Jingle Bells and Wedding Spells: Mystic Inn Mystery, #8

By Stephanie Damore

Just when Vance and I are ready to tie the knot, someone from my past comes back to haunt me. Over the past couple of years, I've put away my fair share of bad guys, and all of them would like to see revenge.

The question is, which one of them is it?

When curses start to befall my friends, there's no way it's coincidental. The culprit knows the surefire way to get back at me is to target those I love. 

As if I needed any more motivation. 

Listen up, Wedding Crasher, I took you down once, and I'll take you down again. And this time? You might not get back up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie Damore
• Release date: Feb 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215353011

Book preview

Chapter 1

The lobby of Mystic Inn was warm and cozy with a crackling fire in the fireplace, garland strung across the mantel, and twinkling white lights reflecting off the gold candle holders. Aunt Thelma had magicked the air to smell perpetually like cinnamon, adding to the festive atmosphere and making me crave Diane’s cinnamon rolls from her bakery, La Luna.

In the corner of the lobby was a beautiful twelve-foot spruce Christmas tree decorated with sparkling ornaments and multi-colored lights. Next to the tree, Aunt Thelma had set up a miniature Christmas village with tiny shops, evergreens, fake snow, and even a replica of Silverlake’s famous witch fountain that stood at the center of Wishing Well Park.

On the side table, a tray of frosted sugar cookies from La Luna was on display, inviting guests to indulge in a sweet treat as they passed. The warm glow of the fire and the festive decorations made the lobby feel like a magical winter wonderland.

I stood behind the front counter, checking in a group of guests. As I handed them their room keys, I couldn't help but feel excited about my upcoming wedding.

Oh, I know that look, Aunt Thelma interrupted my daydream. I hadn’t even realized she’d come out of the back office. You’re thinking about the big day, aren’t you? she asked with a smile.

What? No. I shook my head as if the action added weight to my statement. I was mentally calculating how many more guests still need to check in tonight.

I don’t know why you try to deny it. A bride is supposed to daydream about her wedding, especially when it’s only days away. I don’t know why you insist on working right up to it.

Because if I didn’t, I’d walk around with my head in the clouds all day, and where would that get me? No, I’d rather be busy here.

If you say so, but I have to tell you, I stopped by the church, and the decorations are beautiful. Father George said the Christmas tree is over fifteen feet tall this year. The ladies guild went all out with the poinsettias at the altar and holly and candles on every window ledge. The way the candles light up the stained glass windows? Well, it’s even more magical than I could’ve ever dreamed, and that’s saying something.

At first, I wasn’t sure about a winter wedding, but it didn’t take me long to warm up to the idea. The beautiful church decor was the icing on the cake.

Only five more days until the big day, I said. My voice hitched at the end from nerves.

Aunt Thelma smiled. I know, dear. It's getting closer and closer, but don’t worry. Clemmie and I have taken care of everything. It’s going to be perfect.

I'm sure it will be. I wasn’t one to gush poetically, but I was excited to marry Vance. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I walked down the aisle in my custom-made gown. It was the one thing I’d picked out.

You two are going to be so happy together, Aunt Thelma said.

I replied with a smile. After our twenty-year history together, it was finally time for us to be happy. I wasn’t going to worry about anything, including the warning from Amelia, the young psychic, this past fall. My best friend Misty almost destroyed her relationship by taking the psychic’s words to heart. I refused to do that. I wasn’t going to worry about anything until I had a reason to, and so far, things were moving along without a hitch. It was time that I focused on the good and enjoyed the moment. I said as much to my aunt.

That's the spirit, Aunt Thelma said, patting me on the back as another group of guests walked through the door.

I might’ve been excited about my upcoming wedding, but that wasn’t what was driving the tourists into town tonight. No, tonight was the hot cocoa crawl at Village Square, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony at Wishing Well Park. The quaint outside shopping district was hosting the event. It was like Christmas trick-or-treating. You could go from shop to shop, trying different hot cocoas and toppings like candy canes, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and sprinkles. Some shops were also giving out little gifts like bath bombs filled with calming potions courtesy of Connie at her potion shop, gourmet marshmallows from Luke at the candy shop, and buttered shortbread from Diane’s bakery. Rumor had it the Tavern was also offering a variety of festive spirits to spike your brew. There was even a chance to win the grand prize, a magical getaway to Mount Holly. The Christmas Village celebrated Yuletide three hundred and sixty-five days a year and was known to bring out the Christmas spirit in the grinchiest of witches.

You’re not going to believe it, but I think it’s going to snow tonight, Vance said when he entered the lobby a few minutes later. Aunt Thelma and I had been alone in the lobby once more. Vance brushed a few droplets off his black wool coat.

Is it raining out? I looked across the room and out the patio doors, but it was too dark outside to make out anything. I couldn't even see the lake. As much as I enjoyed the cheer of the holiday season, part of me missed the long summer nights, sipping glasses of wine on the patio and watching the swans glide across the water.

A little bit. It’s more like freezing rain at this point, but if the temp drops like they say it will, it’ll turn to flakes in no time.

Wouldn’t that be a miracle? Aunt Thelma chimed in. Snow in Silverlake without using a spell. My aunt winked.

Wait, you didn’t cast a weather spell, did you? Something about the mischievous twinkle in my aunt's eye made me not trust her.

Wouldn’t tell you if I did. Aunt Thelma smiled and disappeared into her back office.

She’s trouble; you know that? I said to Vance with affection in my voice. Both she and her best friend, Clemmie; you had to watch it with those two.

Chapter 2

As we walked through Village Square, I was struck by the beauty of the holiday decorations. The district was awash with the warm glow of bright Christmas lights. The Town Council had wrapped strands of colorful bulbs around lampposts and draped them across storefronts, casting a festive atmosphere over the bustling sidewalk. The shops were dressed in their holiday finest with garlands of pine and holly adorning their windows and doors. A local artist had painted winter scenes on the front windows of some of the shops. The jeweler's large window displayed a carefully painted festive portrait of Santa Claus and his reindeer flying through a starry night sky.

As visitors bustled about, their breath misting in the cold air, the sounds of carolers filled the air. A group of rosy-cheeked singers stood on the corner, belting out traditional holiday tunes as they collected donations for a local charity.

Despite Vance's assurances that it was going to snow, the Town Council had taken no chances, choosing to blanket the rooftops in fluffy white cotton instead of using a weather spell. Snow and ice were beautiful, but they could be a hassle to deal with when it came to shoveling sidewalks and salting roads.

As we walked, we saw other people enjoying the hot cocoa crawl, going from shop to shop, and trying different flavors and toppings. The warm glow of the lights and the carols added to the joyous atmosphere. I couldn't help but feel excited, surrounded by the season's magic.

Hey, guys, congrats on the upcoming wedding! Elizabeth said as she passed by with Cassidy. Elizabeth used to live one town over in Harrisville but recently moved in with Cassidy, one of our town’s healers and owner of the apothecary. Elizabeth said she didn’t have a reason to stay in Harrisville anymore after her uncle passed away, and she was ready to embrace more of her witchy side. The good witchy side, that is. Her family had a dark past, and Elizabeth had been working to pay off the ‘karmic debt’ ever since. Her words, not mine. I rather liked Elizabeth and not only because she helped me break a tricky curse. Elizabeth was a good person whether she believed it or not.

Luckily, Cassidy agreed, and she said she could use a hand at her store. After a shaky start, word of Cassidy’s remedies got around, and she quickly made a name for herself. The two made a great team.

Thank you! Vance and I said in unison as we passed by. We would’ve stopped and chatted, but the ladies seemed like they were on a mission.

After grabbing a cup of cocoa from La Luna, we decided to head over to the Candy Cauldron for a gourmet marshmallow and to check in with Sabrina and Beatrice. The mischievous twins had kept to their word and were busy experimenting with different truffle flavors for the wedding. I’d hoped giving them something to do would keep them out of trouble. So far, the plan seemed to be working.

Hey, Angelica, we're so excited about your big day, Beatrice said when we walked in.

Are you here to sample one of the truffles? Sabrina added.

Sure, if you have them ready.

We might have one or two you can try, Sabrina said.

But we can't give away the secret ingredient. You'll just have to trust us, Beatrice winked.

I glanced over at Vance. It was mighty hard to trust the twins. If you’d ever been on the receiving end of one of their pranks, you’d know why.

GIRLS! Luke's raised voice came from the kitchen. Their uncle poked his face out of the door, and I gasped. His entire face was covered in glitter like a disco ball. His eyes latched onto the girls. Who switched out my wand for a trick wand? he demanded.

The twins backed up, seeming to gauge how angry their uncle was. Well, you did say tonight was a festive occasion, Beatrice started.

And there’s nothing more festive than glitter. Am I right? Sabrina tried to smile.

Girls. Luke’s eye began to twitch, or maybe it was just reflecting off the overhead lighting.

Sorry, Uncle Luke, Beatrice said, but you have to admit it is pretty funny.

And you look very festive!

And if we don’t keep you on your toes, who will? Beatrice added.

I shook my head. I looked over at the troublemakers. I thought you two had turned over a new leaf?

You can’t expect us to be good all the time, Beatrice replied.

We’ve been extra good lately, and it’s exhausting, Sabrina replied dramatically.

Beatrice leaned in. After this wedding business is over, all bets are off.

I looked over at Luke and wondered if he wanted to ship his nieces off to boarding school now or wait until after the holidays.

Just then, their friend Amelia opened the door. Hey, guys, are you coming to the hot cocoa crawl with me?

Of course, they said in unison.

We wouldn't miss it for the world, Sabrina added.

Nice glitter, Amelia added to Luke as the twins met up with her. The duo whisked their friend out the door before she could utter another word.

Be back here by nine! Luke hollered after them. Beatrice waved over her shoulder, indicating she’d heard him.

Here, allow me. I withdrew my wand and pointed it at my friend’s face. There was a time not too long ago when I was a walking disaster when it came to magic, but I’d since been practicing thanks to my tutor, Vanessa Ravenwood, headmistress of Mount Holly’s School of Magic. I’d mastered a few mundane spells, such as conjuring wind or water, and Aunt Thelma promised to let me practice my defense magic against her later this week. I wasn’t sure that was