Well, there was nothing she could do about it. She would just have to take each day as it came. If this relationship was meant to be, it would be – and if it wasn’t, she wasn’t the one to cling to someone who wasn’t interested.
And why the hell was she obsessing about his departure even as he was settling in her home? She’d known from the beginning that this relationship wouldn’t last. He wasn’t the one to settle in a small town, with a witch, no less – and she wasn’t interested in uprooting herself and going off gallivanting with him as he traveled from one town to another, seeing to the needs of his clients.
Snorting with derision at her wayward thoughts, she called him for lunch.
“A man could get used to this,” he said as he came in and saw the counter set with the food. “A good woman in the kitchen and good food on the table.”
“Tomorrow, you can set the counter.”
“Ah! What a wonderful notion equality is.” He helped her sit. She passed him the soup.
Cole appeared to enjoy the food she cooked. While they were eating he regaled her with the story about a man who mysteriously disappeared one fine day. “He went to work the same as every day and never came back. His car was found in a river, 30 miles away from his usual work route. Although his body was never found and the police believed that it was washed away by the current, his wife was convinced that his partner murdered him because of some discrepancy in their company accounts. She hired us to ferret out the truth.”
She cut into her succulent chicken. It had turned out well. “What did you find?”
“After painstakingly gathering information and retracing his movements for the past few months, we finally discovered that he had been having an affair. A month later, we finally found him shacked up on a beach with a hot, willowy blonde who turned out to be his second wife.”
“And what his motivation for this elaborate ruse?”
“He stole millions of dollars from the company he jointly owned with his partner, and he didn’t want to share with his wife. He is now serving time for fraud, tax evasion, and bigamy. I suppose he wanted to restart his life with a new identity, a new business, and a new wife.” Cole picked up both their plates and stacked them in the dishwasher.
Aerilyn brought over the apple cobbler. She served him and took some for herself. “Some people just don’t want to face the consequences of their mistakes. It happens all the time. Sad really, because such things can come back to haunt you, even after death.”
Cole licked his spoon and then gazed at her with a serious look in his eyes. “What is it like…death? I mean, you talk to dead people. Do they seem happy? Discontent? Angry?”
She tried to put it as simply as possible. The notion of death was often scary, but in her mind it was the start of something new, a doorway to immortality. Death was the start of an eternal life. “People who are happy in this life are happy in the afterlife. Their kids are settled, their debts are paid, people liked them, loved them, and their career was good, etc. But people who use others, hurt others, and leave things unsaid or do bad deeds are always dissatisfied after death. There are no more illusions after death. Whatever you have done, whatever you did, and for whatever motives, it all becomes clear to each person, and those who did bad are haunted by these realizations in the otherworld.”
“So what happens to the spirits who are bad? They are in the underworld? Hell?”
“I don’t think there is a heaven or hell – at least not as we are taught in the church. Time is eternal in the otherworld. Imagine being happy for eternity, or being sad or angry for an eternity. Whatever is your mental state when you die is the state you live on in the other world.” Aerilyn finished her cobbler. She stood, walked over and stacked it in the dishwasher. “This is all speculation, of course, a gist of my observations. Spirits are not really allowed to reveal anything about the otherworld. And I haven’t actually asked one as yet. That reminds me, Joan called. She wanted another séance with Thomas, and I promised her once this is all over.”
“Yeah, alright,” said Cole.
Aerilyn went to get her purse and Knight’s carrier. Since the incident, she didn’t feel comfortable leaving him alone in the cabin. She didn’t really have to go to the shop today. She could take a day off. But even though she was sure that Selina could handle the shop singlehandedly, today there was going to be a delivery and she wanted to set up the new wares. Also, she enjoyed spending time in her shop. It was her baby; the one thing she had set up from the start and made into a success. Her grandmother hadn’t been sure of it. She had wanted Aerilyn to remain active in the farm, but Aerilyn wanted something more. And she had gotten it on her own terms.
Of course, she enjoyed visiting the farm, but she didn’t envision herself spending every day there. It wasn’t her calling.
“Ready?” she asked Cole. His laptop bag was slung over his shoulder. “We’ll walk.”
“Will we need a car to go to the restaurant tonight?”
“Ah…It’s a twenty minute walk, but in high heels…”
“I will ask the driver to stay then. You don’t own a car?”
“I can’t drive,” she said as they stepped out. He took the carrier out of her hands. She locked the door and turned to face him. He was staring at her with an astounded expression on his face.
“Can’t drive? You mean…you…how can you not know how to drive?”
With her head held high, Aerilyn walked to the stairs. She climbed down with rapid speed. “I failed the test…five times.”
He laughed. She bestowed a glare on him, and he coughed. “Sorry. But how can you fail the driving test five times?”
It was one of the most embarrassing failures of her life. Aerilyn reddened as she remembered the last humiliation she had suffered three years before, when she had tried and failed for the fifth time. “I panic. Whenever there is a car coming towards me, I…I lose control. And sometimes I have problem telling left from right.”
“You have problem telling left from right?” He held her hand, their fingers interlinking in an intimate manner. “That’s quite…unique.”
The warmth from his fingers trickled into her. It felt right. Not strange. Not weird. Just right. “It’s my crowning failure.”
“I could teach you,” he offered.
“Five different driving instructors have tried and suffered defeat. Two of them I know personally. It’s my brain,” she stated. “It’s wired differently than other people’s. Something happens when I sit behind a steering wheel. It’s like it stops working or something.” They turned right into the main street. Jasper, across the street, waved to her. “He owns the boutique Mystique.” She pointed out the glass-paneled store to him. “You can always find good couture at the right prices there. Women-wear only.”
Cole looked across the street and saw a couple who nodded at Aerilyn. “Who are they?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Pierce. They own a café one street down. Their blueberry muffins are the tastiest.”
“So you know everyone in this town?”
“Alby has a population of 1476 people. Everyone knows everyone,” she said. “It’s the tourists who make up the bulk of the people you see on the street.”
“You like living here.” It was a statement, not a question.
She glanced up at the brilliant blue sky. Not a cloud could be seen. It wouldn’t rain today. “The town is close to Portland. It has two beautiful, long beaches, the mountains at the back, a park where you can hike, cycle and picnic, and a few designated hiking trails up on the mountains. It’s got everything. Why would I not like living here?” She shrugged, knowing that her love for her hometown went beyond its various parks and beaches. It was a place where she belonged. She could walk down the street and feel completely comfortable. People knew her and accepted her, despite knowing her oddities and the history of her witching family. “Yes, I love it.”
“A world within a world.”
“Right, that’s us.” She stepped into
the shop and immediately noticed the missing statue. “You sold the witch?” she asked Selina, knowing that she sounded desponded. The fountain of the witch had been at the front display for three months. Its high price was proving to be a deterrent, but Aerilyn had known it was a collector’s item – and finally someone realized its worth and took it away.
Cole put the carrier on the counter and opened it. Knight strolled out, sneezed once, and dived on to the floor. He disappeared into the back room.
“An old man. He just walked right into the store and asked me if I accepted credit card. Seems he fell in love with it the moment he saw it.”
“God bless him!” she said and exchanged a solid high five with Selina. “Now, we have to find another item worthy of that display window.”
“The new shipment just arrived. I have put it in the store. Thought you would want to open each piece yourself.” Selina eyed Cole with open curiosity. “So what are you doing here?”
“Cole is staying with me…”
Selina batted her eyelashes. “Staying with you? Hmm. I didn’t know things had progressed so fast.”
“Will you let me finish?” Aerilyn’s was exasperated. How many times she would have to give this explanation? And why did she care what people thought? “He is installing a new security system in my house and the shop.”
“Right, well. Tell that to someone who believes you. Here comes a customer.” Selina sidled off towards the young woman who walked into the shop.
“Sorry about that. People are going to speculate.” Aerilyn turned to face Cole.
He shrugged. “I don’t mind. Do you?”
“Not really.” And she didn’t mind. Who cared what everyone thought? It was her life to live as she chose and if she decided to shack up with a bumbling baboon, well, that was her call, wasn’t it? And truth be told, Cole was far easier on the eye than a baboon.
He dipped his head to give her a kiss. “I’m going to be in the backroom. If I need something, I will let you know. In the meantime, please know that I will be poking around in your security system.”
“Alright.” Aerilyn headed for the backroom, her hands itching with the need to inspect the new wares. She’d ordered two new garden fountains and some crystal and hand-painted ceramic figurines. Three boxes were stacked in the store. She opened each box carefully, taking care to unwrap the product before placing them on an empty shelf. The figurines were all exquisite, each perfectly made with care and finesse.
The pewter fountains were smaller than that of the witch Selina had sold, but they were crafted with great detail. One was of twin girls, each holding a broom. Water spurted from holes in their feet in a perfect circle and fell into a bowl below. The other was a leprechaun holding a bag of gold in one hand, and a single, large gold coin in the other hand. Water poured from his mouth, washing over his feet into an oval tub below.
She decided to put the leprechaun in the display window. It was fun and whimsical and showcased the tone of her shop. After carrying it over to the window, she set it in the center. The customer was at the counter paying for the two books she’d bought. Aerilyn made a mental note to order more books on Wicca and witchcraft since those seemed to be selling well.
“Where is your main electric board?” Cole appeared at the door to the back room.
She led him into the store. “I think it’s in the store.”
While he opened the board and surveyed the buttons and wires, she collected the trash and the empty boxes and put them in the recycle bin. It was nearly full. She grabbed its handle, intending to pull it to the nearest recycling unit contained on the main street.
“What do you think you’re doing? Here, give it me.” He took the handle.
“I’ve been doing it for the past three years, but thank you for the offer.” She relinquished her hold with grace. “Turn right straight out the entrance and there is a big black container on the street.”
“I remember seeing it,” he grumbled as he pulled the bin out. “There is an electric shop down there also, isn’t there?”
“Yes. Phillip runs it. He recently got divorced, about three months ago.”
Cole stopped and shook his head. “Thank you for that edifying information. While we are on the subject, I want to inform you that I am going to change your security system here. I’ve already talked to your usual security company, and they have agreed to make the necessary changes. I’m going to fix it so that whenever a customer pushes on the door or tries to open it, it will ring a bell inside and you will flip a button to open the door.”
Aerilyn sighed. “Isn’t that unnecessary? And cumbersome?”
“It’s better than getting shot by a person who can waltz into your store during opening hours.”
“Fine. It’s ok.” She would just have to suffer through these changes until her life was back on track. When would she learn to mind her own business? This should teach her not to get involved in murders and mysteries.
To keep her mind off the thought of any further murder attempts on her life, Aerilyn busied herself with tasks she had neglected for far too long. She took an inventory, sent purchase orders and followed up on old orders. Viaan was late in delivery, as usual. She might have no option but to find a new supplier. Aerilyn searched on the internet for new suppliers for artifacts, potions and herbs related to Wicca. She made a list of a few European suppliers, as well as an Asian supplier in India. The additional delivery costs and time might be worth it if the merchandise was unique and special.
She was vaguely aware that Cole dragged the recycle bin back. Seeing that she was busy, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he opened the electric board and began his work. Later she heard a few beeps in the shop, but ignored them, determined to finish her work for the day.
At seven, Selina strolled inside. “I like the new security system. It’s cool. Phillip came in and I almost didn’t open the door.”
“Ah…Why?”
“He made a pass at me.”
Aerilyn closed her web browser. This being an interesting turn of events, it required her full attention. “He made a pass at you?”
“The ink is barely dry on his divorce papers, and he is looking at me all googly-eyed as if I am a delicious dessert he is about to gobble up.”
Aerilyn picked up the paper on which she had made a list of suppliers she wanted to contact. She punched holes and filed the paper in a folder. “He has been separated for over a year.”
Selina perched her ass on the edge of the desk. “So you think it’s alright to allow him to take me out for a movie?”
“I suppose. Has he been involved with anyone since Alice left?” Alice was his wife of three years. Thankfully they had no children. Aerilyn liked Alice, and as far as she knew, there were no major issues between her and Phillip. But she was from Boston, and the quiet, sedate life of Alby drove her crazy.
“There was that girl, remember? She came from Chicago or some place and took a job for a month at BookEnds. She left when the shop closed.”
Aerilyn tapped her fingers on the desk as she considered. “Oh yeah! So that was the rebound affair, so he might be open to a serious relationship now.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. But Phillip?” Selina pushed back her dark hair. She toyed with the silver necklace she wore around her neck. “He is so…”
“Decent? Hardworking? Caring?”
Selina rolled her eyes. “Alright! Get off my case. It’s just that I’ve known him my whole life. He was four years ahead of me in school. We lived on the same street.”
“Sometimes we ignore that which is right under our nose.” Aerilyn stood. Selina was as flighty as a bird. She’d never been in a relationship that lasted for more than eight months. Phillip had never been in a relationship that lasted less than a year. It would be interesting to see if there was a real spark between the two. “What happened to that other guy you were dating? The one who is teaching at the elementary school.”
“We broke it off. It wasn�
��t really working. He is going to move out of the town at the end of the school year, and you know me, I can’t ever leave this place.”
Aerilyn switched off her office laptop and closed it. Her eyes swept the floor and the desk. Everything was clean and in its right place. “Phillip lives here. He is not going anywhere.”
“Right.” Selina’s tone was thoughtful. She followed Aerilyn out into the shop. “I’m going to think about it.”
“You do that,” she told her assistant, amused by Selina’s uncharacteristic reticence. It said a lot more than her actual words.
Phillip came out of the backroom, accompanied by Cole. “I’ve been toying with the idea of setting up a security system in my shop also. Last year someone broke in and stole some of my stuff. Kids, most likely. But it would be nice to have a deterrent.”
Aerilyn picked up Knight’s carrier from the floor and put it on the counter. She whistled. He came running out of the backroom, eyed his carrier with mistrust, and jumped up. With a resigned sneeze, he went inside. She latched the door and picked it up.
“I could set up something simple and inexpensive for you,” Cole assured Phillip as he adjusted the strap of his laptop bag on his shoulder. He took the carrier from Aerilyn’s hand. “And you could monitor it yourself from home. A twenty-four hour camera with recording. An alarm would ring on your phone if anyone tried to come while the shop was closed.”
“That would be great.” Phillip eyed Selina who was fiddling with her purse. “I really don’t want to hire a security company. Can’t even afford it. How much would this cost, including your fees? You’re a security consultant, aren’t you?”
“Sure I am. Well, seeing as you are a friend of Aerilyn, I could waive my fee. The whole security system would cost less than 500 dollars, including the camera and recording equipment.”
“That would be great. I mean, I don’t feel right taking advantage of your generosity. I could pay your fee…like maybe in installments or something.”
The Spiritist Page 18