“You’re quiet, Zach.” Tanner stacks a few dinner plates. “Being an Unremarkable, you must have an opinion.”
He chuckles. “About the cookie or the kidnappings? Or the possible curfew ordinance?”
“I’d like to know, too,” Skye says, grabbing a few glasses.
Archie stands, collecting the bowls. “Let me help you, Tanner. You cooked the meal.”
“Thanks for helping, guys. Spence usually loads the dishwasher, but he’s too busy playing dad. Any or all of the above, Zach.”
“One. The cookie rule is above my paygrade. Two. It’s strange there are no leads, assuming they’re telling us the truth. They must have a good reason to hide evidence. And three. I don’t like the idea of a curfew, but it couldn’t hurt to put more cops on the streets—at least until they catch the Baby Nabbers.”
I collect the utensils. “But it won’t matter if a rogue witch is helping them evade capture.”
“Oh, that’s what Skye was referring to earlier,” Zach says, following his girlfriend’s lead. “I thought witches pledged to do no harm.”
She heads toward the kitchen. “We make the commitment, but not all witches are benevolent.”
Archie lifts a pile of dishes. “Like Unremarkables, there are bound to be a few narcissists in the bunch, unfortunately.”
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?”
