A Reckless Witch - By Debora Geary Page 0,86
hip-openers classes, thanks to you.”
Devin wasn’t entirely sure what hip openers were. He didn’t plan to find out, either. “What’s Nat got to do with this?”
His brother’s eyes gleamed. “I bet you’d stick to your itinerant-bachelor ways until the New Year. Figured it was a sure thing.”
Crap. Nothing got past Nat. Now they were neck-deep in difficult-conversation territory. Devin fought the urge to squirm. “It’s no big deal.”
“Yeah.” Jamie’s eyes danced with mirth. “You stick with that story. It might even work, at least until Mom gets here tomorrow.”
Damn, damn, damn. Devin tried to look desperate. It wasn’t hard. “I was hoping you really could use some help with Realm. Give me a little cover.”
“Oh, we totally need the help.” Jamie was a hairsbreadth from collapsing in laughter again. “With the new WitchNet stuff and Net magic on the prowl in Realm, there’s plenty to do, and I’m gonna be kind of busy for a while.” He sobered a little. “What about the clinic?”
That was one of the few easy parts of this decision. “Mom, Dad, and Matt can easily run the place without me. I was useful when we were setting up, but I’m no healer, and Dad does great with all the back-room stuff.”
“Well, we’ll gladly take you in.” Jamie paused a beat. “You know Mom’s not going to believe it for one second.”
He could always hope. “Leave me with my fantasies, will you?”
His brother grinned. “If you’re really lucky, Nat will go into labor and provide a distraction for you.”
Devin groaned. Retha Sullivan was about as distractible as a charging elephant.
Jamie reached casually for the TV remote. “How does Lauren feel about this?”
And that would be the next wave of difficult crashing over his head. “She doesn’t know yet.”
To his relief, Jamie didn’t start laughing again. He just nodded. “She’s more cautious than you are.”
Yeah. “Everyone’s more cautious than I am.”
“On some things.” Jamie was quiet a moment. “But I stood in Lauren’s living room and told her she was a witch. Expected her to run like hell or drop-kick me out of her apartment.”
Clearly she hadn’t done either. And Devin held tight to one other ray of hope. “She channels for Aervyn.”
Jamie nodded. “Yeah. She’s not reckless. Not even a little. But she knows how to ride a tornado.”
Devin hoped he was just a small funnel. Ah, screw that. He’d just have to hope Lauren liked the man he was. “Am I crazy?” He was pretty sure the answer to that was yes.
“Yup.” Jamie grinned. “Crazier now than before? Nah. Lauren’s about as cool as they come.”
And Nat’s best friend. “Anybody going to threaten me with a shotgun or ask my intentions?”
“Not me. The woman’s a mind witch. If she wants, she could have you down on your knees begging in an instant.” Jamie propped his feet on the coffee table. “And I’ve seen her wield a tape measure.”
It was probably bad that one of your favorite “date” memories with someone involved chasing three shrieking girls around with a glittery measuring tool. Devin sighed. “Is this what growing up feels like?”
“Nat says you grew up a long time ago, and everyone but you knows it.” Jamie wedged himself more comfortably in the chair. “Basketball or women’s beach volleyball?”
Devin stared, disconcerted. “You’re sure your wife isn’t a witch?”
Jamie grinned. “She also says you’ll make a great uncle, and you should come to hip-openers class with me so she can keep an eye on you.” He pitched his chip bag into a corner garbage can. “And yeah—that’s pretty much my wife with a shotgun. Watch your step.”
Devin sighed. That’d be a lot easier to do if he had any idea where the hell he was walking.
~ ~ ~
Her black cohosh supply was running low. Sophie stacked the jar in the small pile of supplies to refill.
“I don’t think our Nat will be needing the cohosh,” said Moira, rocking in a nearby chair. “Fire witchlings don’t usually need any help speeding things up.”
“A wise midwife once taught me to be prepared for anything.” Sophie smiled, her fingers continuing to sort jars. “And the cohosh is good for hemorrhaging, too.”
“Aye. Always a worry when the babe’s in a hurry.”
Sophie looked at the resupply pile. None of it really needed refilling. She was restless and had hoped checking the contents of her bags would be soothing. “You’d think I’m the one giving birth, with all the nesting I’m doing.”
Moira sipped her tea. “You think we’re going to have another Solstice babe?”
Aervyn