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Chapter Ten
I do clean up, and then I head into work on foot, puppy in tow, and stop by Jewels Cafe on my way to grab a unicorn hot chocolate to go. Their takeout cups are as cute as the ceramic ones they use for in-house orders, featuring a jewel sticker. Today’s is a strong orange color that’s probably representative of carnelian—a firm favorite of mine.
It’s a gorgeous summer’s day, so I’m happy with a stroll into work with the puppy happily keeping pace beside me. I sip my sugary drink as I go. I don’t have a booking until eleven, so I have time to stop by Floriography Flower Shop—affectionately known as FFS—to get some flowers on the way. I don’t know why, maybe it’s the weather, but I felt the need to pick some up. I chose a large mixed bouquet of hydrangeas and white roses. They smell divine. Maybe I’ll gift them to a customer today, maybe they’ll come home with me. I had hoped to speak to the shop owner, Iris, about my forest visions but she was too busy.
I reach my shop and the builder twins are busy at work on next door’s roof. Topless and mighty fine again. Linden looks up and wolf-whistles when he sees me approaching. I flip him the bird, bangles jangling, and he laughs and blows me a kiss.
Shaking my head, I let myself inside and I instantly feel...off. Something isn’t right. The energy of the shop is all wrong. The puppy starts to sniff around the shop, as if he can sense it too. There’s been an intruder, I can tell. But there’s no broken lock, no smashed glass. Pupdog, as I’ve temporarily named him, gives a bark from the back room so I race through the curtain to check on him. When he sees me, he won’t stop barking. It’s like he’s trying to tell me something. We walk to the spot he’s fixated on.
There, on my favorite chair, is my romance novel. I swear I took that home last night and left it there. For sure, I did not leave that book in my shop. I reach down and scoop Pupdog up into my arms, cradling him close until he quiets.
“Please tell me you’re just a dog,” I whisper. “Because I’m freaked out enough right now, and I don’t need any more surprises.”
“I thought chicks loved surprises?” A voice behind me says, and I give a scream, dropping Pupdog in the process. I spin round and glare daggers at Linden.
“Don’t do that! Don’t creep up on people. Especially not a witch.”
“Half-witch,” he corrects me. I give him a death glare and flip him off, my fingers itching to do worse.
“Why are you in my shop?” I ask suspiciously.
“Because,” he says, bending down to fuss Pupdog, “this little guy was barking like crazy, so I came to investigate.”
Linden is lavishing love on Pupdog, who has rolled on his back for a tummy tickle.
“Traitor,” I mutter at him, and he gives a little whine but stays put. Linden chuckles.
“What can I say? Pups and pussies love me.”
Ugh. This guy is unbelievable.
“Okay, well, if you’re done molesting my pup, I have work to do.”
“Wait. Why was he barking and why did you scream? What’s going on?”
“Someone’s been in the shop.”
“Like an intruder?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t see any broken glass.”
“You’re a real Sherlock Holmes,” I snap.
“Well, how do you know someone’s been in, if there’s no signs of a forced entry?”
“Because I can feel it. The energy is all off.” He smirks, not believing me. “Pupdog felt it too. And...things are out of place.”
“What things?”
I shrug.
“Things.” I don’t want to tell him about my book for some reason. “Something that I know I left at home is now here.”
“So that would mean you had an intruder at home too?”
Shit. He’s right. I didn’t think of it like that. Fear creeps up my spine, making my head tingle. I blink and see Linden tripping as he exits my shop. The vision clears as quickly as it came.
