Page 43 of Hallows End
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 Ialsoknow 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 wassucha 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.
Thirty minutes later, all the jars are refilled, and I make a note of the others that could use a refresh tomorrow before I move to the oils and salves.
My skincare line has become a new favorite among the customers and needs to be restocked badly, so I make a list of what I need to gather from the supply closet, then check the homemade incense and smudging sticks.
“Delia was busy today,” I say to Nera. “She went through a lot of stock.”
The hair on the back of my neck suddenly stands up, and I turn to check behind me, making sure no one is watching me through the door.
That sometimes happens shortly after closing, when customers are hopeful that we’re still open.