Page 40 of All My Witches
“I do know that. It almost makes things worse,though.”
“Howso?”
I shrugged, conflicted. “If your mother was doing stuff like this to us, I don’t think I would be as forgiving as you. I like to think I would be, but I can’t see how I wouldn’t getfrustrated.”
“I’m plenty frustrated. I’m simply not frustrated with you. Aunt Tillie did this, notyou.”
“I know.” I rubbed my hand over my forehead. “You still have a right to beangry.”
“Oh, I’m angry. I’m so angry at that woman I can barely see straight. But I’m not going to take it out on you. That’s unfair, and I won’t do it.” Landon moved his hands to my shoulders and started rubbing. “This is as hard for you as it is for me, but there’s no reason to turn on eachother.”
I leaned into him, thankful for a quiet moment even though I knew the storm would return … and fast. “Thanks.”
“I love you, Bay.” Landon pressed a kiss to my cheek. “That won’t change because you have a crazy great-aunt. Ipromise.”
“I love you,too.”
We lapsed into amiable silence and stared at thephoto.
“At least we look happy,” Landon said after a beat. “I still don’t understand how I can bring the woman I’m supposedly having an affair with – the wife of the man I’m investigating – to an apartment complex. It makes absolutely nosense.”
“You’re thinking about it too hard,” Marcus said. “You need to relax yourbrain.”
“Or transplant it into someone else’s head,” Samsuggested.
The lame joke caused Landon to smile. “It’s easier for you guys. You haven’t been smacked across the face, had drinks dumped on you or had your shirt ripped off multiple times. Aunt Tillie is purposely going after me in thisone.”
“She always goes after you with a vengeance,” Thistle pointed out. “It’s one of her favorite sports. You shouldn’t take it personally. It simply means she considers you an official member of thefamily.”
“How do you figurethat?”
“She always goes hardest after family. Heck, she made Clove a naughty nurse and gave me a really old husband to be mean. She gave Bay a husband who likes to pinch. She can’t help herself. To her, this isfun.”
“It’s not going to be fun when I get my hands onher.”
“Oh, I’m right there with you.” Thistle’s grin was evil. “That old biddy better hope I never get out of here, because if I do I’ll make her pay like she’s never paid before. If she thought the ants in the pants spell was bad, she ain’t seen nothingyet.”
“That’s exactly how we ended up here,” I pointed out. “She’s nowhere near done with useither.”
“That’s downright terrifying,” Landon muttered, resting his hand on my shoulder. “Okay, we’re clearly here for a reason – and I doubt it’s to look at photographs – so we need to split up and lookaround.”
Sam balked. “Are you sure splitting up is a goodidea?”
“Are youafraid?”
“No, I just don’t want to miss whatever mistress you’ve got hidden in this place coming out and ripping your shirt off,” Sam shot back, causing Clove and Thistle to snicker while Marcus bit his bottom lip to keep fromlaughing.
“Ha, ha.” Landon grabbed my hand. “I don’t find this funny. While I know Aunt Tillie gets her jollies out of messing with us, I’m not a cheater. I don’t like it that she sees me thatway.”
Even though I felt he was being a bit theatrical, I couldn’t help taking pity on him. “Landon, she doesn’t see you as a cheater. It’s just … slapping and drink throwing are soap staples. They happen all thetime.”
“Yes, but they’re only happening to me in thisworld.”
“Because that’s the story she built for you. I’m sorry it keeps happening. I’ll try to stop the next one before she gets a chance to slap the crap out ofyou.”
“No.” Landon shook his head. “I don’t want you stepping in front of me. You might gethurt.”
“I’ve already beenslapped.”
