Chapter Two
When I walked down the street to the shop the next morning, I saw the gray cat sitting on the front stoop. It didn’t spook and run away like most cats would when I approached.
“Hi, kitty.”
I crouched down so I was eye level with the cat and reached out my hand. She looked at my hand with what could only be described as disdain.
I frowned, confused. Since when did cats have facial expressions?
“Are you hungry? You’ve been hanging around here a lot.”
The cat gave a low purr, so I scooted a bit closer. I reached out, my fingers barely brushing the top of the cat’s head when its paw shot out and swiped at me.
I jerked my hand back and toppled into the dirt on my butt.
“Hey!”
I sat up and glared at the cat, who stared evenly back at me. My heart hammered as I looked down at my hand. I had no scratches, and I realized that I hadn’t felt any pain when the cat made contact. It looked like she’d kept her claws retracted.
Standing up, I brushed off my pants and glowered at the animal. Even though she hadn’t scratched me, she was still mean.
“Shoo! Go away.”
With a contemptuous meow, the cat ambled slowly in the direction of the woods behind the shop. With a deep breath, I unlocked the door and went inside.
While I waited for Maria to come, I began dusting the counters and clearing cobwebs from the rafters. It was hot, dirty work, but I felt glad for a task to occupy my mind.
The bed in my room at Grandma’s house was very comfortable, a large queen bed with a mattress topper to boot, but it had taken a few hours to finally fall asleep after the weird events in the basement. I’d woken frequently through the night from muddled, weird dreams.
I usually had a hard time sleeping in new places, but I couldn’t deny the fact that the door in the basement rattled me. What was hiding in there? Why couldn’t I reach the bar to pull it up?
I’d been creeped out the entire night, even with two floors between me and the door.
When my alarm went off at eight, it had been a monumental task to drag myself out of bed and get dressed. I knew then that it was going to be a very long day.
Maria showed up about five minutes after nine, toting a large bucket full of supplies, a large broom and dustpan in her other hand. I smiled, happy for the distraction from my thoughts.
“Good morning!”
“Hi,” I greeted her, climbing down off the step ladder I’d used to reach the webs. “Thanks so much for coming.”
“No problem. I know it’s hard to be new in town, especially a town like Woods Crossing where everyone already knows each other.”
I smiled, but it came out more like a grimace. “It would probably be easier if I had any family left in town.”
Maria sighed as she set her cleaning supplies down.
“Exactly. Tim’s family originally came from Woods Crossing, but it wasn’t like we knew anyone when we moved here. That’s part of why I reached out to you in the store. It’s hard to be on the outside looking in, and I didn’t want you to feel the same way.”
My smile became less strained as it stretched across my face.
“That’s really nice of you. I was so glad you talked to me yesterday. I really like the town, but all my close friends are still in Titan Bay, or they’ve moved out of state.”
Her expression grew sympathetic.
“It’s good we found each other, then! I’m sure we’ll be great friends.”
I began taking down some candles to polish the shelves. Maria followed my gaze, then looked around at the rest of the shop. The shelves were organized by product, with an area for all different types of candles, one for lotions, facial creams, and other body products, one for herbal supplements, one for teas, and one for herbal ointments.
Grandma had also sold some quirky stuff like a variety of rough crystals, gemstones and geodes, and Himalayan salt lamps.
“Your grandma really kept a variety of stock here,” Maria observed.
“She did. It’s pretty eclectic, but I like it.”
Picking up her bucket of supplies, Maria assumed a brisk attitude. “So, where do you want me to start?”
I surveyed the dusty room.
“Do you mind sweeping up while I dust? I think the dust is the most immediate problem. Then maybe we can clean off the inventory and see what’s still useable.”
“Sure.”
We worked for the next couple hours, wiping away years of built-up grime, discussing inventory, and clearing cobwebs. I wiped dust away from countertops and rafters, and Maria swept it all up and dumped it outside.
When we were done, I stood back to admire the work. The transformation was incredible.
The layer of dust had been hiding dark, mahogany counters and floors, the paneling carved with tiny moons and stars. The shelves were made of the same dark wood with the outer-facing part of the shelves carved into intricate swirls and curls.
