Page 94 of Clearly Charmed

‘She acted like she was caught off guard. But you know she’d never turn Belladonna away.’

‘Clo is giving her shelter even after the shit she pulled with Ast last time?’ Lia fumed.

‘She is her daughter, Lee,’ I said.

‘Maybe she’s here to apologize. Make things right,’ Aster said with too much hope.

Lia opened her mouth and I gave her a firm look, warning that her next words had better be kind. She pressed her lips together and rounded the counter until she was in front of Aster. ‘Hey,’ she said in a soft tone she reserved for our little sister. ‘You could be right, but let’s stay on our guard this time. At least until we know why she’s here. What she’s up to.’

‘Okay,’ Aster whispered.

Lia held out her arms and Aster sank into them.

I hated that the reappearance of our mother did this to them. Belladonna could be charming. Wave away her past indiscretions like nothing and expect our forgiveness. But I wasn’t opening the door to let her hurt us this time. I’d do everything in my power to make sure my sisters were protected, even if it meant going against everything Clo wanted, because this time Belladonna was going to stay out of our lives for good.

Chapter Thirty

Question Your Instincts

With birdsong filling the trees, and a handful of rabbits hopping around Clo’s garden, I walked up the driveway toward the house. Ever since I’d confessed the truth to my sisters about Belladonna a week ago, I’d been thinking about all the ways I could get our mother to leave Harvest Moon. I’d offer her money, or whatever else she wanted, to get her out of town because, at this point I was willing to do anything to make Aster stop moping and smile again.

Flora loped happily beside me, her fur and paws caked with red dirt from our hike. She was going to need a bath again, but I didn’t mind. Her sweet demeanor, the way she stayed close to me today, was the only thing keeping me calm.

Clo was back in her spot on the second-floor porch, resting in the rocking chair. Her far-off gaze fixed on the lake and the two herons who had made a nest in a little outcropping on the north bank. The thick layer of clouds, faint scent of burning wood, the whip of the wind yanking the rust-colored leaves from the trees, were all signs that fall was creeping closer.

I pulled open the front door and made my way up the stairs, Flora on my heels. The house was quiet. Usually when Belladonna was around, the place was in absolute chaos. Dirty dishes filled the sink. Books on yoga and naturopathy sat piled on the countertops, and some kind of sitar music dripped out of the family-room speakers.

Before I could push out the screen door, Clo said, ‘There’s fresh sun tea in the fridge.’

‘I’m good,’ I said, sinking into the chair beside her. The roof’s overhang provided just enough shade to protect us from the late afternoon sun.

‘Did you light the fireplace recently?’ I asked.

‘No. Why?’

‘Thought I smelled burning wood in the air.’

She glanced back inside. ‘I suppose Bella could have lit one last night.’

I bristled at the mention of my mother and focused on the herons circling the lake.

‘Heard about the pool game,’ she said, breaking the silence.

‘Let me guess, you got a call from the judge, who by the way was trying to help Bryce win.’

She turned to me with an arched brow. ‘No, it was Mo. I think she’s having second thoughts about the article.’

‘Yeah, right,’ I said, still bitter she’d told Bryce about Max.

‘Dani,’ she said in a gently chastening tone. ‘I understand you’re hurt. That you’re working overtime to protect me and the girls, but sometimes…’ Her shoulders gave a little.

‘Sometimes what?’ I pressed.

‘All I’m saying is that if you give people a chance, they can surprise you. Do the right thing.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I bit out roughly. ‘Were you not sitting at the same table as me when Bryce accused us of having magic? And I learned after the pool incident, that he’s desperate. He needs the article to be sensational so he can draw interest. Reanimate his dead career.’

She took my hands and pressed them between her fingers. ‘He hurt you deeply, didn’t he?’