Page 67 of Love, Magic and Misfortune
“Alright, alright. The boxes with the tree decorations are on the back porch stacked in the corner. I’ll show you.”
Violet walked toward the kitchen with Jasper chuckling beside her. “Gloria told me you twisted your ankle playing soccer in high school. Twice.”
“Did she, now?”
“And that you jammed your pinky finger against the front door because you went too hard for the knob the night before you moved to the city.”
“Jasper, is there a point to all this?”
“I don’t know, I just think it’s funny—you with your self-inflicted mishaps and me being cursed with literal witch magic. It’s no wonder we get along.”
“Yup. Clearly, we’re meant to be.”
“A match made in misfortune.”
Violet stopped at the back door to the patio. She turned and faced Jasper, lifting her chin to look up into his eyes. “I don’t like that.”
“I was just joking… Mostly.”
She looked him over before sticking her index finger out to poke him smack in his bellybutton. He doubled over and stepped away with a breathy laugh. Direct hit. Violet smirked, satisfied as she unlocked and pulled the back-patio door open. But her smile dropped, her heart sinking as she took in the utter mess of broken glass and an unhinged door.
“Oh no…”
“What is it?” Jasper asked.
Stepping onto the patio, the cold air sat stagnant around her. The beautiful pots of mint and Roman chamomile had been knocked over, the red-brown clay broken into large shards. There was dirt everywhere, and when Violet looked over to the spot where her gram’s red poppy chest should have been—that large, seemingly permanent fixture on the patio that had been hand-painted with love—it was empty. The chest was gone.
* * *
This time,Violet did call the police.
“This is so ridiculous,” Rose exclaimed through the phone. “Who would do this? Are the police finished yet?”
Violet sighed as she sat against the couch. “No. They’re taking pictures of the patio. I went ahead and told them that this is the second break-in—but I said nothing was stolen the first time.”
“Have they mentioned anything about a string of burglaries throughout the village or something? Is this an isolated thing?”
“Seems like it,” Violet confirmed. She closed her eyes, palm pressed to her face, trying to calm her nerves. “Rosie… Gram’s poppy chest is a family heirloom. This is just…” She couldn’t understand. There was nothing especially valuable in the chest. It held more sentimental meaning than anything else, so why on earth would someone take it?
Everything crashed down on Violet—Gram was gone. This would be her first Christmas without her, and now her home had been cruelly vandalized twice within the span of a month. Her safe space that she loved. Violet shook her head, depleted as silent tears rolled down her face.
“I know this sucks, Vi, but it’s okay—and maybe they’ll get it back?”
“Maybe.” Violet’s voice cracked. She took a deep breath but the tears wouldn’t stop. “I feel like I’m making a mess of Gram’s things. She left all this to me and I’m not even protecting it.”
“It’s just stuff, and you’re doing a great job, alright? You wrapped up all her estate dealings within a month, you’re working with the bakery lady to distribute and learn about the herbs. You’repaintingagain. Gram would love all of that. We’ll get past this.”
Violet took a deep breath to let her sister’s words sink in. Rose went on in her silence.
“Are you okay there alone? Should I drive up for the night to keep you company?”
“I think I’m alright. Actually, Jasper is here, talking with the police. I’m not alone.”
“Wait, what? He’s atyourhouse right now? Like, he left his house? Did you call him over? I’m so confused.”
This made Violet laugh, just a small huff. Which was a nice break from feeling miserable. “No. We went for a walk out to Poppy Bridge this morning. He was still with me when I realized someone had broken in.”
“Wow, so… he left the house for you? To spend the day with you? Like a date? Are you two dating?”
