Chapter 9
Mattie turned her kettle on to make a cup of tea, then went back to work while it heated. She was just pouring wax into the last of her candle molds when her doorbell rang, the soft chime making her glance toward the front of the cottage.
Normally, Blueberry would go check for her and see who it was.
“Just a minute,” she called out. If she left the wax now, it would start to solidify, and she’d have to heat it back up. She finished pouring the mold she was working on, then filled one more. That was enough for now.
She wiped her hands on her apron and went to see who was at her door. “Marigold! How are you?”
Marigold Williams was a powerful green witch who ran the florist shop in town. Every spring, she cast a spell over Mattie’s garden, giving it an extra boost of growth and prosperity. Mattie was always happy to see her.
“I’m fine, and I’m sorry for stopping by unannounced, but Saffie’s got a terrible sore throat and I’m out of your good honey.
Not even sure how that happened, but I was hoping you could fix some up for her?
” She held out a little basket. “I brought you some dried lavender, along with some fresh mint and dill, as my way of sweetening the deal. No pun intended.”
“Come on in,” Mattie said, stepping back. Her good honey was the kind with a little extra magic added to it. “You didn’t have to bring me anything, but I could use the lavender, and the herbs are always welcome. I’m sorry Saffie’s not feeling well.”
“Oh, she feels fine,” Marigold said as she came in. “She’s hoarse from cheer practice. All that yelling.”
Closing the door, Mattie let out a soft gasp. “She made it onto the cheer squad? Good for her!”
Marigold smiled as she rolled her eyes. “My daughter, the cheerleader. Can you imagine?”
“Come into the kitchen with me.” Mattie had heard her kettle click off. She’d need to turn it back on if she was ever going to have that tea. “What does Wyatt think of it?”
Marigold followed her. “He couldn’t be prouder. He’s really embraced stepfatherhood. He’s already helping her practice. I think he knows some of her cheers better than she does.” She set the basket on the counter.
“I love that,” Mattie said. She went into her pantry where she stored her honey supply. She took a small jar from the shelf, cupped it between her hands, and whispered a healing spell over it. She brought it out to Marigold. “Here you go.”
Marigold took it. “Thank you so much.” Her mouth was bent in a tiny frown as she looked around. “Where’s everyone’s favorite imp?”
Mattie started to answer, then said something else. “Do you have time for a cup of tea?”
“I can spare a few minutes.”
“Great.” Mattie turned the kettle back on, picked out two cups from the cabinet, and opened up her tea caddy. She snagged a bag of mint for herself. “So, about Blueberry …”
They made tea and sat at the kitchen table, where Mattie told Marigold the whole story of what was going on, and when she finished, Marigold was nodding.
“I know Gunnar. He’s a nice guy.”
Mattie stared at her. “Gunnar Briggs. You think he’s a nice guy.”
“He comes into my shop three times a year like clockwork.”
Mattie felt like she’d missed something. “Gunnar is a flower guy?”
“I guess you could say that. He certainly likes to send them.”
Mattie was starting to get the picture. Of course, a good-looking guy like that would be a player. “Got a lot of girlfriends, does he?”
“I have no idea. He sends the flowers to his mom and sister. A bouquet each on their birthday and another on Mother’s Day.”
“Oh.” Mattie sipped her tea, which was nearly gone. “That’s kind of sweet, actually.”
“Why do you think he’s not a nice guy?”
“He’s just so grumpy and ornery.”
Marigold’s brows lifted in obvious amusement. “To be honest, being saddled with Blueberry would probably have that effect on me too.”
“That’s not true.”
“Mattie, you have a special relationship with him. We all saw what he was capable of when Jayne first let him out of that box. How things went haywire in town. All of the wedding dresses in my mom’s shop were black.” She pointed toward the outside. “The falls flowed with Dr Pepper!”
“Yeah, true.” Blueberry had caused a lot of mischief like the things Marigold had said.
The town had also smelled like rotten fish, and the fountain in the center of town had spewed snow.
Mattie could understand how Marigold might still be holding a grudge considering what Blue had done at her mother’s bridal shop. “All of that was fixed, though.”
“Yes, but you get my point, right? Or should I also mention the elementary school gym being filled with frogs or the hydrant that oozed lime Jell-O?”
“I get what you’re saying.” Mattie pressed her fingers to her temple. Those had not been Blueberry’s finest hours.
“If the man seems grumpy, I’d say he’s got every right.” Marigold tipped her cup back. “What help are you giving him?”
Mattie looked at her friend. “Help?”
“Well, you know Blueberry better than anyone. Are you helping him with the wishes or giving him some tips or anything like that?”
“I did tell him he needs to keep Blue fed.”
Marigold leaned forward. “You might not like the guy, but I promise you, he really is a decent sort. The sooner you help him get those wishes made, the sooner you get Blueberry back. Your bees must be missing him.”
Mattie nodded. “They are.”
Marigold stood, the jar of honey in hand. “Then you know what you need to do.”
Mattie got to her feet as well and walked Marigold to the door. “Thanks.”
Marigold lifted the jar of honey. “Thank you.”
With a little wave, Mattie shut the door. Helping Gunnar felt like the last thing she wanted to do, but Marigold was right. It would get Blueberry home a lot faster.
Mattie sighed deeply. This was not going to be fun. And Gunnar would undoubtedly not welcome her intrusion. But maybe when he realized she was there to help, he’d perk up.
And maybe he wouldn’t.
What were the odds that phoning him to see if he wanted help would result in a flat-out refusal? Probably high. Which meant her best bet was just to go to his house and talk her way in.
She thought about that a moment. He was a bear shifter. She was the main supplier of honey for the town. Would he be able to refuse if she brought gifts?
She glanced at the time. What kind of hours would a forest ranger work? She had no idea, but Birdie would know when he’d be home. She made the call.
“Sheriff’s department, Birdie speaking.”
“Birdie, it’s Mattie. I need some help?”
“Let me guess. It has something to do with a man who works in the woods?”
Mattie smirked. “Yes.”
“Does he still have Blueberry?”
“Also, yes.”
“Hmm. What can I do for you?”
“I need to know where he lives and when he gets off work.”
“You’re not planning to rescue Blueberry, are you? Because as much as that might seem like a good idea, breaking and entering is still a crime.”
“No, nothing like that, I promise. I was going to visit Gunnar when he gets home and see if I can help things along. Or at least give him some wish-making pointers.”
“Good idea. And if that happens to lead to kissing—”
“Birdie!” Mattie almost choked on her next breath. “It absolutely will not.”
“If you say so.” But Birdie was laughing. “His day ends at six, barring any sort of emergency. I have your number. I’ll text you his address.”
“Thank you.” Mattie rolled her eyes. The very idea of kissing that grumpy mountain of a man was … not the worst thing she could think of, but it was still not happening.
“Let me know if there’s any kissing,” Birdie said, her tone light and mischievous.
“There won’t be.” Mattie had to wonder if Birdie and Blueberry weren’t related somewhere down the line.
She hung up and headed into her pantry to gather supplies.
No bear shifter in his right mind would turn down one of her honey cakes. At least not that she could imagine. It was time to get baking.
And say a little prayer that her dream of being chased through the woods by a bear was not about to come true.