by Tonya Kappes
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” she lifted her ring, assuming that was how I knew she was engaged.
Her soul spoke to me as I got closer to her and this was how I knew exactly what special potion to make for her. Was it nerves? Was it doubt? That was what I needed to find out. There was definitely something apprehensive about her getting married.
“Yes.” Roxy gushed about the ring. “I just got married. I’m here on my honeymoon.”
There was a light tap on the window. I glanced out. The Karima sisters, Constance and Patience, had their noses stuck on the glass, looking in. Both were pointing to Roxy and nodding.
They were odd, those sisters. They owned Two Sisters Funeral Home and they could sniff out death or someone associated with death in a nanosecond. They were wrong about Roxy.
When I used my gift to feel what she wanted, all I got was a simple life filled with family and friends.
“I’m here to find special gifts for my bridesmaids. My fiancé is in the tea shoppe.” The young lady rolled her eyes. “I’m Camille.”
“I’m Roxy. Nice to meet you.” The two women appeared to really get along.
“Can I interest either of you in hot apple cider and a cookie?” I moved them closer to the hospitality table to give me time to get their actual products ready.
They nodded and continued their conversation, while I took the bottles they’d picked, and headed back to the counter.
“I’ll have your lotions ready in no time.” I hurried back behind the partition and set the bottles on the counter.
The cauldron bubbled to a slow simmer. I was going to work on Roxy’s potion first since I needed to know what she was all about as soon as possible. I dragged my hand along the back wall of ingredients and when my finger warmed, I knew it was the right one for Roxy’s potion.
The translucent tonic was sapphire in color and smelled like caramel apple. It was a delightful smell that told me Roxy really enjoyed caramel apples. That is how the magic worked. The special potion took on a smell the recipient loved.
“Now that we have that in there,” I whispered and turned back to the shelf, running my finger down it one last time. “Where are you?” I asked for the right ingredient to warm the pad of my finger at my touch. “Rue.” I smiled when I felt the warmth. “Of course.”
I plucked the Rue herb from the shelf. It was perfect for Roxy’s love potion. Not only would it make her feel head over heels in love, it would also ward her off from any sort of nosing around, which was what the Whispering Falls Newspaper had whispered in the air this morning.
“Just a few sprinkles.” I uncorked the top of the bottle and held it over the bubbling cauldron. “One, two. . .”
“You better put in at least ten more,” said Madame Torres, my crystal ball, who was sitting next to the cauldron. The black ball turned gray and then a deep purple with green lines running through it before she appeared. Her big face floated deep inside of the glass globe. Her eyelids were painted white, her cheeks green, and her lips the brightest red. The turban on the top of her head had a jeweled Christmas tree at her third eye. “Protect yourself. Protect Whispering Falls.”
“She doesn’t seem so bad.” I went ahead and put a few more dashes of Rue in the boiling water. I picked up the ladle and stirred it slowly. “Besides, I’m working on a potion for her.”
Madame Torres floated closer to the edge of the glass. One big eyeball magnified as she twitched it back and forth.
“Now what?” I questioned my nervous-acting crystal ball.
“Where’s the four-legged dirty thing?” she asked about Mr. Prince Charming. “Why can’t he give you valuable information other than a pig?”
“As I recall, you only told me to protect myself and Whispering Falls.” I jerked my brow towards her and continued to stir the potion in the cauldron. “I’ll go see Bella to find out exactly what the pig means.”
”Mmmhmm…” Madame Torres drew her eye back, bringing her full face back into focus. Her face started to fade into the purple swirl. “There will be trip to Locust Grove with Roxy on your heels,” her voice trailed off as the waves of the liquid inside her globe swooshed back and forth, hitting the sides.
“Roxy? I doubt that,” I said with a sigh, giving the potion one more dash of Rue. “One could never be too careful.”
I left the cauldron to finish the potion while I went back out to the shop floor to see exactly which bottle Roxy would choose.
“Roxy?” I called. The two women still had their heads together as though they’d been friends for a long time. “Would you mind picking out a bottle from the wall over there? The one you picked out isn’t big enough,” I lied.
Underneath the chalkboard with the daily special, which just so happened to be a happy potion disguised as Candy Cane Lotion, was a shelf full of ornamental bottles, each unique in design and color.
“Sure.” Roxy eagerly walked across the shop. It didn’t go unnoticed that Mr. Prince Charming had shifted himself to watch each step she took. “These are all so pretty. How do I pick?”
“I suggest you take your time. This is special for you,” I encouraged her. “Pick them up and let them sit in your hand. You’ll know.”
It was truly magical how the bottle picked the recipient. They couldn’t see it, but the bottle would give a faint glow, letting me know it was the right one.
“This one really speaks to me.” Roxy gently grabbed a pale brown glass bottle in the shape of a heart. The screw-on cap was cream and there were cream-colored ceramic butterflies attached to the front of the heart. “Is that silly?” She asked when I went to take it from her.
“Absolutely not.” I offered a reassuring smile. “It’s your special lotion and it should be in a special bottle that you love.”
“Then, this one is it.” She let go of the bottle, letting it rest in my palm. There was a small shock between us. “Oh.” She giggled. “Static electricity.”
“Mmmhmm.” I nodded. “Something like that.” I turned and headed back to the cauldron, but not without leaning down to whisper into Mr. Prince Charming’s ear first. “Keep an eye on her.”
Although I didn’t feel like there was anything evil about Roxy Bloom, there was something I did find curious about her. Maybe it was the newspaper article this morning that had warned us about her.
The cauldron had already turned itself off by the time I got back to it with the bottle. I unscrewed the lid and held the bottle over the cauldron. Like a funnel, the potion zipped up into the bottle.
Madame Torres’s glass globe lit up with a display of fireworks as the words Protect Whispering Falls continued to float in the waves.
“Here you go, Roxy.” I set the bottle down on the counter next to the cash register. “Little dabs along the neck, behind the ears, and on the soles of your feet are all you need for a relaxing honeymoon.”
She hurried over along with Camille. They both had anxious looks on their faces as Roxy unscrewed the lid and lifted the bottle up to her nose.
“Caramel apple,” she gushed. She lifted her chin, her eyes dancing with delight. “The night Patrick and I got married, we’d been bobbing for apples at the annual Neewollah Festival. We ate caramel apples. This is just too coincidental.”
She dabbed a little on her wrists before she offered some to Camille.
“That’s just for you.” I put my hand out to stop her from dabbing some on her new friend. “I’ve got just the thing for you. I bet you’d love a dash of lemon balm and that doesn’t mix well with caramel apple.”
My heart sank when I got a whiff of lemon balm.
“Did you say that you’re engaged?” I asked Camille to make sure my intuition was right.
“I am.” She eagerly nodded. “We are getting married on New Year’s Eve. It’s been in the works for about a year now. My fiancé just had a small bachelor party in November and I didn’t want one. I only wanted him to bring me here, to Whispering Falls, for the shopping and the tree lighting tonight.”
As she spoke, my heart got heavier and heavier. She truly loved this man. Her heart practically glowed with the love, but I knew there was a deep dark secret. One that was going to reveal itself.
I watched as she picked out a bottle for the broken heart lotion I had to make for her. It was what her body was saying she needed, only she had no idea she needed it. . .yet.
“I’m sure your wedding is going to be amazing.” I assured her, taking the red, hourglass-shaped bottle from her grip.
“Let’s exchange phone numbers in case I ever can get Michael to visit Honey Springs,” I overheard Camille tell Roxy as I headed back behind the partition to make her potion.
The bell over the door dinged, and as I glanced back over my shoulder, the door was closing. Roxy Bloom must’ve left, and a man shuffled into the shop.
“There you are.” He hurried over to Camille. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Oh, Michael, isn’t this the best shop ever?” She bounced on her toes.
Michael’s eyes met mine. There was a deep sadness within them that sent a punch to my gut. He was going to break her heart and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
“Just darling,” he muffled with sarcasm. “I think we should go home.”
“Why? You promised me a full day in Whispering Falls.” Camille pleaded with him. “Mike?”
I headed back to the cauldron, not only to get her a potion made fast, but to get out of the way of the discussion they were having.
“The snow is getting heavier and it might be a while before we can make it back home.” His voice got softer. “We can make it home in time for a nice romantic dinner in front of the TV.”
“No! Over your dead body is when I’ll leave early.” Camille’s words were followed by the slamming of the shop door.
Chapter Three
Roxy Bloom
Patrick parked the car on an open spot near the Glorybee Pet Shop. There was a parking lot specifically for the Full Moon Treesort, but an arrow pointing towards a trail where we had to walk the rest of the way.
Unsure of how long it would take us to walk the trail, Patrick took the dogs for a walk while I had roamed around a few of the shops.
“There you are,” I greeted Patrick, Sassy, and Pepper after I’d found them on the little trail I’d taken from the shops towards the resort.
“I swear I’ve been lost in these woods for about an hour.” I still wasn’t sure of my way around.
“How did we not know this town was here?” Patrick let Sassy and Pepper shower me with kisses as though I’d been gone for a week before he took me into his arms. “It’s pretty amazing. There’s snow on the ground, but we aren’t freezing.”
I tucked my arm in his elbow and let him lead me back to the Full Moon Treesort since I’d yet to see where we were staying. Sassy and Pepper ran ahead like they knew exactly where they were going.
“Do I smell caramel apple?” Patrick nuzzled his nose in my neck, sending shivers up my spine.
Meow, Mr. Prince Charming showed up out of nowhere.
“Mr. Prince Charming,” I greeted him and snuggled closer to Patrick. There was an inexplicable feeling growing within me that I wanted to spend as much time with Patrick as possible. The love and happiness I was feeling was indescribable.
“His name is Prince Charming?” Patrick laughed.
“Mr. Prince Charming,” I corrected him. “He belongs to June Heal. The lady who owns A Charming Cure. She made a lotion just for me. It smells just like caramel apples.” I took it out of my purse and showed him the bottle. “There’s something strange about this town that I can’t quiet put my finger on.”
“Don’t you dare go and sniff around when we are on our honeymoon,” Patrick warned, tightening his grip around me. “We only have a few days here before we head back to Honey Springs for our family Christmas. We need to relax before we have your Aunt Maxi and your mom in one room.”
I busted out laughing, the joy in my voice bouncing around the woods and across the clearing ahead of us.
“Patrick,” I gasped when I saw the large tree that had a house of some sort built into it.
“That’s the Full Moon Treesort,” he said.
We both stopped and watched Sassy and Pepper dart up the front steps of the hotel. It was the most spectacular hotel I’d ever seen.
“We aren’t your typical bed and breakfast.” Amethyst Plum had greeted us from the large kitchen inside of the resort. She hummed happily as Patrick took a seat at the large kitchen island where she was making something that smelled so good.
She had a long, fishtail braid and wide, black eyes that danced as she giggled at Sassy and Pepper curled up next to the large stone fireplace.
“My resort is nestled deep within the woods behind our village. As you can see, the two story, A-frame structure is nothing but windows that overlook the most spectacular views Whispering Falls has to offer. Our rooms are scattered among the trees in the forest. Each one has a different theme and a unique view, and you get the honeymoon tree. You’re going to love it.” She peeled the dough from her hands and floured the cutting board.
“What are you making?” I asked with great interest.
“I’m making candy cane cookies. They are delicious.” She took half the dough and began to roll it into a thin line.
“I have a wonderful recipe that I use at The Bean Hive for candy cane cookies.” I took pride in all of the food I cooked and baked in my coffeehouse.
“You own a bakery?” She asked.
“No. I own a coffeehouse where I make my own special blends. I also bake and have some food items.” I pushed my sleeves up to my elbows. “May I?” I asked.
“I’d love that.” Amethyst happily moved out of my way.
“Oh boy, this is going to be a while.” Patrick took his drink and headed over to one of the sofas. “I’m going to sit here and enjoy this view while you do that.”
The large windows around the Treesort provided a perfect view of the woods and the falling snow.
“Are those twinkling lights?” I asked as I began to incorporate the red food coloring into the dough.
“The teenagers?” She asked.
“Teenagers?” I took another hard look out the window. I didn’t see anything except what appeared to be lightning bugs, but I knew it was the season for them. Especially with the snow. “No, I meant the things that look like lightning bugs.”
“Oh, dear,” she curled her lips in and mumbled. “Those.” She hesitated. “What is the oven supposed to be on?” she asked, avoiding my question all together. “I’ll be right back.” She didn’t bother setting the oven or waiting for me to answer.
“There are just things I can’t seem to explain,” I said to Patrick after she hurried out of the room. I walked over to the oven and looked at it. I couldn’t find the buttons to turn it on.
“What are you talking about?” He asked over his shoulder.
“Those lightning bugs.” I pointed to the window. He turned back around and followed my finger. It was early, but dark enough to see the bugs flying all around.
“What lightning bugs?” He asked. “I only see snow falling.”
The twinkling lights were suddenly gone. I looked from window to window.
“I’m not going nuts. I swear there were lightning bugs,” my jaw dropped as the words left my mouth. I blinked a few times.
“Lightning bugs?” Amethyst appeared out of nowhere next to the oven. The oven started. “Those amazing bugs go away around October. They’ve been long gone now.” She drummed her fingers together.
“How did you start that oven?” I asked and looked back. There were a couple of knobs that I swear weren’t there before. The oven’s digital readout already said three-hundred and fifty. “I swear I didn’t see any knobs or buttons.”
“Nothing special.” Amethyst had already taken the cream-colored dough and the red dough, braided them together, and had them perfectly shaped in candy cane form
before I could turn back around.
“Wow. I . . .” Now my jaw was on the floor.
“You okay?” She asked. “I just love your recipe. These are going to be a big hit with the bed and breakfast guests.”
“Good evening,” June Heal greeted us when she walked into the room. “I see you’ve met.”
“Evening?” I glanced up at the clock. It was already five p.m.
“Time flies when you’re having fun.” Amethyst grinned from ear to ear. She gestured to the windows where the woods were suddenly really dark. “June, did you see the Santa this afternoon?”
The awkward moment between the two women didn’t go unnoticed. It was as though they were trying to tell each other something that they didn’t want me to hear.
“You’re going to miss the tree lighting if you don’t hurry up,” June said as she took a bite out of a candy cane cookie. It was obvious she was ignoring Amethyst’s question about the Santa.
“The cookies are ready?” I blinked a few times when I noticed the three-tiered displays were full of the baked cookies.
“Are you feeling okay, honey?” Patrick walked over to see me. “All the baking you’ve done today must have you tired. Do you want to skip the tree lighting and just go lay down?”
“You have been busy.” Amethyst patted my hand.
“No. I’m fine.” I planted a smile on my face, but deep down I knew that something wasn’t right. “I’m ready to go to the tree lighting.”
Patrick got Sassy and Pepper along with our coats. On our way out the door, I took the lotion June Heal had made me and threw it in the trash can when she and Amethyst weren’t looking.
“Why did you throw that away?” Patrick asked on our way out of the Treesort.
“I don’t know. I think it made me sick to my stomach. Maybe the scent was too much.” I shrugged off his question.
If I told him that I thought this town was crazy or that there was some sort of witchery was going on, he’d think his new bride was crazy.
“The fresh air might do you good.” He rubbed my back as we found our way back into Village.
Colored Christmas lights were strung from lamp post to lamp post, making the town even more magical at night. Every shop was open, and the sidewalks were filled with tourists.
