by Lynn Cahoon
She watched the fire as Christina wrote out two pages of items, then, mimicking Mia’s actions, she reread the papers and added some more lines. Satisfied, she started ripping.
The floor was covered in transgressions when she stopped.
“Take a deep breath; then, in your mind, start chanting, ‘I forgive you, Isaac Adams.’ Don’t list out the whats or the whys. Just let it be as it is. ‘I forgive you.’ When we’re ready we’ll start throwing handfuls of strips onto the fire. When we’re done we jump over the broom backward three times and sing ‘Kumbaya.’”
Christina’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“No,” Mia said, chuckling. “I just wanted to see how far I could make you go. Throwing the paper into the fire ends it.”
“You’re mean.” Christina sat quietly for a moment, watching the fire. “Levi told me about the coven. He wants me to visit.”
“How do you feel about going?” Mia watched Christina’s face, wondering what Mama Adams would think about her daughter dating a witch. Of course, her son had lived with one for years and the woman had been clueless. But she’d hidden her power from Isaac, not trusting him with that part of her. Logically, a good idea, especially now that they’d broken up, but a part of Mia had wondered if her holding back her secrets had caused Isaac to have his own.
Christina played with the ripped-up paper. “I don’t know. I mean, I like him, really, really like him. But dating a witch? Wow, that seems like I’ve stepped into a paperback novel. Or one of those movies with all the sparkly vampires. Maybe he’s cast a spell on me and that’s why I like him.” Christina stared at her. “You think he’s handsome, right? It’s not some glamour or something?”
“The guy could stop traffic.” Mia smiled and tossed another handful of strips onto the fire. She pushed another wave of forgiveness toward Isaac and his troubled life before she continued. “No one can keep up a glamour that long. It’s impossible.”
“What if I’m always questioning, wondering if my feelings are true?” Christina stared at the fire where her Isaac faults were flaming.
Mia thought for a long time before she answered. “Magic happens. Especially around people in love. Who are we to say what’s real and what’s conjured? Human or witch, you’ll always wonder about what brought you two together. It’s just the nature of a true relationship.”
The two women sat and watched the last of the strips curl in the fire before bursting into flame. Then Christina put her hands behind her and leaned back. “And that’s it?”
Mia nodded. Inside she felt the grip of Isaac’s actions release her heart. She’d forgiven him for the things he’d done to her, to Christina. Forgive, but not forget. He’d never be allowed close enough to hurt her again. Christina would have to set her own boundaries with her brother. Mia sent a silent prayer to the Goddess that she would find her way sooner rather than later.
She stood and brushed the dust from her pajama bottoms. She pulled Christina up to meet her. “You’ll find your way with Levi. Take it slow. Visit the coven before you make any decisions. Just be warned: I think you’ll have some women there not too happy to see he’s chosen you.”
Mia could see Christina blushing, even in the dim light. “He does like me.”
As they walked back to the bedrooms, Mia checked the lock on the apartment door one more time. “That I know without using a drop of magic.”
* * *
The smell of freshly baked bread and cinnamon-spiced apple cider floated through the crowded lobby. Mia couldn’t believe how many people had come out for her open house. Free food and curiosity brought out the townspeople, now that the snow was beginning to recede up the Magics. Hyacinths pushed their way up through the flower beds closest to the building. Tulips would be arriving next. Trent had brought boxes of tulips up from Boise as part of her supply order, even though she hadn’t asked. The man sometimes acted like he could read her mind. Though, if that was true, the two of them wouldn’t be standing in this crowd of people right now.
She waved at Trent across the room. He and Grans were manning the menu table, handing out order sheets. Grans caught her eye and made a two thumbs-up gesture. Orders must be going well. Mia mingled through the crowd, nodding and smiling like she was actually listening to the well wishes and congratulations flowing around her. Christina put her arm through Mia’s.
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe it’s all real now. Grans said everyone loves the names.” Christina beamed. “Al Capone’s Last Meal is selling like hotcakes. We’re going to be plenty busy for the next few months.”
Mia studied the young woman standing next to her. Her blond hair was braided, and wearing the dress she’d chosen for the event, Christina looked more like Heidi in the Alps than the Goth princess who’d arrived in town less than three months before. Mia liked this version better than the dark one, but she was convinced even this persona was just that, a show. Someday Christina would find her essence. Today just wasn’t that day.
“So you’re staying around?” Mia nudged her.
“Yeah. I can take classes in Twin Falls and make Mom happy and still work full-time for you.” Christina blushed. “That is, if you want me to.”
“I told you, you’re welcome as long as you want. I’m enjoying having someone around to talk to.” Mia watched the mayor chatting with Grans. She sure loved the spotlight.
“You mean besides the ghosts?”
Mia shook her head. “One ghost, one time. Okay, maybe two times. However, Dorothy is as much a part of Magic Springs’s history as the library or City Hall. I don’t think she truly counts as a spirit.”
“Whatever you have to tell yourself.” Christina leaned closer. “Don’t look now, but Baldwin’s on his way over here. And he looks mad.”
“Now what?” Mia groaned as she saw the cop face on the man. Maybe there were too many vehicles parked on the road for the open house. She had a permit from the city council somewhere. Mia racked her brain, trying to remember what she’d done with the event permit she’d gotten in the mail last week. It had to be on her desk upstairs. Or in her purse. Too late to dodge the man, she’d just have to bluff it if he asked to see the paper. She put on what she hoped was a welcoming smile and steeled herself for the interaction.
“Miss Malone, may I have a word with you?” Mark Baldwin raised his voice loud enough to be heard over the crowd noise. Mia assumed it was so the others could hear him. He focused his beady glare on Christina. “I would have thought you would have left town by now. Don’t tell me you’re planning on extending your visit.”
“I’ve got to go check on something in the kitchen,” Christina squeaked and sprinted away from Mia.
“Why do you torture her?” Mia sighed, watching her weave through the guests and disappear through the double doors leading to the kitchen, where she had staff from the hotel James had recommended working on appetizers and sample plates.
Baldwin grabbed a canapé from a passing tray. Popping the miniature shrimp wonton into his mouth, he wiped his hands on his pants. “She’s fun. No one else sees me as a real cop around here. I’m just Mark Baldwin who got okay grades during high school and couldn’t pass the state police exam after college. She fears me. It’s good to be feared.”
“She’s young. And worse, she had a bad experience in Vegas not too long ago, so stop messing with her.” Mia pointed a finger at the man whose chubby figure was straining the buttons on his uniform. “Now, what do you want?”
He shrugged. “I just came to visit. The wife says we’re going to order from you as soon as you open, so I thought I’d better see what the big deal is before I pay an arm and a leg just for dinner.” He grabbed a bacon-wrapped jalapeño pepper from a waiter’s tray. “Although these puppies are good. I can’t believe they have peanut butter in the center.”
“I’m glad you like them.” Mia glanced around the room, looking for the woman who must be Mrs. Baldwin. “Is your wife here? I’d like to meet her.”
“We
couldn’t get a sitter, so she’s stuck at home with the kids.” Baldwin watched a tray of miniature quiche turn away from him. He headed toward the escaping waiter, “I’ve got to grab some menus.”
Mia felt the warmth from Trent’s hand on her back before he spoke. “Looks like the way to a man’s heart is his stomach.”
Mia bit her lip to keep from laughing. “The guy is totally in love, with my food. I hope he leaves enough for the rest of the customers.”
“At least he’s not trying to put you in jail. Did he tell you Helen’s attorney is claiming self-defense? The story now is Adele attacked her and all she was doing was trying to stay alive.” Trent put the back of his hand up to his forehead. “Oh, the injustice.”
“So what’s her excuse for trying to kill me? I didn’t even get closer than ten feet to the woman during the whole escapade.” Mia watched as people laughed and talked. In a way, the group mirrored the people who had attended Adele’s wake, but this occasion was lighter, and there was an ease in the tone of the conversations that hadn’t been there that night.
“You misunderstood her intention. She was holding the gun to protect the two of you, not kill you.”
“From wandering wolves in the middle of Adele’s living room?”
Trent chuckled. “Something like that. You can’t blame her for trying.”
Mia waved at Carrie Jones, who had just arrived. “I don’t blame her for defending herself; I blame her for trying to kill me. Her husband must have been in on the whole thing; he was the one who called and threatened me.”
“He’s denying it, and Baldwin says the phone records are sketchy. I guess I’m just going to have to hang around and make sure you’re safe.”
Mia saw a shadow cross the floor. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”
She followed the shadow into the little alcove where she’d be selling her own brand of Mia’s Morsels condiments and seasonings soon. The place was coming together.
Dorothy Purcell sat or hovered over the empty cabinet where the school secretary used to sort mail not so long ago, when the building was a bustling school. “The place looks good.”
Mia smiled. “I’m glad you approve. You just visiting?” A part of her worried that Dorothy had brought another message from beyond. Things were settling down; Mia felt like a member of the community.
The woman’s smile was sad. Even though she was transparent, Mia could see the pain on the ghost’s face. “Sorry to ruin your special day. But the spirits aren’t settled yet. There’s a storm coming. A storm you need to stop before it swamps everything good out of Magic Springs.”
“I don’t understand.” Mia’s hand reached out to touch the counter to settle herself.
“The balance of power here has been noticed. You, your grandmother, Levi’s coven—you’re all focused on the good. But a town has to be balanced. If not, the positive atmosphere is noticed and even the humans can see the magic.” Dorothy paused. “Your guardian says the dark side is going to target Magic Springs. And you have to be ready.”
“You never told me the rest of the story about my guardian. Who or what is she? The Goddess?” Mia felt like her head was going to explode. All she wanted was a calm, happy business here in Magic Springs. Not a war with the dark side.
Dorothy started fading. “We don’t have time. Just be careful.”
And then Mia was alone in the oversize closet. Not a trace of Dorothy remained. Mia needed to find time to talk to her grandmother. Grans had held something back when she’d mentioned Dorothy before. Now it was time to find out what.
She walked back into the happy party crowd. Well, tomorrow. Tomorrow would be soon enough.
She returned to where she’d left Trent.
“You okay?” he whispered.
Mia nodded. “Lots to talk about, but not today. Today we celebrate.”
He pulled her into a hug and planted a kiss on the top of her head. Mia heard the Goddess’s laughter.
“I think we can arrange that.” She looked up into his eyes and he leaned in for a real kiss, pulling away as he heard the click of stilettos approaching.
“Don’t let me interrupt.” Carrie giggled. “I just wanted to give you this package. Someone must have gifted and run; it was sitting outside on your front porch.” Carrie handed Mia a silver gift bag. “My, you have been busy in here. We did a senior sneak here a few years ago and the place was a mess. Trent, you were in my class; tell her.”
“The place was a mess,” Trent deadpanned.
Carrie slapped him on the arm. “Anyway, I’m very glad you’ve decided to make Magic Springs your new home. I may not have to cook ever again.” Carrie waved at someone across the room. “There’s Amy. I simply must see who she’s wearing.”
Mia watched Carrie head for a younger woman across the room. “Amy?”
Trent nodded as they watched Amy and Carrie greet each other with air kisses and twirls to check out the fashion. “The mayor’s wife. I’m pretty sure your little open house is going to hit the society page on Sunday.”
“As long as it brings in orders, I don’t care.” Mia opened the gift bag and pulled out a corkscrew with a red bow around it. The corkscrew she’d lost when she catered for the Joneses. She glanced around the room, looking to see if anyone was watching her open the gift bag. Wouldn’t the giver want to see her reaction? Had Carrie pretended to “find” the bag?
“What’s wrong?” Trent was the only person paying any attention to her.
“This is my corkscrew. The one I lost at Carrie’s.” Mia held up the utensil for Trent to see it. “And it’s wrapped, just like my knife was when it came back.”
“Someone messing with you?” Trent pressed his hand possessively on the small of her back.
“Creeping me out.” Mia saw her grandmother walking toward them. She shoved the corkscrew back into the bag, then tucked it on a side table, out of sight.
“Quite the coming-out party.” Grans beamed. “I’m so glad you’ve decided to make Magic Springs home. I won’t be quite as lonely now that Adele’s gone.”
Mia pulled her grandmother into a long hug. No one, nothing was going to ruin today. Not some weird stalker’s gifts, not Baldwin, nothing. Today was to celebrate the opening of Mia’s Morsels. Nothing more or less.
There’d be plenty of time to worry tomorrow. Mia released her grandmother and smiled. “Why don’t we go mingle and you can introduce me to your friends?”
“Sounds divine. Trent?”
He shook his head. “You two go ahead. I’ve got some things to take care of.”
He stood, on guard, as Mia walked around the room. The man didn’t even blink as far as Mia knew.
James tapped her on the shoulder. He looked like someone had kicked his last puppy. “Can we talk?”
Mia nodded and walked over to the kitchen. They’d made the area off limits to the party crowd for safety reasons. A group of cooks hired from James’s staff at the Lodge for the day nodded as we entered. “What’s up?”
James glanced around and lowered his voice. “I guess Helen told you about my past?”
She put her hand on his arm. “Not really, but I guessed you were who she was talking about. There’s a small pool of talented chefs in the local area.”
“I didn’t steal anything. I was set up by my lover’s new boyfriend. The guy hated seeing my face and made sure I took the blame. He even was the one who suggested the lady hire me for her private party. When her jewels wound up in my knife case a few days later, I was toast.” James wrinkled his nose remembering the incident.
“Because chefs always keep their knives close.” Mia could see how easy it would be for someone to frame James. “I’m not going to tell anyone. But Helen might throw you under the bus if she thinks it will help her case.”
“I’ve done my time. Even if I didn’t do it, I was found guilty. Anything she says won’t affect me here. The guys who hired me at the Lodge know about my past. I didn’t hide anything.”
Mia put her hand on his arm. “Then don’t worry about it. Your real friends will stand by you no matter what.”
James hugged her. “Thank you for understanding.”
When she returned to the party Trent was still watching her. She wandered through the guests, stopping to answer questions and greet newcomers.
As she talked about the school’s historic past and the new usage the building would have as a cooking school, Mia was aware of Trent’s attention as she talked with her guests. And even with the craziness of the last few months, she knew one true thing.
She went back and stood next to him. He slipped his arm around her waist and she leaned into his body. The one true thing? She was finally home.
RECIPE
Magic Springs’s Easy Apple Pie
Pastry:
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ⅔ cup shortening (I use butter)
• 4–6 Tbsp cold water
Mix the salt into the flour. If you use butter, use right out of the fridge and cut into squares. Fork the butter into the flour until you don’t see any butter and it’s all crumbling. Once you do that, dribble the water into the mix until you can hand mix it into a ball. Divide these into two balls and wrap in plastic. Then refrigerate for at least 45 minutes.
Roll out the bottom pastry and fit into a pie plate.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Filling:
Peel, core, and slice 6–8 tart apples (Granny Smiths are great)
In a bowl mix the following dry ingredients:
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup flour
Put the apple slices into a large bowl, then sprinkle with 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Then add dry ingredients and stir well to coat the apple slices. Pour into the bottom pie shell. Top with 1 Tbsp of butter.
Roll out the second ball of pastry into a circle. Cut a design into the middle of the circle to allow steam to vent (I like a stem and leaves).
