Page 14 of Witches of Honeysuckle House
Ink wriggled against Owen’s hold then leapt from his arms, landing neatly on all four feet before he started for the front corner, where Florence had tucked a lemon after that morning’s incident. When he reached it, he looked up at her, sat back on his haunches, and licked his paw in a way that seemed to say, “Come and see.”
Florence crouched down beside him to find the entire lemon covered in mold like it had been sitting out for weeks. The fruit was meant to absorb negative energy, yes, but she’d never seen it happen so quickly.
“That doesn’t look good,” Owen said. She glanced up to find both he and Clara had followed her.
“The lemon?” Angela called from the register, where she’d just finished ringing up a customer.
Florence nodded as she stood. “I’m going to need another, but we’re fresh out.”
“I was heading to the store after this to grab a few things,” Owen said. “I can get you a bag.”
Florence stared at him for a moment, afraid to let him in too much, too soon, especially after what had happened that morning and the cards he’d pulled.
“That would be great!” Angela said. “We’ll be here.”
But Owen’s eyes were on Florence. She forced a smile and said, “One should do it.”
“Grab at least two,” Angela said.
Florence rolled her eyes but smiled, this time for real, and said, “Thanks again for the tourmaline.”
Ink abandoned the lemon and started winding his way between Owen’s legs.
“Do you need any food for this little guy?” Owen asked.
“Oh!” Florence said. “Yes, please. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Owen bent down to scratch Ink between the ears. When he straightened, he caught Florence watching him. She flushed as he rubbed at the back of his neck. “See you in a bit.”
Florence waved, lost for words.
As he stepped out onto the street, Evie’s voice came through the open door.
“Owen!” she said. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“Just dropping off something for Florence,” he replied.
Florence could almost feel the satisfied look on her sister’s face, and when Evie walked through the door, she proved Florence right. Her eyes found Florence right away, and she wiggled her brows before she set a small basket at the front checkout counter, empty save one green candle.
“Mommy!” Clara ran for Evie. “You’ll never guess what happened!”
Ink gave up on the lemon and trotted across the shop toward Evie in greeting. He rammed his head against her legs, then looked back at Florence. She followed after him.
“You got a kitten?” Evie bent down to pick up Ink. She pressed him right up against her face. He squirmed in her arms and gave asmall hiss. Affronted, she put him down, narrowed her eyes, and said, “I’m surprised you’d risk bringing someone new into your life so close to your birthday. Finally changing your mind about the curse?”
Florence’s heart skipped over itself. She’d been so surprised by her niece’s magic—and worried about its broader consequences—that she hadn’t thought about the impact it could have on the cat himself. The last thing she wanted was for something so small and innocent to fall victim to the Caldwell curse.
“I didn’t think …” Florence trailed off.
“Mom!” Clara said, arms crossed. “That’s not very nice.”
Evie glanced at her daughter and with a short nod said, “You’re right. Sorry, Florence. I think it’s great you got a cat. Unless it’s not yours?” She glanced at Angela.
“He’s mine,” Florence said, and the smile Clara rewarded her with almost made Clara casting a spell in her shop worth it. Ink trotted over to her and meowed to be picked up. Florence obliged. “But I didn’t adopt him. We have Clara to thank for little Ink here.”
“Where did you find a kitten?” Evie asked.
Clara glanced up at Florence. “I broke Aunt Florence’s rule and used a candle in the shop.”
