Free A Healer's Touch by Ashlynn Monroe Page B

paranormal hidden side of Willow Lake.  They’d moved to town after research into the paranormal had pointed a bright neon arrow at Willow Lake.  Shortly after they’d arrived, commercials for their unique business began, Unusual Extermination.  They exterminated ghosts, vampires, werewolves, demons, and of course her personal favorite, witches.  She thanked God every day they didn’t know the real thing lived two doors down.
    Watching from the sidewalk, she could see Joss opening the door.  He was wearing a tinfoil hat.  His Star Wars t-shirt was a size too small and he wasn’t wearing any pants.  Phoebe shivered.  It was a bit cold to be standing in the doorway in underwear.  Joss didn’t seem bothered, but Fabian's body language made it clear he was.  Phoebe tried not to giggle.  Sam tugged on her jacket.  She looked down at her son.  “Why does the silly man have a metal hat on?”
    She couldn’t help it, she laughed.  “I’m not sure.”  She suspected it was his way of keeping aliens out of his head, but she wasn’t going to tell Simon anything about Joss’s odd beliefs. 
    Looking back at the apartment complex, she noticed how upset Joss seemed.  “They’ve sent you haven’t they!”  Joss screamed loudly enough that she heard every word.  He slammed the door in Fabian’s face.  He stood for a moment looking a bit shocked.  Phoebe almost felt sorry for him, almost.   It seemed the show was over.  She grabbed Sam’s hand and hurried to the car, hoping the rust bucket would start.  To her relief it did.  She was late, but seeing the uppity man receive his comeuppance made it worth being behind schedule.
    ****
    Pulling up to Ivory’s two-story Cape Cod, she saw her best friend wave to them from the large bay window.  Ivory’s home was also her business.  The lower story of the home served as her shop.  They'd remodeled the upstairs into a large loft efficiency apartment with the help of how-to books.  It had been a proud moment for womankind; no man had interfered with the creation of Ivory’s kick-ass place. Ivory had been her friend since they were foster sisters in high school.  They both had a strong connection to the unseen forces in the supernatural. Phoebe adopted her as an official Penn witch and the two were still very close.  Ivory thought having an ancestor burned at the stake and cursing the entire town was the coolest thing ever, but Phoebe knew how very uncool it was.  Even if Ivory hung around her and enjoyed the mystique cling to which Phoebe was Ivory, could still turn the corner, not endure the whispers, and finger pointing.
    Ironically, a Sterling had condemned Mary Penn to burn at the stake, fear of the Penn name lasted to the present day, and she was just “one of those Penns” without having earned the fearful looks. It irritated her how the town wouldn’t just get with the times, offering the Penn name some amnesty. 
    Simon went running into the shop.  None of the talismans, candles, or funny smelling oils bothered him as he ran up to the flamboyantly beautiful shopkeeper.  As Ivory hugged him, her long black hair tangled about her shoulders. Phoebe saw the loving look in her friend’s big brown eyes as she smiled at Simon.  She was the closest thing to an aunt he’d ever had.
    Ivory glanced over at her looking concerned. “What happened to you two?  You’re never late.”
    “I meet my new land lord and wow is he a piece of work.  I thought the old man was bad, but his grandson is much worse.” 
    Ivory grimaced.  “That sucks , Hun.  If you get evicted you can come stay with me.”
    “Don’t worry I can handle Mr. Moneybags.”  She hugged her son and left.
    Parking around back in the employee parking area of Margie’s, she turned off her engine and sighed.  She knew a butt chewing awaited her.  Jana, her boss, was normally awesome but her biggest pet peeve was lateness.
    She’ d been right about her boss not being thrilled