A Ghoulish Midlife (Witching After Forty #1) - Lia Davis Page 0,30

loud. And please, Universe, I hope he didn’t lose a body part.

“What was that?” Olivia asked.

I masked my features and quickly said, “Either my cat or the house misbehaving.” Damn it, it was definitely Alfred. The room he was in was right over the kitchen.

Her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. “The house… misbehaving?”

How was it she knew I was a witch but didn’t know the house was magical? After all it was one of the local legends. “Yeah, I think it’s mad that I’m selling.”

She giggled nervously. “The house is mad?”

I shrugged while hiding my smirk because it was way too much fun messing with her. Then I had a change of heart and filled her in on the truth about the magical old Victorian. “It’s been in the family for a long time. And you know my family are all witches.”

She eyed me carefully and nodded, so I continued. “My great, great, great grandparents built the house over a thousand years ago.”

Maybe it hadn’t been that long, but that was the story my mother told me, so I passed it on. Olivia lifted a brow while her lips twisted in a small smile. “A thousand years?”

“Yes, at least that is the story passed down to each generation. So that’s how I’m telling it.” I wrinkled my nose at her, making her laugh. It was a good thing they weren’t drinking alcohol. “So, as I was saying. Way back when my great times four or five—I’m not really sure—grandmother came over from Ireland, they settled here and built this house overlooking the ocean. It’s said that spells were weaved into the wood as it was built, making the house magical. It would protect the witches who lived here.”

Olivia started at me with her mouth open and brows drawn together. Disbelief rolled off her in waves. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Now I’m sure it’s only been a few hundred years. My mom told me that version of the story, so it’s the one I told Wallie. He didn’t believe me either. But the house really was built by my ancestors and is magical to the point it acts alive. Although I thought it was Aunt Winnie’s magic that kept it alive.”

Then I told her about the house scaring off the construction crew. Olivia laughed so hard that I thought she would fall out of her chair.

We talked about nothing and everything for another hour, sharing laughs at other people’s expenses. By the time I waved goodbye to Olivia from the front porch, I was no longer sure if she was annoying or if I appreciated that she’d come to distract me all evening. My mood had certainly lifted thanks to Olivia.

Damn it. I didn’t need friends.

After closing the door and locking it, I sent out my sense to make sure the windows were all locked. Not that anyone would dare break into this house. Old Vicky wouldn’t let them.

I stood in the center of the living room. It was where the heart of the house’s magic was. “Vicky, you really should be nice to the construction workers.”

The floorboards under my feet shook. Her magic reached out, wrapping around me like a hug. The house definitely didn’t want new owners.

I sighed. “Look, I get it. But I can’t maintain two houses and my life is in Philly.”

The walls shook then, telling me she was not accepting that answer. Ugh. “Okay, but you still need repairs done. I’ll figure out something.”

That seemed to satisfy the house because a low hum of pleasant magic swirled around me.

I hoped the old house forgave me after I sold her. Maybe I could find a way to release the magic from the house. Then I wouldn't have to worry about it scaring off the buyers.

Sounded like a plan. I was totally adding it to my growing to-do list.

Chapter Ten

“Shut up,” I yelled at my phone and threw the blanket over my head. It was way too damn early. I’d set my alarm for nine, but the sun was barely peeking over the horizon.

Finally, it stopped ringing, to my intense relief. I snuggled back down into my pillow and dozed off almost instantly.

Seconds later, the shrill ringing filled the air again. Groaning, I reached out and pushed the answer button, then speaker. “‘Lo?”

“Good morning!”

It was Olivia. For the love of everything unholy. Of course, it was Olivia. I needed to put a special ringtone on her phone number, so I’d know never to answer her call. But knowing