All the Pretty Witches (A Hannah Hickok Witchy Mystery Book 6) Read online

  “She’d love it if you talked to her,” Hannah agreed, her mind already considering the multitude of possibilities. “She absolutely adores you.”

  His lips quirked. “Her crush is ... a little uncomfortable for me. Boone thinks it’s funny, but only sometimes. Other times it drives him crazy.”

  “That’s because you’re like a surrogate son to Boone,” Hannah replied absently. “He loves you almost as much as he loves Lindsey. It’s weird for him to think of his little girl having a crush on his son.”

  Cooper made a face. “That makes it sound kinky and wrong.”

  “And yet it’s perfectly normal.”

  “Yes, well, Boone has become attached to you, too,” Cooper pointed out. “If he thinks of us all as his kids, then two of his kids are doing some weird stuff ... even by The Hills Have Eyes standards that are often embraced by deranged locals around here.”

  The picture he was painting made Hannah laugh. “Oh, you’re so funny.” She gave him a kiss, her eyes sparkling. “That might be the best thing anybody has said to me in days.”

  “I can do better.” Cooper leaned close. “I love you ... outrageously.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “If a demon shows up again, though, you’d better tell me.” He turned stern. “I don’t want to deal with any crap.”

  Hannah’s smile curved down. “I’ve got it. You don’t have to worry about me.”

  “That would be a nice change of pace.” Cooper gave her one more kiss and then moved to roll out of bed. “Also, I think Boone would prefer it if you talked to Lindsey. You’re the one who has the best handle on the situation with Bettina.”

  Hannah’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t have a handle on anything.”

  “And yet you still know more than us. Now, come on.” He made snapping noises with his fingers that annoyed Hannah to her very marrow. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll scrub your back in the shower.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to be a good girl.”

  Cooper knew better than that. No matter how reticent she was, Hannah would always do what she thought was right for Lindsey. That’s simply who she was. “I might do something else in there to get your blood pumping, too.”

  Hannah rolled her eyes. “I can’t be bribed.”

  “I’ve got a magic loofah with your name on it that says otherwise.”

  She didn’t want to encourage him — his head was already too big in some areas — but Hannah couldn’t stop herself from laughing as she threw off the covers. “Fine, but Boone better have brought one heckuva breakfast.”

  “I believe there was some bold talk about sausage gravy and biscuits.”

  “There’d better be bacon, too.”

  “I’m sure he’s got you covered.”

  Because Hannah knew that was true, she reluctantly followed Cooper into the bathroom. “I don’t want to be an adult and talk to Lindsey,” she whined. “I have no idea what to say to her.”

  “Join the club. Boone is at his wits end ... and he’s worried. Nobody knows what to say to Lindsey. Somebody needs to get through to her, though. We’re nominating you to kick things off.”

  LINDSEY WAS LISTLESS WHEN SHE FOLLOWED her father into the saloon thirty minutes later. Boone carried a huge box of food — enough for an army — but Lindsey barely showed any interest when he dropped the box on the table.

  “Hey, kid.” Cooper shot the teenager a flirty wink. He wasn’t worried about upsetting Hannah. He was, however, keen to see a smile on Lindsey’s face. “Long time no see.”

  “Whatever.” Lindsey plopped down in one of the chairs and glanced around the saloon. “I don’t really want to be here. Just for the record. My dad made me come.”

  “That’s okay.” Cooper didn’t miss a beat. “I’m still charming and hot whether your dad made you come or not.”

  A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Lindsey’s mouth, but she fought hard and refused to give in. After a few seconds, she switched her attention to Hannah. “Have you brought Angel back yet?”

  Hannah was expecting the question. “Not yet.”

  “So that ... person ... is still running around with Angel’s face?” Lindsey’s opinion of what was happening was obvious. “How long are you going to allow that to keep happening?”

  Boone made a grunting sound as he pinned his daughter with a quelling look. “We’ve talked about this. Hannah isn’t controlling this situation. You need to cut her some slack.”

  “She’s a witch.” Lindsey was suddenly more animated. “She has magic. She needs to use it to save Angel.”

  “That’s what she’s trying to do.” Boone shot an apologetic smile in Hannah’s direction. “I’m sorry for her attitude. She can’t wrap her head around what’s happening. It’s just too much for her.”

  “It’s not too much,” Lindsey argued. “I get it. You think I’m an idiot, but I get it. Hannah is supposed to be a badass witch. That thing that took over Angel is supposed to be a badass witch, too. That means Hannah has to fight her to get Angel’s body back. I know how this goes.”

  Hannah couldn’t find her voice. Instead, she continued to stare at the girl without saying a word.

  “It’s not quite that simple,” Cooper countered, his voice soft. “Bettina, whether you like her or not, is going to help us take down her sister. Amelia is the one we need to worry about. After that, Bettina promises she’ll give Angel’s body back.”

  “And you just believe her?” Lindsey was incredulous. “Why would you believe an evil witch from another time? Don’t you watch movies? Or how about books? Maybe you should read some books. If you did anything like that, you would know this won’t end well. Angel is never going to get her body back. She’s going to be trapped in there forever.”

  Hannah’s stomach twisted. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t considered that very real possibility. She couldn’t control Bettina’s actions, though. The other witch was simply more powerful and knowledgeable than her.

  “Amelia is a threat,” Hannah interjected, drawing Lindsey’s eyes to her. “We can’t let her run wild. If we do, a lot more people than Angel are going to be hurt.”

  “So ... you’re just going to abandon Angel?” Lindsey’s eyes were glassy. “It’s not Angel’s fault this happened. She didn’t do anything.”

  “I know.” Hannah held up her hands, a wave of helplessness washing over her. “I’m well aware that Angel is innocent in all of this. Right now, we’re hamstrung by what we can and can’t do. We will eventually get her back, though. I promise you that.”

  Lindsey didn’t look convinced. “Yeah, I’ll believe that when I see it.”

  Hannah searched for something — anything really — that would placate the girl. She came up empty. “We’ll get her back. I won’t stop until we do.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Lindsey accepted the container her father handed her. “If you’re not, though, I don’t ever want to see you again. This is all your fault. This is your land and you’re supposed to stop what is happening. Instead you’re doing nothing. I can’t be friends with people who do nothing.”

  Hannah thought her heart might shred. “I’m not doing nothing.”

  “That’s funny, because from where I’m sitting, that’s exactly what you’re doing.” Lindsey averted her gaze. “Like I said, I don’t want to be here. I didn’t have much of a choice, though.”

  Boone’s expression was apologetic, but he didn’t say anything. It was obvious he was struggling. They all were, and there was nothing they could do to change the situation. They were waiting on Bettina, and nobody understood how her mind worked or what she ultimately had planned.

  Things would only get more and more tense as time marched forward. Somebody had to make a move. But who? And, more importantly, when?

  8

  Eight

  Lindy arrived early again and Hannah made introductions. The new bartender was the gregarious sort so she immediately started joking with Boone and m
ade a hardcore attempt at talking to Lindsey. The teenager was having none of it, though, and instead sulked in her chair and stared at nothing in particular.

  “You’ll have to excuse her,” Boone said dryly. “She’s at that age where you wonder if you should hug her or call an exorcist.”

  “I would hug her.” Lindy’s expression was hard to read, but Hannah recognized the genuine sympathy rolling off the other woman. Rather than respect the invisible fence that Lindsey had erected around herself, Lindy rested her hand on the girl’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Whatever is wrong, just remember that this is the absolute worst age to be and things will get better.”

  Lindsey gave Lindy a hard look. “You don’t even know what I’m dealing with.”

  Lindy didn’t as much as blink. “I don’t, but it’s obvious you’re sad. It will honestly get better. I swear it.”

  Lindsey simply rolled her eyes and focused on her father. “Can I head over to the animal paddock with Tyler?”

  Boone hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “I think maybe you should stick close to me. We’re going to be hanging around all day. We can do some proper father-daughter bonding.”

  “I think we’re bonded enough.” Lindsey folded her arms across her chest. “I want to hang out with Tyler today ... and the goats. I love the goats.”

  Tyler cleared his throat to get Boone’s attention. He was obviously uncomfortable inserting himself into the conversation but that didn’t stop him. “I think it’s a good idea. She can be my assistant. I expect we’re going to get a lot of people stopping by today. Jinx is bound to get the goats riled up.”

  “We’re going to have Jinx?” For the first time since landing in Casper Creek more than an hour before, Lindsey brightened. “Can’t I please hang around with the animals? I don’t want to be in town with the other people.”

  Hannah knew what was really worrying Lindsey. She didn’t want to see Bettina. Whenever the girl looked at the witch, she saw her friend ... except it wasn’t her friend. That was almost too much for anybody to grapple with, and given Lindsey’s age, it was likely monumentally overwhelming.

  “I think it’s a good idea, too,” Hannah said as she drew Boone’s gaze to her, something unsaid passing between them. “She’ll be safe there. Tyler will keep an eye on her.”

  Confusion had Lindy’s eyebrows drawing together. “Why wouldn’t she be safe?”

  “Because she’s boy crazy,” Boone replied, not missing a beat. “She’s the type who will take off following a group of teenagers if they strike her fancy. I prefer it when she has a mature babysitter.”

  “Well, that rules me out,” Tyler drawled on a sly grin. “I haven’t been mature since ... well ... ever.”

  “Which is why I like you,” Lindsey said. “Plus, you love animals. I want to see the animals.”

  The determined expression on his daughter’s face was enough to sway Boone. “Fine. You can hang around with the animals.” He hesitated a moment and then barreled forward. “If you decide to leave the animal paddock, I expect you to text and tell me.”

  “I’m not a baby,” Lindsey reminded him.

  Boone wasn’t about to be deterred. “You’re my baby. That’s the condition if you expect to run off with Tyler.”

  “Fine.” Lindsey threw her hands up in dramatic fashion. “I’ll text if I want to leave. That’s not going to happen, though, so you have nothing to worry about.”

  “I’ll watch her,” Tyler promised, getting to his feet. “I have new collars for the goats with name tags. She can help me get the goats all gussied up.”

  “Can I feed the horses, too?” Lindsey queried. “I like giving them apples.”

  “Then you’re in luck.” Tyler beamed at her. “I got a fresh load yesterday. We’ll have a good time.” He gave Boone a tip of his invisible hat before moving toward the door and offering a low whistle to get Jinx to follow. “I love having an assistant. It makes me feel like a big deal.”

  “I’m not picking up poop,” Lindsey warned him as they disappeared through the door. “That’s where I draw the line.”

  “Oh, and I had an engraved pooper scooper made for you and everything. That’s a bummer.”

  Lindsey let loose a shrill screech. “You did not!”

  “I did. It’s pink.”

  “That’s so gross.”

  “And yet you kind of want to see it, don’t you?”

  “Maybe a little.”

  Boone waited until they were gone to speak again. “I hope she’s not rude to Tyler all day. I’m going to be ticked off if she starts acting like a typical teenager.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Cooper reassured him. “The fresh air and Tyler’s sense of humor will do wonders for her.”

  “I hope so.” Boone used his napkin to wipe the corners of his mouth and then stood. “I think I’m going to head over to the blacksmith shop to start. I’ll be around all day, though.”

  “Stop in for lunch,” Hannah ordered. “We have the corned beef sandwiches on special today. You love those.”

  Boone managed a smile, but it didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. “I do love those,” he acknowledged. “I’ll be around multiple times. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  Hannah found herself watching Cooper as Boone exited the building. He looked as concerned as she felt. Since Lindy was present, however, she couldn’t ask the obvious question.

  “Is something going on that I don’t understand?” Lindy asked from behind the bar, where she was fastening an apron around her waist. “I mean ... did something happen to that girl? She seems really sad.”

  “She’s been dealing with some stuff,” Cooper replied evasively. “You know kids that age. They’re not always great when it comes to coping with the little things in life so they turn it into one big thing.”

  Lindy didn’t look convinced and instead focused her attention on Hannah. “She’s okay, right?”

  Hannah nodded. “She’s just at that awkward age when everything feels like it’s the end of the world. She’ll be okay.”

  Lindy waited a beat longer and then bobbed her head in agreement. “I remember being that age. It was the absolute worst. The smallest things could set me off. It’s was like having advanced PMS twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thirty-one days a month … even if the month only had thirty days.”

  “If you believe my father, he says I channeled Satan for a few years,” Hannah mused. “He even bought me a headband with devil horns that he instructed me to wear if I was feeling particularly evil.”

  “Oh, not my girl,” Cooper crooned on a laugh as he leaned in to give her a kiss. “I’m betting you were a delightful teenager.”

  “You would’ve hated me.”

  “Never.” He was earnest as he stared into her eyes. “I was a walking hormone back then. I would’ve been all over you.”

  Hannah laughed as he tickled her ribs. “I wish I would’ve known you as a teenager. I bet you were full of yourself.”

  “He strikes me as the type who walked around in a letterman’s jacket,” Lindy volunteered. “You were quarterback, right? You have that look.”

  “I think we’re done with this conversation.” Cooper was unnaturally prim as he headed toward the door. “And I was the running back, not the quarterback. That’s the prestige position.”

  Hannah laughed, delighted. “I learn something new about you every single day.”

  Cooper paused at the door. “You can put that cheerleading uniform you have on later and cheer for me to make a touchdown if you want. That might be fun.”

  “Oh, lord.” Lindy fanned her face. “I can feel the sexual tension zipping around this room. You two are unbelievably hot.”

  “It’s all him,” Hannah said. “He turns me into a blushing schoolgirl all over again.”

  “I have a way about me,” Cooper agreed, pressing his hand to his mouth and blowing Hannah a kiss. “I’ll check in throughout the day. Try to stay out of trouble.”
>
  Hannah recognized what he was trying so hard not to say in front of Lindy. “I’ll be fine. Make sure you check on Lindsey, too. I think she could use some extra attention.”

  “That’s the plan,” Cooper agreed. “I plan on checking in with both my girls as often as possible.”

  “Lucky me.”

  “No, lucky us.” He saluted and slipped through the door. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Hannah grinned as she watched him go. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  COOPER WALKED FROM ONE END OF CASPER Creek to the other three times before he decided to take a break at the animal paddock. He was hyper-vigilant — a condition that wasn’t lost on him — but there was nothing he could do to ease his anxiety until they’d managed to put Amelia and Bettina in their rearview mirror. That didn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon given the current state of affairs.

  “Back for more babysitting?” Tyler queried when he caught sight of Cooper loitering near the fence. They’d already seen one rush meander through Casper Creek. The second was imminent.

  “I’m not babysitting,” Cooper countered, glancing around. “I’m simply carrying out my official duties as the security chief of Casper Creek.”

  “If you say so.” Tyler wiped his hands on a rag and regarded his friend. “If you’re worried about Lindsey, she’s fine. She’s been easygoing and quiet since she started helping.”

  Cooper’s smile was rueful. “I know you mean for that to make me feel better, but when have you ever known Lindsey to be quiet? She’s boasted the energy of a tornado since I met her.”

  “That’s all kids,” Tyler replied. “As for Lindsey ... .” He trailed off and then held up his hands. “She’s upset. She has a right to be. What happened to Angel is a tragedy.”

  “It’s not a tragedy yet,” Cooper countered. “Right now, it’s an inconvenience. It will only be a tragedy if we can’t get Angel back.”

  “Do you think we really will?” Tyler looked dubious. “I mean ... why would Bettina willingly give up that body? If she does what she says she can do, why would she essentially end her own life rather than take off and live the one Angel was supposed to have?”