Page 10 of Sweets and Sycamores

“I didn’t know there was old magic in Sycamore Falls,” she said instead of answering. “I was told this was a place of new magic.”

“It is, at large. But I’ve always preferred old magic when it comes to books.

There’s something special about letting them be alive before they find forever homes,” the woman said.

A book on the left shelf made a cooing sound, and the petite woman slapped it hard on the spine.

“Naughty,” she chided it. Allie couldn’t help but chuckle, which drew the vendor’s attention back to her. “Are you just passing through?”

“I’m here for a while,” Allie said, trying to hide the hope from her words. “I’m working with Mr. Ranford at the bakery.”

The woman’s cackle resounded in the now quiet space.

“Pfft. Mr. Ranford.” She scoffed with a smile.

It appeared everyone here had an opinion or other about her boss.

“How did you end up at Dom’s Sweets?” she asked, and Allie detected curiosity only.

She told her about Brandon and the previous night, and briefly about her first day of work.

When she was done, the woman looked at her with a grin that stretched her brown skin.

“I’m Mia,” she said, and extended her hand. “Welcome to Sycamore Falls.”

Allie took her hand and smiled, genuinely this time. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Allie.”

“Can I help you find anything today?”

“I’m looking for books on baking.” The women stared at each other for a moment before Mia burst into laughter.

“He hired you with no experience. Yeah, that sounds like Brandon’s doing,” she said more to herself.

“Let’s see what we can find.” Mia waved her hand, twirling her wrist, and several books flew off the bookshelves and came floating in front of her.

She flipped through them as if they were all pages in one book.

“You’re an Archivist,” Allie said, wonder in her voice. She’d never met one but had heard about them in school. Mia beamed proudly.

“I am. And if you know enough about Archivists, you know we prefer old magic to new magic,” she stated, raising her brows in question.

Allie nodded, and Mia resumed her search.

After flipping through dozens of books, she finally grabbed one out of thin air and handed it to Allie. “I think you can start with this one.”

Baking for Dummies.

How suitable.

“I’ll take it,” Allie agreed. “And…” How could she ask about a book to help with her power? It meant admitting that she didn’t have it under control. That she didn’t know enough about it. Would the people of Sycamore Falls feel threatened by her lack of control, as her coven sisters did?

“And?” Mia looked intently at her for a moment, her hazel eyes kind and patient.

She must have felt Allie’s hesitation as a corner of her mouth lifted just a tad.

“I’m very discreet. I promise.” Allie held her steady gaze and sent a quick wisp of Reading magic around the lovely shopkeeper, looking for any signs of malice or evil intent.

She found none and felt that the Archivist’s magic was warm and soft, like velvet or honey.

So far, her intuition and Readings hadn’t failed her, so Allie decided to trust Mia with this piece of herself.

“I need a book on Witchcraft.” Mia blinked slowly once, twice, and Allie knew she expected at least one other crucial detail. She exhaled through her nose and added, “Elemental Witchcraft.”

Mia nodded and repeated the hand wave motion, bringing forth several books from which to pick. She frowned and grimaced at them until she found one she deemed worthy for her client.

“Here you go,” she said and handed Allie the second book.

Insights into Elemental Witchcraft.

“Thank you.”

Both headed to the counter, where Mia packaged the books and pocketed the money casually, disregarding the register. She must be the business owner.

“Have a good night,” Allie said and headed to the door.

“Allie.” Mia’s voice came rushed. She stopped and turned to look Mia’s way.

“If anyone here is giving you trouble, don’t read too much into it.

There was an…incident,” she spent a moment picking the right word, “about a year ago, with a Witch who had been living here for a while. I’ll tell you about it another day, but I guess she is mostly the reason for all the wariness.

” Mia gave her a soft smile, but there was no trace of pity in it.

“Are there any other Witches in Sycamore Falls?” Mia shook her head, lips pressed in a straight line. “Thank you for the heads up,” Allie said and exited the store.

A precedent was highly inconvenient, especially because she didn’t know what had happened, but based on how she’d been treated her first day, she knew it had been something bad.

As long as that Witch wasn’t a clumsy one like her with no control over her power, Allie was ready to prove to the people here that she was better.

She crossed the street to the bakery and noticed the lights were on. The sign on the door read “Closed,” but as she approached the entrance, she saw Dominic sitting at one of the tables, hands clasped under his chin, brown hair let loose atop his shoulders.

“Good evening, Mr. Ranford,” she said as she entered the store.

Her boss didn’t move an inch, except for his mossy green eyes that moved over her so swiftly she paused in the middle of the bakery.

He took her and her shopping bags in before leaning back in his chair, pointing to the one opposite him.

“Have a seat, Alecsandra.”