Read What's a Witch to Do?: A Midnight Magic Mystery for Free Online

closer eye on him.”
    “I will,” I say, nuzzling his grayish fur. “What’s Roy doing here?”
    “I called him, and it’s a good thing I did! That car is stolen, and there’s blood inside.”
    “Oh my word,” I say, pretending to be scandalized. “Where was it stolen from?”
    “Roy said a bar parking lot in Richmond. I noticed it first thing this morning and called right away.”
    “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Debbie says.
    “Deborah Jean there was a criminal on this street last night while we slept, completely defenseless. I didn’t hear a thing, did you?”
    “No. Quiet night,” I say with a smile.
    “Well, whoever it was might still be around. You better keep those girls inside today.”
    “They’re going with Debbie today, but I’ll be careful,” I say as I start back to the house. “Have a nice day.”
    Our smiles drop the moment the front door shuts. The Captain yowls and jumps out of my arms, skittering under the couch in the living room. “What’s up with him?” Greg asks.
    “I’m here,” Adam says behind us. We all spin around. He slowly takes one step at a time down the stairs. Daddy’s clothes are too long on him but otherwise he looks good; contrite but good. I definitely wouldn’t call him handsome, he’s not a head turner like Guy, but he is interesting looking with thin lips, close to flat nose, and buggy blue eyes. I shake these thoughts away to focus on the problem at hand.
    “You stole a car?” I ask.
    “I had no choice,” he says.
    “How dare you just show up and drag my sister into your mess,” Debbie snaps.
    “I had no choice.”
    “You listen to me,” Debbie says, taking a step toward him, “if any harm comes to my sister or nieces because of you, it won’t matter that you’re a werewolf. I will hunt you down and skin you alive, do you understand me?”
    “The last thing I want is for any harm to come to your sister. You have my word on that.”
    I don’t know if it’s the sincerity in his voice or set mouth, but like me she believes him. Her shoulders slump a tad, but she still turns to me. “Is he a man of his word?”
    “We’ll see,” I say.
    Like all Southern ladies, the girls have perfect timing. They stroll onto the landing fully dressed, Sophie in jeans and a butterfly shirt, her light brown hair pulled into a ponytail. Cora’s put on her brown corduroy jumper and pink long-sleeved shirt. “What are you talking about?” Sophie asks.
    “Grown-up stuff,” I say. “You ready?”
    “We’re helping with the wedding,” Cora informs Adam. “I’m a flower girl.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah. My dress is pink. That’s my favorite color.”
    Obviously put off by the crushing six-year-old as her jaw sets, Debbie says, “Come on girls. Lots to do today. Those birdseed p ackages aren’t going to ribbon themselves.”
    Greg and Debbie help the girls on with their coats before Greg ushers them out the door. “Bye, Adam,” Cora chirps. “Feel better!”
    Sophie half smiles at our guest as she walks out. Debbie gives Adam one more glare before shutting the door behind herself. With two less things to worry about now, I start up the stairs past my guest.
    “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused,” Adam says.
    “It’s fine. I gotta finish the potion and get a few things. We’ll leave in about five minutes.”
    In my office, right as the buzzer dings, I add his hair into the cauldron. The requisite green vapor poofs up—the movies got that part right—and I funnel the liquid into a glass vial. I still have to invoke the magic when we arrive at the farm. Otherwise I’d just give it to him and boot him the hell out. Nothing is ever easy. I pack up the potions from last night, a few other trinkets I need, my four biggest crystals, and my glasses before returning downstairs. Pretty sure I’m forgetting something, as usual, but there’s no time to think about it.
    Adam sits on the couch, grimacing in pain as he tries to put on Daddy’s