Once Upon A Coven: Suburban Witch Mysteries, #6

Chapter 1

"Aren’t these supposed to be in alphabetical order? I’m pretty sure that Saltzman is supposed to come before Salvatore. Mischa Henley pulled several books off a dusty shelf and tutted to herself. Have you seen the state of these shelves? You’re going to give someone a sneezing fit!"

Theo Greene shrugged. I’ve been too busy with school and other things to properly take care of this place. But that’s why I’ve hired you, right? He grabbed a cloth and began to wipe at the dust, then groaned in frustration as his actions resulted in a dust cloud that didn’t leave the shelves any cleaner. He only seemed to move the dust around, not actually getting it off the bookshelves.

Here, Mischa commanded, holding out her hand for the dust cloth. She took it, waved her hand over the filthy thing, and muttered a few words in Latin. The cloth sprang to life, swirling itself around like a ballet dancer on a stage, and proceeded to suck up the dust from the shelf. As it finished one shelf, it hopped happily to the next.

We’ll let that get on with the dusting, Mischa said. I’ll need you to tell me how you handle deliveries and show me how to work the cash register. We need to be ready for all those customers you will get when we have the Grand Re-opening of this place!

She spread her arms out, gesturing to the currently empty bookstore. Theo had owned the little shop for over a year, but he had been too busy with teaching high school math to actually keep the shop open. He’d been considering selling the shop until Mischa’s coven mate, Ellie, who was dating Theo, convinced him to give it another chance.

You’re pretty optimistic, Mischa. I hope you’re right. This seems like an awful lot of work for something that hasn’t shown much success for me so far. He hefted a book in his left hand. Besides, aren’t ebooks the in thing with people nowadays?

Mischa took the book from him and placed it on the shelf. People want options. And real books are still a thing. You just need to get the personality in this place, then people will flock here. You’re halfway there. You’ve got the fancy coffee machine, the comfy couches, and plenty of space to display the current bestsellers. You just need more modern books, she added, blushing slightly. Sorry, but some of these are so old, they’re not even classics.

Theo sighed. I guess that’s part of my problem. I grew up reading magical books. I don’t always know what normies read.

Mischa clapped her hands together. Well, I’m married to a normie, she reminded him, using the slang for a non-magical person to describe her husband, Joe. So I think I know what they like. And I grew up in a non-magical town, so I’m practically an expert. She gave him a wink and a smile, then moved over to the next pile of books.

We can start by making sure you’ve got a shelf for all the current bestsellers, she explained, pointing to a section of shelves near the cash register. And you can have a section filled with the books the school uses for required reading. And one for the classics, of course. She clapped her hands together with glee. I love bookstores! And I love organizing things, so you’re going to love what I have in mind for this place.

Theo smiled, relief flooding his face. When Ellie suggested I offer you a job, I have to admit, I wasn’t sure that she wasn’t just trying to get me to do you a favor. But, he added quickly, you are totally the one who’s bailing me out. Are you sure you can handle this place on your own?

Mischa shrugged. I’m enlisting Poe a couple of times a week, if that’s okay with you. We’ll probably need to hire someone full time later on, but for now, I think we can manage between the two of us.

I’m leaving you fully in charge, Madame Manager. And our budget is fairly flexible, he added, a blush creeping into his cheeks. Theo was from one of the wealthiest families in the magical realm. Mischa thought he was weird for keeping his job as a high school teacher, but Theo claimed to love his work too much to let it go. She thought that if she had as much money as he did, she’d never want to work again.

They continued sorting books and cleaning the shop until Theo remembered that he had an unopened shipment of books that needed to be shelved. I think it’s been sitting in the back a while, he admitted, carrying the dusty box out and swiping at the dust that blew off its surface.

A while? Mischa coughed, spitting dust bunnies out of her mouth. This looks like it’s been sitting back there for years.

He laughed. I bought this at an estate sale. I’ve never opened it, but I promise it’s only been a few months since I bought it. Apparently it’s filled with paperback romance novels and some books about cowboys.

Westerns?

Yeah, that’s it. Westerns. I know I specialize in new books, but I thought maybe we could have a small section of used books, too. And maybe we could put up one of those little library things. You know, the small boxes that you put used books in? I heard the librarian at school talking about them.

Mischa beamed. Yes! We could see if we could put one in the park and place your shop’s logo on it! It would be great advertising. She opened the box and pulled out the first book she saw. Oh, my… The paperback’s cover featured a half-naked man with flowing locks kissing an extremely buxom blonde woman. There are definitely some romance novels in here, she blushed.

Theo pulled several more romance novels out of the box, then gave a victorious cheer when he reached a stack of paperbacks with cowboys on the covers. Oh, thank goodness. Nothing against romance novels, but I think I need some books for guys, too.

Mischa raised an eyebrow. Guys can like romance novels. Girls can like westerns. Books are for everybody, she chided. What’s this one? Mischa pulled a strange book with a plain brown cover out of the bottom of the box. Mysterious Adventures. Huh. Sounds like it might be one of those role-playing game books. You know, like Dungeons and Dragons type stuff.

Theo frowned. I never understood that game. I guess people who don’t have real magic must be really jealous of us witches and wizards. But still, I’d never play a game where I pretended to be a suburban househusband who has to juggle the school run and after-school activities.

Mischa sighed. Theo was nice, but he could be a snob when it came to non-magical people and their hobbies. She hoped his disdain didn’t carry over into his classroom. If he didn’t understand non-magical people, maybe he shouldn’t be teaching their kids.

She flipped through the pages. It looks like some sort of story book. Fairy tales, maybe? She examined the cover for the name of the author, but she couldn’t find one. That’s weird. Maybe it’s a self-published book. I’m not sure we could sell it, anyway. Look at the cover—it’s all scratched up and worn.

Theo sighed. I knew there’d probably be a few duds in here, but it was a cheap buy and I did get all these man-chests, he pointed out. I’m calling it a win.

Mischa tossed the book onto the counter by the cash register and continued sorting the used books. After a little while the bell above the shop’s front door rang. She looked up to see Ellie and Holly coming into the shop.

I don’t want to go. You can’t make me, you know. Holly stormed into the store and threw herself onto one of the couches. Her defiant teenage posture and dramatic gestures told Mischa that the girl must have been arguing with her mother.

You need to practice, Ellie. You can’t just wing it like you do with your schoolwork. Ellie dropped her purse onto a nearby table. Hey, guys, sorry we’re late. I know you want to get this place in ship shape ASAP, but I had to finish a shift at Eattaburger and someone here nearly blew up my fryer with a poorly managed spell. She cut her eyes at her daughter, who was doing her best to ignore her.

Holly, you weren’t using magic in front of your non-magical friends, were you? Theo looked concerned. You know you can get into serious trouble if someone sees you.

Holly blushed. It was an accident. I was just wishing that the fryer would hurry and finish cooking the fries so I could leave sooner and suddenly, ‘whoosh!’ The whole thing went up in smoke.

Ellie frowned. Thank goodness I enchanted the fire extinguisher last month. Any more magical fires and I won’t have a place to work.

She wants me to go to some witch summer school! Holly’s voice came out in a whine. She wants me to spend my entire summer hanging out with weirdo witches and practicing stupid spells from a stupid book instead of just learning them at home like she did.

I went to summer academy, Ellie said, putting her hand to her forehead in a frustrated gesture. It’s not that bad. And it was super useful. Your grandparents didn’t teach me everything I know.

Holly turned to Mischa. Did you ever go to witch summer school?

Mischa blushed. I never got the chance. But I would have loved it, I’m sure.

Holly rolled her eyes. Sure, take Mom’s side. Ugh…all grownups are the same!

Theo held his hands up in protest. Hey, don’t lump me into the ‘all grownups’ category.

Holly quirked one auburn eyebrow. So you think I should get to stay here and spend my summer having fun with my normie friends?

Ellie shot Theo a look that told him he ought to be careful how he answered her daughter’s question.

Um, well, I didn’t say that, exactly… He turned and grabbed a stack of paperbacks off the table beside him. Why don’t you pick something to read while us grownups organize these books?

The sound of the bell ringing again broke the tension in the air. Poe Landry and Seneca Wolfram made their way into the store. The pair were almost complete opposites in appearance, with Seneca dressed in a simple blouse and capris while Poe wore skinny jeans with a baggy t-shirt and clunky Doc Martens. However, their lively conversation, which seemed to revolve around pizza toppings, clearly revealed their friendship.

You’re insane if you think pineapple belongs on a pizza. That’s like putting peanut butter on bacon. Seneca wrinkled her nose at the thought.

Hey, anything’s fair game on a pizza. And Hawaiian’s a classic. You don’t mess with classics. Poe pushed her lank, dark hair back with one hand and worked an elastic band around it with another. Without missing a beat, she turned to Mischa and Theo. You’ve got us for a couple of hours, but any longer than that and Raven gets cranky. He’s started ordering stuff online when he feels neglected. You should see my credit card bill from last month.

You let your cat have access to your credit card? Ellie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. I don’t even let Holly near mine.

Poe shrugged. They grow up fast, I guess. I think I might need some sort of parental controls on my computer.

Can cats even use a computer? Holly chuckled as she asked the question.

Yeah, Poe replied. Especially the mouse.

Seneca groaned. Your cats have issues. And if you aren’t careful, you’ll be bankrupt. Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.

You’re such a banker, Poe retorted, rolling her eyes. Seneca ignored the insult, mostly because it was true. She did work at a bank and she was very good at her job. So what do you need us to do?

Theo spread his arms out to gesture towards the entire store. Uh, pretty much everything, I guess. He sighed. Mischa said this place is a little dated. I mean, it’s only been open about a year or so, but I guess it could use a little updating.

And cleaning, Ellie added, wiping at the surface of a coffee table with a single finger. Do you ever dust?

Theo blushed. I’m a bachelor. We don’t dust.

You’re dating me. Bachelor or not, you’ve got to clean up your act. Ellie gave him a teasing smile. Why didn’t you just hire somebody to do it for you?

Theo shrugged. Honestly, I’ve just been so busy, I never got around to it. But now, well, I think this place could be really amazing. Especially with all of your help. I mean, a bookstore run by witches has got to be a success, right?

Poe wrinkled her nose. Depends. Are you putting out free WiFi? And will there be snacks? People like free internet and snacks.

Theo pointed to a small box behind the counter. High speed, boosted with magic. And I don’t have snacks yet, but there’s great coffee.

Poe reached into her over-sized purse and pulled out a small laptop. Perfect. This witch only works with WiFi and caffeine.

Mischa stepped into the center of the room. I think if we all work together, we can get out of here in just a couple of hours. And then everyone’s welcome back at my place for dinner. I’ve made lasagna and I’ve got Joe on standby to put it in the oven so it will be piping fresh when we get there. She beamed. This is so exciting! I’ve never managed anything before. Well, except for my kids. I manage them pretty well, she giggled. Theo, thank you again for thinking of me for this job. I am so excited to be rejoining the workforce!

Seneca let out a short laugh. Ha! You haven’t missed anything. Work isn’t as much fun as it looks. My boss can be a real pain sometimes.

Ellie nodded in agreement. Yeah, it’s not as fun as it used to be, that’s for sure. But Mischa will be working in a bookstore, which has to be more fun than flipping burgers or dealing with other people’s money, right Seneca?

Seneca shrugged and started sorting through a stack of hardback books. I hope you’ve ordered some better non-fiction titles than the ones you have here. I’m not sure how helpful a self-help book on overcoming a fear of sponges will be for most people.

Poe and Mischa shared a look. Maybe we ought to order the next bunch of books for you. Mischa suggested.

Theo held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. I’ll let you ladies deal with everything. Just think of me as the behind-the-scenes guy who pays for all the things.

Does that make you our Sugar Daddy? Poe asked, smirking. I’ve always wanted a rich dude to spend loads of money for me.

Hands off, Ellie warned with a mock glare. He’s taken. She turned to Theo. But seriously, maybe you should talk to Seneca about setting up an account just for the bookstore. She can help you keep an eye on your financials while Mischa and Poe take care of the day-to-day stuff. Then, you can spend more time with me, she added, planting a kiss on his cheek.

That sounds like a great idea, he replied, brushing his nose against hers.

Ugh! No PDAs or I’m gonna hurl, Holly cried, burying her face in a throw pillow.

Mischa, Ellie, and Poe laughed while Seneca suppressed a grin. She wandered over to the counter and picked up the book that Mischa and Theo had found earlier. What’s this old relic?

We think maybe it’s a self-published thing. Or some kind of game-playing book. You know, like those role-playing books.

Seneca raised an eyebrow. Or it could be a random, one of a kind memoir by a famous author. Have you read any of it?

Nope. I’ve been too busy helping Theo sort these cheesy romance novels. Mischa waved one of the paperbacks in the air. I think you might like this one, Sen. It’s got a dog in it.

Seneca blushed at Mischa’s dog remark. She’d had a dog once. In fact, he’d been her best friend for years until she discovered that he wasn’t a real dog but a young man who’d been put under a spell and bound to Seneca by magic. Since the coven had discovered that Seneca’s beloved pet was actually a gorgeous guy, they’d never missed an opportunity to tease her about it.

How is Alistair these days? Ellie asked, a sly smile on her face.

He’s quite well, thank you. Seneca flipped through the pages of the book in her hand, hoping her friends would drop the subject.

He sends her roses every other week, Poe told them. I think he’s still seriously infatuated with her.

He’s in the magical realm and I’m here, Seneca reminded them. Unless that changes, I think it’s best that we just remain friendly.

She stopped flipping the pages of the book. A strange expression made its way to her face. Well, now, this is odd. Where did you say you got this book?

Theo scratched his chin. "It was in a box of books at an estate sale in Charleston. I picked it up a few months ago but