Yuletide Blend Read online

  “You’re the only one who agreed to that idea, and Mom and I are vetoing you and your pipe.” I leaned back against my car as I thought over our options. “We do need to eat lunch, though.”

  I’ll take what I can get, but I want a nap thrown in there somewhere.

  “What about a drone?” my mother asked, joining me against the car. She crossed her arms in thought. “Does that handsome sheriff of yours own one of those high-tech drone-copters?”

  The only way we’re using a drone is if I can attach your mother to it and drop her somewhere out over the bay.

  “You’re just being a sore loser,” my mother countered with a Cheshire grin. She was about to hit below the belt. “You lost yet another epic battle against the same furry-tailed rat this past fall. It happens to the best of us…not.”

  “Mom,” I warned, not needing another battle to ensue right in front of me. “Let’s get back to this idea of yours. I don’t think Liam has one of those drones, but your idea is brilliant.”

  Great. Inflate her ego even more. She can float away on her own, and then we won’t need the drone after all.

  The longer I thought about it, the more I realized how ingenious it was. How easy would it be to scour the town of Paramour Bay from the air? We could locate Randy in no time, even if he was in someone’s backyard.

  The sound of an engine caught our attention. We turned in time to see Karen Finley pulling her husband’s vehicle into their driveway. Granted, it was pretty darned cold outside, but she got out of her vehicle with a brown paper bag in hand and made a beeline straight to her front door without even a wave.

  “That was odd,” I murmured, still staring at Otis and Karen’s house in contemplation. “It’s not like Karen to ignore anyone.”

  You forget that your mother is in our presence. She’s—

  I tapped on the window with my glove, pointing a finger in warning at where Leo sat in the backseat of my car all toasty warm since I’d left the engine running. Newt had done a fantastic job with the heater.

  “Stick to one mystery at a time, Raven,” my mother said, gesturing for me to move away from the passenger side door. “It’s time for lunch. I’ll take a sandwich over to Beetle after we’re done while you figure out who has a drone we can borrow.”

  I wasn’t sure it was going to be that easy of a feat, but I did agree that it was lunchtime. We’d searched several backyards upon spotting disturbances in the numerous snow-blanketed front yards, but all explorations had proved worthless. On the bright side, I’m relatively sure that I hit my exercise quota for the month.

  It didn’t take me long to settle in behind the steering wheel, taking a moment to let the heat from the vent warm up my cold cheeks. I had already pressed on the brake and was just about to switch gears when a flash of blue caught my eye.

  “Well, what do we have here,” my mother murmured, our gazes following one Bobby Hurst. He’d come running in between houses about four driveways down from where we were parked. He was in such a hurry that he didn’t even look both ways before crossing the street. It didn’t take him long to disappear behind the houses on the opposite side. “Leo, you’re up.”

  Why me? In case you’ve forgotten, I got rid of those mukluks your bestie attempted to strap on me, and now my paws are exposed to the harsh elements. You wouldn’t want me to get frostbite on my tootsies, would you?

  “Don’t answer that,” I warned my mother, thinking it might have been a better idea to have allowed Ted to oversee the tea shop while Beetle had accompanied my mother on their own search. I was spending more time being a referee than I was searching for Randy. “Leo, you stay here and keep watch on the Finley’s house. I still find it odd that she didn’t acknowledge us. Mom, you and I will follow Bobby.”

  “Seriously, Raven,” my mother complained, knowing full well that Bobby was headed for the small patch of woods behind the property lines. “This is why we need a drone. We shouldn’t be traipsing around in a batch of trees without the proper colors. What if a hunter mistakes us for deer?”

  On second thought, I’ll gladly accompany you and take the chance of frostbite. I’m sure the former sheriff’s wife just didn’t notice you leaning against the car for all the world to see.

  “Mom, you know for a fact that there is no hunting allowed back there. It’s Paramour Bay’s version of a conservation area for the wildlife to roam safely, which is why we should check it out. Liam went to Bobby’s house to speak with him and his parents, but what if Bobby took Randy to his treehouse? We’d be negligent not to check it out.”

  Hey, you don’t think that Skippy and his band of ninja misfits were throwing me off their trail by burying acorns around the park, do you? It would be just like them to con me into believing the park was their hibernation area when in actuality…they’re in the conservation area! Last one there is a rotten egg!

  Leo did his blipping thing, leaving a few black and orange hairs floating in the air while my mother gave me one of her pointed arch stares. I shrugged sheepishly, knowing that she wouldn’t allow me to go in the small woods by myself.

  “I blame your grandmother for your recklessness.” My mother made sure that her gloves were secure and her hair still perfect before shouldering open the door. “I’m warning you now, Raven. You’re cleaning my boots if I step in one of those steaming brownie piles.”

  Chapter Six

  “Is that…”

  I let my voice trail off, because I was too afraid to even finish my question. The condensation of my breath dissipated into the cold air. I would have liked nothing better than to do the same.

  I’m in full agreement. I’ll go first and meet you in the car. You know, to make sure the path is safe.

  It actually hadn’t taken us that long to cross the street and tromp through the yards in order to reach the small patch of woods. Bobby hadn’t been too concerned about leaving his prints in the snow, so the direction he’d taken had been easy to track. The problem we’d encountered had occurred when the palm of my right hand became warm. As a matter of fact, the piercing tingling sensation had me all but crying out in surprise. It was the first time in the last couple of months that my ability to sense when something was wrong had made itself known.

  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who had a reaction upon crossing into the foliage. My mother immediately hushed me, nudging me off Bobby’s trail and basically in the opposite direction until we’d come upon…an altar.

  You read that right, and I’ll give you a bit of insight as to why discovering an altar in the middle of a small forest is a very, very bad thing. You see, I’d once visited the coven up in Windsor during one of our many mysteries. The coven had what you might call a temple, where the witches and warlocks gathered together to show their appreciation for everything the earth provided for them. The scene in front of me was very much the same setup as what I’d witnessed up in Windsor.

  “Leo, stay right where you are,” I whispered in warning, carefully looking around the large, gnarled oak tree to make sure that we were alone. “Mom, is that what I think it is?”

  My mother, who usually had the foresight of caution, didn’t hesitate to walk up to the old stone bench that had been positioned in front of the thick trunk. From the couple of inches of snow that rested atop the seat, no one had been here recently. That didn’t stop Mom from reaching down to touch the worn limestone, disturbing the thick layer of snow.

  The woman has a death wish. I don’t know about you, but I only want to interact with Ivan during our weekly poker games. I’m not ready to make that kind of appointment with him, if you know what I mean.

  I immediately reached for the special necklace that was tucked away underneath my many layers. Nan had warned me never to be without it, so I understood its importance to my safety. Whatever Aunt Rowena was doing in order to get ready for the brewing war between the factions of the coven, it seemed that she’d brought it here to Paramour Bay.

  “We warned her, Mom.” I was aghas
t at the lengths Aunt Rowena would go to in order to involve us in the coven’s business. “We can’t let this stand. She’s spilling over the affairs of the coven without any thought to the safety of these residents. We have to—”

  “Raven, it’s not what you think.”

  I see an old limestone bench serving as an altar to Mother Nature. That should speak for itself. You know, come to think of it, I believe I’ve seen it before.

  “You have seen it before, Leo.”

  Mom wasn’t the type to get sentimental. Remember, she was the one who’d kept me in the dark about the family secret for thirty years. With that said, every once in a while, I could sense that she missed her old way of life.

  Old way of life? In case you hadn’t noticed, your mother is every bit as powerful as the Wicked Witch of Windsor.

  I had noticed, but I’d chosen not to think about it. Pondering over such evidence only fueled my bitterness toward my mother’s decision to keep me in the dark. It had taken exactly one year for me to forgive, accepting that she’d truly believed she had been doing the right thing by me.

  Hey, I do remember that bench! Raven, it’s all coming back to me! Oh, how I do miss my darling Rosemary.

  “Raven, this is where your grandmother came to pay her respects to Mother Nature,” my mother announced with a bright smile. “It must be the spot where she would come for a bit of privacy, though I never knew where she snuck off to every now and then. I tried following her one night, but she was very good at covering her tracks. This has to be the place.”

  Seeing as Leo’s memory had been affected by the necromancy spell, it wasn’t that much of a surprise that he didn’t remember this place. It must have meant a lot to him, though. He was currently rubbing his head on the corner of the limestone bench. My heart broke for him, for he must be missing my grandmother something fierce after recalling such precious moments with her.

  Don’t get all sappy on me. Clearly, your grandmother is living it up in the afterlife. I have no doubt that she’s the one who led us here. I wouldn’t put it past her to be the one who caused the antlered brute to go wandering off just so that we would find this special place. Ah, the memories!

  “It pains me as usual to agree with Leo,” my mother said, gazing up fondly at the old oak tree. The coastal breeze chose that moment to weave its way through the trees, creating a high-pitched eerie whistling sound. “Your grandmother was always the stronger of the two sisters. You should trust in her that she will guide you to the answers you seek.”

  Why is your mother talking in riddles when this place sounds like the opening of a horror movie? I suddenly have a hankering for one my special edible treats that my BFF carries around in his pocket. This better not be some vessel thing where your grandmother talks through your mother. That malarkey should only be reserved for movies such as The Exorcist. Great movie, by the way. I just don’t want to live through it personally.

  “Leo, don’t you have a squirrel to catch?” my mother said with a frown, finally walking back to join me in the spot I’d frozen upon discovering the altar. “Oh, that’s right. Skippy won this year’s battle, didn’t he?”

  Never mind. With that wicked tongue, I have no doubt that it’s your mother.

  “If you truly believe that Nan wanted us to find this place, then why?” I asked, cautiously searching the area for something more than an old bench. “Leo, did Nan ever cast spells out here?”

  Not that I recall, but that’s not a surprise. What I do remember is that Skippy isn’t hibernating in here. He and his gang of ninja misfits got the boot from an old geezer squirrel who didn’t like all the commotion. It’s the reason Skippy and his minions found new territory over at the park.

  “For the love of magic, would you shut your trap?” my mother said, resting a gloved finger against her temple. “Your ramblings are giving me a headache.”

  While my mother and Leo continued to trade barbs, I warily walked closer to the gnarled and ancient oak tree that must have been over a hundred years old, if not more. I could just picture my grandmother sitting peacefully on the bench while cherishing the great outdoors. I slowly removed my leather glove before gently resting my hand on the old oak tree. Sure enough, it was as if I was touching a warm blanket right out of the dryer. The thick trunk of the old oak was literally humming with a vibrant energy.

  “This place is magical,” I whispered in awe, wondering how Nan had known this particular tree would be in this very spot. “I know that humans can’t feel the energy, but why has no one commented about a limestone bench being found in the middle of these woods?”

  “It’s not visible to the naked eye, dear,” my mother replied matter-of-factly, motioning me back over to her. Leo was still sitting on the small bundle of hay, though it had definitely lost its coloring throughout this past year. “Come. See for yourself.”

  I’ll stay right where I am, thank you. My paws are nice and toasty.

  There was something so comfortable about this place that I didn’t want to leave quite yet. Unfortunately, we still had a little boy to see about a missing reindeer. My mother was actually stepping back a few paces, still gesturing for me to join her. I was stunned to find that there was an invisible barrier. Once I stepped over it, the bitter cold began to seep into my snowsuit once more.

  “I hadn’t even noticed the change in temperature,” I said, completely dumbstruck by the discovery. “Wait. Are you saying that Bobby Hurst or anyone else who walks past this place can’t see that ancient oak tree?”

  Either that, or someone cast a necromancy spell on him…highly doubtful, though.

  “Mother Nature has a way of protecting things that she doesn’t want to be found,” my mother said, motioning for me to turn around. “If you turn quickly enough, you can actually see what others perceive when passing through this area.”

  I did as my mother instructed. Sure enough, I caught the slightest glimpse of what appeared to be any other tree in this small patch of woods.

  Are we done with show and tell? I say the two of you continue on your merry way while I return to keep my BFF some company. I’m sure he’s lonely at the tea shop.

  “You’re with us,” I instructed, looking longingly at the ancient oak tree. I’d love to spend more time here, and I would definitely be coming back here to visit. Right now, though, I had a missing reindeer to find. “Let’s go and—”

  “Oh, dear,” my mother whispered, freezing in place before she could even take a step forward.

  It’s not a deer, Mistress of the Dark. It’s only that miniature clown, high on sugar. You know I have a deep-seated fear of clowns.

  There was no deer standing right in front us, nor was there a clown. Leo had been referring to Bobby Hurst. Although in Leo’s defense, Bobby did resemble a clown with what appeared to be red icing smeared around his mouth. Then again, it could have a fruit drink that stained his upper lip.

  Permanently, if you ask me. Have you ever seen that mini-clown without it?

  “What are you guys looking at?” Bobby asked with a frown, peering around us until the tassel of his knit cap tilted to the side. I quickly glanced over my shoulder, still seeing the ancient oak tree. My heart fluttered in my chest. What did he see behind us? “Are you looking for the reindeer? I put a plate of sugar cookies and a glass of milk near my treehouse. I’m going to stay there all day until he decides he’s hungry. Then I’ll walk him back to the petting zoo so he’s not lonely.”

  Honestly, the antlered brute probably took one look at that mini-clown face and beat hoofs out of town for good. Are you really telling me that little red-stained mouth doesn’t freak you out?

  “That’s very kind of you, young man,” my mother said with a smile. She placed her gloved hands on her knees, leaning down so that she was face to face with Bobby. “We’re looking the missing reindeer, too. What makes you think that the reindeer would come through here, though?”

  I’m just pointing out that your mother’s tone sounds like sh
e’s luring little girls and boys into a house made of candy. She might be worse than a killer clown.

  I couldn’t argue with Leo, because my mother’s voice was practically dripping with saccharine. Granted, I was now in my thirties. She hadn’t really interacted with children in a very long time, and she’d lost her edge.

  “You’re pretty,” Bobby stated off topic with another tilt of his hat, leaving me and Leo speechless. “Would you like a sugar cookie?”

  I must be suffering from withdrawal symptoms, Raven. That’s the only explanation for that mini-clown’s impression of Mistress of the Dark. Either that or he’s had way too much sugar this morning. Am I the only one wondering where this kid’s parents have gotten off to?

  “I’d love one, but we’re going to take a break and have lunch,” my mother said, pushing against her knees to stand. “It’s good to know that you have this patch of woods covered, though. Thank you for being such a kind person.”

  “I like reindeer,” Bobby said with a single shrug. “Other deer come through here all the time, so why not a reindeer?”

  Is this a twist on the old saying about a bear—

  “You make a good point, Bobby,” I said with admiration after hearing his logic. “Please make sure you tell your parents or the sheriff if you spot the caribou, okay?”

  “I have to tell Santa Claus first,” Bobby said as he turned around, getting ready to run back to his treehouse.

  “Wait, why would you need to tell Santa Claus?” I asked, getting elbowed by my mother so that I didn’t put my foot in my mouth. “I mean, Santa Claus knows everything, right?”

  Did you just point out that Santa Claus would actually know where all the antlered brutes are at any given moment?

  I winced when Leo pointed out my mistake, but Bobby didn’t seem to catch my slip.

  “I promised Santa when me and my mom were having breakfast this morning,” Bobby used his mittens to adjust his knit cap on his forehead. The tassel was so heavy that it kept pulling the material down toward his brow. “Santa came into the bakery for a donut and some hot apple cider. He was getting ready to go out and join the search, too. And you should know that Santa Claus gets his information from all the moms and dads.”