Page 73 of Witcher Upper

“What?” I whirled on Rufus. “You’re what?”

“I was going to tell you,” he murmured.

“You can’t do that.” He couldn’t. Rufus couldn’t save my business. It wasn’t his job to do that. Maybe something inside him remembered what had happened and this was his way of making up for a past that he didn’t recall but perhaps felt deep in his heart.

From inside the cab, I heard Georgie say, “Break time.”

“Have a good day,” Sykes said. “We’re off the clock.”

The limo rolled away, and I glared fireballs at Rufus. “Why are you working for them? What if they want the bad spells?”

He shook his head. “First, I told them that I wouldn’t search for anything sinister. Secondly, you’ve done a lot for me. Thirdly—”

“Is that a word?” I joked.

He smiled. “It is now. I may need help finding some of the spells. You can see them, too. A part-time partner might not be a bad idea.”

A smile slowly coiled on my face. I had to admit, this would give me the opportunity to keep an eye on him, find out if Rufus would return to his old ways. When the time came, I would give him the spell.

I promise.

Rufus pointed to the barn. “Is it done?”

“It is. Want to see it?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

He stared at me, those long lashes of his irksome, but the puppy-dog gaze under them made my heart soften.

Maybe Rufus and I could become friends. Perhaps this was the start of a new beginning for both of us.

“Come on.” I tugged him toward the barn. “Let me show you around.”

By the timeI reached home, I was beat. I threw open the door, kicked off my shoes and called to Lady.

“I’m home!”

Not hearing anything, I entered the kitchen.

It took a moment to register the broken glass on the floor. I padded over and realized that the mason jar holding the talking spell had shattered.

My gaze darted around the room, searching for the spell, but it wasn’t in sight.

Just then, the sound of Lady’s collar jingling came from behind me. I turned around and Lady yawned. She must’ve just woken from a nap.

Knowing she wouldn’t answer, I jokingly said, “Do you know what happened in here? And have you seen a glowing orb?”

Lady shot me a guilty look before opening her mouth. “It’s my fault, Clementine. I banged up against the table, and the jar fell. Then I ate that ball stuck inside it. It was tasty.”

My jaw hit the floor. Holy crap, y’all. Lady could talk. I had the feeling that a whole bunch of stuff was about to change in Peachwood.