Meows, Magic & Elves Read online

  Meows, Magic and Elves

  Madison Johns

  Contents

  Copyright

  Disclaimer

  synopsis

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other books by this Author

  Copyright © 2018 Madison Johns

  Meows, Magic and Elves Madison Johns

  All rights reserved.

  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.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  It’s nearing Christmas and a magical time of year as Noah hopes to take first place in the Christmas lights extravaganza contest. That is, until he is forced to borrow Christmas decorations from Petunia’s Aunt Maxine when none can be found at local stores. All his painstaking efforts of making the antique decorations more appealing in his front yard were for naught as someone or something redecorated his house.

  Snoopy neighbor Cora accuses Petunia of conjuring up Noah’s potential winning decorations. But that’s the least of Petunia and Noah’s worries as Lucy Winters reports her granddaughter Mallory missing.

  Petunia has her own worries when something strange occurs that has her cats on edge. A normal person would think she has mice, but Petunia isn’t exactly normal, she’s a witch who believes elves just might be real.

  Nothing is quite what it seems in this twisty tale. Pansy the cat, who was a man before Petunia’s love potion changed him into a feline, is back and sassy as ever, but thankfully he only communicates with Petunia telepathically.

  1

  “It’s a wonderful time of the year, don’t you think, Wanda?” Hazel asked as she precariously perched on a ladder and placed an angel tree-topper on the Christmas tree inside Mystical Remedies.

  The store catered to those wishing to purchase specialty ingredients for spells or herbal remedies. You didn’t have to be a witch to shop here. Why, even some mortals believed having a glass jar filled with eye of newt on their coffee table was a conversation piece. Fortunately, salves and lotions and oils were the primary items purchased. Lake Forest wasn’t ready for residents to guess their way through making a real witch’s potion.

  Petunia tapped her foot, whipping her long auburn hair over her shoulder as she selected ornaments to put on the tree.

  Pansy, a radiant black cat, prowled the counter and batted off an ornament, purring when the glass shattered on the floor.

  Petunia frowned at Pansy, but she couldn’t get too angry with him. After all, he was once a human, and a womanizing one at that. She still hadn’t forgiven herself for giving Jeremy the love potion that went about as wrong as any spell could, transforming him into a cat. But it was too late to turn back. She’s stuck with Pansy for life, forced to communicate with him telepathically and to endure his insults. Petunia sighed as she knelt to pick up the pieces of glass.

  Pansy rolled to his back lazily. “You’re wasting your time, Red. I might decide to bat another one on the floor.”

  “Go ahead and I’ll lock you in the basement … I mean Aunt Maxine’s cellar.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!” he hissed.

  Aunt Maxine handed Petunia a broom and dustpan, which she put to good use sweeping up the mess.

  Aunt Maxine was Petunia’s grandfather’s sister, a witch shunned by her family for being ... well, a witch, a trait passed to the females of the family. Eighty and full of spirit and wit, Aunt Maxine owns Mystical Remedies. Her witchy friends, Wanda and Hazel, are always nearby. At the moment they were taking charge of decorating the Christmas tree.

  “That Angel looks strange upside down.” Pansy laughed.

  Petunia ignored Pansy for the moment as Aunt Maxine asked, “Where is that man of yours? I wanted to ask him if he forgot to send me a wedding invitation.”

  “What wedding … wait, what?” Of course; Aunt Maxine and her nonstop effort to marry Petunia off to her boyfriend Noah. Why Petunia had been dating Noah for only four months. If Petunia knew her aunt was so intent on them marrying, she never would have told her aunt about their relationship. Petunia would humor her, though, because she loved Aunt Maxine and her kooky friends.

  “You know perfectly well what wedding.”

  Petunia changed the conversation. “Do you have a color scheme this year for your tree?” Petunia asked. “Red, green, silver or gold?”

  “Whatever doesn’t scream supernatural would do. It might keep the do-gooders at bay, especially that snoopy Cora.”

  Cora lived behind Noah and Petunia. Her property was much larger, which gave Cora plenty of access to snoop in both of their yards. Having a chain-link fence didn’t stop her. Petunia would have loved to put up a privacy fence, but that’s against the rules in Lake Forest.

  “Oh, so no pumpkin ornaments?” Pansy inquired, bringing Petunia back to the present.

  Petunia glared at Pansy before sorting through the ornaments. “Well, we have an angel tree-topper, so I think silver and gold will work, Aunt Maxine. You’ll have to buy more angel ornaments.”

  “Great idea! Run along and make your selections. Buy whatever you think will work.”

  “Oh, and pearl garland strands would accentuate the tree as well,” Hazel said.

  “So everyone is a tree designer suddenly?” Pansy asked as Petunia led him down the street by his leash.

  “Brr,” Pansy complained. “Why don’t you buy a car? At least then we’d have heat.”

  “By the time the heat warmed up, we’d be at Ornaments Plus.”

  “Don’t you think it’s about time you quit being so superstitious?”

  “I’m not superstitious, but I do believe in curses.”

  “Who would curse your family to have accidents when they drive?”

  “I don’t know and I don’t want to find out, thank you very much.” Petunia dabbed at the corners of her eyes to keep the tears at bay.

  “Have you ever considered it was simply a rumor that was passed down for generation?”

  Petunia’s parents were killed in a car crash when she was twelve and Aunt Maxine raised her. She hated the thought of a curse, but for her young mind it was the only thing that made sense, and it carried through to her adulthood. Aunt Maxine might drive, but Petunia stubbornly refused to for the sake of her life. Besides, Petunia didn’t need a car when everything in Lake Forest was within walking distance.

  Petunia jumped as a horn blasted and the window opened in a black sedan that rolled to a stop near her and Pansy.

  “Do you want a ride?” her boyfriend Noah asked, flashing her a wolfish grin. His dark hair blew in the wind and he ran his fingers though his locks. Noah’s green eyes were fixed on Petunia.

  It was hard not to tremble under Noah’s appraisal. Butterflies hammered inside Petunia’s chest. She had to pinch herself daily to make sure that a looker like Noah was actually her boyfriend.<
br />
  “Don’t keep staring at him like that, answer him,” Pansy said.

  Petunia smiled. “No thanks. I’m almost at Ornaments Plus.”

  Noah’s face lit up. “You know, I need to pick up some twinkle lights for the Christmas lights extravaganza contest.”

  Pansy tugged on the leash. “If we don’t get moving you’ll have a cat Popsicle to drag around town on that leash of yours,” Pansy whined. “Hey, I’m not kidding here.”

  Petunia picked Pansy up and said, “I’d better hurry before Pansy freezes to death.”

  Once Petunia was on the move again, Pansy said, “It’s about time. What exactly is this Christmas extravaganza?”

  “It’s a Christmas decoration contest for the residents.”

  “So whatever idiot spends all their money on decorations wins.”

  “Something like that. You might as well get used to having the neighborhood lit up. I love this time of year … the decorations … lights …. Oh and eggnog! Don’t forget to remind me to get nutmeg at the grocery later.”

  “Hey, I didn’t sign up to be gone all day long. I have more important things to do.” He yawned.

  “Oh, are you missing your catnap?”

  “Among other things. I’m also hungry, and I’ll bet your other cats are half starved to death by now.”

  “We won’t be long, I promise. How long can it take to buy a few ornaments anyway?”

  A massive crowd packed the inside of the store. Eight-foot-tall artificial trees greeted them, and although the tree stands were sturdy, wire was attached from the tree to the ceiling to prevent them from tumbling over. It didn’t help that the trees were weighted down with ornaments. Petunia stepped to the right and smiled at a pearl snowman with hat that sparkled within the glow of the twinkle lights.

  “Oh, there you are,” Noah said as he joined Petunia. “I had to park three blocks away. I can’t believe the crowd.”

  “Ornaments Plus is the only place in town where you can get this assortment of Christmas items. In the back they have animatronic items that might appeal to you if you’re so intent on entering that silly contest,” Petunia said.

  Noah’s cheeks reddened at Petunia’s comment. “Silly contest?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Don’t forget frivolous,” Pansy added.

  “Yes, and Pansy thinks … .” Petunia bit her lip. “I mean, I think it’s wonderfully expensive just for a contest.”

  Noah’s brow shot up. “And I suppose you want Cora to win the contest?”

  Petunia shook her head. “Cora would never take part in the contest.”

  “Then why is she over there running into the other customers with a plastic reindeer?”

  Petunia turned to see Cora barging to the register, knocking other customers ahead of her out of the way. She wore a sparkly, brimmed hat far too big for her head that blocked her vision to some degree. Cora wore green slacks and a gaudy red sweatshirt with a Christmas tree with tiny ornaments. Whoever made it should be prevented from every attempting another, because it was a hot-glue mess.

  The other customers in line gave Cora a wide berth, presumably not wishing to be struck with the plastic reindeer and Santa that several employees carried to be rung up.

  “Don’t forget to ring up the Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus for the nativity scene,” Cora said.

  “Will do, Cora. We’ll have all the items delivered later today.”

  There was something about a plastic baby Jesus that didn’t sit well with Petunia.

  One of the employees handed the cashier a piece of paper for Cora’s additional items, and she happily marched from the register to the door with her plastic reindeer. Petunia couldn’t help but say, “You certainly have the Christmas spirit, Cora.”

  Cora glanced from Petunia’s auburn hair to her blue sweater and tan pants, and then finally to Pansy, who hissed silently. Pansy’s facial expression must have been enough, because Cora sneered, “Some of us don’t have a black heart like you do, dear.”

  “That’s a little harsh,” Noah defended Petunia. “I know personally that her heart is nowhere near black.”

  “I’m here to buy angel ornaments,” Petunia announced with a shrug at the gathering crowd.

  “That won’t stop you from going where you’re going,” Cora retorted.

  Petunia, stunned, blinked. “No, I don’t imagine it will. But how did you know I was going to the Hanover’s Bistro for lunch?”

  “Are you planning to enter the Christmas lights contest?” Noah asked to calm Cora and change the subject.

  Cora beamed. “Why else do you think I’m lugging around a plastic reindeer?”

  “I thought as much. I hope you won’t be terribly upset when I win the contest,” Noah teased.

  “You?” Cora laughed. “You don’t know the first thing about setting up a Christmas display.”

  “Buy lights and some Christmas decorations. How hard can it be?”

  “Hah! You’ll see when I put you in the dust.”

  “Are we still talking about creating Christmas displays or you knocking someone else out with your reindeer?” Petunia asked as the other customers laughed.

  Cora’s face turned red and she shook a fist at Petunia before stomping out the door. She peered back in, saying, “Oh, and I bought the last nativity set, Santa and his reindeer pieces. Good luck getting by with just twinkle lights.”

  Petunia sighed when she was gone, and followed a panicked Noah toward the back of the store. The display area had signs, but not one animatronic or plastic light-up figurine.

  “This isn’t good,” Pansy said.

  Noah threw his arms up. “What am I going to do?”

  “Calm down. I’m sure they’ll be getting in more before Christmas.”

  “Most of the items are out of stock,” a nearby sales clerk said. “We don’t even know if we’ll get more on this week’s truck.”

  “Can you call me when they come in?”

  “I could, but there are already twenty names on the waiting list.”

  “How can that be?” Petunia asked. “Did Cora really buy the last pieces?”

  “Cora called earlier, and we put the last of the items on hold for her.”

  “That doesn’t seem fair,” Petunia said.

  “It’s not,” a woman carrying a small child said. “And I arrived first thing this morning. I was hoping if I came another day they’d get in additional items.”

  “They might have more in Bear Claw,” Petunia suggested.

  “I already called there. All their larger pieces are sold out too.”

  “I had no idea so many people planned to enter the decorating contest,” Petunia said.

  “Aren’t you entering, Petunia? Sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing your name mentioned in the front of the store.”

  “Do I know you?”

  “Oh no. I’m not sure if you know my grandmother, Lucy Winters, but I’m her granddaughter, Mallory Winters.”

  Petunia smiled. Ever since she gave Lucy a healing salve, it had changed Lucy from being arthritis-ridden to able-bodied. She had more energy than anyone else in town. She had warned Lucy not to use too much, and now weakened the salve so as to not create another super senior citizen. Petunia was happy that people in town downplayed the whole “Lucy episode” so that Petunia was no longer hounded for more salve.

  “Lucy is one of my good friends. I don’t believe I’ve seen you in town before. Lucy would have introduced us. Is this your first time visiting Lake Forest?”

  “I’m long overdue for a visit. This is Timmy. He’s three.”

  Mallory set the small brown-haired boy down on the floor. He clung to Mallory’s slacks until he spotted Pansy. He toddled to the cat, and with a squeal pulled Pansy from Petunia’s arms by the neck. “Kitty!”

  “Help,” Pansy squeaked.

  “Here, let me show you how to hold Pansy,” Petunia quickly said and took the cat from Timmy. She pet Pansy. “You pet him like this. So
ftly.”

  Timmy reached for Pansy, but his mother quickly said, “Sorry, Timmy has never been around animals before. Pet kitty,” she encouraged Timmy who kept reaching to grab Pansy.

  Timmy squealed in protest as Mallory picked him up and hurried from the room. “Sorry,” she said.

  “Are you okay, Pansy?” Petunia asked.

  “I-I can’t breathe.”

  “I think I should take Pansy to the animal hospital,” Petunia fretted.

  “He’s fine, if only a little shook up. You should take him home and meet me back at my place. We need to put our heads together to come up with some ideas for the contest.”

  “Hey, I think Aunt Maxine might have some decorations in her basement.”

  Pansy trembled. “The cellar?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m taking you home first.”

  “Good, because I want to sleep the rest of the day away to recover from being nearly murdered by Satan’s spawn.”

  “Be nice; he’s only a child,” Petunia said.

  “Why are you staring at Pansy like that?” Noah asked.

  “Oh, I was just thinking how traumatized he is now.”

  “He’s only a cat, Petunia.”

  “That’s about enough, lughead.”

  “And I bet he thinks you’re only a human.”

  Noah snatched the back of his neck. “Look, I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m stressed because I don’t have anything for my Christmas display.”

  “You can still buy lights and put up the strands on your house and roof.”

  “Thanks for the visual. I’d better get moving then. Meet me back at my house after you buy your ornaments and we can go to Aunt Maxine’s together.”

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