Read Online Bumblestook: Book 1, The Accidental Wizard by Sheri McClure-Pitler - Free Book Online

fewer accidents when he’s around Fiona. We don’t understand it, but that’s how it is.”
    Olivia sighed. “ I suppose that’s true, for whatever reason. And apparently Farley helps Fiona stay
grounded
. But, we’ve already agreed to send the kids to school together or not at all,” Olivia replied (somewhat impatiently as she couldn’t help but think of “Uncle” Bartholeumous in the kitchen with the children). “It’s a bit of a bother, but we can make it work. Don’t give it another thought.”
    “It’s not school we’re worried about—” Harvey began.
    “It’s what would happen to Farley, should anything happen to
us
. You know—if we were to-to—” Myrtle, overcome with emotion, was unable to go on.
    “Ya see, what we were thinkin’ is, we’d like to ask the two of you to be Farley’s godparents. That way, we’d know he’d be okay—if for some reason we weren’t around to take care of him, ya know what I mean?” Harvey blew heavily through his thick mustache, obviously relieved to have it said. “Well, that’s the gist of it, as it were! Ya don’t hafta say yes ’r no right away. We understand if ya wanna take a little time to think about it, seein’ as how we just sorta sprung it on ya and all.”
    “Well! I— er— that is—
we
—”
    “Ah-h, h-m-m, we-uh—
h-m-m
—”
    Just then, they heard a high whistling sound, followed by a series of loud popping noises. It was coming from the back of the house! As one, the parents leapt to their feet and ran into the kitchen. To their surprise, it was empty! Their attention was immediately drawn to the window, through which could be seen multi-colored explosions of light over the garden.
    They dashed through the back door and into the yard, only to be enveloped by a cloud of dark, purple smoke, so dense they could barely see a foot in front of their faces! Lance and Olivia stumbled to a halt, as they completely lost their sense of direction. Harvey and Myrtle (a split second behind) promptly plowed right into them. Uncertain as to which way to proceed, the parents stood together in a tight clump, peering into the fog.
    “What
is
this stuff?” Myrtle asked, a bemused expression settling on her face as tendrils of the thick mist reached out with foggy fingers; softly brushing her cheeks. “It reminds me of my grandmother. She was
so
kind…” Her voice faded away, as a dreamy look came into her eyes.
    “Y’know, it smells like fresh-baked cookies. Chocolate chip, still warm from the oven!” Harvey mused wonderingly, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply.
    Lance and Olivia looked at the other couple, then at each other in sudden understanding.
    “Euphoria!” they exclaimed together.
    Lance tugged on Harvey’s arm. “Come on, Harvey. It’s just one of Uncle’s magic tricks. Let’s move along, shall we?”
    Olivia grabbed Myrtle by the shoulders and gave her an energetic shake. “Snap out of it! We’ve got to find the kids, remember?”
    As if on cue, from somewhere just ahead they heard childlike laughter and giggles, accompanied by more of the strange whistling and popping noises. The Bumblestooks shook their heads and stumbled forward, as Lance and Olivia grasped them firmly and led them in the direction of the sounds.
    Suddenly, they stepped free of the ground-hugging cloud and promptly piled into each other again. They found themselves in the backyard, near the entrance to the garden. In the sky above, small clusters of fireflies flitted about; leaving behind a mysterious glowing script that faded before it could be deciphered. Shiny bubbles, shimmering with rainbow color, spiraled up into the sky with merry, whistling sounds; whereupon they burst, with a loud, wet “pop”, creating showers of twinkling, rainbow-colored lights.
    The Faires rushed toward the garden entrance, followed by the befuddled Bumblestooks. After stumbling through the arbor, Harvey and Myrtle came to an abrupt halt, staring slack-jawed at the