Spell of the Ball (8 Magical Halloween Reads) Page 16

  “What about the ghost kid?” Patience squeaked out from behind me and I ignored her.

  “You are going to tell him that he’s going to have to wait until I get back from my wedding and honeymoon.” Oh, I would definitely deal with the ghost kid when I got back.

  “I think I’m just tired.” Eloise waved off all the people around her. “I’m feeling much better.”

  With a long sigh of relief, I smiled and took a step back.

  “Where was the tray of June’s Gems you had?” I asked Raven.

  “Don’t worry. I shoved them down the garbage disposal. Did this have to do with my dough problem this morning?” she asked.

  “We’ll talk about it later. All is good now.” I assured her and walked over to Eloise, Aunt Helena, and Oscar.

  Oscar gave me that you will be telling me what that was later, look. I smiled at him to let him know it was all right.

  “I guess we are never going to agree.” Aunt Helena started on the wedding stuff again.

  “We don’t have to agree.” I sat down on the coffee table in front of them and put one hand on Eloise and the other on Aunt Helena’s knees. “Oscar’s parents and my parents came to an agreement. They set aside their differences to unite us in marriage.”

  “Therefore, we are released!” Aunt Helena clapped her hands to her face. “This is the best news ever!”

  “So that means you can get married any time you want. Not just All Hallows’ Eve.” Eloise had an idea written in her expression. “Like right now!”

  “Right now?” I questioned if the reversal spell had worked.

  “Why not right now?” Oscar agreed with them. “All our friends are here. The steps are decorated. K.J. is here and your dress is already in the honeymoon suite.”

  Everything he said was right. I was going to come here and get ready in the honeymoon suite before the wedding.

  “But I…I couldn’t think of a good excuse.” Nothing about this wedding was the traditional wedding I had dreamed about as a kid, but it all felt perfect. “Yes!” My smile broadened in approval.

  “That settles it.” Aunt Helena stood up with her hand outreached to me and pulled me to standing. “We have to get you dressed.”

  “Attention everyone.” Oscar put his arm around me. “Since everyone is gathered here right now and K.J. is here, June and I.” He looked at me and my heart melted. This was the moment I had always been waiting for. “June and I have decided to get married tonight.”

  Claps, hoots, and hollers filled the room, then everyone hurried around to prepare for the rest of my life.

  Chapter 8

  “Oh no, you don’t look happy.” Aunt Helen placed a hand on each of my shoulders.

  I stood in the honeymoon suite tree cabin in front of the full-length mirror and stared at myself. The dress was Darla’s and fit me perfectly.

  The cream dress hit right at my knees.

  “Can you zip me?” I asked and still stared at myself.

  I ran my hand over the front of the dress and rested it on my stomach. The ivory lace material lay perfectly over the cream silk sheath underneath. The long lace ivory sleeves would be perfect for the cool night weather.

  I reached up to rest my fingertips on the silk collar that ended in the back in a petite silk stiff bow.

  Aunt Helena zipped up the back and put the keyhole hook in the eye closure.

  “I wish I had the photo of my parents here.” The only photo of them was hanging up in the shop and I’d planned to have it at the original ceremony.

  Madame Torres lit up and Mr. Prince Charming went over and sat next to her.

  “I’ll leave you to gather your thoughts.” Aunt Helena put her hand on the doorknob, looked back at me and smiled. “Everyone is waiting.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  Mr. Prince Charming batted Madame Torres and darted out the door before Aunt Helena shut it behind her.

  “Well,” I looked back in the mirror and took a deep breath. “I guess I’m going to have to do this alone.”

  I grabbed Madame Torres and walked out the door where Raven and Faith were waiting for me.

  “You didn’t think we weren’t going to be bridesmaids did you?” Raven asked, her and Faith were dressed in matching purple cocktail dresses. Both beautiful.

  “You look so amazing.” Faith handed me a bundle of flowers and took Madame Torres. “I’m going to put her on the altar.”

  Shortly thereafter, the Singing Nettles hummed out the wedding march, signaling me it was show time.

  “Are you ready?” Raven asked. Her dark eyes held a spark.

  “More than ever,” I whispered, though in my heart, the absence of my parents weighed heavily. This day was so bittersweet for me and probably the reason I had continued to hold off on making a wedding date.

  I carefully followed Raven to the front of the Full Moon Treesort where K.J., Oscar and Madame Torres waited for me on the bottom step and my friends sat in white folding chairs in front of them in the grass.

  “Where is Mr. Prince Charming?” I asked looking around.

  “He’s here.” Something in the breeze whispered. “We are here.” The familiar voice of Darla circled around my head.

  I looked forward, through the tears, I could see my mom and dad in Madame Torres’s ball. My dad stood next to me like a hologram and walked me down the aisle as if he was right there with me.

  “You have grown into a beautiful woman.” His sweet words pierced my heart; my happy tears fell down my face. Oscar was so handsome in his black suit and white shirt. His blue eyes sparkled in the night like the flickering candles behind him.

  “I’m always with you,” my father whispered.

  Before I knew it, I was down the aisle, Madame Torres went black, and Mr. Prince Charming sat next to me.

  “Where have you been?” I looked at my ornery cat and whispered.

  He stood up and walked around my ankles in a figure eight while K.J. started the ceremony.

  “This is a Native American Wedding Vase.” K.J. held the vase he had made for us up in the air. “The two drinking spouts are connected by a single handle. The two spouts symbolize the two individual lives, and the handle symbolizes the union of these two lives in marriage. June and Oscar.” He gestured for both of us to stick our hands out in front of us.

  Using the spout designated for the bride, K.J. poured the water from the vase over my hands. He turned the vase around and poured water on Oscar’s hands from the groom’s designated spout.

  “With this water, we are washing away our past. Our past heritage, our past differences and starting new. With this purification ceremony, I pronounce you man and wife.” K.J. smiled so big. “This is my favorite part,” he whispered, and then yelled, “You may kiss your bride!”

  With the eruption of claps and hollering, Oscar crushed me to him. He pressed his mouth up against mine, caressing my mouth with more than just kissing.

  “I love you,” he whispered in my ear. My head turned toward Madame Torres. She showed me one last image of my parents. Both of them holding on to each other, tears streaming down their faces, smiles so broad. Then another couple stepped next to them. The man looked exactly like Oscar.

  “Look,” I whispered in Oscar’s ear.

  Both of us looked at Madame Torres before turning to each other, grinning ear-to ear.

  I felt something on my ankle. Thinking it was Mr. Prince Charming, I looked down. A small yellow ball rested against my foot.

  Click here for Hex the Halls, our bewitching holiday anthology. Release date: Nov 17th.

  About the Author

  For years, USA Today bestselling author Tonya Kappes has been self-publishing her numerous mystery and romance titles with unprecedented success. She is famous not only for her hilarious plotlines and quirky characters, but her tremendous marketing efforts that have earned her thousands of followers and a devoted street team of fans. Be sure to check out Tonya’s website for upcoming events and n
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  Also by Tonya Kappes

  Olivia Davis Paranormal Mystery Series

  Splitsville.com

  Color Me Love (Novella)

  Color Me A Crime

  Magical Cures Mystery Series

  A Charming Crime

  A Charming Cure

  A Charming Potion (Novella)

  A Charming Wish

  A Charming Spell

  A Charming Magic

  A Charming Secret

  A Charming Christmas (Novella)

  A Charming Fatality

  Grandberry Falls Series

  The Ladybug Jinx

  Happy New Life

  A Superstitious Christmas (Novella)

  Never Tell Your Dreams

  A Laurel London Mystery Series

  Checkered Crime

  Checkered Past

  Checkered Thief

  A Divorced Diva Beading Mystery Series

  A Bread of Doubt Short Story

  Strung Out to Die

  Crimped to Death

  Bluegrass Romance Series

  Grooming Mr. Right

  Taming Mr. Right

  Women’s Fiction

  Carpe Bread ’Em

  Young Adult

  Tag You’re It

  A Ghostly Southern Mystery Series

  A Ghostly Undertaking

  A Ghostly Grave

  A Ghostly Demise

  A Ghostly Murder

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  Mission Impawsible

  A Karma Inc. Novella

  By Melanie James

  Everything happens for a reason, even if it’s caused by incompetence.

  What happens when you take one very powerful wand, crack open an ancient spell book and mix thoroughly with a pair of inexperienced witches? For Kelly and Randy it’s a spell gone wild. With no idea what sort of magical mayhem they’ve created, they have to choose between waiting for the Witches Union to hunt them down or take their chances with a life on the run. But there is another choice, to figure out the spell and try to undo it before it’s too late.

  When Kelly learns her spell has direct consequences on her were-bear boyfriend, she has no choice but to gather up the witches of Karma, Inc for a new adventure. The gang will take on a new cast of troublemakers in paranormal-infested Caldron Falls. It’s up to Kelly to see if she has what it takes to lead her crew of witchy buffoons on a Mission Impawsible to save her were-bear.

  Prologue

  We’ve all had one of those deep conversations where we’ve done a poor job articulating a great topic to the wrong audience. For my case in point, it was a discussion I had with my friend, Gertie, a few weeks ago.

  “Gertie, do you ever feel like you’re searching for a place? I don’t exactly mean a physical place, but I suppose it could be. Maybe it’s just a mindset. Anyway, it’s where you would not only feel comfortable, but truly in your element. You just feel drawn to something, but not quite sure what it is, only that it’s where you need to be. A place where you’ll find your strength.”

  “Now you sound just like that woman I met last year, over in Biloxi. She tried to sell me a timeshare, whatever that is. I have no idea. Are you getting into the timesharing business, Kelly? By the way, can you share time? Can you even make time?”

  “No. Not at all. I’m talking about philosophy, not vacation property. Anyway, the Spanish have a word for what I’m talking about—querencia. It’s a concept, a place where everything fits together. It all makes sense, and no matter what life throws your way, you can handle it without batting an eye. In Death in the Afternoon, Hemingway uses bullfighting to explain the metaphysical concept of querencia. The bull, in time, develops a sense of where and what his querencia is. If the bull finds his querencia in the ring, he becomes impossible to defeat.”

  It was my fault, really. I’m an English teacher, and I habitually fall back on literature during my philosophical ramblings. My audience, Gertie, only heard “bullfighting.” She blew a gasket.

  “That cruel Hemingway! Bastard! Bullfighting? It’s called murder, Kelly. Plain and simple. Don’t listen to those murdering bastards. You don’t need to kill a bull to find your strength. All you have to do is just tell yourself four words. I CAN DO THIS. That’s it. No more, no less. None of that fancy querencia timeshare stuff. Don’t go analyzing it. And never, ever, go bullfighting.”

  So, that’s how the conversation went. Later, I realized Gertie was absolutely right. I didn’t need to find anything. I just had to convince myself of those four words.

  Chapter 1

  Randy poured a cup of coffee and brought it over to where I sat. “Here you go, sis. I don’t know why you insist on staying in this bland, empty condo.” His head swiveled back and forth, closing his eyes like he wanted to forget what he saw.

  Clearly, my brother had mood poisoning when it came to my current living conditions. Unfortunately, he droned on, voicing his concerns.

  “And it’s so…spartan in here. Yuck. It’s so blah…and so unlike you. Would it kill you to have a few decorations? Maybe a picture on the bare walls? Something?”

  I shrugged. It really didn’t matter to me. With my current state of mind, decorating a place I had no desire to stay in was the last thing on my agenda.

  “You know, with your share of the first quarter earnings from Karma Inc., you could really step into the high end of the housing market. And I could…no, I will be your interior designer. I would’ve picked up a few things for you, but Gertie and I have already blown our shares on our Paranormal Bed and Breakfast project.”

  “I’ve considered moving, but most of mine and Ezzy’s money is going toward restarting the Karma Inc. Reality TV show. Even if it wasn’t, I don’t know what I would do. I used to know what I wanted. Well, kind of. I was happy being the modern, independent, single, newbie witch. Taking numbers, crushing hearts. It was my thing. Now, not so much. My goals are all outta whack. I guess I’m just waiting to see how things play out in the near future. Who knows? Ever since…”

  “Ah ha! Ever since that hunk of a werebear got his paws on you! Am I right?”

  I hesitated, giving my brother the perfect opening. Damn. “Right. Meeting Gabe, falling for him, was so unexpected. So perfect. Until September rolled around. Now I’m back here, teaching. Yippee!” My sarcasm was not lost on Randy.

  “I’m stuck in Chicago and he’s up north in the woods. I’m barely surviving traffic and teaching English to kids who are more interested in texting than learning the mechanics of grammar. Gabe’s catching poachers and being all sorts of super masculine at his log cabin. I bet, right now, he’s chopping firewood and whatever.”

  A nearly X-rated video of a shirtless, sweaty Gabe played in my mind. His muscles flexed under glistening coppery skin as he lifted an axe above his head. The axe came down in a powerful and very satisfying stroke. I could actually feel the axe finding its mark. The strike caused something inside me to twitch with excitement, like an electric shock.

  “Hello? Kelly? You’re drooling. Are you all right?”

  “Uh…yeah. I’m fine.”

  “Ha! I see what’s going on here. You’re fantasizing about Gabe. You are such a little pervert. Seriously, sis, he was a summer fling. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Go over to the LL Bean store and pick up one of those lumbersexuals. I’m sure you can find a short-term substitute for Gabe. It’ll help you to get over him.”

  “What? Wait a second. First of all, I never said I wanted to get over him. Secondly, that’s the dumbest advice I’ve heard from you. And that says a lot.”

  Randy didn’t even have a comeback because he knew he hit a nerve. I’ve never once had even the slightest bit of desire to “get over him,” as Randy’s unsolicited and poorly thought-out advice suggested. In fact, I secretly hoped for much more of a future with Gabe than I let on. Since I came home, Gabe and I talked on th
e phone nearly every day. And as each day passed, I began to dream about the possibility of a happy ending.

  For now, it was time to change the subject. Halloween was only a week away, and it made the perfect topic.

  “Randy, what are your memories of Halloween when we were kids? All of mine are tinted with orange and black. I always remember making construction paper jack-o-lanterns with too much glue and those goofy legs our teacher made us put on them.”

  “Yeah. I remember making those. Legs and arms made with black paper, folded accordion style. Wasn’t that stupid? I used to wonder why. I mean, jack-o-lanterns do not have legs and arms. They just don’t.”

  “Stupid? Maybe. Guess what? I force my students to make those. Every damn one of them. I love it.”

  “You would. Torturer. When I remember Halloween, I recall trick-or-treating around our block. You were always a witch. I was always a vampire. We’d run everywhere. Plastic pumpkins full of candy and swinging by our sides. And remember, there was always that one house…the one where they pretended not to be home, but we always saw someone peeking from behind a curtain?”

  “How could I forget? One year, I stood in the driveway and waved a little plastic wand at the house, like I was hexing them. Little did I know, one day I might actually cast a spell. For real.”

  “I have an idea. Maybe we should dress up and take the nieces and nephews around the block this year. Maybe throw some real magic around. Wouldn’t that be something? It’d give the kids something to brag about. We’d be the coolest auntie and uncle of all time.”

  “No freaking way, Randy. The problem is the witchcraft itself. I’m not good enough. You’re not good enough. Forget it, buddy. I’d like to hone my skills first before I start doing drive-by spells, with a pack of little trick-or-treaters tagging along. I have no desire to go back to that damn Witches Court.”

  “Pffft. You know what the problem is? We’re not taking any risks. We should be cracking open the old grimoire we found, trying a few spells. Practicing, like we all said we would do, with our Spell Club meetings. Or am I the only one committed to perfecting our craft? Can we at least give it a shot before we say no to adding a real wow factor to this year’s Halloween?”