Page 79 of Fresh Old Bounties

“Screw you, Keith,” Janet said hotly.

“Friday night. My schedule is empty, baby,” Keith answered with a wink.

Sonia clapped for attention before Janet’s head exploded. “Anything else?”

“Yes.” I squared my shoulders, turned, and gave everyone an earnest look. “Places like the Corner Rose deserve to be in the community’s hands. Would you really give it to a newcomer over someone local?”

“Why not?” asked Bobby. “We gave you the witch shop, didn’t we?”

He totally got me there. “That was different. The shop reverted to the Council after Ms. Bagley’s death.”

“I don’t see the difference,” Janet insisted.

“Yeah,” said someone else. “What’s the difference?”

“Yes, Avery,” Sonia said in sugary sweet tones. “Please enlighten us.”

I met Ian’s gaze. He arched his brows, as if daring me to show these people I meant business.

Oh, I’d show them the meaning of business.

“First of all,” I said loudly, “the Council is not a chain. Second of all, the shop was not stolen from a local witch interested in taking over.” It had totally been, but they didn’t need to know about that. “Third, the Council sought permission before giving it to me, didn’t they?” I added, glancing at Sonia over my shoulder.

Sonia agreed, almost unwillingly. “They did.”

“That’s a bunch of crap,” someone else said. “What’s your problem with Tabbies, anyway?”

“The Corner Rose is right by my shop.”

“So what?”

“So, I don’t think Tabbies opening there is a good idea. It’ll bring down the neighborhood’s quality.”

“I agree,” Bosko said. “It’s bad business having one of those super modern chains around.”

“Shut up, Bosko. You wouldn’t know good business or good quality if it spit in your face.”

“Tell that to my bank account, Bobby.”

Laughter filled the air.

Sonia clapped again.

A couple of rows behind me, Veva stood smoothly. “If I may?”

Sonia gestured for her to continue.

“We may not have had a choice in the person taking over Bagley’s shop, but I think we can all agree that having fresh blood in the community is for the better.” My mouth started to droop at her words. “That being said, Hope Avery replaced a witch. The Council wouldn’t have trusted her with such an important position if they didn’t think her capable of serving the community’s needs. I think we would do well to take her opinions seriously.” Her smile was as serene as a moonlit pond. “After all, we all depend on her for our potions and spells, don’t we?”

A lot of nervous glances were sent my way. I tried not to look smug.

“All I mean to say,” I said smoothly, “is that there are young local members who would like the chance to operate their own businesses, so why give something like the Corner Rose to an outsider chain? If they want to open in Olmeda, they can open downtown. Plenty of hotels and visitors there.”

Murmurs of assent rose as everyone began talking among themselves.

Veva gave me a faint smile and sat back down.

I nodded my thanks and did the same.

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