Chapter 22
After the coffee was made, Marsha went over to the door, locked it, and turned the sign to close the shop. When she sat down at a table with Finn and Mia, she took a sip of coffee. “Do you have any questions for me? I’m not going to push to be part of your life; I just want you to know I’m here.”
Finn focused on her drink, but then looked into Marsha’s eyes. “Who’s my dad? Why did you give me up?”
Marsha sighed. “I got pregnant in high school. Ken Forney. He was a beautiful boy. We were just kids, experimenting with emotions we should have locked up for years. It was summer at the lake and things went too far. By the time I knew about you, he was off to college and I was a pregnant high school junior. It was a hard year, but I knew I wanted to have you and give you the best shot at a great life that I could. So I gave you up for adoption. Ken signed the papers when he came home for spring break, and that was the last time I saw him. He was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way home from college the next year.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Mia said, trying to keep the conversation going.
Marsha shrugged. “We were too young to fall in love and know what it meant. You look like him, Finn. Dark hair, dark eyes. He was a beautiful boy.”
Finn didn’t say anything.
Mia looked over at Marsha. “Not to change the subject, but you told me that Brandon already knew about Finn coming to town. How did he find that out?”
Marsha leaned back, tapping her finger on the table.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about that since you brought it up.
I don’t know. He shouldn’t have known unless he looked at the in-and-out book.
I’m supposed to be the only one who has access, but maybe that’s not true.
Maybe the leadership has at least one access spot.
That’s all I can think of. Nationals is very clear on why this assignment needs to be a nonleadership position, but I don’t think they check. ”
“Brandon has been breaking the rules quite a bit lately.” Mia texted the information to Abigail. “One more question: Did you file a complaint about my original level three ranking?”
“No. Why would I? I’m a level three, and I chose to stay there, officially.
I’m sure if I retested, I’d be ranked higher, but who wants the headache of being a higher level?
A lot of people just stay with their original level so they don’t have to deal with the bureaucracy of coven life.
” Marsha smiled at Finn. “Any time you want to talk or just hang out, let me know. I know you’ve had a lot thrown at you this year. ”
“Let’s see, I’m a witch, I’ve signed up for culinary school, my van died, Mia invited me into her circle, and I found out I’m an excellent chef.
Oh, and the library is haunted, but it likes me.
” Finn shrugged. “You being my bio-mom sounds about par for the course. I need some time to think about what we are to each other, but I’ll start by coming in for coffee once a week or so. We can chat then.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Marsha glanced at her watch. “Classes are just getting out. I need to reopen so I don’t miss the after-school munchy and coffee crowd.”
Mia stood. “Thanks for talking with us. About everything.”
Trent texted as soon as they left the coffee shop.
Where are you? Is Finn with you?
Mia decided to call instead of texting. When he answered, she jumped right in. “Finn and I went for coffee. I’ll explain later, but yes, today is her birthday. I told her we’d do a family dinner tomorrow night, so let everyone know, especially Abigail. Finn needs a cake.”
“I do not need a cake, or a dinner.” Finn spoke loudly, so Trent could hear her too.
“Okay, so she doesn’t need it, but we need to do it. It will be nice to have a celebration dinner. With the babies coming, an upcoming wedding, and Finn’s birthday, we have three reasons.” Mia smiled as Finn shook her head.
“Sabrina’s here. She needs to talk to you. If you’re done party planning, can you come back to the academy?” Trent asked.
Mia didn’t mention that his question dripped with sarcasm, but she’d tell him later. “Sure. We’re on the way. We should be there in five.”
After she hung up, she groaned. “Hopefully Sabrina’s not there to try to strong-arm me into joining the coven. We could let your heritage slip and she could start bugging you about it.”
Finn’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “No way. I’m not sure what’s going on in my life. Sabrina can be a bit pushy. I’ve watched James have to deal with her while event planning. The woman wants what she wants, and it doesn’t matter if it’s possible or not.”
“I think you should relax and decide after you get your career in place. If you test out and become a coven member, you might live in a different area. No need to jump now.” Mia pulled into the parking lot and saw Buddy sleeping in a tree.
“I’m just happy for you. I don’t know how you feel about Marsha, but at least you know where you came from. ”
“I was a mistake made by two high school kids,” Finn stated.
“I don’t think that at all. Marsha may not have been ready to raise a child, but if you weren’t conceived that night, your bio dad would have died with no kids. And, as Marsha said, he was a beautiful boy.”
Finn laughed. “That is true. I need some time. Like Marsha said, a lot has happened this year. I need to settle in and see where I want to go, and who I want to be.”
“I understand more than you know.” Mia turned off the car and stepped out into the day, which was warmer than usual. “Let’s go see what Sabrina wants.”
“I’m going straight to my room, then I’m taking books back up to the library. Do you think it will have more for me?” Finn shut the car door and followed Mia inside.
“I’m sure it will, especially now that you warned it you were coming.” Mia took off her coat and saw Sabrina sitting in the living room. All of the academy society was sitting in chairs around Sabrina and watching the new arrivals. “Well, I feel like I’m late for the meeting,” Mia said.
Sabrina spoke first. “Sorry about barging in unannounced, but I needed to talk to you. And your friends.”
“I’ll see you later, Finn,” Mia said, dismissing the girl. Hopefully Sabrina still thought Finn was just working for Mia’s Morsels and didn’t know about her heritage.
Finn took the hint, disappearing down the hall and into her room.
Mia heard the door close as she sat down on the couch next to Trent. He kissed her hair and then asked, “Do you want coffee?”
“That would be nice.” She let him stand and get her a cup. Then, with the coffee in hand, she focused on Sabrina. “What’s going on?”
“Brandon is crazy. He’s colored over the lines before, but now it’s getting bad.
I just found out that he forged a letter from me to Nationals about you, complaining about your level.
I’m not sure what you’ve heard, but I was ecstatic with your level jump this time.
As well as your original test results,” Sabrina added quickly.
“I also found some emails between him and Suzanne Parker. I think they were involved. I hate saying this because it makes me look like a complete idiot because I thought we were getting married. The power couple, you know. But he was sleeping with Suzanne and she’s old.
A lot older than she looks. Why would he do that to me? ”
Christina pushed a box of tissues closer and Sabrina pulled out several to wipe the tears she hadn’t noticed before off her cheeks. Along with a lot of her makeup.
“That part is not your problem. I’m just an idiot.
” Sabrina tried to compose herself and let out a long breath.
“I’ve reported his duplicity to the National Office.
I’m sure that’s going to get him kicked off the leadership board, if not a harsher punishment.
Which means Nathan Boyle will be stepping up as leader.
I hate that fact, but he’s next in line.
With Brandon out, Nathan is next in seniority. ”
“Nathan Boyle, the contractor?” Mia met Damien’s eyes and he shrugged. Apparently this was news to him as well.
“I’d call him a developer, but yeah. He’s put in a bid for Suzanne’s house to redevelop the area.
I hope he gets that approved before they ask him to step in for Brandon.
” Sabrina’s phone buzzed. “That’s Brandon now.
I’d rather not have him know I’m here, talking to you all.
He’s very sensitive when it comes to you, Mia. ”
After Sabrina left, Finn popped out of her room and headed upstairs with a pile of books for the library. Mia and the group were still in the living room.
“Do you think Brandon is the killer?” Trent asked after Abigail had brought in more cookies. She shook her head at him. “I know, we’re supposed to stand down and let the office holder deal with this, but I’m thinking it’s Brandon who killed Suzanne Parker.”
“Why? If Sabrina is right, he was sleeping with her. Why kill her?” Mia shook her head. “What led Sabrina to even look for this evidence? The fact that she found out that he wrote the complaint about my testing?”
“It fits,” Abigail said. “But we’re supposed to stay out of it now. The office holder—”
“Doesn’t know what we know.” Mia shook her head. “I can’t just stop and hope for the best. I have two more people I want to talk to. After that, I’ll let it go.”
Abigail started to speak, but Mia held up her hand.
“Two more people, then I’ll give it up. Suzanne Parker almost killed me during my testing, and if Blake or Brandon started that chain of events, I have to know.
One, so I can quit my job and come back to run Mia’s Morsels.
And two, it would make my decision about joining the coven an easy no.
Sabrina won’t give up, even if Brandon is replaced by Nathan. ”
“I didn’t know Nathan was even a member.” Damien shook his head. “I’ll go with you to talk to those two.”