November 27, Wednesday

"YOU'VE TOTALLY lost it," Frida's voice crackled through my AirPods as I rolled out pie crust. "The Josephine I know would never host Thanksgiving for a bunch of potential cultists."

"They're not cultists." Flour dusted my hands as I draped the crust into the pie pan. "They're my neighbors."

"Neighbors who perform midnight ceremonies in the graveyard. Who paint your goat with creepy symbols. Who might or might not have stolen a dead woman's body." Frida's eye-roll was practically audible. "Girl, I don't even recognize you anymore."

I started arranging apple slices in a spiral pattern, the way Kelly had taught me. "You know what they say about keeping your friends close—"

"And your enemies closer? Please. This is Thanksgiving dinner with people who might actually want to harm you."

"In broad daylight?" I sprinkled cinnamon and sugar over the apples. "With turkey and stuffing? Come on."

"Bad things happen in daylight all the time. Remember Curtis? He dumped you at brunch."

"That's different."

"Is it? At least Curtis was honest about being a snake. These people..." She sighed. "Just tell me Tilda isn't bringing a cauldron of witch brew."

I crimped the edges of the top crust, trying for the perfect scalloped pattern. "She's bringing her famous herb bread."

"And do those herbs include eye of newt?"

"I doubt it," I said with a laugh. "Besides, Kelly's doing most of the cooking."

"The same Kelly who works in the haunted house you live in? Who has access to every room? Who could be going through your things while you sleep?"

I thought of Rose's missing diary. "Kelly wouldn't do that…I don't think."

"Right. Just like Sawyer wouldn't keep secrets about his family. Like Tilda wouldn't put a curse on you —"

"I get the message," I said. "Stop fussing, okay?"

"Just..." Frida's voice softened. "If anyone brings fried spiders or roasted toads, maybe skip those dishes?"

I laughed, the tension easing. "I promise to stick to turkey and pie."

"And keep your phone on? In case you need to be rescued?"

"Promise." I slid the pie into the oven. "Though the only real danger tomorrow is Kelly's obsession with perfect gravy. She's already threatened violence if anyone opens the oven door at the wrong time."

"Now that's the kind of kitchen witch I can appreciate." Frida paused. "Love you, Jo. Even if you have gone full Practical Magic on me."

"Love you too." I set the timer. "Even if you're being paranoid."

But after we hung up, I found myself checking the ingredients list for the herb bread recipe Kelly had left on the counter.

Just in case.