Witchdependence Day: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts Book 8) by Amanda M. Lee Page B

in the … .
    “Oh, leave the boy alone,” Aunt Tillie chided, taking everyone by surprise as she popped up at the end of the table. “There’s no need to torture him because you’re jealous of our legendary love affair, Thistle.
    “I’m old and don’t have the energy I used to have,” she continued. “I’m sure we can share. Marcus has enough affection to spread the wealth. I’m a gifted lover, but I’ll only be able to muster the strength to entertain him once a week.”
    Landon choked on whatever he was trying to swallow and hit his chest to clear the blockage. Bay couldn’t stop herself from giggling, and the look on Thistle’s face was one for the ages. As for me, well, I wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
    “Aunt Tillie called Marcus to come out to her pot field this morning because someone tripped the wards,” Thistle announced, narrowing her eyes in a challenging manner as she locked gazes with Aunt Tillie. “I’m not sure how things went – or how far anyone got – but that’s what Marcus was doing out there.”
    “Thistle,” I groaned, leaning my head back so I could stare at the sky. Sudden onset blindness thanks to the bright sun would be welcome at this point. “Why did you say that?”
    “Because Aunt Tillie knows exactly how to get under her skin,” Bay supplied, smirking. “She’s very good at it.”
    “It’s a gift,” Aunt Tillie agreed.
    “I knew that’s what you were doing,” Landon said. “I don’t know why you bothered lying to me given the circumstances. The woman was walking around in her pajamas and swinging a big stick while whistling.”
    “That’s how I hunt,” Aunt Tillie shot back. “It’s very effective.”
    “Whatever,” Landon muttered. “Was anything stolen? If something was stolen you have to tell me. I need to know whether people are creeping around the property stealing marijuana. Drug dealers can be dangerous.”
    “You’re a real pain this weekend,” Aunt Tillie said. “I think it’s because things have been quiet for an entire week and a half and you’ve convinced yourself something bad will happen because you have a long weekend. Chill out.”
    “You chill out,” Landon shot back. “I have an awful feeling something is going to happen. I can’t shake it.”
    “Maybe you’re clairvoyant,” Bay said, patting his arm. She didn’t appear particularly perturbed about Landon’s admission. “Aunt Tillie is right, though – wow, there’s a sentence I never thought I’d say. You need to relax. Nothing bad is going to happen.”
    “Except for the blood in the loft and someone trying to cross the wards in that field,” Landon argued. “How can I be the only one who sees this?” Landon looked to me for support.
    “I’d like to help you, man, but I think you’re overreacting, too,” I said, offering him a rueful smile. “I get that you’re antsy given everything that happened the week before last. Bay almost died and you’ve been hyper-vigilant ever since. There’s no reason to freak out, though.”
    “Thank you for your support,” Landon muttered, shifting his eyes to Bay. “Do you really think I’m overreacting?”
    “Yes, but I love you anyway,” Bay said. “It’s going to be okay. I understand where you’re coming from. If history is any indication, something bad is due to happen. It usually happens to one of us when the time comes.
    “I promise to be careful, though,” she continued. “We can spend the day together and you can watch my every move.”
    Thistle snorted. “That doesn’t sound co-dependent or anything.”
    “No one was talking to you,” Bay sniffed. “It’s going to be fine, Landon. Nothing is going to happen. We’re going to eat lunch and then wander over to the pavilion to check out the pie contest. All of our mothers have entries.”
    “Yeah, that’s why I’m here,” Aunt Tillie said, wrinkling her nose. “They keep trapping me into agreeing to things I would rather die than