Abigail had on a burgundy pantsuit that shone in the twinkling lights. She pulled her phone out of one of the front pockets and sighed. “It’s Thomas. He’s checking up on us. The boys are supposed to be scouting new tour sights for his company, and yet he has time to call just when the party gets good. He’s afraid I’m going to fall for one of these business suits and leave him.”
Mia laughed. “I don’t think so. He probably just wants to see how beautiful you look tonight. Let’s make sure we get a picture of all four of us in front of the tree. If we can pull Grans away from that guy she’s been talking to all night.”
Abigail stepped away from the group to take the call out in the hallway.
Mia scanned the room. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, but very few of the trays were being emptied. She’d been right about the food. It was subpar. Next time she’d insist that Mia’s Morsels be given a fighting chance. Maybe have a tasting contest before the contract was decided. No one in their right mind would choose this garbage.
Christina pointed to a man near the doorway. “That’s one of my professors, Geoffrey Meyers. He knows your boss from when they went to school together. He says Frank’s a tool.”
“He’s in the culinary department?” Since Christina went to school in Twin Falls, a town about two hours away, Mia hadn’t met any of Christina’s professors.
“Hospitality, actually. I guess he used to manage a bunch of hotels before he took on the teaching job.” Christina waved at the man, and as he recognized her, she waved him over. “I guess he’s coming over to meet you. He’s super nice.”
“Okay, just make sure he knows I didn’t cook this food.” Mia grinned and turned to meet Christina’s professor.
“Well, at least the company is entertaining tonight.” Geoffrey waved away the catering staff person who was now trying to get them to take a cocktail wiener on a stick. “Frank always was about going with the cheapest bid. Although, I’ve heard that most of the lodge’s events serve top-notch food.”
“That’s because Mia is usually in charge.” Christina took Mia’s shoulders in her hands. “Professor, I’d like you to meet my boss and friend, Mia Malone. She owns Mia’s Morsels and is the lodge’s catering director.”
Mia held out a hand. “And no, we didn’t cater our own event this year. A mistake I hope to not repeat next year.”
“Well, not expecting staff to work during a staff party is at least a good notion on Frank’s part.” Geoffrey shook her hand. “I’ve heard great things about Mia’s Morsels. Why did you take on the unfortunate position of working for Frank?”
“You know how small businesses are at the beginning.” Mia tried to skirt the issue and not badmouth her boss. Geoffrey was doing it enough for both of them. “Christina talks a lot about you and the program. I’m afraid she’s going to graduate in June and be swept up by a much higher-paying job as soon as they know she’s available.”
Geoffrey hugged Christina and spilled a bit of wine from his drink on her skirt. “She’s the best student we have. She should bring in amazing offers.”
As he wandered off to refill his glass, Christina dabbed at her skirt. “Good thing he drinks white wine. I think the drycleaner should be able to get this out. I’ve never seen him tipsy.”
“I would hope not. I hope he got a room nearby tonight and won’t be driving back to Twin.” Mia watched as he went over to the open bar. The bartender who worked for the lodge shook his head and offered the professor a cup of coffee. At least he wouldn’t be getting any more alcohol at the party.
“Oh, Professor Meyers has a house in Sun Valley. His wife works at some Hollywood film studio. Everyone says he works just to keep busy.” Christina dropped her voice a little. “Mom keeps harping at me to invite him to the Boise house to meet Dad. She’s looked up their investments, I guess.”
“Well, if they have a house in Sun Valley, then your dad is probably dying to get him and his wife as clients.”
Christina’s dad was a lawyer, and her mom was always on the lookout for new, wealthy clients. Unfortunately for the Adamses, both of their children had gone into the hospitality field, with Isaac, their oldest, being a culinary director for the most prestigious hotel in the Boise area. And now, Christina worked for Mia. A job her mom would say was beneath her. But people had to eat, right?
Her gaze caught her grandmother moving her way from across the room. “Here comes Grans.”
“I’ll grab us a couple more drinks. White wine again?” When Mia nodded, Christina hurried away toward the bartender.
Mia watched as her professor moved away from the bar headed out the door. Apparently being cut off had made it the end of the party for him. Mia threw a blessing at him and got a vision from the Goddess back, showing her that he had a car and driver sitting out in the parking lot waiting for him.
“You can’t worry about every drunk driver,” her grandmother said as she followed Mia’s gaze to watch Geoffrey stumble out of the room.
“Maybe not, but if he hadn’t had a driver, I would have asked one of the staff to drive him home. We don’t need that on our roads. Especially on snowy nights like this.” The snow had just begun to fall when they’d come into the lodge an hour before. “I’ll use my power for good, as long as they let me.”
“Okay, Glenda, I just wanted to tell you that Robert is taking me to Sun Valley for a late dinner. He’d assumed that since you catered the last lodge staff party, the food would be edible, not this crap.” Grans shook her head at the trays being passed.
A waiter frowned at them as he tried to push a tray of undercooked egg rolls.
“I wasn’t in charge of making that decision.” Mia waved Abigail over. “Before you leave, let’s get a picture of the four of us at the tree.”
Abigail hurried over, and then Christina met them at the tree. They took several pictures, including one of Mia and Grans. Grans was in a little black dress with black heels. She still looked younger than her actual years—a magic spell gone wrong—but at least she looked closer to her age than Mia’s.
Abigail showed them the last picture. “You two look like sisters.”
Mia grinned as Grans shook her head. She handed Abigail back the camera. “Not now, but we did.”
“And I liked it that way.” Grans gave her a kiss on her cheek. “We should have gotten a picture of the two of us when we did look like sisters. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Mia watched as her grandmother rejoined Robert, who stood by the door with her coat in his arm. Mia had met him once before when they’d stopped by the school. She liked him. He seemed to fit in well with her grandmother’s life. And since he was involved in the local coven as well, nothing had to be hidden from his view. Hiding her witch life wasn’t something her grandmother did well. Especially since she tended to make potions in her bathtub.