Read Online The Seven Year Witch: That Old Black Magic, Book 2 by Jodi Redford - Free Book Online Page A

heart cramped. No matter how many times she tried to steel herself, she would never get used to seeing him look so frail.
    Sucking in a deep breath, she approached the men. She noticed her father was the only one conversing amongst the group. Judging from the expressions of his breakfast companions, he’d been talking their ears off from the moment he’d joined them. Her suspicions became verified when one of the men turned down the volume on his hearing aid. She tapped her father’s stooped shoulder, and he jerked his gaze upward, causing his bifocals to slip backward on his nose.
    “Clarissa!”
    A tiny sliver of the panic that’d seized her since learning of her mother’s visit dissolved as she took in her dad’s beaming smile. Today he remembered her. The realization was bittersweet because she knew that tomorrow he’d likely forget. Dropping onto her haunches, she leaned in to peck his wrinkled, papery cheek. She used the opportunity to blink away the moisture collecting in her eyes before shifting her head and returning his grin. “Hi, Pops.”
    “She came back. Told you she would.”
    The ache resettled in her chest as she surveyed the unrestrained jubilation shining on her father’s face. He looked so damn happy. All she could do was pray that he’d forget about her mother’s visit come tomorrow. Because she didn’t think she could handle having to be the one to break his heart all over again.
    Not a second time.
    “She asked about you. Wanted to know if you’re doing okay.”
    A mixture of wariness and anger stiffened her spine. After all these years, the woman wanted to know how she was doing? Gee, how fucking maternal of her.
    “I would have told her where to find you, but I…I couldn’t remember your address.”
    The distress that flashed across her father’s features instantly overruled her silent grievances. She reached for her dad’s trembling hands and tucked them within her own. “It’s okay. If she really wants to see me, she can look me up in the phone book.” Please, goddess, see to it that she doesn’t. Not that she expected her mother to do any such thing. If she hadn’t done so by now, why would she?
    Then again, the woman hadn’t sought out Clarissa’s father in all these years. What had possessed her to do so now? Or more to the point—what did she want?
    Whatever her mother was up to couldn’t be good. Steely resolve armored Clarissa’s doubts. She’d do whatever necessary to protect her father from further heartbreak.
    A portion of her panic resurfaced when she realized that come next Sunday, she’d no longer be around to watch over him. She stared at his wrinkle-lined face, hopeless defeat swamping her as he started jabbering away at his tablemates again. The cruel irony of her predicament wasn’t lost on her. To protect her father, she was willingly turning over her soul to Seven. But after she was gone, who would safeguard her dad from future threats? She would have to find someone to assume the responsibility. Someone she could trust. Her first instinct was Logan. Goddess knows, he was capable of taking over the job. The only sticky part would be getting him to agree without explaining why she needed him to look after her father.
    Her temples began to throb as she contemplated that unpleasant conversation. She had six days to come up with something, no point in giving herself an ulcer over it just yet. Besides, there was one step she could make now that would take care of the biggest of her worries—her mother. She pushed to her feet and returned to the lobby. The reception desk was unmanned. Janet must have stepped away to use the restroom or help a resident or staff member. Drumming her nails on the counter, she eyed the overhead clock.
    The heavy scuff of soles treading across the linoleum flooring squeaked farther down the corridor. She turned to see if it might be Janet but spotted one of the orderlies maneuvering a stocked cart from the supply closet. He