spies and spells 02 - betting off dead by tonya kappes

hand along each side. Each man whispered something to his wife and she not only held onto the clipboard, but she wrote something down on it.
    Mick and I followed suit. It was intriguing to watch Mick at work. He was certainly good at playing the part.
    “These rich people are ridiculous,” he whispered. I smiled and pretended to write down what he was saying. “Do you think your aunt has fired Sherry yet?”
    “Who knows.” After I dropped Mick off back at his apartment, I’d planned on stopping by The Brew to see how Sherry’s first day had gone.
    “I bet she’s fit to be tied.” Mick ran his hand down along the horse’s mane. “I’m done here,” he said loud enough for the next couple waiting for us to leave to enter the stall.
    We moseyed down to the next stall where Riley and Forest had just walked out of. The paper said the horse’s name was Rails and Nails. That was a cute name.
    The horse brayed and stared at me as soon as I walked up. I had to be careful not to make too much eye contact with animals or children. Both had very sensitive intuitions and somehow they knew strange things. . .like me being a witch.
    “I sure did think it was going to rain all afternoon.” Riley Tucker sounded sweet as apple pie. “You must’ve had a leg up on the weather.” She dragged her finger up and down my body. “You look adorable.” She tsked. “I wish I had nice long hair like yours. And that flower adds just the right pop of color to your black hair.”
    “Thank you.” I tried to keep it short and simple, straight to the point as we waited in line behind them.
    “Forest tells me that he met your Mick at the bar right inside the Downs.” She referred to one of the bars in the racetrack. “I think it’s so fun how all of us have met.”
    I simply nodded.
    “Those are the Byrds. Amber and Joel.” She rolled her eyes so hard, I thought they were going to roll right out of her sockets. They were coming out of a stall across from us. “Not a fan.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “She thinks she’s better than everybody.” She leaned over a little more and whispered, “Little does she know that we are all in the same boat.” She grinned and walked inside Rails and Nails’s stall with Forest.
    “Did she say anything to you about a cocktail party this week at their house?” Mick pretended to kiss me on the cheek, but only his breath touched my skin, making my flesh prick.
    “Not yet.” I smiled and ran a loving hand down his arm. The muscles underneath sent me into orbit. “I’m just getting to know her.”
    I looked into the stall and Riley was fiercely writing away as Forest dug his face into her ear.
    “Bid on this one,” Forest said to Riley.
    “Why?” she asked. “This one isn’t nearly as strong as stall number six.”
    “Forget number six. I want to take number four and this one. Got it?” His whisper wasn’t as sweet.
    “I’ve got it,” she sighed.
    They broke apart from each other and straightened up. She turned around. She had a chin of iron determination. We made eye contact and smiled in earnest. She and Forest walked out of the stall without saying a word and headed to the next stall.
    Mick and I walked in. The horse brayed more, batting his head toward me. His nose brushed up against my dress.
    “This horse really likes you.” Mick was entertained by the horse’s actions. “I haven’t seen any of the other horses react this way.”
    “I guess I have the magic touch.” I shrugged and ran my hand down the horse’s long nose. His big brown eyes stared at me and deep into my soul as if it were trying to tell me something. I touched my pendant to see if Vinnie could get a read on him, but nothing. This was when I wished I had my mom’s Mother Nature instincts. I wasn’t good with animal communication.
    After Mick did the final routine of walking around he stepped close to me to pretend to tell me something I needed to write down. I pulled back and quickly