Interrupted Magic by Karla Brandenburg (best reads of all time .TXT) 📕

magic had developed constipation. “You can sniff a few. You might know better than me what smells Chip likes.”

She approached the table and unscrewed the tops of several different fragrances, taking a second whiff of Brynn’s Mix. “I like this one.”

The vanilla, clove and coconut oil scent I’d first mixed with Nora. It had worked for Lisa and Dylan. If Chip had invited Toni to town for dinner, he must have more than a casual interest. “Worth a try.”

As I rang her up, Chip walked in. He greeted Toni with a kiss to the forehead and laced his hand with hers. “I thought I saw you come in here.” He smiled at me. “Hey, Brynn.”

“Hi, Chip.”

“I hear you’re closing shop.”

I nodded.

Toni’s eyes widened. “Oh. What if I want more of this stuff?”

“I have an internet store,” I said. “I intend to keep on with that. You can always order my botanicals there.” I handed her a brochure from the counter.

Chip took a step closer. “You did the right thing,” he said. “I couldn’t believe you took him back the last time. I wish you the best, Brynn. Really.”

My eyes watered again. “Thanks, Chip.”

“We have reservations at five-thirty. Better get moving. See you around?”

I nodded.

“Thanks,” Toni said as they walked out.

When Cassandra hadn’t returned by six, I closed the shop and gathered Ash. Cassandra texted me while I walked home.

My friend is meeting with Barry tonight. She wants to officially present the offer tomorrow morning. Meet me at the shop early?

I hesitated before I typed a response. “What do you think, Ash?” I whispered. “Time to move on?”

The purr rumbling from her carrier was good enough for me. I told Cassandra I’d meet her at nine and left the footpath for my street, where I paused once more. My house. The one I’d bought from Nora. From the ecru painted cinder stone exterior, to the red slate shingles, to the triquetra on the chimney, it was all mine. If I moved in with Ian, I’d have to give that up, too. The house represented my independence.

Ian would never strip me of my independence. I knew that soul-deep. I wouldn’t be giving up a piece of myself, I would be filling in a part of me that had been missing, like Nora had done when she’d moved away to be with Fletcher.

I continued down the street, and stopped one more time. A woman was on my front porch, eyes trained on me.

Chapter 24

The stranger waited while I closed the distance between us. She had hair so black it was most likely dyed. The make-up around her eyes was also dark, framing light hazel eyes. She wore black leggings and a lacy black top that showed off a tattoo on her shoulder depicting the phases of the moon. Another tattoo, rose crystals wrapped in sage, snaked from her cleavage.  Half-moon earrings hung at her ears and she sported a nose ring.

“Can I help you?” I asked when I reached my front door.

She glanced at the chimney, then at me. “That depends. Are you Brynn Taylor?”

I checked Kyle’s house to see if he was home, more from habit than anything else. He had been a policeman, after all, in case I was in danger.

Nora had always told me people would find me, and with the closing of the boutique, I should get used to more strangers stopping by. I straightened and raised my chin. “I am.”

“I’m Madeleine Stephens.” Her hazel eyes flashed with a familiar glow.

Ash hissed inside her carrier. Madeleine’s gaze shifted, and the carrier rebalanced with Ash’s movement.

“To what do I owe the honor?” I asked.

“What kind of person would undo another person’s magic?” The question was simply stated, but I knew better than to accept it at face value.

“One who was shown a recipe,” I replied. “I’m sure you know how it works.” I wasn’t about to invite her inside, and yet this was my opportunity to ask for her help in person. I nodded toward the back of the house. “Would you like to sit on the patio?”

She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. “Maybe for a moment.”

I walked around the house and let Ash out of her carrier. The cat made a mad dash for her cat door into the workroom.

“Are you telling me Daria came to you?” Madeleine asked.

“I am. I gave her rose tea and sent her away, but she returned, and when she came back, the recipe was waiting for me.”

Madeleine waved a hand in the air with an extravagant show of sarcasm. “Please go on. I’m all ears.”

“She was upset. I believed she was sorry for her part in your brother’s misfortunes. I didn’t realize my mistake until she finished drinking the draught.”

“Judging by your email, the magic traveled,” she said.

I nodded. “The sediment in the rose tea identified you as the author of the spell, and when I asked Daria, she told me about you.”

Madeleine surveyed the yard, taking in the garden and long windows of the sunroom where I mixed my recipes. “Nice setup you have here.”

I sat at the patio table. “The property has been in the family since the early nineteen-forties.” I crossed my arms. “Have you changed your mind about canceling the spell? You’d mentioned your brother’s appeal looked promising.”

She studied her long fingernails. “I’d have to wait until September 2 to be sure the terms have been satisfied and my brother is set free.”

If I admitted to having problems with my magic, I ran the risk of her hexing me for interfering, something she’d already demonstrated herself capable of. “Then I suppose I’ll go ahead with my plans to return the spell to Daria.”

“I have no argument with that.” Madeleine set her hands on the back of the chair across from mine. “Are you sure you can? I’m not seeing the magic in you.”

“I choose to keep it to myself.” I’d met other people who had masked their abilities—much to my detriment. Would she believe me?