Free The Secret Ingredient of Wishes by Susan Bishop Crispell Page A

couldn’t look at any of Catch’s pies the same way. Though most of them were just plain old pies. No magic required. The fact that they could be something more sent a current of anticipation through her body.
    And she thought for the hundredth time since the night before, Maybe Catch can make all the wishes disappear .
    She hadn’t worked up the nerve to ask Catch yet—really it was more telling Catch about her past than asking for a favor that stopped her—but the end result was the same.
    Then while eating breakfast Catch offered her a different kind of favor. “I talked to Everley, whose froufrou soap shop you stumbled into,” she said. “And if you’re interested, she said she’s looking for some part-time help.”
    Whether Rachel was interested or not hadn’t really mattered. In addition to giving her a place to stay, Catch had now found her a job. That kind of looking-after wasn’t something she could turn down.
    So she took Catch’s directions—scribbled in a tight scrawl just barely large enough to read—and somehow she found her way back to Everley’s shop.
    The space next door to LUX had the same wide front window, but instead of lotions and soaps and other skin-care products, it had a SORRY FOR THE GOD-AWFUL MESS sign taped to the inside of the glass. She looked in as she passed. Ashe stood next to a petite brunette, scowling. His hands, spread wide against one wall, held in place a large sheet of paper that curled at the edges.
    Rachel moved away from the window before Ashe could see her. She’d only known him for a couple of days but she already knew it was best to stay out of his way when he had that look on his face. As she opened the door to LUX, the same calming feeling she’d had the day before washed over her. The scents of chamomile, lavender, aloe, and mint were subtle, yet distinct, despite swirling in the air together.
    â€œI’ve been hoping all morning that you’d come back,” Everley said. She snipped another piece of ribbon from a spool before setting the scissors down and coming out from behind the counter. A few pieces from the pile she’d been building spilled to the floor in a flutter of pale pink.
    Rachel picked them up and handed them back. “Thanks again for helping me out yesterday.”
    â€œYou are so welcome. I’m sorry you were having such a crap day, but you look tons better today, no offense.”
    â€œToday is much better.” She looked to where the wish had been the day before, but it was gone. Fool me once, she thought, and vowed not to read anything that had the potential to be a wish to keep from accidentally granting any more. “So, Catch mentioned you were looking for some help.”
    â€œI am. Have you worked retail before?”
    â€œBookstores mostly. And a decent stint at a coffeehouse. All in all, I think it’s about six years of retail and/or customer service.”
    Everley twisted the ribbons around her fingers and let them go as she thought. “Great. The coffee shop wasn’t an organic one by any chance, was it?”
    â€œNo. Just your we-burn-all-our-beans-on-purpose type.”
    â€œOoh, Janelle down at Elixir, our local coffee shop, would love that description. Do you happen to know anything about holistic medicine or organic soaps and lotions?” Everley asked.
    â€œI know what they are. But that’s as far as it goes,” Rachel said.
    â€œThat I can teach you. If you’re interested.”
    â€œThat would be—”
    A groan emanated from behind a plastic tarp blocking a doorway in the wall, cutting her off.
    â€œEv!” a voice called from the other side of the building. The woman Rachel had seen fighting with Ashe pushed through the plastic sheeting separating the rooms. In a pencil skirt, sleeveless plum-colored shirt, and kitten heels, she looked grateful to be out of the construction zone.