Page 50 of Christmas Mittens Murder

Abigail had joined them. “I think it’s time for some romance and Christmas movies. Help me move her television in here. She’ll get a dose of happy while she sleeps.”

“If this ever happens to me, don’t subject me to that. Turn on some music and I’ll be fine,” Grans grumbled as she cleaned a spot on the counter. “I don’t need to be thinking there’s some prince out there to save me.”

Abigail squealed as she set the television down on the counter. “You’re so smart, Mary Alice.”

“What did I say now?” Grans looked at Mia like she might know.

“If we can’t find the mitten, infusing her with happily-ever-after movies might give more power to the Sleeping Beauty cure,” Abigail explained as she plugged the television in. She turned it on and found the correct channel. “Operation Saved by Love has begun.”

“We need to keep all men out of this bathroom,” Grans warned as she met Abigail and Mia’s gaze. “She’ll imprint on whoever comes into the room.”

“Don’t tell Mother Adams that. She’ll send Edward to save her.” Mia squeezed her friend’s hand.

“I’ll make a sign for the door. Do not enter. Sewer leakage. That should scare anyone away.” Abigail giggled.

“Just don’t let Mark Baldwin in here. Sarah would kill Christina if she went after him,” Mia added.

“If you two don’t stop, she’s going to imprint on someone without the guy being present. No talking about men near her. At all.” Grans pushed the other two women out of the bathroom. “Now go make us some breakfast. I’m starving. And since I was up most of the night, I’m going to take a nap while you two go hunting for clues today.”

Mia paused in the hallway. “Will she be okay while you nap?”

“Oh, yes, the danger is in the first twenty-four hours. Now that we’re past that, she’ll be safe in the goop. It’s learned what she needs.” Grans went to the fridge and took out a soda. “I need some quick sugar to keep myself awake while you cook. Then I’m crashing. Don’t wake me unless it’s completely unavoidable.”

After breakfast, and after Mia and Abigail had checked on Christina one more time, they left the apartment. Mr. Darcy and Dorian were on watch in the living room, and Mia heard the television go on after she’d locked the door.

“What are they watching?” Abigail asked as they went down the stairs.

“I’m thinking it’s a version of A Christmas Carol. They’ve found all kinds of remakes I didn’t know existed. Dorian sure loves that story.” Mia smiled as she went outside. “If you would have told me a year ago that my cat would be watching television with a witch soul that shared his body, I would have run away from you screaming. Now, we discuss their likes and dislikes as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.”

Abigail unlocked her SUV, which had been warming up in the parking lot. “Not the world, maybe. But this is Magic Springs. I take it we’re going to the Lodge first?”

“Yes, and then to the Brewers’ house. And maybe coven headquarters. Will anyone be there? At least in the library?” Mia climbed into the front seat and sighed. Abigail had also turned on the heated seats. She’d used them last night when she drove Christina’s Land Rover. Her old van barely had seat belts. She really needed a new car.

“I didn’t think you used the coven library.” Abigail drove out of the school parking lot.

Mia shrugged. “I tried not to use it. But this seems to be an emergency. And, since I already agreed to attend a meeting, I might as well use that promise to my advantage. I can always say no later.”

“You might rethink that when you see their library. It’s glorious. Many witches have joined the coven just for the advantage of studying in the library. It’s said to have volumes from before the colonies were settled.” Abigail turned to look at her. “Being a coven member isn’t always a bad thing.”

“I know. But I like my independence. And then there’s the Trent thing. We both know that the coven wouldn’t like my dating him, and it might even uncover his secret. I don’t want to be the one that outs him.” She studied Abigail. “I suspect that’s one of the reasons you and Thomas haven’t been active in coven activities lately.”

Abigail nodded. “The less said about that issue, the better. But you’re right. It would be an issue. I’ve heard unofficial talk about you hopefully marrying into one of the more powerful families who are in one of the eastern covens. They believe that type of union might strengthen all covens. Kind of a super witch from your offspring.”

“Now, see, that’s why I don’t join groups. I’m not just committing my time and effort, but now they want to bring my unborn kids into the discussion. And what if I don’t love this witch from the arranged marriage they want to set up? Or I don’t want to have kids? No one asks the woman what she wants to do.” Mia shook her head, trying to tamp down her anger. “This library better be worth all the hassle. I’m not even a member and I’m upset at the coven leadership for something that they haven’t done to me yet.”

“I know you love Trent. But when you get involved in world affairs, sometimes they can skew your decisions.” Abigail parked the car in the Lodge lot. She turned off the engine and turned toward Mia. “I suspect they’re going to appeal to your love of humanity. There has been a lot of talk lately about our kind dying out. Fewer witches have been joining covens all over the world. They think it’s because there are fewer witches. I believe, like you, the others are choosing not to be a part of an antiquated system that isn’t in their best interest.”

“Well, that’s a heavy conversation for a morning ride. So why don’t we shelve that problem and go find a killer so I can save my best friend’s life.” Mia squeezed Abigail’s arm. “After that, we’ll grab some tea and talk about saving the witching world.”

“I love how you think. You go talk to your boss and I’m going to chat with the front desk staff. They always know everything that’s going on in a hotel.” Abigail climbed out of the SUV and met Mia on the sidewalk.

When they got inside, Mia went one way, Abigail the other. Mia saw her lean on the front desk and start to chat with a young man who was working on the computer. If anyone could charm information out of someone, it was Abigail. Mia went down a staff hallway and knocked on Frank’s door.

“Come in,” his gruff voice answered.

Mia walked into the stuffy room filled with notebooks. The prior Lodge manager had been in the middle of a history project on the Lodge’s many guests. Frank had been here almost one year and still hadn’t decided what to do with all the notebooks. He nodded to the one chair that wasn’t filled with binders. “Mia, I’m glad you stopped by. I wanted an unbiased report on the catering for the staff party. I’ve heard some complaints.”

“The food was awful,” Mia said flatly as she sat down. “You should have either let the kitchen do it or hired my old company. I would have given you a discount.”

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