Page 57 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
She scrolled through the names and finally found three possibilities. Each reservation was for one night. And had a male name. They were paid by a corporate credit card.
Maybe Edmund was right. Maybe Howard had found another source of income to pay for his vacation time here in Magic Springs. She printed off the list and tucked it into her tote.
Then she went to see the ballroom.
As soon as she stepped inside, she knew that Christina was going to be ecstatic. It was a Cinderella fairy tale wrapped in shimmering silver and blue tones. The dance floor area was all old-castle charm with the sides mixing castle and woodland. There were even birds and butterflies set around the edges.
“Oh, Mia, I’m so glad you’re here.” An excited Jeani grabbed her arm. “I didn’t see it on the outline, but we’re doing passed trays for appetizers, correct? I put small tables out for extras and a drinks station on this side. The bar’s closer to the side door, where they can restock. I’m going a little more male-centric on that side. I know, old-fashioned, but this is an engagement party.”
“It looks beautiful. She’s going to be so pleased.” Mia hoped Christina wouldn’t come to check out the ballroom. She needed to see it fresh when she walked in for the party. “You’re talented.”
“Well, I figured since it was Magic Springs, I could go a little crazy. Her mom has already asked me to do the Friday-night event in Boise. I told her I’d have to upcharge since it was last minute, and she said she didn’t care. She fired her designer, and I’ll be heading there tomorrow after this is set to start the planning.” She paused and looked at Mia. “Her folks are normals, right?”
“Yes. Very, very normal. Lawyer and old-money types.” Mia turned away from a tree where fairies were playing in the branches.
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Jeani sighed and took in her creation. “Here, if I can imagine it, I can make it. In real life, I need to tone down my, and my client’s expectations. I already told Mrs. Adams that I’d been working on this for weeks. I can’t pull this off down in the valley for several reasons.”
Mia laughed. “At least you have a valid excuse. As long as the party looks expensive and upscale, you’ll be fine with Mrs. Adams. Think modernGreat Gatsby.”
“What a great idea!” Jeani hugged Mia, surprising her. She held on as she whispered, “I’m so glad you’re here. We work well together. I like you.”
Mia patted Jeani on the back. Not what she’d been expecting after the last encounter with Trent’s ex. As she let her go, she said, “I like you, too.”
“Sorry about the over-the-top emotions. It’s my creative process. I tend to say what I mean without a filter. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes not.” Jeani peered at a branch that covered part of a table. “That won’t do. I guess I’d better get going. Thanks to you, I need to start playing with 1920s glam.”
Mia watched the decorating crew for a little longer. The champagne fountain was going to be beautiful. Mother Adams would be pleased. She turned around and ran into her almost-future mother-in-law. “Mrs. Adams, I’m so glad to see you.”
“Now, dear, you know we’re past that stage, call me Roxanne? Even Jessica calls me by my first name. She’s such a delight. Isaac’s a lucky man.” Evil glinted in Mother Adams’s eyes as she brought up Mia’s ex’s new bride.
“Of course, Roxanne.” Mia put on her client smile, the one she saved for customers she didn’t like. “How is the new couple doing? Christina said they went to Europe for their honeymoon.”
“Very well. Jessica’s fitting in nicely as a member of my charity groups, and they’re already trying for a baby. I told her that adoption was the way to go, but she wanted to make one of her own. I’m sure she’ll change her mind after the first one ruins her tiny waist.” She looked at Mia. “You look comfortable here in the backwoods. I’m sure you’re going to miss Christina.”
Mia breathed past all the pokes at how she wouldn’t have made a perfect wife for Mother Adams’s son. And how she was a hick. Smiling, she focused on the one true statement the woman had made. “I am going to miss having her around all the time. She’s a joy to work with and live with, but of course, you already know that, since you raised her. The good thing is, Portland isn’t that far away. I’m sure I’ll see her often at the Majorses’ holiday events, since I’m dating another one of their sons.”
The color drained from the woman’s face. “If she can get away from her new job. You know how intense the hospitality business can be.”
“If she can’t come here, then we’ll pack up the festivities and take them to her and Levi.” Mia paused for effect. “It’s what family does. Oh, look at the time. I’d better get home. Those tasty bits aren’t going to make themselves.”
Mia turned to leave, then stopped. She might as well ask. She’d probably burned a bridge here anyway. “Roxanne, do you know who Christina’s birth parents are? Is there any chance they were from Magic Springs? She seems to fit in here so well, you know what I mean?”
CHAPTER23
Mia started another batch of cheesecake bites, this recipe with a huckleberry topping, while she thought about Mother Adams’s answer. She had known what Mia was implying, so somehow, she’d known about Christina’s magical heritage. As long as she wasn’t a baby whom Abigail had given up, or any of her or Thomas’s siblings, it wasn’t an issue with her marrying Levi.
Besides, Abigail knew about Christina’s heritage. Mia thought she might have suspected a few years ago now, looking at the way she treated Levi’s girlfriend. Abigail had brought both Mia and Christina in as more than her son’s girlfriends. She already treated them like family.
Mia wondered if any of Trent’s past girlfriends had gotten Abigail’s seal of approval that quickly. Moving in together would even up the ante as far as being part of the Majors family. She didn’t like Steve, but right now, Trent didn’t either. Thomas could go hot or cold depending on the day.
She guessed his family was like any other.
Tired of trying to see into her future, she focused instead on Alfred Howard. She needed to follow up on the three names she had gotten from the reservation desk. But if he’d come in early, why not adjust his reservation? Why use an alias?
That was if he even came in early. The thing was, magical sensors usually were spot-on. They didn’t have human intervention to count or not count an arrival. That’s why the coven had set them up and had someone who was not on the board monitor and report on who entered the area. It kept everyone honest.
Assuming that Marsha’s count was right, then why did Alfred Howard come into town on Tuesday undercover?
“I can’t believe you’re here cooking.” Abigail came through the back door with a few empty totes in her hands. “I told Finn we needed to get unloaded and start baking, and yet here you are, making light work of the event.”
