Read Online 1 Grim Tidings by Amanda M. Lee - Free Book Online Page B

deserved it.
    Redmond rolled his eyes. “Are you ever going to let this go?”
    “It’s been three hours.”
    “That’s like an eternity when a woman is hounding you,” Redmond replied. “This is why I’m not married.”
    Whatever.
    I squared my shoulders and followed Redmond into the store, letting him take the lead. It wasn’t that I saw him as a leader; it was more that I found it easier to hide behind his impressive shoulders. I’m a coward where Madame Maxine is concerned. I admit it.
    Tarot and Tea is one of those kitschy shops that appeals to faux wiccans and pagans. The shelves are covered with spell books and voodoo curses, while the racks are encumbered with incense bags and small glass balls. It’s basically a haven for confused teenage girls and desperate guys who think being a warlock gives them an edge.
    What most people don’t know, though, is that Tarot and Tea has a hidden agenda: The owner, Madame Maxine, really does have the gift. What gift? The sight. Sometimes, she can see the future.
    Madame Maxine is a self-taught witch and part-time clairvoyant. She’s a fifty-five-year-old ball of energy and master of the snarky comment. Under normal circumstances, I would love her. Since she keeps telling me I’m wasting my life, though, I have a big chip on my shoulder where she is concerned.
    Jerry had forced me into the shop during the Woodward Dream Cruise when we were teenagers. One tarot card reading later, Madame Maxine informed me that I was going to make one hundred wrong decisions before I finally made a right one. I wasn’t keeping count, but I really couldn’t argue with her insight -- not that I would ever tell her that.
    I had stayed out of the store for five years after that initial reading. Then, when I was twenty-one, Jerry had talked me into another drunken visit after the Ferndale Gay Pride Festival. Madame Maxine had informed me I still had a lot of wrong turns in my future, but that the right ones would eventually come. Rather than acknowledging she might be right, I called her a fraud and fled. I hadn’t been back since.
    I wasn’t looking forward to this visit.
    I purposely matched my movements to Redmond’s so I could remain hidden from prying eyes at the back of the store. Unfortunately, Madame Maxine was at her small tarot table – with a clear view of the door -- when we entered.
    Crap.
    “Well, look who has come back for another reading.”
    Redmond glanced down at me curiously but he didn’t comment. “Maxine,” he said, moving over to the table with his arms stretched wide. “It’s so good to see you.”
    “You, too, handsome.” She sent him a saucy wink as she got to her feet and hugged him. “It’s been too long.”
    “I’m not in this area often enough,” Redmond admitted. “I come in whenever I can, though.”
    “Every six months is whenever you can?” Madame Maxine didn’t look convinced.
    Redmond’s neck flushed with embarrassment. “I’ll do better.”
    “I surely hope so,” Madame Maxine pressed her lips to his cheek affectionately. “And who is this small girl hiding behind you?”
    Redmond stepped to the side to give Madame Maxine a clear view. “This is my sister, Aisling.”
    “I remember her.”
    “You’ve met?” Redmond didn’t exactly look surprised as much as he looked conflicted.
    “A few times,” Madame Maxine acknowledged at the exact same time I said “no.”
    Amusement flitted across Redmond’s face. “How do you two know each other?”
    “I’ve given her a reading or two,” Madame Maxine replied. “I don’t think she liked my insight.”
    I was suddenly fascinated by the Wild Berry incense display so I pretended that I didn’t hear the conversation. Since Redmond and I were the only customers in the store, though, it was difficult. I could feel Redmond’s eyes boring a hole in my back as I fingered the incense sticks, occasionally lifting one to my nose to test the scent. Maybe I should have stayed outside.