A Charmed Life (Halloween LaVeau Book 5) (3 page)

Chapter 4

Nicolas got up and went over to the refrigerator. He pulled out the orange juice.

As he got a glass from the cabinet, he paused again and then turned to me. “Are you sure there’s not something that you’re not telling me?”

“Why does everyone keep asking me that this morning?” I placed the pancake onto the plate.

“What do you mean? Someone else asked you that?” He poured juice into the glass.

“Liam called to confirm our monthly coven meeting. Anyway, he was acting just like you.” I handed Nicolas the plate. “He thinks something strange is going on around here.”

Nicolas sat down at the island again. “And what did you tell him?”

“I told him the same thing I told you. There’s nothing going on. I don’t know why you all are acting this way.” I waved the spatula through the air.

“Just a vibe I picked up on, I guess.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. “The pancakes look delicious.”

I motioned. “Well, take a bite and let me know what you think.”

Yes, I was proud of my work. Maybe I was relying too much on magic though. I never used to do so many spells, but now I found myself using magic for almost everything. I wasn’t even putting on makeup myself anymore. I just did a little spell, and poof, it was on my face. I wondered if there was such a thing as using too much magic. No one had ever mentioned not to do it so often. Surely someone would’ve told me—like my mother, the woman who prided herself on knowing every coven rule.

When Nicolas sank his fork into the food and took a bite of the pancakes, he closed his eyes and released a low moan. This made me happy.

After finishing the bite, he said, “This is the best pancake I’ve ever had.”

The same thing that my mother had said about the cupcakes. I really had improved. This was fantastic. No more Hallie LaVeau, worst witch ever.

As he continued eating the pancakes, I said, “I forgot to tell you Annabelle brought a new guest.”

He stopped with his fork mid-air and looked at me. “Who is it?”

“Actually, I’m not sure. She met him at the shop and he mentioned he needed a place to stay for a few days. Well… he didn’t say how long he was going to stay.”

Nicolas set his fork down and said, “What business does he have in town?”

I placed my hands on my hips. “I didn’t ask. It’s none of my business, right?”

He quirked an eyebrow.

“Okay, I haven’t had a chance to ask.” I would ask as soon as I had a chance. I didn’t like to think of it as being nosy, I just liked to make conversation with my guests.

“Where is he and what’s his name?” Nicolas started to stand, as if going to find him.

I stopped him by placing my hand on his arm. “You sound like you’re ready to have him arrested, Nicolas.”

He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Well, after everything that’s happened, I think you can understand why I’m a little apprehensive.”

I sat on the stool across from him and held his hand in mine. “Yes, I understand and I felt the same way at first, but everything seems fine… nothing has happened.”

“Maybe it’s been a while since anything has happened… but just be on the lookout for anything strange.” He searched my eyes.

“Of course, I’m on high alert all the time,” I said.

With my job as leader I had to be.

“You still didn’t tell me his name.” He took a drink of juice.

“Arthur White,” I said.

Nicolas shrugged. “Never heard of him, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not bad news.”

I shook my head. Nicolas was just as suspicious as I was. I guessed we were a lot alike after all.

Nicolas pushed to his feet and moved over to me. “So I’ll see you tonight?”

I nodded. “Tonight.”

“I’ll call you later.”

Nicolas leaned down and gave me another passionate kiss that made me want to hold onto him and tell him not to go. We both had work to do though, so I released my arms from around his waist. He took my hand in his and I walked with him through the house to the door. He kissed me again and said goodbye. I waved as he drove down the driveway.

A floor creaked somewhere behind me. It wasn’t unusual to hear those types of noises in the house—after all, there were a couple of ghosts. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a ghost. My new guest was behind me on the stairs. I wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing there. He’d probably seen our kiss, but then again, Nicolas hadn’t mentioned seeing him. If Nicolas had known he was down here, he would have wanted to interrogate the guy.

Arthur walked down the rest of the steps. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Oh, no, not at all.” I forced a smile. “Please make yourself at home. You can go anywhere in the house.” Well, except for my bedroom and, well, that was probably about it.

He offered another sexy smile. “Thank you. Your hospitality is adorable.”

“Would you like breakfast?” This was another chance for me to showcase my new badass cooking skills.

He stepped closer to me. “Thank you. That would be great. I am hungry.”

I waved over my shoulder as I headed through toward the kitchen. “Well, follow me. It will be the best breakfast you’ve ever eaten.”

That was a bold statement, but I was pretty sure I could back it up. He followed me through the house to the kitchen. I wasn’t sure why I had been suspicious of him before. He seemed perfectly nice now.

Chapter 5

“Follow me and I’ll show you to the dining room.” I gestured.

As I walked through the parlor and library, I kept looking over my shoulder. It made me a bit nervous having him walking behind me. He sure was quiet. When we reached the dining room, I pushed on the door and gestured for him to step inside. It was down the hallway off from the kitchen. A large table took up space in the middle of the room with matching chairs on each side and the ends for a total of sixteen. A buffet sat against the far wall.

Arthur walked in and scanned the room. “It’s elegant, just like the rest of the manor.”

At least he had good taste, but maybe I was a little biased. I thought LaVeau Manor was one of the most beautiful places in the world.

“Please make yourself at home,” I said, pointing toward one of the big chairs at the dining table.

He flashed a smile and said, “Thank you, I will.”

I turned around and left him in the room, walking back to the kitchen. I hadn’t even asked him what he wanted for breakfast, so I just made a little bit of everything. I figured as long as I wasn’t messing things up, why not make it all?

I gathered the items needed to prepare breakfast. I had memorized all the items needed. Breakfast came easy for me, but I was still working my way through dinner recipes. They were a little bit more complex.

As I stirred the pancake batter, I sensed a presence in the room with me. When I turned around, Arthur was standing right there by the island.

He smiled at me again. “I hope I didn’t startle you.”

“As a matter fact, yes, you did.” I tried to force a smile anyway.

“Please accept my apology. Do you need any help?” he asked.

I waved the whisk. “No, I’m fine, thank you. Did you need something?”

“It’s just a little lonely in there. I hope you don’t mind if I stay here in the kitchen with you.” He leaned against the counter.

Oh, dear. This really would make me nervous.

“No, I don’t mind,” I said.

I wondered if he saw through my forced smile. If he did he didn’t let on at all. He pulled out the stool and plopped down on the seat, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

“Breakfast should be ready soon,” I said as I grabbed the wooden spoon.

How would I cast magic spells with him right there? I wasn’t sure if he was aware of the Enchantment Pointe magic thing. I didn’t want to frighten him. I just had surreptitiously sneak a spell or ten in.

He really didn’t want to taste my food without the magic. I could guarantee that.

“How long have you had the bed-and-breakfast?” He stepped over and peered out the window into the back yard.

Now the chitchat would distract me even more. But he was just trying to be nice. Maybe my magic wasn’t so hot after all if I had to concentrate that hard to perform something. I guess I wasn’t as good as I thought. Maybe it would be better practice for me if I did try in front of him.

“I’ve been here for about six months now.” I wiped my hands on the towel.

“How’s that going for you?” He turned to face me again.

I wasn’t going to be honest about that question. “It’s going good.”

I had hesitated. He was sure to pick up on that.

He laughed a little. “Well, that’s good.”

His laughter really was heartwarming, so I decided to be a little more straightforward with him.

“I believe it’s a slow time of the year,” I said.

“I’m sure when everyone sees how charming you are you’ll be overrun with customers.” His voice was just as smooth as his words.

I glanced back at him. I was probably blushing. I decided to change the subject.

“Would you like fruit with your breakfast? I have fresh strawberries and melon.” I walked toward the refrigerator.

“I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me,” he said. “If it’s okay with you, can we enjoy the food right here in the kitchen? It seems more informal and casual. I like that.”

We? I hadn’t realized that he thought I was eating also. “Actually, I have some work to do, but I’d be happy to let you eat right here in the kitchen.”

He really was taking that ‘make yourself comfortable’ thing to heart. That was good though. I wanted my guests to be happy. At least I hoped he was pleased with staying here.

“I’ll be sad if I have to eat alone. It’s tough while traveling and not having friends.” He gave me a sad-eyed look. How had he known I’d be defenseless against that heart-rending stare?

“I suppose I could eat with you,” I said.

“Wonderful,” he said.

“Could you do me a favor?” I asked.

“Certainly,” he said.

“The napkins and stuff are in the dining room. Could you bring the plates and other items for us in here?”

He pushed to his feet. “I would be delighted. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he stepped out of the room, I hurried over to the bowl and recited the words. “Element of Earth, I call to you. Make the perfect breakfast now.” I poured the batter. “Element of Air, I call to you to make my guest want more.” Flipping the pancake, I recited the words: “Element of Fire, I call to you make him think this is the most delicious meal ever.” To complete the spell, I flipped the pancake one more time. “Element of Water, I call to you. Make a perfect breakfast now.”

I knew I had rushed the spell a little—okay, a lot—but I hoped that wouldn’t cause it to be any less tasty. Footsteps sounded from behind me so I finished up the last of the spices that I need to add. When I turned around, Arthur was already in the room with me. It had taken him a lot less time than I had anticipated. I wondered how long he been standing there.

I placed the dishes on the counter and smiled. He smiled at me, but he didn’t say anything about hearing my spell. He did have that funny look in his eyes, but I supposed he always had that. From the first moment I’d seen him it was as if he knew a secret. Did he know my secret? It wasn’t exactly a secret. I supposed everyone in Enchantment Pointe knew, except for strangers.

He placed the napkins and silverware alongside the plates. “How does this look?”

“That’s perfect. You’ve done that before.” I glanced down at the setting.

“I helped my mother set the table all the time.” He sat on the stool with the plate in front of him.

As I brought the food over, I realized that this was my chance to ask more about him. “Where are you from? You said you were just visiting Enchantment Pointe.” I tried to sound casual, as if I wasn’t suspicious.

“I’m from Shreveport.” he said, as if he’d been waiting for me to ask.

“And you have business in town?” I asked as I placed the food on the island.

He gave me another one of those smiles that said there was no way I was going to get information out of him. He shouldn’t be so sure about that though. I had my ways of finding out things when I wanted. Just wait until my mother got a hold of him. She really would want to know more. She would ask a million questions until he told her everything she wanted to know.

I sat down across from him and cut into my pancake. It felt strange sitting here, but I tried to make the most of it. I watched for his reaction as he took the first bite.

Just like everyone else, he moaned as he chewed. “This is delicious. Do you cook like this often?”

I smiled and said, “Well, I’ve been trying to do more lately.”

“You should keep it up. I think this is the best food I’ve ever had.” He pointed at his plate with his fork.

“Thank you,” I said.

He was kind of quiet at the moment, focused on his food, but I didn’t want to let him get too quiet. I had a lot more questions to ask.

“You didn’t tell me what type of business you have in Enchantment Pointe?” I practically held my breath waiting for the answer.

Before he could answer though, a bang came from what sounded like outside, followed by a loud groan.