Chapter 2
She kept driving past the fallow fields, the voice of her GPS silent.
It was still too early to check in at the bed-and-breakfast where she’d rented a room online last night.
Thanks to her nightmare of waking up back in Sean’s bedroom, she’d been up early, showered, and left the hotel at seven A.M. sharp, stopping only to fuel up at their continental breakfast. But before she found the charming Victorian building, she came across the town square, a large green space in the center of Main Street with a huge tree in the middle.
Might as well stretch her legs and see the sights.
Maggie pulled into a parking space, and without taking time to think about it, groped for some change in the cupholder.
She stepped out of the car and stretched, then turned in a circle.
Victorian-style buildings lined Main Street, each one a different color.
Light gray, bright purple, turquoise blue…
She smiled as the winter sun warmed her face and took a deep breath of the fresh air. It felt like freedom.
Marching to the front of the car, she looked up and down the sidewalk. Where were the parking meters?
“New to town or passing through?” asked an elder gentleman, startling her and causing her to spin around.
“Uh… where are your parking meters?”
“Oh, you’re definitely passing through.” The old man laughed. “We don’t pay for parking here.”
“Wow.” She slipped her change back into her pocket. “Thanks.”
“Anytime, Miss. Have a nice day.” He walked away, his cane clicking along the sidewalk.
Well, damn, she could get used to this. Grabbing her purse from the front seat, she locked the car and headed to the right. Might as well get started looking for a job. And find somewhere to grab lunch.
A chilly wind picked up right then and blew her towards the light gray building with a bay window on the upper level.
The green and white sign above the window read The May Tree, the T in Tree made into an actual tree.
She slipped into the dark alcove to escape the wind, then opened the door.
This was as good a place to look as any.
Her eyes popped wide open as she entered the eclectic shop.
A display of teas and what looked like herbs in small plastic bags lined one wall.
A table sat in the window with huge chunks of amethyst for sale, and a golden tapestry with a sun and moon hung in the other.
A huge dream catcher hung from the corner of the room, and the scent of incense permeated the air.
This place was a feast for the senses. She wandered deeper into the store, past candles of all colors that boasted labels like “Prosperity” and “Healing.” Tables covered with gemstones she’d only seen in the museum, but in tiny sizes with labels and pricing. What was all this stuff used for?
It didn’t matter. She could learn.
An old woman with gray curling hair and a sprightly attitude emerged from a doorway at the back of the shop behind a green tapestry with a tree made of Celtic knotwork. “Welcome! Can I help you find anything?”
“This place is… incredible.”
The old woman cocked her head at Maggie, as if she were seeing more than a woman in a winter coat. Maggie instinctively straightened. “Thank you. I’m Edith, and this is my shop.”
“I’m Maggie. I’m uh, new to town.”
She smiled, and the wrinkles on her face reminded Maggie of a grandmother she’d never had, but the type she’d always wanted. Doting, gentle, with your best interests at heart. “I figured as much. It’s quite chilly today, isn’t it? I was just about to make some tea. Why don’t you join me?”
“I, uh, sure.”
She slipped behind the crowded counter to an electric kettle on a table against the wall and flipped a switch. “Do you like oolong?”
“I’ve never had it.”
Edith measured out some leaves from a canister and put them into two takeaway cups.
When the kettle whistled, she poured hot water into it and brushed her hands off.
“We just have to give it a few minutes to steep.” Maggie took in the proprietress, who was as eclectic as her shop.
She wore a long, colorful skirt with heeled leather boots, a dark red sweatshirt, and several necklaces and rings.
Stretch bracelets of various colors adorned both wrists as she neatly put a deck of cards into a small bag and tied it tight, then placed it on a shelf above the kettle.
She pulled a small folding table out from the wall and set two chairs on either side of it.
Moving her bracelets around, she checked a small watch on her wrist, then nodded.
“Come and sit. It’s ready.”
Maggie slid her purse from her shoulder and balanced on the folding chair. Edith carried the two cups of tea over, their little paper handles facing out.
“Thank you.” She sipped delicately, and a deep, nutty flavor danced over her tastebuds. “Mmm, that’s delicious.”
Edith beamed. “I do love a rock oolong this time of year. Just hits the spot when it’s cold out.” She sipped from her own cup and smacked her lips. “So, what brings you to Hawthorn Hills?”
“I, uh, I just needed a change of scenery.” Over tea, she explained in loose terms that she’d been on a road trip, wanting to start over.
She didn’t mention Sean or the impending divorce.
Edith was easy to talk to, almost too easy.
Her crystalline blue eyes seemed to see more than Maggie wanted her to.
When she mentioned she was looking for work and was staying at the bed-and-breakfast for now, Edith nodded.
“I know the owner there. We’re old friends.”
Maggie smiled, her tea drained. “I don’t suppose you know of anyone who needs help? I’m a quick learner.” She gazed around the shop. It would be overwhelming to try to learn all the different products, but she could ring up sales.
Edith shook her head and took her cup from Maggie’s side of the table.
She tilted it towards her, turning it around.
Her brows furrowed, and she tilted her head this way and that until giving a final nod and setting it back down.
“I’m afraid I don’t have a job for you. But…
” Her voice trailed off, and she rose from the table.
Maggie followed her hostess back towards the door, her wizened hand hovering over the table with the gemstones.
She reached out and plucked one from its tray, then repeated the process over another tray.
Then she approached Maggie and reached for her hand.
“You should take these.”“Oh, I couldn’t—”
Edith tutted at her. “They’re a gift.” She pressed the two stones into Maggie’s hand that she didn’t remember opening. Edith tapped the pink one. “This is rose quartz, and it will draw love to you.” Her eyes sparkled, and Maggie couldn’t look away. “But first, it will teach you to love yourself.”
Maggie’s eyes widened.
Then Edith pointed at the black one and stared deep into Maggie’s soul. “This is tourmaline, and it will protect you from whatever you’re running from.” She folded Maggie’s hand back over itself and patted it. “Keep them in your pocket at all times. Trust the old crone.”
Automatically, Maggie slipped them into her pocket. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Blessed be, dear. And good luck with the job hunt.”
Thanking her, Maggie left the shop and its odd owner, shaking her head to clear the fog when she got back outside into the cold air. How could a shop make money if the owner gave away merchandise? And how had the old woman known she was running from her husband?
She chalked it up to small-town weirdness and kept going.
Next, she tried Brew-Ha’s coffee shop, the purple building next door. The turquoise building turned out to be an antique shop. But neither of them were hiring.
When her stomach began to inform her it was lunch time, she followed the antique store owner’s directions to The Busy Bee diner. After her heavy dinner the night before, Maggie was craving something light. And according to the older woman behind the antique store’s counter, they had excellent soup.
She found the diner across the square, taking up a triple storefront and painted bright yellow.
The logo of a happy little bee in the sign made her smile as she pulled on the shiny chrome door and took a whiff when the smells wafted out.
Inside was a clean chrome counter with yellow vinyl stools.
Booths lined the wall of windows with black and yellow seats.
About ten tables had customers sitting around chatting.
Taking advantage of the ‘Seat Yourself’ sign, she slid into a cushiony booth and pulled a menu from the rack on the table.
“What can I get you, Hun?” Maggie looked up to see a woman with a net over her gray bob, wearing an apron, standing next to her table.
“What’s the soup of the day?”
“Chicken noodle.”
“I’ll have a bowl of that and a glass of water.”
“That comes with garlic toast.”
Her stomach murmured happily. “Great.”
“That all for you?” Maggie noticed she didn’t even bother to write it down.
“For now, yes.” Maybe she’d splurge on dessert.
The server disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a big white bowl of golden soup, steam rising in a swirl, and a plate with two pieces of thick bread slathered with butter and garlic.
“Gimme one sec to grab your drink.” She hurried behind the counter and returned with Maggie’s requested water and a straw.
“I’ll be in the back. If you need anything, just holler for Deb. ”
“Hey Deb, can I get another coffee?” called a man from another table.
“Yeah Earl, be right there.” She hurried off and Maggie watched as she poured coffee for the other guests. As Deb hurried past again, she heard her call out to a different table. “Just a few more minutes on your chicken, Nancy, I’ll be right back.”