Witch Way Now: A Paranormal Romantic Comedy (Raising Hell Downunder Book 4) Read online

  Witch Way Now

  Raising Hell Downunder Book 4

  Rhiannon Hartley

  Copyright © 2021 Rhiannon Hartley

  Witch Way Now

  First published 2021

  Email: [email protected]

  URL: http://www.rhiannonhartley.com

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a database and retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the owner of copyright and the above publishers.

  Cover by dreams2media

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  1 Jacob

  2 Beatrix

  3 Jacob

  4 Beatrix

  5 Jacob

  6 Beatrix

  7 Jacob

  8 Beatrix

  9 Jacob

  10 Beatrix

  11 Jacob

  12 Beatrix

  13 Jacob

  14 Beatrix

  15 Jacob

  16 Beatrix

  17 Jacob

  18 Beatrix

  19 Jacob

  20 Beatrix

  21 Jacob

  22 Beatrix

  23 Jacob

  24 Beatrix

  25 Jacob

  26 Beatrix

  27 Jacob

  28 Beatrix

  29 Jacob

  Epilogue: Beatrix

  EXCERPT: Shifter Business

  1 Dan

  2 Emily

  3 Dan

  About The Author

  Books In This Series

  1 Jacob

  "Drink up, Jacob! It's your birthday!" Tom laughed and filled up Jacob's glass before he could protest.

  "It's fine, really—" Jacob began, but there was no arguing with Tom. He watched as Tom filled his glass right to the top with a bold - and extremely expensive - Cabernet Sauvignon. Jacob didn't really like it, but he knew his brother wouldn't accept that as an excuse.

  "Oh Tom, leave him alone," their mother said, shaking her head and smiling indulgently. She was making admirable progress on her own glass of wine.

  "It's his birthday, Beth," Jacob's father interjected. "A man should drink up on his birthday." Chuck nodded with satisfaction as though he had just invented a memorable aphorism.

  "I'm drinking up," Jacob said mildly, raising his glass to his mouth - and doing his best not to spill it.

  "Atta boy!" Tom chuckled and gave Jacob a playful smack on the back. The unfortunate result, however, was that the bright red wine spilled from his glass and all over the pristine white tablecloth. Alyssa, Tom's fiancée, giggled behind her hand.

  "Thanks, Tom," Jacob said drily. "That's...that's just what I wanted."

  "Sorry, mate," Tom's face fell, and he did look sorry, Jacob had to admit.

  "Don't worry about it," Jacob shook his head slightly and set the glass down. He'd like to say Tom had learnt his lesson, but he wasn't about to get his hopes up.

  "So, another year gone! What have you got to show for it?" Chuck suddenly said, rounding on Jacob.

  "Well, things have been pretty good at work, and—" Jacob coughed.

  "But no girlfriend," Chuck interrupted. "Why can't you find someone like Tom has? Nice girl from a good family, get yourself shacked up."

  "You're not getting any younger," Bethany agreed. "And you're such a good-looking boy, Jakey, you won't have any trouble." She reached out to stroke his cheek, and Jacob forced himself to smile.

  "Just haven't met the right one," he said mildly, taking a sip from his much-depleted glass.

  Chuck let out a snort. "That's no excuse! I'm sure Alyssa has plenty of friends. Why don't you get him set up with someone? Maybe a girl with a family in the industry. That'd be handy."

  "You want me to meet a nice girl whose family can give you a discount on concrete?" Jacob said, raising his eyebrows. "Is that about right?"

  "We just want you to be happy, darling," Bethany said, stroking his arm. "But it would be nice if you met someone from the right sort of background."

  Jacob held back a sigh. The right sort of background. He knew exactly what she meant by that. His mother and father were very keen for him to meet someone and settle down, provided that she came from a family with business interests to complement theirs. The Jones family had been involved in property development since the dawn of time, if you asked Chuck.

  "I've been busy with work," Jacob said again. "It's not like I don't want to meet someone. I just haven't."

  "You've had a few decent deals," Chuck conceded. That was about as close to genuine praise as he'd get from his dad. "Nothing like that cracker that Tom pulled off with the old quarry and the distribution centre, but some decent deals."

  Of course, Jacob thought, a little bitterly. Of course, nothing he pulled off would be as good as anything Tom could do.

  "I'm glad you think so," Jacob said. He watched as Alyssa patted Tom's arm, looking up at him with wide-eyed admiration. Did he want someone who looked at him the way Alyssa did at Tom? Someone who thought everything he did was wonderful? The thought made him feel a little queasy.

  "Don't be like that," Chuck took a large gulp of his wine and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Don't get jealous. Just let him inspire you."

  "I'm not jealous," Jacob protested. "Tom's deal was great, I—"

  "You know, I think it's time for your birthday present," Chuck said, speaking over him. He reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope.

  Jacob guessed it was the usual birthday cheque. Not exactly the most heartfelt of gifts, but he wasn't stupid enough to turn it down, either. But as he opened the envelope, he saw that it didn't hold the expected cheque. Not this time.

  "This is..." he began, reading quickly.

  "The deed for that bit of land we've been holding onto at Shepherd's Crossing," Chuck confirmed. "You were the one who convinced me to hold onto it a few years ago, you thought it might be rezoned. And now that it has, I'm giving you a chance to see what you can make of it."

  Jacob let out a breath of surprise. "Wow, Dad, this is—"

  "I tried to convince him to give it to me," Tom smiled, his white teeth looking oddly sharp. "But he's probably right; I'll be busy with the distribution centre."

  "Your father believes in you, sweetheart," Bethany touched Jacob's cheek.

  Chuck laughed loudly. "Your mother may have had a hand in convincing me," he said, putting an arm around his wife. "Don't let me down, Jacob."

  "I won't," Jacob said quickly, folding up the document and carefully putting it into his jacket. "I'll be sure to... I mean, this is amazing. Thank you."

  Chuck waved a hand, dismissing his thanks. "Thank me by making it a success," he said gruffly. "Now, who wants dessert?"

  "Oh, I'd better not," Bethany said, looking at the menu and anxiously biting her lip. "Although that preserved strawberry and glazed fig tart does look lovely. But I'm watching my weight, and so I'd better be good."

  "I'll get the tart," Jacob said quickly. "And two spoons. You can have some of mine."

  They had done this little dance so many times before. His mother loved desserts but never wanted to be seen ordering one just for herself. Jacob wasn't especially fond of sweet food - give him a charcuterie board every time - but he loved his mother. And so he'd order dessert whenever they went out and eat just enough of it that his moth
er didn't have to feel guilty.

  "You can get away with it, all that working out you do," Bethany said, squeezing Jacob's admittedly buff forearm affectionately.

  "Don't know how you make time for all that gym stuff," Tom said, looking over. "Guess you have to, if you haven't already landed a good woman." He grinned, and Alyssa snuggled into him. Tom was built like an athlete; an athlete who had let himself go. He still had a Rugby player's powerful shoulders and strong arms, but he also had a gut that couldn't entirely be hidden by well-tailored shirts.

  "I like working out," Jacob shrugged, not wanting to start an argument. "Ant and I have a great set up at home."

  "Well, of course, he's got to keep in shape," Tom said. "They all do, don't they?"

  Jacob really wanted to call his brother out on that particular remark, but at that moment, Alyssa nudged him and pulled a small wrapped package out of her handbag.

  "This is for you," she said. "From both of us."

  Jacob took the present from her, perfectly aware that Tom would have had no part whatsoever in choosing it. His brother considered gift-giving to be solely a woman's domain.

  Jacob unwrapped the box to find a pair of silver cufflinks engraved with his initials. He wasn't really a cufflinks kind of guy, but he thanked them graciously just the same.

  "Not much of a present after what Dad got you," Tom laughed heartily, not seeming to notice that Alyssa seemed a little hurt by his remark.

  "That wasn't a present," Chuck corrected him. "It was an opportunity."

  "I'm very grateful," Jacob said quickly. "I can't wait to start work and check out the site. I haven't been out that way in years."

  "Why would you?" Tom grimaced. "It's just bush, empty fields, and caravan parks. What a crap hole."

  Jacob, for what felt like the millionth time, bit his tongue. His brother - and his father, for that matter - had never seen much point to nature. If Tom or Chuck visited a national park, they'd see an investment opportunity. Prime land waiting to be turned into a commercial hub or industrial park, once the trees were bulldozed. But Jacob had always liked hiking out into what felt like the middle of nowhere, spotting unusual plants, listening for birdsong, hoping for a glimpse of a wallaby.

  "And that book you wanted is on its way," Bethany interrupted suddenly. "That one with the illustrations of native plants? I'm sorry, darling, I did mean to have it wrapped up for you tonight, but the post is taking forever."

  "It's okay," Jacob assured her. "Thanks for getting it, that's very thoughtful."

  Bethany smiled at him, squeezing his arm gently.

  A waiter interrupted, taking the table's dessert orders. Jacob ordered the tart and didn't flinch at the waiter's raised eyebrows when he specified that two spoons were required.

  "Well, have you had a good birthday, sweetheart?" Bethany asked as she carefully scooped a little tart and fresh cream onto her spoon.

  "It's been great," Jacob lied fluently. "It's been a great night."

  "Party's barely started," Tom admonished him. "I'm meeting the boys after this. You should come out for drinks."

  "Yes," Alyssa said, looking keen. "Some of my friends are coming. Brittany is single now. She'd love to see you again." She gave him an extremely unsubtle wink.

  "I don't think so," Jacob said carefully. "I'm kind of tired—"

  "What a party pooper!" Chuck interrupted, jeering. "You're young! How are you going to meet anyone if you don't go out? Tom, you need to get your brother having some fun!"

  "Come on, Jakey," Tom said wheedlingly. "I'm buying!"

  If Jacob had had any hesitation in refusing his brother's offer, the use of that hated childhood nickname would have confirmed it.

  "Nah," he said firmly. "I'm good. Early start tomorrow."

  "It's the weekend!" Tom objected. "One of those hikes again? I hope you're at least going with some babe in yoga pants!"

  "Just not in the mood, okay?" Jacob said, his voice steady. Defiantly, he scooped up a mouthful of the tart. "Not in the mood for partying."

  Tom grunted, and Chuck shook his head sadly as though he didn't know where he had gone wrong with him. Jacob sent up a prayer to no deity in particular that the bill would soon come, and dinner with his family would be over.

  ✽✽✽

  "I'm back!" Jacob called. The house was dark, but he could hear the TV playing a Rugby game. Ant must be home.

  "Through here!" Ant called back. "How was it?"

  Jacob stripped off his jacket and left it on the kitchen counter as he went through the dark house.

  "Surprise, motherfucker!" Ant called out happily, chucking a handful of streamers at him. Jacob couldn't help laughing. There was a cluster of balloons floating on the ceiling, streamers taped haphazardly to the walls and a platter of cured meats and cheese on the low coffee table.

  "Aww, you shouldn't have," Jacob said, pulling the streamers from his hair. A loud yip sounded, and what looked like a small caramel coloured mop bounced up from the sofa.

  "Hello, Prada," Jacob crooned, picking up the tiny dog. "Did you miss me?"

  Ant laughed. "She kept barking at the TV," he said. "Your dog is kind of racist, dude. I swear she barked more at the All Blacks."

  Jacob huffed out a breath. "I can well believe it," he said. "After all, she was Ava's dog."

  "True," Ant agreed with a shrug, picking up a piece of salami and shoving it into his mouth.

  "Thanks for doing this," Jacob said, sitting down heavily and pulling the charcuterie board closer to himself. He selected a rolled slice of prosciutto, his mouth almost watering at the smell.

  "Yeah, well, thought you might need something nice to come home to after dinner with the family," Ant said knowingly. "Want a beer?"

  "Always," Jacob agreed gratefully.

  "So, how was it?" Ant asked. "Seafood place, yeah? Why did they insist on having your birthday there? You don't even like seafood."

  "Because it's the sort of place Dad likes to be seen," Jacob explained, rolling his eyes and taking the offered beer from Ant. He shuffled Prada in his arms, stopping her from getting her tiny snout any closer to the tempting platter of meat and cheese.

  "Yeah, that does sound like your dad," Ant agreed. "Sorry, dude."

  "It was okay," Jacob said quickly, not wanting to sound too ungrateful. "I mean, it wasn't that bad. There was the usual 'why haven't you met anyone yet' thing, but it could have been worse. And Dad did give me a pretty big present."

  "Really?" Ant asked, sitting back down next to him and attempting to take Prada from Jacob. She growled fiercely, and Ant retreated. "Fine, fine, you little mutt. I won't try to take you from your daddy."

  "Yeah," Jacob said, trying to soothe Prada. "Gave me the deed to this land out at Shepherd's Crossing. You know, with the rezoning? He wants to see what I can make of it."

  Ant let out a breath. "Kind of a double-edged present," he said. "I mean, it's generous, but..."

  "A lot of pressure," Jacob agreed. "I want to do a good job, you know. Make him proud."

  "He should be proud of you," Ant said. "You've done heaps for the family business. Kept them out of trouble, for a start."

  Jacob shook his head. "Yeah, well, Dad doesn't exactly place a huge value on compliance and risk management. He's all about the deal."

  "You've told me," Ant said, half-watching the muted Rugby game still playing on the big screen. He tilted his head back and fed a long slice of prosciutto into his mouth. "Damn, that's good," he groaned. "You have no idea how hard it was waiting for you to get back before going to town on this bad boy."

  Jacob grinned. "I appreciate your self-restraint," he said. "Tom was trying to get me to go out with him afterwards, but I wasn't in the mood."

  Ant scrunched up his face. "Isn't he engaged now? Would have thought he'd have settled down a bit."

  "Nope," Jacob said. "Alyssa's as bad as he is. She was trying to set me up with one of her friends."

  "Not interested?" Ant asked. "Fair enough. Her friends
are probably like her."

  "Exactly," Jacob sipped his beer and let his body melt into the couch.

  "We could go out for a few, if you wanted," Ant offered suddenly. "I mean, it is your birthday, and it's only eleven."

  Jacob groaned. "Not a chance," he said. "Eleven is way too late to go out. I'm not twenty-two anymore."

  "Thank fuck for that," Ant sighed in relief. "I didn't want to have to do my hair."

  "Best to just stay in," Jacob said comfortably, his feet propped on the coffee table and his lap full of his small and vicious dog.

  "Too right," Ant agreed. "Besides, I hate it when I take you to my bars. I can't handle the competition."

  "I thought you said I was a good wingman!" Jacob protested.

  "I thought you were," Ant said, sighing. "That was, until the last guy I brought home asked if you'd be joining us."

  Jacob made a sound of dismay. "But you told him I'm straight," he said, confused.

  "He didn't want to believe it," Ant said. "One look into those big green eyes, and he was gone."

  "Best to stay in then," he repeated, running his hand down Prada's back. She had settled into his lap and was snoring very softly.

  "We've got meat, beer, and back-to-back Rugby," Ant said. "What more could we need?"

  "Absolutely nothing," Jacob agreed cheerfully. "No matter what my dad thinks."

  Maybe he would meet someone one day, Jacob thought. Maybe she'd even be someone his family approved of. But until then? A best mate and a tiny dog were pretty good company.

  2 Beatrix

  "Have you got that lavender ready?" Beatrix said, looking at her watch anxiously. "I want to get it ready to be infused before I go out. It's a new moon tonight; we can't miss that opportunity."

  "I'm working on it," Onyx sighed long-sufferingly. He held up the half plucked lavender stalks in his gloved hands to show her.

  "And how's that yarrow, Shauna?" Beatrix said, ignoring him. "Ready to be distilled?"

  "It'll be ready when it's ready," Shauna said patiently. She stopped in her work and turned to look at Beatrix, eyebrows raised. "You're nervous about tonight."