Page 44 of Extra Witchy

He imagined listening to his mother and Junie bicker over font choices on the invitations and shuddered slightly. “That sounds awful.”

The old woman leveled a shockingly astute expression on him then. “They do say the wedding is a test for the relationship, though. How do you know yours will stand up to life if it hasn’t been stress-tested?”

Good question.

Trev knocked on the front door of the well-kept ranch house without responding, saving him from the need to reply. Soon, a middle-aged woman with light-brown hair answered. “How can I help you?”

He recited the script about Leanne’s bid for city council, a short and tasty sound bite, and then asked, “Can we put this sign in your front yard to show your support? The council has had far more men than women on it for years now.”

The homeowner studied the election sign before breaking into a broad smile. “That’s true. Go ahead. She looks so capable! I can’t wait to see Dan Rutherford’s face. He hasn’t had a real challenger in ages.”

For four hours, he drove around with Mrs. Carmenian, and they managed to put up all their signs and gave away a fair number of bumper stickers as well. Eventually, the old woman said, “My dogs sure are barking. You’re a good worker, Trev. Leanne’s lucky to have you.”

“Thanks,” was all he managed to say.

The old woman added, “Drop me off in front of Sugar Daddy’s. I deserve a treat after all that free labor.”

“No problem.” He found a parking spot on the square, not directly in front of Titus’s bakery—just as well because he wasn’t ready to face his best friend after finding out he’d hurt the guy.

Instead of going home, Trev returned to the office above the hardware store and found the place bustling. A table of volunteers was calling while others seemed to be assembling some sort of mass list for texting. There would probably be email campaigns as well. Leanne stood with a stern-faced old man with a big nose, Leon…no, Leonard Something. The whole coffee klatch basically followed Gladys’s orders, and she’d told them all to help Leanne, it seemed. If you wanted to win, you got the seniors on board first. His wife glanced over—

Oh God. My wife.For the first time, it truly sunk in. This incredible woman was his wife.

“What else can I do?” he asked Leanne.

Chapter 15

Leanne went to Danica and Clem’s house once the volunteers left for the day.

It was difficult to believe how many people were willing to set their noses to the grindstone to put her in office. Trev had made a few reels for the campaign; he was surprisingly adept at it, and the timing was spot-on since they had the coven meeting today. When they asked if anyone had spell work, she’d ask for assistance in getting her promotional reels to go viral.

After the way Clem had outed the witch hunters, it should be a piece of cake. Leanne had mostly been on the outside for that, but she did appreciate how Clem risked everything for her sisters. She wouldn’t forget it in a hurry. For now, she had no clue how it would all shake out in the long run in terms of hunters becoming witches and how it all related to council matters. But that was for Gavin, Clem, and the council elders to figure out.

On the way over, she grabbed a box of wine at the market and carried it in, mostly because that was what the others expected. She could try harder, but why? They had her pegged a certain way and it was easier to meet those expectations than to deviate from them. Teeth clenched, she endured the ribbing that was still ongoing because of her runaway nuptials. And she still hadn’t clued in the rest of the coven regarding her plan.

Not sure if I will.

Though she trusted these witches with her life, she didn’t enjoy the prospect of them thinking less of Trev for agreeing to this plan. And she didn’t come off great either since she was using him for personal gain.Is that so bad when it’s mutually beneficial? We both get something we need from this arrangement.In all honesty, she was happier than she’d ever been in a relationship with none of the usual panic about him packing up suddenly after deciding she wasn’t worth the work. He needed what she could provide and vice versa.

That’s the definition of codependency.

Exhaling in an annoyed huff at her own thoughts, she hugged Vanessa first. “Let me get a load of the new hair.”

Today, Vanessa had complex, beautiful braids gathered on top of her head. It must have taken twelve hours. “Definite witch queen vibes, am I right?”

“All the way. You’re gorgeous.”

“Always am,” Vanessa said.

Leanne smiled, handing off the box wine to Danica, who ferried it to the kitchen. Everyone filled their plates with finger foods and raw vegetables, settling in for a good chat. They’d taken to parking their cars all around the neighborhood instead of right in front of the house. If they didn’t go in covertly, Hazel Jeffords would be at the door in twenty minutes. Not that Leanne disliked the old cat fancier, but she made it difficult to conduct coven business.

“It feels like ages since we were all together.” Margie crunched into a carrot stick after dipping it in ranch dressing.

Tilting her head, Leanne noticed that Margie was wearing a new shade of lipstick and she’d chosen a new hair color, just a skosh lighter and brighter than usual. Everyone knew she and Dante had struck up some FWB agreement, but nobody was talking about it. As long as the man didn’t hurt Margie, it was all good in Leanne’s book. But if he messed Margie around, she’d hex him into next week, even if hewasTitus and Trev’s friend.

“You look like you’re scheming,” Ethel whispered. “Can I get in on this?”

Quickly, Leanne shook her head. “Nothing serious.”

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