The Hidden Grimoire by Karla Brandenburg (pride and prejudice read TXT) 📕

they’re going to fall off with the first stiff breeze,” she said.

Cassandra rose from her seat. “I’ve never had any of my seams fail. Nothing ever fell off.”

“But you’re always ready to show off some skin, aren’t you? Why wearing nothing but a bra in the summer is supposed to represent fashion I’ll never know,” Mrs. Hazelton went on.

“But it wasn’t a bra,” Cassandra said with a forced smile. “In fact, I wore a bra under it. Didn’t your generation wear halter tops? Without bras?” She forced a mock gasp. “I understand that was scandalous back in the day. And the short shorts? I think they called them hot pants.”

“Right,” I joined in. “Nothing like a big cable knit sweater or plaid wool skirt. By comparison, you’d be considered prudish, Cassandra.”

“You’ll never be able to sell your designs here,” Mrs. Hazelton said.

“Is there a reason she shouldn’t?” I asked.

“People around here don’t like ‘different.’”

“So you think she should be selling uniforms?” I suggested.

“And you...” Mrs. Hazelton began.

“Yes, Mrs. Hazelton?” I asked sweetly, pinching my fingers together to control my temper.

She turned her attention on me. Her expression changed from patronizing to wary and she took a step backward.

“You were saying?” I prompted.

Mrs. Hazelton’s throat rippled as she swallowed. “I really don’t have any reason to stop in. I suppose I’d better go.” She backed away and nearly ran out the door.

Cassandra broke out with peals of laughter. “That was totally worth it.”

“What got into her?”

Cassandra raised her eyebrows. “You. You get this look...” she waved a hand across her face, “and your eyes. Well, they sort of glow. Or at least they seem to with the way the morning sun is coming through the window.” She shook her head. “No, it isn’t the sun. I’ve seen that look before, when you’re irritated or focusing on something.”

The same glow Nora’s eyes got? I turned away.

“What I’m saying, Brynn, is it’s okay if you are magic. And you know why? Because I’ve never seen you so much as step on a spider. You’re Glinda, and Mrs. Hazelton is the Wicked Witch.” She nodded at the door Mrs. Hazelton had exited. “Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Hillendale.”

Unshed tears burned in my eyes. No, people didn’t like to talk about the things they didn’t understand, but they knew, and people like Cassandra didn’t care.

People like Mrs. Hazelton were a different matter. “She could ruin our business with her ugly gossip,” I said.

“I’ll take my chances with you,” Cassandra said.

Chapter 26

After I’d sold the last of my special orders, I stood in the shop window and checked the sky for signs of snow. The chill in the air and the dark clouds suggested winter in Wisconsin was here to stay.

Cassandra appeared beside me. “Mrs. Hazelton’s attempts at gossip don’t seem to have hurt our sales today.”

“It’s winter. Information moves slower.”

“Not by a long shot. They can still use the phone.” She shrugged. “You’ve lived through a scandal or two yourself.”

I knew all too well how the townspeople banded together over the smallest piece of gossip, but Cassandra was one of Hillendale’s own, even if she had moved one town over. “Going to dinner with Lucas Ford hardly qualifies as a scandal.”

“She wouldn’t try to cause trouble for him, would she? For dating me?”

Mrs. Hazelton’s unkind remarks had found their target. “I’d be surprised if his principal tried to restrict Lucas from having a social life. It isn’t like you’re a stripper.”

“I don’t know. To hear Mrs. Hazelton tell it...”

I laughed. “I think after you pointed out the fashion trends from her day she might reconsider. Certainly there’s photographic evidence of her choices as a young woman.”

“I can’t see Mrs. Hazelton wearing a halter.”

I returned to the counter, where my cell phone was ringing. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered anyway.

“You knew where she was last time.” A frantic woman’s voice.

“Who is this?”

“Sharon Clark. LeAnne’s having contractions and Jason called me to watch Georgia so he could take LeAnne to the hospital, but Georgia’s missing again.”

Chills ran across my arms. Was this a trap to get me alone?

“You knew where Georgia was last time,” Sharon went on. “You have to help me.”

I closed my eyes and reached out to Georgia telepathically. All I got this time was a giggle. “I suspect she hasn’t gotten far. Where are you?”

“Jason’s house. In Meadow Hill. Please?”

“Does Jason know you’re calling me?” I asked.

“He gave me your number, in case I got called back to the office.”

Jason gave her my number as a backup? That hardly seemed likely, especially with his sister as close as Milwaukee. Should I call Kyle? He’d made it clear he wanted to talk to Sharon with me.

“Brynn, please. I need your help. If anything happens to Georgia, Jason will never forgive me.” Her voice broke with a sob.

Whether Georgia was hiding from Sharon or playing a game, I couldn’t take the chance. “Give me the address. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I explained to Cassandra what was happening, collected Ash since it was nearly closing time, and tried to call Kyle. No answer. I reached out to Georgia one more time. I want you, Aunt Bwinn. Not helpful.

Fifteen minutes later, I found Jason’s townhouse in Meadow Hill, one in a grouping of four. As I pulled into the driveway, Sharon rushed out and opened my car door.

See their auras. I concentrated on the light surrounding Sharon, trying to read her intent. The grayish-yellow mustard color indicated she was afraid, reason enough for me to be here. I lifted Ash’s basket from the seat and got out of the car.

“What is that?” she asked.

“My cat. The store is closing soon. I couldn’t leave her there, and I’m not leaving her in the car.” Considering how Ash had taken to Georgia, the cat might help.

“Jason asked me to bring Georgia to the hospital. The baby’s coming.” She wrung her hands. “I can’t tell him I lost her.”

“We’ll find