Almost Charmed Read online

  He grimaced. “Yes, I suppose now it really is.”

  I still had a feeling Nicolas would come back. He would realize how stupid his request was and come back. However, it would be too late for a wedding today. And he would have to prove himself to me. That he would never do something like this again. I walked across the room to my mother’s side. No matter how hard it might be there was no way I could let her see me cry.

  “Are you all better now?” I asked, touching my mom’s arm.

  “I’m absolutely perfect,” she said cheerfully.

  I exchanged a look with Thomas. He shrugged. Now she was acting strange again. It wasn’t like her to recover this quickly. She was up to something, but I knew she wouldn’t tell me what. I just hoped it wasn’t too serious. Later I’d ask Thomas if she’d given any hint.

  “Mother, you’re not up to anything bad, are you?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Whatever gave you that idea?” she asked with wide eyes.

  “You’re not plotting revenge, are you?”

  “Of course I’m not going to turn him into a toad.”

  “Mother!” I said in a stern voice as if that would make her listen.

  “What?” she asked like a pouting child.

  “We already settled this years ago, no turning people into creatures. Not even for a few minutes,” I said before she opened her mouth to ask.

  “Just to scare him a little.” She pinched her index finger and thumb together.

  “Not at all. He made his decision and that’s final,” I said with a wave of my hand.

  “How can you just let him get away with that?” She pounded the chair’s arm with her fist.

  “I’m not letting him get away with anything. It’s just a decision he made and I would rather know now than after we got married, don’t you agree?” I asked.

  “Like I said, I have no problems with what happened,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Everything will be just fine. As a matter of fact, I think we should go to the reception and enjoy the guests.”

  “No way.” I waved my hands. “That’s just way too awkward. I think they’ll understand if I don’t show up.”

  “Well, just remember tomorrow’s a new day and you can put all this behind you.”

  I stared at her suspiciously. “Yes, I’ll remember that as long as you do.”

  I still didn’t trust her. Based on the suspicious stares coming from everyone else in the room they didn’t either. Even Pluto eyed her suspiciously. Liam sat on the sofa watching the entire scene. He still wore his tuxedo, which was hard for me to look at it. The thing was a reminder of what was supposed to be.

  “Excuse me,” the fireworks man peeked around the corner of the kitchen door.

  I jumped a bit, startled that someone was actually there.

  “Do you want us to do the rest of the fireworks now?” he stared at me waiting for an answer.

  What was he even talking about? Did he realize there was no wedding? My mother laughed manically. She really was losing it. I just hoped at this point she never got ahold of Nicolas. I was fearful of what she might try.

  “We won’t be needing the fireworks,” I said. ‘The wedding is off.”

  His eyes widened and he slowly backed away from the door.

  My mother stood from the chair and took me by the arm. “May I speak with you in the kitchen privately?”

  Oh, no, here we go. I knew something was up.

  “I suppose,” I said.

  As if I had a choice. She was practically dragging me there. Once in the kitchen my mother peeked out the door and said, “Liam, we’ll be right back. Don’t you go anywhere, okay?”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said.

  She closed the door and hurried over to me.

  “Okay, so what is all this about?” I asked. “I really hope you’re not trying to get revenge against Nicolas because like I said, we need to let it go. Maybe things will work out.”

  “You’re not actually considering taking him back, are you?” She placed her hands on her hips.

  “I thought that what was what you wanted?” I asked.

  She waved her hands. “I changed my mind now. He’s not good enough for my baby.”

  “I’m so confused,” I said, rubbing my temples.

  “Don’t be confused. It’s all very simple actually.” She chucked.

  A touch of that manic laughter had reemerged.

  I wasn’t looking forward to this. Nonetheless, I had to find out and get it over with.

  “What is so simple?” I asked.

  The wild look she gave me goosebumps. I’d never quite seen her this frantic before and she’d been through quite a few episodes after dealing with my bad magic spells.

  “I have another plan,” she said with a click of her tongue.

  I shook my head. “I don’t want to hear any plans.”

  “No, no, you have to hear this one.” She took my hands in hers. “Liam is just sitting out there. He already has the tuxedo. All you have to do is go back and get into the dress. I’ll track down the minister and we’ll carry on with the wedding.”

  I closed my eyes, trying to pretend this was all a dream. When I opened them again she was still staring at me with that wild-eyed look.

  “You can’t be serious,” I said.

  “One hundred percent serious.” She held her hands up.

  “You forgot about the fact that Liam hasn’t asked me to marry him… lately.”

  “Oh, that’s nothing.” She waved her hand. “He’s wild about you. If he asked once then that’s sufficient enough.”

  That made butterflies dance in my stomach.

  “Well, he doesn’t love me in that way,” I said.

  “Oh, pish posh,” she said. “Besides we can just whip up a little spell so he’ll be all on board with it.”

  When I didn’t answer she narrowed her eyes and glared at me. I hadn’t seen that look since I was fourteen years old and refused to wear the witches’ hat.

  “Okay, Mom, clearly you need to sit down again. Why don’t you have a seat right here on the stool and I’ll make you something nice to drink?”

  Perhaps a bit of bourbon or a shot of tequila. Now that I thought about it if she drank it might only make her behavior worse. A cupcake with a spell in it to calm her nerves?

  “Don’t you try to give me a spell.” She waved her finger. “I know what you’re up to, Halloween, I’m not crazy.”

  She knew me too well.

  “Clearly you are crazy. You want me to marry Liam.” I gestured in a swooping motion to demonstrate how outrageous her idea truly was.

  Just then the sound of the door creaking open caught our attention. I whipped around to see Liam standing in the doorway. Oh, dear. He’d just heard me say the words ‘Liam’ and ‘marriage.’ He had a funny look on his face too.

  “Is everything all right in here?” he asked.

  I might as well tell him her crazy idea because otherwise he would wonder what we were talking about. Plus it would act as a warning to prepare him for what she might try.

  “She had this crazy idea that since you’re wearing a tuxedo that we should get married. Clearly, she’s having a mental breakdown. I should’ve let the ambulance take her to the hospital.”

  Chapter 5

  Liam walked over to my mother and looped his arm through hers. “Come on, Annette, perhaps it’s time I take you home. We can have chamomile tea and you can get some rest.”

  She yanked her arm away. “Don’t talk to me like I’m crazy.”

  Uh-oh. Now she was mad at Liam. I supposed that wedding was off. She picked up her bag from the kitchen island and stormed toward the door. Liam and I exchanged a look.

  “I think I made her mad,” he said.

  “It’s okay. She’s mad at me too,” I said. “She’s mad at everyone right now.”

  My mother rushed out the door and we hurried after her.

  “Where are you going?” I asked.


  “Never you mind where I’m going. I’m fixing this,” she said.

  “Don’t do anything rash,” I said.

  “Uh-oh, I think she might be possessed,” Thomas said as he watched my mother storm across the room.

  Pluto meowed in agreement.

  My mother paused in the foyer. She eyed Thomas up and down.

  “He’s wearing a suit. It’s not a tuxedo, but under the circumstances, I suppose I can’t be too picky.”

  “Mom!” I yelled.

  “You’re right. He would be worse than nothing.” She turned and headed for the door.

  Annabelle and Thomas rushed over to us.

  “What’s going on?” Annabelle asked.

  “My mother wants me to marry Liam,” I said.

  Annabelle’s mouth dropped open. Thomas laughed.

  “You should seriously have your own reality show,” Thomas said.

  “Yes, with a familiar by my side I would be the perfect candidate. I don’t think you should go,” I said as my mother stormed out the door.

  “I don’t think she’s listening to you,” Thomas said.

  My mother climbed into her car and sped down the driveway.

  “Well, that didn’t end well,” I said.

  “She’ll be fine. Just give her some time,” Liam said.

  “Are you hungry?” Annabelle asked. “You need some food. Comfort food, like ice cream.”

  “I don’t think I can eat right now.”

  “How about a cupcake?” Thomas said.

  “Maybe later,” I said.

  Annabelle hugged me again. “Everything will be just fine.”

  I really had no idea where to go from here. Now that all the commotion had settled down soon everyone would leave, and it would be just me alone in the manor. The way it had started before Liam and Nicolas had ever entered my life.

  “Well, what do you want to do?” Annabelle asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I just need to be alone,” I said.

  Annabelle frowned. “I think that’s a bad idea.”

  “Me too,” Thomas said. “You don’t want to be here alone in this big old house and wondering around moping and being sad. It is kind of a sad situation, don’t you think?”

  “He’s right. You don’t need to be reminded of it,” Annabelle said.

  “I have to agree with Annabelle and Thomas,” Liam said. “Why don’t you come back to New Orleans with me for a while? It’ll be like a little vacation.”

  “I’m not sure about that either. I think I just need some time, you guys.”

  I knew they were trying to help, but I really wanted to have some time alone to reflect on everything and probably cry. Now that I was the leader I didn’t want to seem vulnerable in front of everyone. I wanted to appear as if I had everything under control. And if I broke down in tears, a blubbering mess in front of everyone, I would ruin that for sure. For a moment we stood around staring at each other. Maybe they thought I’d change my mind.

  They finally got the hint because Annabelle started by saying, “Okay, if you’re sure you want to be alone, I suppose we should leave. It should be noted that I think this is a bad idea.”

  “Duly noted,” I said.

  She grabbed her bag, purse, and headed for the door. Thomas shuffled behind her.

  “Can I catch a ride with you, Annabelle?” Thomas asked. “My other ride is gone.”

  That was right, Thomas had come with Nicolas.

  “Thanks for everything, guys,” I said as I stepped out onto the porch.

  Liam followed me out onto the porch too, but he stopped short of the steps. I supposed he was waiting to say goodbye until after Annabelle and Thomas left. That would be another awkward conversation.

  Annabelle stopped at the car door and looked at me one more time. Tears formed in her big beautiful blue eyes and I had to look away quickly. Tears would flow like Niagara Falls if I didn’t. I pushed back the tears and stared in the other direction as her car pulled away and down the drive. Liam was staring at his shoes. I kind of didn’t want to talk to him right now either. Because eventually I would have to discuss what happened and what Nicolas had said. I’d ask how much Liam knew about Nicolas’ plans. I just wasn’t sure I wanted to have a conversation right now.

  Nevertheless, I was standing on the porch with Liam and couldn’t avoid the topic all together. I waited for him to say the first words.

  Finally, he looked at me. “I guess I should get going now.”

  “Thanks for everything,” I said. “And I hope you have a safe drive back to New Orleans.”

  I had a hard time looking him in the eyes too.

  “I wish there was something I could say or do that would make you feel better,” Liam said.

  “Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment, but as you know there’s nothing you can say or do,” I said.

  “Are you sure you won’t take me up on that offer to visit New Orleans?” Liam asked.

  “Maybe soon,” I said. “For right now I need to get things sorted out.”

  He nodded. “I’m sorry about my brother.”

  “He has his feelings on the subject and there’s nothing you can do about that,” I said.

  “What reason did he give you?” Liam asked.

  “He didn’t tell you?” I asked.

  “He never said a word about this to me.” Liam removed his bow tie.

  “I thought for sure he would have hinted at it,” I said.

  “I suppose we haven’t talked much lately.”

  “There’s a reason for that,” I said.

  “And what reason is that?” Liam asked with a frown.

  “Nicolas said that you pushed me into being the leader.” I studied his face for a reaction. Though I already figured what his reaction would be.

  Immediately the tension came over him. His jaw clenched slightly. “Do you feel that way?”

  “No, I don’t,” I said. No one would make my decisions for me. “It was something I wanted to do. Something I still want to do,” I added.

  I had to admit there had been times when I’d questioned whether I should stop being the leader. But deep down I wanted to do it. If not, I wouldn’t.

  “I wouldn’t fight so hard to keep the book if I didn’t want to be the leader,” I said.

  “You do fight hard to keep it.”

  “Anyway, I told him that I would give up being the leader.”

  Liam’s eyes widened. “You told him that?”

  “I told him I would give it up, but that I knew it would only be the start of other ultimatums.”

  Liam ran his hands through his hair. “That’s likely true. After what happened to Nicolas’ mother, I mean, I can understand why he has a problem with not wanting his wife to do the same.”

  “No, I totally get that,” I said. “It’s just that right now I give up being the leader, but later it could be something else.”

  There had never been this much awkward silence between Liam and me. I knew he just didn’t know what to say. And right now, I didn’t either.

  A loud slamming noise startled us.

  “What was that?” I asked as I spun around and checking behind me.

  The front door was still open. It had sounded like a door had slammed shut.

  Without answering Liam rushed around from behind. We rushed through the door at the same time. Good thing it was big enough for two at once.

  “Do you see anything or anyone?” I asked.

  Liam shook his head. “No, nothing.”

  When I glanced to the right, I noticed the library doors. “I’m almost certain we left the doors open.”

  Liam gestured for me to stay back while he checked it out. I appreciated that he wanted to help but I had to take care of myself. Nevertheless, I let him go ahead. He tiptoed over to the doors and inched one open just a bit.

  “Nobody’s in there,” he said as he opened both doors.

  I checked over my shoulder to see if anything looked out of place
in the parlor.

  “Maybe I should check the kitchen too,” Liam said.

  After I closed the front door Liam and I headed through the parlor and over to the kitchen. All was quiet in the kitchen as well. My flowers remained on the counter. I needed to shove them down the garbage disposal.

  “Well, it must’ve just been the wind or something,” Liam said.

  I peered out the window. No branches moved, but nevertheless, it was the likely explanation. Or it could be just a ghost in the house. All the commotion had probably stirred things up.

  “I’ll walk you back to the door,” I said.

  How long would the knot remain in my stomach? I wanted Liam to stay, yet I wanted him to leave. Sadness consumed me, yet anger bubbled inside me. Hopelessness took hold, yet I told myself everything would be fine if I just gave it time. I’d never been on such an emotional roller coaster ride.

  Liam and I stepped out onto the porch once again. I had to say goodbye all over again. My emotions couldn’t handle much more.

  “Okay, I’m leaving now.” He gestured over his shoulder. “You know you can call me anytime, day or night, and I’ll be here.”

  “I know you’re there for me and I appreciate that.” I fought back the tears again.

  At least if my relationship with Nicolas was over I still had my friends and family. Without them I didn’t think I would ever get through this. I still wasn’t sure I would get through it with them.

  Liam stepped closer and my heart sped up. He put his strong arms around me and embraced me. We lingered there in the hug for quite a while. I inhaled his spicy scent and relished his warmth.

  Just as I thought I might collapse into a heap onto the porch floor, he broke free from the hug and turned to walk down the steps. He stopped at the car door and waved one more time. I smiled as best as I could and waved to him.

  “Call me,” he said.

  I nodded. “I will. Soon.”

  He stared for a second longer and then got into the car. Wiping a tear from my cheek, I stood there and watched as he drove down the drive and pulled out onto the road. I’d never felt more alone in my life. Perhaps that was because I was now alone in the manor. My familiar had gone back to his apartment and Annabelle back to her place. My mother was somewhere. I didn’t want to think about that right now. However, I needed to figure out what crazy thing she was up to before it ended badly. Maybe I would grab some ice cream from the freezer, take it to bed, eat the entire thing and cry. I turned around to head back inside but froze when I heard a noise.