Page 115 of Spellbound & Speechless
Ma won’t like that.
I wait nervously for her response, and my eyes lock onto a painting of fruit hanging on the wall.
“You don’t want me here,” my mother says. “I’m not good company. Not like you witches. I’ve been a lone wolf for too long.”
Aspen beams. “So has Mac, and I consider him excellent company.”
My mother snorts. “You may have strange taste in company.”
“Ma!” I exclaim again, laughing. “This is why I didn’t invite you sooner.”
“In that case… I’ll stay,” my mother says. “Just to give my son a hard time.”
There’s a new twinkle in my mother’s eye, one I’m not expecting. My heart is warm.
Aspen giggles. “As long as you’re staying, I won’t complain!”
“I may be a lone wolf,” my mother says, “but I’ve always had one person in my pack, and I can’t imagine being too far from him.”
She doesn’t have to look at me. I know who she’s talking about—it’s me. My mother is considering moving across the country forme. She’s always loved me, and I’ve always been loyal, but it’s an unexpected gesture.
“I’m staying in the pack,” I mumble. “I know they didn’t need to help this time, but… they may need me in the future.”
“And you’ve learned the value of being part of a group.” My mother nods. “I understand. I was always wondering when you would learn the lesson.”
I lean against a wall and cross my arms. “Since when doyouvalue being in a group?”
“I learned the lesson a long time ago.” She shrugs. “It’s not for me anymore, but you’re not me. Are you?”
No. I’m not. We’re different people, living different lives. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time in Starbrook, it’s that I can stay close to my mother without mirroring her ideals.
“Guess I’m not.” I smile wryly.
“Iwillbe getting my own house,” my mother says. “This one is too full for my taste.”
“Totally understandable!” Aspen perks up. “We had a new apartment complex built downtown a few years ago.They may have some availability, but I can help you look for houses for sale if that’s a better fit.”
“We’ll see,” my mother says. “Either way, you can rest easy. I plan on sticking around.”
Even though she raised me to be independent, not to needheror anyone else, knowing she’ll be around people who care for her…
Well, she’s right. Iwillrest easier this way.
Epilogue
ASPEN
6 MONTHS LATER
“Turn to the side,”Mac says. “Just like that.”
I do as he asks, tilting my body in front of the floral wall in the boutique.
A soft violet gown is draped across my form. In the past, I would have worried about it clashing with my golden red hair, but I can’t be picky.
The dress isn’t for me, but I’m the only available model. It works out for me that my husband is one of the best photographers in the world.
He may specialize in nature, and he still takes plenty of pictures of birds and rocks, but he’s willing to get low and take a flattering photo of me occasionally. Having a husband is helpful in that way—and many, many other ways.
