“So that would make Charlotte a second cousin to you,” I thought out loud.
“No,” Matthew said firmly. “She is my daughter. Genetics be damned. My name is on the birth certificate, and I’ve loved that little girl since the moment she drew her first breath.”
“How many people know about this?” I asked gently. “The truth about Charlie?”
“Five people,” Matthew said, rising to his feet. “The doctor who ran the tests. My parents, me, and now you.”
“What about Zack?”
“He’s dead,” he said with no inflection. Matthew took the family portrait from me and replaced it. “There was an accident. He’d been drinking and using drugs.”
“His parents?” I asked.
Matthew sighed, clearly miserable. “Zack’s parents are divorced now, they’re both alcoholics. That’s no sort of life for a child.”
“No, it’s not,” I agreed. “When did the accident happen?”
Matthew met my eyes. “Two years ago.”
And Charlie’s mother had died in a car accident two years ago as well...Suddenly, hideously, all the pieces fell together. “Zack and Veronica died in that car accident together, didn’t they?”
“Yes.” Matthew drew a shaky breath. “Veronica had left me and abandoned Charlotte. She and Zack were running off when they died.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
The silence in the living room was profound. I leaned against the mantle and let it all sink in. Everything he’d revealed to me had my heart aching and my head spinning. I suddenly flashed back to the last time I’d been in his house.
“So the day that I tried to talk to you, and told you to search your family tree to find out more about Charlie’s gifts...you weren’t mad because I’d brought up the subject of witchcraft.”
He shook his head. “No, I wasn’t angry about that.”
“But you were afraid,” I said, feeling sympathy for him. “You’re terrified that someone will find out about Charlie’s biological father and try and take her away, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” he agreed. “I was also afraid for Charlotte. It upsets me to think that she could actually manipulate and coerce people the same way Zack had. She’s only a child. She has no way to understand the consequences of her actions.”
“She’s young, and to her it’s all a fun little game.” I reached out for his hand and gave his fingers a squeeze. “Let me work with her, Matthew. I can help teach her the rules of the Craft and make her understand the right way to use her gifts.”
“I think that would be the wisest choice,” Matthew said solemnly. “I’m trusting you with my daughter, Violet.”
“She’s blessed to have you,” I said and meant it. “I won’t betray your trust.”
“Thank you.” His shoulders dropped in relief. “I’ll want to be as discreet about this as possible.”
“I don’t want to alarm you, but Ivy Bishop knows that Charlie has abilities. She’s seen them in action. Ivy assumed that Charlie’s abilities most likely came down somewhere from the family tree. Which is true.”
“Ivy is a Witch as well? I mean, I saw the pentagram, who could miss it?” He rubbed his forehead as he thought it over. “But I thought that was simply a gothic fashion statement.”
I smiled at him. “Don’t underestimate her. Ivy is very talented, her whole family is.”
“Wait, isn’t she related to Bran? Bran Bishop from the University library department?”
“Yes. That’s her brother.”
“Are you telling me that their entire family are...”
“Witches.” I smiled at him. “You can say the word out loud. No one’s going to arrest you. Also, the cop who helped you search for Charlie is Lexie Proctor-Bishop, she’s Bran’s wife.”
“The police officer is a Witch too?” Matthew shook his head. “But they all seemed so normal.”
“They are normal,” I huffed out. “I’m going to let that comment slide, as you’ve been dealing with a lot recently, but don’t push it.”
“I apologize. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“You can make up for it by filling me in on what you found out about your family legacy.” I sat on the hearth, patted the space beside me, and tried to encourage him to talk.
“My grandfather told me that both his father and his brother Saul, had powers.” Matthew sat down next to me. “Grandpa said that his brother Saul was a politician—and in his words—had the gift of gab. Saul was the mayor of his home town, and a fine one according to Grandpa.”
“And your great-grandfather, what were his gifts?”
“According to Grandpa, his father Seth was a ‘water witcher’. He divined where to dig for wells and so forth.”
“I’m familiar with the term,” I said. “Did your great-grandfather use metal rods or a forked willow branch to dowse?”
Matthew faltered. “I have no idea. I’ll have to ask.”
“And your grandfather?”
“Grandpa Abbott was a veterinarian, he’s retired now. But I’ve never seen anyone who could work with animals like he could.”
“Well, there you go. With the Abbott family ties to Salem village, and your great-grandfather being a dowser, no one will question where Charlie got her powers. And good news? Not everyone in your family had issues with their gifts.”
“Good point.”
“There is an entire community of Witches here in William’s Ford who will be happy to help your little girl,” I said. “Don’t worry. We watch out for our own.”
“Thank you,” Matthew sighed.
He looked exhausted and I wanted to comfort him, but wasn’t certain if that was my smartest move. I sat there helplessly for a moment, unsure of what to do about the rest of his confession. “I should probably go,” I said, rising to my feet.
“What?” His head snapped up. “Why are you leaving? Didn’t you hear everything I told you?”
“Of course I did.” I walked into the foyer for my coat. “I’d like a little time to process it, that’s all.”
He followed me into the foyer. “Come back tomorrow, for supper,” Matthew said. “I know Charlie would love to see you, and maybe you could start working with her.”
I buttoned up my coat. “I have a few deliveries in the morning, I suppose
