Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
“Not at the store?”
“No, they wanted to take the day off since I was back in town. When they found out I was planning on having lunch with you, Sarah decided to head to the store and open it for a half day. Mom and Lucy are enjoying a sister’s afternoon together.”
“That’s nice,” I said, putting my hand on Hollie’s back and guiding her out of the office.
Hollie flashed me a smile and asked, “Did you have a place in mind for the picnic?”
“How about Forest River Park?”
“Perfect!”
As soon as we got the basket in the car and started to head to the park, I cleared my throat. “An old friend of mine is back living in Salem after being in Maine for the last few years. He was a city planner there.”
“Really?” Hollie asked, trying to sound surprised and failing.
“His mother got sick, but she’s okay now. His parent’s decided to retire here in Salem, and he said it felt like it was calling him to return home.”
Hollie jerked her head to look at me. “Is that right?”
I nodded, and when I came to a stoplight, I looked directly at her.
“Hollie, you already know who I’m talking about.”
“Do I?”
Sighing, I said, “Matt Merlin. I’m not sure if you remember him from when we were little. He lived across the street from me. Shawn and I were good friends with him.”
“I remember him. Sarah said every time she sees him now, he glowers at her. She has no idea why he dislikes her so much other than the fact that she’s practicing witchcraft.”
When the light turned green, I made a U-turn.
“What are you doing?”
“We need to go talk to Sarah at the store. I think I can clear up why Matt has an issue with Sarah.”
“Is it only Sarah? The way she and Lucy made it sound, he has a problem with anything magick.”
With a shake of my head, I reached for her hand. “I think it goes deeper than that. I’ll explain once we get to the store.”
Hollie looked out the window then back in my direction. I could feel her eyes on me. “Sarah liked him when she was younger.”
“Did she?” I asked, surprised.
“Yes. She’ll deny it, but I’m pretty sure I remember her talking about him. I don’t remember him going to school with us, though.”
“He never went to school with us. He went to a private school.”
“Do you think he actually has an issue with witchcraft or with Sarah?”
Turning to look at Hollie, I smiled. “Oh, I think it has to do with both!”
Hollie laughed. “Oh my gosh, this just got interesting!”
Hollie
The bell above the door rang as Lucas and I stepped into The Covens’ Magick Cottage. Sarah was in the other room with a customer. She glanced over at us, and I held up the basket and pointed to the back. She looked confused but nodded.
Lucas and I made our way back to the office, and I started to take everything out. Thank goodness I had packed a lot for us and there would be plenty of food for Sarah too.
I could hear her finishing up with the customer before she appeared in the door of the office.
“What are you two doing here?”
“Have you eaten lunch?” I asked.
Sarah’s gaze bounced from me to Lucas and then back to me. “No.”
Smiling, I replied, “Great! Come join us.”
Folding her arms over her chest, she narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on?”
Lucas reached for a grape and popped it into his mouth, completely leaving it all up to me.
“Matt Merlin.”
Sarah pushed off the door. “What about him? Please tell me you didn’t put a spell on him— because if anyone’s putting one on him, it’s me!”
“When in the hell would I have time to do that?” I said. “I was with you, Mom, and Lucy earlier. I mean, I’m getting better at spells, but I’m not that good.”
Relaxing, Sarah stepped into the office and dropped into a chair. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m on edge.”
“No kidding,” Lucas said. When we both turned to look at him, he held up his hands in defense.
“Lucas has something he wants to tell you,” I said as I started making up a plate of food.
Sarah looked at Lucas, confused. “What is it?”
“Do you remember Matt from when we were younger?” he asked.
Rolling her eyes, she huffed out, “I remember him. He was jerk then, and he still is.”
Clearing his throat, Lucas went on. “I know why he’d been giving you such a hard time.”
“What do you know?” Sarah asked Lucas.
He and I exchanged a look. I lifted a brow and motioned for him to answer her.
“Lucas?” Sarah prodded.
After drawing in a breath, Lucas slowly exhaled. “Let me start by explaining why he came after you so hard.”
Sarah sat down, and I handed her the plate of food.