It had been a major fighting point between the two of us. He was always suspicious of everyone, acting like any person I came in contact with could be an axe murderer.

Living in Woods Crossing would be something exciting and new, which I desperately needed. Dad and I had good times while I was growing up, too, but being trapped at home with him while I slowly saved up just for an apartment had been driving me insane.

I opened my window as I drove along Main Street towards the store. I caught the scent of falling leaves in the air, and some of the pressure on my heart eased. Being out here in the country, surrounded by trees and crisp, clean air, was a sort of medicine for my soul I didn’t know I’d needed. I knew right then that was going to love living here.

Contrary to stores in Titan Bay, the Dollar General wasn’t busy when I went inside. It felt good to be able to look and take my time.

The grocery store was a little more packed, but nothing like the grocery stores in Titan Bay. It was such a novelty to see so few people around.

While I contemplated what kind of cheese to get, I glanced up and happened to see a friendly looking woman eyeing me. She was tall and willowy, with slightly frizzy, black hair that reached to her mid-back. She smiled with rosy, lipstick-covered lips.

“I haven’t seen you here before. You must be new in town! What’s your name?”

I felt a strange flashback to all of Dad’s warnings about talking to strangers, but shrugged it off. He wasn’t here, and I was an adult now.

Extending my hand, I gave her a smile. “I’m Sage Lightwood-Black.”

She gave my hand a gentle shake, really only brushing her fingers against mine, but her smile was kind.

“I’m Maria Merrick. Did you say your last name is Black?”

I answered somewhere between a nod and a shrug.

“Lightwood-Black, technically. My mom and dad decided to give me both of their last names. It’s unique, but annoying sometimes.”

She gave a little chuckle. “Interesting! My husband recently learned about Blacks in his family line. He’s picked up genealogy as a sort of hobby lately. I wonder if you two are related?”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know much at all about my ancestry. My dad doesn’t really talk much about any extended family. It’s possible, though. Both my mom and dad were born here, and I just inherited my grandma’s house and shop here in town.”

Maria’s eyebrows lifted. “What shop was that?”

“Woods Crossing Wellness and Herbs,” I replied. “Down at the end of Main Street, near the intersection with Lavender Lane.”

Her mouth opened in a little ‘O,’ then spread into a broad grin.

“How exciting! We’re relatively new to town, too, but I’ve always wondered about that place. What did your grandma sell there?”

I gave a general wave of my hand.

“Oh, all sorts of stuff. She was really into herbs, apparently, and sold a lot of herbal remedies and soaps and candles and stuff.”

“Was she a Black, too?”

“Yes.”

Maria put her hand to her chin, her expression thoughtful.

“I suppose that makes sense. There used to be quite a few members of the Black family in Woods Crossing, according to Tim’s research.”

“Yeah, my grandma’s whole family lived here at one point, apparently.”

She smiled enthusiastically, giving my hand a light pat. “Well, I can’t wait to stop by! I love herbal things, too. Are you open today?”

My smile slipped a bit. I already had an interested customer, but I wouldn’t be able to open the shop for at least a week.

“The shop needs a bit of a cleaning. Grandma’s executor told me that she wasn’t able to run it anymore in the last year or so before she died, but once it’s ready, I can let you know.”

A small line appeared between Maria’s brows. “That sounds like a lot of work, and you’re probably still moving into her house, right?”

“Yeah. I’ve got the boxes in, but I need to unpack them.”

She pursed her lips, her brow furrowing. “Would you like some help cleaning out the shop? It’s probably better to get it running sooner rather than later.”

My heart lifted at the offer. I hadn’t realized that in all my excitement to be on my own, I’d also been feeling the heavy burden of getting the house and shop in order. Getting the shop running would go twice as fast with Maria’s help.

“That would be wonderful, thanks! I need to finish unpacking today, but I was planning on going in tomorrow morning around nine. Does that work for you?”

Maria beamed. “That’s perfect. I’ll see you then, okay?”

I gave an answering smile. “Okay. It was nice to meet you.”

“So nice to meet you too, Sage.”

She bustled off in the direction of the frozen food, so I turned my cart to the cereal aisle. My sadness about Dad melted a bit in the warmth of Maria’s kindness. Knowing that I’d made a friend, and that we’d meet the next day, helped ease some of the loneliness I’d been feeling.

When I got home, I decided to get my clothes unpacked and hang the curtains. The early evening air was cool and refreshing, so I opened the windows to air the place out.

As I opened the windows in the front room, a flash of movement caught my eye. Standing on tiptoe, I peered through the window, my forehead nearly pressing against the glass as I did.

A medium-size cat meandered along the front porch, rubbing up against the railing. It didn’t appear to have a collar, so I dismissed it as a lonely stray. I wondered vaguely if the cat wandered around here regularly and thought it might be nice to befriend it.

I’d never had a pet growing up. Dad had a dander allergy, so I’d never been allowed so much as a hamster.

The cat looked directly up at me, startling me. I gave a little gasp and backed away from the window, my heart pounding.

Its eyes were a strange shade of orange that I’d never seen before. They flickered eerily in the light from the dying sun. Its’ coat was gray, striped with black, with just a touch of white around the pink nose.

Though I couldn’t hear it, the cat gave a loud meow, then turned and ambled down the porch steps.

Moving away from the window, I fought to catch my breath. The cat was beautiful, and I’d really wanted to befriend it, but something about that stare was just…weird.

“Get it together, Sage,” I murmured to myself. “It’s just a cat.”

I headed upstairs and tried not to heave a sigh as I looked at the many boxes that needed unpacking. I had an average amount of clothes, but it was going to be difficult to find a place for all of my books.

Arranging the hangers I’d bought in the closet, I quickly hung all my shirts then put my underthings and pants into the large bureau. I exchanged the dated bedding for my sheets and blankets I’d brought from home, but I left the pretty blue coverlet on top. As I ran my hand over it, I wondered vaguely if Grandma had crocheted it.

There was so much about Grandma that I didn’t know. She was my dad’s mom, but he barely talked about her.