Spells and Scones Read Online Free PDF

get down.
    â€œWhat is the matter with you?” I hissed.
    He kicked, and I had to stoop quickly to set him on the floor so he wouldn’t fall. He scooted away. I grabbed for him, but he was too fast. Just beyond my reach under the buffet, he whirled to face me, sat down, and tipped his head to one side as if to say,
See? I’m being good.
    Lucy and Declan approached. “Everything all right over here?” my boyfriend asked.
    I regarded my familiar suspiciously. “Fine and dandy. Right, Mungo?”
    The dog delivered a soft grunt and grinned up at me.
    I gave him a hard look.
    He kept grinning.
    Taking him at his grunt, I left Declan to chat with Ben while I set out a few more savory Greek scones. I inhaled the scent of rosemary and admired the pretty flecks of green in the golden triangles. Rosemary promoted fidelity, among other things, but Lucy and I hadn’t cast any spells to trigger that element of the plant. Now, looking around at the avid faces of Dr. Dana’sfans, I wondered if they were all having trouble in their relationships, and I wished we had focused on that aspect of the herb.
    Margie moved to the head of the line and eagerly handed her book to the author. Relief settled over me. My neighbor and her husband were obviously head-over-heels in love even after three children and a trucking job that took him away for days at a time. Margie was simply starstruck by meeting a celebrity, and, more than likely, others were here to see Dr. Dana for the same reason.
    At least I hoped so.
    A few minutes later, I looked up to see Dr. Dana’s pixie-haired female heckler, the one Mungo had been so interested in, marching up to the head of the line. Unlike everyone else, she wasn’t holding a book.
    â€œHey! Wait your turn!” a man who had been standing patiently for several minutes protested. Margie, who had been excitedly discussing something with her idol, fell silent.
    The dark-haired woman whirled to face us with her hands on her hips. “My name is Angie Kissel, and I’m here to tell you that this woman is a fraud, people! She has no up-to-date qualifications as a therapist, and her
doctorate
isn’t even in psychology, for heaven’s sake. Dana Dobbs is a sham whose goal is simply to take your money, not help you with your marriage.”
    Dr. Dana’s face went stark white, and even from across the room I could see the bottle of water in her hand was shaking.
    Margie’s lips parted in surprise, and then anger flared in her eyes. “Listen here, lady,” she started, but Dr. Dana interrupted her.
    â€œYou horrible woman!” She stood and pointed herfinger. “I’m warning you. Leave me alone, or I’ll get that restraining order we threatened. I’m not kidding, Ms. Kissel. I will see you behind bars if you continue to harass me.”
    As she spoke, Nate Dobbs took a step forward. He looked furious. Across the room, Phoebe started hurrying toward her sister.
    Croft Barrow stepped in. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, ma’am,” he said with a scowl, and reached for the interloper’s arm.
    Angie Kissel jerked away from him and marched to the front door. Yanking it open, she stepped across the threshold. At the last moment, she turned and regarded the silently watching group. “I’m just trying to help. Don’t let her fool you.” She pulled the door closed and was gone.
    â€œThank you,” the author said to Croft in a shaky voice. Then she cleared her throat, took a sip of water, and turned back to Margie. Slowly, her husband stepped back to lean against the wall again, while Phoebe whipped out her cell and began murmuring into it.
    â€œWow. Quite the drama,” Declan said in a low voice.
    â€œNo kidding. I hope it doesn’t hurt sales,” Ben said.
    â€œMmm-hmm,” I said, watching Mungo. He was on his feet, gazing at the front door as if there was bacon on the other