Free What's a Witch to Do?: A Midnight Magic Mystery by Jennifer Harlow Page A

smiles, I climb out of the car as he approaches. “Afternoon, Mona.”
    “Sheriff. How’s Shirley doing?” She plotting my death these days?
    “Great. Looking forward to the wedding.”
    “Really? I heard she got into an accident the other night in Richmond.”
    His eyes narrow with confusion. “Accident? Wasn’t her. We haven’t been to Richmond in months.”
    “Oh, my mistake.”
    “Funny you mentioned Richmond though. We found a stolen car from there this morning. There was blood inside. Don’t suppose you know anything about that?”
    “No,” I say, shaking my head. “Sorry.”
    “The odd thing is nobody’s reported a missing car from town, and no stranger came to the hospital with odd wounds.”
    My stomach seizes up, but I don’t show it. “You think whoever it was might still be around hiding out?”
    “That’s what my gut tells me,” Andrews says. “Just be on the lookout, and be vigilant.”
    “Well, I have my cousin A.J. staying this week for the wedding, so me and the girls should be safe as houses.”
    “Good. If I have any follow-up questions, I’ll pop by.”
    “Okay,” I say as I head toward the door. “Give Shirley my best.” I don’t drop my smile until the door shuts. Crap, the one week I’m hiding a werewolf, all my neighbors decide to reinstitute a Neighborhood Watch. Just my damn luck. A jubilant Cora and scowling Debbie walk in from the living room. “Howdy,” I say.
    “Aunt Mona, Adam’s still here!” Cora says with a huge smile.
    “I know,” I say, taking off my coat and putting down my purse.
    “I tried to wake him, but he fell back asleep.”
    “And he was naked,” a still scowling Debbie adds.
    Oh hell. “Well, he was very tired.” I clear my throat. “Hey, why don’t you go and draw him a picture while I talk to Aunt Debbie, okay? I bet he’ll love that when he gets up. Nice surprise for him.”
    “Okay,” she says, scampering into the other room.
    “Why is he still here?” Debbie asks, folding her arms. She looks just like Mommy when she does that. My heart aches. “The sheriff came to the door asking all sorts of questions and told the girls to look out for strangers.”
    “Well, if anyone asks, he’s our cousin A.J. from Boston, okay? He’s Great Uncle Cal’s grandson here for the wedding.”
    “Why would … ” She groans. “Mona, what the hell is going on?”
    In any other circumstance, I wouldn’t tell her. This is the week of her wedding, and she’s my baby sister. I’ve spent my life protecting her. But like the girls and my friends, she can be used to get to me, so I spill.
    “What?” she shouts.
    “Shush! I don’t want the girls to know!”
    “The naked man upstairs was in on a plot to kill you? And he’s still in this house asleep when he should be protecting you?” She spins around and runs up the stairs two at a time. Crap. I follow close behind. Without knocking, she storms into the spare bedroom where Adam slumbers. I’m almost sad to see he’s put on pajamas. “You! Werewolf! Wake up!”
    He stirs, blinking those baby blues to focus. “Oh. What time is it?”
    “Time for you to do some talking. How are you going to protect my sister and nieces from a freaking murderer, huh? Is sleeping part of you plan?”
    “What—”
    I grab Debbie’s shoulders and steer her out of the room. “Sorry. Excuse us.” I push her across to my bedroom, shutting the door. “Will you calm down?”
    “No! Someone wants to kill you! The week I’m getting married! I need you! If you die who’s gonna walk me down the aisle? Or teach me the summoning spell?”
    “Gee Debbie, sorry my possible death is affecting you so,” I say sarcastically.
    “Sorry, sorry,” she says plopping down on my bed. “This is just a lot to take in. I mean if you die, that’s it. You’re my family, Mona. You’re all I have left.”
    I sit next to her, taking her hand. “Nothing is gonna happen to me, okay? Put it out of your mind. We’ll find