Page 10 of Enduring Magic

Autumn sauntered into the room, took one look at the frantic passenger, and groaned. “I can’t leave you alone for two minutes,” she muttered. Raising her voice, she said, “Beat it, dude. My sister and I have a wedding to discuss.”

Once again, the guy appeared unsure of himself. “But… I mean, I… that’s to say…”

“Clearly, you can see there aren’t hundreds of mice in this stateroom,” Alastair said, effectively cutting off what would’ve been the man’s full-blown babble. “I doubt there are any at all, really,” her father continued with a sharp look in her direction.

From behind the guy’s back, she shrugged and held up two fingers.

Alastair’s mouth tightened, but he remained firm in his resolve to send the half-hysterical man on his way. “I suggest you go back to your room, call room service, and have them bring you a nice meal with a Merlot.” He produced a hundred-dollar bill and shoved it into the man’s pudgy hand. “By the time you reach the bottom of the bottle, all this will have been a terrible dream, and you’ll feel generous enough to give this to the room attendant.”

The air conditioner kicked up, and with it came the aroma of a perfectly seared steak and steamed vegetables, followed a moment later by the scent of chocolate cake. A suggestive spell, woven by her father to distract the man, but even Summer began to crave the foods he suggested. The mighty Thorne made spell casting look easy-peasy. However, it was anything but. Suggestion spells took considerable talent.

After the door closed, Autumn began to laugh. Not just a lighthearted giggle, but breath-stealing guffaws that doubled her over. Summer joined in. Gone were the days of embarrassment over her wonky magic.

“If you two are done, lunch is in five.” Alastair kissed Summer’s temple to show he wasn’t truly upset and promptly disappeared.

“Think anyone caught him teleporting into the hallway?” her sister asked when she could catch her breath. “The whole light-flickering scene was straight out of the Titanic movie.”

“Right? I thought that guy was going to stroke out.” Their conversation dissolved into more laughter. This was what Summer had missed the most when she and her siblings had all formed relationships and moved out of the manor, the shared confidences and endless humor.

Out of the blue, Autumn hugged her as if she sensed Summer’s thoughts. And perhaps she had. Autumn washellaintuitive and an expert at human behavior. It’s what made her a formidable businesswoman.

“I love you, Tums,” Summer said.

“Ditto, sis. Now, tell me all about Coop’s second proposal and what plans you’ve thought up.”

“We only have three more minutes until we have to join the others.”

“Meh. They’ll wait. I mean, seriously, where are they going? We’re on an ocean liner, cruising the Caribbean.” The spark of amusement was so similar to Alastair’s earlier that Summer had to smile. They both knew damned well her family could disappear with a mere thought and blink of an eye.

“We decided on the spring equinox, and now we only have less than two months to pull this together. I’m worried I can’t arrange it in time with work, a baby, and everything else.”

“Leave it to Mama and me. We’ll get it done. I promise your ceremony will eclipse mine in every way.”

“That’s not what I want, Tums. I…” The thing was, she didn’t know what she wanted other than to be married to Coop. To finally commit to him as he intended to commit to her—with their whole hearts and souls.

“We’re witches, Summer. We’ve got this in the bag, babe.”

5

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hate wedding planning.” Summer flopped back on the bed, arms spread wide, angsty expression firmly in place. “Why does it have to be so damned hard to make a decision?”

Seeing her stressed to the extent she was, bothered Coop. He tugged her into a sitting position and pulled her into the circle of his arms. “What can I do to help?”

“You already have, just by being here.”

“Summer.”

“It’s the details. We’re witches. We should be able to conjure whatever we want, but for some reason, my mother feels it’s important to do this the old-fashioned mortal way. No magic.” His soon-to-be wife blew out a breath and groaned.

“There was a time you’d have wanted to do it the old-fashioned mortal way. You were afraid of your abilities,” he said, reminding her of when her power had been wonky. If it hadn’t been for her ill-timed, mismanaged magic, she and Coop probably wouldn’t be a couple. “I believe, to a degree, you still are. Perhaps your mother feels you’d be more invested in the wedding if you took part instead of allowing Autumn to conjure everything.”

Summer pulled away to study his face. “Are you upset that Autumn wants to take charge?”

“Not really, but this entire ceremony should be whatyouwant, not what your sister feels is appropriate.”

“She probably knows me better than I know myself,” Summer said as she settled back into the embrace.

“No, she doesn’t. She knows the things about you that you allow others to see. Deep down, where it counts, you hide away.” He held up his hands when she jerked back to protest. “Not that it’s a bad thing, sweetheart. But you’ve kept your insecurities hidden for a long time, never allowing those close to you to see your inner turmoil.”

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