A Different Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 5) Read Free

ports in anything bigger than an elephant without asking first.”
    That would probably take care of it.  Apparently five childless days hadn’t slowed her husband down any.  “We can fill The Dungeon with air mattresses.”  There would probably be extra houseguests.  A party and sunshine in December were both pretty big witch attractants.
    Her husband just ran a thumb up the arch of her hand, his mind broadcasting calm and a quick vision of her favorite red silk nightie.  “Stop worrying about the logistics.”
    She grinned, appreciating his mental multitasking.  “It’s a bit strange to be home.”  She’d stayed in touch with Sammy, reading the letters and emails of a life in Texas.  Made three trips to Texas over the years, the first one alone, the second one with her munchkins in tow.  Which had led to three girls with a full-blown horse fixation, an older son who wanted to be a cowboy, and a three-year-old who had wanted to marry Sammy.
    Nell had vetoed the wedding—she wasn’t losing any more people she loved to Texas.  This time, Aervyn had only wanted to bring home a horse.
    She sighed.  Sometimes it was hard to lay the mama aside in favor of red silk.
    “Give it a few more hours to sink in.”  Daniel hugged her shoulders.  “Witch Central beats in your soul.  It’ll suck you back in soon enough.”
    Nell smiled, a little wistful.  Sammy had said something very similar as they’d done their good-byes. “Anything else before I get back to work?”  In about three hours, jet lag and a week of cow fumes were going to knock her over.
    Daniel waggled an eyebrow hopefully.  “What are your plans for the afternoon?” 
    Nell laughed—with eight creatures under the age of ten in the house, that particular activity was highly unlikely.  “Off to chat with Moira and Sophie.  Moira’s itching to fetch a new witch again.”
    “She’s trouble, that one.” 
    Her husband’s deadpan delivery had Nell giggling like one of her daughters.  Their elder witch would never admit it, but she had an inordinate fondness for stirring the pot. 
    “Hopefully we can get her to postpone trouble for a couple of weeks.”  Just until they got past the holidays, the birthdays, and whatever mischief had happened in Realm during her five-day absence.
    “Don’t make her wait too long.”  A hint of sorrow tinged Daniel’s eyes.  “She feels her own mortality these days, I think.”
    That was the last thing Nell wanted to contemplate.  “More likely she’s just got cabin fever.  Nova Scotia’s pretty cold and dark at this time of year.” 
    “Hmmm.  Dark is good.”  Her husband shifted gears smoothly, eyebrows dancing hopefully again.  “Maybe we can borrow that pond of hers for a midnight rendezvous.”
    “Absolutely.”  She grinned at the sexy man she loved.  “But odds are pretty good Moira would lace it with a fertility spell first.”
    The horror on her husband’s face wasn’t entirely feigned—Kenna’s antics were reminding them all too well of Aervyn’s first years. 
    Nell reached for his hand.  “How about we lock all the kids in The Dungeon with Sierra instead?  Throw a movie and popcorn down after them?”
    He snorted, amused.  “That might work.” 
    It probably would—her herd loved Sierra.  And when you had five kids, “might work” was about as good as it got.  Nell kissed his cheek and picked up her keyboard.  “Give me an hour to chat and then I’ll make dinner.”  If Sophie’s terse instant messages were any indicator, Fisher’s Cove was a little cranky at the moment.
    “I’ll make dinner.”  Her husband headed for the kitchen, tossing a grin over his shoulder.  “And lots of popcorn.”
    Nell pulled up a transport window for the Witches’ Lounge, well aware there was a goofy grin on her face.  She finished the login spell just as a parade of children ran through the living room again, this time wearing turbans.  And had to laugh.  The