Kooky Spooky: Mysteries of Meri (Familiar Kitten Mysteries Book 17)

Contents Chapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter FiveChapter SixChapter SevenChapter EightChapter NineChapter TenChapter ElevenChapter TwelveChapter Thirteen Sign up for my newsletter to get information on new releases and promotions. Chapter One“Who is that?” Meri snarked. “Shhh, I don’t know,” I said as the unfamiliar woman whipped her head around to look at us. Though I didn’t know if it was because she heard him or if it was just because we stood outside Summoned Goods & Sundries staring at her. She was obviously new in town, but for some curious reason, I was having trouble getting any kind of read on her energy. But I knew that probably wasn’t good. She didn’t seem to be a witch, but her “Psychic Readings” sign appeared to be a lie as well. The way she dressed reminded me of a costume too. She wore her brunette hair up and tucked it under a ruby red scarf tied around her head. She wore layers of broomstick skirts in a plethora of jewel toned colors. Her peasant top had long, flouncy sleeves, and around her neck were several lengths of gold and silver chains. When she shifted the box in her hands, her sleeves fell back to reveal numerous bangle bracelets, and to top it all off, she had a ring on every finger. A tattoo of a vine crept up the back of her neck and into her hairline. “You should have bought that building when you had the chance,” Meri groused. “I don’t want to say I told you so, but I totally told you so.” “Bought that building to do what?” I questioned. “I already have two shops on the square. What can I do beyond my witch store and a donut shop?” “You lack imagination. You could open a tea shop or sell enchanted shampoos.” “Like in Practical Magic?” “See, there’s precedent. Or you could open a bakery. People love your donuts. You could have expanded.” “A witch owning a bakery? That’s a little cliché for your taste, isn’t it?” “Two words... bacon scones.” “Now I want a bacon scone,” I said. “See, I was right. I told you so,” Meri snarked. “Maybe with some cheddar cheese mixed in? Wouldn’t that be delicious?” “You’re just torturing me now.” “I’m not torturing you,” I said. “I’m telling you that we’re going home to make scones.” “Don’t you want to stay here and figure this woman out?” Meri asked. “No, I want bacon and cheddar scones. She’ll still be here later,” I said. “Plus, we can’t just stand here staring at her. It’s becoming obvious.” “It was obvious five minutes ago.” “Whatever. Let’s drop by the Brew Station and get a coffee.” “Whatever,” Meri said, but he trotted after me as I crossed the square. “Hey, wait, can we get some bacon while we’re there?” “I feel like you’ll get enough when we make bacon scones in like twenty minutes, but I guess…” “Sweet!” I felt a little shiver as we hurried through the square and past the courthouse. When I looked up at the top floor of the building, I expected to see the deathly black stare of the ghost that inhabited the building, but she wasn’t there. Still, I could swear I’d sensed her watching me. Was she playing a little game of ghastly hide and seek? I didn’t care as long as she stayed inside, and I got my coffee. There was a short line inside the Brew Station. Viv smiled and waved as Meri and I joined the queue. She was busy helping her employees fill orders. That was one of the things I admired about Viv. She worked every day in her shop even though she could hire someone to serve coffee and sandwiches. I figured she loved it. I’d built two successful businesses, but neither one of them had turned out to be my passion. I liked the feeling of success that came along with owning two businesses, but I had no desire to work full-time at either of them. So that gave me a lot of time to stick my nose into things. Like the new “Psychic Readings” shop moving in down the street from Summoned Goods & Sundries. Oh, and plenty of time to make scones. But I tried not to feel bad about it. Being a wife and a mother fulfilled me in a way no job could, and I was the leader of one of the most powerful covens in the country… maybe in the world. Plus, I still had plenty of time left to find new passions. “Next,” Viv said with a chuckle, and I realized I’d spaced out. “Oh, hey there. Guess I spaced out,” I chucked along with her. “It’s okay. We all do it from time to time. What can I get for you? The usual?” “Yes, but iced today.” “One iced hazelnut latte coming up… and a side of bacon?” “You know it,” I said, and Meri rubbed against my legs. I knew he wanted to jump on the counter, but he wouldn’t dare with so many customers around. Most people didn’t mind him being in the Brew Station, but a cat on the serving counter was most likely a step too far. I didn’t have much time to talk to Viv. As soon as she passed me my iced latte and side of bacon, an entire tour group came pouring into the Brew Station. “Call me later,” I said as she started taking orders, and Meri and I headed out. I let Meri eat the bacon in the car on the way home. I hated people eating in the car, but he did it without making a mess. So how could I deny him? We got back to Hangman’s House, and I made the scones. Meri “helped” by catching any bacon or cheese bits I dropped on the floor. They came out perfectly dense and buttery with just a hint of sharpness from the cheddar. As I was