Page 94 of Upside Down Magic

“Imight know someone,”Alexsaid, bringing out his phone. “Hey,Susy,” he said into it a moment later. “Youfree?”Apause. “Yeah, need to borrow you and the kit for a few—do you mind?”Anotherpause. “Great, perfect.Youknow theTeaCauldron?Yeah, that one.Meetme in the back alley?Awesome.”Heended the call and grinned. “Susywill be right over.”

“Doesshe, ah, know why she’s coming over?”Iasked.

“Ohyeah, don’t worry.Sheknows.”

“Great.Cookies?”

“Sure,”Wyattsaid, sneaking a hand into the display and grabbing a handful.

Dorseystuck her nose up in the air and declined.Huttongrumbled and grabbed a banana muffin.Meiwas totally going to faint whenItold her he was eating her goodies again.

“Alex?April?”

Aprilapproached the display and took a chocolate one. “Sure,Hope.Thanks.”

“We’regoing to try savory items after the holiday rush,”Itold them proudly. “Andwe’ll be having choco-mint cookies shaped like trees starting next week.”

“Ifyou still have a shop,”Dorseymuttered.

“Well,Ms.Dorsey, ifIdon’t have a shop then there’s noChristmasevent, is there?So, you better hopeIstill have one.”

Herleft eye twitched. “Whatever.”

“Aboutthe event,”Wyattbegan. “Whatif?—”

“Let’sgo wait in the alley,”Isaid loudly.

Wyattgave me the evil eye but allowed himself to be herded toward the back along with everyone else.

“I’mimpressed at the evolution of your managerial skills,”Druwhispered asIdipped into the kitchen to grab the suppliesI’dneed to make the potion. “Youmight be a community leader after all.”

“Thereis no might, only become,”Itold her, stuffing herbs and crystals into a tote with theTeaCauldronlogo on it.I’drecently stocked those and sold three already.Oneof my best business decisions.

“That’sthe spirit.”

Thepipes gurgled, andDruall but jumped out of the kitchen. “Thatthing is still there?”

“Ofcourse.Idon’t know whatI’ddo withoutTinyKraken.”Totehanging from my shoulder,Iturned toDru. “Let’sgo before they eat each other and we have to find new paranormals.”

Rufusrushed me whenIcame out into the yard.

“I’msorryRufus,”Isaid, scratching him behind his ears. “Youcan’t come with us this time.”

“Whynot?”Druasked. “Maybehe can sniff out the spell.”

“Yeah, boss,”Alexsaid.

Rufusseemed to understandDruandAlex’stones and attempted to do aFluffypuppy-eyed impression, low pleading whine included.

“Ifhe barks and wakes someone up, we’re toast,”Isaid.

Alexcrouched next to him. “Hewon’t do that, will you,Rufus?”Hegave the dog’s neck and head a vigorous petting. “Willyou, boy?”

Rufuslet out a low yip of agreement.

“Dogscan’t smell magic,”Huttonsaid.

“Speakingfrom personal experience?”Dorseyasked.

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