Witch Way Round (Witch of Mintwood Book 6) Page 6

  “I’m Charlie,” said my friend, sticking her hand out.

  The guy gave it a confused look, then seized it in a bear of a handshake. “Eben.”

  “Nice to meet you. These are my friends.” Charlie introduced us and Eben repeated his greeting.

  “He was telling me that he had been forced to put me in a room far away from the one my parents are in,” said Greer. She was keeping a straight face, but something about her general demeanor told me she’d rather be smirking.

  “Ah, I see,” said Charlie. “Now I understand.”

  “This is going to be an epic weekend,” said Eben. “I’ve been told I’m not allowed to go home all weekend, starting now.”

  “Were you also told not to speak to guests?” Greer asked.

  “Yeah. Usually I don’t, but you three seem nice,” he said, looking more closely at Greer to see if his impression was accurate or not.

  “Two of us are,” said Charlie dryly.

  The elevator door dinged. Just as we were arranging ourselves and the cart inside the narrow space, three older couples came strolling over. Greer stiffened, but the couples didn’t look at us or acknowledge our presence before the doors closed.

  “They’re really important,” said Eben.

  “How do you know?” I asked.

  “Everyone’s really important,” said Eben.

  “Almost,” Greer muttered.

  “That’s the Expels, the Hamlits, and the Temples,” whispered Charlie. “Wow.”

  She didn’t have time to expand on that observation, since once we were in the elevator Eben spent the whole ride telling us about how old the Country Club was and how important this weekend was.

  “So, this is the nicest hotel room I’ve ever seen,” said Charlie when we had finally reached our destination.

  “This is one of their regular rooms,” said Greer. “My mom is staying in a suite. Goldie made sure of it.”

  “I can’t wait to meet Goldie,” I said.

  “She’s a trip,” said Greer.

  “She better not pet me,” said Paws, looking around and sniffing in disdain.

  “I highly doubt that’s a worry,” I said dryly.

  “Good,” Paws muttered.

  The cat trotted to the sofa, which stood beneath the window, hopped up on it, and stared out. “Beautiful view of the parking lot.”

  Charlie collapsed onto the huge bed. “I could get used to this!”

  Chapter Eight

  We continued to explore the room and the resort itself.

  It turned out that the more expensive rooms overlooked the water, while the parking lot view was less desirable. Maybe that was also what David had been talking about, but I didn’t care; we’d have plenty of chances to look at the ocean, and the luxury of the room more than made up for any deficiencies in the view outside it.

  “Oh, come on. Like you’ve ever been in a place this nice before,” said Charlie. She was busy checking her makeup and assuring herself that not a hair was out of place.

  “I’ll have you know I’ve been in palaces, mansions the size of small countries, and homes grander than you can imagine,” said Paws.

  Charlie didn’t bite that hook, and since she was anxious to get out and see and be seen (now that she’d confirmed that she looked perfect), we left the room at that point to go and explore the Club.

  We stepped out into a new world: manicured lawns so green someone should have asked for the photosynthesis back, gently slopping hills, perfectly trimmed trees, white golf carts polished to perfection.

  That was the Country Club setting we found ourselves in.

  I wouldn’t have been more out of place at a computer programmer’s convention.

  Still, the exclusivity would have meant nothing without the people. Collars, boat shoes, and blandness were everywhere.

  “Evenlyn would have stuck out like a sore thumb here,” I said, acutely aware that in a moment of boredom I’d glued glitter to the pockets of my jeans, not to mention that I’d had the same sandals since the start of college. Evenlyn very likely would have stuck feathers in her hair and put on a rainbow shawl she’d had since the sixties. It smelled like the sixties too.

  The trickle of fancy people turned into a flood. “I’ve never seen so many expensive cars in my life,” said Charlie, her excitement growing. “It’s as if they’re spelled to shine.” Charlie knew who every person was, and at some point the names flying out of her mouth blended together and I lost track of them.

  “Maybe that’s a way for a witch to make some money,” Greer observed with a sly smile in my direction.

  I shook my head. “I’m not that desperate.”

  “Maybe if the pet sitting business ever dries up,” said Charlie.

  “Definitely,” I said.

  “My parents should be here soon,” said Greer, apropos of nothing but her own nerves.

  We were standing out on the expansive terrace, where a handful of couples were currently eating dinner. Charlie and I were wearing vintage dresses, while Greer had chosen hers from among some dresses that her mom had had delivered.

  I kept thinking I should get back to work, as in, I must have a mystery to solve. But I didn’t, so I had to keep reminding myself that this weekend was about relaxing. There was no mystery and there wasn’t going to be one. Everything was just fine, if I ignored the thought of the angry witches who had summoned me before the Council.

  “I have a feeling you chose that one yourself,” Charlie said, looking Greer up and down.

  Greer grinned. “Yeah, it was during my rebellious stage. You like it?”

  The dress was a pink shift with a massive white skull across the waist and several smaller skulls on the hem and sleeves. The skulls sparkled; the dress was very Greer. The fabric looked expensive, but that didn’t change the fact that Mrs. Dice wouldn’t approve.

  “I do,” said Charlie. “But surely your mom didn’t. I’m surprised she sent it for this weekend.”

  “Like I said, she wants something,” said Greer. “Keep your eyes and ears open and by the end of the weekend we’ll know what it is.”

  “Maybe your mom just wants to spend time with you. Mavis certainly seemed to think she cared about you,” said Charlie.

  “She cares about me. She also cares about appearances,” said Greer.

  The three of us were led to our table, which had one of the best views of the ocean the terrace offered. The water was now a darkened navy blue, with a froth of white caps developing as the breeze came up.

  The white tablecloth brushed my arm as I took my chair, and it was the softest material I had ever felt in my life. I wondered if it had been freshly delivered after being spun by hand by women who worked in a small loom factory in the mountains of France.

  Probably not. But that’s what it made me think of.

  “This might be the most beautiful place in the world,” sighed Charlie.

  “What was Paws going to do tonight?” Greer asked.

  “He was getting a pedicure and a grooming,” I said. “He told me he’d be finished in four hours.”

  “What about a manicure?” Greer asked.

  “He said that wasn’t as much of a priority for a cat. It’s pedicures all the way,” said Charlie.

  “Sorry I asked,” muttered Greer.

  We spent the next ten minutes trying to decipher the menu. It wasn’t easy. I had never heard of most of what was listed, and everything was insanely expensive.

  “Don’t worry about the food,” said Greer. “Just order what you want.”

  Charlie and I glanced at her and nodded. “Thanks,” I said.

  “Of course. It’s the least I can do in return for you two agreeing to come here with me. Belly of the beast and all that,” said Greer.

  “Who knew pasta would prove such an elusive dinner option,” Charlie muttered.

  In the end, Greer told us what to order. It sounded quite complicated, but Greer said she had simply ordered all of us roasted chicken wit
h herbs and fresh vegetables from the Club’s garden.

  The waiter came back to take our drink orders, but we were all sticking with water; I didn’t think I could handle alcohol, and Charlie agreed. We both wanted to put our best foot forward, for Greer. All the other women were putting their best feet forward in the way of something like seven-hundred-dollar high heels, and since I didn’t have that advantage going for me, I figured being able to walk in a straight line was the next best idea.

  “Girls!” A woman’s syrupy voice cascaded over us, and a beautiful woman came bustling over. She was wearing semi-formal attire and looked very well put together.

  “Hi, Goldie,” said Greer, standing up and giving the woman a big hug.

  “Every time I see you I have to remind myself that you’ve grown up.” Goldie shook her head and beamed at her former charge, sitting down at our table in a shower of clinks and the smell of orange and mint.

  “You must be Lemmi and Charlie. It’s so good to meet you! Greer is wonderfully happy since she’s moved in with you, Lemmi,” she said, beaming at me. Every person who worked at the Country Club had the whitest teeth I had ever seen.

  “That’s awesome,” I said. What, I wondered, was I supposed to do with my hands when I meet impossibly cultured people? I settled for leaving them limp in my lap. “I’m really happy to be living with Charlie and Greer as well.”

  I meant it. I’d have been lost without my two best friends. At first I had worried about whether we’d click, all living together in the farmhouse, but since they’d moved in so many good things had come my way that I couldn’t even list them all.

  “Charlie, I read all of your articles in the paper. They’re brilliant. Any friend of Greer’s is a friend of mine,” said Goldie, beaming.

  “Thank you,” said Charlie, beaming back. No matter how many times she was complimented, she always blushed.

  “And what do you do?” Goldie asked, turning to me. Her bright eyes never left my face, and they conveyed an openness and an attentiveness that made me feel like I was the only person in the room. I liked her immediately, and now I knew why Greer would go to so much trouble for her old friend.

  I had prepared myself for this, but it was still hard to say that I ran a pet sitting business. Goldie didn’t show the slightest hint of judgment, though, she just smiled and said how interesting and varied that must be.

  Encouraged, I steeled myself to ask my own question. Greer would be angry, but it couldn’t be helped.

  “I’ve heard the Country Club is planning a new development,” I said, trying to sound neutral.

  “We sure are! That’s what we’re fundraising for! It’s going to be state-of-the-art. We have the best corporations in the business contributing. We’re going to revitalize some of the old buildings. Wolf Corporation is doing the work, so we know we’ll have top of the line contractors,” Goldie gushed. “The whole Club needs to be updated, so it’s quite the undertaking.”

  Charlie made a face at her lunch while Greer looked away.

  “The Wolf Construction arm of the Wolf Corporation?” I managed to get out through tensed jaws.

  “Yes, they’re the best, and since Mr. Wolf is on the board it was only natural that he oversee the project,” said Goldie.

  “Only natural,” I repeated.

  “Now, I hope you’re finding everything to your satisfaction,” said Goldie, suddenly looking concerned.

  “Of course we are,” said Greer. “You do everything perfectly. You know that.”

  Goldie’s head dropped and she actually looked flattered. “That’s lovely to hear coming from you. I know you’ve always had the highest of standards.”

  “She what now?” Charlie asked, leaning forward as if she hadn’t heard Goldie right.

  “Can I get you anything, ma’am?”

  The waiter had returned to take Goldie’s order, but she shook her head. “Later I’ll want a big glass of wine, but not yet. I see none of you are drinking. Are you worried that something’s going to go wrong?” A slight frown suddenly puckered Goldie’s perfectly smooth brow.

  “When has anything ever gone wrong at one of your parties?” Greer asked her old friend.

  Goldie’s bright smile broke out again. “Never, that I can remember!”

  “So, this of all times, there isn’t going to be a problem,” said Greer, smiling encouragingly. Goldie looked like she felt a little better, but there was still some worry behind her heavy makeup.

  “How right you are! I know I’m fussing a rather lot, but it’s just so important to me that everyone who comes to one of my parties has the most wonderful time,” Goldie gushed.

  “Everyone always does,” said a deep voice behind her.

  A good-looking man about Goldie’s age had come up without any of us noticing. He was dressed all in black, including his bowtie. He was heavy set but not overweight, and as he stood waiting to talk to Goldie, people around the room were turning to glance in his direction.

  “Oh, Simon,” Goldie gasped. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

  “You asked me to play music this weekend and you thought I wouldn’t show up? I know how important this event is for you. I’m honored that you chose me,” said the man, smiling broadly. His teeth were a little less blindingly white than everyone else’s, and I realized as I watched him that they seemed more real that way. I tried not to think about what that said about the rest of the Club’s denizens.

  “Is that Simon Simone?” Charlie whispered to me.

  I had no idea who that was, and my bewildered expression told Charlie as much. She made an exasperated noise.

  “He’s super famous,” said Charlie into my ear. “He plays the most beautiful fiddle.”

  “He looks like he’s trouble,” I said.

  “Goldie always liked trouble, especially Simon,” said Greer as her old friend strolled off with the musician. They were trying to look casual, but I was pretty sure that Goldie’s feelings for the musician were anything but.

  Our food arrived shortly after that, and for a while there was nothing but silence as we scraped our plates clean.

  “This is the best meal I’ve ever had!” said Charlie.

  When Greer glared at her, Charlie corrected herself. “Except for some of the ones you’ve made, of course.”

  Appearing satisfied, Greer dipped her head back toward her plate and took another bite.

  Charlie mouthed to me that it was the best meal she’d ever had, as if I hadn’t grasped it when she’d said it out loud. The food was indeed very good, and the night was beautiful. I would never have spent this much money to stay somewhere or to eat a meal like this—I didn’t have this much money, actually—but I could see why people did.

  We decided to make it an early night. We knew we’d need all the strength we had to get through the rest of the weekend.

  Back in the room we found Paws, just getting ready to go out.

  “Pulling out all the stops?” I asked him.

  “What are you talking about? It’s what’s on the inside that’s important. Beacons of light coming from our hearts to warm the world and all that. Material possessions are entirely irrelevant,” said the cat as he readjusted one of the large diamond rings he wore.

  “So, you aren’t wearing all that jewelry to show off?” I asked.

  “You mean my pearls? I’m just as good as these crazy rich ghosts with their chests stuffed full of jewelry. It’s impossible to keep up with the cat race!! It’s just impossible!” said the cat. He was wearing so much jewelry that his steps were slower than usual and his neck looked a bit weighed down.

  “You’re doing an awfully good job trying,” I told him.

  “I do look good, don’t I?” His tail was curled up in a neat little ball and looked as if he’d combed it. He tried to admire himself in the shiny metal plate near the door, but his reflection was invisible.

  “Be sure to tell me about any gossip,” I told him.

  “I thought you were taking
this weekend off,” said the cat.

  “Right, which is why I need gossip to entertain me. Duh,” I said.

  Our room had a king size bed and a cot. Charlie and Greer shared the bed.

  “It’s so big I don’t even know you’re there,” Charlie gasped as they got under the covers. “I could toss and turn all night and I wouldn’t even bump into you.”

  “Toss and turn all you want, just don’t snore,” said Greer.

  “Andy said I never snored. Of course, he also said we’d be together forever.” Charlie’s face soured. She had mentioned Andy several times already, and I figured the prospect of seeing him must be weighing on her mind.

  “Goodnight. Tomorrow’s the real start of the weekend,” said Charlie, doing some practice tosses and then some practice turns.

  “At least there are no mysteries,” I said sleepily. My pillow smelled like roses.

  “Good thing. This weekend is too important for Goldie,” said Greer.

  I wondered how Paws was getting on socializing with the resort ghosts. He was probably having a howl of a time.

  Chapter Nine

  I woke up with a start.

  Greer had thrown the windows open before we went to bed, and it wasn’t so late now but that I could see the soft glow of lights out the window and hear the gentle hum of late night merriment.

  As quietly as possible I pushed the covers off and got out of bed.

  The piles that I imagined were Charlie and Greer looked like they were sound asleep. There was no sign of Paws.

  Looking out the window at the parking lot, I could see a variety of makes and models of cars. What they had in common was that every one of them looked brand new. Beyond the parking lot on the left was a series of tents and tables, around which people were mingling, holding drinks and laughing.

  The night looked like a lot of fun, and peaceful. It was exactly what I needed to take my mind off of what Meredith Munn had said. It made it easier to let go of worrying about the Witches’ Council until it happened. Soon, I hoped, I’d be able to get word to Harriet and see if she could help, and otherwise I’d just try to chill.