Free Wicked Brew by Amanda M. Lee

Why?”
    “Because that’s her mother,” Chief Terry said.
    “But … what if she doesn’t survive?”
    “Then Annie deserves a chance to say goodbye,” he said.
    “What if it traumatizes her?”
    “I don’t know, Thistle,” Chief Terry said, aggravated. “If it was you, what would you want more, never to see your mother again or to say goodbye?”
    I knew he was right. Still … . “You should have waited until you knew more.”
    “He’s not sure how much time we have, Thistle,” Landon said.
    “But we found her,” I protested. “She’s got a shot to survive.”
    “She does have a shot,” Chief Terry said. “She’s got an even bigger shot at dying.”
    I didn’t want to hear this. “Well, I’m glad you’ve got so much faith.”
    Marcus walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist as he rested his chin on my forehead. “It’s not his fault, Thistle.”
    “No,” I agreed. “It’s ours. We should have done the spell the day Annie showed up.”
    I could see the same guilt washing over Bay’s face that was coursing through my veins. “She’s right.”
    “Don’t do that,” Landon said, drawing Bay in for a hug. “We all did what we could.”
    “It should have occurred to us, though,” I argued. “We should have been more proactive.”
    “We can’t go back in time and change things,” Aunt Tillie said. “We have to look forward.”
    “Are you a fortune cookie now?” I wasn’t really angry with Aunt Tillie. I was just frustrated. She was an easy target because she fought back.
    “You need to calm yourself,” Aunt Tillie said. “We’re not going to be able to help Basil if you don’t.”
    “Her name is Annie!” The light bulb in the lamp at the nurse’s station exploded, causing the receptionist to take cover, the same moment my temper did.
    Landon flinched. “Did you do that?”
    I bit my bottom lip. I wasn’t sure.
    “She’s out of control,” Aunt Tillie said. “She needs to cool off. Her emotions are taking over.”
    Landon’s face was thoughtful. “That happened in Bay’s bedroom the other day. Are you saying they can do that?”
    Aunt Tillie scowled. “Thistle did it because she was enraged. I think Bay might have done it for another reason.”
    Landon’s chest puffed out slightly.
    “Yes, you’re a stud,” Aunt Tillie said, rolling her eyes as she patted his chest dismissively. “That’s clearly the important thing here now.”
    Landon deflated. “We need to put our heads together,” he said. “Annie’s grandparents arrive tomorrow. We have no choice but to hand her over if Belinda doesn’t wake up.”
    “We can’t do that,” I argued.
    “That’s why we have to come up with a plan.”
    “I could take her and run,” Aunt Tillie offered.
    “We have to come up with a plan that isn’t illegal,” Landon said.
    “Legal shmegal,” Aunt Tillie said. “We have to do what’s right.”
    “Before anyone even thinks of running off with that child, we’re going to put our heads together,” Landon said. “I can’t condone anyone running with her, and I can’t look the other way. This is too big.”
    Aunt Tillie sighed. “Fine. I won’t run away with her.”
    “I know you’re just saying that to get me to lower my guard,” Landon said. “It’s not going to work.”
    Aunt Tillie opened her mouth to argue, but she snapped it shut when Mom, Winnie, and Marnie turned the corner and headed in our direction. They had Annie in tow, and the girl was tugging so forcefully on Winnie’s hand she was having trouble keeping up.
    “Did you find my mommy?” Annie’s eyes were hopeful.
    “We found her car on the side of the road,” Landon said carefully. “She was inside.”
    “Where is she? I want to see her.”
    “The doctors are working on her right now,” Landon said.
    “But I want to see her,” Annie said, jutting her lower lip out into a pronounced pout.
    Landon was patient, but firm. “I know you do, honey, but the doctors