Page 15 of Property of Hayride
“It varies with every guest, but I’m guessing you’re a honey, citrus, and herbal blend.”
“Actually, yes,” I say with a surprised laugh. “How did you know?”
Granny Jo taps her temple. “Intuition and plenty of years on this earth.”
Cami laughs. “It’s a witchy sixth sense.”
“And don’t you forget it.” Granny Jo lays her hand on mine as she leans forward. “You keep smiling, sweetheart. Everything is going to work out.”
I almost falter. “Thank you.” She doesn’t know what that means to me right now with Thad missing.
“You’re going to spook her,” Cami says with a snicker. “She doesn’t know how crazy you are.”
“Nope. She’s made of sturdier stock than that.” Granny Jo winks at me and backs away, bumping her hip against Cami’s.
I like the older woman. She’s sweet and feisty. Cami seems nice, too. “Thank you. What do I owe you?”
Granny Jo shakes her head. “First tea and treat are always on the house.”
“Well, now you’ve earned a customer for life.”
“That’s the plan.” Granny Jo gestures to the cup she just filled. “Take a sip.”
I lift it to my lips and immediately moan at the taste. It’s the perfect blend of spice, tea leaves, and honey. The most delicious cup of hot tea I’ve ever had, and I tell her that.
“Yep. Still got it,” she laughs, swishing her hips as she moves to the next customer.
Cami hands me a pink box. “Enjoy. I hope we see you again soon.”
They will. I plan to come inside the bakery and try something new every day as long as I’m here. The bell above the door dings as I leave, but the sweet aroma of cinnamon and icing follows me outdoors.
After I finish the cinnamon roll and the tea, I wrap the cookies in a napkin and drop them into my purse. It’s the perfect weather for a walk along Main Street and I peruse the shops, killing time until it’s dark. I feel a bit restless and guilty for enjoying the treats with Thad’s disappearance. I should be looking for him, but I don’t have a clue where to start. The only lead I have is the conversation with Ellie, and I can’t talk to her again until later this evening.
With a sigh, I walk among the tourists and locals, growing a bit bored until I see a colorful tent located close to the Fear Farm. It’s not far from the pavilion where I ate lunch. It wasn’t here earlier, or I didn’t notice it. Either way, I see a wooden sign that intrigues me with the words Psychic Reader.
I’m not opposed to seeing a clairvoyant if that helps me find Thad. The flaps on the front of the tent ripple in the wind, and I push them aside to enter.
“Hello, dear. Have you come to see Madam Serena for a palm and tarot reading?”
Madam Serena sits at a round table covered with a beaded tablecloth in a rainbow of colors. It’s hard to tell her age, but I guess she’s probably in her late forties or fifties, judging by the crinkle of lines around her eyes and mouth that aren’t deep but beginning to form. She’s wearing a lavender colored beaded dress and a silky shawl with a matching floral design.
As I take the empty seat and face her, I see the stack of tarot cards and a crystal ball that faintly glows a pale, cloudy white. Above our heads, strands of twinkling white lights hang and illuminate the tent’s interior. There’s a poster depicting all of the astrological signs hanging nearby and another painting with Madam Serena’s name. Behind her, a table is erected and fills most of the remaining space. Various items are placed upon it, but I don’t have a clue what they’re used for, and it doesn’t matter. I’m here for information about Thad.
“Hi. No tarot cards. Just the palm reading.”
She nods, reaching her hand toward me. “Your palm.”
I rest my arm on the table as she cradles my hand, palm side up, and studies it. “You have a long lifeline,” she murmurs.
That’s good. Right?
Her fingers are slightly cold, but not enough to bother me. The tip of one glides along the surface of my skin. “There’s a new man in your life. He’s different. Beware of secrets.”
Her gentle warning seems like something she says to everyone. It’s not too specific.
“You’ve experienced a recent loss.”
Now we’re getting somewhere. “Yes.”
