Page 50 of The Lone Wolf Café
I peered through the window into the kitchen, where both Mavro and Aria were happily snoozing on the countertop.Mavro’s flames died down until they were barely embers, and Aria was surrounded by a pile of empty peanut shells.
I laughed. And behind me, Rowena laughed too.
The day passed quickly, and by the time night fell, I was tucked into my cozy cabin with a blanket wrapped around me, a new book from the general store in my lap, and Aria curled up at my feet. I patted her little windy head, and she gave a happy, warm trill, almost like a purr.
I remembered the first night I’d spent in the cottage, and how alone I felt. How I’d been so desperate for company I’d asked Rowena to spend time with me.
But now her previously icy exterior was melting. If I invited her to spend time with me again, I wondered if she might say yes.
The next morning, I made a batch of my regular pumpkin spice goods, since they were quick and easy to make. Then, with thirty minutes left until opening, I tossed some sugar cookies in the oven. I was determined to try frosting them again, this time without the pressure of needing to get them perfect on the first try. They’d be cooled off by afternoon when business was slow, which would give me plenty of time to practice.
Juniper and Mabel came by shortly after the clock struck opening, each buying both tea and pumpkin spice whoopie pies.
“Also, Nettie,” Juniper said as I fetched their treats from the pastry case. “Your anti-anxiety sweets from the other day… they really work! I was calm all afternoon running my shop, and I was so clear-headed I even finished doing inventory!”
“Oh,” I stuttered, slightly confused.The pastries work?“That’s good to hear.”
“Of course,” Juniper gushed, a warm smile on her face. “I’ll definitely be a regular customer from now on. Plus, your pastries are delicious!”
Huh.I was deep in thought as I wrapped the sticky, frosting-filled whoopie pie in a paper bag. She thinks they’re magic. I guess Rowena’s whole “Placebo Effect” thing really works.
At least it means I’m not going to be revealed as a fraud.
I continued making small talk with them as they stood at the counter, asking how their days were going and what plans they had for the rest of the week.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Juniper dug into the leather backpack slung over her shoulder and pulled out a stack of flyers, waving them in my direction. “I wanted to ask if I could pin one of these to the café corkboard. I know it’s really late, but…”
“No, it’s fine,” Rowena interjected. I realized she was now standing directly behind me as I manned the register. She reached over and grabbed one of the flyers from Juniper’s hand. “I’ll hang it up.”
When Juniper and Mabel first entered the shop, Rowena scurried away to the counter, pretending to be busy washing that forest-animal-patterned teacup over and over again. I plastered a smile on my face for our customers, but I could see the pain on Rowena’s face as I spoke with them.
I still needed to know what happened between her and Juniper.
And if Aster’s tragic death had anything to do with it.
As Rowena walked around the counter and over to the corkboard near the front door, Juniper turned back to me and handed me one of the flyers. As soon as I saw the spooky artwork of menacing jack-o’-lanterns, it lit a spark of remembrance in my brain.
The pumpkin carving contest.
It was that night.
“Are you able to make it tonight, Nettie?” Mabel asked, adjusting her thick, round glasses. “Everyone from the coven is going. In fact, most of the town will be there.”
“Oh, uh… y-yes, I’ll be there.”
“Awesome!” Mabel’s cheery face lit up, and Juniper gave a small smile. I noticed the blonde witch’s eyes followed Rowena as she walked back behind the counter and continued rinsing her teacup.
“Well, we need to get going,” Juniper interjected, grabbing her to-go cup of tea and paper-wrapped cookie off the counter. “Thanks, Nettie. Have a good afternoon!”
I stood dumbfounded with a lump in my throat as the two witches disappeared through the front door. I knew the entire village was cautious of Rowena, but with Juniper, the ostracizing seemed particularly harsh. The entire time Juniper and Mabel were in the café, it was as if Rowena wasn’t there.
Several more people mentioned the pumpkin carving contest during the lunchtime trickle of customers, and they all asked if I was going. I said yes to every person, further cementing my commitment to attending the event.
But I noticed no one invited Rowena. Every time the event was brought up, she made up some excuse to be away from the front counter. She was normally a master at keeping a stony expression, but I could tell this bothered her. I swore if she washed that same teacup one more time, the forest animal design would start peeling off.
After lunch, the café was quiet. Rowena didn’t need my assistance managing the counter with so few customers, so she suggested I return to the kitchen and work on my frosting skills. I eagerly agreed. Partially because I was determined to master this new art, and partially because the constant mention of the pumpkin carving contest by customers was making my insides squirm.
But as usual, I was itching for answers. So when I opened the door to Mount Katahdin and asked Fritzi to lead me to the ingredients stash, I decided to ask her a question.
