Witch's Diary: A Paranormal Urban Fantasy Tale (Lost Library Book 4) by Kate Baray Read Free Book Online Page B

birthday—gorgeous—was proof of yet another skill her mom had mastered. And it wasn’t like her mom didn’t quilt. Kenna had a gorgeous multicolored quilt on her bed to prove that. Or did she? She stared at the phone and tried to get her blood pressure ratcheted down to a low simmer. Had her mom bought all that stuff?
    She picked up her phone, set it down, and picked it up again. She dialed before she could change her mind.
    Lizzie answered the phone on the second ring. “Hi, Kenna.”
    “I’m only calling you because I’m having a crisis of faith concerning my mom. I’m still mad.”
    “I get it. I’d be mad at me, too.” Lizzie’s voice was more subdued than usual.
    Kenna knew this whole situation had to be stressful for Lizzie, too. She should still be basking in the glow of her recent engagement. She’d only gotten engaged to John a few weeks ago. Great. Now Kenna felt guilty for putting the kibosh on her friend’s joyful moment. Dammit.
    “So…” Kenna picked up the teapot and carried it to kitchen table, stalling. “All the hobbies, the knitting, the quilting—massive smokescreen or real?”
    “Ah, really?” Lizzie sounded surprised. “That’s your crisis? You’re not sure if Gwen really likes to knit or not?”
    “Hey, you’re still on probation. Give me your best guess.”
    “Um, okay. Yeah. I’m pretty sure Gwen likes to knit. You could ask her, if you want to be sure.”
    “Not gonna happen. I’m too pissed right now. She’s heading out to some knitting convention tomorrow. Two days after she finds out I’m knocked up and while she should be teaching me how not to set stuff on fire.”
    “Oh.” Lizzie sighed. “Oh.”
    “Yeah, exactly. So—what do you think?”
    “I think your mom is probably not going to a gathering of knitting lovers.” Lizzie sounded resigned. Perking up, she said, “But she hasn’t really had a chance to fill you in on all the details of the witchy side of her life. It’s not like her traveling is a new secret. It’s just an old one that she hasn’t had time to fill you in on.”
    “She’s always been this sweet lady. Normal, motherly. With normal, motherly hobbies. Now it looks like that’s not who she is.”
    “Hmm. I think you’re wrong. That’s exactly who she is—with a little extra kick added in. And really, she had to tell you something about where she was going. Besides, didn’t she try to teach you how to knit when you were a kid?”
    “Yeah. I forgot about that.” A small laugh slipped out. “It drove me nuts, because I had to sit still to do it. No thanks.” Kenna wrapped her hands around the mug of tea she’d poured. “I just needed someone to tell me how silly I’m being. Calling my mom in this state, she doesn’t deserve that. I know she’s doing the very best she can, because that’s what she’s always done. But I’m a little off my game right now, so reassurance of that is helpful.”
    Which reminded Kenna to take a sip of her tea.
    After a moment of silence, Lizzie said, “So does this mean we’re talking again?”
    “Of course. You knew I wouldn’t be mad for long.”
    “Sure, but I also knew how hurt you’d be. I told Gwen, but she insisted on my silence. And you know—the whole ‘who’s a magic-user’ thing is so crazy tricky already. Outing someone is a huge taboo. So I couldn’t tell you without outing Gwen—ugh.” Lizzie groaned. “It was horrible.”
    “Yeah, I can see that. And she definitely had her reasons—that’s a story for a rainy day when you really want to be depressed. So, um, what about you? How’s the engagement progressing? You know, the planning, with your mom.” Hint, hint. Kenna wanted to ask the big question, but it seemed indelicate given they’d just gotten back on even footing.
    Apparently, hinting was enough, because horror tinged Lizzie’s voice. “Kenna—I can’t tell them. I have no idea how to do it. I mean—it’s not like I can just say, ‘I’m marrying a