Easy Bake Coven: Book One of the Vivienne Finch Magical Mysteries (25 page)

He
looked up at her with his steel-blue eyes. “I was there, Vivienne. At least, I
think I was.”

A
single tear dribbled down her right cheek and she brushed it away. “What are
you talking about?”

He
bit down on his lower lip in frustration. “It wasn’t a coyote. It was a wolf.”

“How
would you know that?” She asked.

“Because
I’m pretty sure I was that wolf.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“What?”
She blinked in response. “Is this some kind of joke to lighten the mood?”

“It
was me.” His face was solemn. “I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but at
this point I’ve got nothing to lose. I’m a werewolf.”

She
was about to laugh when she looked into his eyes and noticed they were the very
the very same steel-blue eyes that her furry four-legged savior had. She
grabbed the other bistro chair and sat down to face him. “I don’t know which is
crazier. The fact that you say you’re a werewolf or the fact that I actually
believe you.”

He
reached across the table and took her hands in his. “It’s not something I’ve
ever told anyone. They’d lock me up if I did.”

“I
thought werewolves walked upright like people? The kind you see in the movies
and on television. You know, big burly beasts with sharp claws and teeth that
terrorize the town?”

Joshua
stared at her for a moment in silence. "They’ve got it all wrong. When we
transform, we literally turn into an actual wolf identical to the regular
animal. The only thing different is that our eyes retain our human coloring.”

“Do
you attack people?” Vivienne asked.

“We
keep to ourselves out in the woods mostly.”

“Since
we’re doing the complete honesty thing, I may as well tell you something too,
so brace yourself.” She took a deep breath. “I’m descended from a long line of
magical women which technically makes me a hereditary witch.”

The
news didn’t seem to faze him one bit. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “Not
exactly a fairy tale romance that we have here, is it?”

She
let out a little laugh and shook her head. “It depends on the author, I
suppose.”

“I
had a feeling there was something different about you when I saw that book of
yours the other night.” Joshua admitted.

“You
could read it.” She added. “No one else except Nana Mary could do that.”

“Is
she really okay?” Joshua asked with concern in his voice.

“Yes.
She’s gone to summon help from the elder witches.” She replied. “We were both
attacked by someone who can use magic, and to make matters worse, they stole my
grimoire
in the process.”

“Did
she fly on a broom?” He asked with a little grin.

“I
doubt it.” Vivienne cracked a smile. “I don’t think balancing on a wooden pole
would be very comfortable. Give me a big first class seat with champagne and
warm nuts any day.”

“Well,
I have no memory of what happens when I assume wolf form.” Joshua confided to
her. “I’m sorry I can’t tell who attacked you last night. But, I’m glad I could
at least help a little bit.”

“So
is your entire family made up of werewolves?” Vivienne asked. “Is that why
you’re so secretive about your past?”

“We
don’t form the same sort of family bonds like humans do. After we mature, we
leave home and rarely ever go back. It’s like that with most were-creatures, I
guess.”

“You
mean there are more than werewolves?”

“More
than you could possibly imagine. For every animal, there is most likely a
were
-creature existing out in the world.”

Vivienne
became fascinated with the man before her. He was something other than human,
just like her, and it felt insanely good to talk so openly about events that
defied reality. “I have so many more questions to ask.”

He
looked at his watch. “I really do have to work tonight. Can I answer them
tomorrow?”

She
nodded. “I’m sorry I was cross with you earlier. It’s just been such a terrible
past few days.”

He
stood up from the table. “I can’t blame you for being suspicious. It happens to
me frequently.” As he grabbed his hat and put it on, he looked around the
store. “Do me a favor and don’t stay late tonight.”

“I
was getting ready to go home right before you showed up.” She stood up and
walked over to him. “I can’t take any foolish chances right now.”

“Good.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I’m going to have
the guys keep a close watch on your house tonight, in case your attacker
decides to come back.”

She
kissed him on the lips. “I appreciate that.”

“Do
you want a patrol to check on your mother’s home too?” He asked.

She
thought for a moment. “My mother isn’t a witch.”

“Now
I’m confused.”

She
smiled at him. “Despite what you may have heard from the gossip mill around
town, she’s just a regular mortal. I’ll explain more about it later.”

“If
anything suspicious happens tonight, I want you to call. I don’t care how
trivial it seems.”

“Don’t
worry about that.” She fiddled his badge with her fingers. “I promise.”

He
gave her another kiss and then walked to the door. “Are you ready to lock up?”

She
nodded. “I just need to get my purse and we can call it a night.”

He
followed her out to the back alley where she locked up the bakery for the
night. It was the first time she didn’t feel weird about being near the
dumpster. She pointed to the broken passenger window of her car. “They didn’t
use magic to steal the
grimoire
.”

“I
see that.” He scratched his chin. “Maybe it was just some dumb kids from town?”

“My
insurance will cover the repair.” She replied as she climbed into the car. “I
just have to get two estimates.” She turned the key and the engine revved.

“Just
one more thing before you leave.” He knelt down to face her. “I love you too.”

“I’m
never the one to say that first.” She admitted. “So you just think about what
that means when you’re on patrol tonight.”

He
laughed. “I’m honored.”

She
pulled away and sped off for home before the darkness arrived.

Vivienne
was filled with new hope after she returned home for the night. The bakery was
filling up with product thanks to hiring Stephanie as an assistant. She and
Joshua had finally opened up with the truth about each other and they now
shared something few people ever could understand. Nana Mary was off to a
secret location seeking magical assistance from the elders at the conclave. Mother,
having drunk the magic powder, had believed the cover story and went back to
worrying about when she could expect grandchildren from her successful
matchmaking venture. Her life seemed to be getting back on the right track.

As
she sat down with the chicken breast she had baked for dinner, she cut up a few
pieces for Tom Cat, who pawed at her legs, and turned on the television to look
for something interesting to watch while she ate.

Tom
Cat batted the pieces around on the floor like toys, while she flipped through
the channels and stopped when she saw Mayor Richard Clarke addressing a crowd
on the local news report. She turned up the volume and listened with interest.

“It
is with great sadness that I address you tonight. Having spent a great deal of
time with family and friends over these last painful days, I must confess that
I have failed the good people of Cayuga Cove.” Richard looked terrible.

His
dark hair was limp and blew awkwardly around his head as he faced the
microphones from the local news crews. There were dark circles around his eyes
from a lack of sleep, and his cheeks looked sunken in as if he hadn’t been
eating. “After the arrest of Suzette Powell, I knew I could no longer keep this
secret shame inside. I stand here before you tonight to admit that I have been
involved in an ongoing affair with Ms. Powell for several months now.”

This
was followed by a storm of camera flashes and a chorus of questions hurled from
the gathered reporters that surrounded the Mayor. He put up his hands to shield
his eyes from the flurry of light. As it died down, he straightened his tie
around his neck and gripped the edges of the small podium from where he was
speaking. “I have failed as your Mayor to lead this office with the dignity and
grace it deserves. More importantly, I have failed as a husband to keep my vows
of marriage. So I am prepared to face the consequences of my actions.”

He
looked blankly into the cameras. “I am stepping down, effective immediately.
The city council has appointed Victoria Clemens as acting Mayor, and I can tell
you she is more than dedicated to serving the citizens of our fair town. She
will assume this role for the next thirty days, after which a special election
will be held if someone chooses to run against her. If not, she will serve the
remainder of my term and I’m sure she will lead with the honor and integrity
that my late wife so often remarked about her dear friend. Thank you all and
God bless our little town.”

He
gave a little wave from the podium. “And now, Madame Mayor, will you please do
us the honor of addressing the people?”

Victoria
Clemens stepped up to the podium looking radiant in a tan business suit with
her hair pulled back into a simple bun. “The honor is mine, to serve the
citizens of this wonderful town. I accept the challenge to make Cayuga Cove the
destination that Mona Clarke dreamed of. It is with deep sadness that I mourn
the loss of my dear friend, but I feel so blessed to honor her memory by
picking up the torch she lit and carrying it to the finish line.”

There
was a little cheer from the assembled crowd. Victoria put up her hands to
stifle it. “My friends, I only ask that we come together as a city to make it a
home we all can be proud of.” To heal the wounds of the past,” she gestured to
Richard by her side, “To blaze a trail of innovation for the future.” She
gestured to the city council members who were watching off to the side. “I
thank each and every one of you for your faith in me to lead you there. Good
night.”

Vivienne
stared at the television in disbelief. She was wrong about Suzette Powell after
all. Maybe it was a fatal attraction type of murder? With Richard’s confession,
the case against her was definitely taking a more certain turn. She speared a
piece of chicken with her fork and chewed it thoughtfully.

After
washing and drying the dishes from dinner, she answered the phone when Kathy
called.

“Did
you watch the news tonight?”

Vivienne
opened the cabinet where her dishware was stored and slid some plates on the
top of the pile. “I sure did. Can you believe it?”

“I
was working late at the store, so I didn’t know about it until Eunice
Kilpatrick stopped in.” Kathy explained. “She knows everything.”

“Oh?”
Vivienne closed the cabinet and turned the florescent light over her sink off.
“I’m not surprised.”

“She
told me that you were seen over on Meier Lane the other morning leaving
Joshua’s duplex.” Kathy snickered. “You got caught, you naughty girl.”

“We
didn’t do anything.” Vivienne clarified. “I had too much wine and feel asleep
on the loveseat.”

“God,
if I had a nickel for every time I used that excuse.” Kathy continued. “So
things are going well?”

“We’ve
certainly moved forward in our relationship, I guess you could say.”

There
was a pause as Kathy tried to phrase her curiosity. “In what way would that
be?”

“Well,”
Vivienne paused, “we’ve both said the ‘L’ word to each other.”

“Who
said it first?”

“Does
it really matter?” Vivienne sauntered into the living room and plopped down on
the sofa.

“As
I live and breathe, Vivienne Finch let down her walls.” Kathy’s voice rose slightly
with excitement. “I guess that means this is getting serious.”

“It
means we’re both very happy with how things are going.” Vivienne countered.
“And yes, it’s getting serious.”

“I’m
so happy for you two.” Kathy replied. “The next time Nora gets a notion to play
matchmaker, will you send her my way?”

“Are
you sure you really want me to do that?” Vivienne laughed. “I’ve had my fair
share of duds to weed out.”

“True.”
Kathy mused. “But she may be on a hot streak. Does Joshua have any handsome
single brothers?”

“Let’s
not start raiding the family members just yet.” Vivienne chided.

“I
know.” Kathy sighed. “I’m starting to think all the eligible men in Cayuga Cove
are either gay or married or both.”

“Both?”
Vivienne pondered.

“Well,
Eunice told me that that Suzette’s husband, Brad, swings both ways.” Kathy was
all too eager to gossip. “She had heard that he went to New York with Tristan
from the antique store behind Nathaniel’s back.”