A Taste of Magic (A Sugarcomb Lake Cozy Mystery Book 1) (18 page)

Clarissa was so tired she could barely think straight.

She had pulled an all-nighter and in a way, it had reminded her of being back in college.  But this time, she hadn’t been staying up late to cram for an exam or write an essay she had put off until the last minute.  No, this time she had been forging her own career path.

After staying up all night, she had called Liana just as the sun was rising.

True to her word, her best friend had shown up at the town square, giant coffees in hand.

Together, they had begun to hand out the very first issue of Sugar-free. 

The logo was a cute pink cupcake with a big X through it, courtesy of Liana’s graphic design genius.  The premise was that the newspaper was a no-nonsense publication devoted to the truth – and free of sugar-coating. 

“We’ve only been here fifteen minute and almost every issue is gone!” Liana remarked in awe.

“It’s because it’s free,” Clarissa said wryly.  “People love a freebie.”

“That’s true, but you’re selling yourself short.  I overheard people asking you if they could subscribe, and I saw you taking down names.  How many subscriptions are you up to now?” Liana asked.

“Um, let’s see…”  Clarissa pulled out the notebook she had been jotting names down in and began to count.  “Fifty,” she declared a moment later.  “That’s not counting any subscriptions that may have been filled online,” she added.

“Fifty people subscribed to your paper in the first fifteen minutes after it went live?” Liana gasped.  “That is incredible! 
You
are incredible!”

“Make that fifty-one,” a familiar voice said from behind Clarissa.

She turned and saw Parker standing there.

“I’ve got to keep an eye on what the competition is doing,” he grinned, handing over her car keys.  “So this is the opportunity you were pursuing, is it?”

Clarissa’s heart sank.  “I probably should have told you,” she admitted.  “I didn’t want you to find out like this.  It wasn’t that it was a big secret, but I just…wanted it to be perfect and ready-to-go before I made any announcements about it.  I know that’s not an excuse but –”

“Relax, I’m not upset,” Parker interjected.  “Slightly scared maybe,” he joked.  “But a little healthy competition can be good motivation, right?  Congratulations on your success, Clarissa.  And I’m serious – sign me up for a subscription.”

He picked up a newspaper and read the big, bold headline on the front page out loud.

“‘Local Man Confesses to Killing Mayor’ – wow, talk about breaking news.  You must have been up all night getting this written,” Parker said, whistling under his breath.  “You’re dedicated to your work, I’ll give you that.”

“I
was
up all night,” Clarissa admitted, stifling a yawn.

“So I guess you don’t want to grab a bite with me,” Parker surmised.

“She’d love to grab a bite with you!” Liana piped up, practically shoving Clarissa toward Parker.  “She loves lunch!  Well, who doesn’t love lunch, right?  Anyway yes, go, eat!  Take your time - I’ll finish up here.”

Clarissa smiled and helplessly threw her hands up in defeat.  “I guess we’re having lunch,” she told Parker, making a mental note to do something very, very nice for Liana in the near future.  She really did have the best friend in the whole world.

Clarissa and Parker walked down the street to the little sandwich shop on the corner.  It was bustling with activity inside and out.  All the talk was, naturally, about Chase Preston.  It was evident that the residents of Sugarcomb Lake were having a hard time wrapping their heads around what the town’s golden boy had done.

“I never liked that Preston boy!” Clarissa heard Mrs. Meddler’s voice, shriller and louder than all the others.  “I always said right from the start there was something about him.  His eyes were too close together!” she declared.  “Never trust someone with beady little eyes!”

Clarissa started to giggle.  Trust grouchy old Mrs. Meddler to completely reinvent history whenever it suited her to do so.  The way that woman changed her story depending on which way the wind was blowing was downright absurd.  At least she kept things interesting.

“How do my eyes look?” Parker whispered in her ear.  Obviously he’d heard Mrs. Meddler too.

“You look good,” Clarissa grinned.

Parker winked.  “Thanks, so do you.”

She looked around at the crowded tables.  It was impossible to ignore the fact that a lot of people were staring at her.  Apparently word about her involvement in solving the crime was beginning to get out.  It looked as though she was going to be a bit of a local celebrity, at least until the townspeople were distracted by something or someone else.

“Do you maybe want to take these and eat outside?” Clarissa suggested as the sandwich shop owner handed over two delicious looking subs.  “I know it’s kind of cold, but –”

“It’s not that cold,” Parker insisted, instantly picking up on the fact that she wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention.  “How about we walk to the park and find a bench with a nice view?  Hopefully the pigeons won’t attack us for our sandwiches,” he joked.

They made the short walk to the quiet, well-kept park.  Colorful leaves swirled around them in the wind as they sat there and unpacked their sandwiches.  Thankfully the sun was bright and warm, making the brisk autumn day comfortable.

“So what’s next for you, Clarissa Spencer?”

“What do you mean?” she asked before taking a mouthful of delicious submarine sandwich.

“Well you’re accustomed to this wild and crazy life of adventure now,” Parker explained, his eyes twinkling.  “What are you going to do now that you don’t have airport brawls to get into and killers to catch?  Won’t you get bored?”

She thought it over while she chewed.  Upon swallowing, she replied, “I grew up here in Sugarcomb Lake.  I can see how it might be boring to someone like you who’s from the city.  But to me, this is home.  I don’t mind uneventful.  I expect life will go back to normal and that will be that,” she shrugged.

Suddenly Clarissa felt her phone vibrate inside her purse.

“Is everything okay?” Parker asked.

“Yes, fine.  That was just someone texting me, that’s all.”

“Feel free to check it,” he said.

“Are you sure?  You won’t think I’m being rude?”

“Go for it,” Parker encouraged her.  “I’m going to go share my sandwich with those birds over there,” he said, pointing.  “If I’m not back in sixty seconds call for help because the birds are probably eating me.”

Clarissa pulled out her phone.

She had a text message from her aunt wanting to know when they could have dinner together.

Hmm, on second thought, life wasn’t going to go back to normal.  In fact, Clarissa expected it might never be normal again.  Well, she would find a new normal…one that included levitating objects and magical potions and a quirky aunt who claimed they were both witches.

Chuckling to herself, Clarissa had to shake her head.  When had she become okay with that madness?  It was as if at some point she had accepted it as being normal.  Maybe that was a sign she was cracking up!

“What’s so funny?” Parker asked as he returned to the bench.  Behind him, the birds were eating the remnants of his submarine sandwich noisily and enthusiastically. 

“I uh…nothing,” Clarissa said, caught off guard.  She pulled a brown paper bag out of her purse and rolled her eyes.  “I completely forgot that I packed a lunch today,” she told him, smacking her forehead.  “Ah well, now I have lunch for tomorrow I guess.”

“Nice.  Pack anything good?” Parker asked, taking a seat next to her.

“Cookies,” she blushed.  “Want one?”

She opened the brown paper bag and immediately shut it again.

“What’s the matter?” Parker asked.

“Wrong bag,” she told him apologetically.  “I had two brown paper bags sitting on my kitchen counter.  One was full of cookies and the other was…”  She trailed off, unsure of how to admit she had been trying out various potions just for fun.

“Yes?” he prompted her.  Then he reached for the bag.

“Hey!” she protested, but it was too late.

Parker opened the bag and inspected the contents.  He looked really confused to see half a dozen small plastic containers filled with various powders and murky liquids.  Then he looked up at Clarissa, who was frozen stiff.  “I never took you for a science geek,” he teased.

She breathed a sigh of relief and took the bag back from him.

They were both done eating, but neither person was in a hurry to leave.  Instead they sat there in comfortable silence, both enjoying the view and each other’s company.

Clarissa looked down at the bag she was clutching tightly. 

She recalled making one potion in particular that had sounded awfully intriguing.  It had been one of several love-related potions in the book her aunt had given her.  It was called Love’s First Kiss.  It essentially allowed one to kiss a person and then sprinkle magical powder on them to make them forget that the kiss had ever happened.

Personally, Clarissa had thought the premise sounded rather creepy.  She had only made the potion to use up the ingredients she had picked up at the grocery store before they spoiled – not that the dried parsley would go bad.  She had been wise to forego the fresh stuff. 

Now that she was sitting so close to Parker and they were getting along, she was overcome by an urge to kiss him.  Every time he talked she found herself gazing longingly at his lips.  But the thought of making the first move terrified her and, well, after how she had treated him in the beginning she could hardly blame him if he wanted to keep his distance.

Suddenly the Love’s First Kiss potion didn’t seem like such a bad idea after all. 

Clarissa could kiss Parker and gauge his reaction.  That way she would know how he truly felt about her.  Then she could sprinkle the powder and make him forget all about the kiss.

The plan was actually pretty perfect.

She shivered in anticipation.

“Are you warm enough?” Parker asked.  “You can wear my coat if you want.”

Instead of answering, Clarissa took the plunge.  She knew if she didn’t act immediately, she would lose her nerve.  So without any warning, she leaned over and planted a kiss right on Parker Tweed’s lips.

At first he seemed understandably stunned – and then he kissed her back.

When the kiss ended, Clarissa’s nerves got the best of her.  She frantically got out the container of Love’s First Kiss, which was basically a mixture of parsley, sage, sea salt, cinnamon, hot pepper flakes and a few other items from the spice rack. 

With shaking hands, she unscrewed the top.  Then she dumped some of the powder into her cupped palm, took a deep breath and tossed it right at Parker.  Sure, it was a crazy thing to do.  But he wouldn’t remember anyway, so what did it matter?

Parker let out a yell and jumped to his feet.  He dusted off his coat as Clarissa looked on anxiously.  Then he sat back down and didn’t say another word about it.  Success!

“Are you ready to head back?” Clarissa asked, her face still burning and her heart pounding.  She felt warm and tingly all over after the kiss.  She could hardly keep her big, stupid grin from taking over her entire face.

“I suppose I should get back to the city,” Parker said reluctantly.  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Thanks again for driving it back to town for me,” Clarissa said gratefully. 

“It was no problem.  It was a nice morning for a drive.”

“How are you getting home?” she asked.

“Oh…I assumed you were driving me back to the city.”

Clarissa gave him a curious look.  “Oh?  Well I guess I can…”

“Ha no, I’m just kidding,” Parker assured her with a devilish smirk.  “I made arrangements.”

“Oh,” Clarissa laughed, feeling foolish.  “For a moment there I fell for you – I mean it.”

Parker grinned.  Then they rounded a corner and Clarissa’s car came into sight.  He gestured toward it.  “Your chariot awaits, madam,” he told her in a silly, abnormally deep voice.

“Alright, well I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” Clarissa said.

“I guess so,” Parker agreed.  He hesitated.  “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” she smiled, wondering if he was going to ask her out to dinner again.  She hoped so.  This time she would say yes without hesitation.  She hadn’t wanted to admit it before, but she really, really wanted to go to dinner with the handsome journalist.

Parker ran his hand through his hair.  He seemed to be struggling to find the right words.  Then, suddenly, he just blurted it out.  “Um…that thing with the cinnamon and whatever else it was…uh, what was that about?”

Clarissa’s mouth went dry.  “What?” she managed to croak.

“You threw cinnamon on me back there in the park, right?  You know, after you kissed me.”

Oh no! 

Clarissa’s eyes widened in horror when she realized the potion hadn’t worked.  That would teach her to use dried parsley when the recipe called for fresh stuff!  Now, not only did Parker remember the kiss, but he also remembered she had tossed a fistful of spices on him like a crazy lady immediately after.