Collards & Cauldrons Read online

  Movement from the little unicorn’s stall interrupted our moment, and we approached the tiny beasty quietly. The creature snorted and blinked her sleepy eyes. Spotting the two of us, she rose on her four legs and shook her body from mane to tail. She approached with careful steps and stuck her head out close enough for us to touch.

  Mason and I scratched her wherever she demanded, our fingers bumping into each other.

  “Who knows,” the detective said with a grin. “If miracles like this little one exist, then there might be hope for us yet.”

  Chapter Two

  The sun shone bright the morning after Alison Kate and Lee’s wedding. I should be at the day-after wedding brunch being thrown by Blythe at the Wilkins’ house by the water, watching the newlyweds open their gifts. Instead, my impatient behind occupied one of the chairs on my porch while I listened to the creak of the wood underneath me while rocking my sleepy niece back and forth.

  “It was a great wedding,” I spoke in a whisper. “The bride wore a beautiful gown that made her look like a modern-day princess. The groom was at a loss for words for the first time in his life.”

  Rayline blinked her eyes as if she understood. I ran a finger down her downy soft cheek.

  “After they were married, we ate some good food and danced up a storm. You know who’s a really good dancer? Your daddy. That’s because our daddy, your grandpa, taught him.” I didn’t stop the moisture gathering in my eyelashes. “Dad said a man should know how so he can surprise his woman at any time, and they can dance through life together. My mom, your grandma and namesake, loved to dance.”

  A tear rolled down my cheek at the memories of random moments Dad would hum a tune off key, grab Mom, and swing her around the floor until she lost her breath giggling. The baby grabbed onto my finger with her tiny digits and squeezed, bringing me back to the here and now.

  I lifted her up and kissed her bald head, breathing in her signature sweet smell. “You come from a long line of love, Sunshine.”

  Speaking of men who could dance, someone had spent time teaching Mason a step or two as well. Although we were paired together in the wedding party, we’d been distantly polite and friendly for the entire event. When it came time for the bridal party to join the new husband and wife on the dance floor, I expected a basic sway to the music. Instead, Mason had taken control, leading me around the floor with masterful ease, not allowing me to trip or fall at any moment. I’d told him it wasn’t fair for us to outshine the newlyweds.

  My body hummed to life on the porch, remembering the words he’d whispered into my ear. “They’ll have the rest of their lives to shine. This moment belongs to us.”

  For a brief second in the universe, nothing else had existed, and hope settled again in my chest. But when the music stopped, our bubble popped and the polite awkwardness from before returned.

  Rayline squirmed in my arms and squeaked in displeasure, mimicking my own mood.

  “I don’t know what will happen to us either, sweet girl.” I picked up the binkie that had fallen out of her mouth and replaced it.

  Before we settled back into our rocking rhythm, my fuzzy orange kitty jumped up on the arm of the chair and stared at the invader of her lap space.

  “I’m sorry, Peachy Poo, your spot is currently taken. You’re gonna have to learn to share.” With my arms full, I couldn’t even scratch her little head.

  Nonplussed, Peaches sniffed around the bundle of baby. Satisfied for the moment, she stretched, digging her tiny claws into the flesh of my arm for good measure, and jumped to the rocking chair next to us. After turning a couple of times, she settled down to enjoy the warmth of the day and fulfill her role as my silent companion.

  Voices floated across the field, and my heart rate quickened. I spotted Caro Whitaker walking with TJ after checking out our newest magical resident. The questions I’d wanted to ask her when she first arrived bubbled to the surface again, and I longed to run out there to confront her. But Rayline fussed when I fidgeted, so I forced myself to stay put and wait.

  All three Whitaker sisters had accepted Alison Kate’s insistent invites to attend, but they’d kept a polite distance and stuck to the edge of the party all night. Since my job as bridesmaid had to come first, I didn’t get a chance to ask them anything.

  The two professional animal healers walked toward me, deep in discussion about special care for the unique creature.

  “Promise you’ll keep me posted with any changes or observations,” the eldest Whitaker sister insisted. “And thanks for the rare opportunity to see her.”

  My sister-in-law patted Caro on the shoulder. “I appreciate your insight on how to try and care for a being we all thought was mythical. Although I’ve heard you’ve worked with a hippogriff before.”

  Caro’s steps faltered and her face hardened in surprise. “Uh, any stories you heard might have been greatly exaggerated. Besides, I told everyone involved to keep it quiet. If word gets out you’re harboring creatures that might be legendary, you could end up fighting off undesirables, if you get my meaning.”

  “That’s a good point,” agreed TJ, rubbing her shrunken belly out of habit. “I might have to remind all of Honeysuckle to keep their mouths shut about our one-horned miracle.”

  Caro rubbed the back of her neck. “She may be young and still so small, but the magic inside her is astounding. It will be far more difficult for you to contain the secret when she comes of age. That much power roaming the Earth freely will attract attention.”

  “You can sense that in her?” TJ failed to hide her apprehensive awe, walking up the porch steps to claim her daughter.

  The newcomer swallowed hard, and her gaze flitted back and forth between my sister-in-law and me. “I don’t normally reveal my magic to strangers.” She blew out a breath. “But Ginny and Georgia told me you were good people, so I trust you.”

  “What goes on in Honeysuckle is our business,” I said, holding Caro in my gaze. “We won’t share what doesn’t need to be said.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “Sorry I’m so cautious. I should know better after all the stories I’ve been told. You didn’t deserve my distrust.”

  “Let’s get some sweet tea in you and then I’ll take you to your sisters,” TJ offered.

  Too nervous to ask my questions, I got up from the chair. “You two sit out here and enjoy my porch. I’ll get the drinks.”

  In the kitchen, I battled over whether or not I should ask about Dash. We’d texted on our spell phones a few times, but only traded basic information. I prepped three glasses with ice and pulled the pitcher of sweet tea out of the refrigerator, going back over all the scenarios in my head of what he meant when he always replied he was fine.

  “He misses you,” Caro’s voice interrupted my thought-filled fog.

  “Frosted fairy wings, you startled me,” I exclaimed, placing a hand over my beating heart to contain it.

  She grabbed a towel from the oven handle and knelt down to wipe up some spilled tea. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to let you know. I’m surprised you haven’t asked any of us about him.”

  I focused on pouring the drinks. “I’ve been a bit busy.” The half-truth barely convinced me.

  Caro finished and crumpled the damp fabric in her hands. “My sisters have told me about the progress with the detective. I guess he’s decided to stop trying to regain his memories. That’s gotta be tough on you.”

  My pursed lips held back nothing but silence. What words could express the limbo status I found myself in every morning I opened my eyes to a new day?

  She regarded me with care. “My sisters and I discussed how much we should tell you and what was his to tell you himself. He’s healthy. It turns out he’s a pretty good leader and things are getting better with his pack.”

  I nodded, keeping my eyes trained on the floor.

  “His brother Davis is living on my property,” she continued. “Dash visits often, and we share meals once in a while. But honestly, he
doesn’t say much of anything.”

  I scoffed and took the towel from her. “He never does.”

  “Listen, I don’t know what he is to you. But he’s a friend, and I think he needs time to adjust to his life. And that’s really all I feel comfortable in sharing. I’m sorry.” Caro touched my arm in genuine sympathy.

  I handed her a glass to take outside. “No, I understand. We’ve both got spell phones we can use to communicate.” I paused to consider her last statement. “And frankly, I need time, too.”

  Caro’s eyes brightened. “Phew. I thought you might try to hex me or something. Sometimes my siblings hate it when I try to play big sister to everybody around me.”

  “I’ve got an older brother, and I totally get it.” I ushered her out of the kitchen and back to the porch. “If he asks about me when you return, tell him my number hasn’t changed.”

  She laughed in approval. “Good idea, although he won’t like that answer. And when will you call his number?” she challenged.

  Until I fulfilled what Dash told me I was going to do and saved Mason, I couldn’t do more than text him. “Soon,” I lied and chose a line of deflection. “Are you and your sisters going to the witches’ conference in Charleston?”

  Caro raised her eyebrow but didn’t push. “No. I heard about it from a couple of the guests at the wedding, but we won’t be attending.”

  “Why not?” I asked. “You’d be more than welcome. And you can hang out with us.”

  She shook her head as she waited for me to open the door to the porch. “Thanks, but not this time. We’re in the process of repairing our lives in the mountains after the Red Ridge battle. My sisters have been inspired by Honeysuckle Hollow and have some ideas that will take time to develop. But you guys have fun hobnobbing with the hoity toity. Definitely keep us in the loop.”

  The bus our group rode on to go to the conference bounced underneath my seat. I stared out the window on our way to Charleston but hardly noticed any of the scenery. My seat mate Blythe poked me with her finger again and again until I squirmed and swatted her away.

  “Cut that out,” I grumbled.

  “No, you cut it out.” My best friend leaned in so she could speak in a lower tone. “The cloud hanging over your head is gonna cause rain to fall on all of us if you don’t stop moping.”

  I snorted and watched vast stretches of ploughed farmland pass as we drove by. “You know I can’t conjure weather magic or any kind of specialized powers for that matter.”

  “Oh, boohoo, poor you. Yes, you somehow lost your tracking powers. And one of the guys you liked is obliged to get married sometime this year while the other one had his memories of you stolen so he no longer loves you.” Blythe stopped short of listing anything else. “You know what? That’s a lot to deal with. Who am I to tell you to stop being depressed?”

  My friend’s undying support shook me out of my mood. I leaned my head onto Blythe’s shoulder and rested it there. “Thanks, B.”

  She stroked my hair, her touch sending ripples of comfort through me. “It’s my job to be there for you. But I’ll admit, it’s been a little tough lately. And besides, it looked like things between you and the detective weren’t horrible at the reception. I saw the two of you dancing together.”

  I leaned away from her and scanned the heads of the people sitting in front of us. Somewhere up there was Mason, so close and yet so far away.

  “Maybe the two of you could take this time to get to know each other better in the here and now.” Blythe bumped my knee with hers. “Based on the way he looked at you during the ceremony and the way he held you on the dance floor, I doubt the door between you is closed yet.”

  “What are you, a psychic now?” I teased. I wanted to keep Mason’s and my mutual agreement not to dwell on the past and to move forward between the two of us.

  She gestured at a seat diagonal from us. “No, but I know two who are becoming well-trained.”

  I watched Lily and Lavender deep in a private conversation. Except their mouths weren’t open. “Yeah, their grandmother is pushing them hard. I’ll bet Linsey’s gonna be really jealous when she gets back from college. All her journalism know-how to get to the bottom of things won’t hold a candle to her kin’s abilities.”

  The bus drove over a bridge that spanned a short distance over water. Trees dripping with Spanish moss lined the shores and colorful sea grass rose in tufts in the water. The beauty of the Lowcountry tugged at my wounded soul and forced me not to dwell in my dark thoughts too long.

  “It really is beautiful down here. We don’t even live that far away, but it feels like we’ve entered a new territory.” I straightened in my seat to get a better look out the window.

  “Eveline secretly owns a residence somewhere South of Broad Street she rents out to tourists for extra income. She invited me to use it, but since we’re all staying at the hotel for the conference, I wanted to stick with my girls.” Blythe held up her fist for me to bump.

  I obliged, and we both giggled at our silliness. Alison Kate leaned over the back of our seat. “What’s amusing the two of you?”

  “You,” I said, shaking my head. “Why in the world aren’t you on your honeymoon, Ali Kat?”

  Lee joined his new spouse staring down at us. “Because my wife didn’t want to miss out on the event. We’ll split off from everyone after the conference. I’ve reserved a place for us out on Wadmalaw Island. Only shrimpers and cicadas out there. I’ll have my wife all to myself for an entire week.”

  Alison Kate blushed. “I love hearing you say that.”

  “What, that I get you all to myself?” Lee grinned like a fool who’d won the lottery.

  “No, whenever you say my wife. Y’all, I’m married.” Our jubilant friend shoved her left hand between Blythe and me, showing off the golden band that joined the other ring with a fat diamond on it.

  “Yes, you are, Ali Kat. We’re so happy for you two.” The truth lightened my mood, and we oohed and ahhed over the photographs Lee had on his updated spell phone. Even Lily and Lavender risked getting out of their seat to crowd around.

  “When is the new line of phones coming out?” I asked.

  Lee pushed his glasses up his nose. “I’ve got my team on it. The more complicated the technology, the harder it is to get the spellcasting right. Also, the bigger mistakes we can make. I brought this prototype with me to see how it would work in a city like Charleston.”

  “Y’all need to sit down back there,” Nana admonished from the front of the bus.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I called out, hiding my snicker behind my hand.

  My grandmother whipped her head around to glare at me. “That better not be sassin’ I hear coming from you, Charlotte Vivian Goodwin.”

  Whistles, giggles, and a general, “Ooh,” rose in the air. I sunk down, my cheeks flaming.

  “I hate when she middle names me,” I muttered.

  Blythe snickered, and I smacked her. The rest of the bus ride to the city saw very little drama or more middle-naming. We passed roadside stalls with seagrass baskets of all sizes and shapes hanging on display with ladies ensconced under umbrellas, weaving new creations. I could hear Lee taking pictures with his phone, increasing the number he took when we reached the big expansion bridge that led into the city.

  I read the plaque about the bridge out loud. “‘Dedicated to the Ravenel family for their long service to Charleston.’ Hey, I wonder if that’s the same family name as that guy who attempted to railroad Nana?”

  “Pshh. He didn’t get as far as he wanted to,” Blythe uttered. “Guess he learned what we all know. Never mess with your grandmother.”

  “Amen,” I agreed and chuckled when a few other Honeysuckle residents echoed the same word.

  The bus veered right off the exit to the historical center of the city. Old houses and buildings surrounded us the further we drove. Crowds of tourists roamed the streets, and a bit of worry settled in my gut. Since we lived in Honeysuckle, we didn’t interac
t with a lot of mortals. It had taken me a while to get used to walking around those who had no clue about the magical world that existed when I took my year trip away from Honeysuckle. Needing reassurances, I squeezed Blythe’s hand as the bus made slow progress.

  “That’s the market,” I pointed out the left side. “After we check in, I might go there to shop for a gift to give to Abigail when I meet her.”

  “I still can’t believe you invited her to come to the conference,” Blythe noted. “I’m guessing you weren’t ready to have her in Honeysuckle?”

  I nodded in silent affirmation. The bus turned right onto Queen Street and slowed to a stop in front of a big tan building with elaborately crafted wrought iron work surrounding its balconies.

  Nana stood up at the front and faced us. “Y’all might be wondering why I signed us up to attend an all-witches’ conference, especially here. While I get your hesitation, I think it’s appropriate that we show how strong we are by not being intimidated by the Charleston faction. That being said, y’all better mind your P’s and Q’s or you’ll answer to me.”

  My grandmother flashed her scary stare over the entire group and Blythe shivered. “I’ll never not be affected when she looks at us like that. Even when I’m old and wrinkly.”

  “Nah, she’ll be long gone by then,” I teased.

  My friend shook her head. “Don’t you know? Strong witches like her never grow old. She’ll probably outlast us all.”

  The bus door opened with a hiss and a young lady wearing a crisp white blouse with cherries printed on it, a pink cardigan tied with purpose around her neck, and a leafy green skirt stepped onboard. A pink and green headband held her blonde hair back.

  She clasped a clipboard to her chest and flashed a bright, perfect smile. “Welcome to Charleston and our annual conference. My name is Haywood Pinkney, and I’ll be your point person today.” Her eyes roamed over all of us until they landed on the seat Mason had taken when he boarded. “Be sure to come see me anytime.”