Magic in the Family (An Enduring Legacy Story)

By Rebecca Lovell

Ten years ago, Tilly and Jacob Pierce adopted a little girl named Isabella from an orphanage they discovered with searching for a kidnapped boy. Now a woman, she has known only love and care from her parents and little sister Jonet and feels as if they are the family she's had all her life.

When Isabella finds herself pregnant and without a husband, she begins to display some of the Dalais family's magic powers that she's grown up seeing in her mother and sister. She had always assumed that she was a normal girl, and wonders if her parents could have had magical ancestry. Isabella sets out to find the truth about her birth family before her own baby is born so that she can tell her daughter more about them and about her connection to the Dalais family.

As a doctor, Alexander Kennedy only believes what he can see with his own eyes. An obstetrician, he meets Isabella when her mother brings her to meet him and he dismisses his coworkers' whispers that they are witches. When she returns to ask him how to find the parents of an adopted child, he can't get her out of his head. Promising to help her find her birth family, he finds himself falling deeper and deeper in love with her in spite of himself.

What Isabella and Alexander don't know, however, is that there are people who don't want her baby to be born at all. It will take all the power of the Dalais family to protect Isabella, her daughter, and the rest of her family - including Alexander.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Lovell
• Release date: May 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386637462

Book preview

Magic in the Family

An Enduring Legacy Story

Rebecca Lovell

COPYRIGHT 2019 REBECCA LOVELL

Cover design by Victoria Miller

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is unintentional.

For Charlotte. An amazing woman I am proud to call my sister. Thank you for supporting me and loving me no matter what.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Author Note

About the Author

Chapter One

If there had been carpet in Isabella Pierce’s bedroom, she would have worn a rut in it with all her pacing. She chewed on her lower lip as she did, trying to decide what she should do. Her parents weren’t going to be happy with her, but she couldn’t hide it for long. That was a fact, and not an entirely pleasant one.

The door opened without a knock and Isabella whirled around, halfway expecting to see her mother standing there. How she didn’t already know was beyond Isabella, but she hadn’t said anything so she assumed her secret was still safe. It wasn’t her mother who walked through the door, however, it was her little sister Jonet. She had just turned ten, and it wasn’t her habit to simply walk into rooms uninvited, but Isabella assumed she had felt her distress and come to comfort her.

Are you okay? Her round face was filled with concern and Isabella forced a smile as she went to hug her sister. She put her arms around Jonet and hugged her tightly.

I’m fine, she said. I just have some things on my mind.

Oh. Isabella’s wavy dark blonde bob was very different from her sister’s auburn hair but they shared the same bright blue eyes, something that Isabella had always thought was strange considering the fact that they weren’t related by blood. Their parents, Jacob and Tilly, had adopted her when she was seven years old and had always treated her as if she was their own. It was for this reason that she was so afraid of disappointing them but there was no avoiding it. It was those eyes that searched her face for a long moment, then lit up as she smiled.

Oh no, Isabella thought as her sister pulled away from her. Jonet put a hand on Isabella’s abdomen and her smile grew even wider.

She’s going to be beautiful. Jonet looked up at her sister again. Do you want to know her name? Isabella shook her head.

No, she said firmly. It’s enough knowing it’s going to be a girl. Isabella sighed. There was no way she was going to be able to hide it from her mother anymore. If she couldn’t sense that there was another life inside her daughter, then she would surely know that Jonet was keeping something from her. Besides that, a ten-year-old girl wasn’t likely to be able to keep a secret for long.

If you want, I can tell them for you, Jonet said, her tone suddenly serious. They can get used to the idea before they yell at you.

Thanks, Isabella said, smiling again. I’ve got to be the one to tell them, though. I wouldn’t mind my baby sister coming along to support me, though. She threw her arms around Jonet and kissed her on the cheek, and the younger girl laughed as her sister hugged her tighter. Being a mother wouldn’t be so bad, just as long as her daughter was like Jonet. Come on, let’s do this before I lose my nerve.

They walked down the stairs together holding hands, and Isabella grew more and more worried with every step she took. When she’d told her boyfriend she was going to have his baby, he had disappeared without a word to her. If the rumors she heard were true, he had joined the Army and left for training the very next day. They’d only slept together once and she certainly hadn’t intended to get pregnant. She’d mixed the herbs she found in the Leabhar leigheas, the book of herbal remedies they kept locked in their kitchen cabinet, that had promised to prevent pregnancy. Unfortunately she had never been as good at it as her mother and sister, most likely due to the fact that she wasn’t able to sense the plants’ intentions like they could. Isabella was much better at growing the plants, cultivating them and creating new ones with cuttings. Still, she had hoped it would work.

When they reached the sitting room, Isabella hesitated. The bottom floor of the Atelier Botanique where they lived was mostly taken up by an herbalist’s shop run by her mother. She’d inherited it from Isabella’s great-grandmother, who had passed away before she was adopted. There was a greenhouse attached to the back of the house where all their plants were kept, and the shop featured a number of shelves filled with herbal mixtures and teas made from them. The sitting room served as a waiting area while her mother did consultations, so there was a couch and two chairs by the window. From her place by the stairs, Isabella could see her mother sitting on her father’s lap, her arms around his neck. She laughed, a sound Isabella had always associated with comfort, and kissed her husband gently. Isabella couldn’t help but be jealous. Even if Edward hadn’t run away, she doubted they would be as affectionate as her parents still were in the years after they were married.

Come on, Jonet said, tugging her forward. You’ll feel better when you talk to them. Isabella wasn’t so sure. There was no way she would be able to hide her pregnancy from her mother, just as she hadn’t been able to hide it from Jonet.

Her mother and sister were descendants of the Dalais family, a line that had begun hundreds of years earlier and passed down certain gifts through the ages. Her mother, Tilly, was possessed of both empathy and second sight, meaning she could see the past and future. Jonet could see the future and sense the emotions of living things. Isabella, on the other hand, was completely normal like her father. Being the only powerless woman in the family didn’t usually bother her, but it was a little unsettling when Tilly and Jonet seemed to speak to one another without words. While she was lost in thought, Tilly looked up to see her daughters and slid off her husband’s lap.

Oh, girls, she said, putting her hands on her hips. When she moved toward them, the sunlight coming through the windows caught her hair and set the red in it on fire. Isabella had always thought her mother looked like an angel when this happened, and this time was no different. You startled me. As soon as she saw Isabella’s face, a frown creased her forehead. What’s wrong? Isabella was silent, and it felt as if her feet were glued to the floor. Jonet continued to pull her forward and her father, Jacob, sat forward on the couch. Knowing she couldn’t hide her predicament from a witch and a detective, she took a deep breath.

I’m pregnant.

The shocked silence that filled the room was brittle, as if the slightest noise would shatter it. Her mother put a hand over her mouth and her father stood up slowly, his hands clenched into fists. Isabella didn’t need empathy to know what they were feeling at that moment, and she bowed her head in shame. A moment later, Jonet broke the silence by throwing her arms around Isabella’s waist and grinning brightly at her parents.

Màthair, I’m going to be an auntie! Isn’t that wonderful? Her voice was full of excitement and Isabella was grateful for her enthusiasm. Tilly met her girls in the middle of the room and smiled gently at Isabella as she shook her head.

I suppose it is. Tilly sighed and put her arms around Isabella, who was now as tall as she was. You’re not a little girl anymore, after all. Her mother’s embrace felt good and Isabella’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged her mother back. Jonet was still wrapped around her waist and for the first time since she’d figured out she was pregnant, she felt as though things were going to be all right. She looked over at Jacob, who was standing beside the couch looking as if he wanted to throw something. Her father was by no means a violent man, and she could count on one hand the number of times he had raised his voice at them. There was a limit to his patience, it seemed, and she’d found it.

Who? It was the only word he could get through his clenched teeth, and Isabella leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder for protection.

It doesn’t matter, Tilly said, and a wave of relief washed over Isabella. There are far worse things that could happen to our girls than a baby. She held Isabella at arm’s length and took a handkerchief out of her apron pocket to wipe away her tears, just as she had when Isabella was a little girl who had skinned her knee. I love you just as much as I did the day I first met you.

I love you too, Màthair. She looked at her father, who still seemed to be somewhere between shock and anger. Tilly sighed and turned to him, shaking her head.

Jacob, stop brooding. You’re upsetting Isabella.

I want to know who got her in this mess, he said, and Tilly went over to him with a sigh and took his hands.

It doesn’t matter, she repeated. The most important thing is that we support our daughter the best way we can. I know you’re going to love this baby just as much as the rest of us, you just need some time to get used to it. Jacob scoffed and Tilly smacked him on the arm. Oh, stop.

I’m too young to be a grandfather, he muttered and Tilly threw up her hands and went back to Isabella, then put an arm around her waist that dislodged Jonet at last.

Come along, dearest. I shall make you some Mother’s Tea to calm your nerves. It will be good for you and the baby, Tilly said, leading Isabella to the kitchen with Jonet tagging along behind them. I think I’ll take you to see Dr. Kennedy tomorrow.

Dr. Kennedy? Isabella watched her mother open the large cabinet at the back of the room with a tiny key she kept on a chain under her dress. She opened the doors to reveal a number of glass jars and tins that were carefully labeled with the names of herbs. With a practiced hand, she picked the ones she wanted and set them on the kitchen counter.

I don’t know if you remember, but Jonet was a very difficult birth. Jacob had to drive me from the midwife to the hospital, and she was delivered by Dr. Kennedy. It was such a lovely experience, I see why so many women choose it these days. She closed the cabinet doors and turned to Isabella. If you’d prefer a midwife after you meet him, that would be fine. I would just like you to see him so he’ll know you if there are any problems.

Whatever you think is best, Màthair. Isabella put a hand on her abdomen where she was already starting to get a little bit of a bump. She’d been in denial as long as possible, and as a result her undergarments were getting tighter. Thankfully she usually wore clothes that were more forgiving. Jonet ran to her mother and nearly jumped up and down with excitement.

I want to help! Can I help?

Of course you may. Go get your apron. Jonet squealed with happiness and ran into the greenhouse, leaving Tilly to look back at Isabella. She smiled gently as she motioned to the stove. Would you like to put the kettle on?

Yes, ma’am, Isabella said. She got up from the table and hurried to find the kettle. Her fears had been unfounded, at least about her mother. Her father, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be so accepting.

It doesn’t matter, she thought as she filled the kettle, just as Màthair said. All that I need to worry about is bringing this baby into the world and making sure it’s healthy. She set the kettle on the stove with a smile. She. I have to make sure she’s healthy.

I got it! I got my apron! Jonet burst back into the room with two aprons in her hands. I got yours too, she said, thrusting one at Isabella. Jonet gave her an appraising look. You’re going to need a bigger apron.

Thank you, Jonet, Isabella said with a sigh. The last thing she wanted to think about – apart from her father’s anger – was how large her belly was going to get. Her little sister was still looking at her. What?

You’re going to get really big. Jonet laughed as Isabella swiped at her with the apron and Tilly put her hands on her hips again.

Girls, please!

For the moment, at least, it was as if nothing had changed in the Pierce family. Isabella only wished it could stay that way.

Chapter Two

I wish your father would stop being so ridiculous about this, Tilly said with a huff as she got out of the taxi. She leaned in the window to pay the driver as Isabella got out and pulled her coat more tightly around herself. It was beginning to get cold outside and her mother had decided she didn’t want her to walk all the way to the hospital. I shouldn’t have to pay someone to drive us about when he has that nice new car.

He’s still mad at me, Isabella said sadly. Since she’d told her parents about the pregnancy a few days earlier, Jacob had hardly spoken to her. He’d been polite to her, as he would a houseguest, but her affectionate father had disappeared. I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you, Màthair.

Don’t you start being ridiculous too, Tilly scolded, putting her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. Plenty of women end up in your situation, you’re not the first. Just count yourself lucky that you have a family who loves you and won’t send you away to give your baby up for adoption.

Do people do that? Isabella’s words were hushed and Tilly nodded.

I don’t know that I ever told you this, but I spent some time in an orphanage myself, Tilly said as the hospital doorman opened the door for them and tipped his hat.

Afternoon, ladies.

Good afternoon, Tilly said pleasantly, leading Isabella through the door