Page 73 of All My Witches
We’d only been walking for five minutes when we came across a wishing well in the middle of the forest. Sam was the first to approach, wrinkling his nose as he circled thecontraption.
“I think this is papier mâché, too,” he offered. “Why would someone put a papier mâché well in the middle of thewoods?”
That was a good question. Unfortunately, I had an idea what the answer would be. “Look inside,” Iprodded.
Sam snagged gazes with me. “Why? What’s inside? I’m not going to find a body in there or anything, amI?”
I shook my head. “No. Although I’ll bet it’s notempty.”
“I have no idea what that means,” Sam whined. “I just know I don’t want to look now. Someone else should look. Clove, I think this is a job foryou.”
“Oh, really?” Clove made a face. “Aren’t you supposed to protect me? We are getting married, after all. You’re the man. You’re supposed to be myprotector.”
“You’d better hope Aunt Tillie didn’t hear you say that,” Thistle warned. “If she did, you’re going to be in big trouble. She won’t like that onebit.”
Clove balked. “What did Isay?”
“She raised us to save ourselves,” I reminded her. “That was the whole point of the fairytale world. She didn’t want us to rely on a man to save us when we were capable of doing itourselves.”
“So?” Clove planted her hands on her hips. “Maybe I don’t want to save myself. Did you ever considerthat?”
“Only every day since I’ve met you,” I replied. “I get it. You like to be a girly girl. There’s nothing wrong with that. Aunt Tillie is another story. She won’t like it if you turn girly all of asudden.”
“Really?” Clove’s tone was dry as she gestured toward her overflowing breasts, which were still on display. “I think she wants the world to know I’m a girl. Why else would she have given me thisoutfit?”
“Now isn’t the time for this,” Landon interjected, waving a hand between us to make sure we didn’t start throwing punches. “We’re clearly here for a reason. You guys think the reason is in that well. I’m a little terrified to look, but since I’m the FBI agent I’ll doit.”
Landon puffed out his chest. His words were bolder than his actions, because he didn’t move an inch from the spot where hestood.
“I really don’t want to look in there,” Landon said after a beat. “I’m afraid it’s going to be somethingfreaky.”
“This whole world is freaky,” I reminded him. “You should be used to it bynow.”
“Right.” Landon’s shoulders were stiff when he turned back to the well. “I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you look forme.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You’re trying to bribeme?”
“I know I should be embarrassed, but I’m terrified to look in thatwell.”
“I’m not above a bribe. I just want something better than a hundredbucks.”
Landon tugged on his bottom lip as he turned back to me. “What do youwant?”
“An hour-long massage, dinner in Traverse City and a night of just you andme.”
Landon smiled. “You can have that no matter what. It’s not a bribe if I already want to doit.”
“Oh.” I deflated a bit. “I want you to get a pedicure with me,too.”
“Now you’re talking.” Landon bobbed his head. “Fine. But no photos this time. Last time you blasted our salon visit all over Facebook. The guys at the office are still talking aboutit.”
“Done.”
“Great.” Landon took my extended hand and shook it while giving me a quick kiss. It wasn’t until I was already moving that I realized he was pushing me toward the wishing well. “If it’s something dangerous, yell and I’ll come running. If it’s merely gross, you’re on yourown.”
“Oh, what big, strong men we have,” Thistle drawled, following me toward thewell.
“Aren’t you afraid?” Marcus called out toher.
