Meddling in Magical Pursuits: Paranormal Women's Fiction (Midlife Witchery Book 13)

MEDDLING IN MAGICAL PURSUITS MIDLIFE WITCHERY BOOK 13 BRENDA TRIM CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 EXCERPT FROM GUARDIANS OF MAGICAL POWER BOOK #15 About the Author Also by Brenda Trim Copyright © June 2023 by Brenda Trim Editor: Chris Cain & Kelly Smyczynski Cover Art by Fiona Jayde * * * This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writers’ imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction of this work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the authors. Created with Vellum Instead of meddling in other people’s business, some need to get busy getting their own affairs in order. CHAPTER 1 AISLINN “Now I understand what Violet and Fiona meant when they said it would be hard becoming a mom at forty,” I told Argies as I chased Kalliope as she squirmed while I changed her diaper. “Do you regret having her then?” Argies glared at me, baring his teeth at me. His anger was written all over his face. The blood drained from my face and my heart thumped painfully. How could he even ask that? I almost died bringing our daughter into the world and didn’t regret a moment of it. Kalli was the best thing that ever happened to me and he knew that. I had to set my emotional reaction aside because Argies had been grumpy as hell ever since we’d returned from Greece. It was like he couldn’t shake the rage that had claimed him while we were there. Kalli twisted around making me drop her legs as I was trying to change her diaper. “Ah!” My sweet cherub had shifted and I was now looking down at the cutest baby dragon ever born. “I love our baby with every cell in my body and wouldn’t give her up for anything in the world. What’s going on with you lately?” Argies grunted then crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t turn this around on me. You’re the one complaining, not me.” In the months we’d spent together since Kalliope was born, I’d gotten to know Argies very well. I spent years with my ex walking on eggshells and I'd vowed to never live like that again. History made me skittish at the same time it got my back up. My reaction made it difficult to see the situation clearly. This wasn’t Argies snapping at me. Something else was at play. And I needed to get to the bottom of it. One benefit of being a middle-aged woman was that life had taught me things were rarely as they seemed. It had also taught me that people showed you who they were from the beginning - all you had to do was pay attention. And Argies had never been like this before the trip to Greece. He’d always been supportive, patient, and understanding. Taking a deep breath, I crawled after Kalli to finish wiping her bottom. Shifting didn’t make fecal matter disappear. “I’m not complaining, Argies. It was more of an observation. What’s wrong? You haven’t been yourself lately.” Argies’s scowl took several seconds to smooth. When it did, he ran a hand down his face. “It’s like there’s a hive of ants burrowing beneath my skin. I’m annoyed all the time and don’t know why.” My heart cracked when I heard his despair. He truly hated how he was feeling. “It must be hard to leave your life behind and join mine like you did. You sacrificed everything.” Argies extended his hands for the baby and I passed Kalli to him. A smile spread across his face when she cooed at him. “I gained so much more than I left behind. I still see my family and I know eventually that we will go back.” I’d made him a promise that we would visit Eidothea often, yet we hadn’t returned yet. Guilt sat like a rock in my gut. “We should have returned before now. It’s been a long time for your family. We should take the time to go now. I’m sure you could use a break from the drama and danger here.” Argies’s face lit up as he bounced Kalli on his knee. “Really? Now? But I thought Fiona wanted to investigate something. These cases take precedence over everything else. I understand that.” It was my turn to scowl at him. “Your commitments and needs aren’t less important. You promised your brother you would return frequently to keep his army in shape. Your needs matter and if I made you feel anything else, I am sorry.” Kalliope shifted back into her human form and giggled. “This is a game to you now, isn’t it? That’s okay as long as you know this is only a game to play with mama and me.” Argies cooed as he tickled her tummy and grabbed a diaper. He put her down and proceeded to get her dressed. Once done, he picked her up and cuddled her close to his chest. She snuggled into him making me smile. “I’ve never felt like my responsibilities don’t matter. However, my boss isn’t a powerful goddess. I used to kick my brother’s arse when we were little.” That made me snort out a laugh. “Fiona did make the goddess agree to give us a chance to decline her