Chapter 33

"Hello, Ms. Bea. My name is Sarah, and this is my husband, AJ," smiled Sarah. "I just love your shop. For some reason I just had to see what was inside—curiosity, I guess." As Sarah was talking, a fat tabby cat wound its way between AJ's ankles, almost causing him to fall.

"Oh, never mind Dora, she loves men. My husband named her Pandora because once we opened the box and let her out she's been a handful of trouble," laughed Bea. "Is there anything in particular you'd like to look at?"

"I don't know. We have some shops back home, but nothing like this," replied Sarah. "Oh, I know I have a friend that has a really bad sunburn. It's terrible, in fact, red with blisters, do you have something to help him?"

"Sure, Sweetie, right over here. This is my sunburn oil, it has Lavender, Neroli, and Chamomile in it, and it will relieve the pain and help the healing instantly."

Now, Dora, the cat, was trying her best to climb up AJ's pant leg. He could feel her sharp little claws digging in. Seeing no one was watching, he pulled her free and gave her a gentle toss. She landed on her feet with no problem and AJ hurried to catch up with Sarah and Ms. Bea. "Would that be all, sweetie-just the sunburn medication for your friend?" asked Ms. Bea.

"Sarah, how about that nasty cold you get every winter? She sneezes and get all stopped up. Do you have anything for that?" asked AJ, feeling something cold on his ankle.

"Yes, I can give you something to take care of that. For the congestion, you would need Eucalyptus and Camphor, all you do is rub it into your sinus area and on your chest, and it will clear you right up!"

That darn cat was back again, with her cold nose on his ankle. Wiggling his foot, he listened to what Ms. Bea had to say.

"That sounds wonderful, now I won't dread winter so much," smiled Sarah, glancing at AJ, wondering why he was acting so funny. "How about some perfume? I'd like something just for me, something so one else will have back home? What would you suggest?"

Just then AJ felt Dora's rough tongue run up his ankle to his leg, giving him chills. Darn cat! Dammit wouldn't dare do that, she'd know better. Using his foot, he slid Dora across the floor. Looking over to be sure she was all right, he hurried over to the women and got between them.

"Well, sweetie, let's try these on you and see which one you like best. These are two of my favorite, and are great alone or together, they are sandalwood and vanilla," smiled Ms. Bea. "I also have bath salts in the same fragrances if you'd like."

"Oh, my, I love them both! You're right, they are great in combination. I will take a bottle, and I would love some of the bath salts too."

"AJ, what do you think?" asked Sarah.

"Ouch! Bloody Hell!" exclaimed AJ. He reached down to pick up Dora, who had just bitten him on the back of his foot.

"Dora, have you been a bad girl and hurt the nice gentleman?" asked Ms. Bea, taking Dora and placing her on a chair behind the counter.

"I am so sorry, AJ, but she does love to play with men. A typical tease, I'm afraid," smiled Ms. Bea.

Opening a beautiful blue bottle and taking a whiff, Sarah asked, "What's this Ms. Bea? It smells like peppermint."

"It is, sweetie. You can use it for headaches and to clear your mind," she said. Leaning over, she whispered, "Put a couple drops in your bath water and it makes you tingle everywhere! You know what I mean?"

Sarah laughed, "Yes, I think I do. Does it work for men too, Ms. Bea?"

"Why, sweetie, how do you think I was so happily married for fifty years? I had my little secrets," winked the old woman.

"Where's your husband now?" asked Sarah, looking around.

"Ah, sweetie, all good things must come to an end. My Jim died almost five years ago," said Ms. Bea sadly. "I just have my daughter, in Boston now, and Dora, of course."

"I'm sorry," replied Sarah.

"No need, we had a good life, like you and your man, we loved each other very much."

To be continued….