by Cat Larson
She smiled. “Neither have you.” She twirled my hair around her finger, the purple chunk of strands residing underneath the rest of my pale locks. “I’m glad to see you still have this. I always thought it was so beautiful.”
I snorted. “As if I could change it. I’ve never found a dye that can take to it more than a day or two.” I was born with the violet hair streaks, yet Violet has hair the color of a blood moon. Go figure. “So apparently, neither of us has changed since eight grade. What do you think that says about us?”
She gave me one of her dazzling smiles, the kind that melted my heart and made me realize how much I’d missed her. “It means we’ll stay young forever.”
I couldn’t believe she was right here in front of me. The closest friend I’d ever had. “Oh, Sage. I’ve missed you so much.”
“Hmm. I wouldn’t have guessed that.” She picked at her nails. “Since I never heard from you again.”
I suddenly felt as small as Fernando. Fernando. Shoot! Where was he? “I know. I’m a horrible friend and I don’t expect you to forgive me. It might be hard to understand, but I just wanted to start over and forget my old life.”
Sage gave me a playful shove. “Yet somehow I survived.”
“But I never forgot you. I swear I didn’t.”
“I know. I’m just messing with you. Kind of.”
Sage was the only soul who knew about our family—to an extent. She was there with me that day on school grounds and witnessed everything that went down with Misty. She knew our family was “eccentric” and why I left town, and that it had nothing to do with my parents’ so-called separation. But what she didn’t know was that we were witches. How would you drop something like that on your best friend without expecting her to run away screaming?
I tugged her over to the couch, unsure if her inability to hold a grudge appeased my guilt or worsened it. “So, what are you doing here?” I asked. “I only arrived late last night.”
Her lips curved up, her enormous emerald eyes sparkling. “And already you’re causing a stir.”
“What?”
She pulled a paper bag out of her purse. “I was coming to drop these off for Violet, hoping to exchange them for some chamomile tea. But on the way over, I heard from Susan who heard from Callie that you were back in town.”
I rolled my eyes. Gotta love Bigfoot Bay. I took the bag and opened it. “What’s in here?”
“Fresh blueberries, just picked this morning.”
Her purse was still open and I spotted her phone. It was the same as mine. “You wouldn’t happen to also have a charger in there, would you? My phone is dead and I forgot to bring mine.”
“Nope, sorry.”
“No problem.” I got up and set the bag behind the counter. “I’ll get your tea. Violet won’t mind.”
Since Sage was female and the sweetest thing on the planet, Violet didn’t hold it against her that she was human. In fact, they’ve always been friendly with each other. I never had to worry about Sage’s safety around my sister.
I scanned the jars of leaves on the shelves. If chamomile wasn’t out here, I could always check the supply closet. Fortunately, the lids were clearly labeled since I wouldn’t know wintergreen from wolfsbane.
Ah, here it is. I plunked the jar off the top shelf and shook some into a tin. “Is that enough?” I asked.
“Plenty. I’ve been swamped lately and it’s affecting my sleep. This is the only thing that works for me. I swear it’s sleeping dust.”
It probably was.
“Will Violet be back soon?”
“I’m not sure…” I put the jar back in its rightful place. “But I’ll make sure to give her the—wait a minute. It’s March. How did you pick the blueberries this morning?”
“I grow them in my greenhouse all year round. Easy peasy.”
“Easy for you maybe. You’re the Plant Whisperer.”
I’d always joked that she liked them better than people., and they obviously returned her affection since they perked up in her presence. To the point that it was freaky. I recalled second period English and the sad bouquet of flowers that sat on Mrs. Wilson’s desk, but whenever Sage entered the classroom, they looked less droopy. Happy even, if flowers could look happy. The first time it happened, I thought I was hallucinating from skipping lunch that day, but after a dozen more times, I just chalked it up to a knack of hers.
I handed Sage her chamomile. “Bring me up to date. Tell me everything. What’s been going on that you’re so busy?”
“Studying. Lots and lots of studying. I’ve been finishing up my coursework in the botany and herbology program, and between that and keeping up with the greenhouse, it’s been nonstop. Oh, and the winter farmers’ market every week… can’t forget about that. But I wouldn’t slow down for anything. I love it all.”
“That’s so great, Sage.” I was truly happy for her, even if she made me feel like a slacker without meaning to. I still hadn’t decided what I wanted to be when I grew up. “But it sounds like all work and no play. What about your love life? Seeing anyone?”
She waved her hand. “No time for that. Plants are more interesting anyway. Hey, you should come to my booth at the market next week! It’s every Thursday morning by the marina.” She narrowed her eyes. “You will still be here, right?”
“Um…” That was six days from now. I sure hoped not.
“Samm! How can you even think of leaving again so soon? This town is happy you’re back. Can’t you feel it? You’re meant to be here. And besides, I think you owe me lots of catching up.”
“Actually, I go by Eve now.”
“Pfft. Not as far as I’m concerned.” She stared me down. “And stop evading.”
“I’m not evading anything. It’s just that I don’t know yet how long I’ll be here. Honest. See, I have a fiancé now and—”
She grabbed my shoulders. “What? A fiancé?” I nodded. “And you’re just telling me this now?”
“Well, yeah. That’s pretty quick, considering we only reunited twenty min—”
“Who is it?” she demanded.
“No one you—”
“Did you set a date yet?” I opened my mouth. “How long have you been together?” I closed my mouth. No use getting a word in until she finished. “Is that why you came back? Come on, tell me everything.”
Her enthusiasm made me smile. “I would, but that’s kinda hard to do when you’re not letting me talk.” She humphed, crossing her arms, then gestured for me to continue. “His name is Fernando. We met at a Chicago food fair. Been together six months. No date yet but soon. Really soon. It was so spur-of-the-moment, I’m still picking out the ring.”
“Ooh… Fernando. Sounds exotic.”
She didn’t know the half of it. I scoured the room. Where was he anyway? I’d gotten so preoccupied with Sage I’d never made sure he was okay.
“I hope it’s not inappropriate to say, in light of your recent engagement,” Sage continued, “and I know it might sound silly because you were just kids, but I always thought you’d end up with… Are you looking for something?”
I jerked my head up. “Give me just a minute, okay? I really have to go to the bathroom.”
I darted into the bedroom and checked around. Nothing. Then the bathroom. No sign there either. If I wasn’t willing to stick him in one of those glass cages—and I wasn’t—then I had to make sure I got the place frog-proofed.
Upon leaving the room, I noticed the blueberry bag rustling behind the counter.
“I thought you had to use the bathroom?” Oh shoot, I forgot to flush the toilet.
“False alarm.” Technically, I hadn’t lied. I said I had to go to the bathroom, and I did go in there.
I casually sidled over, aware of Sage’s eyes on me, and peeked in the paper bag. Fernando had burrowed inside and was perched atop the berries, shaded a matching deep purple. I crumbled it closed then backed up enough to bend down and slip it into the closet.
“You okay?
”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“For starters, you’re acting cra—” My cell rang and I jumped. “Didn’t you say your phone was dead?”
I had a bout of nervous laughter. “It’s been acting up lately.” I gaped at it like it was going to sprout horns. I wouldn’t have been surprised if it had.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?”
I checked the screen—another unknown number. Sure, what the heck. “Hello?”
“Grandma?”
I pulled the phone from my ear and scrunched up my face. Then I yelled, “Do I sound like a grandma to you?” The call dropped then the battery lost its life. I rolled my eyes and slammed it down.
“Wow, that was harsh. You probably just traumatized some sweet little kid.”
I glanced up and sighed. I’d never be able to convince her that it was more likely a spooky ghost boy. “Yeah, I guess I’ve been a bit out of sorts lately.”
“Pre-wedding jitters. I get it. You probably have tons to do.” Her expression told me she wanted to believe that was the cause, but she wasn’t fully convinced. “There’s not anything you’re not telling me, is there?”
I put my hand over my heart. “I’m overwhelmed, that’s it. Heart promise.” It may have been a generic answer but it wasn’t a dishonest one.
“Hmm. Okay. Busy or not, I’ll still help out when I can. You know, to make things a little less stressed for you.”
“Nah, I’d rather you focus on school, but I appreciate the offer.” She frowned, and I hoped she hadn’t thought I was brushing her off. “But I’ll let you know for sure,” I added. “Fernando and I are keeping things really low-key anyway.”
“When are you and Violet going shopping?”
“Shopping?”
“Yes, silly. Dress shopping and all that wedding-ish stuff. Isn’t that why you’re here, to go over the plans with your maid of honor?”
“Violet’s not my maid of honor.”
“But she’s your sister!”
“We’re not exactly close as you know…” Of course! It was so clear to me now. I’d made some new friends over the years, but no one compared to Sage. “You’re the only one I want standing next to me at the altar. Well, besides Fernando.” I smiled. “But only if you’re okay with coming to Chicago and—”
“Eek! Yes, I’ll be your maid of honor!” She wrapped me in a full body chokehold. “What can I do?”
“Remember, I’ll let you know. We haven’t set a date yet.”
“But you said it’d be soon.”
“No, I said we’d set a date soon, not that the wedding would be soon.”
She bounced around the shop. “There’s so much to get done. We should at least go dress shopping.” This was quickly spiraling out of control. How could I think about dresses when my fiancé was too small to wear a tux? “The look on your face… As your maid of honor, I gotta ask—are you sure Fernando is the right guy?”
My jaw dropped. “Of course, he is.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s fine. You didn’t.”
She eyed me over then grabbed a pen and a piece of sample stationery off the counter and scribbled down a number. “Call me. Tomorrow. I have to get back to the books.”
“Okay.”
“Promise you’ll call.”
“I promise.”
She was giving me another crushing hug when we were hit with a blast of cold air.
“Knock knock.”
I felt Sage tense. We both swiveled toward the front door where a woman was poking her head into the shop. Dang it. I’d forgotten to lock up after Sage arrived. I was not equipped to deal with Violet’s customers. I couldn’t talk soap or tea or fancy paper.
“Sage. How lovely to see you again.”
“Clarisse,” she replied through clenched teeth. I scrunched up my face, confused as all get out over her reaction.
The mystery lady came inside and closed the door, sidestepping the herbs hanging down. Ha. Some security system.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
The thirtysomething woman appeared to be casing the place. Very attractive with perfectly styled platinum hair and skyscraper heels, she stuck out like a werewolf at a bald men’s convention. Who dressed to the nines on a weekday morning in Bigfoot Bay?
“Yes, Clarisse. Do you need something?” Sage stood with her arms crossed, tapping her foot. “I’m sure there are closer places to buy your bath bubbles.”
Clarisse ignored her, turning her focus on me. I felt a chill which made me question if the door had opened again. I instantly disliked her without a rational reason.
She smiled, revealing painted white teeth that were as phony as her fake warmth. “And you are?”
“Eve.”
“This is Violet’s sister.” Sage smirked. “Otherwise, known as Samm.”
I swore the woman’s smile grew so high it extended to her forehead. She couldn’t hide her uncrinkled eyes, though. Judging by the shards shooting from them, I was pretty sure she didn’t like me either, and it was all based on learning my identity.
What the heck was going on?
“Samm. I’ve heard so much about you. How nice to finally put a face to the name.”
“Same face, different name. I go by Eve now. And I’m sorry, but I don’t know a thing about you.” I glanced at Sage. “What am I missing here?”
Clarisse waved her red dragon-lady nails around and laughed. Good grief, she had a handful of mini-weapons at her disposal. “I’m sure you’ll hear all about me soon enough.” She laughed harder, turning on the charm. “And don’t believe a word of it.”
“Okay,” I said. My eyes darted back and forth between them. I wasn’t a fan of being kept in the dark.
“Is Violet here? I dropped by to pick up an order.”
“Oh, would you look at the time. I’d better vamoose,” Sage said, then whispered in my ear, “Remember sweet, old Mr. Jones?” I nodded. He’d lived in the monstrous lakefront mansion on the outskirts of town and had more money than all the residents put together, including the millionaires. “Well, that’s his not-so-sweet, not-so-old surviving widow. Enough said.” Sage blew me a kiss then flurried out the door as if the wind carried her.
Mr. Jones’s recent passing had made the news, and so had the fact that he’d remarried a couple of years prior to someone young enough to be his daughter. A woman who now had complete control of his entire estate. Wow.
“So, Clarisse… what’s this about an order?”
“Yes, a special tea.” I didn’t like the way she held the store under scrutiny, like she was planning on coming back later to rob it. Yeah, okay, Eve. Like she was going to clear out all the soap bars and teacups. Stop being so paranoid. But then again… Sage had a problem with her so that had to mean something.
“You know, Violet’s not here at the moment. Maybe you could come back?”
“No, that wouldn’t be convenient. I’m sure it’s here somewhere. I’ll just poke around a bit.”
“I don’t think that’s a good—”
Another cold blast through the front door. Had Sage returned? No, it was someone just as willowy but much shorter. Her apple-cheeked face looked very…
“Amy?”
She returned my stare for a few beats before her eyes also widened in recognition.
“Samm? Is that you?”
“It’s Eve now, but yep, it’s me.” She rushed over and gave me a squeeze. “What are you doing back?”
“Visiting my sister.”
Amy was a few years younger than me, the same age as Violet, and she was sweeter than a bowl of sherbet punch. Which made it all the crazier to know that she shared the same blood as Misty. Yep, they were sisters and couldn’t have been more different than sunshine and darkness.
“How’ve you been? Violet talks about you all the time.”
“Then I apologize for the bad language.”
She laughed, flicking her wrist
. “Oh, you. Such a kidder. You know, it wasn’t too long ago when we sat right there, sharing a cup of tea.” Amy pointed to the corner table. “She told me how much she misses you.”
More like missed blowing up my stuff. But leave it to Amy to put a positive spin on it. She spread cheerfulness wherever she went, unlike her sibling who spread pestilence.
“Ready to move home?” Amy asked. “You have to be tired of the big city by now.”
“Nope. I love Chicago. So, what about you? What have you been up to?”
“Oh, same old, same old. Not quite as adventurous as you, still living in the same house I was born and raised. Hey, are you going to the festival tonight?” Festival… festival… The barista had also asked me that. “Remember? The ice festival?”
Oh right! An image instantly popped into my mind, showing huge ice sculptures, tunnels, slides. It was an extremely popular winter attraction, and people came from all around to see it. Depending on the weather, it was open for a good solid month or so. During that time, the entire lakefront was mobbed, almost as if it were tourist season, and when it was over, the town reverted back to the locals until late spring.
It was one of my favorites growing up. I had never missed it when I lived here.
“That’s tonight? I thought it would’ve been over by now.”
“Yep, tonight. It’s the grand reopening. They had to shut it down for a while due to the unseasonably warm weather, but now it’s back. Probably not for long, though. I have to make sure I go early and get some of Violet’s cinnamon hot chocolate before it’s gone.”
“Hot chocolate?”
Amy nodded, rubbing her stomach. “She has a stand there, and I swear, I wait all year for it. You should convince her to start offering it at her shop. I haven’t been able to. She says people will want it more when they can only get it once a year. Do you know when she’s planning to arrive?”
“No, I—”
The screech reminded me that we weren’t the only two in the place. How had I forgotten about Clarisse?
“What in the devil is that?!”
I whipped my head around to see Clarisse hopping back and forth like she was dodging a mouse. The storage closet door was also cracked open.
