Page 16 of Haunt Improvement
“You should fly on home before it gets dark out,” I told him.“Take some of the garlic cheese puffs and dipped pawpaws to share with your mum.She should be off work soon.”
I packed up the goodies in a tea towel so they’d be easier for Asher to carry in his shifted form.He finished his pastry and hopped off the stool, pausing to give my belly a kiss.“See you tomorrow, bitty bat,” he said, then turned his bright eyes up at me.“Thanks for the treats, Auntie M.And don’t worry about your meanie cousin.If she gives you pimples again, Zelda will zap her bald.She can do it, too.She’s the Baba Yaga now.”
“That’s right, buddy.”I ruffled his hair and snagged a pastry before waving him off out the back door with his to-go loot.Then I headed to the shower, hoping some warm suds would keep me happy long enough for the kid to make it home dry.
* * *
THE NURSERY WAS QUICKLYbecome my happy place.It was truly my finest vision come to life.3D bat decals dotted the walls in spiral formations in between floating shelves that held framed photographs and a variety of bat plushies Dylan had been collecting since we’d discovered we were expecting.
The crib, changing table, dresser, and rocking chair were black to match the bats against the light lavender-gray paint, but we’d opted for white shelves and trim to go against the bolder plum on the opposite walls.It kept the space from being too dark and broody.
Dozens of books filled the shelves with room for more.A bat and broom mobile hung over the crib, and a fluffy blanket Hermosa had knitted lay over the back of the rocking chair.The wittle witch and I were going to be spending a lot of time up here, and I couldn’t wait.
“This spread is aces,” Daisy said, swiping another cream pastry from the buffet table.She popped it into her mouth before organizing the plates, cups, and matching napkins around the punch bowls to either side of the layered cake in the center.
A second table for gifts waited in the opposite corner, and several party games were laid out on top of the bookshelf beneath the back window.Everything was perfect and in its place, but I still couldn’t shake the sense of dread that tainted my mood and stained the sky outside gray.
“Here’s the last of them,” Nathan announced as he and Dylan brought up another load of folding chairs from the garage.We probably had more than we needed, considering a few of the Shifters I’d invited had bailed at the last minute after learning there would be another West witch in attendance.
Daisy tipped her chin at Nathan in thanks.“You’re a legend, mate.”
His cheeks turned pink, but there was an air of confusion about him, as if he didn’t know how to take being calledmatefrom her.I suspected he’d be discussing it with Dylan while they took Asher bowling.I hoped he was careful around the batling.Those little ears caught everything.
“I’ll keep my phone close,” Dylan promised, giving me a squeeze and a kiss.“Mama is stationed at the front door, but you might want to...”
“I’m right behind you,” I said, catching his drift.Hermosa had come a long way since our first meeting, but my family was not for the faint of heart.I crammed down another pawpaw doodle before working up the nerve to head downstairs.
By the time I made it to the foyer, the first of our guests had arrived—the three batamigas, my favorite of Dylan’s cousins, Mari, Neoma, and Alina.Of course, they were my mother-in-law’sleastfavorite.But we family outcasts had to stick together.
“Look at you!”Mari gushed, taking in my fancy maternity dress.The black lace sleeves and purple ruffles matched the nursery.A little silver bat charm hung from a ribbon around my neck, and matching silver flats hugged my swollen feet.I was not happy about the state of my ankles, but DeeDee assured me they would return to normal postpartum.A pantsuit would have offered more coverage, but the dress was just too cute.
I grinned at the compliments and tucked a curl behind my ear.“I’m so glad you all could make it.”
“Still offering up those prayers to St.Nicholas?”Alina asked Mama Hermosa, dotting her cheek with a kiss despite the snarky query about the patron saint of prostitutes.
“Every day,sobrina.”Hermosa returned the kiss with a forced smile.
If only my family played so nice.
Hermosa ushered the batamigas upstairs with their gifts in tow, while I greeted the next round of guests.
“These are from Marg,” Zelda said, handing over a box of frosted cookies.“And Sassy says she’ll drop off her gift in the morning.”
“I brought a fewhealthysnacks,” DeeDee said, angling her casserole dish so I could see the carrots and rosehips inside.She shot a judgy sideways glance at Zelda.Assjacket’s witchiest merely rolled her eyes and lugged her gift bags toward the stairs.DeeDee followed with an elegant trot to her gait.
I cradled the cookies to my chest and waited for them to reach the second-floor landing before peeling the lid open and shoving an entire frosted pumpkin in my mouth.The sugar melted on my tongue, and the sky outside lightened with the rush of endorphins.But it didn’t last long.
A dark shadow cut across the threshold.I swallowed hard and turned to welcome my next guest, nearly gagging on my own tongue when I saw who it was.
Glinda wiggled her fingers in a sheepish greeting.“Hey, cuz.”
Her sister Emmy stood beside her with a black-ribboned box in her hands and a bored look on her perfect face.“Look at you,” she said, taking in my extended condition with a hitched brow.Coming from her, it was more insult than compliment.Not that I cared at this particular moment.
Behind them, Ingra West, their mother, stood tall and proud in a black riding cloak.She opened her arms wide, broom grasped in one hand, and cackled at my gaping horror.
“Surprise!”
