Spells A La Carte (Mystic Cafe Series Book 3) (3 page)

Grandma Imelda and I were in my car on the way back from the airport. Imelda was in the front seat with her giant brown leather pocketbook resting on her lap. Her white hair was piled high on top of her head, almost reaching the car’s ceiling. I’d always told her that her hairstyle looked like a giant ice cream cone. Grandma wore tan-colored pants with big white polka dots on them. Her white blouse had ruffles around the scooped neckline.

Grandma Imelda had had a smile on her face from the moment I spotted her rushing toward me at the airport. She wouldn’t lose the smile until it was time for her to leave Mystic Hollow. Her departure made me sad just thinking about it, but I would enjoy the time we had together.

“I can’t wait to see the place again,” Imelda said as she looked out the car’s window.

I hoped she liked what I’d done with the place. Not that I’d made many changes, but the food alone was cause for concern. I’d added quite a few new items to the menu.

“Things haven’t changed much,” Grandma Imelda said as we drove through town.

“You haven’t been gone for too long,” I said as I turned onto Main Street.

“It feels like forever. But I’m having a great time in Florida.”

I pulled up to the café and shoved the car into park. “Well, here we are.”

Grandma Imelda peered out the window. “Yes, here we are.”

The outside of the building still looked the same. Window boxes were filled with red geraniums that I’d actually remembered to water and the little wooden bench was still positioned in front of the café where it had always been.
Mystic Café
was written in big script letters across the window.

“I didn’t burn the place down,” I said as I got out of the car.

Imelda climbed out of the car and stood on the sidewalk. She peered up at the café. “It looks great. You’ve done a wonderful job, just as I knew you would.”

I would never understand where she got such confidence in me. Especially as disastrous as I’d been when I’d first taken over the café. Grandma Imelda peered around. She placed her hands on her hips. “When did that place open?” She pointed at the new shop.

“Yesterday,” I said.

“Hmm. Do you know who opened it?”

“Meredith came over and introduced herself. I’m sure she’s the same girl I went to school with. She’s my age.”

“Interesting. I will have to introduce myself,” Grandma Imelda said.

“Maybe you can get information out of her. You know, like where she’s been. Why she came back. You’re good at that stuff, Grandma.” 

She turned her attention back to the café. “But for now let’s go inside.”

As we started toward the door, movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. Rory Covington was walking down the sidewalk. He was on the opposite side of the street and he hadn’t looked over to notice us. Rory and I had been dating for a little while now. We were the perfect match for each other. At least that was what everyone in town said, and I believed them. Rory was good-looking and had a gentle, caring nature. He had a farm on the outskirts of town and he even rescued retired racehorses. He was my dream boyfriend, so what was the problem?

“Isn’t that Rory?” Grandma Imelda pointed.

“Yes, it is,” I said as I stared at Rory.

He walked inside the new shop and never even looked our way. That was odd.

“I suppose he will be over to see us soon,” I said, trying to sound casual.

I guided Grandma Imelda toward the door. I glanced over my shoulder one more time to see if I spotted Rory. He was still inside the shop. Grandma Imelda and I stepped inside the café.

She took a big whiff. “It smells just like I remember.”

The aroma of fresh baked goods and the lingering scent of bacon hung in the air. Grandma Imelda wasted little time marching across the floor and back into the kitchen. I was worried that she would hate the way I had organized the herbs and spices. We all had our own unique way of doing things though. Before I even had time to cross the floor she popped back from the kitchen.

She draped the apron over her head and then secured it around her waist. “I’m all ready for work.”

“Grandma, I didn’t want you to work while you’re here. You should relax. I have everything under control.” I took the dishes she’d just picked up out of her hand.

“Nonsense. I want to help and I won’t let you stop me.”

I knew that was the case. She’d never been one to take no for an answer.

She stepped over to the door again. “You know, there is something peculiar about that new shop.”

I couldn’t believe she felt it too. I thought it had all been my imagination.

I stepped over to the window beside Grandma Imelda. We watched the shop. An uneasiness fell over me knowing that Rory was in there. Why did I feel as though he was in danger? For a moment I wondered if I should go over there. But before I could act on that thought, a woman emerged from the shop. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Her appearance seemed completely normal until we noticed her stumbling.

“She acts like she’s been at the bourbon bottle already this morning,” Grandma Imelda said.

“She does act that way, doesn’t she?” I said.

We watched the woman stumble all the way down the sidewalk until she was out of sight.

“I hope she makes it home okay,” Grandma Imelda said.

“Me too,” I said.

Just then Rory stepped out from the shop. He stumbled too. My grandmother looked at me. I knew that she wouldn’t be happy if I was dating someone who liked to tie one on at this time of morning. She loved Rory, but she wouldn’t be happy with that behavior.

“It looks as if he’s partaking too,” she said with disapproval in her voice.

“Rory really doesn’t drink much. Maybe the occasional beer,” I offered.

Although it sure didn’t look as if that was the case right now. Rory was headed toward the café. A car honked as it crossed the street. I hoped he was a little more careful when he crossed the street the next time. Maybe I should let him go home alone. There was no way he could drive in that condition.

Grandma Imelda and I stepped back from the door and waited for Rory to enter. He stepped up to the door and pushed it open. He immediately looked to his left and spotted us. He flashed a dopey-looking smile at me. Just then the goofy look on his face disappeared. He looked like the Rory that I knew. The morning sun streamed through the window and splashed across his handsome face. Streaks of gold highlighted his already blond hair. His blue eyes sparkled even brighter than normal. Muscles peeked out from under his short-sleeved T-shirt. His jeans hit in all the right places.

“Good morning.” Rory’s dimples appeared again.

Rory looked and acted completely normal now. Maybe he had just stumbled. Uneven pavement on the sidewalk? I was trying to think of any logical explanation.

“Grandma Imelda, it’s so good to see you again.” Rory stepped forward to hug her, but Grandma Imelda quirked an eyebrow and kept her hands folded across her waist. When she didn’t budge, Rory stuck out his hand toward her instead.

My grandmother eyed him up and down. I knew she was suspicious. I hoped this didn’t leave a lasting impression on her. She was usually forgiving. Plus, he hadn’t really done anything wrong.

“It’s nice to see you again too, Rory,” she said in a guarded voice. She reluctantly took his hand.

“We saw you across the street,” I said with a smile. I didn’t want him to think we were spying… but I wanted to know the story.

He gestured over his shoulder. “Yes, my cousin just opened the shop and I stopped in to congratulate her. I haven’t seen her in years.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Meredith Meese is your cousin?”

Grandma Imelda cast a glance my way.

“Yes, she used to live here and recently moved back. Isn’t that great?” Rory’s voice was full of excitement.

“That’s fantastic.” I tried to match his enthusiasm, but I didn’t think it was working.

He looked at his watch. “Well, I’d better get to work.” He leaned over and gently kissed me. “I’ll talk to you tonight. Have a great day.” He waved at Grandma. “It was nice seeing you, Mrs. Blair.”

She gave him a lukewarm smile. “Likewise.”

Rory walked out the door and for a few minutes awkward silence hung in the air. I knew Grandma Imelda wanted to say something. She might as well get it over with.

“Something doesn’t seem right about that shop.” Grandma Imelda pointed across the street. “I definitely think something is wrong.”

“It’s probably just because you’ve been gone and anything new seems strange to you.” I brushed off her comment with a wave of my hand.

She quirked an eyebrow and I chuckled nervously. I knew she was right. I sensed it. It might sound crazy, but I felt a tingle of misplaced magic around the edges. And I knew that Grandma Imelda was picking up on that too. Would the feeling go away? I wasn’t sure, but first I had to find out what kind of magic was being performed over there.

The phone rang and grabbed our attention. I hurried over and picked it up. “Mystic Café, may I help you?”

I was expecting to receive a few carry-out orders soon, since I’d posted that we would be closed today until lunch for Grandma Imelda’s return.

“Ms. Blair, it’s Reagan Baer-Turner with the Organization. Has your grandmother arrived?”

I glanced over at Grandma Imelda, who was still staring out the window at the shop. “Yes, she’s here.”

“Great. Why don’t you meet me at the park around nine tonight and I can give you the award.”

That was kind of an odd place to meet. Of course it wasn’t like there was some special awards ceremony in my honor. I was sure she just wanted to hand me the plaque and get out of town.

“Sure, I can meet you there.”

“Oh, and can you bring the Mystic Café spell book?”

“Why do you need the Mystic Magic book?”

Another odd request. I’d never understand the way the Organization worked. They were always doing weird things.

“I just want to make sure that it is updated with your name in it. I forgot to look the other day when I was there,” she said casually.

“Okay, sure, I guess that will be okay. It’s kind of heavy though.”

“I appreciate it, Elly. You’ve been fantastic.”

“I’ll see you then,” I said.

She clicked off the line.

“Who was that?” Grandma Imelda asked from over my shoulder.

“That was Reagan Baer-Turner. She wants to meet us at the park at nine to give me the award.”

Grandma Imelda scrunched her face up. “That is weird. Why doesn’t she just bring it here?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just lucky that the Organization is acknowledging me.”

Grandma Imelda waved her finger in my direction. “Don’t talk like that. I told you that you would be fantastic with the magic. And now it’s happening.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “We have some pies to bake, so let’s get going.”

We turned around to head to the kitchen when the door opening caught our attention. I jumped and spun around. I wasn’t quite sure why I was so on edge.

Mary Jane smiled and waved at us. Grandma Imelda raced toward Mary Jane. They hugged and wiped away the tears. Okay, I was wiping my eyes too after watching them too. After all the time they’d spent together, I knew that they’d been missing each other.

Finally Mary Jane looked my way. “So what’s on the agenda for today?”

“First we make pies,” I said with a smile.

Mary Jane grabbed her apron. “Perfect. Oh, by the way, I spotted our new neighbor Meredith across the street just now and she was taking something out of the back of her shop. It looked suspicious, if you ask me.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “What were you doing behind her shop?”

Mary Jane’s face turned red. “I guess I was just looking around.”  

Apparently she was just as suspicious as Grandma Imelda and me.

“I think that Meredith woman is up to something.” Grandma Imelda waved her finger.

She’d barely spoken the words when Meredith waltzed through the door. We all stared in shock. It was as if we’d been caught cheating on our homework. Luckily, we hadn’t said anything that she could have overheard. Well, other than Grandma Imelda. But I really didn’t think she’d heard.

Meredith stared at us for a second and then asked, “Are you serving lunch yet?”

After a couple seconds, I finally said, “Yes, please come in.”

She probably thought we were crazy for the way that we had acted when she’d first walked through the door.

“Where would you like to sit?” I asked.

She looked around and pointed toward the booth by the front windows. “Over here is fine.”

I grabbed a menu and followed her to the table. When I glanced back, Grandma Imelda and Mary Jane were still staring at us. When I approached the table, I felt Meredith’s magic. It raised the hair on the back of my neck. Her energy sent off an unpleasant tingling sensation that I’d never felt before. Now I knew that she was involved in the magic. I would have to find out more.

I took her order and hurried back to the kitchen to make her sandwich. Of course Mary Jane and Grandma Imelda followed me.

“What did she say?” Mary Jane asked.

“She ordered a sandwich,” I said.

“That’s it?” Mary Jane placed her hands on her hips.

“And a glass of sweet tea,” I added.

“We want to know if she mentioned the magic, dear,” Grandma Imelda said.

I placed cheese on top of the sandwich and then another slice of bread. “No, but I sensed the magic all around her. I figured when she was finished eating I could ask her about it.”

Grandma Imelda placed a dill pickle spear on the side of the plate as I carried it across the room. We huddled by the service window to spy on Meredith for a second. She was busy looking at her smartphone. She must have felt our stares because she looked up and spotted us. I waved and then headed toward the door.

“She must think we’re crazy,” I whispered.

“Or she knows that we’re on to her magic,” Grandma Imelda said.

I paused at the door. “Do you think she’s trying to hide it?”

Grandma Imelda shook her head. “I think she’s trying to hide something.”

I had no idea how I would explain that we had been watching her from the kitchen. I approached the table and placed the plate down in front of her.

“Here you are. Do you need anything else?” I asked with a smile.

Meredith grabbed her napkin. “No, I think that’s all. I noticed you all watching me back there.” She glanced over at Grandma Imelda and Mary Jane.

I looked over at them. They didn’t move but continued to watch us. “Oh, we thought we heard another customer.”

She studied my face for a moment and then nodded. “Okay.”

“Well, let me know if you need anything.”

She gave a half-hearted smile and I backed away from her table.

The three of us were huddled behind the counter. I knew that looked extremely suspicious. She looked over a few times at us. I tried to pretend like I was busy and not watching her, but I knew she wasn’t falling for it.

Grandma Imelda nudged my arm. “Go ask her about the magic.”

Why couldn’t Mary Jane or Grandma Imelda ask? I pushed my shoulders back and marched across the café floor toward her table. I tried to formulate what I would say before reaching her table, but I knew once I opened my mouth whatever I planned wouldn’t be what would come out.

She didn’t look up right away when I approached her table. She took a sip of her water and placed the glass down. Now I was right next to her. I knew she felt my presence so I had to speak.

“How was everything?” I asked in a cheery tone.

She looked at me. “Delicious, thank you. I’d like to pay now.”

I couldn’t let her leave without asking. I placed her ticket on the table. “There was one thing I’d like to ask.”

She stared at me, as if she knew exactly what I was going to say.

Did she know about the magic around town? She had to. That was the only explanation for why I felt magic around her. I looked around as if someone would hear me. Of course there was no one else in the place. Mary Jane and Grandma Imelda stood by the counter staring with wide eyes.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Does your shop have, you know, magic?” I just blurted it out. It was the only way to get the question out. Otherwise it would have stayed tangled in my mouth forever.

She stared at me with a confused look. “Magic? Like magic tricks?”

I quirked an eyebrow. What did she mean by magic tricks? If she meant spells and potions, then yes.

“Spells and potions,” I whispered.

She gave me a blank stare. Actually, she looked at me as if I had two heads. Apparently she had no idea what I was talking about. This was awkward.

“Okay. Well, thanks.” I hurried across the room back to the safety of Mary Jane and Grandma Imelda.

“What happened?” Mary Jane whispered.

Before I could answer Meredith approached with her cash in hand. Meredith thrust it toward me as if she wanted to get out as quickly as possible.

“Thank you,” I said as I took the money. What else could I say?

She hurried out the door, glancing back a couple times and scowling at us. I always tried to make sure customers were happy, but I’d failed this time.

“We’ll probably never see her in here again,” I said with a sigh.

“What happened, dear? It didn’t look as if it went well.”

I blew the hair out of my eyes. “You could say that. When I asked about magic, she acted as if she didn’t have a clue what I was talking about.”

Grandma Imelda leaned against the counter. “That is odd.”

“Why would you sense magic around her then?” Mary Jane asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I think I should find out.”

Grandma Imelda nodded. “Something isn’t right.”

Just then a flood of customers entered the café for lunch. There was a steady stream all day and I didn’t have a chance to even think about the odd occurrence again until it was time to close. I also hadn’t had time to think about the award. Sure, it was just a little plaque, but I was excited. For someone who had been clueless about magic just a short time ago, this was a big deal. I hadn’t known the difference between a dash of magical spices and a spoonful of mystical potions.

The three of us finished up with the cleaning and I turned off the lights. “Are you all set?” Grandma Imelda asked with a huge smile.

I looked the door behind us. “I wish I’d had time to shower and change.”

Grandma Imelda waved her hand. “Reagan knows you run a café.”

“I bet she doesn’t expect for me to show up with ketchup in my hair though.” I pointed at my head.

“I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” Mary Jane said.

“That’s okay. I know you will be there in spirit.”

“You know I will.” Mary Jane hugged us and walked the other way down the sidewalk.

As we set off down the sidewalk, I glanced over at Meredith’s shop. The lights were off and all was quiet. She had closed hours ago. Rory hadn’t called yet, which I thought was a little odd. I had hoped that he would go with us to the park. I couldn’t wait to show him the award.

At that moment Tom popped into my head. I wondered what he would say about my award. I wondered if he knew that I was getting it. Probably not. He would be too busy investigating magic gone awry all over the country. I thought back to the stormy day when Tom had been whisked into the café as if by a magical wind. The same mysterious air surrounded him now as did then.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Grandma Imelda said as we walked toward the park.

I’d forgotten to bring the spellbook with me to the park. I hoped that Reagan didn’t get mad.

“Just thinking about my award, I guess,” I said with a smile.

It was a short walk from the café to the park. I looked across the street at the quaint historic section of town. In many ways Mystic Hollow had changed since the 1800s, but just as many things had remained the same. Old buildings lined the streets and the mystical aura of the town captivated everyone, tourists and residents alike.
Cute shops and salon, a bakery and antique shop… Mystic Hollow had a little bit of everything.

“I am very proud of you.” Her tiny mouth curved up into a smile.

“Thank you, Grandma.”

Soon the park came into view. It was a dazzling array of lights. Strings of lights hung from the trees and were draped around the small fence that bordered the edges of the green space.
Magnolia and oak trees covered the area like a green canopy. I’d told Reagan we would meet her under the gazebo. It was also covered with a collection of twinkling lights. The whole park was magical.

“I don’t see her,” Grandma Imelda said as we approached the gazebo.

I stopped in front of it and scanned the park. “Maybe she hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Let’s have a seat and wait for her.” Grandma Imelda pointed toward the benches under the gazebo.

I peered up at the sky. “It is a beautiful night.”

My feelings overwhelmed me as I sat in the middle of Mystic Hollow Park. I’d never thought I would be good enough at magic to be recognized by the Organization. Now here I was eager to accept the acknowledgement. It was as if I’d finally found my place in the world after years of feeling lost.

Strands of lights covered the gazebo like glowing fireflies. The smell of fall leaves hung in the air. That wasn’t the only thing in the air either. Waves of magical energy emanated around me, weaving around and through the park, up and down streets and back again. Where was it coming from?

I took in the night’s enchanted appearance. The sensation of being watched couldn’t be shaken off. When I glanced over my shoulder, I noticed an owl up in that old oak tree. The tree had been there for at least a hundred years and I was sure that the owl was the same one that had been spying on Mystic Hollow residents ever since I could remember. I could have sworn that bird winked at me.

“It is a bit odd that she wanted to meet us here,” Grandma Imelda said, breaking the silence.

“Yes, I guess it is a little strange.” I looked over my shoulder again to see if I could spot Reagan. “I figured she’s just in a hurry to get out of town.”

“Then she should have come by the café earlier today,” Grandma Imelda said.

I tapped my fingers against the wooden bench. “I’m going to walk around and see if I can spot her.”

“I’ll wait here, dear. Grandma’s feet aren’t as young as they used to be.” She wiggled her feet, showing off her black shoes with the extra thick soles. 

I patted her hand. “I’ll be right back.”

I stepped out of the gazebo and walked down the pathway that led through the park. So far Reagan was nowhere in sight. If I didn’t see her in a couple minutes, I would try her phone. Maybe she’d forgotten me. That was hard to believe considering I was supposedly the only reason for her visit.

As I neared the bushes on the other side of the park, I glanced down and spotted what looked like a briefcase. I looked around, but I was the only one in the park other than Grandma Imelda, whom I’d left at the gazebo. I reached down and grabbed the briefcase. That was when I spotted the gold shiny plaque. The park’s dazzling lights twinkled off the polished metal. I knew right away what I’d found. My heart sped up. I picked up the plaque and it had my name written across the front. The black briefcase had to be Reagan’s. Now that I thought about it, I remembered this was the bag she’d had in the café.

I opened the briefcase. Inside all I found was a small black wallet. I pulled it out so I could check the contents. When I saw the driver’s license, I immediately recognized Reagan’s picture. Why was her briefcase and the plaque here without her? My stomach clenched with one of my intuitions that never presaged anything good. I had to call the police.

I hurried back over to the gazebo. Grandma Imelda must have noticed the concerned look on my face because she stood and hurried over to me as I approached.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

I held up the briefcase with one hand and the plaque with the other. “I found Reagan’s bag and the plaque, but she is nowhere in sight.”

“Are you sure?” Grandma Imelda furrowed her brow with concern.

I nodded. “I checked the wallet for her identification.”

“Oh, dear,” Grandma Imelda said.

I placed the bag and plaque on the ground and pulled out my phone. “I have to call the police.”

As I dialed the number, Grandma Imelda said, “You also have to call the Organization. They will want to look for her. Let’s hope that nothing is wrong and that she just lost her bag.”

I hoped that was the case, but it was doubtful. I told the 911 operator our location and briefly explained what had happened. Now Grandma Imelda wanted me to call the Organization?