Read The Witch is Dead for Free Online

about Darci’s latest plot to set me up with a guy. I don’t know why she couldn’t get it through her head that I was happy without one. When did it become her life’s mission to find my soul mate? Ha! Like that would happen anytime soon. I’d already been engaged once, and it had been disastrous. When my former fiancé found out about my “gift,” our relationship ended. He explained he had a real problem with the idea of marrying a witch. Well, I had a problem with marrying a jerk, so we were even.

    “I don’t need some guy complicating my life,” I muttered as I rushed down the sidewalk. “It’s complicated enough. I—”

    “Did you say something, Ophelia?” .

    I stopped short and whipped around. Edna Walters stoodbeside her parked car staring at me. Her arthritic hands clutched her walker tightly while she watched me with a puzzled look.

    Peachy. Edna, the biggest gossip in town, second only to Darci’s friend Georgia. By this afternoon the whole town would hear how I’d finally lost it and started talking to myself. There were already enough people in the community who thought I was a bit odd. My habit of stumbling into the middle of murder investigations tended to give people that conclusion. That was just one reason I was determined to turn over a new leaf. Another was the danger! Nope, no more murder and mayhem for me. I didn’t care how much Aunt Dot thought my lifestyle sounded like “fun.” I was putting all that behind me. Starting now.

    “Oh, hi, Edna. Didn’t see you standing there.”

    Her forehead wrinkled in a frown. “But—”

    “Sorry, can’t chat now,” I cut her off, and tapped on my watch. “I was supposed to meet Abby for lunch fifteen minutes ago. Got to fly,” I said, wiggling my fingers in her direction. “Oh, stop by the library…we just got a new shipment of books.” I spun on my heel and hurried on my way.

    Flinging open the door at Stumpy’s, I scanned the room, looking for Abby. I spotted Agnes McPhearson, talking earnestly to Ned, my friend and editor ofThe Courier , while he tried to eat his lunch. As usual, her dark slacks were covered with cat hair. I grinned. Agnes was a compulsive photographer, and no doubt trying to convince Ned to run some of her pictures in the next edition of the paper. If I had the time, I’d try and rescue him from Agnes’s clutches, but I didn’t want to keep Abby waiting.

    Spotting our little group at a table near the back, I joined them.

    “Sorry I’m late.” I slid onto a chair and grabbed a menu.

    “We already ordered for you.” Abby’s voice was tight with irritation.

    Setting the menu down, I tried to get a read on her mood. She didn’t seem happy, but I didn’t know if her attitude was a result of my tardiness or something else. I cocked my head questioningly.

    She shook hers slightly, as if to say,I’ll tell you later.

    “What have you ladies been up to this morning?” I asked with what I hoped was a sunny smile. “I see you’re still in your work clothes, Abby. Been out in the greenhouse?”

    Abby’s lips tightened. “Yes, since fiveA.M .,” she answered in a low voice. “Aunt Dot got me out of bed so we could try and find the fairies that she’s sure are camping out in my flower beds.”

    Next to me, Tink gave a soft chuckle.

    I nudged her with my foot.

    Aunt Dot’s eyes glowed as she leaned closer to the table and said in a stage whisper, “I caught a glimpse of one last night, hiding in the foxglove. They do love foxglove.” She glanced at Abby before returning her attention to me. “Abigail should put some pots in with her flowers. Set them on their side. Fairies need a place to get out of the rain, you know,” she said a little louder.

    I peered quickly over my shoulder to see if anyone at the next table might have overheard Aunt Dot. The last thing we needed was everyone speculating about her and her fairies. Nope, they weren’t paying any attention to us.Whew. But maybe