wicked witches 07.5 - christmas witch Read Online Free PDF Page A

a lot of things you shouldn’t do,” Winnie interjected.
    “Like what?”
    “Yeah, like what?” I asked, echoing Thistle.
    “Like making wine in the basement,” Clove teased, grinning as she poured syrup on her pancakes.
    “And dancing naked under the full moon when she thinks no one is watching,” Bay chimed in.
    “That’s gross, by the way,” Thistle said. “They make horror movies about stuff like that.”
    Winnie leaned back so she could give Thistle her best “you’ve gone too far, little lady” look. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
    “You’re too old to be running around naked,” Thistle said. “It’s … scary.”
    “I didn’t know things were supposed to hang that low until I saw Aunt Tillie try to dance like Michael Jackson on Halloween,” Clove said. “I thought those were zombies of a different kind.”
    “Hey!”
    “She was bad,” Thistle said, laughing at her own joke.
    “All right, that will be enough of that,” I said, reaching over to Thistle’s plate and stealing a slice of bacon. “I’ll have you know that I’m in prime shape and people would be lucky to see me naked.”
    Someone near the kitchen door cleared a throat, drawing my attention from my great-nieces. Walkerville’s lone full-time police officer, Terry Davenport, stood in the doorway next to Marnie and he looked as if he wished he could go back in time to miss my last statement. Hmm. He should be so lucky as to get a gander at my gams when the moon is full.
    “Hi, Terry,” Winnie said, her voice unnaturally bright. “What a nice surprise. Would you like some breakfast?”
    Terry didn’t get a chance to respond, because Marnie moved in on him and cut off Winnie’s path off in the process.
    “Of course he wants breakfast,” Marnie said. “He loves it when I cook him breakfast.”
    “He loves it when I cook him breakfast,” Winnie corrected.
    I tried to tamp down my irritation as I watched the spectacle unfold. Terry was a good man, a great man even. My nieces act like dogs in heat whenever he’s around, though. It was undignified … and annoying. I have no idea what they would do if one of them ever actually caught the man.
    “Breakfast sounds great,” Terry said, shooting me a small smile as he settled next to Bay. “How is my favorite girl?”
    Bay glanced at him, her face unreadable. Ever since her father left Bay has been drawn to Terry. I have no idea why. Whatever it is, Terry is good for her. He encourages her and shows an interest in her life. I think that’s what Bay needs right now, even if she doesn’t realize it.
    “I’m worried,” Bay admitted.
    Terry lifted an eyebrow. “What are you worried about?”
    “Santa Claus is missing,” Clove supplied, her round cheeks quivering as she grimaced. “We’re all very worried he’s not going to come back in time to give us our puppy.”
    “What puppy?” Terry looked confused.
    “There is no puppy,” I said. “You’re not getting a puppy. Stop whining about the puppy. We don’t have room for a puppy.”
    “If we have room for you, we have room for a puppy,” Thistle countered.
    Terry pursed his lips to keep from laughing and turned back to Bay. “Are you worried about Santa Claus being missing?”
    “I know that Mr. Hill isn’t really Santa Claus,” Bay replied. “I don’t believe in Santa Claus.”
    “Don’t start that again,” I warned.
    Bay rolled her eyes and ignored me. “The Christmas party needs a Santa Claus. Mr. Hill always plays Santa Claus. If he’s really missing … well … Christmas will be ruined.”
    Something about Bay’s expression tugged at my heart. It was an odd feeling. “I already told you that Christmas won’t be ruined,” I reminded her. “Mr. Hill was probably drunk and forgot where he was supposed to be. We’ll all make sure he doesn’t make that mistake again.”
    “Well … .” Terry forced a smile for Bay’s benefit and then turned in my direction. “I’m not sure