by Lena Gregory
“Do you think he could have something to do with this?” As usual, Bee’s thoughts ran along the same line as Cass’s.
“I don’t know, but what better way to ruin my life than to destroy my reputation? And even worse, to hurt one of my friends in the process.”
Stephanie stared hard at her. “You do know you’re going to have to tell Tank and Luke about this guy, right?”
Cass shifted uncomfortably. The instant she mentioned it to them, any hope of her investigating would be shot down.
“Cass . . . ?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ll tell them.”
The tinkle of the wind chimes announced her first customer of the day, bringing their conversation grinding to a halt before she could mention seeing Ellie.
“When are you going to call them, Cass?” Stephanie persisted.
“As soon as I get a break from work.” Cass smiled and slid from beneath Stephanie’s glare to greet her customer, but stopped short when she recognized the woman from the night before—Aiden Hargrove’s date.
And she didn’t look like she’d gotten any more sleep than Cass had. Dark circles ringed her bloodshot eyes, made worse by the tear tracks running through the black eye makeup that had smudged beneath them.
What could she say to this woman? She’d embarrassed her publicly, hurt her in a terrible way. Problem was, she’d told her the truth. What was she supposed to do now? Lie to her? Try to soothe her feelings? At what expense?
Bee crossed behind her and nudged her in the back discreetly with his elbow.
“I . . . uh . . . I’m sorry about last night.” That sounded completely lame.
“Is it true?” The woman rushed toward her, wringing a wad of tissues in her hands. “Is what you said true? Please, whatever the truth is, I have to know. Aiden swears you’re a fraud, but what you said . . . and the way he reacted . . . well . . . I just have to know.”
Cass relaxed. She didn’t have to tell this woman anything. She already knew the truth. “What’s your name?”
“Nanette. Nanette Coldwater.”
Cass shot a quick glance at Bee, who stood talking quietly to Stephanie at the register.
He nodded and pointed up.
Confident he’d stay and watch the shop until she returned, Cass led Nanette upstairs. She usually conducted individual readings at the round table in the back corner of the shop, and that’s where she kept the aids she sometimes used, like her colored pencils and her crystal ball, but she had a feeling she wouldn’t be needing those for this reading. Nanette only wanted one answer, and she already knew it, Cass just had to help her realize that.
“Can I get you anything before we start? Tea, coffee, water?” She gestured toward a table by the window, far from the table where she’d sat with Aiden the night before. “I know it’s not enough, but I am truly sorry about what happened last night. It shouldn’t have happened, and I have no excuse for it.”
Nanette shook her head and wiped her eyes with the wad of tissues, then pulled more from her purse and mopped the sweat beading on her forehead. She yanked her long, limp red hair back and tied it into a knot at the back of her head.
“I’m sorry, it’s so hot in here.” Cass jumped up and opened the windows. “I still haven’t gotten the air-conditioning fixed. Are you sure I can’t get you some water?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you. I just want answers.”
With all of the windows open, and Nanette refusing any kind of refreshment, Cass couldn’t procrastinate any longer. She joined Nanette at the table, choosing a seat next to her rather than across the table. “What do you want to know?”
“Is what you said true? That Aiden’s in love with someone else?”
Cass blew out a breath. She wouldn’t lie to this woman, but she would search her memory to be sure she was right. She owed Nanette that much.
The weird feeling that something was wrong had nagged at her all day. That, combined with the heat, the heckler, so many things could have caused her to be mistaken. She thought back to the night before, Aiden’s shocked expression when she said he was in love, his immediate reaction to look at the other woman. She wasn’t wrong. She might have been wrong about a lot of things last night, but that wasn’t one of them. “I believe so, but there’s always a chance I could be wrong.”
She spread her hands wide. “So, what am I supposed to do?”
“Have you tried talking to him?”
“Of course,” she scoffed. “But he was so angry, so bent on revenge against you, that he wouldn’t even listen. He told me if I didn’t believe him, I could just go home.”
Just what she needed, Aiden Hargrove out to get her. “And what did you do?”
“I left. What else could I do?” She sobbed and blew her nose.
It was time to lead her around to the inevitable truth. “You’ve come into the shop before, seeking a love potion, if I remember correctly.”
“A lot of good it did.” She snorted and yanked the small velvet bag of crystals Cass had sold her from her purse, then slammed it onto the table.
If Nanette had believed Aiden was in love with her, she wouldn’t have needed the love potion, but Nanette needed to figure that out for herself. “Before the reading last night, did you suspect Aiden was interested in anyone else?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she swiped them roughly with the heels of her hands. “That woman. The one he looked at when you said that? I’ve seen him with her before.”
Cass remained quiet, waiting Nanette out, letting her draw her own conclusions. She knew the instant realization came.
The flow of tears dried up, and her eyes went cold, hard. Her mouth firmed into a thin line. This was the woman Bee had told her insulted several guests before coming upstairs to the group reading. “I asked him about her more than once, and he swore there was nothing going on between them. But he was lying, wasn’t he?”
Cass schooled her features, careful not to lead her in any way.
“I should have known, did know, I think, on some level, but how much easier to stick your head in the sand than to accept the truth?” She stuffed the tissues into her bag, stood, and paced back and forth in front of the window. “I should have known something was up when he agreed to go to the reading. I’d been asking him, begging him, really, to take me for months, and he laughed at me. Said stuff like that was nothing but nonsense for weak-minded people.”
Cass didn’t flinch, too used to the sentiment to let it bother her. “What made him change his mind?”
“I don’t know. I was sitting in the waiting room outside his office, and I overheard him on the phone with someone.” She peered from beneath her lashes, studying Cass.
Nannette hadn’t overheard anything; she’d been eavesdropping. Apparently, her suspicions had run deep.
“He sounded agitated, not really angry, but annoyed, you know what I mean?”
Cass nodded.
“He was saying he didn’t want to do something, didn’t understand what difference it would make. Next thing you know, he comes out of the office and tells me we’re going to the reading.”
Who could have wanted Aiden at the reading? His lover? It’s not like anyone could have known what Cass would say. What reason would anyone have for wanting him there? “When was that, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Friday afternoon. Two days before the reading.”
“Do you know who he was talking to?”
“No, but I think I have a pretty good idea.” She stopped abruptly and slung her purse over her shoulder.
“Why don’t you sit for a while longer, have a cup of tea, let me do a proper reading for you?” Going off half-cocked and angry wasn’t going to solve anything.
“I don’t need time to think.” She strode toward the stairs. “What I need are answers. I was foolish to come here, to think you could tell me what’s going on between him and that woman. There are only two people who can answer that question, and I assure you, before the day
is out, one of them is going to.”
Cass hurried after her, but it was no use.
Nanette stormed out without another word.
Bee stared after her. “I take it that didn’t go very well.”
Cass tilted her head back and forth, stretching her neck where exhaustion and stress had coiled, leaving her stiff and sore. There was nothing more she could do for Nanette Coldwater. Maybe she should just close the shop and go home. But she couldn’t. She had to stay just in case Ellie showed up. “I saw Ellie today. You were right. She doesn’t look good.”
Stephanie grabbed her bag from beneath the register. “I saw her the other day, and she didn’t even say hello, just walked past me with her head down.”
“I’m worried about her. Have you heard anything, Bee?”
“Nothing more than what I told you already. But I can ask around.”
Stephanie kissed her cheek. “I’ve got to run. Calvin Morris is sending a courier with the books he wants me to look over.”
“And I have to go home and get some shut-eye. I want to make sure I get up early enough to hit the deli again before they close.” He winked and blew Cass a kiss, then turned to Stephanie. “Hey, can you drop me off at the deli to pick up my car?”
“Sure, come on.”
“Thanks.” He started out with Stephanie. “A courier? Hasn’t he ever heard of email?”
“Apparently he doesn’t believe in digital records.”
“Seriously? Isn’t that unusual?”
The screen door banged shut behind them, and Cass was left alone with her thoughts.
As if reading her mind, Beast barked once.
“I’m sorry, boy.” She pulled out a chair, sat next to him, and smoothed a hand over his sleek fur, then kissed his head. “I’m never alone when you’re around.”
He nuzzled his head against her leg and stared up at her, his big brown eyes filled with love. No matter what was going wrong in her life, she need only look into his eyes to bring serenity. If only the sense of doom would give up its grip on her and allow that contentment to last.
Chapter Ten
The minute hand ticked another minute past opening time, and still no customers. Not that it was unusual to go as long as an hour past opening with no one coming in, but still, she wouldn’t start to feel better until she could gauge how people were reacting. And she couldn’t do that until people started coming in.
She started the coffeepot, despite the hundred-degree weather. If the fact she had no air-conditioning had gotten around, she might never get a customer.
The wind chimes above the door rang out, startling her. She whirled around, and her elbow caught the handle of her favorite mug and sent it crashing to the floor.
Beast scrambled to his feet and barked.
“I guess you should have seen that coming, huh?” A man she’d never seen before smirked as he swaggered into the shop through the back door from the beach. If she had to guess, based on the multicolor jungle-print shorts, polo shirt, and Sperry boat shoes, she’d say tourist, but something seemed off. The sunglasses he wore backward on his shaved head with the arms hooked over the front of his ears didn’t help matters. Nor did the two buddies he had in tow, both dressed similarly—except their sunglasses hung folded from the front of their shirt collars—and both laughing at his lame attempt at humor.
Just what she needed, another heckler. Best to get them out of the shop as soon as possible without causing a scene. At least there were no customers around to witness whatever happened.
“You’re probably right.” She smiled, leaving the shards of glass where they were but keeping a close watch on Beast so he wouldn’t step on any. Not too hard, since he’d glued himself to her side, head tilted, keeping a watchful eye on the strangers.
She lay a hand on his head. “What can I help you gentlemen with today?”
Their leader strolled through the shop, ran a finger along an expensive crystal decanter, then turned and pinned her with a glare.
His compatriots wandered through the shop without straying too far from him.
“I’m looking for a love potion. Rumor has it, at least from the friend who recommended you, that you specialize in those.” He folded his arms across his puffed-up chest, giving her a good view of the tan line on his left ring finger.
“Are you looking to make someone fall in love with you?” Because she had a feeling it was going to take a whole lot more than a potion. And not a woo-woo feeling—as Bee would put it—either. He would be a hard man to love if he was always this obnoxious. “Or is it a gift for a friend?”
“Does it matter?”
She folded her arms, matching his stance. No way she’d let this crew intimidate her. “Oh, I don’t know, but I bet it would matter to your wife.”
He jerked back as if she’d slapped him. “Is that a threat?”
She hadn’t meant it that way, just an observation, but if his own guilt made him feel threatened, that wasn’t on her.
“Besides . . .” His face turned red as he regained some of his composure. “Who even says I’m married?”
Too late. His reaction had already confirmed her suspicion. She tapped a finger against her temple. “Psychic, remember?”
That and the white line circling his finger where he must have recently removed his wedding band. Of course, there was always the possibility he was newly divorced, but she’d trusted her gut, taken the chance, and his reaction had proved her right.
“Anyway . . .” She relaxed her stance, lowered her arms. She wasn’t about to stand there and argue with him. “I’m sorry, but I don’t carry love potions.”
“Really?” He cocked his head and lifted a brow. “Because rumor has it you try to make people fall in love, even if they don’t want to. What are you? A witch?”
Cass’s mind raced. Whom could he have spoken to that would have said that? Sure, she often put together bags of crystals that were supposed to aid in romance. That was a routine request from people visiting her shop. But she’d never sold anything she proclaimed to be a love potion. And yet . . . hadn’t someone come in looking for the same thing recently? “Nothing can make someone fall in love. You either love someone or you don’t.”
Usually, at that point, she would have offered a selection of crystals that might help. Instead, she simply waited him out. They both knew he wasn’t there seeking love, or anything else she had to offer.
“If you really believe that, then why do you sell this junk?” He gestured toward the glass cases filled with a variety of colorful stones and crystals.
How could she explain to him without destroying her reputation or hurting the people who depended on such things? “It’s not that I’m saying a rock can make someone love you, though certain stones definitely seem to aid in that area. A lot of the time, all my customers need is the confidence to act on their feelings. If wearing a crystal offers that confidence, offers the reminder that they love someone enough to seek assistance, offers the boost they need to trust their instincts, then so be it. Who is it hurting?”
The man swiped a hand over his crew cut, knocking the perched glasses askew. He ripped them off, folded them, and tucked one arm into his shirt collar. “Why don’t you ask yourself that question? Who did you hurt with your stupid love potion nonsense last night?”
Aiden Hargrove. The thought came unbidden, but she knew it was right, even though she’d hurt Nanette as well. And probably the dark-haired woman she’d fingered as the object of Aiden’s affection.
The question remained, who was this guy, and what did he have to do with Aiden? “Last night was unusual, and I’ve apologized to everyone involved.”
At least she’d tried. Aiden hadn’t given her the chance before he’d stormed out.
“But you can’t take it back, can you?” he pressed.
She lowered her gaze to the floor and spoke quietly. “No, I can’t.”
He stepped closer and pointed a finger at her an inch from her face.
Beast stiffened and growled a warning.
The man ignored him. “I just came to tell you that you may as well close your doors now, you fraud, because there’s no way my brother’s going to allow you to keep selling this nonsense to unsuspecting victims. And he’s already started making sure any potential customers know what a scammer you are.”
He whirled away from her without waiting for a response, shoved one of her freestanding display cases on his way past, and sent it crashing down. The glass shattered, and crystals spilled across the floor.
Beast backpedaled, barking frantically.
The man strode across the shop and out the back door with his two companions on his heels.
Cass grabbed Beast’s collar to keep him from stepping on any of the glass shards. She crouched beside him, still holding tight, and weaved the fingers of her other hand through his thick mane. “It’s okay, Beast. It’s all right. Shh . . . now.”
He whined and tried to squirm free of her grip.
She held firm and continued to soothe him. “Shhh . . . easy, boy. Everything’s okay now.”
He looked up at her, his tail tucked close to his body.
“Come on, let’s get you in the back room so you don’t get hurt.” She used her foot to push away the few glass pieces that had skittered in her direction and led Beast toward the back room, which was actually a room on the side of the shop, separated from the sales floor by a long red curtain. She guided him through the doorway, then put the gate up behind them. “There you go, boy. Want a cookie?”
Beast looked back and forth between the treat she held out and the shop. Finally, his desire for the treat won out, and he bounded toward her.
“Sit.” He plopped down, suddenly feigning obedience because he knew a treat was forthcoming. Had she been standing there empty-handed, he would probably have made a different choice. She gave him the treat and petted his head. “Good boy, honey, I’ll be back in a little bit.”
She filled his water bowl, then left him where he’d be safe while she cleaned up the mess.
