resemblance in Rowena to old family portraits and had then decided to look up her family tree. To her astonishment, she discovered she did have an ancestor called Rowena. Brenna rinsed away the bubbles and turned off the shower. No need to waste water.
Brenna dried herself off. She had to get to Potions ‘n’ Charmz before her partner Maggie arrived. She’d made a mess in the kitchen last time she was there and knew Maggie would lecture her about it if she didn’t clean it up. She threw her wet towel in the laundry hamper surrounded by dirty socks Tiddles had fished out and went to her bedroom to dress.
She made her way down the wooden staircase and to the kitchen. Tiddles, who had lost interest in his sock prey, waited patiently by the stainless-steel food bowl swishing his long tail. He purred as she filled his bowl with food then she poured some bran cereal for herself and drenched it with milk. She took a spoon and the bowl and sat at her dining table where a pile of letters waited. One letter stood out because Brenna had read it a thousand times. She picked it up and read it again.
Dear Miss Ravenwood.
We are deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother Annwyn Jasmine Ravenwood. We are however glad to inform you about the land you have inherited from Ms. Ravenwood’s passing. She was the sole owner of over fifteen acres of forest including a small cottage. She had stated specifically in her will that this land was to go to you. She was very persistent about this. Please find included the deed to the land and the cottage. You may pick up the key to the cottage from our office during business hours.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Cassie Barbara.
Brenna had no idea her dear Gran owned a cottage let alone a whole forest. She also had no idea what to do with the land, so when her lawyer Mr. Hector offered to buy the land to turn it into a haunted amusement park, she’d almost jumped at the chance to sell it. It was almost too good to be true. Her own lawyer? It seemed too easy. She could do with the money because her small shop Potions ‘n’ Charmz wasn’t doing so well. But she didn’t know if it was the strange dreams she was having or just curiosity, but something told her that she needed to see the land before she made any final decisions. She hadn’t yet mentioned this to her lawyer. And today she was supposed to be meeting him at lunchtime.
Brenna finished her breakfast and placed her bowl in the sink. When she arrived outside her rustic looking shop, remembering to apply the handbrake (she learned the hard way forgetting to apply your handbrake can result in a nasty insurance bill). Then she fetched her oversized handbag from the backseat and hopped out. She held out her keys and set the alarm with a blip.
She walked up to the tall gothic windows that’d first attracted her to the shop. She’d painted fairies and green and golden trees on the two arched large windows that flanked the door and there was a large sign planted on top of an awning that read Potionz ‘n’ Charmz. She unlocked the wooden door and entered.
A strong scent of incense and candle wax lingered in the air. Brenna inhaled. The smell always helped to clear her head. She dumped her handbag onto the glass-topped counter and massaged her forehead with both hands.
The phone rang. The shrill sound made Brenna jump. She made her way to the back of the counter and lifted the handset. “Potions and Charms, Brenna speaking.”
“Well, it is about time.”
Brenna sighed. The nasal voice that greeted her belonged to her lawyer, Mr. Hector.
“The shop doesn’t open until nine, Mr. Hector.”
“I don’t know why you didn’t just give me your home number.”
“If I did, you’d be trying to call me at Goddess knows what time.”
“You should be up early. Not lazing around.”
“What do you want?” Brenna rolled her eyes and flicked a stray hair off her arm.
“You know what I want!”
“Look, I’ll be there at twelve-thirty.”
“You better be.” Hector ended the call.
Brenna looked at the handset and frowned. “Good riddance!” She hissed and slammed the phone into its cradle.
Brenna flipped on all the lights revealing shelves of spells, oils, books, and herbs. Large glass cabinets displayed crystals, ritual tools, and ornate