Chapter 3
Morgan didn”t feel any more disturbances that day, so when she arrived home just before supper with garlic bread, she was starting to question whether she”d made too much of this whole thing.
”Maybe this will all blow over,” she said to Belladonna, who had been sitting on the stairs in the foyer.
The cat slitted her ice-blue eyes and tilted her head. Morgan imagined she heard the cat say, ”Nope.” Or had she actually heard that? Lately, it seemed that her intuition had been expanding into being able to communicate with her favorite feline.
Morgan stepped into the warm, aromatic kitchen, where her mother and sisters were busy preparing dinner. Johanna took the garlic bread from Morgan, spread it on a sheet pan, and popped it into the oven next to a bubbling pan of cheesy lasagna.
”Something smells amazing in here,” Morgan said, inhaling the rich scents of garlic, tomato sauce, and melted cheese.
Fiona tossed a salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and shredded carrots at the counter. ”It”s Mom”s famous lasagna.”
”My mouth has been watering all day,” Morgan said, swiping a stray piece of shredded mozzarella from the counter and popping it into her mouth.
Jolene arranged plates and silverware around the large table. Celeste finished setting out glasses and filled a pitcher with ice water from the refrigerator.
”It”s almost ready. Where are the guys?” Johanna asked, hands on her hips. A few wisps of dark hair escaped her loose bun.
Mateo came in through the back door, his boots clomping on the worn wooden floorboards. He gave Jolene a quick peck on the cheek as she arranged napkins beside each plate at the table.
Morgan smiled, seeing how happy her sister looked with Mateo. He caught Morgan”s eye and gave her a subtle nod—their little secret acknowledgment. Morgan would never betray Jolene”s fierce independent spirit by letting on how much Mateo watched over her.
Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around Morgan”s waist from behind. She let out a little yelp of surprise before recognizing Luke”s familiar embrace.
”Geez, Luke, you”re sneaking around here like some government agent,” Morgan teased, twisting in his arms to give him a proper hug and kiss.
Jake breezed into the kitchen from the front hall, carrying a plain white bakery box. ”Something smells incredible in here!” He gave Fiona a quick kiss on the cheek as she tried peeking under the lid of the mystery box in his hands.
”Ah ah ah, that”s for later,” Jake teased, holding the box just out of her reach.
Fiona playfully swatted his arm. ”Fine, be that way.”
Right behind Jake, Cal sauntered in, holding three bottles of red wine. ”Wow, Johanna, you”ve really outdone yourself,” Cal said, looking over the food on the table. ”This lasagna smells heavenly.”
”Thanks,” Johanna said, blushing slightly. She took the wine and began pouring glasses for everyone.
The family settled into their usual seats. Morgan sat between Luke and Celeste, with Jake, Fiona, and Cal across from them. Johanna and Mateo rounded it out by sitting at the ends of the table.
As they passed around the salad and lasagna, easy conversation and laughter filled the kitchen. Morgan looked around the table, her heart swelling at having everyone she loved together under one roof. But even through the light conversation, there was an ominous feeling because everyone knew they would be having a serious discussion after dinner. She just hoped whatever was in that bakery box would sweeten things up.
* * *
After dinner was overand the dishes were clean, Morgan settled into her favorite armchair in the sitting room, gazing out the big picture window overlooking the churning Atlantic Ocean below. The warm and cozy room was their favorite place to gather. While the rest of the house was decorated in antiques, this room was more modern, with comfy furniture and soothing colors in creams and sky blues.
Johanna curled up on the sofa, tucking her feet underneath her as she accepted a steaming mug of coffee from Jolene. Jake broke out his bakery box, which contained creamy cannoli. Everyone chose a seat and grabbed a cannoli while they discussed the celestial alignment and the strange happenings.
”We need to figure this out,” Morgan said, leaning forward. ”Clearly, there have been some strange magical occurrences happening lately that we can”t ignore. The ominous vibes we”ve been getting and Fiona”s mysterious jumping stones.”
”Sorry about sending Sheriff White over,” Cal said, turning to Fiona. ”I didn”t have much choice. White”s all bluster anyway, and besides, we didn”t do anything wrong. I had no idea that guy that pawned them was a thief.”
Fiona waved her hand dismissively. ”No problem. She”s annoying, but I know she can”t arrest us or anything. Besides, I actually kept the magical stones and a few others.”
”Smart. I have a feeling they might come in handy,” Johanna said. ”Can we see them?”
”They”re at the shop.” Fiona chewed her bottom lip. ”I guess we should have them here where we can watch over them.”
The others nodded.
”Meow!” Belladonna rubbed her cheek against Fiona”s calf, and the woman picked the cat up and settled her in her lap.
”It”s clear we need more information. We need to find out more about this Maynard Dove character,” Celeste said. ”Why did he have those vibrating stones in the first place? Did he know they were magical?”
Jolene nodded in agreement. ”Maybe he acquired them without realizing their significance. The alignment could be activating their power.”
”Exactly,” Morgan said.
”We”ll sniff out everything we can on this guy.” Jake looked at Jolene, who nodded. Jake’s private detective business could dig up details on anyone.
Cal picked up his phone. ”I”ll send you guys the name of the person who pawned them.”
Mateo stood up from the sofa. ”I”ll ask around with my paranormal contacts and see what I can learn about the alignment and if they know anything about this Dove character.”
Luke nodded. ”I”ll reach out to Dorian. See if I can get more specifics on the alignment. Should we meet again tomorrow night to compare notes?”
”Good idea,” Morgan said.
”Sounds good,” Cal added.
”I”ll bring dessert.” Mateo held up his cannoli.
Johanna stood up from the sofa, gathering the empty mugs. ”It”s settled, then. We”ll meet here again tomorrow evening. I”ll order pizza this time, though. I”m taking the day off from cooking.”
Morgan smiled at her mother gratefully. She knew Johanna loved having everyone together and didn”t mind making big family meals, but two nights in a row for this crowd was a big ask. ”Thanks, Mom. You”re the best. Pizza sounds great.”
”Oh, and if anyone runs into a mysterious woman in a green cloak, use caution,” Fiona said. ”She came into the store looking for special jewelry, and I can”t help but think she knew something about the stones.”
Jake frowned, his investigator’s instincts kicking in. ”She didn”t give you a name or anything?”
”Nope. And then she practically disappeared when she went out the door.” Fiona glanced at Morgan, who nodded.
”She could have just been a woman looking for jewelry,” Celeste said. ”It is still cold enough for jackets and capes.”
”True, but that would be a strange coincidence,” Morgan said. “Anyway, looks like tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Better sit back and relax tonight.” Morgan held up her cannoli and took a bite.
Belladonna jumped into her lap, fluffed her tail in Morgan’s face, then looked back over her shoulder approvingly. It was good to know the cat condoned their plan of action.