Page 79 of Witchful Thinking
“That’s not fair. He’s changed.”
“Oh okay. Why haven’t you asked him to stay yet?” Ursula asked.
Lucy said nothing, Ursula’s question hitting its intended mark. She didn’t ask him because she didn’t want to know his answer.
Ursula’s voice went low, turned nasty. Fire flashed in her eyes.
“Wishes end. Then he’ll leave again. What will you do then?”
Ursula pushed past Lucy. She slammed the door as she left. All spells end.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Summer was in full swing in the Grove. Technicolor-bathing-suit-clad citizens walked up and down the sidewalk with terry-cloth towels over their shoulders. Alex took aim with his camera capturing the scene before him. Several storefronts were open and teeming with customers holding plastic bags filled with heavy purchases. Passersby devoured french fries from paper bowls and licked dripping ice cream cones. However, there were nasty-looking dark clouds on the horizon that hinted at an impending rain. Maybe the sunshine would hold out until the afternoon.
The large display window of Home and Hearth Hardware Store on Main was being changed out from summer grills to fall gear like leaf blowers and coolers. Alex peered at the items in the window. He snapped a few pictures of the display, making sure to capture the feeling of the impending autumn season. Phoebe came out of the store, waving to Alex.
“Good morning, Dwyer,” Phoebe said. “We’re having an end-of-summer sale if you’re interested in buying more paint.”
“No, I’m good. The house is almost done. I have the guest room left and then it’s finished.”
“Someone’s moving in soon.”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Alex said.
“We’ve got more goods inside,” Phoebe said. She went back inside the store, and he followed. Bags of home and gardening supplies were stacked near the entrance next to the pop-up display of different seed packets. Alex looked over the colorful packets that displayed blooming wildflowers and instructions.
“We’re having a seed sale. Buy two packs, get two packs free. Do you know anyone who likes to grow things?”
Alex looked to Phoebe. She gave him a questioning glance, waiting for his response. She looked at him as if his head was made of crystal and she could see into his brain. A rapid series of thoughts popped his mind like text notifications.
Lucy loves seeds. Get her some.
“I’ll have to think about it,” Alex said carefully. Phoebe nodded. The chime of the bell on the front door rang when three customers came in asking questions about flashlights and tarps. She helped them while Alex went down one of the narrow rows.
He found the red and white plastic Open House sign next to the citronella candles. It was smaller than he expected. He reached out to grab it and then hesitated. Was it necessary to have a lawn sign? Maybe it was overkill. Horatio did ask him to make a good impression for the potential buyers.
The open house was happening within the next two weeks, and he still hadn’t gotten the sign. He’d been delaying picking it up. If he wasn’t hanging out at Lucy’s house, then he was putting finishing touches on the house and snapping up images of the Grove. They’d texted about getting together soon, but his impromptu meetings and her last-minute tea-reading clients often left them unable to meet up. Instead, they texted and left each other silly, fun messages. Whenever his phone buzzed or beeped, his heart kicked up a little. He put off getting the sign, telling himself there was always tomorrow. Get the sign later, he’d say to himself, then forget to go by the hardware store. Enough with all that noise. He needed it today.
Alex went to the cashier stand where Phoebe was working. He placed the red and white plastic Open House sign on the counter.
“You’re selling your house,” Phoebe said. Alex peered at her. Why did she sound so surprised?
“I wasn’t planning on keeping it.”
“You still believe that,” Phoebe said. She shook her head sadly and smirked at him. “Why are the cute ones so stubborn? I think it might run in your family.”
Alex didn’t want to readtoo much into that comment.
“I think I need a bigger sign. Will people be able to see it from the street? I should get some balloons so cars can see it.”
“The sign isn’t the problem. I don’t want you wasting money on a sign that’s going to collect dust.”
“You know something I don’t know,” he said.
Phoebe blinked slowly, then focused her gaze on him. A smug glint appeared in her eyes.
“I know everything that you’re trying to hide.”