by Dianna Love
Mr. McGurtle cleared his throat from next door.
“Stop eavesdropping!” I yelled across my herb garden. Although I couldn’t see him, he was there. He was always there. I gestured to Oscar. “Come on.”
Mr. Prince Charming jumped out of the car and ran up the steps, ignoring the family of possums that had taken residency under them.
“Really?” Oscar shook his head, referring to the cat. “What good is he?”
“Mr. Prince Charming doesn’t have killer instincts like most cats.” Holding the screen door open with my foot, I unlocked the front door.
Mr. Prince Charming ran ahead of us. I turned on all the lights as we walked down the old hallway into the kitchen. There was still confusion about everything that had happened today. Mostly I was upset because of the way I had talked to Ann. It didn’t help matters that the snow globe made me feel crazy. And Ding Dongs made me feel better.
I grabbed a couple of extra ones out of the box, one for Mr. Prince Charming and one for Oscar.
“Thanks.” Oscar peeled back the foil wrapper, and shoved the entire chocolaty delight into his mouth. “Mmmm.”
He was still the same old Oscar as he was when we were ten years old. He introduced me to Ding Dongs. Oscar’s uncle always had the best junk food, where Darla refused to bring the “poison” chemicals into the house, much less our bodies.
I’d sneak out and meet Oscar under the big oak tree on the side of his house, out of view of Darla in case she got up and looked outside, and we’d eat an entire box. Or I guess I should clarify, I’d eat an entire box while Oscar laughed.
“I don’t know about moving to Whispering Falls. Even your uncle doesn’t think it’s a good idea.” I bit a small piece off, ran my finger along the cream filling and licked it off. “There is something strange going on in that town.”
“I’m a cop. I’ve checked it out and everything is fine. There hasn’t been a crime committed there in years.” Oscar helped himself to a glass of milk. “Uncle Jordan is just watching out for us because we are like. . .family. We’ve got to stick together.”
Oscar was right. We didn’t really have any family, and I didn’t consider Mr. McGurtle family, even though he seemed to put his nose in my business.
“It’s just so weird there.” It was hard to concentrate on any conversation with the Ding Dong in my hand. I savored every bite. “Granted, I don’t make a lot of money at the flea market, but it pays for what I need.”
Thank God, Darla had the house paid off. I have no clue how she made ends meet. I always had everything I wanted and she rarely said no, unless it was unhealthy or harmed someone. Plus most of her cures didn’t work. Or that’s what I found out after she died. That was when I vowed to take over and make her remedies better.
“Who is going to buy my remedies, and how in the world will I ever afford one of those shops?” I shrugged. Did Darla still own the shop? Or did I now own it?
That was definitely something I hadn’t thought about.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Puzzled, Oscar and I looked at each other. No one ever knocks in Locust Grove, especially with the screen door open. Everyone from Locust Grove knew you yell into the house, not knock.
Meow, meow. Mr. Prince Charming greeted the unfamiliar man at the door. His round brimmed hat shaded his face, but I could tell he meant business by his long black overcoat and the briefcase he clutched.
“Hello, can I help you?” I asked the gentleman. Oscar stood behind me. Oscar looked funny in his uniform. Sort of all grown-up. Regardless, I was glad he was there and was wearing it.
“I’m Alexelrod Primrose, a realtor from out of town.” He coughed, and flashed his business card. I opened the screen door to take it. “And I have clients moving to the area. This is exactly the type of house they are looking for.” He curled his nose while looking around. “I wanted to know if you’d be interested in selling.”
He held up a sheet of paper with a checklist.
I wanted to ask him if he smelled something funny, but Oscar was too busy asking Mr. Alexelrod Primrose to come in.
Oscar crossed in front of me and held the screen door open. Mr. Primrose walked in. Oscar took him into the family room where Alexelrod made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Last time I checked, this was my house.” I shoved past him.
“This is your answer. Our answer.” He moved in front of me, coming nose to chest. A hard chest.
Slowly, my eyes followed up to his crystal baby-blues, only to confirm my childhood best friend had indeed grown into a man; something I hadn’t gotten used to or never took the time to notice.
“I don’t know,” I whispered and bit my lip. There was something exciting about selling it, and moving so I could find the answers to all the unanswered questions about Darla and my dad. I could probably dig around and find out without moving there. My intuition, which had never pointed me in the wrong direction, told me to go for it.
“Think about it. It’s what Darla would call fate.” Oscar reminded me of the free spirit Darla possessed. When things worked out, she’d call it fate. “She had a store there, and now you’ve found it.”
“Or they found me,” I whispered, thinking back to everything Ann had said about Izzy looking for me. Well. . .that’s what my intuition told me.
“You know,” I paused, and then peeked in at Mr. Primrose, “you’re right. I don’t have anything to lose. If I don’t like it, I will move back. Just not to this house.”
“Whispering Falls won’t know what happened to them.” Oscar laughed and pulled out a packet from the inside pocket of his uniform jacket. No they won’t know what happened to them when I start snooping around.
“Izzy told me that we have to fill out a membership form and it goes before their city council.” He shoved the packet toward me.
I took the papers.
“We have to apply to live in Whispering Falls?” Quickly, I thumbed through the papers and read a couple of the strange questions.
“Izzy said it’s just a formality and we will be fine.” Oscar nudged me toward the family room. “Don’t keep Mr. Primrose waiting.”
Before I knew what was happening, I signed on Mr. Primrose’s dotted line. Not only did his client’s checklist include every single characteristic of my house, it included a real check for far more money than my house and Mr. McGurtle’s house were worth combined.
“Bye.” I waved to Mr. Primrose as he left. I turned to look at Oscar who was still in disbelief with the offer, and I waved the check underneath his nose. “Mr. Primrose is my new best friend.”
“He’s mine too.” Oscar raised his eyebrows when he saw the number on the check. “You don’t have to worry about not being able to afford anything for a while.”
He was right. I could really try to make a go of A Dose of Darla in Whispering Falls. There was even enough money to make a real lab and order new herbs for different cures.
That was going to have to wait, because first stop on my list was Mystic Lights. I wanted to get a better look at Madame Torres. Maybe buy her with my newfound money.
Chapter Six
The next couple of days I spent cleaning the house and getting ready for the new chapter in my and Mr. Prince Charming’s life. All the crazy things that had happened in Whispering Falls were still fresh in my mind. Several times I resisted jumping into the Green Machine and heading toward Mystic Lights. I didn’t want to bring more attention to myself, so I knew I had to wait and fit in before I could show up and start asking questions.
Sadly, my former life fit into three boxes. Darla was never one to keep any type of memories. She said that the best memories were the ones stored in your head and heart, not on paper or photographs. Though I wouldn’t have minded a photograph or two of us, a crayon drawing from preschool, or even a report card that showed I was a straight A student. Or something from our time in Whispering Falls. Anything.
Before closing up the las
t box, which was mostly Darla’s, I took out of her collection some incense and held a few of them under my nose. Those were certainly annoying when I was younger, but reminded me of Darla. My heart ached. I wondered how she would feel about me moving to Whispering Falls. Or why had she never mentioned the town to me? I put the incense back in the box and closed it.
I let out a big sigh, three little boxes. I felt for my lucky charm bracelet. That was definitely a memory I’d never forget.
“Oh, no.” I looked down when I didn’t feel it. Panic filled my gut, instantly making me sick. It was gone. “Oh, no!”
Frantically, I pushed the three boxes along the floor to see if the bracelet had dropped between them while I was packing. Dropping to my knees, I crawled around the house looking for any signs of the bracelet.
I had always planned to buy a real charm bracelet that fit, but Oscar was so proud when he had given it to me, it was hard to make good on getting a real one.
I tore into each box, dumping the contents all over the family room floor: clothing, a few pairs of shoes, some knick-knacks, incense, and cat toys, but no turtle charm or bracelet.
“Are you ready?” Oscar hollered through the screen door.
We had made a pact to leave Locust Grove together.
I didn’t answer him. I couldn’t. In fact, I opened my mouth, but nothing came out but a god awful cry. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought my heart had stopped.
“I told you to pack your stuff and I’d be by this morning.” Oscar shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you haven’t packed yet, June. What is wrong with you?”
Slumping down on the old couch, I buried my head in the cushion. There was no way I was going to be able to leave without finding my bracelet. There was a knot in my gut. My intuition told me there was something wrong. . .definitely wrong.
“Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind?” Oscar sat down next to me. He didn’t touch me, but for the first time I needed to be comforted. At this point, I’d even let Mr. McGurtle comfort me. “It’s going to be good. You sold this house, furniture and all, and you will really get to work on your remedies.”
As if he knew what I needed, Mr. Prince Charming jumped up and dragged his tail under my nose, causing me to giggle from the tickle.
Meow, his rough tongue licked the tear that ran down my cheek. In that moment, I knew everything was going to be okay.
“What’s with him?” Oscar asked.
“He’s letting me know everything is going to be fine.” I dangled my arm in the air. “I lost my bracelet, I’m having nightmares, and Mr. Prince Charming has been getting out of the house at night.”
The past couple of nights I’ve been waking up and finding him on the porch, like he was keeping guard, which was nothing like him. I was sure I had put him in bed with me, but my nightmares were getting more and more graphic.
“Same nightmare?” His deep blue eyes dripped with worry. “Drowning or something?”
“Yeah, something like that.” I really tried to see the face of the person who was being strangled under the water, but I’d wake up just as the body would turn.
“I will leave a note for Mr. Primrose to tell the new owners to look out for my bracelet.” I put my things back in the boxes, and was ready to leave.
I paused when we made it to the front porch and I glanced over at Mr. McGurtle’s place. I hadn’t seen him since I told him I was leaving. He made it clear he wasn’t happy when he said he had promised Darla he’d watch over me, and my leaving town wasn’t in Darla’s plan.
“Plans change.” I shrugged him off and gave him what few details I had about Whispering Falls. He’d actually heard of it through Darla and seemed a bit taken aback when I told him that Darla had a shop there and I was going to take it over.
Granted, she hadn’t been there for years, but I was ready.
Izzy, as Isadora liked to be called, had gotten me in touch with Bellatrix Van Lou, the owner of Bella’s Baubles, the only jewelry store in Whispering Falls. She had a small house I could rent until I found something to fit my needs.
On the way into the village, I motioned out of the Green Machine’s window for Oscar to go ahead. He was going to start his police duties today, and I was going to give Bella my first month’s rent.
Bella’s Baubles was like all the other stores in Whispering Falls. A quaint cream cottage with a pink wood door that was adorned with different colored jewels. The sun hit each jewel just right, showing its brilliant color.
I got out of the El Camino. Before I could tell Mr. Prince Charming to stay put, he was already doing figure eights around my ankles.
The store hours were painted on the sign that dangled from the stone casing. Morning to night. It was definitely morning.
“Come on,” I told him and walked up to the store. The door was incredibly heavy – I had to push with both hands.
Once inside, there was a small entryway that led to two other doors. One of them had a mailbox on it and the other had Bella’s sign on it.
Ding, ding. The bell above the door swayed back and forth.
“I’ll be right with you.” The voice came from the woman who was bent behind the glass counter. I could see her hand working in the case. She laid out pieces of jewelry by color. “I just got some new charms in and I wanted to get them out before the rush.”
Charms? Faintly I remember the man in the top hat telling me about this place. I had no clue that my landlord was the owner. I hurried over to see her selection, hoping there was a turtle to replace my lost one. Maybe I could get a real charm bracelet that fit.
“Your sign said the hours are morning to night. I assume you are open.” I craned my neck to get a better view of the charms.
She stood up and adjusted her shirt. No turban. Bella’s round cheeks balled up through her grin, exposing the small gap between her two front teeth. Her long blond hair framed her face, and cascaded down her small frame. There was no way she was any taller than five foot two.
“Get back here!” I yelled for Mr. Prince Charming who had jumped on the clean glass counter, and over to Bella’s side. I reached over the counter to get him, but he was already out of my grasp. “I’m so sorry.”
“You must be June.” Her smoky eyes twinkled with laughter. “And I’ve heard about you, Mr. Prince Charming.”
Great! I bet the whole town heard about the new girl fighting with Ann. I chalked one up for the new girl. . .me.
Completely embarrassed, I hid my face when I noticed Mr. Prince Charming had crawled into the jewelry case.
“He must like the lights.” There wasn’t any other explanation. He loved to sun himself. “I’ll get him.”
Before I got around the counter, he was already out and dropped something out of his mouth on the counter.
“It looks like he wants to give you a charm.” Bella waved the silver charm in the air. “A square Celtic knot. Good choice, Mr. Prince Charming.”
Mewl, mewl. He tiptoed around in circles, wagging his long white tail from side to side.
“I’m sorry. We have a strange relationship.” I pulled the rent check out of my pocket. I had to get out of there before the darn cat destroyed the place. “Here’s your rent. Thank you so much. I will be looking for a place soon.”
“Don’t worry about it. In fact, the cottage has the most beautiful view. Nothing else in Whispering Falls compares to it.” Her fingers worked on a piece of jewelry. “Here you go. Welcome to Whispering Falls.”
She uncurled her hand. Between her finger and thumb dangled a real charm bracelet with the Celtic knot attached. She shoved it towards me.
“He wants you to have it. Celtic knots protect you from evil spirits.” Her eyes darkened as she moved it closer. “Take it as a welcome gift.”
Evil spirits? What was it with this town and evil spirits?
“I. . .I couldn’t.” I wanted to so bad, and my gut told me to take it. “I can pay for it.”
“No.” She grabbed my
wrist and clasped it on before I could object. “It fits you perfect.”
She was right. It wasn’t like the other bracelet that I had to clasp on a different link in order for it to fit. I let it fall, showing how well it really did fit.
I told her about how Mr. Prince Charming had showed up on my tenth birthday with the turtle charm attached to his collar and how I had lost it today.
“Fate.” She smiled.
“That’s something Darla would say.” I laughed, but abruptly stopped when we heard a blood-curdling scream coming from outside.
We ran out into the street along with everyone else in Whispering Falls to see what the ruckus was about. Constance and Patience were standing by the lake just beyond A Dose of Darla pointing to something. Patience had her face in a handkerchief, sobbing.
“It’s Ann!” Patience screamed.
Chandra, Gerald, and Izzy ran to see what she was talking about.
The sky darkened like the lid of an eye.
I reached into my black bag and pulled out my cell phone.
I called Oscar’s cell phone. “Something is going on. You better get over to my shop.”
Within seconds, Oscar stood next to Izzy, while the rest of us waited in the distance, wondering what they were looking at.
Slowly, Bella and I made our way toward them, as did the rest of the village. There were feet sticking out of the long brush that grew on the banks of the lake. We watched Oscar pull the body out. It was Ann.
Quietly we all waited to see what was going to happen. Oscar was bent over her. Had she passed out? Was she sleeping? She wasn’t responding to anything Oscar was doing. He stood up, ran his hands through his dark hair. He turned to the crowd that had gathered behind him, me included.
“She’s dead,” he announced, but focused on me. “It appears she has been strangled underwater.”
There was a collective gasp. I looked around at everyone’s faces. Shock and cries of outburst filled the empty air.
