CASSANDRA
Ipulled my coat tighter around me asImade my way through the shops in the valley.Ithad been a long time sinceI’dseenAurora.ThelastI’dheard, she’d opened a witch shop here in the mountains.
Thewindow display with a number of colorful glass witch balls twinkling in the sun indicatedI’dfound the right spot.WhenIstepped inside, wind chimes announced my arrival.Iscented sage and other herbs.Itwas a familiar scent, reminding me of my workspace at theSalemSupernaturalNetwork.
Aurorastood at a table, her dark hair pulled into a high ponytail with loose tendrils falling around her face.She’dbeen measuring herbs into plastic bags but raised her head as she said, “Welcome.”Uponrecognizing me, she exclaimed, “Cassandra!Ididn’t know you were here.”Shewiped her hands on her black apron and walked over to greet me.
“Goodto see you,Aurora.”Iglanced around her shop.Everywall and display were artfully arranged with books, crystals, herbs, tarot cards, gifts, and so on. “Yourplace looks great.”
Sheshrugged one shoulder. “Ilearned a lot fromAuntColleen.Shecame up for a bit to help me get set up.”
Heraunt owned a magical supply shop inSalemand was one of the founders of theSalemSupernaturalNetworkthere.
“That’sfantastic.I’msure she misses you a great deal.”
“Imiss her too.Wevisit each other when we can.”AfterInodded in acknowledgment,Auroraasked, “Whatbrings you up to the mountains?”
“Ihave the weekend to myself after dropping my daughter off at my parents, soIdecided to get some skiing in.IthoughtI’dstop by and say hello.”
“I’mso glad you did.”Auroratook my arm. “Comeon,I’llshow you around.”
Auroragave me a tour of the space and asked about people we both knew at theNetwork.Afterher mediation assignment here didn’t go as smoothly as planned, she ended up falling in love with theFranconiapack’s beta,Grayson, and now lived here with him.
“Letme make some tea so we can catch up.”
Shestepped into a back room and steeped a pot of tea with herbs.Whenthe wind chimes tinkled, she said, “I’llbe right back.Feelfree to look around.”
Whileshe tended to a group of customers,Iperused the store.Thewomen oohed about the different crystals and sniffed herbs.Theyhad several questions about things, such as which crystals and herbs to use for different concerns.Whenit became clear thatAurorawould be occupied for several minutes,Isaid, “I’llbe back in a bit.”
Shedidn’t need to be distracted from her customers.Iperused the village shops and restaurants.Itwas a cute, walkable area, which was quite busy this weekend.Idipped in and out of a few shops and picked up a trinket and sweater forPaige.
Twentyminutes or so had passed by the timeIreturned toAurora’sshop.Shehad more customers in there, soIwaited outside for a few minutes, sitting on a bench until the shop was empty again.
“I’mglad you came back,” she said. “Sorryabout that.Younever know when it’s going to get busy.”
“Busyis good.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Ourtea.Don’tworry,Ikept it warm.”
Wewere able to sit in a nook at the back of the store and chat while we sipped our tea.
“Ihave a reading here in twenty minutes,” she said.
“Iwon’t keep you.”
“Stay,” she encouraged. “Imay need to get up to help a customer, butIwant to catch up while we can.”
“Soundsgood,”Iagreed. “Tellme about your life in the mountains.”
Aurorabrought her fingertips to her lips before she lowered her hands. “Ilike it.Theair feels so clean and so fragrant.It’sa less hurried lifestyle.Ilive on the mountain surrounded by woods.It’sso different fromSalem.”
“Ibet.”
“Thestars are incredible at night.Andyou’ve seen the views of the mountains.”
“Ihave.They’respectacular.”Itook a sip of my tea and savored the warmth and soothing herbs.
Shedescribed other things she liked about mountain life, such as spotting wildlife in the forests. “AndGraysonis wonderful.He’sso good to me.”Shemotioned around the shop. “Iwouldn’t have this store if it wasn’t for him.”
