We drop the discussion and take the remainder of the dirty dishes into the kitchen, joining the others in the family room when we’re finished. After a few minutes, Aidan yawns, prompting Ashley and the rest of us to relinquish the evening to our kind hosts. Archie drives to Main Street to drop me off at Mitchell Hall.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” he asks.

“No. They may listen better if I’m alone.” I kiss him on the cheek. “I won’t be long.”

“Could you change my bandage for me tonight?”

“You mean, pull off your boxers and admire your toned ass? Absolutely.”

I chuckle as I get out of the car, and he winks at me. I check for pedestrians up and down the street before darting into the Celestial Gardens. Shailagh and Aonghas are already dancing around the manicured shrubs and run to me when they notice me watching them.

“Aunt Gwyn! You’re here! Can you play?” they ask.

“Of course, just like every Saturday night. But before we start, I need to tell you something.” I hold one of their tiny hands in each of mine. “Remember when I told you someone stole a baby in here? Well, it happened in other parts of the city, too. So, our leaders may create a rule to stop us from visiting you for a while to make the town safe. But it won’t be forever. You must be good until I and the others visit you again. Promise?”

“We promise, Aunt Gwyn. Now let’s play!” They drag me across the gardens, giggling, and I stay a little longer to hedge my bet. As I stroll toward the gate to leave, I wave to them. When will I see them again?

“Thank you for babysitting Aidan on Monday afternoon,” Jeff says, logging into the cash register. “Ashley needs an experienced mom for a change. She can’t work on discipline with him because the undergrad students let him do whatever he wants.”

I slip on my fleece jacket. “To be fair, toddlers always push the envelope and then some. I haven’t watched a two-year-old in years. It’ll be fun.”

Shane strolls into the front with tagged merchandise. “Taking off for your hike, Gwyn?”

“Yeah. Gonna be a cold one, but Ronnie needs to get a walk in. As the temperatures dip, she’ll have fewer opportunities.”

“The baby will arrive soon enough, and then she’ll have her hands full.”

Jeff nods. “I can attest to that. The way Ashley talks, she’s not slept since Aidan was born.”

Having met her son, I believe her. “She will certainly be busy. Shane, are you attending the council meeting tomorrow?”

“I suspect I will. We need to make a presence. I’d bet my crystals on townies showing up as well. The ordinance will raise everyone’s blood pressure—on both sides of the matter.”

“Ashley and I can’t go,” Jeff says. “She needs help with Aidan so she can grade.”

“See you tomorrow at the town hall then, Shane.” I wave to my other boss. “Bye, Jeff.”

“Bye, Gwyn.” He waves at me. “And thanks again.”

“Enjoy your hike, darling,” Shane replies, waving.

While I stroll to the park trailhead, a cool breeze plays with my bangs and long hair. The sun burns brightly in the baby-blue sky, and not a cloud is in sight. What a great fall day for a hike. Ronnie waves at me in the distance, her crimson curls frolicking in the wind, and I run to meet her. With a little over a month left, her swollen belly has ballooned. She must be so uncomfortable.

“Hey, are you sure you feel well enough to do this hike?” I ask, catching my breath.

“No, but the exercise helps me sleep. Thanks for braving the chilly weather.”

I bend my head back, squinting for a moment. “With the sun, the real feel temperature is almost sixty degrees. I’m good.”

“Are you OK with going by the bog after the most recent rain? It’ll be muddy.”

I point to my ankle boots. “I came prepared. We can do the loop.”

“Great.” Suddenly, Ronnie stops and grabs her belly. “Oh, boy. They’ve been getting more intense.”

“Are you in pre-labor?” I ask. “Frankly, I don’t remember mine at all. Should we turn back?”

She blows air through her lips, hissing through her teeth. “No. Braxton Hicks contractions. I’m good. Let’s keep walking.”

“If you have another, we should go back to the trailhead and have Derek pick you up.”

“Stop fussing over me. I already have one momma hen at home.”

“Give him a break. He loves you and doesn’t want anything to happen to you or the baby.”

She grins and her face lights up. “I know. Gwyn, you don’t have to answer, but a question has been gnawing at me. Why didn’t you have another kid? Did you have problems conceiving, too?”

“No. Nothing like that at all. After Tyler was born, Richard said he wasn’t interested in more children. He went and got snipped. Didn’t even ask me.”

“I’m sorry I asked. Do you wish you could have a baby with Archie?”

I take a breath and exhale. “Sometimes, but he’s been a great substitute dad for Tyler. He relies on Archie for advice. I can’t imagine having a baby at my age. I’m in a different stage of life. But I am ecstatic for you.”

We walk in relative silence, enjoying the sunshine and one another’s company. My mind drifts to thoughts of Archie as a dad. How wonderful it could have been if I’d had a baby with him instead of Richard, but I wouldn’t have Tyler. Besides, in his younger days, he was sowing his wild oats to avoid settling down. One doesn’t need offspring to prove love and commitment, anyway. But deep down, I must need something from Archie, or I would have moved in with him by now.

As we approach the bog, my abdomen tightens. A familiar aura returns, pulling at me like a magnet toward the water. A sense of unexplained urgency overcomes me.

“Ronnie, I can’t explain now, but I need to run ahead. Meet me at the bog?”

“Sure. But wait for me there. I don’t want to be alone for long.”

My legs move as fast as they can, kicking up stones as I succumb to the pull of the magic. My heart pounds deep in my chest, and an amber glow seeps from my fingers. When I reach the bend in the trail, I nearly crash into Courtney Erickson. My mouth snaps shut with a yelp.

“Oh, Courtney,” I say, huffing and puffing. “What are you doing here?”

Her mouth falls open. “I’m hiking? Same as you.”

“Were you practicing witchcraft in here?” My eyes narrow.

She stutters a bit. “Um…I…no. Why would you ask?”

“Well, you are a witch and you’re in the woods.”

Courtney chuckles. “So are you, Gwyn. John usually hikes with me, but he’s home preparing for the city council meeting. I assume the Bearsden Coven will attend?”

“Yeah. Of course,” I reply.