Suspicious Wizards: Bellarose Cat Cafe, #2

By L.A. Boruff, Lia Davis and Lacey Carter

Heather Bellarose is happier than she has been in a long time. Returning to Cave River, Arizona, and reconnecting with her sisters has filled a void she hasn't realized she's been missing. However, nothing is ever perfect.

Her sixteen-year-old daughter doesn't like her for moving them away from Seattle. Then Brady, Heather's ex, moves to Cave River, stirring up all kinds of mixed emotions. Their relationship is complicated at best. Heather isn't sure she can trust him not to leave her again.

Nothing can be simple, especially when the boarding house burns down, and Brady has to stay at the Bellarose mansion.

Heather puts him in the farthest room from hers, of course.

The evil warlock who is set on buying up the whole town is causing chaos. Cate is cursed, and Heather and Rae work to break it all the while running the cat cafe and fulfilling their duties outlined in their grandfather's will.

Losing her heart to her ex-husband for the second time isn't the only thing Heather has to worry about. She and her sisters must save the entire town.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Phantom Pen
• Release date: Aug 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223697183

L.A. Boruff

L.A. Boruff lives in East Tennessee with her husband, three children, and an ever growing number of cats. She loves reading, watching TV, and procrastinating by browsing Facebook. L.A.’s passions include vampires, food, and listening to heavy metal music. She once won a Harry Potter trivia contest based on the books, and lost one based on the movies. She has two bands on her bucket list that she still hasn’t seen: AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Feel free to send tickets.

Book preview

1

HEATHER

Pacing the front entryway, I stopped periodically and looked out the windows to catch the first glimpse of my daughter Allie coming down the long driveway with my ex-husband Brady. I was anxious to see her, since they were returning from Seattle. I forced my sixteen-year-old daughter to move to Cave River, Arizona, out of the blue. It had been a challenging transition. Luckily, having cousins here has helped. It also changed things when we all got our magical powers. That was certainly something that wouldn't have happened if we had stayed in Seattle.

Worry had me highly anxious, though. What if returning to Seattle for her grandmother's funeral on her father's side made it to where she didn't appreciate being back in Cave River? We didn't talk much while she was there, and I understood she was dealing with the funeral, catching up with her dad's side of the family, and going out and catching up with her friends. I hated having to move her from her home, but my grandfather's will requirements were clear: I had to live here for a year and work at the family cat cafe with my sisters to get any of our inheritance.

Getting her here the first time was a struggle, but having her father move here after we left was a big help. She liked having her dad here, and I didn't know how I wanted to be about it, but I admitted now that I was anxious to be around him too. When we divorced, it was a relief that I didn't have to deal with my ex's cold attitude. Which was far different from the man I married. Who was the man I still missed and still loved? He was no longer that when we lived in Seattle, and when he followed Allie here, he became more of the man I remembered and ached for.

Shaking my head, I stopped myself from reliving those memories and that line of thinking. I was eager to have my daughter home and work on our relationship like we'd been doing before she returned to Seattle.

Playing with my fingers, the soft clicking of my shoes on the tile echoed around the room. I constantly looked down at my watch. I should’ve listened to my gut when I wanted to pick them up from the airport, but Brady had left his car there. He needed to bring it back anyway, so it would've been a waste for me to pick Allie up when he was already coming in this direction.

The sound of tires rolling on gravel touched my awareness. Happiness engulfed me as I leaped to the window and moved the curtain. Sure enough, it was my ex driving down the long driveway.

They're here. Allie's home, I shouted into the house with glee as I ran through the front door, dying to get my arms around my daughter. The separation from her was a killer.

The smile on my face widened as I heard my nieces Jules and Cece running around upstairs and then thundering down the stairs to greet their cousin. My daughter’s relationship with her cousins blossomed after moving here. They had been practically strangers, but not anymore. Allie was an only child, as each of her cousins were, but now living in the same home, we're getting the true bond of sisterhood. Something I wanted more of growing up, but somehow was off the mark.

Brady parked and got out smiling while Allie was delayed in the passenger seat, and I witnessed her take a heavy breath.

Faltering, I watched as she was more sullen than when I was last with her. She was upbeat and having fun with her cousins, aunts, and me as we discovered our powers and what we were capable of. There were hiccups, but the teenage hatred had vanished from her. She was grieving another lost family member, so I attributed it to why she didn't appear excited to be with me.

Hi, Heather, Brady said as he pulled out Allie's bags from the trunk of his car.

Hi, Brady.

Allie finally left the car and slammed the door. Hi, Mom.

Hi, baby. I'm so glad you're home. I've missed you.

Allie, you're home. My eleven-year-old niece Cece squealed as she ran out the door with Jules on her tail.

Allie's smile came to life, and she rushed to her cousins and gave them big hugs, avoiding my open arms altogether. My heart clenched, and I rushed to cross my arms in front of me, but I didn't miss the frown on Brady's face and the way he glared at our daughter.

Jules, my responsible and amazing twenty-two-year-old niece, looked over Allie's head and gave me a sad smile, mouthing that she'd talk to her.

Shrugging my shoulders, I smiled at her and shook my head. I was happy my daughter at least said hello to me and didn't ignore me completely. It'd take time. It wasn't the welcome home I wanted, but I wasn’t too surprised, what with our tumultuous history since the divorce.

Brady stood beside me with Allie's luggage. Give it time, Heather. The funeral was hard on her, and saying goodbye to her friends again was a little much. She was quiet the whole trip home. Once she re-settles, it'll get better.

Nodding and watching my daughter escape into the Bellarose family home with her cousins, I turned to my ex. Thank you for bringing her home. I could've picked her up at the boarding house. You have to be tired and drained from everything.

It's no trouble. It was as easy for me to drop her off. He was about to put the suitcase on the gravel when something inside me wasn't ready for him to go yet, which was odd. When we encountered each other in Seattle at drop-offs, I couldn't wait to get away from him, but ever since he moved to Cave River, it's been different.

Before thinking better of it, I offered, Would you like a cup of coffee?

Startled, Brady stood taller and held the suitcase tighter. It didn't take him long to respond. Yes, I'd love a cup of coffee.

Entering the house and shutting the door, I instructed him to set the suitcase by the stairs and I'd take it up later. We made our way into the kitchen, where my sisters Cate and Rae were sitting at the island finishing their afternoon tea and cookies, something we'd been doing since we got back together. It helped us reconnect and ensure we were communicating and on the same page about everything.

Oh, Brady, it's good to see you. Again we're so sorry about your mother. It's never easy losing a parent, Rae said.

Trust us, we understand all too well. Please let us know if you need anything, okay? Cate added in.

Brady's cheeks tinged slightly, and he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. We may be divorced now, but I still knew him well. I could tell from our history that his reactions to how he treated me after my father died were at the forefront of his mind. After all, his inability to understand my grief caused him to turn a cold shoulder and inevitably leave me.

Thank you. I appreciate that.

Well, I want to go and say hi to Allie. I'm going to head upstairs, Rae said, and Cate caught on to our younger sister's hints to leave us alone as they scurried out of the kitchen quickly.

The uncomfortable air wasn't lost on me, and I didn't know how I wanted to react to my sister pulling this one on me.

Wanting something to do, I went to the Keurig and made a cup of coffee for Brady, exactly how he liked it. When I caught on that he stood watching me, spastic flips fluttered and twirled in my stomach, but I battled that as quickly as it came.

None of this should be happening. I should still be angry with him because of how he blew up our family, but as I moved back home and started to reconnect with my old life, I realized this was possible because I got divorced. I became a happier woman because I was doing what I love now and getting a solid relationship with my sisters. I'd always wanted one but was too afraid to grab onto it.

Sit down, Brady. Relax. Have some of Cate's famous chocolate walnut cookies. I swear to you, there's nothing in this world like my big sister's baking.

Taking a seat, he reached for a cookie, and I finished making his coffee and placed it in front of him while I poured myself a cup of tea.

Thank you, Heather. He took a bite and moaned. Whoa. You weren't kidding. These are amazing. I've had her cooking before, but this is different.

Hiding my smirk behind my cup, I wanted to laugh. Her cooking and baking did improve because of her new secret ingredient—magic.

How was the funeral? We didn't get to talk much. I hate that I missed it. Lowering my eyes, I let the guilt eat at me for not going, because his mother was always good to me, and I adored the woman. With the magical problems we had been dealing with, it wasn't safe for anyone for me to leave. Brady didn't know that, but he understood the obligations I had because of my grandfather's will.

No, you had to stay. I understand that completely. We still have some details about my mother's will between me and my brother to work out. There's a trust set up for Allie. I need to go through all that to ensure she's well taken care of.

I nodded, relieved my daughter didn’t have to worry about things as she got older.

People asked about you and wanted me to tell you you're missed and hoped you were doing well. I let them know about the recent tragedies of your family.

Sipping my tea, I said, Thank you for letting people know I wanted to be there but was unable. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mother was an amazing woman and was so good to me. Even after our divorce, she was kind to me. I never forgot that.

Fiddling with the napkin on the counter, I paused when Brady cleared his throat.

About recent tragedies.

Lifting my brow at Brady, I sat still, giving him my full attention.

Heather, I want to sincerely apologize for how I treated you after your father's death. I'd never lost anyone before and never imagined how grief-stricken one could be. I understand now. There are moments that I'm okay, and then the next, it's as if a bag of bricks had been launched against my chest. I miss her so much. You loved your father deeply, and if I'd known you were feeling half as bad as I do now, I would've taken better care of you. His eyes misted up, and he reached out for my hand. I hope you can forgive me one day because I'm disgusted with myself and how I treated you. You needed me, and I turned my back. I want you to know I'll never do that again. I'm here if you need me. I'm even more relieved to have moved here for the year to be closer in case that needed to happen.

Shocked at his apology, I stared at him, trying to absorb everything he said. I desperately needed to hear it but didn't know how to respond appropriately. Instead of giving him words, I did what I wished he'd done with me. I hugged him. I got off my stool and hugged him close because when somebody was grieving, there were no words.

We stayed that way far longer than I intended, but I also didn't want to face what he had to say because I didn't know if I was ready to forgive him yet. After all, it was heartbreaking how he treated me, and it wasn't okay. A part of me also missed him so much because I'd always loved him. However, trusting him was a lot harder now.

His hands ran up and down my back, and there was no stopping my fingers from lingering and running through his hair at the nape of his neck. It was familiar and something I always did when