Wicked Magic Read Free Page A

“Okay, I’ll drop it for now.”
    “So?”
    “Well, I met her a few weeks ago.”
    “Her?”
    “Yes, her name’s Alexandra Doherty and I’d say she’s about thirty, although she looks younger. She’s some big-time photographer/artist from New York. She’s known as The Queen of Beautiful Images. Apparently, she’s going to be teaching a few classes at the college where Jake and I work. Said a friend of hers talked her into coming out here to teach photography, but I bet there’s more to her leaving New York than that.”
    “Why?”
    “There’s something a little bit off about her. I’m betting she’s just gotten out of a relationship of some sort. She didn’t come out and say anything, but I’m certain I’m right. I kind of have a sixth sense about these sorts of things.” Kara tapped her right index finger against the side of her head for emphasis.
    Chandler smirked, knowing it had more to do with how nosy she was rather than having any kind of intuitive sense.
    “Did she seem nice? Someone who’d fit in here?”
    “I think I’ll let you be the judge of that.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Well, she’s an exotic mix of mysterious and alluring. She’s very beautiful, and knows it, but she’s not arrogant about it. She’s not lacking in confidence, that’s for certain. If I didn’t know any better, I’d guess she possesses some regal blood in her veins.”
    “Well, you did say she was The Queen of Beautiful Images .”
    “There’s that and her family is fairly prominent in Manhattan. Not the sort of people who’ve ever had to worry about money, if you know what I mean.”
    “As long as she doesn’t act like she’s better than us.”
    “No, I don’t think she’s a bitch. I think she knows who she is and doesn’t care what others think. Personally, I liked her. I think she’ll be a refreshing addition to the Art Department.”
    Kara finished the rest of her coffee and then said, “Well, I should probably let you get to work. I need to finish walking Maggie as well.” The dog stood up as Kara reached down to reattach her leash. “Thanks for the coffee and doughnuts.”
    “Anytime.”
    “School doesn’t start back up until next week.” Kara got to her feet. “Do you want to go to the movies sometime this week? You know that new romantic comedy that just came out? My husband hates to go to the so-called chick flicks , but I love them and I hate going by myself.”
    “Sure. Let me know when and what time.”

Chapter 3
    Chandler stared at the house next door while she watered the flowers around her front porch. Three days had passed since the first set of workers had performed improvements to the property. The large, overgrown yard had been thoroughly groomed and re-landscaped. It now put most of the yards in the neighborhood to shame. As for the house, it had been updated with a fresh coat of paint and a new roof.
    When a large moving van showed up yesterday, it took three burly-looking men the better part of the afternoon to move furniture and boxes into the house. While that occurred, Chandler had expected to see her new neighbor at some point, but all she ever saw were the men.
    Finished with her flowers, Chandler walked over and shut off the water. As she started to roll up the garden hose, a black Mercedes sedan pulled up into the driveway next door. The driver stopped before the garage and parked.
    Chandler watched as a woman exited the vehicle and opened the rear driver’s side door. She bent and ducked down inside. When the woman stood back up, a satchel was slung over her shoulder, and two large grocery sacks were balanced in each arm.
    The woman hesitated a moment, and then leaned back inside the car. This time when she stood, there was the addition of a small case in her right hand. After she took an unsteady step backward, she ended up losing her grip on the case and dropped one of the sacks. As it hit the ground, oranges, apples, and some other food containers