The Devil Made Me Brew It by Sarah Piper

Author:Sarah Piper [Piper, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Two Gnomes Media

Chapter Nineteen

VIOLET

Three Sisters Bed and Breakfast sits atop Raven Hill like a dark, sentient guardian. A stunning three-story black Victorian with pink gingerbread trim and an obstructed view of the town and the Bay beyond, the house is a federally protected historical landmark—the original home of the Wayward founding family, passed down and lovingly cared for by my aunts—Joslyn, Lorelei, and Althea.

“Wow.” Devlin lets out a low whistle as we head into the foyer and guest check-in area—gorgeous black marble floors, a massive mahogany staircase that leads up to an open balcony area, artwork lining the ruby-red walls. “This place should be a museum.”

“It is, actually. I’ll give you a tour if you’d like. After knitting circle.”

“It’s a date, love.”

Love? My stomach fizzes. I ignore it. Getting to be a thing, these annoying bodily reactions to his mere existence. “It’s an appointment, Devlin. Not a date.”

“As you wish, mushroom.” Devlin tugs on one of my curls, then waltzes straight back to the kitchen, where the warm, doughy scent of Emmie’s fresh-baked magical scones is a beacon to road-weary travelers everywhere.

“Oh my goddess! Devlin!” Emmie, flour-covered and adorable, doesn’t even remove her oven mitts. Just pulls Devlin into a hug and mouths “fucking hot” at me over his shoulder. “Olivy mentioned Violet’s new friend, but she was weirdly tight-lipped about the details. We’ve been waiting forever to meet you!”

“I’m afraid your sister keeps me chained in the basement most days,” he says. “I had to gracelessly invite myself to knitting circle just so I could meet her family. Can you imagine?”

“Goddess, the accent. The sass.” Emmie fans herself. “The aunts are going to love you! Come on. I can’t wait to introduce you.” Grabbing a freshly plated tray of her still-steaming scones, Emmie escorts us to the sunroom beyond the kitchen, where my aunts are already assembled in their respective armchairs, knitting projects and gossip session in full swing.

“Did you hear about Hortense?” Althea’s saying. “She’s closing the fabric store. Landlord sold the building, and she can’t afford the new rent.”

“Happening all over town.” Joslyn shakes her head, knitting needles clacking angrily, the usual gravel in her voice pitching even lower. “Everyone’s caving to that reptile realtor and his banker cronies. He’s been here twice already, wheeling and dealing. Thinks he can convince the town to revoke our historical designation and pressure us to sell. Why? So they can turn our family legacy into a condo complex?”

“Look who’s here, aunties,” Emmie says, ushering us inside.

Their faces light up when we enter, but Althea’s eyes laser in on me fast, narrowing with a scrutiny that makes my skin hot. I shouldn’t be surprised—an expert herbalist and former nurse, she’s always been the caretaker of the bunch. “Violet, are you all right, sweetness? You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

“That would be my fault,” Devlin says, and all three heads turn to him at once, their eyes twinkling.

Great. The aunts are already enraptured. Five words in, and he’s got the septuagenarian set on lock.

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