“Nonsense. It’s in your blood.”
“Malene, I’ve got a business to run. Magical Renovations takes up all my time. I don’t have the wherewithal to add on a side gig.”
She fingered her surprisingly silky looking gray hair. “If that’s how you want be, then fine. But one day, spell hunting might save your life.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Malene took a pair of dark oval sunglasses from the table and put them on. “Suit yourself.”
“You okay? You look like you’re about to go get your eyes dilated.”
“For your information, this is my style. I’ve been keeping a low profile so that you wouldn’t find out my identity. But now that you know the truth, I can return to wearing my shades.”
“Inside?” This was baffling. “Can you even see?”
“I can see just fine. Now, finish your shortbread. I have to let the ladies know of this development—that you know who I am.”
By ladies, she meant Urleen and Norma Ray, her quilting bee buddies.
“Oh? Is our time here finished?”
Malene’s expression softened. “Of course not. Let’s have dinner tonight at the Country Buffet. But we’ve got to get there by five o’clock sharp. After six, all the old people start coming in and the place begins to smell like Depends.”
Oh, was that a thing?
“Okay. I’ll be here at—”
“Four fifty. That’ll give us time to get over there.”
I nodded. “See you then.”
Chapter 2
Iarrived at Malene’s on time. We had turned our clocks back the night before and dusk was already coating the sky in dark purple.
Malene answered the door wearing a sparkling red dress. She looked more prepared for a night out in Vegas than dinner in Peachwood.
I glanced down at my jeans. “Am I dressed okay?”
“No one expects you to try hard, Clementine. You’re young. Well, young-ish, since you are in your thirties. You can get by wearing skinny jeans and a halter top. Unless your boobs have fallen.” She inspected my chest. “Have they fallen yet?”
I hugged my arms. “No,” I said, offended. “At least, I don’t think so.” I glanced down at my barely there bosom. “How would I know if they’ve fallen?”
“Because you’ll get belly button lint in them.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, then I am A-OK. There’s no lint in these girls.”
Malene headed toward the sidewalk, took one look at my truck and said, “We’re riding in my car.”
“What car? That old boat you’ve got?”
“I sold it today.”
“Today? Like, after I left?”
She nodded. “There was no point in keeping up my charade of being an old lady.”
“But you are an old lady.”
