“That’s good to know. I better go to the back. I’m expecting a delivery soon. Holler if the consumers become violent.”
“I will,” I say, laughing. “Jeff is supposed to be here in a minute, anyway.”
“When he gets here, take a break for lunch.”
Shane ambles through the doorway to the storage area in the back, and I tidy up behind the counter before the next wave of vampire and zombie wannabees drag their feet into the store. A ding and a clank resound, and my body buzzes with the warning of a witch. But this magic has a unique flavor. It must be Seamus.
I pop my head above the counter for a peek to find none other than Courtney Davies standing there with a tentative smile. She’s as perfect as I remember her, nearly white blond hair, fair skin with a rosy glow, and crystal-clear blue eyes. Instead of the standard T-shirt and jeans of her grad school days, she’s wearing a beige dress blouse and a black skirt, her locks gathered in a bun. A tinge of jealousy returns, sparking pounding palpitations.
“Hi, Courtney,” I say, fumbling with the pens in the skull mug. “I thought you left the city.”
“I…I did,” she replies. “But I found a better job back here in Bearsden. I’m working at the town hall in Mayor Devine’s office. Someone told me about a grant writing position, and I jumped at the chance to return here. Bearsden felt like home when I was in grad school. I desperately wanted to come back. And Mayor Devine is so nice; she wants the best for the city.”
Holy crystals. Hopefully, it’s not an attempt to win Archie back. Courtney was so thirsty for my boyfriend, she aided Jeff’s cousin Audrey Kenilworth in infiltrating the coven. Helping her allowed the Sluagh to cross over and attack me, an attempt to eliminate me from the picture. I mean, Archie is charming and incredibly sexy. But why go to those lengths over a man who clearly had no interest in her any longer?
“Bearsden is a wonderful town,” I say. “I’ve lived here all my life, so I understand why you would want to return.”
“I’ve been here for a year. In fact, I’m married to John Erickson.”
“Oh, the new city councilman. I heard he had a wife. Never imagined it was you.” Not in a million years.
“Yes. His day job is in tech, though. I’ve kept to myself, so I haven’t run into anyone, not even Elijah.”
The door dings again, and a few students walk in sporting DUB fleece jackets with the scotty dog mascot. A cool breeze follows them in, sending a chill through my body.
“Well, congrats on your nuptials. If you’ve been here a year, why is this your first time stopping in the store for spell materials? Aren’t you practicing magic now?”
She glances at the glass window. Outside, Jeff Williams, the fresh DUB grad and co-owner of Mystic Sage, is shaking hands with Mayor Jessica Devine, a woman with light brown hair in her mid-60s. Another woman, most likely in her early 40s, has joined them. She could be Courtney’s older sister—perfect blond strands, rosy complexion, dainty nose.
“I wasn’t sure how the coven would react to my return. Also, I knew you worked here and didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”
That was thoughtful of her. Before, she was a whiny, spoiled brat of a woman. Did she mature after she graduated? She returns her attention to me.
“You have every right to buy at this store. I don’t hold grudges.” Except for my cheating husband Richard and Shane’s ex-girlfriend, Cordelia Davenport. None of us can forgive that witch for pulling a Dearg Due into our world. The vampiric demon killed five young men.
“I’m not here to buy witchcraft materials. I need to apologize for my past behavior. In college, I was immature and selfish. Getting out into the workforce changed me. I only desire to do what I can to help the town.”
Wait. Is she trying to lay groundwork to get back into the coven? “I appreciate your apology, but I don’t think the Fellowship would allow you to return. We’re already at thirteen members again.”
“Oh, no. I don’t expect anything from them. I wanted you to know I’m here and have no ill feelings toward you or the coven. They don’t need to worry about my intent. Please, tell the Fellowship at the next meeting.”
“Sure. I can do that.” But is she telling the truth?
I knock over the mini iron cauldron a customer left on the counter. It falls practically at Courtney’s feet, but she just stands there staring at the witchy decor.
“Would you mind picking that up for me?” I ask, pointing.
She peers up at me. “I’d rather not. It could have broken, and I don’t want to be accused of damaging it further.”
For fuck’s sake. I dash around the counter and retrieve the witchy item.
“Well, I better get back to work. A colleague and I are trying to finish a grant this weekend.” She ambles toward the entry door.
“Courtney?” I ask with a tilt of my head.
She stops and turns around. “Yes?”
Should I question her about Audrey? “Never mind. Have a great day.”
As the ex-coven witch exits, Jeff enters the store, brushing his taffy brown hair into place. The crisp air has left a pink hue on his skin.
“It’s super windy out today,” he says. “Leaves are blowing everywhere. So much for raking them into the street yesterday.”
“I don’t miss that at all. The pile on the road in front of my house was as tall as me. It took a few days to collect and drag them with a tarp, even with Tyler helping. The back yard was the worst. I wonder how Tanner and Spence are handling the mountain of leaves this year?” I don’t lament selling my old home, but the neighborhood was full of friendly people.
He lets out a hearty laugh. “Great, until Spence jumped into it. He forgot they raked the leaves to the curb. Wasn’t a soft landing.”
“Oh, my gods. Is he OK?” I snort as Jeff continues.
“Yeah. But Tanner told him he questions how he is so accomplished academically but lacks common sense.”
“It’s fantastic you bought the cape cod with red siding across the street, although…” I motion him to lean over the counter and whisper, “You could afford a house like Mitchell Hall.”
He smiles timidly. “Oh, I don’t want to live in an expensive place. I hated growing up in New Jersey at my aunt and uncle’s estate. I’d rather live a frugal life and use my inheritance for good…once they’re declared dead, of course.”
“Who was the blond-haired woman with Mayor Devine?”
“Alys Morgan, one of the new council members. She’s an accountant by day.”
