Romance Rules for Werewolves (Charming Cove, #3)(21)

Whoa.

Where had that come from? I’d known I’d had some demons, but that one had come screaming out at the sight of this woman. I should probably get myself into therapy at some point.

She smiled warmly at me. “Hello, dear. How can I help you?”

I smiled back at her, trying to banish any trace of my thoughts. “Hi. I’m here for a curse-revealing spell, if you have one.”

“Oh, certainly.” She picked up an enormous bottle of Coke and took a sip.

It was an entirely unexpected gesture, and I blinked.

“Oh, I know it’s far too much cola for any one person.” She waved her hand dismissively. “My granddaughter tells me that every time she sees me drinking one. But it keeps me young, I say.”

“It’s your spunky attitude that keeps you young.” A child’s voice preceded her into the room. “At least, that’s what my mum says.” She grinned as she stopped just inside the door. She had to be about eight years old, and she sported a pink sweatshirt that went all the way down to her knees. Her high pigtails were decorated with ribbons, and a bruise bloomed under one eye.

The woman laughed. “She’s right.” Then she frowned at the girl. “Catrina, what happened to your face?”

“Will Bellows.” Catrina grinned even wider. “But don’t worry, he looks worse.”

“You’re fist fighting?” The older woman glared. “Why?”

“Because mum said I couldn’t give him any more tails.” The little girl looked at me. “I gave him a squirrel tail earlier this year. Then a pig’s tail. But his mum complained to my mum, and well, here we are.” She shrugged and pointed to her eye.

The older woman groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You’ll be the death of me, Catrina.”

“Didn’t you hear me say that he looks worse?”

“I did, darling. Well done. But we’re going to need for you to find another way to settle your differences with Will Bellows.”

I tried to repress the smile that threatened.

“Sweep the shop, darling.” The older woman handed the girl a broom. “Time to earn your keep.”

The girl grinned and grabbed the broom, then made it stand on its bristles as she focused her attention on it. Magic swelled in the air, smelling of bubble gum and flowers. As I watched, the broom began to scoot across the floor, doing a reasonably good job of sweeping.

“You’re very talented,” I said.

“I know.” Catrina grinned, but there was nothing particularly cocky about her. She just owned her magic, and I respected that. I needed to be more like this child.

The older woman came out from around the counter. “I’m Cecelia, dear. Owner of Seaside Spells. And this is Catrina, my honorary great-granddaughter.”

Catrina bowed, but her broom never stopped sweeping.

“I’m Isobel. I inherited the house on the hill outside of town.”

“Ah, so that’s why you want the curse-revealing spell.” Cecelia went to the shelf along the left wall and began poking through small glass bottles. “That place has something off about it, though I’m not sure it’s a curse.”

“I’m about to find out,” I said.

“Have you looked for a ghost?” Catrina asked.

“Yes, just an hour ago. No luck.”

Catrina gave a knowing nod, seeming older than her years. “Smart to go for the curse revealer, then.”

“Thanks.” I grinned, liking her already. “That’s what I thought.”

Cecelia walked toward me, handing over a vial of sparkling powder. “You’ll need this for the spell. And let me get you the words and instructions.” She hustled to the desk and scratched out some words on a paper, then returned to me. “It’s a tricky one. If you need help, I can come by after work.”

“Thank you.” I appreciated the offer, but I didn’t have the time to wait. And anyway, Step Two of reinventing myself was to master my magic. I’d already made a good start on Step One, my makeover, but Step Two was arguably more important. “I’m going to try it myself, but if I mess it up, do you have more ingredients?”

“Certainly. Just come back to get them, and I’ll help you do the spell.”

“Thanks.” I couldn’t believe how amazingly nice everyone was in Charming Cove. “What do I owe you?”

“Let me see.” She went back to the desk and looked through a book, then glanced up sat me. “Forty-five quid with the newcomer discount.”

“Thank you.” I handed over the money, then waved goodbye to Catrina and Cecelia before turning to leave the shop.

“Can I go with her?” I heard Catrina ask as I made my way to the door. “I want to see the house.”

“Once we know if it’s cursed, dear. Then you can go and help her get it cleaned up. It’s sure to be a big job.”

“It’s true,” I said over my shoulder before I stepped out the door. “I can use all the help I can get.”

“Count me in.” Catrina saluted.

I smiled back at her. “With your broom skills, you’ll be more than welcome.”

“I can also provide security.”

I looked at her black eye and thought of her story about being banned from giving the local boys tails. “I bet you’re even better at that than sweeping.”