Page 24 of Enchant the Dawn

“So, do you and your sister get along?”

“Yeah. Fran is three years older than I am. Married with a little girl, Melanie, who’s two. They live in New Jersey.”

“Why don’t you come home with me?” Dominic suggested. “I’ll introduce you to Ava. I have to warn you, though, she might look different than you remember.”

* * *

Maddy didn’t know what to expect as they pulled up in front of a lovely, two-story home on a quiet street just outside the city. A number of wind chimes made gentle music as they walked up the long, flower-lined path to the double front door.

Maddy frowned, thinking there were flowers growing along the walkway she had never seen in Louisiana before, beautiful blooms that filled the air with an exotic fragrance.

Dominic called, “Ava, we have a guest,” as he opened the door.

His great-grandmother—in her younger guise—glanced up from the sofa, eyes wide with surprise. She glanced at Maddy, who was staring at her in open-mouthed astonishment.

Ava huffed a sigh. “Hello, dear.”

Dominic slid his arm around Maddy’s waist. “It’s just a bit of witch magic,” he explained. “She doesn’t like looking her age, which, by the way, no one knows.”

Maddy knew it was rude to stare, but she couldn’t help it. How could this possibly be the same woman she had met in the park? She tried to reconcile the Ava she’d met the other day with the one she saw now as Dominic led her to the flowered love seat across from the sofa and tugged her down beside him.

“Well, what a nice surprise,” Ava said, glancing at Dominic. “I guess Dom has told you about our family.”

“I thought she ought to know who you really are.”

“Did you?” There was a hint of accusation in Ava’s tone. “What else did you tell her?”

“Nothing. It just didn’t seem fair for you to know who she is when Maddy didn’t know who you were.”

“I suppose,” Ava agreed somewhat grudgingly. “Can I get you anything, Maddy, dear? A cup of tea? Smelling salts? You look a bit faint.”

“I . . . I’d love a cup of tea. Thank you,” Maddy stammered, even as she wondered if it was safe for her to drink something brewed by a witch.

A smile danced over Ava’s lips as an engraved silver tray laden with a flowered teapot, matching sugar bowl, cream pitcher, and three cups appeared on the coffee table between them.

“Oh my,” Maddy exclaimed. “You really are a witch.”

“Runs in the family for generations,” Ava said as she filled the cups. “Do you take cream or sugar?”

“Just sugar, please.”

Ava added a generous helping and handed the cup to Maddy, who took it with a hand that trembled.

“So, now that the cat’s out of the bag, do you have any questions?” Ava asked.

Stalling for time, Maddy sipped her tea. Questions? She had about a million.

Ava filled a cup for Dominic and one for herself, then sat back.

In the silence, Dominic met Ava’s gaze. I didn’t tell her about my father or why we’re in New Orleans. And I don’t want you mentioning it either.

I can’t believe you told her about me. You could have at least warned me.

It was unfair for you to know who she is without telling her the truth about yourself.

I didn’t think she’d believe me.

Well, she does now.

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