A Spell for Trouble Read online

Alex recalled Kamila’s warning about modern medicine. “Is that the herbal apothecary?”

  “Yes, and it’s great,” Minka continued, shooting her sister a warning look. Kam retreated to her seat without saying a word. “We’ll teach you all about plants and flowers, and show you how to make herbal remedies and other stuff. Right, Mom?”

  Lidia nodded and gently rubbed Alex’s back. “You’re welcome to join us. And I’ll pay you, though it won’t be the salary you’re accustomed to—”

  “That’s fine,” Alex said quickly. She had come to Bellamy Bay for a distraction, and Botanika sounded perfect. Besides, she’d lived as frugally as one could in New York City, dutifully saving a third of her paycheck for the past five years. She’d be okay financially, at least for a while. “When do I start?”

  “Bright and early tomorrow morning,” Lidia said. “Unless you want to take a few days to get settled?”

  Getting settled sounded dull, and Alex feared that if she was bored, she’d begin to dwell on her recent regrets and mistakes. “Tomorrow is great,” she said.

  She was taking a vacation from her normal life, she reasoned. It sounded risky, but maybe it was time to live a little.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning, Athena was hiding under the bed with a shoe. Alex saw her tail peeking out from under the dust ruffle, wagging a half-moon across the wooden floor. This was a new game, only made possible because the big house in Bellamy Bay provided so many more hiding places than Alex’s apartment in Brooklyn.

  “Athena,” she scolded. The German shepherd’s tail swished faster. “Okay, fine. If you come out, I’ll give you a cookie.”

  The dog scrambled out from under the bed and obediently dropped the shoe before sitting at Alex’s feet, her ears at full attention, a happy grin on her face.

  “This is becoming a bad habit.” Alex broke off a piece of biscuit and waited for the dog to lift it from her fingers. “I need both of my shoes, you know.” But then she smiled and scratched at the dog’s fluffy chest. She could never stay mad at Athena. “Come on. It’s time for work.”

  Minka was waiting by the mailbox for Alex and Athena, checking her cell. She looked up as they approached. “Alex, you’re doing it again.”

  “Sorry. What?”

  “Biting your nails.” Minka gently pulled Alex’s hand away from her mouth. “I’ve never seen a person so tense.”

  Alex was no good at unwinding. For years, her blood had buzzed with the energy of New York City. Each morning she’d rushed from her brownstone apartment in Brooklyn to her skyscraper office in Manhattan, where she’d put in ten-hour workdays.

  “I know, biting my nails is a bad habit,” Alex conceded, and placed the offending hand at her side. “I’m trying to relax.” They headed down the sidewalk toward Main Street, leaving behind the neighborhood of historic homes and passing a bakery, a bookstore, an antique shop, and a diner. The sun was up, but the town was still sleepy. “Tension is just something I’m especially good at.”

  “Listen to you, trying to relax.” Minka laughed. “Well try harder, girl. You’re on vacation now. Sort of,” she added, because they were technically heading to work.

  The herbal apothecary was located on Main Street. A hanging wooden sign advertised Botanika in simple scroll, and gold lettering above the storefront window read Apothecary, but otherwise the shop did not draw attention. The store windows were decorated with colorful bottles and vials that recalled a time when medicine was prepared by a pharmacist rather than shipped from a factory. There was an equally picturesque retail space beside the apothecary, but the windows were dark and a For Sale sign was tacked to the glass door.

  That morning, they arrived moments before business hours. Lidia was already inside, but she had locked the door behind her. Minka turned a key in the glass door and swung it open, sending out a warm gust of air scented with sweet orange, cinnamon, and lemongrass. Alex inhaled, and her normally tense muscles released. Even work was different in Bellamy Bay.

  “Hi, Mom,” Minka called out to the empty shop floor.

  Lidia popped out of the back room carrying a basket of handmade pastel-colored soaps. She had an energy about her that filled the room, or maybe it was her personality. “Good morning, kwiatuszki,” she smiled, using the Polish word for flowers. Lidia spoke perfect English, but she resorted to Polish whenever she felt like it. “Did you sleep well?” She set down the basket and came over to give them each a warm kiss on the cheek. She smelled a little like cloves.

  “I slept like a baby,” Alex replied. “I actually can’t remember the last time I slept so soundly.”

  “Wonderful. Later this morning I’m going to teach you how to make one of my favorite items. Perfume.”

  “Sounds great. Athena, go in your spot,” she said. Lidia had already prepared a little corner in the shop for the dog, who trotted over to a pillow and discovered a bone in her basket of toys.

  “Come on.” Minka grasped Alex lightly by the elbow. “We’ll straighten up a little before we open.”

  Alex was pleasantly surprised by the charming character of the space. The red-brick walls were lined by live-edge wooden shelves neatly stacked with glass jars and tins. Little chalkboards explained the shop’s offerings: beeswax and calendula salve to promote healing, soothing herbal milk baths to detoxify and unwind, lotions to ease insomnia and bath salts to alleviate muscle pain and soften dry skin. The air in Botanika smelled at turns like lavender, lemongrass, and rose petals, depending on where one was standing. It was all nice, even if she didn’t fully understand the appeal of an herbal apothecary.

  Minka showed Alex around the shop and taught her how to stack and straighten inventory. There was an order to the space. Body and bath products lined the wall closest to the door, while medicinal products were organized against the opposing wall. Tables of candles and shelves on the floor were spaced to encourage customers to meander rather than walk up and down aisles. Glass bottles of loose-leaf teas nestled against the back wall, invitingly advertising flavors like Rose Petal Mint and Lavender Bergamot. Some teas offered more than a delicious flavor, and these had been given names like Good Luck, Calm Down, and Abundance.

  Soon after opening that morning, Lidia came out of the back room carrying her purse. “Got to make a supply run. I’m out of beeswax. Hold down the fort?”

  “Of course, Mom.” Minka tied her Botanika apron—bubblegum pink—and then blew a kiss as Lidia headed out the door.

  Alex set to work straightening bottles on the shelves. Her aunt had a lot of products. “Does she make all of this herself?” she asked Minka as she aligned jars of hand salve. “She’s very creative.”

  “I help out here and there, but yeah, it’s mostly Mom,” Minka agreed. “She knows everything about herbal remedies. You’ve seen the library at home, right? It’s full of textbooks on plants, folk remedies, and biology.”

  “Really? I had no idea.” Alex paused to read a label on a short jar of ointment. “Belladonna? That can’t be …” She looked over her shoulder. “Isn’t belladonna …?”

  “Deadly nightshade,” her cousin replied, without looking up from her work filling small linen pouches with fragrant lavender buds. “Women used to squeeze the berries into their eyes to make their pupils dilate, which they believed made them more attractive. It’s extremely toxic. Deadly, even.”

  As a risk management consultant, Alex realized she was a trained pessimist. She saw nothing but danger in every patch of ice and uneven sidewalk. She realized this quality made her a buzzkill in most circles, but Alex viewed her caution as protectiveness toward others.

  She lifted the jar from the shelf and turned it over in her hands. “But if it’s poisonous, how come belladonna is in an ointment for arthritis? I don’t understand. Every minute of my risk management training is telling me that advertising a toxic ingredient can’t be a good idea.”

  Minka laughed and set down the pouches. “Belladonna leaves and roots can be used for pain relief.
We have a few customers who swear that ointment is the only medicine that works for their joint pain.” Alex must have looked unconvinced, because Minka continued, “We’ve sold it for years. No one has gotten sick.” She took the jar from Alex and set it in its rightful place on the shelf. “Really, it’s fine.”

  “But is this …?” She didn’t want to ask Minka if the shop was legal. Even though this shop screamed risk and potential lawsuits, voicing that observation would appear ungrateful after all the hospitality and kindness her aunt and cousins had shown her. Besides, Lidia’s little shop had been in operation for decades, and she was meticulous and knowledgeable and thorough—

  Minka touched Alex’s arm. “You’re a little bit of a worrier, aren’t you? It’s okay; a lot of people don’t understand what Mom is doing here. They get suspicious.”

  Alex sighed. “I’ve got to loosen up. I know.”

  “I like you the way you are.” Minka smiled. “And I’d never tell you to stop caring. But you don’t need to worry.”

  She was a worrier. That’s what she did. But Alex nodded, resolving to try. “Okay. Thanks.”

  “And although we have products to treat a lot of illnesses, Mom believes there’s such a thing as going too far; does that make sense? It’s one thing to offer an alternative cough syrup, but we don’t want to offer an herbal remedy that might discourage someone from taking medicine for a serious health condition.”

  This sounded like a wise policy to Alex. If customers were tossing their blood pressure pills in favor of tea, that could attract the wrong kind of attention to Botanika.

  The bells on the front door chimed as a woman entered. She paused to tousle her long, orange-red hair and hike the strap of her leather messenger bag up on her shoulder. Then she fixed her close-set green eyes on Minka. “Good morning,” she purred.

  Minka glanced at Alex before replying, “’Morning, Pepper. Can I help you find anything?”

  “I think I’m all set.” Pepper craned her neck around the shop before walking deliberately toward a shelf of manuka honey cough syrups. She lifted one bottle, considered its ingredients, and replaced it on the shelf. Then she lifted another one and did the same. Finally she found a bottle she liked and brought it to the back counter. She wore a long-sleeved, high-necked jade-green minidress that contrasted sharply with her freckle-covered milky complexion. She locked gazes with Minka and smiled again.

  “Good Health.” Pepper wiggled the blue glass bottle between her fingers. “I stock up on this tonic every few months.”

  “Excellent choice,” Minka said. “It’s perfect for those pesky spring colds.”

  Alex approached the register as Minka reached for the bottle. Pepper yanked it away. “Hired a new shop girl, have you?” Her thin lips curved into a smile. “No, you’re not just an employee … you look like family with all that lush dark hair. Except your eyes are green. You must be a Sobieski.”

  Alex smiled politely. “I’m Alex Daniels. But yes, my mom was a Sobieski. Minka’s my cousin.”

  She pursed her lips. “And I’m Pepper Bellamy.” She extended a soft hand, and Alex accepted. “How do you like Bellamy Bay so far?”

  “It’s nice. I used to come here all the time as a kid, but it’s been a while.”

  “Well, you’ve come at a nice time. It’s too cold to go into the water in May, but it’s usually sunny and the tourists haven’t flooded the area yet. It’s really the perfect time for a visit.” Pepper sniffed. “Unless you’re prone to colds, like me. One day it’s warm, one day it’s cold. Without your aunt’s product line of immunity builders, I would always be under the weather.”

  Alex looked at the bottle with interest. “What’s in it?”

  Pepper shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t care. All I know is that it works. I swear by it.”

  “It’s just echinacea, elderberry, lemon, and ginger,” Minka said with a smile.

  “Interesting,” Alex murmured, giving her cousin a sidelong glance. She wondered if it wasn’t just the placebo effect that made Pepper feel better, but it would be rude to ask.

  Alex reached for the tissue paper as her cousin calculated the price on the register. “Want me to help, Minka?”

  “Don’t bother wrapping it. I’ll just throw it in my bag.” Pepper opened the messenger on her hip and removed a small brown leather wallet. “You know, my ancestors founded this town. My last name is Bellamy. Easy to remember, right?” She grinned as she stuck her debit card in the reader.

  “Sure is.”

  “It’s French. My people were Normans. Descended from Vikings. Belle amie means good friend.” Pepper sighed. “Ironically enough, I’ve never had any good friends. It was weird in school. Everyone thought it was such a big deal that the town was named after my family.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’m sure you already know that.”

  Minka turned to Alex. “Pepper’s a reporter for the Bellamy Bay Bugler, so she knows everyone. She also has a gossip blog.”

  “That’s a side project,” Pepper noted. “Just for fun. I’ve been researching the town’s founding families for a feature I’m writing, and I’m trying to dig up some dirt. You’d be surprised at how colorful the town’s history is.”

  “Interesting,” Alex said, not sure how to respond. “I look forward to reading it.”

  “You know the Wesleys, I assume.”

  Alex shook her head and looked at Minka questioningly, but she only grimaced in response. “Haven’t had the pleasure yet. Why?”

  “Because,” she grinned. “The Sobieskis and the Wesleys go waaaay back, Alex. We’re talking thick as thieves.” She dropped the bottle of cough syrup into her bag before flinging the flap over the top. “When I find something juicy on the Wesleys, don’t be surprised if it involves the Sobieskis, too. But that might be fun for you, to learn more about your family.”

  Minka tilted her head in a show of mild annoyance. “That sounds really great, Pepper. Have a nice day.”

  “You too, Minka. So nice to meet you, Alex.” Pepper paused. “Do you happen to have any of that fabulous sea-vegetable soap? I swear it does wonders for my energy levels.”

  “I just put out some bars,” Minka said. “Come over this way.”

  The bells over the shop door chimed, and a man entered. He looked like he might have been quite attractive when he was younger, but now he just looked tired, bloated, and uncomfortable in his own skin. As he approached, Alex sensed a desperation about him.

  “Is Lidia here?” he whispered to Alex, glancing at the door to the back room.

  “No, I’m sorry, she stepped out.”

  To her surprise, he seemed relieved. “Good.”

  She smoothed her apron. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  He gave Alex a once-over that made her feel dirty. “You a Sobieski?”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Yes.”

  “Then yeah, you can help.” He kept his voice low. “I’m looking for one of Lidia’s special … potions, you know what I mean?”

  “Potions?” she echoed. His pallor was gray and he hadn’t shaved in at least a day. What he needed was a nap and a good hot shower. Maybe some leafy green vegetables.

  “Yeah, potions,” he said. “Something with a real kick. I got some stuff going on. Real problems.”

  “Mr. Bennett.” Minka’s forehead creased in concern as she left Pepper standing near a display of bath bombs. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Minka,” he replied. He rushed to meet her and leaned his hands against the back counter. “I’m desperate. I’ve got some problems. Nasty divorce. My wife’s taking me to the cleaners. And now my business partner wants to sell our company to the highest bidder.” He cringed as if the very thought was painful. “Everything I’ve worked for is about to go up in smoke. I just … I need a little luck. Please.”

  Minka studied the man, her arms folded. After a moment, she sighed. “Okay. But just this once.”

  She approached the jars of tea. W
ithout hesitation, she chose a small linen bag and filled it with leaves from the Good Luck jar, emptying the contents. She smelled it before holding it under Mr. Bennett’s nose. “This will do the trick.”

  Alex caught the spicy fragrance from where she was standing.

  Mr. Bennett took a deep breath. “What’s in there? Smells good.”

  “It’s an herbal tea blended with cinnamon, bayberry, patchouli, and ginger. It’s spicy, sweet, and tart all at the same time.” She pulled the string tight on the bag to close it. “Make it into a tea and drink it twice a day for two days. By the third day, you’ll be swimming in good luck. Be sure to drink it on an empty stomach or else it won’t be as effective.”

  His shoulders eased as he took the bag. “Thanks, Minka. I mean it.”

  She nodded. “Sure. Just don’t tell Mom.”

  “I won’t. But hey, while I’m here.” He took a look around the shop. “I’m also looking for a gift.”

  “Just a gift?” Minka asked.

  Alex wondered what she meant by that question.

  “Something pretty for my something pretty.”

  He lifted his eyebrows and Alex cringed, but Minka went to the perfume display and picked up a bottle. She spritzed a sample into the air for him to smell. “Here. This is our most popular scent. Violet.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  Minka rang up the purchases, her hands deftly wrapping the tiny purple glass bottle. Other customers had entered the shop and Pepper stood off to the side, sniffing candles and watching with interest. By the time Minka had rung up Mr. Bennett’s items, she was nearly pushing the bag into his hands. “Have a nice day.”

  He turned to leave. Then he froze.

  Lidia stormed through the front door. “Randy.” Her voice boomed through the space as if amplified, and her blue eyes narrowed in rage. “What are you doing here?”

  “Lidia.” The word escaped on his breath. “Now, don’t get angry—”

  She grabbed him by the lapels and pushed him to the back wall. He dropped his bag on the way, sending tea leaves scattering across the floor. Athena awoke with a start.