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

voice faded as she scolded my nephew. “Remy, take that out of your mouth.” Her voice returned to normal volume. “I have to go. We can catch up on Saturday.”

“You sure I can’t bring anything?”

“We’re having mostaccioli, garlic bread and a couple of snicky-snacky kind of things. Jeannine’s bringing a salad. Nothing fancy.”

“I’ll bring a dessert then.”

“That’d be great. See you then.”

I stared at my phone, trying to decide if I should call Jeannine. I knew she was nervous about introducing Travis to her brother. Focusing on someone else’s problems would help me forget my own. Hopefully.

She answered on the third ring.

“I just got a text from Sharon,” she said. “You and Kyle broke up?”

I chuckled. The family information channel was as fast as the rumor mill in Hillendale. “Yes, we did.”

“I’m sorry.”

I closed my eyes to push back the wayward emotions. “Don’t be. Are you ready for dinner Saturday?”

“I’d hoped Kyle would be there so at least Travis would have a friendly face in case we dissolved into a family spat.”

“I wouldn’t expect...” I stopped when I remembered the first time Jason had showed up at my door after years without any communication. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. I took a breath and started again. “Jason wants what’s best for you. We’ll have to make sure he knows you aren’t rushing into this and you’ve considered all the angles, which I’m sure he intends to point out to you.”

“Has already pointed out to me,” she added. “And I’ve reassured him I’m well aware.”

I managed a smile. “Then you’ve already had the family spat, right?”

She laughed. “Honestly, Brynn. I don’t know how you manage to always make me feel better. After all the shit my mother put you through...”

“She put you through the same shit,” I reminded her.

“No. Not the same. When I think on those days growing up, I want to cringe. I should have said more. Done more. As long as you were there, she had somewhere else to direct her venom. How do you stay so positive?”

“You can thank my parents for that. I had eight years with them before they died.” Tears welled in my eyes. Every little thing seemed to be setting me off these days. “I’ll see you Saturday,” I choked out.

Ash raced across the room and leapt into my lap, as if she knew I needed comfort.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” I whispered as I petted her.

I carried her to the workroom. No open grimoires. More from habit than anything else, I checked my supply of essential oils and bottled herbs. I still had the B&B contracts to fulfill, an area to check for expansion, and I could market my products to gift shops in other towns.

“It’s going to be okay,” I said again.

I glanced out the window. Lights were on at Kyle’s house. I saw shapes behind the curtains. He wasn’t alone.

None of my business. I turned away.

Ash strained to jump down and I walked outside to find my peace.

I walked the footpath into the woods and diverted to the weeping beech tree. The setting sun cast shadows all around. A white squirrel scampered through the leaves and needles carpeting the ground. A breeze stirred the beech tree, creating the illusion of waves. I crossed my legs and sat, staring at the tree, hoping for a disembodied voice to repeat my mantra that everything was going to be okay.

I closed my eyes and the breeze lifted my hair. As I cleared my mind, strains of Blackbird echoed from somewhere far away. My music box?

“Mama?” I whispered. “Nora?”

You aren’t alone, sweet Brynn.

I squeezed my eyes tight, knowing I wouldn’t be able to see who’d spoken to me. The voice was enough.

Chapter 34

I must have fallen asleep in the woods. Ash nudged me awake to a sunny morning. A chill shivered through me and I cuddled my cat for warmth.

As we neared home, Madeleine Stephens came into view, seated on the picnic bench in the park that backed up to my yard. She faced the footpath as if she knew I’d be coming. Ash tensed and snuggled closer.

“I see her,” I said into Ash’s fur.

A low growl emanated from deep in Ash’s throat.

“I’ve got this if you want to go on ahead,” I whispered.

Ash leapt from my arms and dashed for her cat door in the workroom.

I raised my chin and continued on. “You’re here early this morning.”

“In a manner of speaking,” she said.

I wasn’t in the mood for riddles. “Should I assume you’re looking for me?”

Madeleine rose from the park bench, a flash of sunlight sparking her nose ring. “The drug charges against my brother have been dropped. Thank you for asking your boyfriend to intervene.”

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore,” I said.

She smiled, a mysterious sparkle in her eyes. “So I understand. Are you sure you’re done with him?”

“Yes. I’m glad your brother’s been cleared.” I walked past her, into my backyard.

“I canceled the spell,” she called after me.

Which meant my debt to Kyle had been paid. I stopped and bowed my head. Our relationship was officially ended. “Thank you.” I tried to let go of the flood of emotions before I turned to face her once more. “I contacted the woman I told you about, about the Wiccan coven. She’s agreed to meet with you if you still want people to share knowledge with.”

Madeleine took a step back, her eyes widening. “Thank you.” She glanced down the footpath. “I came to tell you about the spell last night, but I couldn’t find you.”

I laughed. “Are you saying you’ve been sitting here all night?”

She blushed. “No, not after I lost you in the woods. When you weren’t home yet this morning, I thought I’d wait. I figured you had to come back the way you left.”

She couldn’t find me? The beech tree must have wrapped me in its enchantment, even if I hadn’t hidden beneath its branches. “Let me get you Hannah’s contact information.”

I retrieved the slip of