Rhonda Hopkins - A Witchy Surprise

A WITCHY SURPRISE

Copyright 2020 Rhonda Hopkins

Killer Ink Press

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, institutions, or incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9996934-2-1

Cover Designer: Bridgette OHare at Dark Unicorn Designs

For Kay Rifkin

Without your encouragement from the beginning, this and my other books would still be floating around in my head. Thank you for your unfailing friendship.

Mystery is at the heart of creativity. That, and surprise.

~Julia Cameron

Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.

~Boris Pasternak.

Sometimes you surprise yourself with what you can handle, and if you come out the other end with some wisdom, then it's not such a bad thing.

~Boy George

C ackling, laughter, and high-pitched squealing came from our backyard as I stepped outside just in time to snatch Babette, our miniature pig, out of the air.

What the heck is going on? I cuddled Babette to me, her squeals slowly ratcheting down as she pushed her warm velvety snout into my neck. I hugged her closer, and she quieted.

Even at ten oclock in the morning, the scorching Texas heat had me sweltering in seconds. Backing up, I opened the screen door and set Babette gently inside before turning to face the dastardly duo in the yard. My cousin Danu bent at the waist with her hands on her knees, laughing so hard she had tears streaming down her face. My great-grandmother, who was definitely old enough to know better, cackled the laugh of the wicked witch she sometimes was.

What in heavens name do you two think youre doing? Youve probably traumatized Babette for life. Folding my arms across my chest I stood looking at them, my bare foot tapping against the wooden beams of the wrap-around porch.

Oh, dont be a spoilsport, Charley. Grandma Ruby huffed and rolled her eyes. She sometimes acted like a teenager rather than someone in her seventies.

Even though you don't see pigs flying by very often, or ever - not even in Whispering Pines - I'm still surprised it took so long for me to notice Grandma Rubys attire. When I did my eyes nearly popped right out of my head. She wore her signature ruby red, of course. Only today, the color spanned a pair of shorts. Short shorts. I mean, really, really short. A black halter-top adorned with red ladybugs and black combat boots finished off the outfit. Blue veins ran down the length of her pasty white legs.

In my shock, I couldnt speak. I scanned the backyard and sighed in relief when the high wooden fence and trees surrounding the five-acre property came into view. Then I remembered Mom had put a concealment spell on the backyard to prevent neighbors from catching sight of my cousin and great-grandmother experimenting with Danus powers. They had both gotten in trouble for disrespecting magic and using it inappropriately. For some reason, my mom and Aunt Nadine thought making them work together for the summer would straighten them both out. If you ask me, it had been a colossal failure.

I stepped down one step and sat on the porch, placing my head in my hands. I breathed in and out several times.

When I felt calmer, I sat up straight. Grandma Ruby, what are you wearing? You havent left the house like that have you? I was trying not to be disrespectful in my panic, but with school starting back in a couple of weeks, I didnt want the kids teasing me about my crazy great-grandma on the first day. I had my whole senior year ahead of me for that.

What? Its hot out here. Besides, I think I look good. She twirled around and Danu reached out to steady her as she tilted to one side.

As she turned, I got a good view of Grandma Ruby. Way more than I wanted to see. Fortunately, her boobs werent that big, so they didnt sag down like some of my friends older female relatives. Still, the side view of her and the glimpse of butt cheek were a little more than I needed to see. Ever.

Shaking my head, I remembered Babette. Focus, Charley. Why was Babette flying through the air?

Well, Miss Nosy, I told Danu she had to get over her fear of flying and get on the broom and she said, When pigs fly. So Grandma Ruby waved her arms in front of her as if it was a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Danus laugh burst into the silence that followed. Im still not getting on that broom, you old witch.

Better an old witch than a scared witch. Grandma Ruby bent over to pick up the broom lying on the ground and I slapped a hand over my eyes.

Seriously, the woman needed to put on some more clothes.

I peeked through my fingers and found her upright again. I lowered my arm and stood. You know... Moms not going to be happy when she finds out what you did to her familiar. I stepped back onto the porch and walked to the door, opening it.

Well, dont be a tattletale! Grandma Ruby shouted at me.

Just before the door closed I looked over my shoulder and said, I wont have to say a word. Babette will tell her. Glancing through the screen I saw Grandma Ruby frown which made me smile. Things should be entertaining when Mom got home.

I walked to the fridge and opened the door. I wasnt really hungry, just frustrated, and needed something to do. Spying the new jug of tomato juice, I pushed some items around until I could pull it out. No one but Dad and me liked tomato juice, so it was a treat when we had it in the house. I poured a large glass and took a long sip before putting the container back in the refrigerator.

I really wish I had a friend I could confide in on days like today. Oh, I had friends. Id grown up in this town and knew most everyone thanks to my dad being Chief of Police and my mom owning a shop in town.

My two best friends... well, one best friend, and one... well, I just dont know how to label the other. Graces mom and mine have been best friends since they were kids and with Grace and I being born only a month apart, wed know each other our entire lives. With her, I have a double bonus, a best friend who has been like a sister. Even as close as we were, I wasnt allowed to tell her about our familys magical heritage.

And then there was Jackson. Jackson was complicated. Wed been friends since the first day of Kindergarten. We were inseparable. Until the beginning of the summer, that is. Last year, I found myself falling for him. You know... like falling, falling. I fought it because it scared me to think I might ruin what we had. Turns out, I might have messed it up, anyway.