by Deanna Chase
“Just… taking a second before I go in.” She forced a bright smile. “You picking up a few things?”
She nodded. “I’m going to smudge Dad’s place for him. Clear out any negative energy.” Her gaze swept over Abby as she frowned. “Speaking of negative energy, what the heck have you been up to today? Your aura is murky as hell. You should probably ask Bree for a cleanse before you go home and infect Dad with whatever you’ve got going on.”
Abby gritted her teeth, hating that her sister was probably right. She hated that her mood most likely did affect her dad, and she was irritated she hadn’t thought of it already. “Fine. I’ll ask her.”
“Good.” She pulled the door open. “Come on. Daisy’s waiting inside.”
A smile tugged at Abby’s lips at the mention of her niece. “Just the person to brighten my spirits. How is my favorite girl today?”
Noel led the way to the front door of the shop. “Ask her yourself.”
The bell rang above the door as Abby slipped inside the cozy shop. Twinkle lights lit up the wooden shelves lining the walls filled with various herbs, crystals, and other ingredients. A pair of overstuffed couches sat in the middle of the store where customers were welcome to sit and browse through the many spells Bree kept on hand. Off to the right there was a small café that specialized in restorative teas. And in the back was a small work area where Bree whipped up various custom potions.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” Bree said from behind the checkout counter. She wiped her hands on the apron she wore over her jeans and T-shirt and waved. A piece of her dark hair fell from her bun, and Bree blew it out of her face as she grinned at them. “Let me know if I can help you find anything.”
“We will,” Noel said.
Abby waved at Bree, a woman she’d known all her life, then she turned her attention to Daisy, who immediately came running over.
“Auntie!” she cried and threw herself into Abby’s arms.
Abby laughed and swung her around in a circle. “Hey you. What are you doing in here? Learning how to turn your enemies into toads?”
She giggled. “I prefer butterflies.”
“Awe.” Abby grinned and set her back down on her feet. “Your enemies should be so lucky.”
“Mommy’s going to show me how to make candles later.” She held up a how-to book. “She says they will keep the bad spirits away.”
“Wow. That sounds cool,” Abby said and glanced over Daisy’s shoulder, lifting one eyebrow in question.
Nightmares, Noel mouthed.
An ache formed in Abby’s heart, and she wondered if Daisy’s nightmares had anything to do with her father’s disappearance. Daisy had been three when he’d walked out and never come back. Daisy had been the last person to see him. When Noel had gotten home, she’d found her daughter sitting on the couch, hugging a teddy bear, and crying. He’d told her he’d be right back, but as near as Noel could tell, her daughter had been home alone for more than three hours.
Abby reached out and squeezed Noel’s hand. To her surprise, her sister squeezed back, but she quickly dropped Abby’s hand and said, “We’ll be over there picking out dyes for our candles.”
Noel bent her head to her daughter’s and whispered something. Daisy grinned and shot across the shop, laughing at whatever her mother had said. Abby watched the pair of them, her heart full of love and also a tiny bit of sadness. Between watching Clay with Olive and Noel with Daisy, she was starting to feel an ache deep in her chest. Growing up, she’d always thought she and Clay would stay in Keating Hollow, get married a few years out of high school, and start a family pretty soon after. In her imagined reality, she’d have a shop for her lotions here in town and be happily married with two kids, a dog, and backyard garden. Instead she was boyfriend-less and not sure where she’d be living in three months. She sighed and grabbed a handbasket.
Once Abby’s basket was full of fresh herbs and plant-based fragrances, she set her loot on the counter and asked Bree, “Do you still make potions for nausea?”
“Sure. What’s the cause?”
Abby grimaced. “It’s for my dad. After his treatments.”
Bree furrowed her brow and glanced at Noel. “Did he run out already?”
“Excuse me?” Abby asked. “Run out? He doesn’t have anything other than what the nurse gave him.”
“But—”
“He has all her potions, Abby,” Noel said as she walked over to them. “I picked them up last week so he’d have them on hand.”
“Then why isn’t he using them?” Abby asked, confused. Her dad had been sick for two straight days. She couldn’t understand why he was choosing to suffer his way through the aftermath of his chemo.
Noel let out a sigh. “Of course he’s using them, Abby. They just aren’t working the way we’d hoped.”
“Chemotherapy is one heck of a poison for a reason,” Bree said. “I do my best, but my potions are only good for reducing symptoms. They don’t eliminate them. And for some clients, they barely register in effectiveness. I’m sorry they aren’t working better for your dad.”
“It’s not your fault,” Noel said, and although she was talking to Bree, her eyes met Abby’s. “You tried, and that’s all we can ask.”
Abby winced. The message was loud and clear. She hadn’t even tried to make something that would ease her father’s pain. Staring her sister in the eye she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would it have made a difference?” Noel asked, tilting her head to the side, studying Abby.
“I could’ve at least made sure he was taking them,” Abby said.
“He has been.” Noel shook her head and raised her voice. “Don’t you get it? He didn’t tell you because he doesn’t want you to feel guilty for not getting your butt out in the studio to make him the one thing he needs right now.”
“I—”
“Save it, Abby. We all know you can’t make your potions anymore. We’ve heard it a million times. What I don’t get is how you manage to live with yourself, knowing Dad’s suffering while you could do something about it.”
Pressure weighed on Abby’s chest as tears burned the backs of her eyes. Everything inside her screamed for her to make something to help her dad. But then in the same breath, everything shut down, and she was paralyzed in place.
Noel closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’ll never understand you, Abby.”
“I hope you never have to,” Abby finally forced out. “Never have to put your magic in a box and lock it up because you’re afraid of what it will do.”
“You know, Abs, if that’s what you’d actually done all these years, I’d understand. But we both know that isn’t the case.” She turned her back on Abby, pulled out her wallet, and handed Bree her credit card for her candle making supplies.
After she signed her credit card slip, Noel reached her hand out to Daisy and said, “Say goodbye to your aunt, Daisy.”
“Bye, Auntie.” Daisy wrapped her arms around Abby’s waist and squeezed her tight before letting go. “See you later!”
Abby waved as she watched them leave, and then she slumped against the counter.
“Are you all right?” Bree asked her.
“Honestly,” Abby said, “I have no idea.” She shook her head and gave Bree a pained look. “Can you add an energy cleanse, fennel, cinnamon, and cumin to my order? And some binding crystals.”
“You’re sure?” Bree asked, knowing exactly what Abby wanted the herbs for.
Abby let out a huff of humorless laughter. “No. Not at all. But you heard my sister. I have to try, don’t I?”
Bree nodded. “Give me a sec.” She disappeared into her storeroom while Abby clutched the counter, her knuckles turning white with the idea of making a potion for her dad. What if she messed it up again? What if the potion made his symptoms worse? What if he had a reaction and… She shook her head hard, unwilling to go down that path again. This time would be different. For her dad, it would be different.
> “Here we go,” Bree said, striding back to the counter. “I also added some ginger and lemongrass. If nothing seems to work, consider bringing him in for some acupuncture. I have some special needles that might do the trick.”
“Thanks, Bree. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, placing the items in a canvas bag. “If there’s anything else I can do to help, you know where to find me.”
Abby paid for her items, and with her heart pounding against her breast bone, she left the shop and headed for the brewery and her new work studio.
Chapter 14
The afternoon light flooded through the window of the small brew shed, shining on the boxes lining the wall. Abby set her supplies on the stainless steel counter and blew out a long breath. She had to settle herself or this would never work, and she wouldn’t even be able to get her soap recipes right.
The only thing to do was put her dad, his illness, and the nausea potion out of her mind while she got to work on her inventory. Then, once she was in her groove, she’d revisit the idea of making something for her dad. Just the thought of it made her hands shake. She slammed her notebook down on the counter and shook her head.
No, she would not let her anxiety get the better of her. Not today. Not in this place that was full of her dad’s positive energy. It was as if she could feel him in the room, and it made her warm inside. Remembering simpler days when she’d watched him work up his batches of brew, she went to work on putting away her supplies.
It wasn’t long before she was standing in front of the stove, stirring her soap mixture and getting ready to add her special ingredients. Making soap was easy. Anyone could do it, really. But Abby’s line was unique because she infused them with earth elements that helped the skin stay soft and youthful. Today she was working with primrose seeds. She held them in the palm of her hand, the weight of them familiar and soothing to her soul. That faint whisper of magic she’d become so good at manipulating tingled over her fingers and soaked into the primrose, making the seeds glow for just a moment.
There. Perfect. She sprinkled them into the pot and stirred. The current of magic lit up the soap mixture then zapped out, indicating the batch was ready. Humming, Abby poured the soap into the waiting molds, set it on the portable rack, and moved on to another batch.
Hours slipped away while Abby immersed herself in her work, and by the time all of her soap molds were filled and she’d bottled a half dozen batches of lotions, the sun had set and her stomach was rumbling. She glanced over at the nausea potion ingredients Bree had gathered for her and decided she’d better eat first. It wouldn’t pay to be lightheaded when she tapped her magic again, especially since it would take a great deal more power than she was used to utilizing.
After removing her apron, Abby stepped out of the brewery shed and made her way into the pub. Chatter rose up around her as she took a seat at the end of the bar. She glanced around, noting the place was packed and the staff bustling from table to table.
“Come to give us a hand?” Rhys asked, placing a glass of ice water in front of Abby.
She turned back around. “If you need help, sure.”
He waved a hand and shook his head. “Nah. We’ve got it under control. Just giving you a hard time. Want to order something?”
“Yes. I’ve been working all day in the brew shed and I’m starving. California burger and garlic fries.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Living dangerously, I see.”
She laughed. “Just making sure I’m prepared for any random vampire attack.”
“Riiight.” He reached for a glass and nodded to the taps. “What’s your poison tonight?”
“None for me. Still have work to do.” If she was going to try her hand at a potion, she couldn’t risk being even slightly tipsy. “How about a root beer float?”
A smile split across his face as he noted her choices. “I love a girl who’s not afraid to enjoy her meal.”
“I’ve got no one to impress.” Abby shrugged. “Might as well live a little.”
“What about what’s-his-name back in New Orleans?” Clay’s unmistakable voice sounded in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
She turned slowly and eyed him. He was wearing a steel blue, button-down shirt, dark jeans, and scuffed cowboy boots. Her fingers twitched, aching to caress his stubbled jawline. Damn, he was gorgeous. He possessed a quiet, rugged hotness that was obvious to everyone but him. “No what’s-his-name. That appears to be over.”
His playful smile vanished, and concern flashed through his dark eyes. “Are you okay?”
Abby waved a dismissive hand. “Fine. It’s been a long time coming. Turns out he’s an ass and it took me putting my family first for his true colors to really show.”
Clay sat on the stool next to her and grabbed her hand, squeezing it lightly before he let go. “I’ve been there.”
Abby wondered if he was talking about Val, but didn’t want to ask. What she’d seen of his ex that morning was quite enough. “It happens, I guess. But”—she smiled brightly—“I’m relieved it’s done, so moving forward, right?” Rhys arrived with her root beer float and a porter for Clay. Abby thanked him and raised her drink in a toast. “To a new start.”
Clay gave her a whisper of a smile as he grabbed his beer and touched his glass to hers. “To a new start.”
Abby met Clay’s gaze and held it as she took a sip of her root beer. A profound intensity passed between them, something that seemed deeper than anything they’d shared when they were kids. Abby had a strange feeling that in some cosmic way, their life experiences had led them both to this exact moment.
Clay glanced away, clearing his throat as he placed his beer back on the bar and signaled for Rhys.
“What’s up, boss?” he asked. “Need dinner?”
“Yeah. Burger and fries should do it.”
“Anything for Olive?”
Clay shook his head. “She’s at a friend’s birthday party, no doubt consuming enough food for three days.”
“Lucky her.” Rhys retreated to place Clay’s order, and even though the pub still buzzed with the loud din of diners, a silence fell between Abby and Clay.
Abby stared down at the ice cream melting in her root beer float and wished desperately for a beer of her own, anything to settle her nerves that were suddenly jumping all over the place. She didn’t know what to say to Clay. Everything that she wanted to ask wasn’t any of her business, and everything that was going on in her life was too personal to bring up in the middle of the pub. She didn’t want the staff to know her dad was having trouble with the treatments. He deserved to maintain his image of the strong man they’d come to know and love.
“Thank you,” Clay said, staring straight ahead at the clock on the wall. “For being there for Olive this morning, I mean.”
“I didn’t do anything, Clay.”
“Yeah, you did, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
She turned and gave him a gentle smile. “You’re welcome. She’s a sweet girl. Beautiful, too. I don’t know how she doesn’t have you wrapped around her little finger.”
He snorted. “Who said she doesn’t?”
Abby laughed. “Well that makes sense.”
Their food showed up, and while they ate Clay launched into an animated story about how Olive had conned him into a rabbit that ended up having babies two days later. He told story after story that highlighted a rambunctious little girl with a giant heart. By the time he was done, Abby was more than a little bit in love with his daughter.
“She sounds wonderful, Clay. You might have your hands full, but I’d say you hit the lottery with that one.”
“She is wonderful, and you’re right on both counts. She sure makes life interesting.”
Abby stood, grateful he’d chosen to regale her with Olive stories. He’d kept her entertained and relaxed while she ate her dinner, and now she felt better than she had all day. “Thanks for the company. It’s was nic
e chatting with you on my dinner break.”
“Any time, Abs.” He glanced around. “Dinner break? Are you picking up a shift or something?”
“Or something. I’ve been working out in the old brew shed all day. Time to get back to it.” She threw a generous tip on the bar. “See you around.”
“Sure,” he said, frowning slightly as he got up and shoved his hands in his pockets. “It was nice seeing you, Abby.”
She placed her hand on his arm for just a moment then slipped out of the pub and back into the shed. Leaning her back against the closed door, Abby let out a sigh. How was it possible she’d ever left that man? He was everything she’d thought he’d turn out to be. And the way he talked about his daughter… She pressed her hand to her rapidly beating heart, waiting for it to return to normal.
“Okay, Abby, time to get it together.” She pushed herself off the door and grabbed the ingredients she’d picked up at Bree’s. The potion wasn’t hard to make, it just required precision and timing. After digging out her copper sauce pan, Abby filled it with distilled water and placed it on the stove on low heat. Then she moved to the counter and minced the fennel, cinnamon, and cumin before she transferred it to the mortar and used the pestle to make a smooth paste.
Steam started to rise from the copper pan, and suddenly it was the moment of truth. Time to see what she was made of. Abby scooped the paste out of the mortar, let her power concentrate in the palm of her hand and started to chant. “Heal thy body. Revive thy spirit. Let the Earth restore thy strength.”
A magical light flashed, illuminating the brewing shed and nearly blinding Abby with its intensity. She couldn’t see it, but she sensed her magic settling into the herbs. The moment her palm started to tingle, she held her hand over the pan and scraped the paste into the simmering water.
Sparks of light shot up from the steam billowing out of the pan, and Abby smiled. Yes. That was exactly what was supposed to happen. She grabbed her wooden spoon and started to stir, careful to keep the mixture from boiling. When the paste was completely incorporated, she grabbed the fresh lemons from her bag of tricks and added a generous amount of lemon juice to the potion. Her concoction started to bubble, and Abby removed it from the heat. As it started to cool down, she held the wooden spoon still, using it as a conduit, and said, “From bone to earth and earth to bone, may this healing potion be the center stone.”
