frowned. “The energy of the town has changed, people are disappearing, and I have a really bad feeling about what the wind’s blowing our way. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just run some last-minute instructions by my staff and then Peyton and I will be right back.”
She excused herself. As soon as she was out of ear-shot, I said, “I’m confused. Why didn’t Marta leave her daughter the business? Or her grandson? They’re both magic-born. It doesn’t make sense.”
Jim spoke up. “Oh, yes it does, Cicely. Marta knew something. We’re not sure what, but she changed her will about two months ago. Anadey was with her and agreed to all the changes. Tyne was pissy about it, but since he’s not her closest of kin, he can’t very well challenge what Marta’s daughter won’t.”
He pulled out a sheath of documents. “Here are all the legalities. Marta left enough money for me to change the ownership and file new papers for you. All you have to do is take possession of the assets and supplies. I’ll put in for a business license for you as soon as you give me your information.”
Pulling out a checkbook from the briefcase, he handed it to me. “Here’s the business checkbook—I’ve made all the necessary changes to move it to your name. I just need you to sign this form for the name change and proof of signature, and I’ll turn it in to the bank today. Then you can take over the business account.” He placed a sheath of papers in front of me and handed me a pen.
As Anadey returned with our meals, I glanced over the documents and was shocked to see a balance of four thousand dollars in the checkbook. Hell, Marta did pretty good for being the town witch. I still felt odd accepting the gift, but everything seemed in order. At least as far as I could tell.
“What next?”
“You sign those papers, give them to me, then get your things from Marta’s house. I’ll file all the pertinent documents.”
Anadey paused. “Jim, I’m going to run over to the house with them and start sorting out things.” She looked at me. “There’s a lot of stuff, it may take you a little while to go through it, but you can get an idea of how much there is today, and take a load home with you.”
She wiped a strand of hair out of her eyes and at that moment, I saw the exhaustion and sorrow hiding behind her smile. It occurred to me that since her mother had recently died, I should say something comforting, but I honestly had no idea what would be right. I didn’t have much practice at cushioning the blows of life for others. Or for myself, either, for that matter.
Anadey seemed to sense my hesitation. “It’s okay, truly. Mother wanted you to have these things. I’m a powerful witch in my own right, but I never had any desire to work with the Society, or to hire myself out. I’ve always been the solitary type when it comes to magic. But if you ever need me, I’m here to help.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I bit my lip. “I’m just sorry . . .”
Placing a hand on my shoulder, she smiled down at me. “Cicely, my mother had faith in you. I’m not sure what she expected you to do, but she was waiting for you to return. Don’t let her down.”
We finished up quietly, then Anadey removed her apron and called to Peyton while Jim paid the bill. Over my protest, he paid for all of us.
Once out on the street, Leo excused himself. “My employers are going to wake up soon for the night. I have work to do before then.”
Rhiannon frowned. “It doesn’t do to keep Geoffrey waiting, does it?”
Leo shook his head. “No. No, it doesn’t. I have to change before I make my daily report. They require more formal clothes than Windbreakers and torn jeans.” He gave Rhiannon a kiss and jogged down the street.
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll get the paperwork started and let you know when things are ready for you to officially open the business. It will probably take about a week or so for everything
She excused herself. As soon as she was out of ear-shot, I said, “I’m confused. Why didn’t Marta leave her daughter the business? Or her grandson? They’re both magic-born. It doesn’t make sense.”
Jim spoke up. “Oh, yes it does, Cicely. Marta knew something. We’re not sure what, but she changed her will about two months ago. Anadey was with her and agreed to all the changes. Tyne was pissy about it, but since he’s not her closest of kin, he can’t very well challenge what Marta’s daughter won’t.”
He pulled out a sheath of documents. “Here are all the legalities. Marta left enough money for me to change the ownership and file new papers for you. All you have to do is take possession of the assets and supplies. I’ll put in for a business license for you as soon as you give me your information.”
Pulling out a checkbook from the briefcase, he handed it to me. “Here’s the business checkbook—I’ve made all the necessary changes to move it to your name. I just need you to sign this form for the name change and proof of signature, and I’ll turn it in to the bank today. Then you can take over the business account.” He placed a sheath of papers in front of me and handed me a pen.
As Anadey returned with our meals, I glanced over the documents and was shocked to see a balance of four thousand dollars in the checkbook. Hell, Marta did pretty good for being the town witch. I still felt odd accepting the gift, but everything seemed in order. At least as far as I could tell.
“What next?”
“You sign those papers, give them to me, then get your things from Marta’s house. I’ll file all the pertinent documents.”
Anadey paused. “Jim, I’m going to run over to the house with them and start sorting out things.” She looked at me. “There’s a lot of stuff, it may take you a little while to go through it, but you can get an idea of how much there is today, and take a load home with you.”
She wiped a strand of hair out of her eyes and at that moment, I saw the exhaustion and sorrow hiding behind her smile. It occurred to me that since her mother had recently died, I should say something comforting, but I honestly had no idea what would be right. I didn’t have much practice at cushioning the blows of life for others. Or for myself, either, for that matter.
Anadey seemed to sense my hesitation. “It’s okay, truly. Mother wanted you to have these things. I’m a powerful witch in my own right, but I never had any desire to work with the Society, or to hire myself out. I’ve always been the solitary type when it comes to magic. But if you ever need me, I’m here to help.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I bit my lip. “I’m just sorry . . .”
Placing a hand on my shoulder, she smiled down at me. “Cicely, my mother had faith in you. I’m not sure what she expected you to do, but she was waiting for you to return. Don’t let her down.”
We finished up quietly, then Anadey removed her apron and called to Peyton while Jim paid the bill. Over my protest, he paid for all of us.
Once out on the street, Leo excused himself. “My employers are going to wake up soon for the night. I have work to do before then.”
Rhiannon frowned. “It doesn’t do to keep Geoffrey waiting, does it?”
Leo shook his head. “No. No, it doesn’t. I have to change before I make my daily report. They require more formal clothes than Windbreakers and torn jeans.” He gave Rhiannon a kiss and jogged down the street.
“Call me if you need anything. I’ll get the paperwork started and let you know when things are ready for you to officially open the business. It will probably take about a week or so for everything
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