EXCERPT from Meditation and Mischief
Magical Mystery Book Club #8
By Elizabeth Pantley

Frank strolled into the room, hopped up on the counter and stretched. His nose and whiskers twitched. “Ahhh, the life enriching aroma of fresh coffee. Which of my dear friends can I count on to prepare me a bowlful?”

“I gotcha, Frank,” said Forrest.

“While you’re at it, can you pour me a cup?” asked Sebastian, who was busy at the griddle whipping up a stack of pancakes.

“And me, please,” called Valeria over her shoulder as she took stacks of plates and bowls out of the cabinet.

The bustle of the kitchen continued until the counter was loaded with food and a second fresh pot of coffee was brewing. The peacefulness of last night had morphed into the high energy of anticipation that buzzed through the air. Today we’d pick a new book and embark on an unknown journey into a cozy mystery book. It was funny to think that in the old days a trip to the theater in the city, or a hike through the park were the only journeys I took. Now I knew I could land anywhere in the world – this world or another one – and I’d meet some kind of paranormal beings and be instrumental in solving a mystery. All with this motley group of people who’d become like family to me. Well … people, a talking cat, and a friendly ghost. My life had certainly changed.

Brunch was served and we sat around the table chatting and eating.

“I know your library has only cozy mysteries,” said Valeria. “But wouldn’t it be great to go into other kinds of books, too?”

“No,” said Zell, wrinkling up her face. “Cozies are all I ever read.”

“Wouldn’t you like to venture into a nice romance story?” Sebastian made kissing noises.

“Heaven forbid,” chortled Zell. “Any men my age would be wrinkled old prunes.”

Sebastian spit out his coffee, and several of us laughed along with him, including Zell.

“What about biographies about famous people, then?” asked Valeria.

“Boring.” Frank gave an exaggerated yawn.

“I’d enjoy a travel book,” said Moonbeam. “It would be fun to explore a new place without having the added stress of a mystery to solve.”

“If you mean tour groups and taking pictures of old cathedrals, count me out,” said Sebastian. “We get to travel to places not on any map or globe and meet paranormal beings! That’s far more interesting to me. I mean, we got to visit a sprite kingdom, Moon! How much better does it get than that?”

Moonbeam smiled. “I did love the fairies.”

By the time we dilly-dallied over our meal, caught up with everyone’s news, and had taken our time cleaning the kitchen, over two hours had passed. People were already filling small plates of food to carry downstairs to our book club meeting. We rarely had leftovers with this group.

Zell didn’t even wait for us to leave the kitchen before she pulled out her drum and slung it around her neck. She handed her plate to Sebastian and began tapping out a drumroll as she marched toward the basement door. Everyone followed her in a parade of excitement.

Forrest, Valeria, and Atticus had grabbed pairs of chopsticks and were tapping out rhythms on the end tables and coffee table. The fact that all of them were playing different rhythms didn’t seem to bother them at all.

Moonbeam began her ritual chant asking for the spirits of exploration and adventure to fill the room, and Sebastian joined her, while tapping out his own rhythm with a pair of spoons. Mollie swooped up to blow gently on the chandelier which added a pleasant tinkling to the diverse orchestra.

I made my way to the front and put my hand on the doorknob. All the tapping, chanting, and tinkling came to a halt, and an air of expectation surrounded us. I began the countdown, and everyone joined in.

“Five … four … three … two … one!”