Bewitching Bitters Read online

  “Yes. You can research the cocktail recipe you already made, too,” Libbie said. “See if you can figure out what it’s meant to do. I haven’t used goldenrod in any of my cocktails yet, so I’m not familiar with it as a magical ingredient.”

  Kate nodded absently. Research she could do. She’d spent half her college career in the university library, surrounded by tomes. “Would you mind doing it tonight? If I order them now, I should get them on Monday.”

  Rebecca stifled a laugh. “Leave it to Kate to interrupt a perfectly good cocktail club meeting to place an order on Amazon.”

  “This is important,” Kate said. “If I did something wrong, I have to fix it.” She heard the note of panic in her voice and it sickened her. She hated the way she sounded.

  “I have no doubt you followed the recipe to a T,” Julie said.

  “She did,” Libbie agreed.

  Kate didn’t argue. She was already visualizing success. In her mind, she was combing through the books and figuring a way out of the mess she’d created.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning Lucas announced he was spending the day on the golf course with his friend, Jeff. Thankfully, Kate wasn’t hungover from the night before or she might’ve snapped at him in front of the kids.

  With Brett’s help, she finished cleaning up the mess from a pancake breakfast and sat at the table to drink a cup of tea. Ava had taken over most of the table with paper and crayons.

  “What will we do, Mommy?” Ava asked.

  Kate shot her a quizzical look. “Do?”

  She pinned Kate with a set of hopeful blue eyes. “If Daddy’s golfing, can’t we do something special?”

  “It’s Saturday,” she said, as though that answered the question. Kate hadn’t scheduled a ‘special activity’ on the calendar. Saturdays were typically catch-up days around the house unless Gavin had a soccer tournament or Brett had play rehearsal, neither of which was happening today.

  Gavin lifted his gaze from his phone. “Can we go out on the boat?”

  Kate glanced outside and contemplated the request. The lake was too cold for swimming, but the sun was shining. They could still enjoy spending time on the water.

  “Can we?” Brett chimed in.

  Kate felt stuck. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to take them—she had plenty of experience as the sole parent on the boat. It was that she hadn’t planned for it.

  “I don’t think she wants to leave the house,” Ava said, sounding glum.

  “Wear a hat,” Brett said. “No one will see your hair.”

  “What about her chin?” Gavin asked. “The only way to hide that is a ski mask.”

  Normally, Kate would’ve told Gavin to mind his tongue and show his mother respect, but she was too taken aback by their interpretation of events to respond. Her kids believed vanity was the reason she was uncertain. What kind of message was she sending them?

  “I think the boat is a great idea,” Kate said.

  The children wore matching shocked expressions.

  Ava jumped to her feet and began shoving the crayons in the box. “Can I wear my mermaid fin?”

  “Not today,” Kate said. “You need to be able to walk properly on the boat and the fin makes you shuffle and lose your balance.”

  “We don’t want you to fall overboard,” Brett added.

  Ava shrugged. “I can swim. I’m a mermaid.”

  “No fin,” Kate reiterated. “And everyone bring extra layers in case it gets chilly.”

  “I’ll get the cooler from the garage,” Brett said.

  “Good thinking.” Kate opened the refrigerator and pulled out four bottles of water.

  Gavin went straight to the pantry to choose snack bags. Kate was unsurprised when he emerged with an enormous bag of pretzels. They were his favorite snack.

  Kate hurried upstairs to change into more suitable attire. She felt slightly out of sorts, but she knew it was because of their spontaneous outing. Kate was a planner and a day on the boat was not part of their Saturday plans.

  In the hallway, Ava emerged from her bedroom in a bright orange sweater and green cords. Kate took one look at her and sent her back to her room.

  “Find something that matches.”

  Ava glanced at her outfit. “Orange and green match.”

  “Your socks don’t even match each other,” Kate said.

  “Who cares?” Gavin asked from the top of the staircase. “We’ll be on the boat. No one will see us.”

  “Yeah,” Ava echoed. “No one will see us.”

  “And if they do, they’ll notice your hair first,” Gavin said, snickering.

  Ava pointed at her mother’s chin. “And your wart.”

  Kate pressed her lips together, resisting the urge to scold them. She didn’t want to give them a complex about their looks by being hung up on her own.

  “We’re leaving in ten minutes, so be ready.”

  Kate retreated to her office to check emails before they left for the day. No updates from the publishing company. There was, however, a follow-up email about the radio show. Kate still needed to discuss the possibility with Lucas, but she hadn’t found the time. It was their anniversary dinner tomorrow night. They’d be alone—a rare occasion. It wasn’t ideal, but she could use their alone time to raise the subject. It wasn’t as though they’d have a lot to talk about otherwise. Most of their conversations revolved around the kids and the schedule. If it weren’t for expectations, Kate wasn’t sure she would’ve bothered to make a reservation for them at all.

  Ten minutes later, they were settled in the Land Rover and ready to go.

  “Cat-Cat wants to come,” Ava said, buckling herself into the car seat.

  “A cat would not enjoy time on the boat,” Kate said.

  “But I would enjoy having her there,” Ava countered.

  “It’s not always about you,” Gavin pointed out.

  Kate drove to the marina and blocked out the sound of the argument brewing between the boys over whether Lord of the Rings was better as a book or movie. She pictured Lucas on the golf course with Jeff, having adult conversations and living his best life.

  She’d always considered herself confident and forthright. Why couldn’t she tackle the issue of their lopsided domestic partnership in a meaningful way?

  Kate tapped her fingernails on the steering wheel, thinking. Part of the reason was that she didn’t feel she should need to force the issue. It was pretty obvious to anyone with eyes and ears that Kate handled most of the workload involving the house and the kids. Lucas should know he needed to pitch in more without her saying it.

  Kate pushed the image aside. She could handle this. There was no reason to appear incapable.

  They spilled out into the parking lot and Kate grabbed Ava’s hand before she could bolt toward the boats. Although it wasn’t busy, Ava wasn’t always mindful of her surroundings. Her vivid imagination meant she spent a lot of time in her head and not paying attention to what was happening around her. Her teacher had remarked on it already and it was only the first quarter of the school year.

  “Hey, Mrs. Golden.” Phil Werkheiser waved from the bow of his boat. “That’s a sturdy-looking crew you’ve got there.” He winked at the children.

  Kate offered a friendly smile. “Phil, how are you?”

  She kept walking, not wanting to stand and chat. That only increased the odds of him noticing her hair and face. The hat only covered part of her head, leaving strands of pink poking out the bottom.

  She helped Ava step over the gap and onto their boat. She had nightmares of her small daughter slipping between the boat and the dock and plunging into the water.

  “You’re holding my hand too hard,” Ava said, shaking her off.

  “Everybody needs to be seated or we won’t go anywhere,” Kate said. She disconnected the boat from shore power, turned on the house battery, and ran the blower for a minute.

  “Why do you do that blower thing again?” Brett asked.


  “So we don’t explode into a million pieces,” Gavin replied.

  “Thanks for that visual.” Kate turned on the boat engine.

  “Can I help untie it?” Gavin asked.

  “No, I’ll do it,” Kate said automatically, and set to work untying the lines.

  “Why haven’t we named the boat?” Brett asked. “Most of the other boats here have a name.”

  “Your father and I discussed it a few years ago, but we couldn’t agree on one,” Kate said.

  She reversed the boat and headed toward the widest part of the lake. She welcomed the chill in the air and the fresh scent of pine trees.

  “We should name it Mrs. Sparkles,” Ava announced.

  Gavin grunted. “No way.”

  “Cat-Cat,” Ava said.

  Gavin gave her a dark look but said nothing.

  “How about Wayfarer Witch?” Kate asked.

  Ava clapped. “Yes. I like that.”

  Brett nodded. “Me, too.”

  Gavin turned his gaze to the water. “I’ll have to think about it.”

  “Daddy has to vote, too,” Ava said. “It won’t be fair without him.”

  “How about Beckham’s Boat?” Gavin suggested.

  Kate shook her head. “We’re not naming the boat after a soccer player, but I appreciate your input.”

  They’d reached the part of the lake where they were farthest from land. It was Kate’s favorite spot. She loved the view around them, the trees so tall and majestic they eclipsed the houses.

  It was here the boat slowed to a stop.

  “Why are we stopping?” Gavin asked. “Can I fish?”

  “What on earth?” Kate muttered.

  Ava inclined her head. “What happened, Mommy?”

  “I’m not sure, hon. Let me check.” She glanced at the fuel gauge and saw that it was on empty. How did that happen?

  “We’re out of gas,” Gavin said, peering over her shoulder.

  “Why do we need gas?” Ava asked.

  “Because the boat doesn’t run on rainbows and glitter,” Gavin said.

  Ava burst into laughter.

  Brett ran over to look at the gauge. “How did we run out of gas?”

  Kate had no idea. She was the type of person who refueled at a quarter tank. She stared at the gauge in horror, knowing she couldn’t blame Lucas. She’d been the one to use the boat most recently. Besides, she should have checked before they left the marina.

  “It’s not an emergency,” Kate said, reassuring the children.

  “Yeah, there’s no hurricane or anything,” Gavin said.

  Ava jerked her knees to her chest and shuddered at the mention of a hurricane.

  “No, but there’s a dark cloud,” Brett said, pointing to the sky.

  Sure enough, the sun disappeared behind the cloud and the air changed. Rain was coming, Kate could smell it.

  “Did you check the weather forecast before we left?” Gavin asked.

  No, she hadn’t. Why not? How could she remember to pack mints but forget to check the weather app?

  “I need to drop the anchor and then I need to make a call,” she said. “In the meantime, enjoy the view.”

  “Will we sink?” Ava asked, pressing her back flat against the seat.

  Kate cupped her daughter’s chin. “No, of course not. I should’ve checked before we left, but I assumed it was fine. It’s no problem. I promise.”

  Ava seemed to take it in stride. She sat in the chair opposite her mother and plucked a pair of binoculars from the ledge. She held them up to her eyes and turned toward Kate.

  “Your wart looks so much bigger,” she announced. “Ew, there’s a black hair in it.”

  Kate jerked her head aside. “That’s enough of that. If you’re going to use the binoculars, focus on spotting wildlife.”

  “You’re still beautiful, Mom,” Brett said.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  Once the anchor was secure, she turned away from the kids and called Lucas.

  “You what?” Lucas exploded with laughter once she apprised him of the situation.

  She bristled at his response. “It’s not funny.”

  “It kind of is. It’s the sort of thing I would do, and you’d go ballistic.”

  She lowered her voice, not wanting to be overheard. “When you’re finished gloating, can you help?”

  “Sure. It’ll be an excuse to cut and run. I’m losing anyway.”

  “I’m glad I can help you out,” she said wryly.

  “Sit tight and I’ll borrow Jeff’s boat. Your knight in shining armor is on the way.”

  She could practically hear him smiling at the phone. Lucas knew she hated the idea of being rescued by a knight or anyone else. Kate took care of herself and she liked it that way.

  She gave him their location. “Don’t take too long,” she whispered. “I think a storm is heading our way.” She tucked the phone in her back pocket and turned back to the kids. “Why don’t we put our hoods up?”

  “Why?” Gavin asked.

  “In case it rains,” Kate said.

  “If it rains, then I’ll put my hood up,” Gavin said. “Can I fish while we’re waiting?”

  Ava wagged a finger. “No fishing.”

  Kate gave him a pointed look. “You know how your sister feels about the hooks in their mouths.”

  “So I’m not allowed to do anything because she’s a baby?” Gavin huffed.

  “I said no fishing,” Kate told him. “I didn’t say you can’t do anything.”

  “I should’ve stayed home,” Gavin complained. “This whole idea was stupid.”

  “Watch your tone,” Kate said.

  “He said a bad word,” Ava chimed in.

  “Stupid isn’t a bad word,” Gavin countered.

  Ava held out her hand. “That’ll be one dollar.”

  Gavin pretended to take the dollar out of his butt.

  Kate gave them a sharp look. “That’s enough.”

  The kids fell silent. At least there was one area of her life she continued to maintain control.

  “How long do we need to wait?” Brett asked.

  “Daddy’s going to borrow Jeff’s boat and bring us gas, so we don’t need to be towed.”

  Gavin shook his head. “Imagine being the kind of person who runs out of gas.”

  A few more sharp remarks were exchanged before Kate got control of the situation.

  A fat drop of water landed on the tip of Kate’s nose. Thunder rolled in the distance.

  “Cool. A thunderstorm,” Gavin said.

  Normally, Kate welcomed an autumn thunderstorm. She loved sitting in the kitchen and watching through the glass doors as raindrops pelted the lake and lightning lit up the sky.

  Not today, though.

  Not with three kids in a boat with no fuel.

  Kate spotted a sheet of rain at the far end of the lake, heading straight toward them. There was no getting around it. They’d be soaked even with hooded coats.

  “I’m sorry,” she said to no one in particular.

  Dark clouds gathered overhead and the wind picked up. More thunder.

  “This is awesome,” Gavin said, beaming.

  Rain pummeled them and they huddled together. Ava’s teeth chattered, although Kate was fairly certain she was being overly dramatic.

  Kate didn’t hear the roar of the boat engine over the sound of the rain. It was only when he pulled alongside them and prepared to board that she noticed him.

  “Daddy!” Ava jumped up and down and waved both arms, as though Lucas might miss them otherwise.

  “I’m pretty sure he sees us,” Gavin muttered under his breath.

  Lucas took great pleasure in brandishing a container of fuel like a knight ready to attack a foul beast with his sword.

  “Mom didn’t check that we had enough gas,” Gavin said.

  “Yes, I’m aware of the situation.”

  “It isn’t funny,” Kate said.

  Her husband’s mouth
twitched. “No one’s laughing.”

  She folded her arms and glared at him. “Maybe not now, but you obviously want to.”

  Lucas sighed. “Nobody’s hurt?”

  “Not yet. Wait until we all come down with the flu,” Kate said.

  “You got to spend quality time outdoors, which is what you intended to do. Everything worked out.”

  Everything did not work out, Kate wanted to scream, but she bit her tongue. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of the kids. She’d done enough damage for one day.

  Lightning flashed on the horizon.

  “We should hurry,” Kate said.

  Lucas refilled the tank with a charming smile. “All set.”

  “Can we have ice cream when we get back?” Ava asked.

  Gavin looked appalled. “Ice cream? Now?”

  The ice cream shops in Lake Cloverleaf were mostly seasonal. Kate usually went to the one owned by Libbie’s ex-husband, Nick.

  “I don’t think this weather is conducive to stopping for ice cream,” Kate said.

  “Why don’t I stop at the store on the way home and buy a gallon of fudge ripple?” Lucas asked. “I don’t mind running in. I’m soaking wet anyway.”

  “A whole gallon?” Ava’s eyes were almost as wide as they appeared on Christmas morning.

  “To share, goofball,” Gavin said.

  The two younger kids cheered and Kate felt a stab of jealousy. She’d taken the kids on the boat while her husband golfed with a friend, yet he was the hero.

  Lucas glanced at her. “Is that acceptable?”

  Kate shrugged. “It has to be now, or there’ll be a mutiny before we reach shore.”

  “Let’s talk like pirates all the way home,” Ava said.

  “I’ll stay with you until we reach the marina,” Lucas said. “This rain should stop soon, though. It was clear on the golf course.” He climbed onto Jeff’s boat.

  “Can we race him?” Gavin asked.

  “Safety first,” she said. As competitive as Kate was, she refused to endanger her kids for the sake of winning a boat race.

  By the time they reached the marina, the storm had passed. Kate watched with a mixture of relief and resentment as sunlight broke through the clouds.

  “We survived!” Ava performed a happy dance on the dock, stomping her feet and splashing droplets of rain everywhere.