I frowned. “Where did that come from?”
“Auggie’s idea,” Adelaide said. “She found the table sitting in our garden and asked some of the townspeople to bring it on their cart so that patrons could sit and eat their soup if they wanted to.”
We’d been using our leftover potion bottles to make to-go soups that people could take home and eat later. Mama had spelled the bottles to keep the soup warm—with Prue’s help. I figured the to-go option would be popular. And it was. But far more people than I expected opted for grabbing a bowl and sitting somewhere nearby to eat.
A few others appeared and bought their bowls of soup, then joined Veldar at the table.
“That man is so unpleasant.” I straightened the to-go bottles of soup.
“Elm said his husband died twenty years ago and he hasn’t been the same since,” Adelaide said. “Go easy on him. I think he’s lonely.”
I stared at Veldar. I hadn’t realized he’d been married. I supposed I’d never asked.
Mama hummed as she stirred the cauldron with her wand, murmuring a spell to keep the soup hot as a chilly gust of wind blew past us. “Nothing like a warm bowl of soup to bring people together, hmm?”
I turned my attention back to Adelaide. “Have you seen Auggie today?”
I hadn’t seen much of her since she’d stormed out on me a few days ago.
“No.” Adelaide shrugged helplessly. “She’s been spending more and more time out, but I can’t get her to tell me where she’s going or who she’s spending time with.”
Mama patted her curly gray hair, in its usual messy bun. “I think she’s found a suitor.”
I laughed. “Auggie? Auggie isn’t interested in a relationship.” She never had been. She liked flirting and kissing and having fun but not all the baggage that came with it.
“You never know. Being in Thistlegrove is changing a lot of things.” She gave me a meaningful look, and I wondered if she somehow knew about me and Draven. But that was impossible. No one knew.
I cleared my throat. “Well, we should find out what’s going on with her soon. I hope she’s alright.”
I thought about our fight, how upset she’d been, how convinced she was that none of us took her seriously.
Helena stepped up to our stand, the vampire wearing all pink today, her black hair in its usual slicked-back style. “I heard you’re serving wild rice and chicken soup today.”
“Word spreads fast,” Adelaide said.
“I’m surprised you’re still here.” I got a small plate and set her bowl of soup on it. “I figured you’d be gone by now.”
“I havesome business I’m attending to.” She flashed her fangs.
“Did you find some new talent?” I asked.
“A vampire doesn’t reveal her secrets.” Helena took her bowl.
“Everyone is so secretive.” Mama threw out her arms. “How am I supposed to gossip when no one will tell me anything?”
Adelaide and I smiled.
“The only one I can get anything out of is my dear Adelaide.” Mama hugged my sister. “She’s very happy with Elm Kingsley, you know.”
“Mama,” Adelaide hissed, cheeks turning pink.
Mama leaned forward. “I think she might be in love.”
Adelaide groaned. “Helena doesn’t want to hear this,” she said with an edge to her voice.
Mama clapped her hands over my cheeks, smooshing them like I was a toddler. “Elspeth is next. And I think she may have already found someone.”
Oh no. I stiffened under Mama’s hold and took a step back, busying myself with straightening the pile of plates that didn’t actually need to be straightened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
