Chapter 16
As soon as they arrived at the Lodge, Finn excused herself from the others and headed to the kitchen.
Sunday brunch was starting soon and she needed to be on the line, cooking.
Mia glanced around at the people enjoying coffee and pastries in the great room.
Mrs. Edwards was sitting by the fireplace, and she waved Mia over.
“I was hoping to see you before I left. The wedding was just what Alicia wanted. So pretty, and yet we felt like we were at home, only with a larger dining room for the reception. Thank you so much.” Mrs. Edwards stood and pulled Mia into a hug.
“I’m so glad you were pleased. We work hard to make your special occasions exactly how you envision them.
” Mia let out an internal sigh of relief.
With all that had been going on, the Edwards’s wedding hadn’t been top on her priority list, at least not in her head, which was one of the reasons she dropped in yesterday and today.
She had built a solid plan for the event, and even without her steering the boat, her staff was able to implement all the moving parts without incident.
She was proud of that. “Well, I just wanted to check in and make sure you two were okay.”
“I’m going skiing as soon as we get some food.” Mr. Edwards stood and wrapped his arm around his wife. “This one’s going back to that spa of yours with a novel. We all decompress differently, right?”
Mia thought Mrs. Edwards had the right idea, but she let it go. “Make sure you tell them to charge the buffet to your room. I have a credit there for you. I wanted to buy your first empty-nest breakfast.”
As they walked away, Christina looked back at the happy couple.
“I wish my parents would be like that after I get married. Instead, Dad will go back to work the next day like it never happened and Mom will get involved in the next charity event. They won’t take a minute to breathe or to reevaluate their lives together. ”
“Some people are more relaxed than others.” Mia didn’t want to say that she thought Christina’s dad was work-obsessed and her mom hid her unhappiness by always being busy. Christina already knew her parents’ faults. “All you can do is choose who you’re going to be as a couple.”
“What’s next?” Christina brushed a tear away from her cheek as they walked through the employee hallway.
“I left my planner here yesterday and want to make sure I’m ready for Monday’s meeting.” Mia paused at the door to her office. It was open. “Didn’t I lock this?”
Christina frowned at the door. “You did. I waited for you while you found your keys at the bottom of your tote. Should we call security?”
“I don’t hear anyone in there.” Mia pushed the door open.
The office was a disaster. Paper was everywhere.
On the floor, on the table, on her desk.
She walked over and saw that her desk was open and the drawers had been emptied out onto the floor.
Had someone been looking for something? Or just playing around?
Her planner sat closed in the middle of her desk.
“I think you should call security now,” Mia said.
By the time they were back home, Mia still didn’t know why anyone would have destroyed her office.
Her planner was in her tote bag, and it didn’t appear to have been touched, but every file in her desk had been opened and the pages scattered around.
After security had taken pictures and told Mia they’d search the tapes for anyone who shouldn’t be there, they’d told her she could put her office back in order.
Christina had convinced her to ask housekeeping to send someone to gather all the papers and set them on her table. She was taking Mia home.
As they came into the academy, Mia rubbed her face. “One more mystery that doesn’t make any sense. Why not?”
“The security guys will find out who did this,” Christina said.
Mia realized Christina had said the same words to her several times. Mia was scaring her friend. “I’m sorry, I’m repeating myself, aren’t I?”
The relief on Christina’s face was noticeable. “Just a little. I was starting to worry that you were in shock. Do you want a drink? Tequila? Beer? Wine? You should take a drink to calm your nerves. I’d join you, but …”
She left the reason unsaid.
“No, I’m going upstairs, taking a long bath, reading something fictional that isn’t attached to my coven training, and then getting on my jammies.
I’m ordering pizza, so let everyone know if they don’t want that for dinner, they’re on their own.
” Mia started up the stairs, her legs feeling like hundred-pound weights.
“Levi and I are going to Abigail’s and Thomas’s house tonight. She wants to talk baby stuff, like what happens if both twins have power. I think we already know they will from their chattering.” Christina sighed. “They aren’t even here and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.”
“I’ll check with Grans, then. She’s picky about what kind of pizza to order.” Mia shrugged. “Finn said she’s going out with friends and will be home late. Everyone’s deserting me tonight.”
“We’re not deserting you.” Christina focused on her as they reached the second-floor landing. “We can change our dinner plans. I haven’t had pizza in forever. Abigail will understand.”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no reason to change your plans because I’m feeling blue.
I’ll be fine, and even if Grans and Damien have plans, you know I’m never really alone here.
” Mia not only felt blue, she was also still tired from yesterday’s work with Cleo.
She’d probably eat, then go curl up in bed and read until sleep took over. Which might be minutes.
“That should be more comforting than it is.” Christina hugged her as they finished climbing to the third floor. “But I’ll take you at your word. I hate that Trent’s confined to his house during all this. I feel like we’re missing a part of our core group.”
“Once Cerby and Tempest are trained, we’ll all be safer. It needed to be done.” Mia rubbed her face. “I just hope Buddy doesn’t have to go to a training. That could get messy.”
Christina giggled. “I never thought I’d be chatting with you about the correct training methodologies for hellhounds and dragons.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s not the craziest thing we’ll ever talk about. Christina, I wanted to tell you how much your friendship has meant to me over the years. When Isaac and I broke up, you could have just picked sides.” Mia opened the door and found Muffy and Mr. Darcy sleeping in the living room.
“I definitely picked a side. I chose you. My brother barely talked to me anyway. You were the one who made me feel seen.” Christina’s hand dropped to the gentle curve of her belly. She’d been doing that a lot lately, unconsciously. “You’re the closest thing I have to a real sister.”
“You two are getting mushy. Did something happen at the Lodge? Or are Christina’s hormones kicking in?
” Grans came out of the bedroom in a blue shimmering cocktail dress.
“Stop looking at me that way, it’s not a date.
We’re heading over to the Sun Valley Country Club for dinner. Dorian has a membership.”
“Damien?” Mia reminded her.
Grans rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure why we’re putting up the false identity. Obviously, the coven knows he’s back.”
“Because some of the humans, like Mark, saw Dorian Alexander be buried.” Mia settled on the couch between the dog and the cat and grabbed a remote. “We live in a small town, but not that small.”
“I’m trying to remember, and when I don’t, I just look old and forgetful.
A stereotype that helps keep his secret.
” Grans rubbed Muffy’s head. “I’ve already fed both of these rug rats, so don’t let them con you into a second dinner.
Muffy just went outside, but he’ll probably have to go again in about an hour or two. Maybe when your pizza comes.”
Mia didn’t even want to ask how Grans knew. “Sounds like a plan. Be careful while you’re out.”
“We don’t have the bull’s-eye on our backs like you do.” Grans paused a minute, thinking about her words. “I wonder why that is. Abigail is certain that whoever is behind this is trying to isolate you. Maybe we should just stay home.”
“As long as I stay on the property, I should be fine. I’ll put a lead on Muffy before I let him out so he can’t be tempted to wander.” Mia saw the concern growing on her grandmother’s face. “And I’ll text you every time I open the door.”
“And when you’re back in the apartment?”
Mia rolled her eyes. “I promise. Go have fun. I’ll be fine here.”
She didn’t add “alone” because, as she’d told Christina, she wasn’t alone.
She had Mr. Darcy, who had a connection with Damien.
She had the academy ghosts, who could tell anyone anything.
And she had a new Project Runway season that she hadn’t even watched the first episode of yet.
Add in a supreme with extra veggies and a beer out of the fridge and she’d be just fine for the two or three hours she’d be alone in the academy.
When neither Grans nor Christina moved, she picked up the remote.
“I promise, I won’t take off for any reason.
Even with Cleo’s intervention last night, I still feel like the world around me is staged.
I know what I see might not be reality. I’ll call someone first before jumping into deep waters.
” She held up her hand in a Girl Scout symbol. “So help me Goddess.”
“You’re not funny. But I think you are clear enough to not fall for a vision. At least I hope so.” Grans called out to the kitchen. “Gloria? If something goes down, will you reach out to me?”
An old James Taylor song wafted through the room: “You’ve Got a Friend.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Be careful and I’ll see you no later than nine.” Grans kissed Mia on the cheek, rubbing off the lipstick as she stood up. “And you, Christina. Go change into something pretty. Levi’s almost here.”