Prelude to a Witch by Amanda Lee (free novel reading sites TXT) 📕

“I’ll do my best.”

THE HOSTESS SEATED BRIAN AND ROSEMARY one table over from us. Whether that was by design or coincidence, I couldn’t say, but Brian’s smug smile led me to believe he’d arranged it that way. I couldn’t wait for Landon to wipe it off his face.

“Good afternoon,” Brian offered. “It’s lovely to see the fine law enforcement officials of Hemlock Cove having a relaxing lunch. I guess that means crime is under control in our fair town.”

“I’m pretty sure they have next to zero crime,” Rosemary offered.

“You might be surprised.” Brian’s eyes twinkled as they met mine. “How are you doing, Bay? Excited for your wedding?”

“Of course,” I answered. “There’s nothing better than marrying the person you love and want to spend the rest of your life with.”

“I feel the same way,” Rosemary said. “We’re already planning for our wedding next summer. We’ve booked the Hemlock Cove Catholic Church.”

“We’re not getting married in a church,” I said.

Rosemary almost looked disappointed. “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you be getting married in the Catholic Church?”

“I think the better question is why would we be getting married in a church at all,” I countered. “We’re not exactly pious in our beliefs.”

That’s when understanding dawned on Rosemary. “Oh.” Her smile disappeared. “You’re probably having one of those heathen ceremonies.”

“We do love a good heathen ceremony,” Landon agreed. “I love drinking wine and dancing naked under the full moon.”

“Wait ... there’s going to be naked dancing?” Chief Terry looked horrified. “I hate that idea.”

I took pity on him. “The only naked dancing will likely involve the usual suspects and after Landon and I have retired for the evening.”

“So you’ll get to chaperone.” Landon offered Chief Terry a taunting thumbs-up. “Have fun.”

“We’re not waiting until next year to get married,” I added for Rosemary’s benefit. “We’re doing it in the next few weeks.”

Rosemary was taken aback. “I don’t understand why you’re doing it so soon.”

“Because we can’t wait to be married,” Landon replied, his gaze landing on Brian. “Speaking of things I can’t wait to do, I have a few questions for you, Kelly.”

“Oh, yeah?” Brian didn’t look bothered by the change of topic. “If this is about how much greater our house is compared to that spit of crappy land you own, I have nothing to say. We’re not in the mood to sell our house.”

“We’re not in the mood to buy it,” Landon said. “We’re going to build our dream house out there. That’s not what I want to question you about.”

“Question me?” For the first time, Brian looked mildly concerned. “Is this an official interrogation?”

“Official? No. I’m simply curious if you’ve been out to the Dragonfly recently.”

“Why would I go out there?”

“Last time I checked, you were partying with underage kids in the general vicinity.”

Brian shot a furtive look toward Rosemary and then shook his head. “That’s a lie. I haven’t been hanging out with kids.”

Landon continued. “You should know that a body was found in that clearing this morning. A local teenager was killed. We’ll be digging deep on answers regarding what’s been happening in that party spot.”

Brian did his best to remain calm but his cheeks flushed with color. “You’d better have something to back up any allegations you make where I’m concerned. I haven’t been hanging out with teenagers. You’re just saying that to mess with me.”

That was a lie. I saw him when I went undercover. I still didn’t know what he’d been doing out there with a bunch of underaged girls and boys, but I knew it couldn’t be anything good. “Why would we want to mess with you in that manner?” I blurted out.

“Who knows why you two want to mess with me,” Brian shot back. “You’ve made it your life’s mission to ruin me since I came to this stupid town. You took my business, for crying out loud. I have no idea why you do the things you do.”

“My grandmother says it’s because they’re evil,” Rosemary offered.

“I never really believed in evil until I met Tillie Winchester,” Brian said. “Now I know what abject evil looks like.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go there if I were you,” Landon warned. “Aunt Tillie may be mouthy, but she’s pretty far from evil.”

That wasn’t the tack I wanted to take. “She idles at evil,” I countered. “She’s the evilest of evil, and you should keep that in mind if you continue to mess with us,” I warned. “Also, I know you were out there with those kids, Brian. I saw you. Keep lying to Rosemary, by all means, but you’re not fooling us. I know what I saw.”

“I didn’t see you,” Brian said. “How odd.”

“You just said you weren’t there,” Chief Terry pointed out. “How could you see her if you weren’t?”

Brian opened and closed his mouth, and then shook his head. “You’re trying to trip me up. You can’t railroad me. While we’re at it, I will get my newspaper back. You may think you’ve won but I’m nowhere near done.”

Landon rested his hand on mine to keep me from leaping over the table and strangling him. “Don’t go near Bay,” he ordered. “I’ve warned you before that I won’t put up with it. If you go after her, I’ll make you pay.”

“I’m looking forward to the attempt.” Brian was back to smarmy. “May the best man win.”

“If I were you, son, I wouldn’t be worried about us men,” Chief Terry intoned. “The women in these parts can take care of themselves, and they’re far more terrifying.”

“Definitely,” Landon agreed. “Just say the word and we’ll let Aunt Tillie off her leash.”

Brian swallowed hard. “I’m not afraid of that crazy old bat. She’s all talk.”

Now it was my turn to smirk. “Famous last words.”

6

Six

Brian refused to engage with us after a few more minutes of traded barbs. That left us to eat our pot pies in peace.

Landon snagged the bill as we were leaving and I stood