“Let’s put ’em all in there, just to be safe,” he said. “You’ve freed up room by taking witch out.”
“Not permanently. Only for training purposes. It helps to have common terminology.” I opened the cover of my book and ran my fingers over it. Normally, if the book had a spell suited to my needs, the pages would flip and then settle. Today was no different.
Only there was nothing on the page in question. It was completely blank.
“Well, duh,” Bixby said. “It’s been erased. Just reveal it and you’re good to go.”
I doubted he was right but it was worth a try. In this case, saying it by myself was sufficient.
“That’s because it’s your book,” the dog said. “And your problem. Obviously.”
Sometimes I didn’t know if he really knew what he said he knew or was just blowing smoke out of his furry patootie.
“Leave my butt alone and say the spell. And while you’re doing that, focus on erasing those hiccups like your life depends on it. Because it might.”
“Gimme a minute. This is some serious witch biz.”
“Hate to break it to you, but it’s only the beginning. Hence the beginner manual.”
“Shut it, wiener boy,” Bijou said. “Witchy needs a calm mind. Placid, like a pool of deep water.”
It was the perfect image and I thanked her silently while stilling my thoughts. I took slow breaths, trying to bring them deep into my belly. Only then, did I speak the words of the spell aloud.
When it was done, I yawned. Once. Twice. Thrice.
“What does yawning mean?” Ren asked. “Is it good? Or do we have a new situation?”
I touched my midriff. “It’s good. I think. I feel different. Better.”
Bixby said nothing but I felt him poking around in my mind, looking for loopholes.
“Yawning can be a sign of your nervous system releasing,” Sinda said. “It’s all about the vagus nerve that runs from your brain to your belly.”
My dog gave a cavernous yawn himself and let his legs splay out till he was on the floor. Then he rolled onto his side and sighed. “Without the sunflowers and birds, I’m bored.”
“I’ll get you a turkey if you like.” I picked him up and danced a little. “We have room for a coop behind the manor.”
“Don’t even.” He squirmed to get down. “Sinda, are you hiring? Turns out I picked the wrong witch.”
“The jewelry never lies, old friend,” she said. “You two have one nervous system.”
I yawned again and he mirrored it back. “Stop that,” he said. “You know yawning is more contagious than poison ivy and I detest relaxation.”
“Enjoy the moment, because I sense our nervous systems won’t stay regulated for long.”
“I should hope not. A zen state won’t help you save this town.”
Already my sweet calm ebbed. “Right. I forgot about that for a moment.”
He strutted toward the back room. “Someone needs to save our world. If not you, then maybe Marli Seagrave.”
“Mr. Bixby, you insult me.” I pulled the blinds up again. Returning to regular business seemed strange after all that had happened today, but I didn’t yet know our next move.
He chuckled. “Every chance I get. Keeps you sharp, and apparently you need some help in that department.”
“Nine down. Five letters. Watchful.”
I let the dog give the answer. “Alert. And I’d add a ‘red’ before. As in urgent, not cop hottie.” After a moment he added, “I underestimated Mr. Crossword. He’s an absolute sage.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Our plan was to regroup at the manor and brainstorm over dinner, but we only found time to head home for a quick change into something somber. Cassie had called to invite us to a celebration of life for Angus MacDuff. With her mother back in town, they were ready to mark his passing, even with the case unresolved. I was a little surprised the police allowed it, but maybe they hoped, as I did, that some clues would turn up with the turnout.
Sure enough, Drew was the first person I noticed when we walked into the legion hall on the outskirts of town. I highly doubted Angus had been a member, unless “legion” was code for men’s club. There was a lot of dark wood, leather and even some red velvet. I could see Oscar Knight and his cronies sipping scotch and smoking fine cigars in those cushy chairs.
We hung up our coats and moved into the crowd, which was larger than I expected. I was glad to have Mr. Bixby as my anchor. The emotions in this room would be more than I wanted to handle tonight.
Drew came over immediately to greet us. “You look very nice,” he said quietly. “But I’m a little disappointed.”
His grin kept me from a flutter of panic. I still didn’t trust my traitorous diaphragm. “Oh, why?”
“No sunflowers. Have we fizzled before the fourth date?”
I grinned back. His hand was on my upper arm, offering more sizzle than fizzle. “Absolutely not. I hope we can have another when your investigation winds down.”
“It might be sooner than I feared.” He leaned closer than Mr. Bixby liked and got a growl for his efforts. “Settle down, canine protector. I just wanted to say we got word from the special investigations unit that there’s a possible break in the case.”
“Oh?” My voice betrayed me with a squeak of eagerness. “Can you give me a hint?”
