Ax to Grind Read Online Free PDF Page B

Connor about her witch powers.  That she had a whole range of spells that could keep her out of danger.  The problem was, her mother had sworn her to secrecy.  Meg had to do her best to convince Connor of her safety in other ways. 
    “Trust me, I’m going to be as careful as possible.  Besides, I have a little help if I need it.”
    She pulled a can of pepper spray out of her purse. 
    That did not ease Connor’s fears.  Worry was still all over his face. 
    “All right,” he said. 
    She smiled.  “Good.”
    He stopped her.  “I wasn’t finished.  If you insist on investigating this case, we’re doing it together.”
    “Are you saying you want to be my sidekick?” she joked. 
    “If anything, you’d be my sidekick.”
    “Does that mean you’re going to deputize me?”
    “Don’t push your luck.  If we were in the city, I could get in serious trouble for this.”
    “It’s a good thing we’re in Enchanted Bay then, isn’t it?”
    “If anyone asks, you’re a special advisor on this case,” Connor explained. 
    “I like the sound of that.  I almost want to put in on a business card,” Meg joked.
    “Don’t make me regret this.”
    “Don’t worry.  I’m the most professional amateur sleuth you’ve ever worked with.”
    “That doesn’t make me feel as confident as you seem to think it does.”  He switched gears.  “We should really get down to work.”
    “Before we do, I have to make a stop first,” Meg insisted. 

 
    Chapter Ten
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Meg knew she’d be in for an earful when she told her mother about her plans.  At the same time, she couldn’t hide the truth from her mom.  That made for an anxiety-filled ride over to the donut shop.  At least for her.  Connor was too busy letting his mouth water as he let his donut cravings get the best of him. 
    When they arrived at the shop, Connor was easily distracted with a jelly donut while Meg pulled her mother into the back office. 
    Concern was all over Beth Walton’s face the moment Meg revealed what was going on. 
    “Oh, dear.  Here we go again,” Beth bemoaned. 
    That was a much more muted response than Meg expected.  Beth was far from having a gung-ho attitude about her daughter’s intended sleuthing, but Meg would gladly take this scenario over the full meltdown she expected to see from her mom. 
    Beth had been careful over the years to make sure the general public didn’t find out she was a witch.  She was afraid if her secret got out, she’d be persecuted.  Beth urged her daughter to do the same.  By putting herself in harm’s way, Meg might find herself in a position where she’d need to use her witch powers to keep herself safe, in turn revealing she was a witch in the process.   
    “I know you’d rather that I sit this one out, but you do understand why I’m doing this, don’t you?” Meg asked. 
    Beth reluctantly nodded.  “That doesn’t mean I like it.”
    “I don’t like it either, but what else am I supposed to do?”
    Beth laughed. 
    Meg furrowed her brow.  “What’s so funny?”
    “The fact that you’re dating a detective, yet you still feel the need to investigate this case yourself,” Beth explained. 
    “That’s because I have one thing that Connor doesn’t.”
    “A stubborn streak as wide as the San Andreas fault?” Beth joked. 
    Meg shook her head.  “I was going to say that I have spells at my disposal.”
    Beth gritted her teeth and remained quiet, even though every fiber of her being wanted to beg her daughter to reconsider.  She exhausted her will power and managed to keep her mouth shut.   
    Meg was pleasantly surprised.  “It’s good to see you’re not arguing with me like last time.”
    “If I thought I had even the slightest chance of changing your mind, I’d argue with you all day to stay out of this.  I’ve seen that stubborn look in your eyes before, and I know I’d have a better chance of selling an Eskimo a Hawaiian