A Ghoulish Midlife (Witching After Forty #1) - Lia Davis Page 0,42

my cat immortal? How was that even possible?

We cleaned up the blood as I kept glancing at Snooze, shocked that he healed from a fatal bullet wound.

When Snooze jumped up on the table and tried to get after Alfred’s string again, I knew he was fine.

“So, Sam,” I said once everything was clean. “Come eat and I’ll tell you all about Alfred.”

Owen stood in the doorway nervously, dry washing his hands. “Can I join you?” he asked.

I walked over to the older man and touched his hand. “Not only can you join us, but you’re staying with me. You can’t go back to the lighthouse, and I know that woman knows where we are, but we’ll be stronger in numbers.”

He threw his arms around me. “Thank you, Ava. You’re a good person.”

I didn’t know about a good person, but I tried to do the right thing. Aunt Winnie and Yaya would’ve had it no other way.

Feeling better about doing one good deed, I stared at Sam until he shifted uncomfortably in his chair across from me.

He hung his head. “I’m sorry, Ava. I freaked out. William’s murder has me stressed. When was the last time our small town had a murder? Not in my lifetime.”

I reached over the table and covered his hand. He turned it over and squeezed mine in return. Spearing a quick glance at Olivia, I watched for a hint of jealousy. Although she stared at Sam and my linked hands, she wasn’t jealous. Maybe she had changed. I have a feeling Sam is the reason. Well, part of it.

“Sam, it’s not okay to shoot in the house, but I forgive you this one time.”

Olivia shook her head. “I’m still mad.”

Sam let go of my hand and wrapped an arm around his wife, kissing her on the corner of her mouth. Then he whispered something that made Olivia’s cheeks color. I so didn’t want to know what he said.

Little Sammie chose that moment to spill his drink. The red fruit juice flowed over the table and right into Sam’s lap. I snorted and pointed at Sam, “Karma has your number.”

Just then, Alfred rushed over with a towel to clean up the table and floor. He eyed Sam the whole time.

“So, what is his deal?” Sam asked, pointing to the ghoul.

“Alfred, this is my best friend, Sam.” Alfred grunted and dropped a clean towel in Sam’s lap before leaving the room. I laughed. I was beginning to like Alfred more and more. “I inherited Alfred from William.”

Owen and I filled Sam in on the witch hunter and our theories that William was killed by magic and that we didn’t know why.

Sam said, “You know that you are a possible target now. I’ll look into the mysterious woman. Does Clint have video surveillance in the store?”

Frowning, I shook my head. “No, just the standard alarm on the doors and windows.”

“Don’t investigate this on your own.” Sam glanced at me then Olivia. He apparently knew us better than anyone.

I gave him a sweet smile. “Why would I do that?”

If that crazy lady thought she was going to come at me, she was certifiably insane. And she deserved to be taught a lesson on why coming to my hometown and killing my dear old friend and beating up Owen wasn’t something I’d let go easily.

And if it meant unlocking powers that scared the shit out me to protect my town, I would.

Chapter Fifteen

It was bright and early the next morning. Seriously bright. Every curtain in every downstairs window was pulled back to allow the sun to stream in. I was tempted to put on some shades.

Alfred had just set a plate of eggs and sausage in front of me at the table when the doorbell rang. I sighed and started to get up, but Owen held up a hand. “The least I can do is answer the door.”

I smiled and settled back down. The construction crew was due soon, so Alfred would have to get upstairs and out of view, but it wasn’t even six yet. Why was anyone out and about at this hour?

For that matter, why was I up?

Oh, yeah. The smell of coffee lured me from my slumber.

“Alfred,” I muttered. “We gotta teach you to sleep in.”

He huffed a little air through his nose. Clearly, he disagreed with me about early mornings. Only I would get a ghoul who is a morning person.

Olivia rushed into the room. “They just called Sam into work super early,” she said in a