Page 35 of Wicked William

The herb shop is readyto open and I’m so nervous I can barely contain my excitement. I take a deep breath and push open the door, stepping into the warm, inviting shop. Everything looks perfect. And it smells amazing.

The shelves are lined with colorful tea blends and dried herbs, and the walls are adorned with art from local artists. I take an apron off the hook and tie it carefully, my fingers shaking. In the pocket are my carnelian and citrine stones. I warm them in my palm and take a deep breath.

Five minutes to open.

I had to force myself not to come at dawn. I love the space so much. I feel William in every square inch of it, his energy combined with mine. The best of both of us, almost like a child we created. And in three minutes, we’ll share our baby with the world.

I flip the sign to open and try to will my heart to calm down. The store will probably be quiet today. We’re not having our grand opening until the weekend. We thought a soft open would be smart.

As I fiddle with a playlist on my phone to sync to the speakers, Mary from the diner comes in holding a box. “I brought food,” she says, hefting it onto the counter.

“Food?” I ask.

She starts unloading cookies and sliced quick breads. “I know you’re not doing it up big until the weekend, but I wanted to contribute to your first day. You can set these out for your guests.”

“Mary, thank you. That’s so sweet of you.”

The door jingles again and a teenager wearing an apron from the chocolate shop next to the bookstore comes in. Carrying a box. “My boss sent these samples over for you to serve to your shoppers.”

“Wow, tell her I said thank you.”

I will admit to getting a little teary. The town has been so supportive. Customers filter in and out, asking me some really good questions. William comes in with a bouquet of flowers. Cherry and Max arrive and I make her a cup of chamomile to settle her morning sickness.

It’s more than I hoped for. More than I dreamed. Better than my vision.

Cress comes in and heads straight for the snacks, her pregnant stomach leading the way. There’s a lull in the action when I hear a gentle splash.

“Oh my God,” Cressida says almost quietly. “Um, I think my water just broke.”

Max calls Dillon, William goes to their house to grab her hospital bag, and I flip the sign to closed while Cherry and I soothe the mama to be. Dillon arrives to take her to the hospital, followed by Cherry and Max.

It’s a beautiful, auspicious, opening day. After we clean up the floor and close the store, William and I head to the hospital to wait for the first next generation of Duke to arrive. And four hours later, we all take turns holding little Jacob Duke while Cressida apologizes to me.

“What are you sorry for?” I ask, taking my turn with the sweet little man who looks far older and wiser than he should for being an hour old.

“Messing up your opening day. Messing up your floor. I feel horrible about that.”

“Are you kidding?” asks Cherry. “You just set her up for life. That’s how small-town legends are made. If you don’t think every woman who’s due to give birth isn’t going to haunt that herb shop hoping for labor inducement, you’re wrong. I plan on spending all my free time there when I’m due. Much better than some of the old wives’ tales I’ve heard. Castor oil is gross.”

Dillon and Cressida look at each other. He smirks. She blushes.

“Not all the old wives’ tales are junk, huh guys?” I ask, knowing that sex is supposed to help.

“Some of them work and they are very pleasant indeed,” Cress answers. “I...we...”

“Orgasm,” Dillon finishes for her, patting himself on the back. “About two hours before she ended up in your shop.”

“Dillon!”

“What? You know it’s true!” he says, laughing. “For a moment there, I felt like I was a god.”

Cherry and I exchange glances, trying not to laugh too hard. Max, who has been quiet until now, looks at his wife and says, “You better believe I’m gonna be trying it when our time comes.”

I pass little Jacob back to Dillon. “He’s beautiful. But we should go and let you guys rest and bond.”

We say our goodbyes and head out to the truck. William is really quiet on the way home. “You okay?” I ask.

“Yeah. I just never held a baby so young. I mean, I haven’t actually held many babies at all. But he was fresh out of the oven.” He pauses. “I liked watching you hold him. A lot. Maybe more than a lot.”

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