Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist (Maple Hollow #1)

Iris’s bulging eyes fixed on me. “You’re planning a second date already?”

I rubbed my temples with my forefingers, wishing that if I rubbed hard enough, Lou would magically disappear.

I wanted to go on another date with Harlow. She was funny and boisterous and exciting and so ridiculously beautiful. And maybe that thrill that zipped down my spine when I thought of her scared me a little, but witches could handle a little scary, couldn’t they?

Lou picked up my cider and twirled it in the air before trying to hand it to me.

Iris perked a brow. “Lou’s control over solid objects is getting pretty serious. Which makes me think that you’re not doing what you said you were going to do and move on.”

“Everything feels so . . . hard,” I said. “How can I move on when my ex is literally hanging from lamp posts during my first date in years?”

“I think we’re looking at this the wrong way,” Iris said. “You’re going to have to find a way to ignore her, but more than that, it’s not like a date or even two are going to magically make you move on. You have to believe that you’re ready to move on and just do what feels good.”

“That’s easier said than done,” I answered, though I knew she was right. I’d been naïve to think that going on one date would help Lou pass back over.

“I know it feels impossible, you’ve been stuck for so long, but it isn’t really up to Lou, you know? Usually, a spirit passing over is for a more definitive thing, like their killer being brought to justice.”

I nodded. Hearing that validated something that had been gnawing at my thoughts. “We should keep looking into that too,” I said. “Something there isn’t adding up.”

“You’re really not going to let that go?” Iris knew better than that. “Fine.”

“Until then”—I pointed at Lou—“you need to hang back here while I go on the pumpkin patch date.”

“You’re taking her to the pumpkin patch?” Iris crooned. “That’s so adorable! Harlow doesn’t happen to have a queer younger sister that you know about, does she?” She frowned down at her books. “I really need a girlfriend.”

That was an understatement.

Iris dated often, but in true queer fashion, her exes all knew each other, and the pool of fresh relationships was as dry as a desert. Her last girlfriend had been a werewolf, but the pull of following the moon around the world had been more alluring than dating a witch in a small town.

“I think it’s just her and Willow, but maybe another wayward hottie will stumble into town,” I offered. “We can do a conjuring spell tonight.”

I was only half joking.

“We’re not going to Practical Magic my love life.”

I shrugged. “Why not? It turned out so good for them.”

Iris closed the heavy book in her lap and picked up Ichabod. She kissed the top of his head as he aggressively purred and kneaded the air.

“One problem at a time,” Iris said in a baby voice to the feline familiar.

I doubted the woman we would summon for Iris would haunt the living daylights out of her, but I was living crazier things thanks to my moment of weakness. Magic made our lives vivid and exciting, but there were plenty of dark pockets that shouldn’t be meddled with. Having a séance to say goodbye to your ex-girlfriend had walked that line, and I was clearly paying for it.

“Lou can hang here with me while you go on your date. Maybe I can help her remember more of the day she died. Is that okay, Lou?” Iris shouted at the ceiling.

Lou flicked the antique crystal table lamp on the other side of the room, the tinkling bringing Iris’s awareness to it. I repressed a snicker. Not all of Lou’s games were to annoy me. Some were starting to get on Iris’s nerves too.

I gave Iris a sarcastic look. “You thought she would be hovering directly above you?”

“It was worth a shot.” She sighed. “Maybe Lou should cat-sit Ichabod for us while we go see Rudy tomorrow too.”

“Tell that brat that she’s not fooling anyone,” Lou said. “I’m not a kid you can dangle a small responsibility in front of and make pleased to be hanging back while you two play Velma and Daphne at the coroner’s office.” Lou stuck her tongue out at Iris, who was, of course, oblivious.

I shot her a glare. “You overreacted at the police station. It’s not farfetched to be worried you’ll cause a scene around Rudy.”

“I’m not going to turn into a poltergeist,” Lou grumbled. “I’m the chillest ghost in all existence, okay?”

“Still,” I said, “I don’t want you around while Rudy talks about your death.”