Witch Weigh (A Paranormal Romantic Comedy) (12 page)
Read Witch Weigh (A Paranormal Romantic Comedy) Online
Authors: Caroline Mickelson
“And no one’s going to either,” the witch at the far end of the table said.
Tessa looked around, deeply grateful for the supportive expressions on everyone’s face. She could hardly speak. She tapped her fingers against her palm and traced a quick spell. She needed a glass of water. Within a second a drink appeared, but it wasn’t water. It was a steaming cup of hot chocolate complete with tiny, floating marshmallows.
She stared at the cup, incredulous. She tried another spell but this one was worse. Instead of a glass of water, a bottle of champagne appeared, complete with an ice bucket and two crystal flutes. She glanced up anxiously. “I don’t know what’s wrong, Aunt Trudy. I thought my magic was back.”
“It is my dear, don’t worry. It just needs a little fine tuning.”
Fine tuning? That didn’t begin to describe what it would take to get Liam Kennedy out of her mind, or out of her heart.
“Let me,” her Aunt Trudy said. Her fingers flew and a glass of ice water appeared on the table. Tessa smiled her thanks and took a sip.
“You’ve all been very kind to not ask me about the United Paranormal Council position but I have to tell you what’s happened.” She hated this. Admitting failure didn’t come easily, not when they’d been counting on her. The loss of the council seat itself didn’t matter to her. Not anymore. It was Liam’s betrayal, his choice to leave her that made her heart ache. She took another deep breath. “The luggage is gorgeous, really I love it. But I have no use for it. I’m not going to Europe.”
“We know,” several of the women chorused.
“You know,” Tessa repeated.
They all nodded.
Tessa was at a rare loss for words. She struggled to keep her tears at bay. They knew she’d ruined the opportunity for them and they were still being so kind. Marcus, Claudia and Bethany had given her the gift of friendship. These women, her coven of silent spell witches, had given her the gift of family.
“How?” she finally managed to ask. “How did you find out?”
“It was that nice fairy who told us,” Amelia said.
“Liam was here?” Tessa’s heart began to race.
“No, dear,” Aunt Trudy clarified, “it wasn’t your young man. It was his assistant Fiona. She came to explain everything.”
“I’m sure she did.” Tessa felt a stab of annoyance, but she knew it was just masking a terrible disappointment that Liam hadn’t come himself. He was probably too busy packing. “And Liam Kennedy is not my man.”
“I want to be.”
Tessa froze. He was here. At the sound of Liam’s voice, Jinx jumped off of her lap and raced to the door, tail wagging. Tessa didn’t turn around. She didn’t trust herself. She kept her eyes on her hands while Liam fussed over Jinx.
What was he doing here?
“Ladies,” Liam greeted the coven with a nod. He came to stand beside Tessa’s chair.
She turned to look up at him. Oh, heaven help her, her heart was desperately happy to see him even though she knew it was just going to hurt worse once he left again. “Hello, Liam.”
“Contessa.” He knelt beside her chair.
“What can I do for you?” She struggled to keep her voice even. His nearness made it impossible for her to appear unaffected. “Are you here to borrow my luggage?”
“No, I’m already packed.”
She forced herself to look into his eyes. “What do you want from me?”
He reached for her hand and held it in his. She wanted to snatch it back, she really did. But she couldn’t. The warmth of his touch was too strong a pull.
“I want forever.” Not taking his gaze from hers, Liam reached up and touched her cheek with his fingertips. “If you’ll have me.”
Tears welled in Tessa’s eyes. “I don’t understand. What about the Council seat? You wanted--”
He interrupted her by placing a finger over her lips. “I wanted you from the moment I first saw you,” he said. “Accepting the job was a stupid mistake. I don’t want it, I want you. The council seat is yours. Just say the word.”
“No, no.” Tessa didn’t need a moment to think. She didn’t want the job. The only thing she wanted was Liam. All to herself. Forever. “I don’t need to think about it. I want to be with you.”
Suddenly remembering they weren’t alone, she glanced around the table, anxious to judge the coven’s reaction. Their sappy grins and moist eyes told her all she needed to know. She looked at her Aunt Trudy.
The older woman nodded and smiled. “Go with our blessing.”
“You’re sure?” Tessa held tight to Liam’s hand.
“Of course we are,” her aunt said. She pointed to the mug of cocoa and the champagne. “You’ve obviously missed our clues. And the luggage too. Do you really think we would have bought luggage for you if we already knew you weren’t going to Europe? My girl, we may be older than you by a few hundred years but give us some credit.”
After their laughter subsided, Tessa shook her head. “The champagne I understand but what is the luggage for?”
“Let me show her, Trudy,” Clarissa called out. The old witch snapped her fingers and the lid of the top suitcase popped open. A black cashmere sweater floated out, followed by a pair of black wool slacks and a pair of leather boots. A ski parka was next. So they all knew about the trip to the mountain cabin. Tessa glanced over at Liam but his smile was nowhere as embarrassed as hers. He looked happy. Tessa knew she wanted to spend forever making sure that he stayed that way.
“Thank you all. I cannot tell you how much your support means to me. To us.” She started as an emerald green silk negligee floated out of the suitcase. When a black satin teddy started its assent she blushed. “Stop, stop…thank you but please don’t bring out anything else.”
Their laughter continued as they hugged her goodbye. Everyone, including Clarissa, waited in turn to give Liam a farewell kiss.
“Be happy, children.” Aunt Trudy waved and blew them a kiss before the entire coven disappeared at once.
Liam drew Tessa to him, nuzzling her hair. “We’re finally alone, my Contessa.”
She pulled back, not out of his embrace, but just far enough to look into his eyes. “Not exactly, Jinx is going with us, isn’t he?”
“Of course he is. The four of us will get along perfectly well I’m sure,” Liam said.
“Four?” Tessa’s eyes widened. “What haven’t you told me?”
He grinned. “I have a little present for you.”
Tessa watched as he pulled a remote from his pocket and pushed a button. A small cloud of gold sparkles swirled over the table. Jinx began to bark furiously but Tessa ignored him, her eyes intent on the gold cloud.
Finally the sparkles settled and a tiny, furry black kitten stood on the table. Its back was arched and it hissed furiously at them.
Joy such as she’d never experienced filled Tessa. She laughed. “He’s for me?”
“She. And yes, she’s yours.” Liam scooped up the miniature feline and handed it to her. “Jinx seems a bit attached to me so it only seems fair that you have someone on your side.”
Tessa laughed as Liam placed the kitten into her hands. It immediately bit one of her fingers, its tiny white teeth so small that the bite actually tickled.
“Feisty, isn’t she?” Liam gazed into Tessa’s eyes, his expression suddenly serious. “You’re happy, Tessa? You’re certain you want me?”
She nodded. “You’re all I want. Forever.”
“Exactly what I wanted to hear.” Liam radiated happiness.
Tessa held up the kitten, too delighted to care that it was furiously scratching at her hand. “Does she have a name?”
Liam grinned. “I named her after you.”
“After me?” Tessa raised an eyebrow.
“Tessa, meet Minx.”
“Perfect!” Tessa leaned in and kissed Liam’s cheek. “I love her, Liam. And you. Thank you. But you know what they say about minxes, don’t you?”
He shook his head.
“Oh, they’re terrible trouble,” she told him. “They don’t listen and they’re always up to something. Are you sure you’re ready for the challenge? I hear they’re impossible to tame.”
Liam’s eyes gleamed with mischief. He pulled her close. “I think the fun, my Contessa, is going to be in trying.”
Acknowledgements:
~ Kat Wells, author and friend, thank you for reading (and rereading!) this novella so many times!
~ Mikaela and Jackie ~ thank you for your enthusiasm when this project was just getting started!
~ My husband, Senad, and our four precious children who make my life joyous.
About the Author
Caroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write. She also loves a good adventure, among her favorites thus far were attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, riding a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taking a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. Caroline lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children, affectionately known as The Miracles.
For more information please visit Caroline’s website:
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