“A witch’s puzzle for you to solve, my love.”

“I suppose. Oh, I almost forgot. I ran into Ashley on the trail.”

His eyebrows arch. “Rather odd. Did she say why she was there?”

“Hiking, I guess. She said an undergrad was watching Aidan, but I know she’s had terrible luck in that department before. Seems strange to leave him for a walk in the rain. If she needed some time to herself that badly, she could have called me.”

“She probably didn’t want to put you out at the last minute. She’s been under so much stress at school, and taking care of a child alone adds to the lot. Most likely, she needed a few moments alone.”

“I wish things would improve for her. She has a kind soul.”

“You improved things for her immensely by helping with Aidan. I’m sorry I questioned your motives.”

“Well, I can’t lie. I asked her for more information on Welsh folklore, but she said she won’t have time until the end of Winter Session. Yule will arrive before we blink, and Ronnie will deliver the baby soon. Also, I have to finish my last class project for my master’s degree. Patience has set up camp until then.”

A naughty smile erupts on his lips. “More time for me then?”

“What do you have in mind, honey?” I rub his crotch through the throw.

He squirms on the cushion and adjusts his jeans. “A pop quiz.”

I chuckle. “Before dinner? Sure, start the clock, professor.”

Chapter twenty-twoBaby Prep

Leslie starts our brief meeting on Thursday with three taps of her Elder staff. “Thank you for attending this circle. Elijah would like to deliver a few words before Trinity takes charge. Your turn, councilman.”

He stands, scanning the circle. “I don’t have enough ‘thank yous’ in my pockets to show how much I appreciate your help on Thanksgiving at the shelter. It’s been quite a while since we had a full coven volunteer. To boot, we have lots to be thankful for with the return of the kidnapped children. I’m eager for next year’s celebration. Perhaps mark your calendars this evening.”

He winks at us as he sits, and my fellow witches chuckle as they type on their phone screens. Leave it to Elijah to take advantage of our good spirits while we’re high on the recent news. We’re family, anyway. Why not spend it together helping those in need?

“At least the threat of those criminals is gone with their arrest,” Trinity says, pushing up from her chair. “I don’t have many items to announce this evening. Of course, we have the arrival of a baby in our circle soon, and being so close to the due date, Ronnie is not in attendance tonight. I will send out a group text once Wiggles makes his debut.”

I raise my arm. “Ronnie wants me present at the delivery. As soon as I know anything, I’ll send Trinity the information to share with all of you.”

“I’m offended,” Spence says, crossing his arms. “She didn’t ask me to be there for support, and I thought we were close.”

Skye grimaces. “Do you really think she’d want you in the birthing room, her legs spread out with her most intimate parts on display?”

“She wouldn’t care, and I’d provide comic relief.”

“Don’t take it personally, dude,” Tanner interjects. “Gwyn is her best friend. She’s known her the longest out of anyone in the coven.”

“I get it, but my cheering section would have been lit,” he says, making pretend explosions with his hands.

Skye laughs. “And the minute her baby’s head appears, you’d scream ‘alien’ and flee the birthing room.”

“Well, on second thought…” he mutters.

Everyone cracks up, and Trinity continues. “Most of you have heard about the council meeting on Monday. To recap for those who didn’t, the city council chose to wait until next week to vote on removing the recent ordinance. Elijah, do you want to share what happened?”

“Sure,” he replies. “Although the Bearsden Police Department removed the additional patrol units from the streets, Alys Morgan thought it best to keep the ordinance in place, especially in light of the kidnapping ring’s recent denial about our local kidnappings. They refuse to take credit for them. The authorities believe they’re trying to avoid the added charges. There was enough discussion to delay the vote until next Monday. I agreed. Waiting a week hurts no one.”

Leslie raises her chin. “Indeed. Mayor Manley’s cronies are a thought of the past. These Unremarkables care deeply about our community. I have confidence in them implicitly.”

“You put too much faith in people, sweetheart,” Agnes whines. “The minute you throw all your trust in them, they come back and bite you in the fucking ass.”

Shane shakes his head. “I understand your skepticism. But they have proven themselves.”

“Well, we’ll see about that, won’t we? Two of them haven’t served a year yet. Fucking newbies.”

“Sure, they’re new,” Archie says. “But so far, they’ve won me over, and I have a pessimistic streak.”

“Should we attend?” Tyler asks. “And show support?”

Elijah nods. “It never hurts for the community to attend Bearsden Council meetings. Keeps everyone on their toes and promotes transparency.”

“Thank you, Elijah,” Trinity says. “Anything else before we dismiss?”

A moment of silence occurs in the parlor before Zoe waves a hand in the air. “The Fellowship should give Ronnie and Derek a special gift for Yule, a present for Wiggles. I can organize the collection.”

“That’s a wonderful suggestion, Zoe,” I say. “If you need any help, call me. She has a list of what she still needs.”

“Absofuckinglutely,” Spence adds. “Wait. They’re not gonna actually call him Wiggles, are they?”

Agnes makes a prune face. “No, smart-ass. Sometimes I wonder if you forgot to plugin and recharge during your sleep. You need to load up on some fucking selenite.”

He rolls his eyes at the hedge witch, and the rest of us chuckle at their banter. Leslie quashes a smile and takes over.

“With that, I disband our circle. Go in peace.” She taps her staff.

After putting the chairs away, everyone trickles out. I approach the Elder and the hedge witch.

“Agnes, are you busy on Saturday?” I ask, glancing at Leslie.

“Not with anything in particular,” she replies. “Why? I thought we were going to wait until after Yule to finish the database.”

“I want to take you up on your offer. Try to pin down what I need to do to increase the strength of my intuition. I also have a hunch about what is failing me.”

“Work with her on Saturday, Agnes,” Leslie says. “I have a backlog of administrative paperwork to complete. We will have dinner afterward.”

Agnes presses her lips together. “I can’t promise you anything, but I’m game.”

“Thank you,” I say, turning toward the door.

“What do you mean by a hunch?” Leslie asks. “Did something happen we should be aware of?”

“I don’t know yet. See you Saturday, Agnes.”