Page 48 of Taken to the Deadlands

“It’s just me and you, Momo.”

Chapter 21

Mia

Three months later

“Pick anything you want,”Agnus said with a sweet smile as she pulled me through the stalls in the farmers’ market. “My treat!”

I gave her my best smile back. I hadn’t planned on leaving the shop. After all, Sundays were one of my busiest days. People would filter in from the market, curiosity getting the better of them.

But of course, Agnus being my first customer all but took the rest of my day from me.

She visited me often to talk about her dead husband. So much sometimes that I barely got a word in before our session was up.

But she always left me a huge tip and a grateful smile.

She was actually one of the only repeat customers I had left.

Since coming back, I felt my need to lie to these people about their loved ones slipping. Just the night before, I had been searching the job boards, hoping to find something that would allow me to keep the shop but take fewer customers.

“You already pay me enough,” I said.

She shook her head and pulled me up to a floral-smelling stall with all sorts of homemade lotions and soaps.

“Nonsense!” she said with a laugh. The old woman at the counter greeted her with a smile but eyed me warily. “It’s the least I can do for all the help you’ve given me. Morning, Mags! Whatcha got for us?”

Mags paused for a moment before motioning to the far-right side of her table.

“Rose and honey soaps,” she answered with far less enthusiasm than Agnus. The elderly woman might annoy me at times, but Mags’s coldness toward her caused me to bristle.

“Oh, delightful!”

I smiled at Agnus as she picked up one and motioned for me to smell it. My eyes widened when the sweet floral scent filled my senses.

“Wait… That actually smells really nice!”

Mags let out a huff.

“I’ve been doing this for twenty years already,” she answered. “Of coursethey smell good.”

I bit my tongue and sent Agnus a smile.

“Well, if that’s the case, I bet we’re in good hands if we buy from her, huh?”

Agnus let out a laugh.

“We sure are! Three of these and my usual, please.”

I stood silent as the ladies chatted while Mags gathered her stuff. They seemed friendly enough now that I had a chance to watch them. Maybe I had misjudged Mags.

“That bastard is still keeping her from me,” Mags muttered under her breath. “I barely get calls anymore.”

“Oh dear,” Agnus said with a frown. “This all happened after your mom passed, didn’t it?”

Mags nodded and handed over her bag with a sigh.

“Never mind,” she said. “Twenty-eight, please.”

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