A Little Magick (Magick Series Book 2)

A Little Magick

by

Marie Lavender

Copyright 2015 Marie Lavender

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 permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Cover Art:

Marie Lavender

http://marielavender.com/

Image Sources:

Vladitto, 123RF Limited.

Maryna Borysevych, 123RF Limited.

Note:

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination.

Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.

Table of Contents

Dedication

A Little Magick

Acknowledgments

About The Author:

Dedication

To the Little Rosie in everyone…

Through the rain streaming down the car windows, the gloomy sky could still be seen. It did little to improve nine year old Rosanna Hamilton’s mood. How long will I be there? she asked her mother from the back seat of the red SUV. How long are you making me stay with him?

Rosie was supposed to stay with her Uncle Adam for a few weeks. It was summer so she didn’t have to worry about missing school work, not that she cared much for it anyway. She was an active type; she preferred playing with her friends or participating in sports to sitting in class, learning about fractions and other silliness. What did she need that for? She just wanted to be outdoors, in Mother Nature, as Mama called it. Rosanna didn’t mind reading for fun, however.

No more than a month, baby. I’m not quite sure how long the festival runs in Portland. I’d have you stay at home, but Daddy can’t watch you while he’s training for his new job as Sheriff. There may be some late nights. But, we’re happy for him, right?

She nodded and gazed out the window while cars sped by them, throwing water up into the air. She sighed. She couldn’t wait to grow up so she could see things better, reach things easier. She was short like Mama, and she often struggled while other kids didn’t seem to have a problem.

Her mother went on. We’re going to have to come up with another option soon. Mrs. Waters moved to Florida to be with her daughter so we can’t ask her. I wonder if Lisa’s mom would be willing to watch you for a few hours after school… Lisa was her best friend and neighbor; they were practically like sisters. They had sleepovers and everything.

She glanced at her mother as she continued to talk; her full concentration was on the road, but she had a tendency to chatter when Rosie got silent. It was nothing against her mother. Rosanna had a vivid imagination. She often daydreamed of fantasy worlds with castles and dragons and warriors. She thought of them when she was in her post in the nearest tree after she’d climbed it. It wasn’t her fault if she found life lacking the excitement she craved. With the exception of a few family vacations, she hadn’t been outside of Yachats for very long. This trip would be the exception and she dreaded it for a very good reason.

What if he doesn’t like me? she complained.

Oh, honey. Uncle Adam adores you, you know that.

She wasn’t so sure. She had only seen him a few times in her life and though he’d been warm towards her, she often caught the suspicious looks sent towards her mother. It was almost as if he knew something about her that he didn’t like. And she wasn’t sure if she should trust him.

Mama was a witch, a good witch, she was assured, not a bad one. Rosie was frequently curious about the craft and though she’d accidentally seen some spells now and then, she sensed her mother hid a lot from her. She was drawn to Mama’s practice room, a place in the back of the cottage which led into the greenhouse. There her mother stored her things and had a long table to do witchcraft.

Mama also had a store in town, and Rosie helped her do what she called inventory sometimes. Some part of her knew that what was in the store was for customers. It wasn’t real magick. If she could understand Mama’s spell book better, she would have tried to cast one long ago. She would start with that boy Jeremy at school who wouldn’t stop teasing her about having a witch for a mother. Everyone knew it, and most people seemed to accept it. Now and then, however, she’d catch a strange look directed towards her family and she didn’t like it at all. If she had power, she would keep it from happening. Life would be a little different.

Daddy wasn’t a witch though, and she loved that about him. She sensed his power in other ways. He’d never hurt her; she’d heard stories of what some parents did, but she had heard his stern tone before when she didn’t obey. She didn’t like to cross him, and she knew he’d be a good Sheriff.

No, Daddy did other things with her. He gave her piggyback rides and taught her how to fish. He had taught her how to play softball, and she had even been on a team for the past two summers. And while Mama braided her hair or read her stories, he would show her the proper way to make pancakes or pizza. Daddy was a great cook. She never knew what he had planned in the kitchen, but she was never disappointed. He appeared to save the real gor-may meals, as he called them, for him and her mother, which was fine with her. Most of that stuff didn’t look good. Daddy tried his best to teach her math too, but she often grew bored with it. Rosie yearned for excitement, anything to make Yachats a little brighter.

Now, she was going to Seattle, where Uncle Adam lived. She hoped summer there wasn’t as bad as she feared. Rosie didn’t doubt he’d try to make her comfortable, but he was a lawyer. All the lawyers she’d seen in town were stuffy. She wondered if he would be the same, not fun like her Daddy. Rosie released a long sigh.

Cheer up, butterfly, Mama said now, trying to get her attention. Mama often called her ‘butterfly’. She said it meant that one day, Rosie would come out of her cocoon and become something beautiful, extraordinary. Now she was termed ‘cute’, but she was told, she would be more when she grew up. Then she would have gifts. Rosanna didn’t know what it all meant; she only hoped she’d be taller.

Hey, baby. It’s going to be okay. It won’t be long. It will be over before you know it. I know your Dad and I will be busy, but we’ll call to check on you. And if either of us can get away earlier, we’ll be right back to get you.

Promise?

Pinky swear.

She giggled as Mama used her free hand to link her pink finger with Rosie’s. Then she sobered as, a few minutes later, the car exited the huge highway. They must be close. Her belly began to cramp with dread.

Rosanna, Sweetheart, it won’t be so bad. I know Uncle Adam doesn’t have any kids, but he was a kid once too, you know. I’m sure he knows exactly what to do.

Does he have a pool? Can I go swimming?

"Ah,