Page 111 of The Spider Queen
“A butt face.”
He let out a laugh, bending over and draping his arms across the steering wheel. Usually Hunter’s laughter was contagious but not at that moment. Finally, he quieted.
“God, I needed that.”
“Let’s keep driving, let’s go right to the cliffs. Come on.”
He sighed. “We need food and supplies. The Darcys have the necessary gear.”
“Gear? What kind of gear?”
“Hiking boots for one. Rain slickers for another.”
“We have to hike down this stone staircase in the rain?”
“Potentially. I mean, it’s Ireland, so rain is a safe assumption. And before we do all that, I want a hot shower, a home cooked meal, and a moment to catch my breath. And maybe a nap.”
I’d been thinking of no one but myself and my emotions, which were vacillating every five seconds. I thought of saying I was sorry, but I’d told Hunter to stop using the phrase. It would ring just as hollow coming from me.
“You’re right,” I said instead. “You deserve a nap and hot food.”
We got out of the car and headed for the cottage. I had no idea what to expect, having never met witches before, but the plump, gray-haired woman with a smile on her face wasn’t it.
“Hunter!” she greeted, wrapping him in a hug. She chattered at him in quick succession, her strong Irish accent making it difficult to understand what she was saying.
“Maggie,” Hunter said, pulling back, but keeping his arm around her. “This is Poppy.”
“Oh,” she breathed, moving to embrace me.
I wasn’t prepared for her warmth and openness. I looked at Hunter over Maggie’s shoulder. His grin widened.
“Come in, come in,” she said. She gestured to her home, and we trailed in behind her. From the outside, the stone cottage looked quaint, but inside…
The ceilings were high, far higher than the structure would allow, and the spacious den to the right of the entry room had a blazing fire in an old fashioned hearth. Two massive staircases on either side of the foyer led to another floor.
“How did—”
“Magic,” Maggie said with a wink. “Not much to look at from the outside, is it?”
I wouldn’t have believed it, but then my science-oriented mind had been challenged as of late.
“You redecorated since the last time I was here,” Hunter remarked. “It looks nice.”
She waved away Hunter’s compliment and gestured for us to follow her. We took seats in the den. I chose the spot by the fire and shivered in delight as warmth encompassed me. Hunter took a seat on the L-shaped, brown leather couch while Maggie moved to the other side and sat near him.
“Where’s Seamus?” Hunter asked.
“Town. He’ll be back soon.”
“Did you know we were coming?” I asked. “Did Hunter call and—”
“He didn’t need to. I felt his presence the moment he landed in Ireland. But you,” her blue eyes roved over my face, “I didn’t feel at all. Interesting.” Her eyes slid to Hunter. “You’ll be needing some things?”
Hunter nodded.
“You look exhausted,” she commented.
“We had a bit of trouble back in Dublin,” Hunter said.
