Sweet Tooth and Claw

by K A Miltimore

  "Bien. Now we see what they say." Delphine took the cards and deftly dealt them into a pattern on the table top. There was a cross shape in the middle and three cards placed along the edge. Mel was peering over the counter, trying not to be obvious as she watched the reading.

  "You can join us, Mel. And your friend, if she wishes." Delphine said, with a chuckle. Mel came closer to the table but Thana stayed where she was, deep in her book.

  “Thank you, I’d love to learn how to read the cards,” Mel said, sliding into a seat.

  “I use a variant on the celtic cross pattern for my layout. The positions of the cards indicate whether things are in the past, the present, or the future.

  "Alright, let's see what we have here. We have several cards from the Wands suit, which represents fire. I suppose that isn't surprising, given you have a Salamander in the house. But I also see the Nine of Swords, here in the recent past position. Someone has betrayed you, someone close to you and with whom you have a connection. Here, the card that represents you as the Querent, Hedy, we find the three of swords - see the heart pierced by three? This is a love triangle. Oh, Chère, I'm sorry to say this is an unfortunate spread." Delphine gave Hedy a sympathetic look, before glancing back to the images spread out before her.

  "It can't all be bad news, Delphine. What do you see in the near future position?" Hedy chewed on her thumbnail as she watched Delphine's face for any hints of what she saw.

  "It's not, Chère, it's not. I see strength and determination here, which I know is you. I see friends coming to your aid. I also see this." Delphine picked up a card with a couple, hands clasped and naked under a watchful angel, with the words 'The Lovers' scripted below.

  "You have a choice to make, and it will result in a partnership, a union, and yes, even love. But with the other cards showing betrayal, you must be careful, Hedy. The wrong decision could cost you dearly."

  Chapter Seventeen

  Instead of clarity, Delphine's tarot reading only brought more questions. Hedy was no closer to answers on how to handle everything going on with Louis or the Director. Instead, she now had to worry about betrayal from someone she cared about. The bright spot was the partnership and love that The Lovers card indicated. It was something that Hedy desired but also feared; love left you vulnerable to hurt and that was something she wasn't sure she wanted to be open for.

  "What can I do to help you today?" Delphine asked, after putting away her cards.

  "I think Mel and I have things in hand to wrap up the baking for tomorrow. We have a couple of special orders to deliver later but otherwise, I think we are set. I hate to ask, but you know what would really help? A pot of Tante's gumbo. Do you remember how she made it?" Hedy replied, pulling out piping bags of red icing from the refrigerator.

  "Oh sure, I've been at her elbow making gumbo since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I need a grocery store though." Delphine replied, gathering up her coat from the hallway.

  "We have one of those. You can take my car - you remember the Corvair - and I'll jot down the directions. Gumbo will help us solve all our problems." Hedy smiled, mapping out a quick route to the local store.

  "Ain't much that Tante's gumbo can't fix. I'll be back soon. Hopefully Louis and Bren can figure out what is going on with the furnace by then." Delphine gave a shiver as she slid into her jacket. The house was almost cold enough to see puffs of breath.

  The door opened and Hedy heard a greeting on the front porch. Michael came into the shop, carrying a little pot of violets in his hand.

  "Good morning, all. A little pre-Valentine's Day present for you, my dear. Thought I would pop in to see how things were going." Michael said, placing the pot on the counter and leaning in to give Hedy a peck on the cheek. Hedy thought he looked a bit flushed, like he had walked over from his shop.

  "Morning, Michael. Did you walk over? Your face is flushed," she replied as she leaned in to sniff the little pot of purple violets. They had an earthy, verdant smell that made her think of early spring.

  "That's just the thrill of seeing you, Hedy love. Actually, I did walk. It's a clear morning and I thought I'd stretch my legs. There might be some snow later, which is bad for business, so keep your fingers crossed. Maybe young Mel here can work us up a spell to keep the snow clouds at bay." Michael chuckled and Mel smiled in return but said nothing.

  "Yes, snow is good for skiers but bad for us if it keeps people away from town. Let's hope it's only a dusting. Want some coffee?"

  "Sure, I'd take a cup. Why is it so cold in here? Is your furnace broken?" Michael said, watching her pour a large mug of coffee from the copper urn.

  "I don't know. Bren and Louis are looking at it now. We woke up to this, although I was freezing last night as well. I'm layered up today three ways 'til Sunday under this jumper." She handed Michael the cup and he rested his hand on hers for a moment before letting it go.

  "I'd like to see that," he whispered with a grin and Hedy felt her cheeks burn. Luckily, Mel was out of ear shot.

  "Hedy, we're stumped. The furnace seems fine. I need some warmth, woman. I'm a southern man." Louis announced, coming into the bakery with his arms folded across his chest and his hands tucked into his armpits for warmth.

  "Coffee will have to do. Let me get you a cup. Where's Bren?" Hedy poured another mug and placed it on the counter near Michael before she turned back toward her icing.

  "He popped outside to see if maybe cold air was coming in from somewhere along the foundation. Let me visit the little wolf's room for a tinkle and I'll be back for that coffee. Keep it hot." Louis left the doorway for the powder room near the staircase.

  "I'll go outside to help Bren and then I better head to my shop. I'll be back later though. Delphine said something about gumbo." Michael said, watching Hedy continue to ice the anatomical heart cookies.

  She gave him a smile over her shoulder and said, "See you later and thanks for the lovely violets."

  Once she turned back to her cookies, Michael quickly pulled the small vial from his pocket, dropping two pipettes of liquid into Louis' coffee mug.

  ✽✽✽

  "Chilly morning, no? Almost as chilly inside though." Michael called to the hunched figure of Bren, who was peering at the foundation of the house, near the old fruit cellar. Off in the distance, Darro was pruning a large rhododendron.

  "Yes, so I hear. I don't feel the cold myself really - I have a bit of an internal furnace - but everyone seems quite uncomfortable. It is very strange." Bren stood and wiped his hand on his pants before offering it to Michael. The two men shook briefly.

  "Yes, very strange indeed. Even for Hedy's house. Things seem to be quite strange here of late. What with the Concierge's decision, all that business with Lyssa last year, and of course, you." Michael said, squinting in the bright light.

  "Me? What do you mean?" Bren asked, stepping away from the edge of the house so he could face Michael.

  "Well, a Salamander who is traveling through, on his way to New York, decides to come back to Enumclaw, of all places. And then stays. For months. That's strange, wouldn't you say?" Michael replied, still smiling.

  "I'm not sure I would call it strange. Hedy has been kind to let me stay on for a little while. My visit hasn't been an imposition, at least she hasn't said so. I'm not sure why you find my presence strange. Or worthy of commentary." Bren said, his voice hard and with an edge to it.

  "Oh, I meant no offense, Bren. It’s just that it is quite obvious that you carry a torch for Hedy, no pun intended. It is the only explanation for your extended visit. It doesn't bother me, Bren, truly. I feel confident in my relationship with Hedy. I just hate for you to be disappointed that things aren't going to turn out as you hope. That's all." Michael said, turning to leave. He gave a wave before Bren could respond. Darro had wandered over from the side of the yard at the sight of the chatting men.

  "What's up with Mister Wee Scunner, there?" Darro asked, and Bren jumped. He hadn't heard the big man approach.

&n
bsp; "Sorry, you startled me. Wee Scunner?" Bren said, looking puzzled. He could hardly see anything of Darro's face except his wool cap and his beard.

  "Oh, right, well, he always seems like a bit of a nuisance to me. Me gran called folks like that wee scunners. Anyway, what did he want?"

  "He wondered why I have been staying on so long. Sounds like he thinks I am a bother." Bren replied, turning back toward the fruit cellar door. There was a crack where it wasn't closing and he gave it a good jam to force it into place.

  "That's not really his business, now is it? I know he is sweet on Hedy, but he needs to mind his own Ps and Qs, I'd say." Darro stomped his feet on the frozen ground.

  "Maybe he is right. Maybe it is time I move on. I've been underfoot here and it may be time for me to find my way forward." Bren said, still facing the cellar door.

  "As me Gran always said, 'Whit's for ye'll no go past ye.' Whatever is meant to happen to you will happen. I don't presume to tell you your business, Skinny Malinky, but I'd not let a pipsqueak like that tell me my business. Your staying is between you and Hedy, not him. Come on, let's go in. My bollocks are near froze off." Darro stomped again and headed toward the front porch. Bren gave the cellar door one more good shove before following after him. Neither saw the shape of a black cat scurry from the small grave behind them.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was mid-morning, and all of the comings and goings in the Gingerbread Hag had been visitors but not customers. Darro had warmed up from his work in the yard and then headed off, with a promise to return for some gumbo later. Louis had downed his coffee and then headed for a sunny corner in the parlor, near the fire to try to warm up with a good book. Thana, so quiet in her corner that Hedy had forgotten she was there, closed up her book and left with a small wave. Bren, too had retreated back upstairs, claiming he was going to finish his book. The Director had yet to make an appearance. Apparently, Draugrs were late risers. Delphine had returned from her grocery run and was chopping up the Cajun trinity of onion, peppers and celery at the far end of the counter. Mel, Delphine and Hedy were alone in the shop.

  "Quite a flurry of activity this morning. Now everyone is gone and it is quiet." Hedy remarked, putting the final touches on the gruesome looking heart cookies.

  "Indeed. None of them were customers unfortunately. I'd hate to think of all these cookies going to waste. We worked so hard on all of it." Mel said, still fiddling with her profiteroles.

  "Worst case scenario, Louis eats them all." Delphine said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. The onion was especially pungent. "Hedy, was that gentleman who came your beau?"

  "Yes, I suppose you could say that." Hedy replied, sliding the tray of cookies into the showcase. She glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering when the Director would rise and shine.

  "I see." Delphine remarked, continuing her brisk chopping. The words were heavy with implication.

  "How's Ana doing, Mel? Is she coming to town tomorrow?" Hedy asked, quickly changing the subject.

  "She's fine. I think she might be coming down tonight actually and staying over in our spare room. We figured we'd spend the day together tomorrow." Mel replied, putting down her own piping bag in frustration. The profiteroles were not cooperating.

  "That pretty blonde woman wasn't your girlfriend?" Delphine chimed in, sliding the last of the chopped trinity into a metal bowl. She wiped her hands on the apron Hedy had given her.

  "Thana? No, she's just a friend."

  "I see."

  The room was quiet again and Zelda strolled in, seeking the patch of sun that came in the Winchester spiderweb windowpane. None of the three women remarked on her presence.

  "And a good morning to all of you," she huffed, puffing up her fur just a bit in response to the lackluster welcome.

  "Oh, hello, Zelda. How are you today? Have you seen Alice or Maurice?" Hedy asked, coming around from the counter and sitting at the table nearest the cat.

  "Alice said it was warmer outside in the sun and she took off. Maurice is huddled in a blanket by the fire in the parlor, last I saw." The cat replied, clearly still sore at being ignored.

  "With Maurice under the weather, I appreciate you keeping an eye on him. You’re a good friend, Zelda." Hedy said, watching the cat curl herself into a gray ball of fur.

  "Friend? To Maurice? Hardly. We're cordial at best. But I do wish he would perk up. He's more of a conversationalist than bird-brained Alice." Zelda sniffed, placing a paw across her eyes. Hedy wondered briefly if she was crying. Could cats even cry?

  Mel came around the counter and sat at the table as well, frustration apparent on her face.

  "I need a break. That dough isn't cooperating. And I need some advice, if you don't mind." Mel said, her voice sounding uncertain to Hedy.

  "Of course. What can I help you with, Mel? Does this conversation require cookies? How serious are we talking about?" Hedy smiled, hoping to lighten the mood but Mel's face still looked worried.

  "This is weird, okay, and you know how much I care for Ana, that isn't even a question. But things seem really...hard with her right now. I can't explain it. At first, everything was easy and we hung out and laughed and just found stuff we both liked. Now, everything seems like a chore, like we keep disagreeing about stupid stuff. Why is that?" Mel's voice sounded on the verge of tears.

  "Mel, I'm no expert on love or relationships, certainly. But at first, in a new relationship, everyone is wearing rose-colored glasses, you know what I mean? Your partner can do no wrong, they are perfect and funny and smart and everything you think you want. But then life starts to chip away at that vision and you start seeing the flaws, the cracks, the things that maybe aren't so perfect. I would guess that you and Ana are coming into that phase of your relationship. And it is okay to see flaws in each other, to understand who she really is. That's part of learning to love someone. And it is easier said than done, I know." Hedy reached out and gave Mel's hands a squeeze. Her fingers were cold to the touch.

  "What you don't want to do, though, is ignore warning signs." Delphine said, coming toward the pair.

  "What do you mean?" Mel asked.

  "Oh, it is easy enough to brush away things when you care for someone. Things they do that show who they are and that deep down, you really know, make them a poor fit for you. But we want to be in love, and so we ignore those things. We explain them away and we focus on what we like. That is the easy route but in the end, the other things never really go away. They eat at the relationship. You have to face those things head on and decide if you can accept them." Delphine said, taking a seat at the table. She held her cigarillo case in her hands, passing the enameled surface back and forth.

  "It's not like I have some big list of things that annoy me about Ana. It just seems like she has a hard time understanding me right now, especially about the magic studies. I always seem to be disappointing her and I hate feeling like that." Mel said, watching the purple fleur de lis on the case as it moved in Delphine's hands.

  Would you like a reading? Maybe it would help you find some clarity. Care for a cup of tea? I'd be happy to read the leaves for you. For matters of the heart, I usually start with the leaves." Delphine said, standing up and heading toward the front door. "But first, a quick cigarillo. My one bad habit."

  "One?" Hedy chimed in and Delphine laughed.

  "Well, one of only a few. Anyway, brew the tea and I'll be back."

  ✽✽✽

  The pot was on the table, along with cups and saucers. Loose black tea and boiling water swirled in the porcelain pot, steeping for five minutes or so. Once Delphine returned from her smoke break, she washed her hands and returned to the table. Hedy and Mel watched her carefully pour the steaming liquid out into the china cups.

  "The best readings coming from good tea, with unbroken leaves. No sugar or cream. You'll want to sip the tea and focus on your question. Drink all but a teaspoon or so of tea." Delphine instructed, sounding like she had given these instructions hundre
ds of times before. Mel watched the tea leaves lightly settle to the bottom of the cup. She raised the cup to her lips and sipped slowly, blowing on the hot tea to cool it.

  "It isn't as fragile as all that. It's only tea. You can drink it as you would normally. Just leave a little liquid at the bottom. Let your mind settle like the leaves, floating toward the bottom of your thoughts, finding the root of what you seek. Close your eyes and let the thoughts come to you. There is no right or wrong in this." Delphine's scratchy voice was warm and easy to listen to. Hedy found herself closing her eyes, though the reading was for Mel. She let the flavor of the tea wash over her and her own thoughts drift to the sights and sounds and smells of New Orleans from long ago.

  "I'm finished," Mel said. Placing the cup down on the table, she looked expectantly at Delphine.

  "Bien. Let's see what Madame Tea has to say for you this day. Place the saucer over the cup and swirl the cup clockwise three times. Really swish it up good, eh? Yes, like that. Now, leaving the saucer on the rim of the cup, tip it upside down. Let the saucer catch the liquid. Good, bien." Delphine watched as Mel did just as instructed.

  "Now, hand me the cup." Mel passed the cup to Delphine, who held it not by the handle, but at the taped based. She turned it in her hand so that the handle was closest to Mel.

  "We start at the rim, with the symbol closest to the handle. As we spiral down toward the bottom of the cup, the symbols are read as more toward the future, more distant. The rim is the present, the here and now." Delphine tipped the cup slightly so Mel could see. "You see this shape here, looks like a wavy W? That indicates water but it can also be buoyancy, support, floating along."