Page 62 of All Dressed Up

“I didn’t have a choice.” Sheila put her hand to her face, dragging it down. “I broke the spell.”

Rachel could feel Sheila’s enormous frustration. “Choice?”

“I found out two years ago Emma’s been waiting for him to come back. Literally waiting since she was a young girl. She’d misunderstood a conversation she’d overheard and thought I said he’d come back one day. I had no idea that every Sunday she sits at the Star Lite holding on to hope for his return. She still does it even though she knows the truth. She’s never given up. When Jason thought he found Jesse earlier in the year, I knew it was only a matter of time.”

“And that’s why you went to Texas?”

Sheila nodded. “We tried everything to locate him. When we didn’t have any luck, I came back and broke the spell. He could return to Buttermilk Falls anytime.” Her face filled with sorrow as she rocked in the chair. “And sure enough, he did.”

“Wow.” Rachel rubbed the goose bumps on her arms. “When did you break the spell?”

“Last March, and I haven’t slept a wink since. I had hoped he’d show up after the wedding.” Sheila stopped rocking. “I’m sorry our reunion happened in your flower shop.”

Sheila Stevens had nothing to be sorry about. She was protecting her daughter. “It’s okay.” Her lips turned up. “Although, with the shiner Jesse is now sporting, I bet he regrets it.”

That got a laugh out of Sheila. “Marilyn Jenkins’s son has quite the right hook.”

“Yes, he does, and I can verify Will got him good.” Rachel paused for a moment, adding, “Do you want me to tell Jesse I’ve changed my mind about the job?”

Sheila reached for her lemonade and took a sip, appearing to contemplate that question. “If it’s not your shop, I’m sure he’ll find work elsewhere. I doubt he plans on leaving town anytime soon.”

From what she just heard, Rachel had to agree. He probably wouldn’t risk driving even an inch across the town line. “I think you have a point there.”

“Maybe the threat of Will upstairs will keep him on his best behavior.”

Rachel couldn’t help but smirk because that might be true. “Um... Sheila...” If she was going to follow through with hiring Jesse, she needed to confess the terms of his employment. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it, dear?”

Rachel took a deep breath. “Mary Reed asked me to hire him.”

Sheila closed her eyes. “Go on.”

Rachel proceeded to tell her everything that had happened since she opened up the trunk at the Lakeside Inn and stolen the purse from Will’s place.

“And Mary asked you specifically to hire Jesse?” Sheila asked.

“Well, she didn’t really ask, per se. She left a card for me in her purse stating that Will’s heart’s missing and that I needed help in finding it. She indicated that Jesse might be that help.”

“I see,” was all Sheila said.

“I know it sounds stupid.”

“Will is quite handsome. You two would make a cute couple.”

Rachel’s cheeks warmed. “We have some recent history, but we’ve struggled to become a real couple. Something’s missing...”

“And Mary thinks it’s his heart?”

Rachel nodded. “Stupid. I know. It’s not like his heart’s really missing. If it was, he’d be dead, and he’s definitely not de—”

“I think you should hire Jesse, then,” Sheila interrupted, slamming the spell book closed.

“Really?” She’d meant what she’d said earlier. She would have rescinded the offer if Sheila asked her to, but she couldn’t ignore the immense excitement rushing through her now.

“Mary’s a powerful witch. I suspect she has a master plan from beyond, and we’re here to execute it. Who knows? My mother, Gwendylyn, might be involved, too.” She patted Rachel’s hand. “I’m also betting Mary will be able to keep Jesse in check if Will can’t.”

“I’ll make sure he stays away from you and Emma.”

Sheila gazed out to the dirt road in front of them that led to town, her hand dropping to pet Magic who was wrapped up in a ball at her feet. “I think that would be best for now.”

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