Page 56 of Witches of Honeysuckle House
“Violet and Tillie.” Regina paused, weighing her words. As soon as she outed them, there was no going back. Regina wanted nothing for her sister as much as she wanted her happiness. For a moment she wondered if Tillie could bring joy into Violet’s life in a way Regina couldn’t. But, no. It had always been the two of them, and that had always been enough.
Regina took a quick look around them, but the alley was empty. Still, she lowered her voice further and gestured for Joshua to come closer. He bent over, dipping his head so she could whisper into his ear.
“They’re not just roommates.”
Joshua’s eyes narrowed, and the doubt Regina had about telling her sisters’ secret melted away. She was right. This was exactly what she needed to get Tillie out of their lives for good. When he didn’t respond, Regina continued.
“I don’t think anyone else knows,” Regina said. “But with them living together in our house, it’s only a matter of time.”
Joshua straightened as he looked Regina over. “Are you threatening my sister?”
Regina’s eyes widened. She forced an innocence into them that she didn’t feel. Unfortunately, her voice betrayed her. “Not any more than I’m threatening my own.”
“I see.” Joshua’s voice was both protective and sad. “Violet told me they’d be safe with you.”
As Regina processed his words, something cold wound its way around her heart. She’d been so certain Tillie’s family didn’t approve of two women in love—why else would Tillie have needed to hide away at Honeysuckle House?
“I’m worried what would happen if word got out,” she said.
“And how exactly would word get out?” Joshua asked.
“They live together. It would only take the wrong person to question that, which is why you need to convince your sister to leave. What they’re doing is dangerous.”
“No one has any way of knowing what goes on behind those walls unless someone were to tell them,” Joshua said, an underlying accusation in his words.
Regina placed a hand on her hip and tapped her foot against the pavement. Charming people had never been her area of expertise. That had always been Violet’s talent. Regina never saw a need for it, not when she could get what she wanted with magic. It was why she’d burned the candle this morning. This conversation should’ve been going differently, but it seemed whatever magic her sister had done to counter Regina’s was more encompassing than she anticipated.
But Joshua didn’t know that.
“I don’t think I’ve been quite clear in my meaning.” Regina’s voice took on a sharper edge. Her eyes narrowed, and she imagined herself every bit like the wicked witches she’d read about in fairy tales. “You need to get your sister out of my home.”
Joshua took a step back, and Regina smirked, satisfied by the fear in his eyes.
“I see,” he said.
“I certainly hope you do.”
Chapter Thirty
Violet, 1960
Violet stood out front at Grey’s rearranging one of the candle displays when Joshua came in from the back, flipped the sign to closed, and locked the door.
“Is it already five?” Tillie asked as she glanced down at her watch.
Violet had known Joshua as long as she’d known Tillie. He was the first person they told about their relationship, not because Tillie had unflinching trust in him, which she did, but because he brought it up. His kindness and excitement mixed with the protective way he had looked over his shoulder to make sure they weren’t overheard had endeared him to Violet.
The way he moved now, quick and precise, and the stormy look in his eyes—so much like his sister’s when something worried her—had Violet on edge.
“Joshua,” Violet asked, “what’s wrong?”
At the same time, Tillie said, “I think my watch stopped.” She looked up from her wrist, eyes flitting between Violet and her brother. Slowly, she dropped her arm to her side.
“It isn’t five o’clock, is it?” she asked.
“Your sister just left,” Joshua said.
Violet glanced out the front window. “I didn’t see her.”
