Page 24 of Upside Down Magic

Grandmawould not have approved of my rudeness, butIwanted my lunch date withIanback.

Fluffylet out a sharp bark from under the table.

Jimlooked down. “Cutedog.”

“Thanks,”Iansaid in a dark, dangerous tone.

Jimsent him a scowl. “Areyou part of this event,Cavalier?”

“No.”

Jimwas undeterred. “Youbetter not try to do aSanta.Ialready bookedCulligan.Youcan’t have him.”

Iassumed that was the localSantaactor. “Ianowns a cemetery.”

Jimreturned his focus to me. “So?”

“Santain a cemetery would be a little weird, wouldn’t it?”

“Why?They’vedone it before.”

“Youhave?”IaskedIanin surprise.

Heshrugged one shoulder. “Momhad some inventive ideas.”

Igrinned. “Therebetter be photos of that.”Preferablywith littleIanin them.

Hesmiled back. “I’msureIcan find some somewhere.”

Jimwaved a hand in front of my face. “Hey.Overhere.”

Iblinked at him. “Sorry.What?”

“Christmasevent.Doa bigger tree.Orbetter, do aSantaon a sleigh and the stickers can be presents.Thatway they can be put everywhere.”

“Thedesigns are already done for the tree.”

“Thenchange them.Dothe presents.Muchbetter than ornaments.”Hetook out a business card from his back pocketand slapped it on the table. “Andput the business names on the stickers.Callme with the details.”

Withthat, he stood abruptly, grabbed the last bread roll, and stalked out of the restaurant.

EIGHT

“Areyou going to let him into the event?”Ianasked.

IinspectedJim’scard.Ithad his name on it with “we make your dreams come true” and a phone number printed underneath.Nota bad slogan—respect where it was due.

“I’mnot sure,”Iadmitted. “IfIdon’t, he might never stop bugging me.”Plus,Ididn’t want to make an enemy of a local business, paranormal or not.Ipocketed the card and started on myMacandCheese. “So,Santaevent at the cemetery, huh?”

Iancut a bite of his pork. “Itwasn’t as popular asMomhoped.”

Ilaughed at that. “Ibet.”Aspark of hope formed asIremembered my other avenue of investigation aboutBrimstoneandShane’sissues. “Didyou call her about paranormals having their magic messed with?”

“Idid.”

Iwaited expectantly, but when he kept eating,Inudged him under the table. “Ian!”

Hegrinned, then grew serious. “Sheremembers a story about paranormals getting sick a long time ago, but it happened inMontelaccording to her, notOlmeda.”

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