The Witching Hour

by Sara Bourgeois

  “Why do you think Lila wants all of those In Love with Lavender cupcakes, mom?” I asked as she wiped down all the tables and mopped the floor as if conducting and orchestra. “She’s not dating anyone as far as I know, and in this town, I’d know. I mean, I think it’s great if she found someone, but I just hope she’s not trying to put a love spell on some unsuspecting man. She tends to get a bit obsessive about things. I just…”

  “Maybe you just need to be happy for her, Zoe,” my mom interrupted. “At least she’s not single.”

  “Mom,” I warned. I knew where she was headed with that comment.

  “What?” she asked and shrugged her shoulders. “You need to date more. You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

  “Mom.”

  “I want grandkids,” she said and put her hands on her hips defiantly. “There, I said it. Besides, you and Joe have been dancing around each other for years, Zoe. You need to talk to him more. He’s very handsome and sweet. He’s good for you, and he’ll make adorable grandbabies for me.”

  “Mom.”

  “Zoe.”

  “Ugh. He is handsome and sweet, but he’s way too suspicious of magic. Even if he could get past it, he’d always be questioning me and my craft. A relationship built on a lack of trust would never last, and I wouldn’t want to bring your future grandbabies into a marriage like that. He’s a good friend.”

  “Well, speak of the devil,” my mom said, and the bells above the door clinked merrily.

  Chapter Twelve

  Joe walked into the store a split second after my mom’s mop danced back into her hand. The broom standing next to the door fell and almost knocked him on the head. He dodged and it clattered to the floor.

  “Company’s coming,” my mom said cheerfully.

  “Zoe, I wish you wouldn’t use magic around me. You know how I feel about it,” Joe said irritably.

  “You just walked into my shop,” I said defiantly.

  “Hey, kids. No need to get bent out of shape. It was all me. Joe, I apologize,” my mom said and disappeared into the back before he could say anything else.

  “Anyway,” Joe started brusquely, “I got a preliminary toxicology report back from the pathologist.”

  “What did you find out?” I asked.

  I had to ignore how short he was being with me. Even if I did feel like arguing about the discriminatory nature of his views on magic, I really wanted to know what had killed Regina.

  “Well, it appears she was poisoned. It’s strange, though. The poison used was aconitum. Do you know anything about that?”

  Well, there you had it. He turned his nose up at magic, but when it came to solving the murder, Joe wasn’t afraid to wallow with the witchy pigs to get his collar. I knew exactly what it was, and it was definitely something that someone tied to the occult would use to murder a fake psychic.

  “I do know what it is,” I began. “It’s a potent neurotoxin commonly known as monkshood or wolf’s bane. The Germans used it in WWII to poison their bullets.”

  For the briefest of moments, I thought that he might thank me for my knowledge of rare and occult-related poisons. Nope. His whole demeanor shifted. Joe crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his gaze at me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he was trying to figure out if he should just come out and accuse me or not.

  “So, is that something witches use?” he asked bluntly.

  “It can be most definitely.”

  “So, where would you find it around here? Does it grow in the area?”

  “It usually grows up in the mountains, but did you check Esmeralda’s garden yet? Remember I told you she had a poisoner’s garden?”

  “No, I hadn’t checked yet. I wasn’t sure if the aconitum was something that could be from around here?”

  “You mean you wanted to see if it was something I had in my magical supplies,” I said a little more angrily than I intended.

  “It’s not like that,” he said softly, and I could tell it was eating him up that he had to ask. That made me feel a little bit better. “I think I’m going to go check out Esmeralda’s garden.” Joe’s eyes were cast down at his feet, and it had been a long time since I’d seen him looking so vulnerable.

  I didn’t know if I should ask to go with Joe or not. I definitely wanted to go with him. My curiosity about Esmeralda’s garden was enormous.

  “You know, if you take me with you, I can help you identify the plants in the garden,” I said as casually as I could manage. The last thing I wanted to do was tip him off that I really, really wanted to go. It would probably make me look more guilty somehow.

  “Can you go now?” he asked and my heart soared.

  “I can’t just yet. Can you wait until I get the shop closed up?”

  “I’ve got it,” my mom called from the kitchen. “You kids go ahead.”

  She’d been listening the whole time.

  “What about the cupcakes for the nursing home?” I called back.

  “I got that too.”

  A few minutes later, we were at Esmeralda’s house standing on her wraparound front porch. Joe knocked, and we waited a minute. A warm breeze blew past and caught a strand of my hair. Off in the distance I could hear the sound of cicadas in the trees. They’d be gone once summer let go of its hold on Destiny Cove for the year.

  It sounded like there was someone moving around inside, but seconds later, a fat tabby cat jumped up into the living room window. Joe knocked again, and I rang the doorbell. Still, no one came to the door.

  “She’s probably not home,” he said. “We should try again later.”

  “Hey, wait,” I said as he began to descend her porch steps. “Can’t we just take a quick peek in the backyard? I mean, if there isn’t a wolf’s bane plant growing there, then we won’t have any need to follow up on it later. Right?”

  “We can look over the fence, but we’re not going to step foot on the property, Zoe. If the plant is there, then I want a search warrant before we go anywhere near it. Going in her yard will ruin the case.”

  “Deal,” I said.

  We walked around the back. I kept my eyes on the windows in case she was inside watching us and just hadn’t answered the door. Joe led us all the way around to the back part of the fence so we were no longer visible to the house or the street. I wondered if he’d had the same thought as me. Or perhaps, he didn’t want to get caught snooping if she came home, but I would’ve thought it would be fine for an officer of the law to be having a look around. It wasn’t snooping when he did it. It was investigating a homicide.

  Joe looked through the space between two slats, and I lined up right next to him and did the same thing one slat over. The rumors were true. I don’t know why I’d thought they might not be. Esmerelda had one of the most impressive poisoner’s gardens I’d ever seen. It was full of deadly plants from belladonna to hemlock. I shuddered when I saw a gympie gympie tree growing way too close to the fence where we stood.

  “Joe, let’s walk back around.”

  “What’s going on?” he asked. “What is it?” He sounded worried, and I guessed that he’d picked up on the alarm in my voice.

  “Well, there is a huge aconitum plant right in the middle of the garden. The bright purple flowers are unmistakable to the trained eye. But that’s not what’s concerning me.”

  “What else did you see?”

  “Just please move away from the fence.”

  He took a few steps away, and I relaxed a little.

  “Thank you.”

  “So what is making you all nervous? I never thought I’d see a witch get nervous about plants. I thought you guys were all into nature.”

  “I am, but Esmeralda has a gympie gympie tree growing close to the fence where we were standing.”

  “A gympie gympie tree?” he asked and shrugged. “That doesn’t sound too ominous.”

  So I explained to him about the tree. “Its leaves are covered in a downy fuzz of poisonous needles. Once it get
s in your skin, it will cause excruciating pain. The pain can last for decades. It’s so bad that if someone else touches you where you were stung, they might immediately vomit and feel pain where they touched you for decades too. It’s so bad that it’s called the suicide plant. The pain is like being electrocuted and bathed in acid at the same time. The worst part is that you don’t even have to touch the plant. They shed their needles like crazy. Especially during the summer. You just have to get close to one to experience the pain.”

  “Why on earth would someone have something like that growing in their garden?” Joe asked.

  “I have no idea. I mean, she does have a poisoner’s garden, so that tells you something about who she really is.”

  “I constantly hear kids talking about this garden. How is it possible that none of them have ever been hurt by that thing? They have to come sneaking around her fence all of the time.”

  “Warding spell maybe. It’s like a protection,” I said.

  “I know what a warding is. That seems like it’s not enough.”

  “I’ll put a stronger protection spell around the tree,” I said.

  “Zoe,” Joe said bitterly.

  “What? You want someone to get hurt just because you don’t trust magic? If you don’t like it, you don’t have to stay here while I do it.”

  For a few precious seconds, I thought he’d stay and support my use of protective magic to shield the people of Destiny Cove from the gympie gympie tree growing in Esmeralda’s yard, but Joe left. Before he went, he put a firm hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. It was a show of support. I could feel it in his aura, but underneath was still that undercurrent of doubt and mistrust. I couldn’t dwell on the negative, though. It was progress.

  After I’d cast the spell, I looked down at my feet and the universe had presented me with a small, black rock. I picked it up and slipped it in my pocket. It was the key to the ward on the tree. As long as I had it, Esmeralda wouldn’t be able to break my protection spell. In fact, she’d probably forget the tree was even there. All I had to hope was that she didn’t get the bright idea to plant another one.

  Back at home, I started going through my pantry looking for everything I needed for the cupcakes. I hadn’t even asked if Lila wanted me to make the chocolate or strawberry variety. I absolutely refused to use lemon because that inspired a feeling of longing. Though, lavender lemon cupcakes without the magic were delicious. I’d had them at a tea party once.

  In the end, I decided to make the strawberry type. Chocolate in Love with Lavender cupcakes were too strong considering I didn’t know what she was up to. Chocolate and strawberry combined were off-limits for anyone but couples who both agreed in front of me that they wanted them. I usually reserved those for a bride and groom or a couple celebrating a milestone anniversary.

  My mind wandered momentarily to the idea for an In Love with Cheese biscuit that featured lavender, basil, and cheddar. I didn’t usually serve savory baked goods, but…

  My stomach grumbled.

  Oh. Right. Well, I figured I needed fresh strawberries anyway, so I got my shoes on and headed out for a stroll to the market. They did have savory baked goods, and I thought a round of rosemary olive oil focaccia bread sounded like a heavenly dinner. I always promised myself that I wouldn’t eat the whole loaf in one sitting, but I never kept that promise.

  The Harvest and Home Market had a quart of strawberries that smelled like heaven and two rounds of the focaccia bread. I rationalized that if I bought two, I was sure to have leftovers for the next day.

  On my way home, I drifted off into a daydream about what it would have been like if Joe had stayed behind while I did the protection spell on the gympie gympie tree. In my mind’s eye, I could see him embracing me and telling me that I’d finally changed his mind about magic.

  “Watch it.” A strange voice brought me out of my thoughts.

  I looked up and I was standing right in front of the Morning Grove Cemetery. That was strange. The cemetery wasn’t on my way home.

  “You almost tripped.” The same voice again, but it was behind me.

  I whirled around, and the back of my foot caught on a huge weed that had grown out of the crack in the sidewalk. I stumbled and almost dropped my groceries.

  “See, that’s what I was talking about.” A ghost materialized from the dark and that’s who had been trying to warn me about the weed that I tripped on anyway.

  “Who are you?” I asked.

  “Who are you?” was the answer I got.

  The specter had been nothing more than a vaguely human form, but it started to take on the outline of a woman. That was all, though. I couldn’t tell how old she was or what she looked like. All I could get was that she was a she.

  “I’m Zoe Magnolia,” I said. “Did you need something from me?”

  I wondered if the ghost had somehow led me to the cemetery. The dead could be quite powerful under the right conditions, and the approaching holiday thinned the veil.

  “No,” She said.

  “Okay, then.”

  I turned and started to walk in the direction of my house. “Wait!” The ghost called after me.

  I turned again. “Yes?” I tried not to sound too impatient.

  “BOO!” She shrieked at me and then disappeared.

  All that was left was the sound of her laughter echoing into the night. It was coming from inside the cemetery, but I decided not to investigate.

  “Well, bye then,” I said and gave a wave toward the cemetery gates. I kinda wished she’d at least told me her name.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next morning I arrived at the bakery a little early so I could bake Lila’s order before I got started on my regular daily baking. I had hoped that Joe would call me the night before to check up on how the protection ward had gone, but he didn’t. I was secretly hoping that he’d gotten the search warrant for Esmeralda’s place and maybe my Cookbook of Shadows had turned up.

  I didn’t think Esmeralda had it, but a witch could dream. The fact that it was still missing was super frustrating. I relied on it for some of my more obscure recipes. Since I didn’t make In Love with Lavender cupcakes on a regular basis, I didn’t exactly have the recipe memorized.

  I’d already started mixing them, but I couldn’t remember all of the ingredients. I was missing something, and I was sure of it. What that was, I could not conjure into my memory.

  I had to wonder if I should keep making the cupcakes and give them to Lila anyway? What would it hurt to just hope for the best?

  Ultimately, I decided to do the best I could with what I could remember of the recipe. Ginger had gone into the bakery with me that morning. She was sitting on the edge of the counter tapping her little foot and looking at me with judgy eyes.

  “What?” I asked when I couldn’t take any more of her narrowed glare.

  “You don’t remember the recipe. I can tell by the way you’re hesitating.”

  “So?” I asked with a shrug.

  “So, you’re just going to give her some lavender and strawberry cupcakes, right?”

  “I think it will be fine.”

  “Do you really think it’s a good idea to use magic on a partially correct recipe?”

  “I’m almost certain I’m only missing one ingredient.”

  “Zoe.” Ginger narrowed her eyes further.

  “It’s probably not going to make a huge difference in the long run anyway. I’m not making them as a love spell. I don’t like love spells. They rob the person of their free will. It’s more of an encouraging a relationship spell.”

  “Oh, do tell me the difference.”

  “You’re in a mood,” I said. “The difference is that if the relationship is strong enough, love will happen eventually. The magic is the icing on the cupcake. It’s not actually needed.”

  “Are you talking about Lila? ‘Cause it sounds to me like you’re really talking about a certain town sheriff. Named Joe.”

  “God, you a
nd my mom now? I’m surprised you guys agree on anything. We’re just friends, and that’s all it’s ever going to be. He could never love a witch. At least, not in a romantic sense.”

  “You’re in denial,” Ginger said. “I like Joe. He’s a good man, and I wish you’d make a move on him. It’s about time you were dating someone.”

  “Now you really sound like mom.” I rolled my eyes hard at that one. “Besides, I tried to make a move once and it was a complete disaster.”

  “How have I not heard this story?” Ginger said and scooted closer to me.

  “You were probably off giving my mom an ulcer or something. It was last summer, and it’s totally cheesy.”

  “Do tell.” Ginger was laid out on the counter with her little chin resting on her paws. “I’ve got to hear this story.”

  “Okay, so it was last summer. It was really hot that day even for the summer. Joe stopped in right before closing to buy a cupcake. He asked if I had time to join him. I suggested we go out for ice cream instead.”

  “Keep going.”

  “All I had left in the case that day was a bunch of Passionate Pineapple Upside-Down cupcakes. I wouldn’t normally sell those in the shop, but someone had special ordered them and then not picked them up. They’re not technically a love spell, so I figured it would be okay to sell them in the store. But, I didn’t want to eat them with Joe. The last thing I needed was him thinking that I was trying to seduce him with magic. He agreed that ice cream sounded good, so we left for Spells and Scoops.”

  “It’s too bad that place fell through a rip in time to another dimension,” Ginger said wistfully.

  “Yeah, but Shondra wasn’t in the store when it happened. She’s been talking about opening up another shop.”

  “Oh, good. Pistachio ice cream is my one indulgence. But, please do tell me more about your disaster. I mean date with Joe.”

  “So, anyway. We went for ice cream and I had scoop of the Buttered Waffles and Syrup. You know, the one with chunks of buttery waffle cone in it?” I asked and Ginger nodded yes. “He had Mint Chocolate Chip.”