Read The Cupcake Coven for Free Online

like that? I thought you’d want to know why.”
    “I saw her do something last night. Something downright supernatural. Let’s just say I was impressed.”
    “Hmmm. Whatever it was, she meant for you to see it.”
    “How did you know I was wonderin’…Oh, yeah. You’re probably super psychic like most witches.” Well, this could be a pain in the ass…her always knowin’ what I’m thinkin’.
    She chuckled. “I wasn’t reading your mind. Just going where my mind would go in your position.”
    “Ah. Empathy. That’s a nice trait. Not everyone can put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Shasta’s like that too.”
    Dru was beginning to wonder if all this magic and psychic ability could be learned or if it was a gift…like ‘the sight’ he had heard of.
    The timer buzzed and Rebecca took the muffins out of the oven. They smelled incredible. He glanced at the clock. It was almost 6:30. Plenty of time before they opened, but he wanted to start earning his meager pay.
    “What tray do you want the bear claws on?” he asked.
    She pointed to a stack of cafeteria-like trays on a rolling cart. “Any one of those. Just line it with wax paper first. The roll is on the shelf underneath. Oh, and please wash your hands before you touch anything.”
    “Got it.” He didn’t know a lot about baking, but he was pretty sure presentation was important. Cafeteria trays didn’t shout ‘quality.’
    She flashed him a smile. “Tell me how they taste.”
    He took a bite of one, and as the sweet goodness met his taste buds, he moaned his appreciation. “Mmm…mmm! That’s incredible. How’d you learn to bake like that?”
    She shrugged. “Practice.”
    “You know, I may be able to help you in the sales area.”
    She tipped her head. “Really? How?”
    “Well, I can give you the customer’s point of view. For instance, wouldn’t your stuff look nicer on those doily things in a more professional looking tray?”
    She sighed. “Yes, they would. But I got the trays free when a cafeteria went out of business. And wax paper is cheaper than doilies.”
    “Hmmm…being frugal is a good thing, I guess.”
    “It’s a necessary thing, especially right now.”
    “Why now?”
    She let out a long sigh. “I’m going under.”

    He hesitated, then seemed to pick his words carefully. “I’m sorry. Are you in big trouble right now or just projecting down the road?”
    “Unless I can convince my father to give me a little longer to pay back his loan, and instantly get a whole bunch more customers, it’s pretty certain.”
    “How long did you have to pay back the loan?”
    Here we go. I hate to confess my own stupidity. She folded her arms. “We didn’t write up any kind of contract. He just said, ‘Pay me when you can.’”
    Dru’s jaw dropped. Before he could say anything, she held up a hand to stop him.
    “I know. I know. That was stupid of me.”
    Again, he paused as if he didn’t know what to say. Would he agree with her? Lie to make her feel better?
    “In Texas many businesses are family owned and operated. The ranch I work on certainly is. But even then, people ‘put it in writing’ as they say.”
    “I know. My father can be, um…moody is the best word I can come up with. Sometimes he’s the nicest guy in the world…Most of the time, in fact. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he gets angry and unreasonable.”
    “So, do you think he was just in a bad mood when he called the loan due?”
    “Maybe. That’s what I was hoping. But he can be kind of stubborn too. He might want to change his mind, but unless there’s a good reason to…” She looked off into the distance.
    “Hmmm. I guess we need to drum up business.”
    “We? Since when did my problems become yours?”
    “Since I took the job. If you don’t stay open, I’ll have to go and get another one. And I’ll bet my next boss won’t be nearly as pretty.” He winked.
    She couldn’t help smiling and lapping up the flattery. She needed to