Potions, Poisons, and Peril by Shéa MacLeod

Author:Shéa MacLeod [MacLeod, Shéa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal cozy mystery, romantic mystery, witches, magic, witch mystery, whodunnit
Publisher: Sunwalker Press
Published: 2019-08-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Next to Saturdays, Sundays were the busiest day for Healing Herbs. Emory opened at noon when the church people were leaving services and headed to the nearest restaurant for a bite. It was amazing how many church people ended up inside her shop, buying herbal remedies for everything from hangnails to straying husbands.

Fred had been quiet in his cage all day, only coming out for the occasional snack. Still, it was comforting to have him near.

She felt bad for Noah. It would be hard to deal with the death of a friend, especially when it had happened in such a bizarre way. And then having to hide it from the authorities.

It was nearly five, and the shop was empty when Noah strolled in. Emory hadn’t expected to see him, so it was a pleasant surprise. She felt that fizz of attraction sizzling through her.

“Hi, Noah. How are you?” He’d stoically handled last night without batting an eyelash. Maybe it was an army thing.

“Better now.”

“Good. Can I help you with something?”

“I wanted to see if you were free for dinner.”

She was stunned. He was asking her out? Or was he? Maybe this was just a friend thing. Like supernatural community bonding or something.

She opened her mouth, not sure how she was going to answer, and the doorbell jangled. A middle-aged woman pushed her way in. She was a little on the plump side and was wearing a teal-and-white polka-dot dress that hit mid-calf. Her feet were shod in sensible black patent-leather pumps with modest, one-inch heels. Her purse, clutched tightly in work-worn hands, matched her shoes. She screamed “church lady.”

“Excuse me,” Emory murmured to Noah, moving toward the newcomer. Church Lady looked nervous. “Welcome.” Emory shot her a warm smile, hoping to ease her nerves. “May I help you with something?”

Her eyes, the skin beneath them so dark as to seem almost bruised, darted to Noah. “I don’t know...”

Emory steered her gently toward the alcove. “Why don’t we have a cup of tea and talk about it over here, where we won’t be interrupted.”

Church Lady sat on the chair facing the front of the store. She kept her purse on her lap, gripping it like a security blanket.

“I’ll be right back with tea.” Emory paused by Noah. “Would you mind watching the shop for a bit?” She said it loud enough that her visitor would hear. Emory didn’t want her thinking they were conspiring or something.

“Of course. Shall I close at five if you’re not done?”

“Yes, please. Thank you.” She squeezed his arm before hurrying to the back room. The kettle was still warm, so it didn’t take long to throw together a tea tray. She breathed a sigh of relief to find her visitor still sitting ramrod straight in the alcove.

She always wondered why people who were so anti-witch would take up residence in a town dedicated to witches. It took all types, she supposed.

Placing the tray on the coffee table, Emory offered Church Lady a cup. She sniffed at it before taking a careful sip.

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