Page 55 of A Lullaby for Witches

“Well, for starters, you could try to open communication with her, ask her to show you a vision when you’re ready. That way you aren’t unprepared when an episode suddenly begins. She obviously chose you for a reason. Maybe it’s because you’re related, or maybe she sees in you someone who would understand her and fight for her. She might not be speaking directly to you, but she’s certainly making sure you see what she wants you to see. The next time you feel an episode coming on, see if you can beat her to the punch and ask her what she wants. I know it’s not the solution you were probably hoping for, but I think it’s your best chance to gain a little control.”

Augusta mused on this. Sitting in the cozy living room, with the smell of dinner wafting in from the kitchen, Harlowe House and its ghosts seemed far away. She and Ellen chatted more about work, and she was even able to get some embarrassing stories about Leo from when he was younger. The golden evening light was starting to fade when Leo stuck his head in and told them that dinner was ready.

They sat down in the homey dining room and Terry turned on some quiet jazz in the background. As Leo brought the food to the table, he leaned down next to Augusta’s ear. “I hope you’ll try it. I made it with you in mind.” She flushed at the warmth of his breath on her neck, the words settling over her like a comfortable sweater.

How could she not try the mouthwatering vegetarian feast in front of her, knowing that Leo had made it, and for her in particular? She could worry about the calories later, but for now, letting herself indulge in the food that he had cooked for her was the most intimate thing in the world.

Eating with Leo’s family was warm and lovely, and never once did Augusta feel like an outsider, even as they discussed past family vacations or his sister’s upcoming wedding. When was the last time Augusta had had a family meal? Even before her dad had died, Augusta had been away at college, and then her parents had separated. In a way, eating with the Stones felt like coming home.

After a dessert of blueberry pie and homemade vanilla ice cream, Leo collected the dishes and said that they should be going.

“At least stay for some tea,” his mother protested.

“It’s a long drive back, and I don’t think Augusta wants to hear about another Grateful Dead concert from before she was born.”

Ellen gave a little pout, but wrapped her arms around her son, who stood at least a head taller than her. “Okay, sweetie. You have a safe drive home, then. And call your sister!” she admonished him. “You don’t need a reason to just talk with her once in a while.”

The tips of Leo’s ears turned delightfully pink, but he nodded. He dropped a kiss on his mother’s head, and his dad pulled him into a big hug.

“It was really nice to meet you,” Augusta said, sticking out her hand. But Ellen ignored it, instead wrapping her in a hug.

“It was nice to meet you, too, sweetheart. Come back anytime, and good luck with Margaret. Let me know how it goes.”

Stars were peeking through the cloud cover as they climbed back into the car, dusk falling around the little Maine town.

“So, did my mom have any useful advice?” Leo asked once they had turned onto Main Street.

Augusta thought back over her conversation before answering. “I think so. I think she wanted me to feel empowered by the whole situation. Either way, though, it was good just to talk about everything with someone who isn’t involved.”

Leo nodded, but didn’t ask her specifics. “That’s good.”

There was something about being in the car that made talking to him easy. Maybe it was that they were both looking ahead, so she didn’t get her words tangled up under his attentive gaze. As they wound through the labyrinth of narrow streets, Augusta couldn’t help but smile.

“What?” Leo asked, glancing at her.

“Nothing, really. I was just thinking how most of our conversations have been in this car.”

She thought Leo might laugh at her for making such a strange observation, but she should have known him better by now. “Huh. You’re right,” he said, before pulling a U-turn. “Let’s change that.”

“Where are we going?”

He shot her a lopsided grin. “To the place where I spent most of my wayward youth in Pale Harbor.” He nodded in the direction of a hill winding away from the main road.

A few minutes later, they pulled into a small gravel lot and Leo turned the car off. “Are you up for a little hike?”

She wasn’t much of a hiker, or really anything that required being outside in the elements without massive amounts of bug repellent, but she probably would have followed Leo into a volcano, so she nodded.

It was a short, steep climb up. The gravel kept slipping out from under her flimsy shoes, and she definitely heard more than one kind of animal skittering through the overgrown brush. Leo stopped to help her up several times, and Augusta was glad for the dark so he wouldn’t see how much she was struggling.

“Here we are,” Leo said, as he helped her scramble up the final incline.

Augusta caught her breath. They were on a grassy overlook with endless views of the moonlit ocean in one direction, and the wooded town in the other. In the distance, a lighthouse winked at them as it threw its beams of light out into the dark abyss. It was cool and breezy and breathtaking, and totally worth the scratched ankles and aching lungs.

“Isn’t it something?” Leo asked.

“It is,” she agreed, glad that she had taken the risk to climb up with him.

“There’s a great spot to sit over here.” He gestured and she followed him to a natural dip in the ground that faced out over the water. They sat down, side by side, their shoulders just touching. A little thrill of anticipation rushed through her, as if she was sixteen again and had found herself outside the school dance alone with her crush.

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