Page 30 of Midlife Witch Unexpected

“That’s it?” I was surprised to find I was a little disappointed.

“That’s it,” Anita said with a shrug. “I know I expected more my first time, too.”

“Now come, Trina.” She swished her hand in the air with a bit of flair she pointed toward Trina. “I believe this might be your specialty.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You specialize in witch celebrations?” She was so stern and dry. I did not see that coming.

“In a way,” Hilda shrugged.

“I specialize in baking,” Trina said.

“Baking. Even better. All right,” I said stepping back. “Show us what you can do.” I motioned to the expanse of the parlor.

“I don’t really think this is the right place for it,” Trina said.

I gazed around at my new coven. “Well, where would you suggest?”

“The garden!” Anita cried, clapping her hands. “It’s a party for the new High Priestess! I think it deserves some sort of a hallmark presentation.”

“Definitely the backyard,” Trina nodded perfunctorily. “Anita, Drake, get me my things.”

“You might want to wait and be surprised by this,” Branson said as I moved to follow them out through the kitchen and into the backyard.

“Oh, hell no,” I laughed. “If they’re doing magic in my backyard-”

“-in your honor,” Branson interrupted, holding the door open for me.

“Then I want to see it. For sure,” I finished, making sure I didn’t brush up against him as I passed.

“Just make sure you stay out of the way.” Trina waved her arms wide from the center of the backyard. “Otherwise, this could get messy.”

‘”Out of the way,” I gave her the thumbs up from the top of the stairs.

I knew I wouldn’t be any use staying out of the way all the time, but seeing as these were my first moments in the coven, a coven I wasn’t sure about, it’d be better to watch and learn for the time being.

Branson moved to stand near me. “Nope,” I said pointing him in the other direction. “I will not have you crowding my space. You’re banished or whatever I need to say to keep you away. Although it didn’t work very well with the vampire.”

“I get the idea,” Branson growled.

“Good,” I muttered petulantly.

Sparkles of pink and blue in the garden drew my attention. I watched as Trina stood still, arm raised, her wrist and hand the only things moving. She waved them in a wall that looked like an Italian on steroids. To my surprise, the garden table was transformed into a banquet table and pastries and tea cakes galore appeared in stacks on the most delicate, mismatched, floral China ever.

“Seriously?” I asked. “That just happened?”

“Yep,” Branson nodded, his hands buried deep in his pockets. “She’s pulling out all the stops for you.”

“It’s not over yet,” Anita said as Drake moved up and his hands began to spiral around the plates and suddenly floral garlands appeared, weaving their way in between the cutlery and dishes.

“I don’t understand how you are making everything appear,” I said. “How can that food be real if it’s made by magic?”

“Are you scared to eat it?” Drake asked, grabbing a cupcake from the table and biting into it.

“Drake!” Trina reprimanded her son.

“I’m just showing her the food is real,” Drake argued his position.

“It’s real,” Trina said, trying to grab the cupcake from Drake, but he darted away just in time.

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