When I step onto the front porch, the icy temperature bites my nose and cheeks. Archie is chatting with Zoe and my son amid a cloud of frosty white breath.

“Come by Friday night after dinner, Tyler. We’ll start with simple divination and work from there. We can arrange other times as your schedule permits.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Archie wants me to come by Friday night to start ancestral divination,” he says.

Zoe lays her head on Tyler’s shoulder. “Then he can introduce me to his grandparents. I’m so excited to meet them.”

“Sounds like you have a plan.” And I’m not part of it.

“Let’s go, Zoe,” Tyler says, hugging me. “I have to get to work early in the morning, and I can’t feel my toes. Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Archie.”

Zoe waves as they descend the stairs. “Good idea. My ass is frozen like a block of ice. Bye, Gwyn. Bye, Archie.”

We follow them but turn left toward the Green. On the stroll back through campus, I sulk over Tyler’s decision to start ancestral divination training with Archie. I didn’t realize it would bother me so much. I’m quiet as a mouse. He clasps my hand and pulls me close.

“You’re too quiet. You’re either angry or scheming.”

I peer at him out of the corner of my eye. “A little of both, actually.”

“You’re upset Tyler wants to train with me instead of his own mum, aren’t you?”

“I was looking forward to showing him the ways of our ancestors. We became closer once he discovered he was a witch.”

“To be fair, you haven’t even conferenced with your parents since October. He could have grown tired of waiting to reach the top spot on your priority list.”

“Are you accusing me of neglecting my son?” I ask, my eyes narrowing.

“That’s not what I said. He’s a grown man who doesn’t need his mum catering to him. But recently, you have put the welfare of the town and your friend first. And no one faults you for trying to discover where the Baby Nabbers were hiding. I remember a time when you wanted nothing to do with magic or policing the city.”

I roll my eyes. “Point taken.”

“If it puts you off, I can tell him I’d rather not teach him.”

“No. You’re a fantastic teacher, and you taught me under a veil of secrecy. The coven could have expelled you.”

He grasps my hand again and squeezes. “I would have broken every rule in the Regional Book of Shadows for you, my love. And I still would.”

“I love you, Dr. Cock-burn.”

He chuckles. “I know.”

I throw him a scowl of death as we enter the house. We kick off our shoes and hang up our coats. Archie squints at me.

“What did you mean? A little of both?”

When I enter Agnes’s house, the living room and kitchen are empty. She must already be in her magic room setting up.

“Agnes!” I shout from the foyer. “I’m here!”

I remove my shoes and puffer jacket, storing them on the fancy hall tree Leslie had built by a local carpenter. My phone rings as I shuffle toward the magic room. Ronnie’s name appears, and I swipe the green icon.

“Good morning. How are you feeling?”

“Fat!” she yells into the phone. “My belly is so tight and low, Wiggles is pushing on my bladder and rear end at the same time. I’m peeing every fifteen minutes, and I can’t sit on my bottom. And forget about lying on my stomach. I’m not sure I can last another week.”

“Wiggles will arrive when it’s time. I assume your manager is running the café now?”

“Yeah. I tried going in yesterday, but I didn’t last ten minutes. I’m so bummed. Working was a distraction. Derek went to the fitness center, but he’s only logging a couple of hours today. I’ll rest with some amethyst.”

“Sounds like smart mother-to-be plans. Do you have bloodstone packed in your hospital bag?”

“Yeah. I put three in there. Can’t hurt. I want Wiggles to come out healthy.”

“Don’t worry, Mama. My intuition may be weak, but I sense the delivery will go well. What is yours telling you?”

She cackles. “That I’m fucking pregnant and about to pop. I’m staring at my baby bump right now. Like I needed a sixth sense to figure that out?”

I chuckle. “If only all intuition were more direct. By the way, I washed your glove. I’ll stop by later.”

“Thank you so much, Gwyn. I can’t believe your sixth sense dragged you up the trail to the exact spot where I dropped my glove, although I don’t remember removing it there.”

“It has something to do with the friendship connection, I think. I concentrated on an intention around the birth of your baby. The fog lit up like a fireworks show, tiny explosions of silver parading over the bog. When I glanced down at my feet, there it was, all wet and muddy.” I don’t share my suspicion of Ashley Lewis. Archie’s explanation seemed accurate. Yet, I still find her presence there dubious.

“What are you doing this morning?”

“I’m at Agnes’s. Working with her on strengthening my intuition again. I had more success with Seamus, of course, but I’m not ready to approach him.”

“You don’t really need to work on strengthening now, do you? Or are you hoping to find the rogue witch who may have been helping the kidnappers?”

I can’t tell her about the unsettling sensation around the bog that continues to nag me. She’s calm and preparing for the delivery of her blessed baby Wiggles. “I had some minor success with Seamus. Working to increase the intensity and accuracy of my sixth sense could come in handy the next time we’re invaded by criminals.”

“Sure, but why don’t you take a break until after Yule? It’ll be here in two weeks.”

“Well, I’m here now. I might as well work on it.”

“I think I’ll take a nap. Wiggles has robbed me of sleep for weeks.”

“Call me when you wake up, and I’ll stop by on the way home.”

“I’ll make us some tea—decaf for me. Wiggles doesn’t need encouragement to stay awake. Bye, Gwyn.”

“Bye, Ronnie.” I swipe the red icon and enter the magic room.

“Who were you talking to?” Agnes asks, placing crystals on the floor.