An Old Witches Tale: The Whitewood Witches of Fennelmoore, #5

By Agnes Lester Brown

It's a little-known fact that Granny Fae lived at the Shady Pastures old age home before she got kicked out and had to move in with her daughter, Hazel and three grandchildren at Whitewood Mansion. Fae has always been vague about why exactly she had to leave in such a hurry, but everyone guessed it had something to do with the murder of the Shady Pastures janitor, Joe Humberton, and Fae's role in cornering the killer. The rest of the family speculated it was all about the clandestine potion factory Fae and her two witch friends, Dinah and Blair were running from the Shady Pastures basement, but Fae has never confessed to that.

This tell-all book lays the story bare in all its gossip-worthy details. If you thought old age homes were tranquil places of retirement, think again…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Lantern Publishing
• Release date: Aug 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201688370

Agnes Lester Brown

I wrote my first story when I was six years old and yes, it was about puppies. I’ve kept writing ever since, in one form or another. Starting off as a newspaper reporter in the heyday of print media I later jumped ship to a long career in business writing, followed by blogging and writing for websites. For the past few years I’ve been rediscovering the joy and art of storytelling, crafting stories about magic, murder and mystery. Nothing makes me happier than browsing a whimsical second hand bookshop , home made vegetable soup on a cold winter’s evening, or devouring yet another whodunnit while snuggling with my Norwegian Forest cat, Matisse. You can see details of upcoming books and new series, as well as titbits on characters on my website at http://www.agneslesterbrown.com.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The girl with the tousled brown hair sighed behind the steering wheel as she swung the powder-blue van around on Lemington Lane, and headed back the way she came. Her mind was preoccupied; so much so that she’d lost concentration and missed the entrance to the Shady Pastures retirement home where Granny Fae, her beloved grandmother, lived. She pushed her sunglasses up her nose and forced herself to focus, making sure she didn’t miss the looming cast-iron gates on the left the second time she passed them.

It wasn’t like she didn’t come here often—she visited Fae at least once a week. But knowing how cranky Fae became whenever she mentioned her late Grandpa Randolph, she knew it was a difficult conversation that lay ahead during her visit.

She slowly drove up the leafy driveway lined with aging oaks and past the well-manicured lawns and expansive emerald gardens that surrounded the Shady Pastures building complex. Twice she had to stop and wait for seniors with canes and walkers, accompanied by their helpers, to shuffle across the driveway on their daily walkabouts. She was grateful when she thought about how spritely and energetic her granny still was, despite having celebrated her seventieth birthday only last month. She reluctantly thought how much she’d miss Fae’s dry sense of humor and no-nonsense attitude when she was no longer around. But as she parked in the gravel parking lot and turned off the car, she closed her eyes and shook her head to expel that notion.

After all, it was a ridiculous idea. There was no reason for Fae not to live to a ripe old age. Or even forever. She certainly knew enough about alchemy, magic potions and spell casting to cheat every known cause of death.

Here comes Lori, my favorite granddaughter! Fae exclaimed from where she and her two best friends and roommates, Dinah and Blaise, were seated below a shaded pergola in the garden. Lori guessed the three old ladies had been sitting there since early morning, looking forward to her arrival. Fae beamed and opened her arms for a hug. Where’s the rest of the crazy Whitewood family today?

Lori kissed Fae on both her rosy cheeks. Hi, Granny. I’m so happy to see you’re as chipper as always. She winked at Dinah and Blaise. I hope she hasn’t been playing too many pranks on you two.

Oh, we keep her in check, but only just, Dinah said. She’s a feisty one.

Unlike during other visits, Lori didn’t sit down straight away to catch up with the latest goings-on at Shady Pastures. She was visiting for a purpose that needed privacy.

She put her hand on Fae’s shoulder. Granny, can we go for a walk? I need to discuss a few matters with you. She saw the quizzical expressions of the other two. Just normal family stuff, nothing serious. We’ll be back in a second. It was a half-hearted excuse, one she knew would fire up their curiosity rather than satisfy it.

Fae acted defensive. If it’s about the love potions I prepared for your boisterous cousins, it ain’t my fault if they got knocked up. I warned them those potions were potent mixtures and should be used with extreme care, she said, holding up her hands. Dinah and Blaise giggled behind theirs.

Lori blushed. Don’t worry, Jasmine and Rosie are definitely not pregnant. And you know how touchy twenty-somethings are about their love lives, so I don’t broach the subject when we talk. By the way, Aunt Hazel sends her love and asked me to remind you to do those morning exercises the doctor gave you. Now, shall we go?

If you insist, Fae said and reluctantly got up. She looked at Dinah and Blaise. Excuse me for a minute, guys. Let me go hear what’s so hush-hush that it can’t be said in decent company.

Lori delayed what she wanted to come to talk about until the two of them had walked halfway across the lawn in the direction of the duck pond and were well out of earshot. She listened with half an ear as Fae chattered about the staff they suspected of swiping their chocolates, and how the residents were up in arms because there hadn’t been any pudding served in almost three months. As they approached the duck pond, with its pink water lilies and pretty sculpted rock coves, Lori breathed deeply and interrupted Fae’s string of complaints.

We held our regular solstice family gathering over at Whitewood Mansion yesterday, Lori said. We’re sorry you weren’t there—

Yes, yes, whatever, Fae said and waved her hand dismissively. The girls and I had an urgent order for a few magic items, so I had to skip the solstice. Not that I missed anything, I’m sure. I bet old Randolph, rest his miserable soul, would’ve made the usual theatrical entrance in a cloud of orange smoke. Tell me, what was he wearing? Let me guess—it was a silver sorcerer’s hat and that ridiculous sequined purple coat. She shook her head. I can’t imagine I was once married to that old coot.

Yes, Grandpa Randolph graced us with his presence from the Other Side, Lori said, a little dismayed at her granny’s lack of respect for the departed. She stopped, turned to Fae, and took her hand. He told us he’s worried sick about you, Granny.

Fae stomped her walking stick. Worried about me? Why would he care all of a sudden? Did you tell him how happy I am here at Shady Pastures, not having to listen to his constant criticism of my spell-casting skills?

Granny, be serious, please. Lori’s stern voice had the desired effect, and Fae held back further snarky comments. You know Grandpa Randolph’s clairvoyant gifts have saved us from much trouble in the past. When he says something terrible’s going to happen to you and that you’ll be in grave danger, we need to take him seriously.

Fae was unperturbed. Danger? For heaven’s sake, this is an old age home, not a war zone. What sort of danger can possibly be lurking here? What does Randolph know that I can’t see with my own eyes?

Lori gave Fae a stern look. Are the three of you still concocting potions in that clandestine magic factory you’re running in the basement? What if anyone found out about it? Imagine if one of your spell experiments went awry. You’re well aware Mr. Drake runs Shady Pastures with an iron fist and will kick you out at the drop of a hat if he finds out about it.

Fae shrugged offhand. "There’ve been a few minor mishaps, but nothing serious. We tried out a new anti-snoring potion on old Mr. Wilson in Room Fourteen, the one above ours, because it was keeping us awake all night. When the nurses arrived the next morning to shave him, they were confronted by a six-foot-long beard. We even had the press here. Apparently it’s a world record, and he’s going to be featured on the cover of Fantastic Beards International magazine."

She hastily continued when she saw Lori’s worried look. But we’ve had wonderful successes too. We experimented with a blessing spell, and the next thing you know, Gloria, one of the helpers, who had cash flow problems, won six figures in the lottery. Apparently she and her hubby are living in it up in the Bahamas now. Other than that, it’s business as usual here, you might say.

Any misgivings Lori had had about what she wanted to say vanished as she listened to Fae. She cleared her throat.

Granny, the family and I have had discussions, and we want you to come live with us, at Whitewood Manor. It’s for your own protection.

Thank you for being so concerned about me, my child, Fae said in the soothing tone she reserved for her granddaughter. She took Lori’s arm. I know you want what’s best for me, but I’m happy living here. And besides, I get to see my best friends every day. Her voice became firm again. "No, moving from here isn’t happening anytime soon. In fact, make that never. I’m planted at Shady Pastures, like those oaks." She pointed in the direction of the driveway.

No matter how much cajoling, bribing and threatening Lori did, Fae wouldn’t budge. All she did was keep shaking her head, and later ignore what Lori was saying.

It took Lori a while to realize she wasn’t going to win the battle of wills between them.

Alright. I can’t force you to relocate. But you have to promise you’ll take extra care. You know Grandpa Randolph. As quirky as he may be, he’s never wrong with these predictions. He’s one of the best sorcerers there ever was. And, believe it or not, he still cares deeply about you.

At that moment, both winced and hung on to each other as thunder rumbled in the distance and a blinding bolt of lightning lit up the horizon. While Lori had been doing her best to convince Fae to move, the sky had gone from a deep, cloudless blue with cheerful sunlight to a blanket of menacing storm clouds.

It looks like a downpour’s about to drench us, so let me quickly get you back to your room, Lori said and steered Fae back to the main building. She flinched when a huge raindrop stung her bare arm. I hope this foul weather isn’t an omen of something bad befalling you, she said, but Fae pretended not to hear.

CHAPTER ONE

The giant grey owl living in the towering oak tree by the Shady Pastures entrance turned his feathery horned head sharply as a dark blue sedan started up the old age home’s driveway. He wasn’t used to cars at this time of night. His large yellow eyes followed the vehicle’s red taillights as it approached the main building. The driver turned off his headlights and cruised slowly into the darkened parking area.

As the car passed by a dense clump of pine trees bordering the empty parking lot, three petite figures appeared from behind the shrubbery in black dresses that reached to the ground and black cone-shaped hats pulled low over their faces. All were carrying large bags slung over their shoulders. It made them look like hunchbacks in the dim light of the sickle moon.

The car halted a few feet away from them, and the driver turned off the ignition. For a few moments, the air was dead quiet, except for the faraway hoot of the entrance gate owl, who’d resumed his nocturnal hunt. Then one of the back windows whirred down halfway, and the three shadowy figures shuffled closer.

What’s the code word? an elderly female voice hissed into the opening.

"Sageconiferonicum," came the barely