Page 44 of Offsides Attraction

“You’re exclusive?” Harper asked, sharing a look with Maggie. “Label or not, sounds like you’re dating, which makes you his girlfriend.”

“I’m my own woman. Not some half of a couple.”

“Looks like a duck. Walks like a duck. Quacks like a duck. It’s a duck.” Nanna said, annoying Penny.

“I see why you’re annoyed, but why is Bash mad and annoyed?” Harper asked. Leave it to her sister, the reporter, to remember all the details and have follow-up questions.

“He’s mad that I didn’t check with him first since we’re running out of time before the extended road trip,” Penny said, dropping her voice, imitating him. She even pulled her eyebrows together. “I didn’t know helping him would be this demanding.”

“And he’s annoyed?” Harper asked.

“Because I’m annoyed at myself for thinking that I should check with him first.”

“Face it, you are your own woman, but helping someone”—Nanna used air quotes—“usually means coordinating and making time for the other person.” Nanna patted Penny’s shoulder.

“So, he’s right? I should have checked with him first?”

“I don’t think you’d be so upset if he wasn’t.”

“How’d you get so smart?” Penny grumbled, not liking the truth as it stared her in the face. She liked Bash Vetter too much, and she wanted the girlfriend label.

“She’s not,” Elspeth said from a corner of the room. “Mom’s forgetting that you’re a serial dater who’s never met a man more interesting than a good book. Her philosophy is perfect for Maggie, maybe even Harper, but not for you. You’re an independent woman and a witch whose coven is here.” She moved to the center of the room, commanding everyone’s attention, even Nanna’s.

“You’ve done the work of multiple people this holiday season, because you’ve practiced, and your skills are more powerful.”

“Or she’s motivated to finish early so she can see Bash.” Maggie said, surprising everyone. She rarely voiced an opinion. Penny couldn’t look at Elspeth for fear she’d see the truth on Penny’s face.

She had practiced more, but it was out of fear, not desire. Penny was stronger, but she could only read Bash infrequently, and only when he was upset.

“No,” Elspeth snapped. “She’s stronger because she’s committed to her practice and the coven. Penny knows she’s strongest here.” The temperature in the room dropped and Elspeth stood taller. She’d never seen Elspeth so protective, and she’d never seen her argue with Nanna. Now wasn’t the time to contradict her aunt, her mentor, and her business partner. Now was the time to play nice.

“Elspeth is right,” Penny said, moving toward Nanna. “I am stronger. I can do more than two magics at once. Last week, I ran the payroll, unpacked a few boxes, and placed an order for spring children’s books. Don’t worry, Elspeth, we’d closed, and I’d locked the office door. I wouldn’t have been able to do all that a few months ago. And George doesn’t ignore me like he used to.”

“And that’s a good thing?” Harper asked.

“It helps that he’s jealous of Lucas,” Maggie said.

“Don’t spoil this for me,” Penny said, sticking her tongue out at her sisters, causing Nanna to chuckle.

“As long as you’re happy, that’s all any of us want.” Nanna gave Penny a reassuring side hug, but her eyes were intent on Elspeth, who raised her chin, looking even more regal.

Penny’s mom and Nanna rarely interfered with the coven. They watched from the sidelines and supported the girls, but occasionally they butted heads with Elspeth. Alison and Nanna argued they were women first, witches second. Elspeth argued the two were intertwined and could not be separated, and if the gift wasn’t used and recharged, it would wither.

When the girls were children, Alison had wanted them to go to camp, but Elspeth had said no. Four had intervened between his wife and sister, and had brokered a deal where they could go, but it couldn’t be during a full moon. The compromise had morphed into a rule, impacting sleepovers and dates, only to explode when Harper started her college search.

Elspeth had insisted she stay local and attend either Cascade University or Valley Community College. She’d lost, predicting all sorts of dire consequences like headaches, endless colds, and hair loss. But headstrong Harper had proven Elspeth wrong. She’d thrived at the University of Oregon. Because of Harper’s success, Penny was sure she’d have Elspeth’s blessing when it was her turn. Wrong. Elspeth had been furious. To appease her aunt and thaw family tensions, Penny abandoned her scholarship at Claremont College and had followed Harper’s footsteps to Eugene. Maggie’s choice had been an easy one, Valley Community College and its culinary program.

Maggie clapped her hands, saying, “Let’s get this going. Temperature’s dropping, and I have a stack of paperwork to sort before Jack shows up in the morning. And unlike some people, I can’t multitask.”

“You could if you practiced,” Elspeth said as they donned hats and mittens for the short trek to the fire pit. Nanna hugged them goodnight, reminding them to come back in for a cup of tea if they wanted.

They followed Elspeth single file like ducks following their mother. She tossed a few more logs on the fire and Maggie muttered, “There goes my evening.”

Elspeth blew on the fire, and the flames grew, catching the new wood. She smiled. “I just thought we could use more warmth.” She circled her arm overhead and the smoke drifted up. The women tugged off their hats and mittens and Elspeth held hands with Harper and Penny. Maggie stood between her sisters.

“Wait,” Penny said, unzipping her jacket and tossing it to the side. She wore a tank top underneath. Higher skin exposure meant more moon-glow absorption. In the summer, after the ritual they often slept outdoors on cots, wearing shorts and tank tops. Maggie and Elspeth charmed the area to keep it free of bugs. Tonight, the heat from the fire gave a subtle warmth, and Elspeth lessened the breeze. I’ll survive, Penny thought as she slipped her hands back into her fellow witches’.

Elspeth gave thanks to Mother Earth and the Universe for all they’d provided since the last full moon. She thanked them for blessing Maggie with the gift of healing so she could ease Penny’s ankle pain and further her recovery. On Barbara’s behalf, she also thanked them for Maggie’s intervention and help with the new sheep, Mac and Beth, to integrate into their new life at Thistlestone.

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