Aromatherapy & Arsenic (A Cozy Spa Mystery Book 7)

by Jenn Cowan

  I rub my chest because my heart hurts thinking about doing anything without Josh. “I-I’m not sure I can… move on. He was my best friend. We did everything together. I feel lost.”

  “I know dear and there’s no rush. Just when you’re ready, you have our blessing. The town’s blessing. Josh’s blessing.”

  I swallow the lump in my throat and nod as she stands to hug me.

  “We’ll be gone by the time you get home. We want to get down to the beach before the New Year. The fireworks are always so beautiful over the ocean.”

  “Have fun,” I choke out.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” she says, handing me a packet of papers from her bag. “Josh signed you and him up for a workshop the day before he died. He said something about you two getting away around the New Year. All the details are in here.”

  I glance down at the papers. “I-I can’t get away right now. The spa’s too busy.”

  She waves a hand. “I know. That’s why the workshop is coming to you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I talked to the guy who runs it and lucky for you the hotel where they were going to have the workshop got infested with bed bugs.” She shivers then continues, “Anyway, they were going to cancel the workshop until I convinced them to come here.”

  “Here? Like to the spa?”

  She nods excitedly. “Yes! The bed and breakfast was completely available so it’s all set. The workshop can be here at the spa and the other massage therapists and instructor can stay at the inn.”

  “But I’m booked,” I argue.

  “Not next weekend. Josh said he marked you guys off for the event. Check the schedule.”

  I don’t have to look at the schedule. I know it’s open. It was going to be the weekend where I took Josh’s ashes and scattered them in the woods behind our house. We used to walk in the woods and even carved our names into one of the trees. That’s where I was going to scatter his ashes. Then I was going to veg out on the couch, eat our favorite foods and watch our favorite movies while I cried my eyes out. I hadn’t figured out how I was going to get rid of my parents for the weekend, but I guess now, I don’t have to. “I have plans next weekend.”

  “No, you don’t.” She gives me a hard glare. “Josh booked this for you two and you’re going to do it. It’s all settled. It was the last thing he did for you.”

  When she puts it like that, I guess I can’t refuse so I nod and give her a hug.

  “Take care of yourself, Autumn.”

  “You too, Mrs. Parker.”

  She gives me a small smile. “You’re like a daughter to me. I’d hoped someday you’d feel comfortable enough to call me Mom.” She waves a hand as if dismissing her comment and wipes her eyes. “I know it’s silly, but I always loved hearing Josh call me that.”

  “You were the best mother. He loved you so much.”

  She dabs her eyes. “Thank you. He was a wonderful son.”

  “And husband.”

  She chuckles. “Gosh, I miss him.”

  “Me too.”

  We hug again then I walk her to the break room where she waves goodbye before disappearing out the back door.

  I glance down at the papers in my hands and sigh then I remember the letter from Josh and rush to the office to open it. Seeing Josh’s handwriting, takes my breath away.

  “My sweet Autumn. My wife. My love. My best friend. If you’re reading this it means our time together on this earth has been cut short. I hope you’re reading this and have beautiful wrinkles and silvery gray hair with our grandchildren running around in the yard. I hope we had a long and wonderful life together. If not, I want you to find love again or if Travis is still available, give him another chance. I know you’re protesting in that beautiful mind of yours, but hear me out. No one besides me will ever love you as much as Travis. I’ve seen it since we were kids. It used to drive me crazy when I’d see him staring at you like you were the only woman in the world. To me you were, but to have someone else look at you like you were the air they breathed, gutted me.

  I have a confession to make.

  It’s the night before our wedding and I’m writing this because I know you’re marrying me because I’m safe. I’m not a cop. I’m not put in harm’s way every day. I’ve never hurt you. I’ve never and will never betray you. I know you’re marrying me because you love me, but we will never have what you and Travis had. The passion. The fire. We’re comfortable. We’re happy and that’s good enough for me, but I know you miss it. Miss him. That a part of you still loves him, whether you want to admit it or not. Knowing all of that, I still plan to marry you. To cherish you. To love you until my dying breath. Thank you for choosing me. For loving me. You’ve made me the happiest man alive. Now, it’s time for you to listen to your heart. To love. To forgive. To open your heart to your soul mate. To the man who made a mistake and who has spent his entire adult life paying for it. Give Travis a chance. Give him your heart. He’ll never let it go. He knows what it’s like to live without you and there’s no way he’d ever do anything to lose you again. Be happy, my love. For me.

  I love you.

  Josh

  I choke out a sob and cover my mouth to keep Cat from hearing me, but she does anyway.

  “Autumn? Are you alright?” She steps into the office and sits down. “Should I call your mom?”

  I shake my head. “No, sweetie. I’m fine.”

  The look on her face says she doesn’t believe me. This isn’t the first time she’s caught me sobbing in the office.

  “Really.”

  “What did Mrs. Parker want?”

  “To tell me they’re taking my parents to Florida.”

  “Really? That’s it?”

  I raise an eyebrow. “I’m assuming you heard about or read the email Josh sent out?”

  Her face matches her hair. “It’s all over town. Everyone thinks it’s really sweet and several people have called to invite you to their New Year’s Eve parties.”

  I sigh. “That’s nice, but I’m busy.”

  She frowns. “You are?”

  “Yes, before he died, Josh signed us up for a workshop, which is now being held here at the spa.”

  “It is?”

  “It is. So, get ready for a weekend of salt scrubs and strangers.”

  The End

  A Note from the Author

  Thank you so much for reading, “Aromatherapy & Arsenic”!! I so appreciate your support. This book was so hard to write. I questioned my decision to kill off Josh and Rosco so many times. There were tons of tears and I went back and forth about it for several weeks. My heart broke for Autumn, but I always wanted Autumn to end up with Travis. When I first started writing this series, my intention was to put them together, but then I couldn’t let Josh not get his dream girl. There was no way I could ever see him and Autumn getting divorced thus the reason he had to die, but as a hero. Book 8 will be the last book in this series. I love these characters so much, but there are some other projects I want to focus on so it’s time for these characters to all get their happy ending and conclude the series.

  If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review at the end. I love reading them. Whether they’re good or bad, they make me a better writer, so thank you for taking the time to leave one.

  “Salt Scrubs & Strangers” is slated for release in January.

  Writing a book is a commitment and not something that can be done alone. I have a few people to thank for helping me with this book.

  Mariah Sinclair is the queen of Cozy Mystery Covers and I absolutely love her covers. Her work is incredible and I’m so thankful for her creative vision on this cover.

  A huge shout out to Gem from Gem’s Proofreading for being my eyes on this book. She is a joy to work with and efficient too.

  My family is also amazing. They are so supportive of my writing. They call out character names when I need one, bring me food and drinks when I’m busy typing away and encourage me to follow my dreams.
Without them, I would struggle. They’re my rocks and I love them dearly.

  Another huge thank you to you, my reader, I so appreciate you and your support. If you would like to follow me on social media or check out my blog. Here are the links:

  Jenn Cowan (Blog)Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest

  Until next time…

  Happy Reading,

  Jenn

  About the Author

  Jenn Cowan is the author of several genres and has pen names under Jenna Richert and J.R. Cowan. When she’s not writing you can find her in her massage office working on clients, cooking up a storm in her kitchen, hitting her yoga mat, singing and dancing with her hubby at a concert, cheering on the sidelines for her kiddos or cozied up by the fire reading a good book. She loves a good mystery and a happily ever after.

  Other Books by the Author:

  ~A Cozy Spa Mystery Series~

  Massage & Murder (Book 1)

  Hot Stones & Homicides (Book 2)

  Reflexology & Revenge (Book 3)

  Facials & Fugitives (Book 4)

  Chair Massage & Chaos (Book 5)

  Manicures & Mischief (Book 6)

  ~Non-Fiction~

  Massage Basics: A Step by Step Guide to at Home Massage