Page 54 of Witch Please

“I might make it through the day now,” he said. “Thanks for the top-up.”

“Uh, no problem.”

“I’ll text you my address. See you tonight!” He waved as she walked off.

He’s so sweet and open. What if I hurt him?

Guilt surged as she hurried back to the shop. She’d stopped by the clinic first thing so she could keep her promise to Titus, and the afternoon kept her too busy to worry about personal problems, as a small series of emergencies kept her hopping. Clem left soon after she returned, looking every bit as cranky as she’d feared. Goddess only knew what her cousin would say if she knew Danica was headed over to Titus’s place tonight. She tried to tell herself it was a booty call, not a date, but even she didn’t believe it entirely. He just wasn’t that guy.

If Leanne was right, a few more hookups and it should be easier to let him go, right? She just had to keep her magic locked down, no wild spikes in unprotected locations. It was safe to do normal repair work in the shop; they had it shielded until not even a trickle should escape, and she thought the witch hunter would find the name a bit obvious, which was exactly the point, letting them hide in plain sight. Service calls were another matter.

How are we supposed to earn a living with that asshole sniffing around?

“Oh!” Sudden inspiration struck, and she called Ethel, as the older witch didn’t like texting. Too bad.

“What’s up, hon?” That was Ethel, cutting right to the chase. If only more people were like that on the phone.

“I’m worried about doing repair work on location under the circumstances. Do you have any shielding charms?”

“Not ready-made, but I could whip up a couple for you and Clem. Not for free, you understand. I’m on a fixed income.”

“I’m not asking for a handout,” she said, smiling.

“Then I’ll get right on it and have them done by tomorrow. Bring cash for pickup because I don’t take checks, and I don’t accept Venmo, unless it’s an online transaction.”

Danica stifled a chuckle. “I’m surprised you know what that is.”

“Don’t underestimate me. Do you know how much I earn for a picture of my feet?”

The laugh Danica had been suppressing spilled over. “I wish I thought you were joking.”

“Not even slightly. I earn most of my gambling money that way.” Ethel was partial to blending in with other seniors and taking casino trips, usually local ones, but she’d gone to Vegas a few times as well.

Sighing, Danica said, “I can’t believe we have to do this. Who knew witch hunters were even still a thing?”

“They’ve been dwindling in the last forty years, but a few family lines still take it seriously. Can’t accept that it’s terrible and unnecessary. Ironic because they use their own sort of magic in tracking us down and suppressing us!”

“Magic is okay only intheirhands,” Danica muttered.

“Don’t I know it. Be careful, honey. I have a bad feeling about this.”

She chatted with Ethel a bit more before returning to work. All afternoon, she watched the door, afraid of the witch hunter storming in like he had at the bakery. She considered warning Gram, but the woman’s spy network put the Bratva to shame, so she probably already knew. Finally, Danica finished her shift, set the magical alarm, and locked up. The late-afternoon weather was swelteringly hot, even for summer.This is the kind of thing they used to blame witches for, back in the day.Still, it was lovely to bike home, and she waved at people walking their dogs or taking their kids to the park on the way.

As luck would have it, Clem wasn’t home, an unexpected bonus, but she had the car. Not a big deal. Danica took a quick shower and changed her clothes, choosing a cute cotton sundress patterned in blue. She put her hair up in a messy bun that she imagined Titus would have fun unraveling and did light makeup because it wasn’t fun scrubbing the smears away after the sort of sex she was hoping they’d have.

As she ran down the stairs, she ordered a ride through an app, and soon one of her neighbors showed up.This is the downside of a small town. At least it’s not Hazel Jeffords.She hadn’t seen Goliath lately either. Danica got in the front seat of the Toyota Corolla, smiling at Mr. Carruthers, who had owned the hardware store until his retirement. His son ran the place now, and apparently the elder Carruthers kept himself busy driving folks around.

“Hot date, Miss Waterhouse?” The old man’s eyes twinkled at her.

“I hope so.”

They made small talk until he dropped her off at Titus’s place. Fortunately he didn’t seem to know who lived there, and she didn’t enlighten him. The old man drove off as Danica took in the homestead. It was a beautiful place, mellow and welcoming. She could see how much he loved the house from how well kept it was. That couldn’t be easy working the hours he did.

Before she even got to the front door, Titus threw it open, and a huge black-and-white dog peered around his leg. “This must be Doris.”

“Oh no, it’s starting.”

“What is?”

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