Witch Way Round (Witch of Mintwood Book 6) Read online

  “I’m positively GREEN with jealousy!” he cried as we sat in the Daily Brew nursing our drinks.

  People in the café turned to stare at him, but he waved them off nonchalantly. It was early enough in the day so that the only other customers were local people, who were used to Liam and theatrics going hand in hand.

  “Charlie is excited,” I told him.

  “This will be SO good for all of you,” said Liam. “I wish I could get away. The trouble with owning a small business is that getting away is almost impossible.”

  “It’s only for the weekend, but I think we’ll have a lot of fun,” I said, trying to convince myself as much as Liam.

  “The Iriswood Country Club is supposed to be super gorgeous. The grounds are the best kept lawns in the state. There’s a view of the ocean, there’s a pond, all the buildings are done up in a white, very modern style,” Liam gushed. “Props to Greer for getting you an invite.”

  I told him that Greer wasn’t exactly thrilled about the whole thing, and he nodded in understanding. He knew Greer well enough to sympathize.

  “How do you know so much about it, anyhow?” I asked.

  “My store. A lot of women come into The Twinkle looking for something unique. Of course, I always have something that draws their interest,” he said.

  “Do you know anything else about the Country Club?” I asked.

  Charlie seemed to know everything there was to know, and Greer had been going there for years, but I wondered what Liam’s take on it would be.

  “They’re planning a major new development,” said Liam after some thought.

  “What kind?” I scrunched up my nose. I was against big new developments that ruined the natural beauty of Maine, and I wanted to know more about this one.

  “I can’t remember, but it’s big,” said Liam. “Ask Jasper.”

  “Because he’s in charge of it?” I said, trying to sound cool. Liam made a face intended to inform me that I wasn’t fooling him, or anyone else.

  “Right, he’s the one running it,” said Liam.

  My stomach tightened.

  Before I could ask anything else Liam leaned forward conspiratorially. “How are things with you and Mr. Handsome, anyway? Everyone wants to know how you two are doing!”

  I blushed. “Really, is that what you’re going to call him?”

  “Might as well speak the truth. He’s dreamy,” Liam shrugged.

  I looked to my right, then to my left, and since no one appeared to be listening I muttered, “He’s good.”

  Liam’s grin broadened. “Someone shy?”

  “No,” I said, stubbornly.

  Liam sat back looking satisfied. “Don’t you worry. I bet you’ll have your second date in no time.”

  “He asked me about this weekend, but I have other plans,” I said. I just hadn’t told Jasper that yet.

  “That’s fabulous. A girls weekend will be just the thing,” said Liam. “But are you just dying to have another date with Jasper?”

  I bit my lip and nodded. Going away with Greer and Charlie this weekend would be awesome, and Charlie was especially excited, but I hadn’t been able to get Jasper out of my mind. Sometimes I felt like our relationship was moving at a glacial pace.

  “And he was out of town on business all this week,” prompted Liam.

  Liam knew all about my love life. He was the only person besides my roommates whom I trusted enough to tell. If word got out that I was dating Jasper Wolf, the town of Mintwood would likely implode.

  “Right,” I said.

  Jasper didn’t travel a lot for work, but this week, right after our date, had been one of those times.

  He had wanted to do something Saturday once he got back, but since I was going to the Iriswood Country Club I was going to have to turn him down. I was sad about it. On the phone he’d sounded excited about whatever he was going to propose that we do.

  “Don’t worry, it’s not a bad sign or anything,” said Liam.

  “What isn’t a bad sign?” I asked.

  “That you’re bailing on your second date. He isn’t going to take that as a bad sign, right?” said Liam.

  “What are you talking about?” I demanded, the panic rising. Where Jasper was concerned I was always tottering on the edge of elation—or a breakdown.

  “He’s just going to think you don’t like him,” Liam continued.

  I sputtered into my coffee.

  “Because I’m busy on a Saturday night?” I asked.

  Liam nodded. “He’s going to think you’re making up an excuse not to see him. Girls do it all the time.”

  “Thanks, that’s so much more comforting,” I said.

  “I’m excited to take care of Charger, at least,” said Liam.

  We were leaving Greer’s black lab at home, because dogs that weighed more than twenty pounds weren’t welcome at the Iriswood Country Club. Charger liked a good meal as much as the next dog and weighed in at close to sixty pounds.

  “That’s not a real dog,” Greer had said of the small size restriction, “It’s a large cat.”

  “Even better,” said Charlie, who loved cats.

  Since we had it on good authority that Mintwood’s resident pet sitter would be out of town for the weekend, Liam had offered to step in. We were all grateful for that. Charger knew and liked Liam, so we could be confident that things would be calm on the home front.

  Liam and I chatted for a little longer, but I was distracted by what he had said about Jasper, and my mind kept wandering to how much I wanted to see mint green eyes again. I finally said goodbye and headed out to run my other errands, but not before Liam extracted a promise that I would tell him everything about our exciting weekend when we got back.

  I was on my way to Ms. Ivy’s, but first I had to stop at the library to get Charlie more books on manners and behavior. She had given me strict instructions not to let Greer see them until after she had read hem.

  Mission accomplished, I was coming out of the library, not watching where I was going because I was reading the spines of the books that Charlie had put on reserve. In my inattention I slammed into a solid shoulder and nearly toppled over before strong hands grabbed my arms. Once I was steady I looked up into the sun, which was framing the handsome face of Jasper Wolf.

  Yup, those green eyes were in fact as gorgeous as I remembered them to be.

  My nerves zinged at his warm touch on my shoulders, but once he knew I wasn’t about to fall over he quickly let go. The warm smile on his face made my heart flip.

  “Morning,” he said brightly.

  “Hi,” I said, clutching the books to my chest and squinting at him. Guilt-ridden, I imagined telling him I’d be busy on Saturday and watching him not really care, because he didn’t like me as much as I liked him.

  I did a quick mental check of how I must look: no makeup, hair in a ponytail, old jeans.

  Typical.

  “What do you have there?” Jasper tilted his head to get a better look at the books I was holding. I tried to hide them, but he had already seen the titles.

  “Planning an arranged marriage?” he teased.

  My embarrassment only deepened. We had gone on a date and had plans for a second, and I was still like a jumpy goose around him. If only I could get it together! I was the Witch of Mintwood! That was impressive! He liked me!

  Sheesh.

  “Um, no, actually, I meant to tell you,” I said.

  “You’re arranging my marriage?”

  “No! Of course not! I would never presume . . .” I saw his eyes brighten with laughter and felt like a fool. “You’re kidding?”

  “Of course. You aren’t my grandfather, so you’re probably not arranging my marriage,” Jasper laughed. “At least I hope you’re not. You don’t look anything like him.”

  I caught myself just before I told him that I certainly wasn’t.

  Jasper’s expression changed in a moment. “You’re canceling our date this weekend?” he asked, looking upse
t.

  My heart dropped. “Yes, I mean, but, I mean, we didn’t really have a specific plan or anything.”

  Jasper stood in front of me as if he expected me to keep talking.

  “So, what I mean to say is that I’m going away for the weekend with Greer and Charlie. It’s a last minute thing, but it only works this weekend so . . . I’m really sorry,” I finished lamely.

  Liam said he’d be offended. We were finished. Jasper was never going to want to reschedule.

  Jasper smiled. “That’s okay. Deacon actually already told me about it because of Greer,” he said.

  “You aren’t mad?” I scarcely dared to be relieved. We really were going to reschedule our date!!

  “Of course not. The Iriswood Country Club is very exciting,” said Jasper.

  “Have you ever been there?” I asked him, figuring he hadn’t.

  Jasper frowned. “My grandfather is on the board there.”

  Right, I’d read the article.

  And then the thought flitted through my mind that Jasper had probably asked me out this weekend because he knew his grandfather would be busy, and my heart sank a little. I knew Jasper wasn’t ashamed of me, but I knew just as certainly that his grandfather didn’t like me at all.

  “So he’ll be there this weekend?” My heart started to beat faster. Not only had Jasper been asking me out this weekend because his grandfather was busy, but now I’d be spending the weekend with Mr. Wolf, Sr.

  “This is the Country Club’s special weekend, the most important weekend of the year,” he explained. “My grandfather always goes for some of it, but this is extra special because of the anniversary.”

  “Right, of course,” I said, swallowing hard. “I hope we can get together soon. Have a good rest of your day.”

  I moved past Jasper before he could respond, but as I walked away he turned to stare at me, calling out a goodbye.

  Goodbye, Jasper Wolf.

  It’s been magical.

  Chapter Six

  I got home just in time.

  Paws was sitting on his crate, barely visible since it was daytime.

  “I thought you were over my not telling you about Evenlyn’s notices from the Witches’ Council,” the cat complained.

  The day had now gone overcast and gray, with a slight chill rising.

  After Ellie’s threats I was nervous about leaving Mintwood, but Funnel and Mr. Bone, one of our own farmhouse ghosts, had promised to alert me if anything went awry. Paws couldn’t alert me because the ghost cat was coming with us. He had eight suitcases packed for the occasion.

  There was also a feeling in the air that Ellie would be extra careful if the Witches’ Council had turned their eye on little old Mintwood, but how true that was I had no idea. Maybe she’d be careful because the Witch Hunters were gathering. Then again, maybe she wouldn’t.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked.

  Charlie and Greer were busy packing up the Beetle while I chatted with the cat. We were driving to downtown Pennwood to meet Mrs. Dice before we headed for Iriswood, and we had to leave soon.

  Luckily I was all packed, having spent the previous evening working on it. At first I’d had a lot of stuff piled and ready to go, but then I realized I didn’t own a single stitch of clothing that was fancy enough for the Iriswood Country Club.

  “I thought it was funny. I told you I was only kidding,” Paws said.

  “Feel free to tell me what you’re talking about any time,” I told him.

  “What I’m talking about is this whole Country Club thing,” he said. “Where you go I go, but I didn’t know that meant I’d have to go to the Country Club. The ghosts there are so stuck up. Maybe I should just say home. Where you go I go most of the time and all that.”

  “It’s a vacation,” I said.

  “They’re backstabbing ninnies,” Paws complained.

  “Okay, fine, you’re right. I’m being unfair,” I said.

  Paws stopped and looked up.

  “You realize that and are admitting it?” he said.

  “Yes I do and yes I am. I’m very sorry. It was wrong of me,” I said.

  “What’s the catch?” said Paws, looking at me like I was a fox about to strike.

  “Nothing at all,” I told him.

  “So I don’t have to go?”

  “Certainly not,” I said.

  “Sounds good,” he said.

  “Do you by any chance know where Tank is?” I said.

  “Why?” said Paws.

  “I can’t very well go off my myself. I’m going to invite him along,” I told the cat.

  “I’ll get my purse,” said the cat, hopping off the crate just as Charlie sauntered up.

  “What was that all about?” she asked.

  “Winning,” I told her.

  “We have to leave in an hour,” Greer called out. I turned to nod, and she was about to stalk away when she paused. “Why do you two have so little luggage?” Greer asked, coming up onto the porch.

  Neither of us could help it; we both looked guilty.

  “Someone better explain,” said Greer, folding her arms across her chest.

  “We just don’t have any fancy outfits,” said Charlie. “Don’t get me wrong, I like clothes as much as the next lady, but it’s outlet shopping for me.”

  “I don’t even do that,” I said, not remembering the last time I’d bought new clothes. I mean, it was a dog walker’s income, after all.

  “I know your mom is going to take us shopping for the ball, but what about the rest of the time?” I worried. We needed several outfits for the weekend, not just the one the Dices were going to help us pick out.

  “Yeah, this is serious business,” said Charlie. “We can’t have the Iriswood folks looking down on Mintwood. We have to represent our town honorably and nobly.”

  Greer looked upset. “You can wear whatever you want! They don’t get to judge you!”

  “They may not get to, but they sure are going to,” sighed Charlie.

  “You have to have some fancy clothes somewhere,” said Greer. “You can’t not take clothes!”

  She had a point there.

  Just as I was about to tell her I really didn’t think there was an option, I realized it wasn’t true. My grandmother had had a lot of fancy clothes. Maybe not enough to fill a window display like Francesca Holly, but still, they were beautiful, vintage dresses. They’d fit right in if this were a sixties-themed weekend.

  Francesca had designed beautiful dresses a hundred years ago, and Liam had displayed them in his shop window to win Mintwood’s display competition.

  “Maybe I do have an idea,” I said. How could I have been so stupid as to have forgotten Evenlyn’s wardrobe?

  Before she’d gone traveling again Aunt Harriet had made sure that Grandmother’s vintage clothes were hanging safely in her closet. There was enough cedar in there to knock out an elephant, let alone keep the moths away, and we headed there now to see what we could find.

  “I love the smell of cedar,” said Charlie, looking down at the dress she was wearing.

  “I can’t believe some of the labels your grandmother has in there,” said Greer in appreciation.

  “Why didn’t you find anything to wear?” Charlie asked.

  Greer’s face reddened.

  “You already have all the fancy clothes you need, don’t you.” said Charlie. It was a statement, not a question.

  “I have a good selection. I need something for the ball Saturday, but we’ll have to get that when we shop with my mom,” said Greer.

  When we were finally ready to go, the sun had come back out and Paws was sitting in the Beetle waiting for us. No way was he going to risk my changing my mind about who was coming along.

  After “shopping” amongst my grandmother’s clothes, we were nearly late. We had to leave right then and there.

  We loaded our now-full trunk of pretty clothes courtesy of my grandmother into the back of the car. We had all the fancy clot
hes we needed except for the ball. Charlie looked at Greer and me and asked, “Ready to go?”

  I glanced back at the farmhouse one more time, not quite able to let go of my worries about leaving it untended. The porch was definitely tilting precariously, but I was determined to let go of fretting about it for a whole weekend. Ellie and Witches’ Councils could wait, and so could the tilting porch. This was going to be a weekend free of ghosts—mostly—and also free of danger and mystery. How much trouble could you get into at a country club, anyhow?

  “Ready,” I said.

  After some internal debate I had packed one Witchy book. There would be no chance to practice magic; I only ever did that in the safety of my own farmhouse. But I figured there was a small chance I might need to perform one or two spells, and the book might come in handy if I had to look them up.

  “Okay, let’s get this show on the road,” said Charlie. She hopped into the front seat and Greer joined Paws in the back, where they gave each other as much space as possible.

  Paws had stowed his eight suitcases here, there, and everywhere in the Beetle, and I had a feeling he’d hidden a couple more under the seat. Even after our raid on Evenlyn’s closet he had the most luggage of any of us.

  The drive to Pennwood was short. When we arrived downtown, I found a parking place right on the street. There were several upscale clothing stores here, as well as furniture stores and shops selling kitchenware. Pennwood, like Iriswood, was on the coast, and both towns catered to wealthy tourists in the summer. It was a little early for the busy season, and I was glad of that, since it meant we wouldn’t have to contend with crowds as we shopped.

  We had cranked the music as we drove, so there hadn’t been a lot of talking. Now Charlie turned to look at Greer and said, “You must have come here a lot when you were a kid.”

  When no reply came from the back seat, I glanced back at Greer and saw her staring out the window, her face white and her hands clenched.

  “Are you okay?” Charlie asked.

  When Greer still didn’t say anything Paws jumped up and yelled in Greer’s ear, “Cats are better than dogs!”