory would be mad at me. But I needed to suck it up and deal with the consequences. Thoughts whirled in my head and I clutched the leather seat with a death grip. Maybe if I braced myself, I could push forward with telling him the truth. But no. I sat there and continued to allow Rory to think there was something wrong with him…something wrong with the world.
Finally, I came up with a lame plan for escape. “Drive around the block and maybe they’ll leave. You can drop me off at the café and get out of this mess,” I said.
“Honestly, Elly, I have no idea what’s going on, but I want to apologize. I don’t know these women.” He clutched the steering wheel with both hands.
“I know. They’re probably fascinated with you because you’re new in town,” I said.
“I’ve been here for quite some time now. I don’t think that’s it.” He shook his head. “I just need some time to think. I’m so confused that I don’t know up from down.”
We glanced in the truck mirrors every few seconds, looking for any sign of the crazed women as Rory drove around the block. So far, the coast was clear. Would he have to cope with this for the rest of his life? There was no way I’d let him deal with this. I’d demand something be done to reverse the spell. What kind of crazy magic was this, anyway?
As we pulled back in front of the café, all signs of the women were gone. It was as if it was a nightmare and had never happened. By the way the adrenaline flowed through me, I knew it wasn’t a dream.
“Stop here quick and I’ll jump out. I don’t want you hanging around so they can find you again.” I hopped down from the truck.
“I’d love to stay and start back where we left off, but I need to get back to work, anyway.”
I nodded. “I understand. I’ll see you later.” I closed the door and waved as he drove off.
His sad puppy dog expression made tears form in my eyes. Later that afternoon, the café would be closed permanently and my chances with Rory gone for good.
****
Tom had said he’d meet me at the café by seven. In reality, he’d showed up at nine. Not that I was in a hurry for what was about to happen, though. Mary Jane had wanted to stay until the very end, but I insisted she go to her night class. Her tear-stained cheeks and red eyes had almost been more than I could handle.
“I’m sorry,” Tom mumbled. His expression was apologetic.
Did he actually say he was sorry? Did he really utter those words? A lot of good it did me. I appreciated the sentiment, but my world had crumbled around me and no words would ease my pain. Time had run out for Mystic Café and me. I removed Grandma Imelda’s key chain that read Magic Happens and handed him the keys. Hot tears threatened to spill down my cheeks.
“I can call your grandmother.” He turned off the lights and shut the café door.
“No, I’ll call her.”
“I’ll need to talk with her anyway.” He stuffed the keys into his front pocket.
“Please, let me call her first. It’s the least I can do. I don’t want to be a coward. Facing life’s problems is the only way to truly overcome them.”
He nodded. “All right, sure.” He cleared his throat. “Um, we’ll go over the details of the closing tomorrow. Someone will be by in a few days to allow you inside to retrieve your belongings. Since your grandmother left you the place, you’ll have to sell it. I’m not sure of the time frame they’ll give you for that.”
“I don’t believe this has happened.” I blew out a deep breath and wiped a tear from my cheek. Exasperation filled my chest. What kind of organization closes a business over one spell? “You only gave me forty-eight hours. What could I possibly have done in that amount of time?”
He shifted his feet. “I don’t make the rules, Elly. If I could stop this, I would. I’d give anything to make it not happen.”
I studied my shoes. “You’ve been kind to me and I appreciate that. I didn’t mean to accuse you.”
He lifted my chin with his index finger and wiped the tear from my cheek. “I can’t stand to see a woman cry. You’re killing me here, please stop.”
“It’s not like I turned on the waterworks purely for your benefit.”
“Can I give you a ride home? Maybe you shouldn’t be alone at a time like this. Sometimes it helps to have someone around.”
“I wouldn’t make for very good company right now.” The past few days had been the happiest of my life and, ironically the most stressful. There was nowhere I’d rather be than in the little kitchen of Mystic Café. The smell of the magical spices, mixed with the pancakes, bacon, and biscuits would remain a part of my memories I couldn’t erase. Oh, and the home fries…the spicy potatoes.
I’d discovered too late that Mystic Café was where I belonged. It was the shot of love my heart had needed. Grandma Imelda may not be there in body, but her presence would always be there. The café walls were like her arms, wrapping me in a tight embrace. But it was history now. Somehow, I’d make it through this. I had to, for Grandma Imelda’s sake. Life was never easy and I didn’t want to let this stop me. But what would happen to the people of Mystic Hollow? Grandma said this town would fall apart without the magic.
He stared for a beat. “If you’re sure?”
I nodded. “I’ll be fine. I just need some time.”
Tom reluctantly placed a huge Closed sign on Mystic Café’s door. Without looking back, I hurried to my car and jumped in. My heart ached, my throat was tight, and my eyes stung. I’d never look at pancakes or pies the same again. And just like that, the café was closed. No magic wand needed.
Chapter Thirty-Six
A bad sensation started in my throat and moved downward, churning as if circling a drain, before finally settling in my stomach like a block of cement. It was the same feeling I got when, as a teenager, I waited for my parents to return home after they’d left me alone all weekend because I’d promised I was old enough to conduct myself as an adult, but the moment their car was out of sight I invited fifty friends over for a party where said friends proceeded to wreck the house and I had no idea how I’d explain the broken sofa or the ketchup on the ceiling. Yeah, I had that feeling. The phone call to Grandma Imelda had to be made. I’d have to tell her that in spite of being twenty-eight, apparently I wasn’t old enough to conduct myself as an adult...at least not where magic was involved.
Halfway home, I pulled the Mustang over on the side of the road and stared at my phone. I dialed half of Grandma Imelda’s phone number three times before finally getting the nerve to punch in all of the digits and hit send.
Just when I thought she wouldn’t pick up, she answered
with her usual sweet voice. “I wondered if I was ever going to hear from you. The café hasn’t been too overwhelming, has it?”
I sucked in a deep breath. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Grandma hadn’t even had time to reply before my tears started.
“Don’t cry. Tell your grandmother what’s bothering you. You know you can tell me anything.”
She thought I could tell her anything, but I wasn’t sure she was prepared for this news.
Letting out a shaky breath, I said, “There was a problem at the café.”
“What kind of problem? Was there a fire? Did someone get food poisoning? Did Mr. Atwood claim he fell on the steps again? Don’t believe a word he says. He’s been trying those scams since 1969.”
I swallowed hard. There was no easy way to put this, so I’d have to come out with it. “I gave someone the wrong spell.”
She let out an audible gasp, and a slight sucking in of breath whispered across the line. Fantastic. I’d caused her to have a heart attack. “Grandma Imelda, talk to me. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’m fine. You just caught me off guard. Who got the spell?”
“A man. His name is Rory Covington.”
“Oh.” She paused. “I’ve met him. He’s a handsome fellow, don’t you think?”
“I suppose he is. But listen, Grandma, Mary Jane accidently set the wrong order in front of him and he ate it. I tried to stop it, but I was too late. The spell was meant for Oscar Harrisburg.”
“Exactly what type of spell was this?” she asked.
Although cowardly, I was glad I was talking to her on the phone. There was no way I could have looked her in the eye with this kind of news. “It was a love spell…Rory’s ex-girlfriend came back and women in town are going gaga over him.”
“Oh, no…” Not the words I wanted to hear from my sweet grandmother. “Elly, someone will be by soon to tell you what to do.” Her voice remained calm and steady.
“Um, that’s the thing, they’ve already been here.”
“I see.” She knew what was coming next without me having to tell her.
“They closed the café.” My sobbing started again when the words left my lips.
