Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Through a friend,” I reply. “Their coven needed our help, so I went.”
“But your cousins didn’t go?”
“Lorelei was teaching in California, and I knew, given the situation, that Breena shouldn’t go. Not because I think she’s weak, because she’s one of the strongest people I know, but if anything catastrophic happened, I needed her here with the aunts.”
Jonas’s eyes narrow.
I rush on. “Hundreds of people from all over the country came to help. Not just me. And it took every single one of us to finish it. It was terrifying and fascinating all at once.”
“And something I hope you don’t do often.”
I smile at him and reach for his hand. “No, I think vanquishing evil once in my life is enough. Although I have a feeling New Orleans won’t be the last time I’m faced with something sinister.”
Nera yawns on the floor at my feet, then turns on his side to continue sleeping.
“Did you know about New Orleans in 1692?”
He lifts an eyebrow. “I don’t believe many European settlers were in that area until the early 1700s. So, at the time of the witch trials, probably not.”
“Probably not? You don’t remember?”
“It was a long time ago,” he reminds me. “And without any kind of communication systems like telephones or telegraphs or such things, no. We likely wouldn’t have known about explorations happening in the rest of the country until long after it was done.”
“So, how do you know about all of it now?”
“I’ve had a lot of time on my hands and access to a library through the years. I listened. I read.”
“The more I think about it, the more I realize just how bazaar the world will be to the people of Hallows End when they’re set free. I don’t know how they’ll deal with it.”
“I think the first priority is actually setting them free. Then we can worry about the mental health of the people. They will need help, Lucy.”
“They’ll get it.”
“You speak as though it’s a foregone conclusion that we’ll succeed in lifting the curse.”
“Of course, we will. Didn’t you hear the story before? I’ve vanquished evil and come back from the dead. I can handle a measly curse.”
Jonas laughs and takes my hand, lifting it to his lips. “I’d like to take you to bed.”
I yawn and stretch my arms over my head. “Yeah, I’m pretty tired. Sleep sounds good.”
His lips twitch. “Sure, you may sleep. Eventually.”
“Do we have more dandelion root?” Delia asks as she walks back to the kitchen, looking a little frazzled.
“I have some in the oven now. It’ll be ready in a couple of hours. Who needs it?”
“Mr. Edison,” she replies. “He’s constipated again. I’ll tell him to come back in the morning.”
“You can let him know I’ll drop some by later. I’m going to Breena’s anyway. Are you almost ready to close up for the day?” I ask.
“Yep. Mr. Edison is the last customer.”
“Okay. Don’t worry about doing the floors or anything. I have more stocking to do, so I’ll be puttering around for a while. You can just head out when you’re finished with him.”
“Are you sure?” Delia frowns at me. “I don’t mind staying to help.”
“I know, but I also know that you have a date tonight, and you’d much rather go primp for that.”
Her pretty lavender eyes widen in surprise. “How did you know that? Actually, don’t answer that stupid question. You always know everything.”
I laugh and shoo her off. “Go, enjoy your date.”
“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”
Delia blows me a kiss and walks away with a spring in her step, off to deliver my message to Mr. Edison and then close up the shop for the day.
Today’s been the first day in a while that things felt somewhat normal. Jonas headed for Hallows End first thing, and Nera and I tended the garden and then got right to work. I’ve spent the day with customers, stocking shelves, drying herbs, and mixing potions and salves.
It’s my favorite way to spend the day, and it feels wonderful to be in my happy place.
“Bye, Lucy!” Delia calls out before I hear the door close and lock behind her.
It was such a good idea to hire Delia. We’ve been so busy this year, and October has set a new record for sales for the shop.
Goddess bless the tourists.
By this time next month, the crowds will disperse and head back home, and Salem will quiet down once more. If this year has been any indication, I’ll need more help before spring.
That doesn’t hurt my feelings in the least.
“Come on, buddy, let’s go fill some jars.”
Nera follows me out to the shop, and I gather the big jars from the herb wall that I need to refill. St. John’s wort, thistle, basil, and chamomile are completely empty, so I grab those jars first.
The newly dried herbs are laid out on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets, and it makes such a satisfying sound when I tip the paper and the herbs slide off into the jar.