We both stood there, pondering.
“How did the delivery guys manage?” I asked her.
“They’d strapped it onto a trolley and wheeled it in.”
“Can’t we do the same? Lift it with a car jack, strap it on, and wheel it up the ramp until it’s in your van?”
“That might work, but I’m not sure how we’ll cope on your end. The chest is bound to get away from us if we roll it down the ramp.”
“That won’t be a problem.” I considered texting my girlfriends but decided against it. It would have been ridiculous to call them over, for a few minutes’ assistance. Sam Hill, the man Ange had hinted at for giving me gardening lessons, on the other hand had the necessary strength, the skill, and hopefully, the knowledge to help me with another task.
Once the chest was safely stowed away in the van, Cosmo and I drove ahead. He’d rolled himself into a ball, in his stroller. Using his power of the purr took a toll on him, even if he’d never admit it.
Chapter 15
Sam’s car overtook me on the last 100 yards. He must have come straight from the woods where he spent most of his working hours as an environmental biologist. With his car parked at the curb, he waited for me to stop and get out, before opening the car door to lift out stroller plus cat.
Cosmo opened one glittering eye and yawned at him.
“I feel you, buddy,” Sam said. “I’ve been up since 5am and running around non-stop.”
My conscience pricked me. “And here I am, asking you for a favor, instead of letting you go home and chill.”
“No worries.” He moved Cosmo out of the way while I signaled Viv how to back up and stop her van within easy reach of the garage.
The ramp led down at an angle making me grateful I’d listened to Viv. Catching a runaway trolley with a heavy piece of furniture on it was no fun, if we’d have managed that at all before it careened into the garage.
Viv eyeballed Sam from head to toe. He certainly didn’t match Bert’s weight class, but his lean frame came with broad shoulders and solid muscles.
“I’m stronger than I look,” he said, in an amused tone.
“Good. I’ve seen a couple of injuries in my time, and this here chest is as awkward as they get.” She patted the horse blanket that protected the wood from the straps.
Sam followed her instructions without questions or hesitations, and a few minutes after our arrival, the piece of furniture stood in my garage, next to my workbench.
I waved Viv goodbye while I caught my breath. Navigating the trolley down the ramp hadn’t been that exhausting, but I’d experienced another witchfire wave when I touched the chest.
I only hoped that this reaction to it was a one-off. After all, the murder had no connection to the chest other than its use as a hiding place.
Sam pulled up a swivel chair for me. I used it when I was working on smaller pieces.
“Take a seat,” he said, gently touching my shoulder. Even through my jacket, his touch felt comforting. For a second, I leaned into it.
Sam, who’d been a couple of years ahead of me at high school, had returned home to Willowmere not too long before me. His dad, one of Aunt Violet’s oldest and closest friends, kept wishing that our friendship would become something more.
To be honest, the thought had crossed my mind too for a fleeting moment once or twice, and I was almost sure he’d felt the same. But none of us was ready yet for another attempt at a real relationship. Besides, I genuinely loved my life with Cosmo and my crazy coven.
My gaze traveled to my familiar, who’d taken up residence in a padded basket on a shelf. My aunt had set up comfy spots for him around the house. I’d added a few more.
Cosmo yawned at me and I stroked his head.
“Bex? Do you hear me?” Sam’s voice took on a concerned edge.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. I had no idea what else to say, or how long I’d spent ruminating.
“Do you want me to take off the blanket? I can imagine it’s not the nicest thing for you to have to deal with.”
“You’ve heard then?” I attempted a smile.
