Read Witchy Tales: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fairy Tale Online
Authors: Amanda M. Lee
Witchy Tales: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fairy Tale (21 page)
Aunt Tillie shifted the book in her lap to the couch and got to her feet. “They need a benevolent ruler to lead them.”
“That’s not why.”
“Then why?” Aunt Tillie was amused.
“You made them self-aware,” I said. “They exist in the book. When we’re not there, they’re going on about their lives like they’re real people ... or creatures. You created the book for us and it somehow got away from you. Admit it.”
“I created the world for you and your cousins,” Aunt Tillie corrected. “And you used to love visiting there. I thought you would like a return trip.”
I was stunned. “I … we’ve been there before?”
“I took you there for short trips all the time when you were small,” Aunt Tillie said. “Those weren’t just stories. They were memories.”
“I don’t understand. Why don’t we remember actually being there?”
“You grew up,” Aunt Tillie said. “You stop believing when you grow up. Although something tells me you won’t forget this most recent trip.”
“Everyone fought,” I said. “Everyone got upset. Everyone got … hurt. I think Landon got hurt most of all.”
“If that’s the case, I’m really sorry,” Aunt Tillie said. “I really am. I needed a distraction. I didn’t know he’d take it so hard.”
“You knew,” I said, “but I don’t think you realized how bad things would get.”
“How were they bad?” Aunt Tillie asked. “You saved each other at every turn. You gave up the ghost about your insecurities where he’s concerned and he came to the conclusion that you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself. How is that bad?”
My mouth dropped open. “Are you serious? Is that the real lesson you were trying to teach us?”
“I don’t pick the lessons, Bay,” Aunt Tillie said. “The book does. Those were the lessons you two needed to learn.”
“Landon was right. You don’t feel bad about any of this.”
“I feel bad you were so stressed,” Aunt Tillie said. “I don’t feel bad about the rest of it, though. I warned you.”
“I guess you did,” I said, shrugging. I turned to walk away.
“That’s it? You’re not going to yell?”
“I’m not going to yell,” I said. “It’s not going to do any good, so why bother?”
“I thought you weren’t going to give up the fight?”
“I’m not,” I said, widening my berth when I saw Thistle loitering in the hallway with a red blanket in her hand. It was incredibly childish and yet … somehow I was fine with it.
“Oh, now, come on,” Aunt Tillie said, scampering behind me. “You can’t stay angry with me. It’s impossible.”
I turned and watched her walk into the hallway. The second she rounded the corner Thistle jumped on her and wrapped the blanket around her head. “Who’s fast now?”
“You get off me right now, Thistle Winchester,” Aunt Tillie ordered. “Ow! That hurts. I’m old. You’re going to break my hip!”
“I’m going to break your nose,” Thistle said. “I can’t believe you did that to us. I’m so angry I could kill you!”
“Get off me!”
“Make me.”
“Get off me right now!”
“Make me right now.”
I blew out a weary sigh and left Aunt Tillie and Thistle to their fight, joining Landon at the breakfast table.
“Is everything okay?” His face was calm but his eyes were stormy.
“I’m looking forward to our day together,” I said. “Let’s eat fast.”
His eyes softened, twinkling a bit. “Do you want me to carry you around like a princess all day?”
“I’m the hero,” I reminded him. “I’m going to carry you around.”
Landon barked out a laugh. “Eat quickly,” he said. “From the sound of that fight, Aunt Tillie is going to have twitchy fingers. I don’t want to be here when they get loose.”
Truer words were never spoken.
“Do you want to get breakfast someplace else?”
Landon considered the offer. “I’ll race you to the truck.”
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.
Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
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