A Witching Well of Magic: A Cozy Mystery (Witchy Women of Coven Grove Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

walked back up the path to the tour office.
    But she looked back several times, for some reason nervous about him being down there alone. It was probably nothing, of course. But Aiden Rivers just didn’t seem entirely… ordinary.
     

Chapter 4
    Bailey spent the rest of the afternoon at the library, trying to occupy her attention with the menial task of re-shelving books rather than agonizing over whether she would be back in her old job. It was more than a matter of keeping an eye on Aiden, if she was being honest. She missed the Caves. Oh, sure, she spent plenty of time there still, but introducing new people to their mystery and entirely mundane, everyday magic was thrilling. It was like vicariously going back to her own childhood every time. Especially for the children in the groups.
    Going back there now, often with the witches, the caves were still magical to her—even more so, in fact—but some of the mystery was gone for her. Long unanswered questions, now answered at least in part, somehow managed to make the Caves seem strangely less mysterious; less magical. It was odd, she thought, that she should feel that way, but there it was. There was, she supposed, always more allure in the unknown. Funny how that held up even now.
    She heard the front door to the library open and close from within the non-fiction section—gardening books were hot this time of year and in the spring. Avery was at the desk, so she didn’t need to get distracted by it, but a moment later she heard Aiden’s already familiar, distinct baritone and near-British lilt. The library wasn’t enormous, and his voice carried a bit when he spoke.
    “ Hello there,” Aiden said.
    “ Hello,” Avery answered. “How can I help you?”
    “ Well, for one you can tell me where you got that shirt,” Aiden said. “It’s refreshing to see someone else with a sense of style in this little town.”
    She couldn’t see it, but Bailey imagined Avery blushing. He didn’t respond right away. She also reassessed Aiden yet again. Or maybe he was just like that with everyone?
    “ Geeze,” Avery said after a moment. “You are a charmer. I deduce therefore that you must be Aiden Rivers.”
    “ Well dressed and clever,” Aiden said, a smile in his voice. Probably Avery was losing his mind. Bailey grinned at the thought before she remembered that she was suspicious of the shameless flirt. “You’re correct. Pleased to meet you…?”
    “ Avery Lee. Pleased to meet you. Are you looking for a book or… just out about town?”
    “ In fact, Avery,” Aiden said glibly, “I’m looking for Bailey Robinson, and word on the street is that she is often to be found here. Is that so?”
    “ She’s here,” Avery said. The front desk bell rang, a silvery note of summoning, though Avery knew Bailey could probably hear them.
    She set a small stack of books back on the cart and found herself brushing her hair into some kind of presentable shape with her fingers as she made her way to the front. When she poked her head out from the shelves she made an effort to look pleasantly surprised. “Oh, hello,” she chimed at Aiden. “Fancy meeting you here.” That was silly; she resolved not to try being clever in the future. That was Avery’s racket.
    Aiden smiled brightly when he saw her, and cocked his head a little to one side as she approached, appraising. “So, you’re a librarian on the side. That explains it.”
    “ Explains what?” She asked.
    He tapped his temple. “All this.” The way he said it, she had a sudden thrill of panic that he meant her ability. But, no, he couldn’t. “Only a librarian could be so smartly thorough on a subject.”
    “ Which subject is that?” Avery asked for her. He was already shifting back and forth on his feet with excitement. Bailey wasn’t quite ready to jump to any conclusions.
    “ The Caves,” Aiden said. He leaned on the front desk a little, it was about rib-high on him, and settled onto one elbow, the other