Page 21 of Dark Moon Secrets

I shook my head, watching Maria’s car being towed away. It was in pretty bad shape. The tow truck driver thought it could be fixed, but I hated to think how much it would cost.

I’d set up my life so I didn’t have to drive and have the expense of a car. Even though the accident wasn’t my fault, I felt I’d let Maria down.

With my luggage by my feet, I contemplated catching a bus home, but now I was more fearful of what might be in store for me next. Maybe getting run over? It sounded ridiculous, but I still couldn’t believe Maria’s car had been hit, taking away my escape from this place.

I didn’t belong here and definitely not in a shop full of crystals, tarot, and everything New Age. A bookstore I might have been able to handle, but this was what I’d been avoiding.

“Stop resisting, sweetie.” Luna squeezed my shoulder. “There are things here for you to learn. Maria knew that. Let her help you from beyond the grave.”

Could I stop resisting? I didn’t think so.

Yes, you can.

Thanks, Maria. My thought was sarcastic, but it was followed up with a completely different one. I could really do without Maria’s voice in my head. What if I looked after this store? Would that stop the weird thoughts? Had the accident been planned? Why are you trying to set me up with Adam?

I believed the latter as he so wasn’t my type. I was simply caught up in the moment of the accident and his caring nature. Now that I was settling down, I was more grounded and more myself.

I was desperate enough to give staying here a go. The rain started up again, the gloominess of the day matching my mood perfectly. Fuck knows what would happen to me if I tried to leave. I wouldn’t put it past them to organize me to be run over by a truck.

CHAPTER 8

Tanjie

With a deep breath, I turned to Luna. “Let’s get this over with. Show me where I’ll be staying.” I picked up a suitcase and backpack and walked into the shop.

“Oh, you’ll love the room upstairs.” Luna carried the other suitcase into the shop and shuffled ahead of me.

“This way… mind your head going up this bit.” Luna ducked hers under the low doorway that led upstairs.

It was a struggle getting my heavy suitcase, which had become my life, up the stairs.

This had better be worth it.

The first level was an open living space. A part of my soul soared with joy at the sight. It was cozy and nothing like I’d been expecting. It was the complete opposite of my modernized city apartment.

A queen-size bed was off to the right, covered with a handmade quilt, a knitted throw on top, and too many pillows. Oval rugs on the floor made from scrap material added to the eclectic feel of the space.

On the other side of the room was a kitchenette which would be more than enough to make the simple meals I preferred. In between was a big couch facing a potbelly stove with a basket of wood nearby.

For a moment, I saw myself sitting on the couch, curled up under a throw, reading a book, and snuggling into a man. My pulse increased, and the image in my mind’s eye faded as quickly as it came.

“You’ll fit in here, no worries.” Luna placed my suitcase on the floor by the couch.

“Did you stay up here? I don’t want to put you out.”

“Oh no, not at all. It was time for me to move out, and I’ve found myself the place I need for my next chapter in life.”

I frowned, wondering what exactly she meant.

Luna giggled. “I’ve moved in with my man.”

“Well, that sounds like a good reason to leave this wonderful space.”

“One made in part because of you.”

“You mean because of Maria,” I corrected. I dumped my suitcase on the wooden floor by the bed.

“Because of your parents, really… if you want to get technical.”

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