Chapter 5
“Meet back here in an hour?” I shut the door to the Aston. “Will that give the two of you enough time?”
Zane and Link looked at each other and then nodded.
“See you at two o’clock, Kara,” Zane said.
We parted ways, and I headed down the sidewalk toward the grocery store. Zane had parked along the curb on Main Street, so I only had to walk two blocks. Most of the snow had already melted under the wintry afternoon sun.
Mystic Cove Grocer was busy, which wasn’t a surprise.
It was Valentine’s Day, after all. I bypassed the small florist and bakery sections and headed to the side aisles.
I still needed a couple ingredients for my meal.
I found the aisle I was looking for and started browsing, looking for the specific brand Alfred told me about.
I spotted what I was looking for and went to reach for it…only to bump into the person standing next to me.
“Excuse me.” I reached out to steady the woman and realized I knew her. It was the blonde witch from yesterday. “Mari, right?”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Yes.”
I gave her a small smile. “I saw you yesterday in the alley behind Double Trouble bookstore. You were talking with another witch.”
“Oh, right.”
“Are you making a special dinner for your family tonight?”
“Um…yeah. My husband’s favorite meal.” She laughed softly. “My daughter loves brownies, so I’ll need to get those as well.”
Her phone rang, and she quickly reached inside her purse and pulled out the phone. As she did, a homemade Valentine fluttered to the floor. I reached down to pick it up, and I couldn’t help but read it. “Roses are red, but they eventually die. One thing is certain, secrets don’t lie.”
“Hello? Jayla? Is that you?” Mari looked at me and then at the note in my hand.
“What do you need, honey? I’m at the grocery store.
” Mari reached out and snatched the note from me, glaring at me.
“Yes, of course you can stay for cheerleading practice.” Mari shoved the Valentine inside her purse.
“Yes, yes. I’ll be there at five o’clock to pick you up.
” She disconnected and shoved the phone inside her purse before turning back to me and giving me a forced smile.
“It was nice talking with you, but I need to go.”
Before I could say anything, the flustered witch pushed her cart down the aisle and hurried away.
I grabbed the rest of my items and headed for the register. Once the items were paid for and placed inside my canvas tote, I realized I still had thirty minutes before I had to meet Zane and Link.
I decided to drop by City Hall to see my grandmother.
“You are a breath of fresh air,” Rota said as she motioned for me to sit down in front of her desk.
My grandmother had become the mayor after the former mayor—the man who murdered my mother—was sent away for life to a PADA prison.
“I am?” I mused, setting down my tote bag. “And why is that?”
Rota sighed. “I have a town council member breathing down my neck. Nothing I can’t handle.”
There was a knock on the door, and I turned to see the dark-haired sea witch from yesterday, Rayna, lean inside the door. “I hope I can count on your support, Rota.” She looked at me through narrowed eyes and then stepped away from the door before my grandmother could respond.
“What was that about?” I asked. “And who is she?”
“Rayna Halter. She’s on the council, and she’s trying to drum up interest in a new business proposal for the town.” Rota waved her hand dismissively in the air. “Nothing important.”
I stayed and talked to Rota for ten more minutes before saying goodbye and heading toward the front lobby of the building. I was almost at the ‘permits and registration’ counter when I heard a man’s angry voice.
“It’s bad enough you’ve increased the fee on the fisherman’s permit,” the man said, “but now the boat registration has gone up? This is highway robbery!”
The man, a selkie shifter, was nearly six feet tall with naturally curly blond hair and blue eyes. He looked as if he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and his clothes were those of a typical fisherman—slicker pants and wool sweater.
“Please, sir,” the woman behind the counter said. “I’m only doing my job.”
“How am I supposed to make a living if the damn town keeps increasing the fees for my job? Is this the work of the city council? Maybe I should speak to the mayor about this.”
I hurried out of the foyer and into the afternoon air. Zipping up my coat, I hoped the guy didn’t give Rota too hard a time. But if anyone could handle the angry selkie shifter, it was my grandmother.
The Aston was parked one street over, so I decided to cut through an alleyway to save time. I’d just passed a rear-entry alley door when it suddenly opened, and a woman’s giggle floated out.
“I love the bracelet, Hunter,” the female voice said. “I won’t take it off. Ever.” Sounds of kissing floated out into the alleyway. “Have you told her about the divorce yet?”
I didn’t hear the man’s low response, but there was more giggling and sounds of kissing. I decided to pick up my pace, so I wouldn’t get caught eavesdropping.
As I stepped out onto the main sidewalk, I shifted the tote to my other hand. It was almost two o’clock, and I still had tuna cakes and a lava cake to bake. I was ready to get back to my cottage and get to work.
“Right on time, lass,” Link said as I hurried over to the Aston.
I held up my bag. “I got everything I needed. How about you, boys?”
Zane kissed my cheek before opening the passenger-side door for me. “I have everything I’ve ever needed standing right here.”
I heard Link snicker and say something, but I tuned out the little pixie as I reached up and kissed Zane quickly on the mouth. “Me, too.”