The Witch's Cursed Spell

Chapter 1

“Hunter, when are you gonna come over to fix that stair railing we talked about?” Summer Thomas asked as she slipped her hands around his bicep and stared up at him, her lips in a flirty pout. “You don’t want me to twist an ankle, do you?”

“Well, I’m not—” Hunter started.

Faith took a step forward and, in a sharp tone, said, “Hunter’s off the clock.

You should call the office if you want an appointment.

” Summer, a mom of one of the kids in the summer theater program, had been making eyes at Hunter for months.

And Faith was done being polite. Narrowing her eyes at the platinum blonde, she looked her up and down from head to toe, not bothering to keep the judgment off her face.

Who wore a dress that was so lowcut she was on the verge of a nip slip in front of a youth theater production?

“But I have Hunter right here,” Summer said, leaning into Faith’s husband and resting her head on his arm, completely ignoring Faith’s obvious judgment.

She looked up at him through her lashes.

“I have a whole other list of honey-dos. We could make a full day of it. I’ll make lunch.

What’s your favorite meal? Lasagna? Or if you prefer, I make a mean tomato basil fettuccine. ”

“He gets all the pasta he wants at home, Summer,” Faith said, her eyes fixed on the woman’s hands that were still fondling her husband’s arm. If she didn’t remove them soon, Faith was going to have to do it for her.

Hunter cleared his throat and pulled away from the stage-five clinger. “Faith’s right about calling the office. Our office manager can schedule someone to come out.” He reached into his back pocket and then handed the other woman a business card. “That really is the best plan.”

“Oh, well,” Summer said, taking the card and slipping it into her bag. “I was hoping for a more personal touch, since we’ve become such good friends. You know how it is for a single mom to have a strange man in her house.”

“I assure you that everyone on my crew has been thoroughly vetted,” Hunter said, running a hand through his dark hair, leaving it slightly mussed. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I’m sure that’s true.” Summer smiled up at him, but when she turned her attention to Faith, her smile vanished. She fingered the black crystal she wore on a chain around her neck. It glowed for just a second before she ground out, “It’s always a pleasure, Faith.”

“Ditto,” Faith lied. She stared at that crystal, wondering if she’d just been hexed.

Summer Thomas and her daughter had moved to Keating Hollow just over a year ago, and ever since Summer had laid eyes on Hunter, she’d made it no secret that she was interested in him, despite the fact that he had a wife and four kids.

“Dad! Dad!” Zoey called as she pushed through the crowd, her face flushed and a huge grin on her face. Her dark curly hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. “Did you see the crowd? We got a standing ovation!”

“I did, kiddo,” Hunter said as he wrapped his arms around his fifteen-year-old daughter. “You were wonderful.”

They were at the theater camp pavilion, where the kids in the program had just put on a production of The Little Mermaid. Zoey had won the part of Ariel and had been absolutely incredible.

“You were fantastic, Zoey,” Faith said, her heart swelling with pride for her stepdaughter. When she’d first met Hunter, Zoey had been just seven years old, and not a day went by that she wasn’t grateful to have the young girl in her life.

“Thanks, Faith.” Zoey gave her a tight hug, and when she stepped back, she laughed as she wiped at her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional. It’s just a play.”

“It’s your first lead. Of course you’re emotional,” Faith said as she wrapped an arm around Zoey’s shoulders and pulled her in. “And you were fabulous. I bet you’re on cloud nine.”

Zoey nodded but then bit down on her bottom lip and averted her gaze, looking a little upset.

“What is it, Zoey?” Hunter asked gently as he took her hand. “Did someone say something to you?”

Zoey shook her head but didn’t offer any other explanation for her sudden change in mood.

Faith met Hunter’s gaze and they shared an unspoken communication. She nodded at him, understanding that he needed a moment with his daughter, and then said, “You know what? I’ve got to go talk to the program director for a minute. Meet you guys at the car?”

“You got it.” Hunter pressed a kiss to her cheek and said, “Don’t be too long. We’ve got to get to your dad’s for the barbeque.”

“I won’t.” She patted Zoey on the back and then slipped away into the thinning crowd.

Since Faith didn’t really need to talk to the program director, she took the opportunity to head outside for some fresh air.

The theater camp had been built in the woods on the mountain just outside of Keating Hollow, and the theater itself was situated at the top of a clearing that had a fabulous view of the valley below.

Faith walked over to the viewing area and stood with her hands on the safety railing as she breathed in the fresh air, letting the scent of the woods settle her.

As a water witch, she could sense a small stream nearby and had a strong urge to seek it out.

It wasn’t often that she got a moment to herself.

She owned the spa in town, A Touch of Magic, and between running a business, her husband Hunter, Zoey, and her six-year-old triplets, most days she was lucky if she managed to shower without an interruption.

She’d learned long ago to appreciate the small moments every chance she got.

“You would have made a much better Ariel,” a familiar voice said from behind her. “That Zoey girl doesn’t even have red hair.”

“No one gets parts based on hair color, Mom,” a young girl grumbled. Faith turned slightly to take in Summer Thomas and her daughter, who had long, ruby red locks.

“I know that,” Summer said, her tone irritated. “I’m just saying that you would look much better since they wouldn’t need to use that awful wig. Starting today, we’ll get you extra voice lessons so you won’t blow anymore auditions.”

“Okay,” the young girl glared at her mother’s back as the two headed for the parking lot without ever even glancing over at Faith.

“Next production, I expect you to get the lead. I’m not spending all this money for second place,” Summer said over her shoulder.

It was then that Faith locked eyes with the woman.

If she’d had the power, she’d have sent a bolt of energy at her so she could see how it felt to be stung by someone.

How dare she put those expectations on her daughter?

Faith wanted to read her the riot act but knew it would only make matters worse.

Instead, she said, “Autumn, I thought you did a great job as Ursula.”

“Thanks,” Autumn mumbled.

“Autumn didn’t commit enough to make it believable,” Summer said. “She just doesn’t have the evil streak that’s required for that role. But I guess they didn’t have anyone better to play an evil octopus, so it had to go to someone.”

“I can be evil!” Autumn cried.

“Of course you can, baby,” Summer said with a laugh. “Maybe next time.”

Autumn stomped off to the car, leaving her mother to shrug at Faith. “I bet Zoey would make a great Ursula.”

“I’m sure Zoey would be great at any role she put her mind to,” Faith said, trying to be diplomatic, but all she wanted to do was rip Summer a new one.

Between hitting on Hunter and criticizing Autumn, the woman had gone too far, and Faith was ready to explode.

How dare she treat Autumn that way? The young teen had done a great job in the musical.

She wasn’t pro level, but wasn’t that why she was at theater camp? To learn?

Summer smirked at Faith. “Keep an eye on that husband of yours. You never know who’s waiting in the wings.” She laughed and followed her daughter into the parking lot.

Faith ground her teeth together. So much for a peaceful moment. She turned, took a moment to breathe as she eyed the valley below, and then went to find Hunter and Zoey.

“There you are,” Hunter said, smiling at her, his eyes shining with appreciation. He was leaning against the car, waiting for her with Zoey already tucked into the back seat.

“Everything all right?” Faith asked, giving Zoey a worried glance.

“Yes. She’s just missing her mom.” Hunter reached for the door handle, but before he opened it, he added, “I told her we could FaceTime her when we get home.”

“That’s a good plan.” Zoey’s mother, Vivian, who lived less than forty-five minutes away in Eureka, was spending the month traveling Europe while Zoey was with her dad and Faith for the summer.

Vivian and Hunter shared custody, and since Zoey went to school in Eureka, he got most weekends during the school year and more time in the summer.

It was an amicable relationship, and Vivian was even a sales rep for Faith’s spa products.

Faith slid into the car, glanced back at Zoey, gave her a soft smile, and said, “I’m proud of you, Zo. You were wonderful up there on the stage. I know your mom is going to be sorry she missed it.”

Zoey’s entire face lit up with pleasure as she said, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

Hunter climbed into the driver’s side, glanced at his wife and daughter, and said, “Are you girls ready for barbeque?”

Both of them yelled, “Yes!”

Hunter chuckled and put the car in gear.