“Sure, I’d love to. I’ve got to figure out what I want for my upcoming wedding too, and how to navigate my mother. I love her, but she wants a larger, more regal wedding than either I or my fiancé wants. It’s a fineline, right, Belinda?” Christina had her arm linked with Mrs. Edwards’s. She’d done it again. With Christina’s help, this meeting might be more agreeable than Mia had expected.
Christina took the last croissant and followed Mia back into her office. “Don’t look at me; I didn’t have a big breakfast.”
“I made you an omelet after I made Mark’s.” Mia held up her hands. “Your body, your rules. Thanks for the help with Mrs. Edwards. I thought she was going to demand changes, but all she wanted was some hand-holding.”
“She just wants the day to be perfect for her little girl.” Christina sighed. “I wish my mom had the same determination to make sure I was happy. Now she’s pushing me to get my wedding dress so we can make sure that with the right support wear, no one knows. And she’s moved up the wedding date. She’s going to call me when she gets ahold of the event coordinator at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Boise. She hopes they’ll have a slot, but she’s not optimistic. I didn’t want to remind her that she was the one who pushed it out so far because of Dad’s business meetings.”
“As soon as you have a day for the wedding here, let me know and I’ll put it on the Lodge’s calendar. How’s Levi doing with the whole baby thing?” Mia booted up her computer and started reading her emails. Most went into the trash.
“Surprisingly good. Somehow, I get the idea that he knew, or at least expected this. I thought he’d be all, ‘Iman, you woman.’ But instead, he’s talking about going back to school and getting a real degree so he can work in an office rather than as a first responder. I’m a little scared.”
“Of Levi settling down? You should be. Although I think Abigail is more surprised than you are. She’s always treated him like the baby and didn’t give him a lot of responsibility until he had to take over the family magic line. Then she wanted him to act like a grownup. I think he needed a reason to make those decisions.”
“Like the babies.” Christina closed her eyes.
“Yes and no. I think you are the reason. He loves you, and the babies are an added blessing.” Mia focused on work as Christina took a book out of her tote and started reading. A knock on the door at noon made her look up.
“Lunch delivery,” the girl said as she pushed in a cart with salads, sandwiches, a tureen of soup, and two entrées. “Where can I set this up?”
“We didn’t order lunch.” Mia stood and took the order sheet. It had come from Blake. Was the lunch her way of apologizing? Or was she just trying to look good to Christina? “I’d say the email from your company must have hit Blake’s inbox.”
“Whatever caused it, I’m starving.” Christina cleared her book and papers off the small table. “You can set it here. Mia, do you have sparkling water in your fridge?”
As they settled and started eating, Christina paused between mouthfuls. “Did you and Blake talk yet? Because if not, maybe you should wait until after I stop being your bodyguard. James’s food is amazing.”
“We already talked. She’s still freaked out about a succubus finding her. I’ve talked to her personal demon, and I don’t think he’s going to be bothering her anymore, but I guess even witches can have PTSD.” Mia focused on her salad.
Christina didn’t say anything for a few minutes. “She had a bad experience, huh?”
Mia didn’t want to tell Blake’s story because it wasn’t hers to tell, but sometimes knowing that another person had their own battles helped people understand them. “Yes, she had it bad. It doesn’t excuse all the stuff she’s done, but it does help explain her behavior. I told her that she had one more chance and if I caught her messing with me again, I’d be gone. And I’d report her. Like Levi said, there’s a rule against attacking other witches.”
“I know I don’t have a lot of knowledge about the coven system, but someone broke that rule both with your testing and with killing Suzanne Parker.”
CHAPTER13
With the rehearsal dinner menu in hand, Mia headed to the kitchen to see if Finn was ready to go home. She waved at her from the line.
“Sorry, I’m stealing your cook.” James came up behind Mia and handed her a bag of cookies. “For your trouble and your friend. My staff says she’s loving the food we’ve been delivering.”
“Christina has always loved your food, James. But thank you for the cookies. Let Finn know if she doesn’t have a ride home to call me and someone will come pick her up.” She took the bag. “Her van is still being fixed. I think she’s paying for a part and service after every paycheck.”
“It’s hard to be broke. Good thing she’s young so working so many hours isn’t wearing her down. Although as talented as she is, I don’t think she’ll ever want for a job. Has she considered culinary school?” James adjusted his watch as he glanced at the time.
“She’s starting in the fall. She talked to Christina about the details, and if she stays with me at the academy, she should be able to afford it.”
“I’m in a group of chefs that offers scholarships to promising students. I’ll put her name in. Is she going to Twin Falls Tech?” James put a note on the planner he kept in the kitchen.
“I think that’s the plan. You should tell her you’re putting her up for the scholarship. It would mean a lot.” Mia turned to leave, but James stopped her.
“I’m putting her in, which means she’ll get one. Whether or not she gets another one is up to her. I’ll drive her home after this shift. Thanks for the loaner.” James watched the kitchen as he talked.
“You should be thanking Abigail, not me. I’m surprised Mia’s Morsels didn’t have an event today,” Mia admitted.
“From what I hear, you’re booked every other weekend this month.” He shrugged when Mia turned to look at him. “I check on things. Especially things regarding one of my favorite substitutes.”
“Well, you’re more on top of the schedule than I am.” Mia frowned as she said the words. She needed to know these things. Abigail may be Mia’s Morsels’s manager, but Mia was the owner.
“I’m just glad you’re back to work. I guess you didn’t have measles?” Now James was looking at her, and probably looking for spots.
