Page 58 of Big Witch Energy

“That’s not true,” Ben said.

Josh asked, “Want me to list them off?”

“I resent being so predictable,” Ben muttered.

“Hit me with it, so I can process it before we have to tell Mina. That way, I can help her process it without bystanders getting hurt,” Josh said.

Ben sighed. It wasn’t his son’s job to help his daughter process her feelings. It was Ben’s job, but that also didn’t change the fact that Josh was right. It was better for both of them to be there for Mina, instead of Ben alone.

“It’s not that bad,” Ben insisted.

Josh lifted a sandy-blond brow.

“Your mom texted me, asking why you haven’t been in contact. Have you really not texted her in three weeks?” Ben asked.

Josh sort of blinked at him. “Oh, yeah, I guess so. Weird. We’ve just been so busy, I haven’t thought about it. And she texted you instead of texting me about it?”

“I get that, as the parent, it’s her job to contact you,” Ben began.

Josh pinched the bridge of his nose, looking a little too much like Ben for his comfort. “But if I don’t contact her, her feelings will get hurt and suddenly, this thing will happen where she pretends she wants to see us but makes excuses at the last minute so she doesn’t have to. And she makes it all about her.”

“I don’t want to invalidate your feelings, but that’s not a great way to talk about your mother,” Ben said.

“It’s true, Dad,” Josh insisted. “She doesn’t want to see us, but she hates the idea that we don’t want to see her.”

He put his arm around his son. “Something to talk about with our therapist?”

“Yeah, probably time for a video session.” Josh nodded. “Oh, man, did Mom say anything about Mina? Or worse, to Mina?”

“Not if she didn’t contact you,” Ben said. “Also, most of the island is still standing, so…”

Josh thought about that for a long moment. “Do you think she’s given up on Mina?”

Ben’s chest ached at the very idea of giving up on his little girl. Mina, who was finding her footing in this strange, new place with her strange, new powers. Mina, who didn’t seem to feel the need to dress in all of the eye-catching colors anymore because she’d found herself. There was nothing left to rebel against. He wasn’t about to let that get derailed by Isabelle’s selfish agenda.

“I hope not. I would hope that a parent never gives up on their child,” Ben said, not sounding entirely sure of himself. “I’m sorry. This is a lot for you to deal with, buddy.”

Josh shrugged. “It sort of sucks to have a passive ability when Mina gets to, you know, fling things around the room.”

“I meant, about your mom,” Ben said.

Josh shook his head. “Oh, yeah, but that’s just more of the same, isn’t it?”

“Well, both of these problems are completely outside of my experience,” Ben told him. “But I’m here, if you want to talk.”

“Sure,” Josh said. “I’m going to run ahead, tell Mina to get her stuff together so we can get to Regina’s before she runs out of Petoskey Stone.”

Josh jogged ahead at double the speed Ben’s old ass could have managed. While Josh seemed completely at ease with all the ghostly developments, Ben was…uneasy. The transition into working with the ladies had just been a little too smooth. What if the house is gauging them, sizing them up as the next possible Stewards of Shaddow House?

Riley was the last of the Dentons. If she decided not to have children, who would be there to take her place? Would his children never be able to leave Starfall? Or worse, would Mina, with her more powerful magic, be expected to stay on the island while Josh went off to make his way in the world? How could either of them be asked to take on the burden that Caroline had faced all her life?

These were thoughts too heavy to introduce over bad-news ice cream.

Chapter 12

Caroline

“Adults-only meetings” took on a whole new context in a small-town, multigenerational coven. That wasn’t the weirdest thought that had ever crossed Caroline’s mind, but it was definitely in the top ten.

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