Page 41 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
“Takes one to know one,” he called back.
She reached down and slipped off her black pumps. Her feet were killing her. Christina could stay in heels for days with no problem, but she was younger. Soon, Mia was going to be wearing flats all the time. They needed to do the wedding thing before she didn’t want to wear the magic shoes anymore.
“Trent’s a real catch.” A voice came from the gym door.
Mia turned and saw Jeani watching her. “We’re in a good place,” Mia responded. She didn’t want to catch Trent. Or have him catch her. She wanted a relationship built on love, mutual trust, and respect. But she wouldn’t correct Jeani. Not tonight.
“I know. I hate it, but I know. Have a good evening.” Jeani disappeared back into the gym.
Trent was coming out of the kitchen and saw the door closing. “Did you have company?”
Mia wasn’t sure what to tell him, so she went with the truth. That couldn’t hurt her later. “Jeani popped in. She was watching when we left. I think she still has feelings for you.”
“We weren’t a match, no matter what the number crunchers said. I felt more the first time I saw you than I ever felt for Jeani.” He took Mia’s hand. “Ready to go watchFriday the 13th?”
“MaybeThe Haunting of Hill House? Shirley Jackson still scares the crap out of me, and I live in a real haunted house.”
On the way to the stairs, they ran into Finn, who was taking sodas and cookies back into her room. “Hey, you two look amazing. I’m glad I stayed in the kitchen for this event. I didn’t have to dress up at all.”
“You look fine, but before Christina gets all packed up, I’ll see if she has some dress clothes she wants to get rid of.” Mia saw the fear on the young woman’s face. “Nothing crazy, like what she’s wearing tonight. You need some mingle clothes for events. Like a little black dress and maybe a pantsuit.”
“I’m a cook.” Finn shook her head. “You guys are the figureheads of the company. I’m sure I don’t need anything fancy.”
Trent slapped his hand to his heart. “I never thought I’d see the day when someone turned down one of Christina’s cast-offs. The girl has so many clothes she doesn’t wear I think she could outfit every girl who wanted to attend prom this season in the local high schools. You must not have gotten the dress-up gene in your DNA. No playing with dolls growing up?”
Finn giggled. “I did have a Barbie with her dream house. It was a gift from one of my mother’s friends. Sometimes I cut up old clothes and made her new dresses.”
“A budding fashion designer.” Mia watched as Finn relaxed in front of them. The girl liked Trent. Mia thought she might intimidate Finn a little. She wanted to fix that. “Do you want to come up to the apartment with us? We’re watching a movie.”
“I’ve got a game going with friends from home. But thanks. And if you think I need a dress, I’ll take one. I just don’t want to be a bother. You and Abigail have already done so much for me.” She paused and looked around at the lobby area. “Funny, I heard that this used to be a school. If you didn’t know about the gym or the classrooms upstairs, you’d never know it. Oh, and the library, of course.”
As Mia and Trent walked upstairs, her thoughts stayed on Finn. She was a good fit for the company, and if they didn’t become best friends immediately, she had to realize that she’d known Christina for years before their friendship grew into what it was today. She’d learned a lot today. She wondered if tomorrow would be as illuminating as she tried to put together a theory on Howard’s death.
CHAPTER17
Saturday was one of those warm, clear days in the fall when you think that maybe winter had been canceled for the year. Mia opened the window in the kitchen and waved at Trent, who was out playing with Cerby and Buddy. The two friends were enjoying their time together after they’d had to be separated last night.
Grans and Mia were alone at the kitchen table. Grans had packed her bags and would head back to her house today. Mia would be alone in the apartment, since Christina and Levi were staying with Abigail until the engagement party in a couple of weeks. Well, except for the week when they’d stay in Boise with the Adams family. Maybe she should move Finn upstairs into the apartment with her.
Even the thought of inviting one more person into her space made her hesitate. Grans got up and poured another cup of coffee. “Change isn’t always a bad thing, Mia.”
“Who was talking about change?” Mia grabbed a water pitcher that she’d put oranges and mint into yesterday to infuse. She poured a large glass and sat at the table. “So, who would want to kill Alfred Howard?”
“I could list off a few people.” Grans held up her hand. “Not counting Trent or his familiar or Cerby’s pet dragon. I’m beginning to wonder if Blake’s incubus theory isn’t in play here. There were several people at the party last night telling tales about strange goings-on. And Trent’s investigation with Cerby wasn’t even top on the list. There have been a few Buddy sightings, however, so I think Trent needs to move him back to his house. He’s right on the National Forest. It’s a great place for Buddy to grow rather than the backyard at the academy. You’re too close to town for him to be here.”
“I know. Buddy kind of forced my hand regarding moving in with Trent. I’m going to miss being here at the academy. I can’t invite just anyone to rent the apartment. The library hasn’t been dealt with yet. And I have my potions lab here. It would also have to be someone attached to the business, since people arrive at all times to do takeout.” She paused. “Well, maybe that wouldn’t be such an issue. We could make sure the front door is locked all the time or maybe set up a second entrance for the renter.”
Mia realized she was thinking it out as she talked. “Anyway, I’ll talk to Trent soon.”
“And Abigail. Maybe she has someone in mind for the apartment.” Grans waved her hand to dismiss the subject. “We need to talk about Gloria. Since she is an actual elder, maybe her hanging in your kitchen is disrespectful to her?”
Gloria started to swing on her rope.
“I’d move her to my potions lab, but I don’t want her to be by herself so much.” Mia put a hand on the doll to stop the swinging. “Where I go, she goes. Her being an elder does add weight to the question of who gave her to me when I was a kid, though. You’re sure it wasn’t you?”
“No, but sometimes the Goddess uses people without their knowledge. I wonder if it was Adele? She was in the house all the time. She would have had access. There’s no way to ask her now, though, since she’s gone forward.” Grans studied the doll.
“Grans, why didn’t Gloria go forward?” Mia brushed the doll’s raffia hair back as she talked.
