“How’s my favorite Goth princess?” Mark leaned back in his chair.
“Pregnant.” Christina sipped her coffee. “With twin girls.”
Mia started laughing at Mark’s face. “You look like you swallowed something big. Em should have some playmates soon.”
Mark eyed Mia. “Are you pregnant too?”
“No. No way, no how. I’m good.” Mia held up her hands like a barrier. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I guess Christina is letting the cat out of the bag.”
“Congrats to you and Levi.” Mark let out a breath. “Being a parent changes your world.”
“I’ve had enough of change. I have no idea what to do, so who knows what will happen.” Christina sat down and unwrapped a muffin.
Mark went on to tell Christina all his parenting war stories, including ones about the birthing process. Finally, when he left, Christina stared at Mia. “I can’t do this.”
“You can do this if you want. I’m not an angel, so I’m not trying to sway you one way or the other, butnever say you can’t do this. You’re one of the strongest women I know. You made your own path even when dealing with your mother, and you’ve become an amazing young woman.” Mia squeezed Christina’s hands. “Ready to go to the Lodge and see what trouble we can find? I need to talk to Blake and find out what she’s doing to me and why.”
“And I need to get to work,” Finn said, walking into the room. “Why were the police just here? I didn’t come out because they freak me out.”
“Mark’s a friend. He came for breakfast. Now I have a list of people I need to talk to. Christina’s driving, so let’s go.” Mia tucked her laptop and her notebook into her tote and threw Finn a bottle of water.
When they got to the Lodge, the great room was filled with check-ins for the hotel. A wedding was scheduled for Sunday, and Mia saw the mother of the bride standing by the counter.
Mia walked over and smiled at the woman. “The big day is almost here.”
“I’m so glad to see you. I asked if we could meet, but they said I’d have to meet with the hotel director because you weren’t here. I don’t like that woman. She gives me the creeps. I just need a moment with you to ease my fears.” Mrs. Edwards grabbed Mia’s arm like she was afraid of falling.
“Let me get to my office and I’ll come right back out for you. This is my friend and coworker, Christina Adams,” Mia said. “Christina, will you keep Mrs. Edwards company while I find an empty meeting room?”
“I’d love to. Mrs. Edwards, your husband doesn’twork for Idaho Power, does he?” When the woman told her yes, Christina led her over to an empty couch. “I thought I recognized you. My father does legal work for the board.”
Leave it to Christina to know everyone. Mia hurried to her office to drop off her tote bag and find a room. She booted up her computer just as Blake stepped inside.
“I’m glad you’re finally here. I was wondering if you still worked here.” Blake leaned against the door. “Your wedding people have arrived and the mother is freaking out.”
“I just talked to Mrs. Edwards and we’re going to go over the plans. I’m sure she’ll relax in a few. I’m sending her and the groom’s mother to the spa to relax and get to know each other better.”
“Oh. That’s a nice touch. I just wanted to make sure you were here.” Blake started to leave.
“Blake? I know what happened at the staff meeting. Can you tell me why you spelled me and drugged the rest of your staff before I report you to the coven’s ethics committee and put in my resignation?”
“I didn’t drug the staff.” Blake blinked, then sighed. “Please don’t quit. I can’t lose you. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, but I heard you had some issues with a succubus recently and I had to know if he was back. You know he freaks me out. I can’t go through that again. I thought if I could find out what you knew, I’d feel safer.”
“I don’t know where you’re hearing these rumors. I haven’t had issues with a succubus, yours or any other one, recently. Someone is spelling visions for me. It’snot you, is it?” Mia stared at her, trying to decide if she was being truthful.
“No. Even if I wanted to, I don’t have that kind of juice. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” She turned again to leave the office.
“Blake, if you do anything like that again, I will report you. And quit.” Mia met her boss’s gaze. “I’m serious.”
Blake held up her hand. “I hear you. I promise.”
Mia scheduled the meeting in an empty room and called the kitchen to order coffee, juice, and pastries. “Put it on my marketing account with a note saying ‘Edwards Wedding.’”
“Yes, ma’am.” The person on the phone gave her a delivery time and then Mia headed out to gather her nervous mother of the bride to assure her that the wedding was going to be magical. The one thing about having weddings in Magic Springs, even for normal humans, was that the staff could pull off miracles in food and décor.
Christina was making Mrs. Edwards laugh as Mia returned to the lobby. Mia wondered if Christina had ever thought about opening her own event planning agency. She had the contacts in the area from her parents and she had the demeanor that put people at ease.
“We have a room. Christina, do you want to join us?” Mia offered because she knew her friend didn’t have much to do except watch out for Mia this week.