Page 33 of A Witch-ish Guide to Protectors and Pendulums

“I can’t. The woman made it seem like I was supposed to find it. She said it ‘presented itself to me.’ Then she said I’m supposed to let it guide me.”

“To where?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Don’t you do business with witches?”

I felt the need to hug him. “I do.”

With his arms wrapped protectively around me, I felt better. He kissed the top of my head. “Maybe we can talk to a witch to help us figure out what this thing is.” He flipped the bauble in the air then caught it. “Maybe you can get your cards read. They might be able to point us in the right direction to figure out who this woman is and why she’s contacting you.”

“So you don’t think it’s just my subconscious?”

“No. I have a bad feeling she’s trying to warn you about something that’s on the horizon. As protection is sort of my gig, it’s rare that I’m wrong.”

“One witch, Agatha, comes in every Wednesday. She feels powerful. Maybe she might be willing to help me.”

“I’m coming with you to the store.”

“What about your store?”

“I like my store. My store is in no way as important as my mate, Simone. I’m coming with you.”

“You said ‘in you’ wrong.”

He laughed. “If that’s what you need… it’ll be a sacrifice, but for you, I’ll make it.”

Chapter

Nine

Connor led me back to bed this morning, but we didn’t fall back asleep for a while. He’d definitely changed “with me” to “in me” a couple of times before we passed out.

When we reached my shop, he became all business. Not that he didn’t hold me or drop kisses to my head, but those appeared more about his protection instinct kicking in than anything lovey-dovey.

At around 10:30, the bell over the door jingled as Agatha walked in. She’d reached what I liked to call her “Stevie Nicks” stage of life, wearing her hair down long and flowing. Long flowing skirt and a black shawl. Just because she didn’t admit to being a witch didn’t mean she didn’t dress like one. I smiled, feeling her power. If she would be willing to help me, she’d definitely have the power to do it.

“Simone, merry meet.”

“Good morning, Agatha. What can I help you with today?”

“I need black cohosh, evening primrose, and red clover.”

I walked over to my jars filled with herbs. “How much of each?”

“How about two ounces of each? That way, I’ll have extra. I have a feeling that I’ll be getting more orders.”

“Of anybody, you’d know.” We both chuckled. While I weighed out the red clover, I casually threw over my shoulder, “I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a moment.”

“Sure, what do you need?”

“Give me a minute.” I walked back behind the counter and waited for the non-super customer in the place to find what she wanted. After I checked her out, I looked back to Agatha. “Can you read my cards? I’d be happy to pay, but this is important. I need someone powerful and I feel your power radiate off you from the moment you step inside the store.”

“What’s going on?”

“Connor,” I called out to him. He smiled his panty-dropping smile at the both of us. “Can you lock the door and put the lunch sign up?”

“Oh, my,” Agatha murmured, noticing Connor standing off in the corner of the store on the opposite wall, but in reality, he’d just slipped in from the back room.

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