All Too Familiar Read online

  If anything, his grin just got bigger. “You’re going to get your car, right? I just wanted to be there when you did.” He chuckled. “Don’t be surprised if half the town turns out for this.”

  Okay, I knew I was excited about the day, but half the town? What the heck?

  I glared at him. “Spill.”

  His chuckle grew into a full-fledged belly laugh. “And spoil the surprise? Not on your life.”

  Worry crept into my brain. “Is there something wrong with the car? Eddie said it ran great.”

  “Oh, it does. It does. Runs great. Only has about fifty thousand miles on it, too, so it should last you for a very long time.” That idea seemed to set him off again. I was beginning to wish I’d just opted to walk.

  “I have to go to Boswell’s first to turn in the paperwork and get the keys,” I reminded him.

  “No problem. It’s my day off. I have all day to enjoy this. Can’t think of anywhere else in the entire world I’d rather be right now.”

  Now the worry had a firm hold.

  Within minutes—which shows how much time a car can save a person—we were parked on the street outside Boswell Bonds. Opie stayed in the car while I went in to do the paperwork.

  I’d figured Boswell would be all frowns. He always was whenever he was handing me my pay for doing a job. Not this morning. The whole dumb grinning thing must be all the new rage in town.

  “You need a lift over to the garage?”

  The weasel was offering me a lift? When had he ever offered to do something nice for someone without making a profit off it? That one little question had my worry going off the charts. What the heck was wrong with this car?

  I declined, grabbed the keys, and went back out to Opie. Somehow, it didn’t really surprise me when Boswell followed me out the door and walked furiously down the street towards the garage. I’d never seen the man move that fast. He’d most likely be there before we would.

  When we pulled into the little parking area for the shop, I could tell that Opie hadn’t been far from wrong. It certainly looked like at least half the town had shown up for this. There was a feeling of happiness and suspense in the air, like carnival day or something.

  They actually cheered when I got out of the car. Huh. That had never happened to me before.

  Eddie made his way through the crowd and motioned for me to follow him around behind his building. As excited as I was, the dread was still creeping in. First Opie, then Boswell, now the rest of the town?

  But my feet didn’t fail me, and I followed Eddie toward my new set of wheels.

  When I first saw it, my heart was in my throat. The love was instant and overwhelming. The Beast had sprung for a custom paint job. I’d never expected that. The car was a mixture of green, black, and white, all swirled together in a camouflage pattern. I loved it!

  My sharp intake of breath set Opie off again. “Wait for it,” he said. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or the crowd.

  Eddie had been standing in front of me blocking part of my view of the vehicle. When he stepped to the side, I swear the entire town held its breath. Finally, I saw why everyone had shown up for this.

  The Beast had owned a construction company, and within several of the black spaces on the car, there were slogans. And symbols. The driver’s side door held the biggest of them, at least from this side. “Connor Construction keeps going until the job is done.” That wasn’t so very bad, but the little picture to the side was. An overly tall standing screwdriver flanked at the bottom by huge nuts—the hardware kind, at least. It left no doubt as to exactly what ‘job’ Connor had been referring to.

  I swallowed hard and made a complete circuit around the car. There were more slogans and pictures than I have fingers and toes. I had two choices. I could be upset that I would be driving a vehicle that basically degraded women everywhere with overblown masculinity and downright obscenity, or I could be overjoyed that I had a vehicle to drive. I went with the latter.

  After all, from a distance, all you really noticed was the camouflage pattern. And that I loved.

  When I didn’t burst into tears and run away sobbing, the disappointed crowd started to leave. Must not have been nearly as much fun for them as they’d hoped. Boswell, however, stuck around.

  “So, how do you like it?” Funny, but the grin he was still wearing was so out of place it was totally starting to freak me out.

  “Well, I’m guessing you can see that it needs a bit of work.”

  “Nope. It really doesn’t need a thing. Perfect just the way it is. Isn’t that right, deputy?”

  Opie looked deep into my eyes. “You know Boswell. I think in her eyes, it pretty much is.”

  See? At least one person here got me. I reached out and touched the car for the first time. “It’s really mine?”

  Now even Boswell had lost interest. Maybe the fact that he’d just given away an actual car that was worth much more than any cash payment he would have given me was finally starting to seep into that thick skull of his.

  Too late. This sweet ride was mine. I’d deal with the slogans later.

  Shouldn’t be too hard.

  Chapter 3

  THE REST OF THE MORNING passed by very slowly. The BMV must exist in some kind of time loop. I’d swear I was there for longer than the three hours it took me. Not that three hours was anything to sneeze at. But I walked out legal to drive my new baby and that’s all that mattered.

  I wanted nothing more than to take her for a real spin. Spend the whole rest of the day venturing as far away from Wind’s Crossing as I could make it in the hours I had left. But that was just a wish. The meeting tonight would be a long one, and I’d need a nice nap this afternoon if I even hoped to be able to cope with not only my aunt, but the entire Windsong Coven as well.

  If only I could go back in time and go on that retreat with Ruby. Why should she have all the fun? And more importantly, why should I be stuck at home alone with her mom? Sometimes life just wasn’t fair.

  So I settled for a quick drive through lunch and then made one final stop of the day. I felt a lot better after ordering two magnet signs advertising my photography services. They would work nicely to cover up the rather graphic symbol and slogan on my car doors. I even ordered a nice witch flying across a full moon decal for my hood. That was another few feet of car space I wouldn’t have to worry about.

  Besides, everyone in town knew we were witches, anyway. It wasn’t like I had anything to hide in that respect.

  I was halfway home when I remembered the donuts. Good thing I had my car. Having to double back to town when you’re on a bicycle isn’t fun. I could get used to this new freedom. Although I’d have to come up with some other way to get my daily exercise in. Pedaling to and from town was about the only physical workout I ever got.

  Luckily, at this time of day, the Flour Pot wasn’t busy. In the mornings, it could be murder just getting a donut and a cup of java. But after the lunch hour, it wasn’t so bad. Of course, the donut selection was pretty skimpy by then too. That might be a part of it. I was really hoping he had a few raspberry-filled ones left. If not, I’d never hear the end of it.

  Naomi Hill was at the counter when I walked in. If I hadn’t desperately needed those donuts, I would have walked right back out again. It wasn’t bad enough that she was fervent in her hatred of witches and everything they represented.

  No, I’d added to that hatred by chasing down her precious son and putting him back in jail. Now, she hated witches in general and me in particular. I kept my head down, but she still saw me. I was really hoping she wasn’t going to make a scene.

  The thing was, there was only one raspberry donut left in the case, and I didn’t want to take the chance of losing it. I stepped up to the counter and smiled at the man behind it. “I don’t suppose you have any more Raspberry Delights in the back? You know they’re my aunt's favorite.”

  “Sorry, Amie. Mrs. Hill took all the rest I had except that one. Opal will just hav
e to make do with one.”

  She wasn’t going to be happy, but at least I wasn’t going home completely empty-handed. I could feel Mrs. Hill’s heated stare boring into my back. Dang it, she was still here. Probably wishing like heck that she’d taken that last Raspberry Delight.

  At least she waited until after I placed my order to accost me. As I grabbed my bag and tried to hustle out the door, she stepped into my path.

  “Well, look what the devil let out to play.” Her tone was sharp. I knew if we hadn’t been indoors, she’d have spit at my feet. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  “You know we aren’t devil worshipers, Mrs. Hill. In fact, we worship the same God I believe you do.” It wasn’t my fault she failed to worship the Goddess too.

  Her bark of a laugh had not an ounce of humor to it. “I highly doubt that. Your whole family is nothing but pagans.” She said that like it was a bad thing.

  Goddess help me, I just couldn’t hold myself in. “So, how’s Tommy doing?” Last I’d heard he was still serving time in the local jail for hacking into places he shouldn’t have been able to access. He always was a geek when it came to computers.

  “Like you don’t know, you hussy.” The hatred in her eyes burned straight into my soul. “Back off him, witch. Opal cast her spell on my George back in high school and left me with nothing but the dregs of a diabetic man when she was through with him. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll release your spell on my Tommy. A woman can only take so much.”

  I was still standing there with my mouth open when the door shut behind her. What the heck? I turned to Mr. Clark, the shop owner, and luckily only other witness to her even odder than usual behavior.

  “What bee flew in her bonnet today? You have any idea at all what she’s talking about?”

  He shrugged. “Full moon’s tonight, ain’t it? Probably wondering how she’ll keep the mister home tonight.”

  “I take it he’s found our new meeting place then.”

  “Oh yeah. Don’t matter how many times you all move around, he’ll keep looking ‘til he finds you.” He blushed and turned his eyes away. “You gotta admit a family of attractive female witches dancing in the buff around a fire is quite the draw.”

  “Well, for the record, most nights I dance in a swimsuit.”

  He nodded. “Heard that.” Then he grinned. “Kind of disappointed me to be truthful. But then it ain’t you young girls George Hill is going to see.”

  I thought back to Naomi’s words. “Was there really something between Opal and George?”

  “Not nearly as much as George would have liked there to be.”

  A couple of people walked in the shop and Mr. Clark turned to help them. I raised my bag in thanks and left.

  Learn something new every single day.

  WHEN MY ALARM WENT off at seven, the last thing I wanted to do was get up. Not that I was still super tired or anything. I just didn’t want to do the next few hours of my life. If only time travel existed, I could zap myself into the next morning and not have to deal with a joint coven meeting.

  I was really starting to think that the great and powerful Opal Ravenswind had made a huge mistake inviting the Windsong gang. They might think this was a victory and the start to many more joint meetings. I’m not sure that was in the cards. Like ever.

  My swimsuit went on first, then I layered on a clean pair of pajamas—hey, I didn’t care what the others thought of me, and they were so much easier to get out of. It wasn’t like we were going any distance. Just into the woods out back and up the big hill. We used to meet in the valley, but we got tired of having so many men camp out in the woods surrounding us. Most of them even brought high-powered binoculars. The hills around that valley weren’t on Ravenswind land, and we couldn’t control who camped out there to watch the festivities.

  We had moved up to the top of the hill hoping to stop that. Didn’t sound like it worked though. Perverts will always find a way. I just didn’t like the idea of being anyone’s peep show. Even if he wasn’t doing it to look at me, I was still there. A swimsuit was most likely going to be my go-to skyclad outfit from here out. I might even have to invest in a one piece just for the occasion.

  After dressing, I grabbed a couple bundles of firewood and went to join Opal. She was already there, preparing herself for what lay ahead. That was her job. My job was building the fire and making sure it was going strong by ten o’clock when the others showed up. I’m thinking Opal’s job was a lot easier.

  I already had a pretty good pile of dead wood up there that I’d gathered over the last couple of days. The two bundles I grabbed should be more than enough to see us through the meeting. Too big of a fire and I’d be up there for hours after the meeting waiting for the embers to finally die down. The last thing we wanted was to commune with the Goddess’ nature and then burn it down. That would really put a damper on her blessings.

  I brought my latest mystery novel to read while the fire was doing its thing. If I sat just right, with my back to Opal, she’d never know I wasn’t meditating like she was. Of course, once it started getting dark, that would be over.

  Not that it mattered. Val showed up just before nine. The fire was already going pretty nicely, so to my mind, that was okay. Opal, however, wasn’t happy. Especially when the other members of her coven traipsed in behind her. And each and every one of them was in full witch garb, including what they must have taken as a prerequisite: a full length hooded cloak.

  I had to turn to hide my grin. What must they be thinking of me and Opal just standing here in regular old clothes? Well, actually I was still in my pajamas, but Opal had opted for an oversized mu-mu type of house dress. One that would be easy to discard when it was time for the dancing to start. Knowing Val, she and her clan didn’t have a stitch on under those cloaks.

  Val gave Opal a smile that didn’t nearly reach her eyes. “Hope you don’t mind we’re early, but we wanted the full experience. I figured you’d be here hours earlier.”

  Well, yeah, did she think fires just popped into existence all by themselves? But I didn’t think the fire was why she was early. She was afraid Opal was going to call down the blessings before they got there.

  “Fine. Park your asses on the ground and meditate for an hour. That’s my full experience in a nutshell.” Then my aunt closed her eyes, shutting out the intruders to her concentration and returning to her trance state. She was great at that. Shutting out others, I mean.

  I shoved my book into my backpack and went back to tending the fire. Knowing my aunt, her calm facade wasn’t going to last too much longer. We’d be starting early for sure.

  The real shocker to me was when Tommy Hill showed up a few minutes later.

  Val must not be all that into meditation, which for a witch says a lot, because she knew the instant he stepped into the clearing. She glanced over at Opal who, for all the world to see, was still in a trance state. At least that’s what it looked like. I could see the pulse jumping in her neck. She wasn’t nearly as relaxed as she appeared to be.

  And now, neither was I.

  Tommy made it past the other sitting members of the coven to me. “I’m really sorry about this. When I asked for an invitation, I honestly didn’t know it would be a joint meeting with your coven.”

  I was trying hard to not meet his eyes. They say that our eyes are the windows to our souls. And right now, my soul was very conflicted. So I went back to safer ground for me.

  “I thought you were still in jail.” We were keeping our voices low. So low that it was my hope the crackling of the fire would mask our conversation to the others.

  He smiled at me. “Let’s just say I made a deal while I was inside.”

  “Let me guess. The government needed your help on some super-secret hacking project that only you could do?” Sue me, I watch a lot of crime shows on television. That was how it usually went on them.

  His smile faded. “I’m not supposed to talk about that.”

  My eyes fle
w to his. “You mean that’s what really happened?”

  He wouldn’t meet my eyes, instead he looked over at the meditating witches. “I never said that, did I?”

  Okay. Maybe real life mimics fiction more than I thought. After all, I was a bounty hunter now. Who could have seen that coming? I tried going back to a safer subject, even if it was a more uncomfortable one for me.

  “So, you’re a member of the Windsong Coven now? Where’s your cloak? And, most importantly, what’s your mom think about that?” After my run-in with her earlier in the day, I was fairly sure I knew the answer to that last question.

  He blushed. “I’m not a member. Not yet, anyway. I just wanted to see what it was all about, you know.” He threw a glance my way. “I guess I kind of wanted to know what made you who you are.” He paused. "And Valerie loaned me a cloak, but I forgot it in my closet back home. Didn't want to go by and get it with Mom there."

  I just stared at him. “Wait a minute.” I had to force my voice even lower. “You aren’t a member? You mean Val Kimble invited a guest to a joint meeting with the Gemstone Coven?”

  That was so not cool. And there was absolutely no way Aunt Opal would allow it if she knew. You invite curious guests to a regular meeting. Full moon blessings were meant only for those who were already dedicated and experienced witches.

  Now I was torn. Did I tell Opal and have her create a huge scene, or keep quiet and plead ignorance when she eventually found out? I mean, we were talking about Opal here. She would find out.

  Maybe there was another way. I motioned for Tommy to follow me, and I walked off into the trees. No way did I want the others, especially Opal, to overhear this.

  Once we were far enough out of earshot, I turned to the hot geek standing beside me. “Look, Tommy, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but you really need to leave before things get out of hand.”

  His eyebrows knit together as he frowned at me. “Do these meetings really get that wild?”