Incantations and Iced Coffee Read online

  “Isn’t he a bit old for you?” Luke’s eyes narrowed.

  “Luke,” Maddie whispered. She didn’t want to get in the way of Suzanne and Luke’s conversation, but she felt responsible for starting this topic in the first place.

  Suzanne and Ramon had a flirty thing going on, but to Maddie’s knowledge it had never progressed beyond that. She considered Ramon a friend, and thought Suzanne did too – although she did get dreamy-eyed over him.

  “I’m twenty-seven, big brother. I think I’m old enough to date whoever I want.” Suzanne firmed her lips as she looked pointedly at Luke.

  “Okay, okay.” Luke held up his hands in surrender. “But he better not take advantage of you, that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Not much chance of that,” Suzanne muttered.

  Maddie’s heart went out to her friend. It had been a few months since they’d met Ramon and although he seemed interested in Suzanne, he hadn’t asked her out.

  Luke chatted with them for a couple more minutes, then picked up his coffee and headed to his vehicle restoration workshop.

  “I’m sorry I brought up Ramon.” Maddie touched Suzanne’s arm.

  “It’s okay.” Suzanne summoned a wan smile. “You know how dreamy he is, and it’s been fun flirting with him, but I guess I have to accept that’s all it’s going to be. And I’m okay with that. Really.”

  Maddie didn’t know who her friend was trying to convince.

  “Mrrow,” Trixie sounded sympathetic.

  “Thanks, Trixie.” Suzanne stroked the cat. “I’ll be fine. But maybe it’s time I got out there more.”

  “Where?” Maddie poured an espresso shot, then turned it into a mocha by adding quality chocolate powder and steamed milk with a spectacular foam. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” Suzanne took a sip and closed her eyes in enjoyment. “Why does chocolate make everything a little better?”

  “Because it’s awesome.”

  “Just like best friends.” Suzanne smiled.

  “Mrrow!”

  Suzanne became serious. “I think it’s time though, Mads. You and Luke are together, and I love that, because I’m sure we’re going to be sisters one day, but if I want a special guy, I might have to do a little looking.”

  “You know I’ll help you any way I can,” Maddie said.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie agreed.

  “Thanks, you two.” Suzanne beamed at Maddie and then Trixie.

  “I know!” Grinding and hissing ensued as Maddie poured another shot. “Put that drink down and I’ll make you another. And this time I’ll do a Coffee Vision spell.”

  “Yes!” Suzanne plunked her cardboard cup down on the counter. “This is one of those times I’m glad we don’t have any customers right now.” She peered out of the serving hatch. “At least Claudine has gotten rid of her stand.”

  Maddie realized they’d been so busy that morning when they’d opened that she hadn’t given Claudine’s temporary iced coffee stall a thought.

  “That’s good news.”

  “Definitely.”

  Maddie finished making Suzanne’s new mocha and focused on the cup, quieting her mind.

  “Show me,” Maddie whispered, brushing back her hair as she stared at the top layer of foam on the mocha. The foam swirled, then cleared.

  “What do you see?” Suzanne tried to peer over her shoulder.

  “Ramon.”

  “Really?” Suzanne looked hopeful, then her face fell. “That doesn’t mean anything, though.”

  “He’s talking to you,” Maddie said.

  “Anything else?” Suzanne asked eagerly.

  “No.” Maddie shook her head. “But it means you might see him in the next twenty-four hours.”

  “I guess.” Suzanne picked up the cup and took a sip. “Yum.” She blissfully closed her eyes, then sighed. “I wish I could make coffee like you do, Mads. Or else have—” she lowered her voice “—magical powers like you – and Trixie.”

  Maddie automatically looked around to check no one was listening. But the three of them were alone in the truck and there were no customers waiting to be served.

  “You can do lots of things,” Maddie pointed out. Sometimes she wished she were more like Suzanne, fearless and confident.

  “But I don’t think I’m super good at them, like you are with coffee.”

  “Well, we know I’m not super good with magic,” Maddie murmured ruefully, still worried a passerby might overhear them.

  “But you’re getting better,” Suzanne pointed out. “And Trixie is great at it.”

  “Mrrow.” Trixie seemed to preen a little at the comment.

  “But you’re good at looking after our accounts,” Maddie said, trying to cheer up her friend. It was unlike Suzanne to show self-doubt. “And if it was your idea that we go into business together.”

  “That’s true.” Suzanne brightened.

  Maddie was so intent on their conversation that she didn’t notice their new customer at first.

  “Hello, Maddie, and Suzanne.” A male with a deep, rich voice greeted them. His faint Spanish accent made everything he said sound enticing.

  “Ramon.” Maddie smiled.

  “Hi.” Suzanne also smiled but Maddie noticed she didn’t bounce to the counter like she usually did when Ramon visited the truck.

  “I have been hearing a lot about your iced coffees, Maddie,” Ramon said, his gaze mostly focused on Suzanne. He was in his early forties and was tall, dark, and gorgeous. And single. He looked cool and comfortable in tailored chinos and a short-sleeved navy shirt.

  “Then you should try one,” Suzanne said, working the register. “Would you like cream on top?”

  “No, I think not,” Ramon replied, shifting slightly.

  “Coming right up.” Maddie gazed from her friend to Ramon and back again. Usually Suzanne and Ramon’s flirty banter seemed to flow effortlessly. She knew her friend was disappointed that her flirtationship with the massage therapist hadn’t evolved, but Ramon seemed a trifle ill at ease today. Or was it just her imagination?

  “Mrrow,” Trixie called, as if wanting Ramon to notice her.

  “Ah, Trixie.” He greeted the Persian. “And how are you today?”

  “Mrrow,” Trixie said coyly, waving a paw at him.

  “That is good,” he replied, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

  “Here you go.” Suzanne slid the icy cold caffeine in front of him.

  Maddie noticed her friend was careful not to touch Ramon’s fingers.

  “Thank you.” Ramon reached for a straw, then paused. “Suzanne, there is something I must ask you.” His dark, liquid eyes captured her gaze. “I was thinking, perhaps we could go out to lunch sometime? When Maddie does not need you here.”

  Suzanne’s expression brightened. For one unusual second she seemed lost for words.

  “I’d like that,” she said demurely.

  “Then we must make a date.” Ramon took his phone out of his pocket. “What about tomorrow?”

  Suzanne looked at Maddie with a wide-eyed expression.

  “Yes,” Maddie said. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

  “Excellent.” Ramon pressed buttons on his phone. “I shall pick you up here at – twelve-thirty?”

  Suzanne nodded, a dreamy expression on her face.

  “Until then.” He smiled at Suzanne, looking so handsome that Maddie had to suck in a breath. She just hoped Suzanne’s legs were still able to hold her upright.

  “I am so going to marry that man.” Suzanne sank down on a stool and fanned herself.

  Maddie noticed the rosy pink flush on her friend’s cheeks.

  “It looks like you mightn’t have to go out searching for a special someone after all,” she teased.

  “I thought I was going to die when he asked me to lunch.” Suzanne dramatically put a hand to her heart. “While at the same time, all I could think of was, “Yes!” and then, “About time!” She giggled.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie put in.

/>   “You’ll be okay by yourself tomorrow, won’t you, Mads?” Suzanne looked anxious for a second. “Maybe I should have said Saturday instead – or Sunday. But that’s three whole days away!”

  “I’ll be fine,” Maddie assured her friend. “Trixie can keep me company tomorrow. If you want to, Trix,” she added to the cat.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie seemed keen on the idea.

  “What am I going to wear?” Suzanne’s eyes widened. “I hope it’s not going to be too hot tomorrow!”

  “You’ll have plenty of time tonight to decide,” Maddie soothed her friend.

  “You two will have to help me,” Suzanne declared. “Right after we close up this afternoon.”

  “Mrrow!” Trixie agreed.

  “Okay. But don’t forget I’m having dinner with Luke tonight.”

  “Oh – yikes! Well, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to choose an outfit before dinner,” Suzanne said.

  CHAPTER 4

  It took two hours for Suzanne to decide what to wear for her lunch date with Ramon. Maddie had never seen her friend so indecisive. Finally, Suzanne chose a teal floaty dress, that looked cool and comfortable, as well as flattering her slim figure.

  “Ramon is going to wonder why he never asked you out before now,” Maddie told her friend, before hurrying home with Trixie to get ready for her own date.

  “Did you have something to do with Ramon asking out Suzanne?” she asked her familiar as she quickly changed into a lilac dress.

  “Mrrow.” Trixie seemed affronted at the idea.

  “I’m sorry,” Maddie apologized as she brushed her hair. She met Trixie’s turquoise gaze in the bedroom mirror. “I know you’re not naughty with magic.”

  “Mrrow.” Trixie sounded happier.

  “I just wish I was a bit better at it,” Maddie confided. “I think Suzanne and I worked out a while ago it’s going to take me eight years to come into my full powers, if I keep on learning one new spell per full moon cycle.” She put down the hairbrush. “I’ll be thirty-five by then!”

  “Mrrow,” Trixie seemed to agree.

  “Thanks.” Maddie scrunched up her face.

  Luke picked her up, and Trixie settled on the sofa, Wytchcraft for the Chosen out of sight.

  Maddie enjoyed dinner with Luke, but wasn’t sure whether to tell him about Suzanne having lunch with Ramon. In the end she decided it was up to her friend to tell Luke about it – if she wanted to.

  After a meal of stuffed pork chops and chicken pot pie, finishing with a heavenly dessert of crème brulee, Luke took her home.

  “Has Claudine been bothering you anymore?” he asked as she unlocked her front door.

  “No. Thank goodness.” She walked into the hall, keenly aware of him right behind her.

  “The whole town seems to be talking about Veronica being back,” he continued as they entered the kitchen.

  “I wonder how long she’s going to stay?” Maddie mused as she placed two mugs on the kitchen counter. They usually finished their dates with a latte and cuddling on the couch, before Luke departed.

  “I don’t think anyone wants her to visit any longer than necessary,” he said, getting the milk out of the refrigerator for her.

  She smiled her thanks, just as Trixie padded into the kitchen.

  “Mrrow.” She jumped on “her” kitchen chair and settled in, as if interested in their conversation.

  “Suzanne and I heard something about Veronica doing something awful in high school.” Maddie shuddered. “She doesn’t sound like a nice person at all.

  “What was it?” Luke asked curiously.

  “I can’t say,” Maddie replied regretfully. “We promised not to mention it to anyone.” She nibbled her lip. “I don’t think I should have said anything.”

  “It’s okay.” Luke smoothed back a strand of her hair. “No one could accuse you of being a gossip.”

  Maddie smiled at him, once again appreciative that Luke just “got” her – apart from being a witch and Trixie being her familiar. At times she yearned to tell him – and at other times she was scared he wouldn’t understand if she did.

  She decided to shove that worrisome thought to the back of her mind, and just enjoy his company right now.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie called. Apparently Maddie and Luke had spent too long gazing into each other’s eyes.

  Luke laughed, kissed Maddie on the forehead, then turned his attention to Trixie.

  “What did you get up to today, Trixie?” he asked.

  Trixie proceeded to tell him in cat, which involved a lot of “Mrrows”, while Maddie finished making the coffee.

  “Are you going to come to work with me tomorrow, Trix?” Maddie asked as she handed Luke his latte.

  “Mrrow!” Trixie replied importantly, her turquoise gaze locking with Maddie’s. She instantly knew that Trixie wanted to know how Suzanne’s lunch date would turn out with Ramon – if she didn’t already somehow know in a psychic familiar sense!

  “I think that’s a yes.” Luke grinned.

  They chatted about their plans for the next couple of weeks, Luke suggesting they go out to dinner one night next week, and have a picnic at a local park on the weekend – cats weren’t disallowed, so Trixie was also invited.

  “You’ll have to wear your harness,” Maddie told her familiar.

  “Mrrow,” Trixie agreed, her eyes sparkling. Maddie knew the Persian liked being included in most of her activities.

  After they spent a few minutes on the couch, Trixie demurely staying in the kitchen, Luke kissed Maddie goodbye and left.

  Maddie sighed softly as she watched him get in his car. Dating Luke was a dream come true – she just hoped it would never end.

  CHAPTER 5

  The next morning, Suzanne’s mind was not on her job of operating the register. She forgot orders, keyed in the wrong amounts, and even mixed up two of their favorite customers’ names.

  “Mrrow?” Trixie asked in concern during a lull.

  “Yes.” Maddie turned to Suzanne. “What Trixie said.”

  “Sorry, guys.” Suzanne grimaced. “I don’t know what’s wrong with my head today. I just can’t concentrate. All I can think about is having lunch with Ramon. And then I get a sick feeling in my stomach.” She bit her lip. “Maybe I should cancel.”

  “No way.” Maddie shook her head. “You know you want to have lunch with him.”

  “But I’m such a mess!” Suzanne wailed. “And that’s not me.”

  “I know.”

  “Mrrow!”

  Maddie studied her friend. She’d worn the outfit they’d chosen last night, the floaty teal dress, hidden at the moment behind a voluminous apron. Instead of her customary ponytail, her hair fell straight and shiny to just below her shoulders.

  “My hair is driving me nuts.” Suzanne shoved a strand of hair behind her ear. “I should have worn a ponytail like usual, and then brushed it out just before twelve-thirty.”

  “Mrrow.” Trixie furrowed her furry brow, then scampered off the stool. She hooked her paw into a low drawer and pulled. Nosing in the drawer, she trotted over to Suzanne and bunted her hand.

  “Thanks, Trixie.” Suzanne smiled as she showed Maddie a hair elastic. “How did you know I had one in there?”

  “Mrrow,” Trixie said coyly, before jumping up on her stool.

  “This feels so much better.” Suzanne drew back her hair and twisted the band around her ponytail. “Now I’ll be able to focus more.”

  Maddie hoped so, for their customers’ sakes. But she was sure she’d been just as bad when going out with Luke for the first time. Even now, she couldn’t stop smiling and blushing when she saw him.

  Midmorning, they had a stream of customers. Suzanne was nearly back to her efficient self, only making a couple of minor errors.

  “Hi girls.” Amy, a middle-aged woman who worked at the small supermarket, greeted them.

  “Your usual?” Suzanne asked with a smile.

  “Please.” She brought out
her wallet.

  Maddie started on a double cappuccino.

  “I heard you had some trouble the other day,” Amy continued, pushing back her wavy chestnut hair.

  “You mean Claudine?” Suzanne frowned.

  “Yeah. And her cousin Veronica.” Amy shuddered.

  “Do you know her?” Maddie asked curiously as she sprinkled a generous amount of chocolate powder on top of the foam.

  “Unfortunately.” Amy grimaced. “That woman is bad news. You girls should stay away from her.”

  “We plan to.” Suzanne’s ponytail bounced.

  “Mrrow!”

  “That’s good.” Amy nodded in approval, reserving a smile for Trixie. “I definitely need my coffee today. A new guy has started as acting manager since Mr. Jenkins is away on an extended vacation. He’s younger than me, but seems to like bossing me around.” She scowled.

  “But you’ve been working there for years,” Suzanne exclaimed. “Why didn’t they make you acting manager?”

  “I applied, but didn’t get it because I don’t have a college degree.” Amy took a big sip of her coffee, as if hoping that would make things better.

  “That’s terrible!”

  Maddie nodded in agreement.

  “Mrrow,” Trixie murmured.

  “And it’s all that – that – Veronica’s fault.” Amy cast a glance at Trixie. “I don’t want to swear in front of sweet Trixie.”

  “That’s very thoughtful,” Maddie replied.

  “I had a decent chance of going to college,” Amy continued, as if she couldn’t hold her grievance in any longer. “I was always a good student, and I was in the running for a scholarship that would pay for practically everything. But Mom got sick in my senior year and some of the time I should have been studying I spent looking after her instead. Not that I resented her for it,” she added hastily.

  “That must have been tough,” Maddie murmured.

  “It was.” Amy took a fortifying sip. “My grades slipped, and I didn’t know what to do. Then Veronica suggested I ...” she hesitated. “Oh heck, everyone knew about it at the time, anyway. She suggested I break into the principal’s office and get the answers to the final exam. If I could ace it, I could probably still win the scholarship. So I did.” She lifted the cardboard cup to her lips.