Muddy started the conversation with a statement directed at me. “So, I hear you’re going to move to Huckleberry Hill and open a bookstore.”
I looked at Salem across the table and then to Hadley who was next to me. “You told her?”
Hadley handed me the basket of biscuits. “Of course we told her.”
“Why wouldn’t we tell her?” Salem asked with a frown.
“Maybe because it was my news to share when I was ready?” I asked in exasperation.
“Sugar, I already knew you were going to move here. It’s not a surprise. As for the bookstore? Of course you’re going to open one,” Muddy said. “I called that months ago.”
“Months?” I asked in surprise.
“I’m Muddy, remember?” the older woman said with a wry grin.
“She’s witchy,” Salem explained to Brooks.
“She knows all,” Hadley added.
“She knows everything before the rest of us do,” Cas said, taking the platter of chicken and holding it out to Salem.
“You can forget about having any secrets if Muddy is involved,” Declan said from the other side of Hadley.
I glanced at Brooks.
His expression was tight, and his posture was stiff.
“Can we talk about something else?” I begged.
“Sure,” Salem said, passing the platter of chicken to Jane. “Cas and I have news.”
“You’re pregnant,” Hadley drawled.
“Har-har,” Salem quipped.
“You set a wedding date,” Mr. Powell said.
Salem shook her head. “No. We got married.”
Silence descended.
Jane lowered the platter of chicken to the table and then quickly shot up before running out of the room.
Mr. Powell looked after her in confusion and made a move to stand, but then he quickly sat back down to face his spirited daughter. “You got married? When?”
Cas wrapped an arm around Salem’s shoulder and pulled her to him. “This past weekend.”
“You found time between bull-riding events toget married?” Muddy asked.
“Yes,” Salem said, notching her chin up. “Can we not make a big fuss about this?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.
“What?” Salem demanded.
“This isjustlike you,” I snapped. “You got married without me? Without Wyn?”
Mr. Powell’s eyes flashed with anger. “Without your father?”
