Garden of Death
Page 30
The crowd applauded as the mayor walked over to me and shook my hand. “Thanks to everyone for coming here today to celebrate with us. And now, I’d like to declare the Claire Hagen Memorial Physic Garden and Teahouse officially open!” He reached over and cut the large red ribbon strung from the posts on the teahouse gate. “Enjoy!”
The guests clapped enthusiastically, and after a few moments moved onto the patio to get cups of tea and scones with cream and jam. Everyone looked like they were having a really good time.
As for me, I took a few steps back into the garden to take it all in. We had done a good job. It was a beautiful garden, teahouse and all, and I knew I’d always find it a place to soothe my soul.
Jackson walked up to me, took my hand, and gave me a kiss. “You did good, McQuade. How are you feeling?”
“I feel great, and I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you, Jackson.” I hugged him, and suddenly my eyes began to well up with tears. “I just wish Claire were here.”
Jackson hugged me back. “I know. But she is. She’s here with you, with us, always.”
I stepped back and gestured to the teahouse. “It’s funny, you should say that. I felt her presence before when I was up there talking about the garden. It was so clear.”
“What do you mean?”
“Remember after I said I wanted to continue her legacy, there was that sudden breeze?
“I didn’t notice.”
“I did, and as it ruffled the trees, I felt like she was saying that she loved me, and was proud of me, and would always be there for me.” I turned to Jackson and smiled. “That’s all I needed to know.”
acknowledgments
No author is an island. Completing a book is a difficult task and it helps to have family and friends to lean on. In particular, I’d like to thank my mom, Marion Fiedler, my sister Val Boergesson, my nephews Jake and Alex, my friends Joann Tamin and Cindy Clifford, and, of course, my dachshunds Holmes and Wallander and my cats Tinker and Tuppence (all named after fictional sleuths!). For writing support, I’m especially grateful to Ellen Steiber, fellow cozy author Anne Canadeo, and my Killer Hobbies blog sisters: Tracey Webber, Linda Johnston, Monica Ferris, and Betty Hechtman. Thank you Ann Collette, of the Helen Rees Agency, for going the extra mile. Special thanks go to Natasha Simons, copy editor Faren Bachelis for making my book shine, and the rest of the team at Gallery Books for marketing and promoting my natural remedies mystery series. My gratitude also goes to my teachers in holistic health: Brigitte Mars, A.H.G., Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, Suzy Cohen, rPh, and Deborah Wiancek, ND. Finally, I’d like to thank all the readers who have enjoyed my books and told their friends, cozy blogs and websites, librarians, reviewers, and booksellers. If there was a real Nature’s Way Market & Café, I’d have you all over for an organic smoothie!
about the author
CHRYSTLE FIEDLER is the author of two previous Natural Remedies mysteries, Death Drops and Scent to Kill, as well as several nonfiction books on natural healing and herbal remedies. Also a freelance journalist specializing in alternative health topics, she has written for Natural Health, Spirituality & Health, Vegetarian Times, Better Homes and Gardens, and Remedy. She lives in Greenport, New York. Visit www.chrystlefiedler.com, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: authors.simonandschuster.com/Chrystle-Fiedler
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
Also by Chrystle Fiedler
Scent to Kill
Death Drops
We hope you enjoyed reading this Pocket Books eBook.
* * *
Sign up for our newsletter and receive special offers, access to bonus content, and info on the latest new releases and other great eBooks from Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
DISCLAIMER
This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it.
The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.
Pocket Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Chrystle Fiedler
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Pocket Books paperback edition April 2015
POCKET and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or business@simonandschuster.com.
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
Cover illustration by Dan Craig
ISBN 978-1-4767-4891-7
ISBN 978-1-4767-4892-4 (ebook)