Read Online The Witch's Halloween Hero (Nocturne Falls) by Kristen Painter - Free Book Online Page A

“What the devil is going on?”
Pandora sighed and shoved a hand through her hair. “We had a little…mishap with a spell.”
“We? That doesn’t sound like your mother.”
“Not her; me and Marigold and Charisma. Mom was upstairs getting ready and we were in her spellroom, using her supplies because none of us had everything necessary and this was a big spell. You know Missy Tressler? She just got dumped by her boyfriend by text. Text! Can you believe it? Anyway, she came to Marigold for a spell to forget the creep, but like I said, it’s a big spell and it takes three of us and so we came over here to get everything together and work our magic as it were.” She smiled brightly, causing Stanhill no small amount of bewilderment.
He blinked as he went back over her conversation, but nowhere in all of what she’d said could he find the issue. “Not sure I’m following, love. That still doesn’t explain why your mother was shocked by me kissing her.”
Her smile disappeared. “Oh, yes, that. Mom sort of…walked in while we were finishing up and startled us and my elbow hit the cauldron and she caught it before it went over, but the spellworks splashed onto her.”
Stanhill got a sinking feeling. “What was this spell again?”
Pandora bit her lip. “For Missy Tressler to forget her awful ex-boyfriend. She was really broken up by getting dumped.”
He held on to a small shred of hope. “So your mother wasn’t affected by this then?”
“No. Well, yes. Sort of.”
That hope slipped from his fingers. “Bloody hell. What does that mean?”
“It means—”
“Who’s there, darling?” Corette’s voice called out as she strolled into the foyer. Her gown swirled around her as she came to a stop, and this time her sparkling green eyes lit up when she saw Stanhill. “I didn’t know we were having company. Are we all going to the ball together?”
Pandora sighed. “Double bother. Apparently Mom’s having some memory issues on top of everything else.”
“What’s everything else?” Stanhill asked, but Corette interrupted him by making a disapproving noise with her tongue.
“Pandora, I’m having no such thing. I’m sure I’d remember our guest if we’d met before. Although I’d be happy to make your acquaintance now.” She offered Stanhill her hand. “Corette Williams. And you are?”
He took her hand, his body numb with the realization that his beloved no longer knew him. Was this what Pandora was talking about it? It had to be. “Bartholomew Stanhill. The man you’ve been dating for the past four years.”
“Mom, you have to remember Stanhill. You two are like peas and carrots. You’re together all the time. He comes over for Saturday-night family suppers.”
Not to mention, Stanhill thought, he’d just had his mouth on hers a few minutes ago. Had his kiss been that forgettable?
Corette held on to his hand and leaned closer, peering at him like he was a curiosity in an antique shop. “I don’t think so. I’d remember you.” Her gaze raked him up and down. “Love the tux.”
“You should. You sold it to me.”
She smiled and finally let go of his hand. “I have wonderful taste.”
“Yes, you do. I’m your date for the ball tonight.”
She put her hands on her hips. “So we are going to the ball together. Excellent. I’d hate to think I looked this good and had no one to escort me.”
Just then, Marigold strode into the foyer, her purse in one hand and a tablet in the other. “Hi, Stanhill. I guess you heard?”
“I did.”
She frowned. “I’m so sorry. Even sorrier that I have to go. As always, I’m in charge of the flowers, and I’m helping Delaney organize the last of the decorating. I should already be there actually.”
“I understand.”
She pushed a curly blond tendril out of her eyes. “I promise, the minute I’m done, I’m back here and working on this…issue.”
He nodded. “Go. You can’t keep the Ellinghams waiting.”
“Thanks.” She kissed him on the cheek