At Wick's End - Tim Myers [61]
She stalked past me, taking a stab at spiking my foot with those deadly heels, but I sidestepped her just in time. She snipped, “You’ll call me. I know it and you know it.”
“Don’t hold your breath waiting by the phone,” I said as she stormed off.
Heather was just opening up The New Age, privy to all that had been said outside. She had Esmeralda tucked under one arm. As Becka raced off in her car, Heather said, “You have a real way with the ladies, Harrison. Smooth.”
I smiled. “What can I say? It’s a gift.” I walked over, offered a hand slowly to Esme, then rubbed her head gently. She responded with a soft purr.
“My, you two really bonded while you were roommates,” Heather said.
“Let’s just say we came to a mutual understanding.”
Heather glanced at her watch and said, “You’ve got a
few minutes before you open. Why don’t you come in for the grand tour?”
“That sounds great, but I can’t stay long.” I said as I followed her inside.
Her shop was nothing like I expected. I’d imagined a dark, gloomy place full of tarot cards and incense, heavy tapestries and beads everywhere. Instead, the store was bright and cheerful, with displays of stones, portable personal pyramids, books and pamphlets neatly on display. There were desktop waterfalls, mini-Zen gardens and polished steel balls filling out the shelves, and the place was friendlier and more inviting than I’d dreamed possible.
Heather had been watching my reaction, waiting for a comment. “You have a great shop,” I said as I picked up a piece of quartz crystal. “Where do you get your stuff?”
“I get those from Hiddenite,” she said. “They honestly do have healing power. Some folks swear by magnets, but I’m a crystal fan myself.”
“Where’s the incense,” I asked.
Heather laughed. “I don’t carry it, I’m allergic. That’s why I don’t spend much time in your candle shop. Oh, you’ve got to see this.” Heather retrieved a candle from near the register and held it out to me. It was pale blue, with stones floating within the wax. “It’s beautiful,” I said as I handed it back to her.
“Belle made it for me. Isn’t it cool the way she stuck the stones into the wax?”
“Actually, the stones are laid in the mold first, then the wax is poured in around them.”
“You’re becoming quite the expert,” she said.
“I never realized before just how many ways there were to make candles. I’ve just started learning two methods, and there are a ton more to experiment with. Purely by accident, I think I’ve found my calling.”
“It wasn’t entirely by accident. Belle wanted you to have At Wick’s End.”
“What makes you say that? Did she ever say anything about her plans to you?”
Heather said, “‘No. but it was in her will, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, of course.” I looked around and asked “So where does Esme hang out during the day?”
“Are you kidding? The princess has her own pillow beside the cash register. It’s like she’s watching over the store all the time. Harrison, if you’re interested, I’ve got a friend whose cat just had kittens.”
“No thanks, I have no desire to add a roommate to my place.”
She said. “Are you sure?”
I said, “I’m positive, but I’d be happy to baby-sit Esmeralda any time you need me to.”
Heather grinned. “Just give me time, I’ll make a cat person out of you yet.”
“I’d say they were born, not made, wouldn’t you? I think for now I’ll settle for having one feline friend.” I glanced at my watch. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I’ve got to open the shop.”
“Come back any time, Harrison.”
It was a quiet morning, but I managed to sell a few things before Eve was scheduled to arrive.
It was nearly noon when Heather came into the shop. “Harrison, I need a favor. Could I borrow your old truck for a while?”
Now what in the world could I say to that?
Chapter 15
Heather said, “Ordinarily I’d never ask, but I’ve got a new shipment of quartz from Hiddenite I need to pick up, and I’m afraid it’s too heavy for my car.”
“Don’t they deliver?” I asked, stalling for time so I could figure out what to