8

The apothecary was blessedly empty when she pushed the door open. The bell rang out, signaling her arrival, and she smiled when Monsieur Laurent's face appeared from behind the back curtain. "Another visit so soon, chérie, I'm honored."

They stepped up to either side of the counter, and Bella's hands twisted together in her anxiousness. "I wish it were a social visit," she murmured. "My husband is missing."

Monsieur Laurent's face became immediately serious. "Missing?"

She sighed. "He left the day before yesterday for a delivery. There has been no sight nor word from him since."

He tapped the counter in thought. "And it is normal for him to contact you if he's to be longer?"

Bella let out a breath. "He always sends word if he can't make it home. This is the longest I haven't heard from him in our entire lives." She felt sick to think of it, and her hands settled high over her stomach, willing the anxiousness roiling in her to settle.

"Mon Dieu," he muttered. "What can I help you with, chérie?"

She opened her mouth, but as she began to speak, the door chime rang out again. She turned to see a young, light-haired man enter the shop. "Have you heard?" he called out, his attention on closing the door behind him. "They say the dead are walking!"

He turned forward, and his blue eyes widened when he saw Bella. "My apologies, Mistress Masen. I didn't mean to…" He paused, reaching up to rub his neck. Bella was familiar with Monsieur Laurent's apprentice, Jasper. He was young, a little impulsive, but overall had been of generally good spirits whenever she came across his path. She liked the young man.

"The dead are walking?" Monsieur Laurent asked dryly, looking Jasper over.

Jasper's neck flushed under the scrutiny of his master and Mistress Masen.

"That's what they're saying," he hedged, stepping into the shop. "They said a witch rose yesterday, and she's been raising the dead since."

Bella rolled her eyes. "No witch has risen." She grunted. The men both turned to look at her. "I don't know who was in the empty coffin, but I can assure you, this has nothing to do with magic." She turned back to Monsieur Laurent. "My husband knows something. I sense it deep in my bones." She hesitated. "He needs me."

The apothocarist looked her over. "Have you an idea of where to start looking?"

She sighed. "The nearest village," she said slowly. "No one here has seen him. I need to find where his last delivery took place."

Monsieur Laurent nodded. "It's a dangerous time to be traveling alone," he said slowly. Bella's eyes hardened. "I am not accusing you of inadequacy," he said, holding his hands up placatingly. "I know you are quite a capable woman, chérie. But the Autumn quickly darkens, and…" He paused, his eyes meeting hers.

She swallowed hard. "I know," she whispered.

Jasper watched the two speak, wondering what he was missing. They seemed to be speaking in some sort of code that he was not privy to.

"I will accompany you," Monsieur Laurent said.

"No," Mistress Masen said quickly. "You have the shop to look after, and I know that you aren't comfortable on a horse anymore."

A riding accident years ago had proven to be one thing too many for Monsieur Laurent. His back had not allowed him on a horse since.

"I cannot let you go alone," he said with a firm shake of his head.

Jasper took a breath. "I'll go," he offered. They both turned to him, and he was struck by just how similar these two were. Despite the obvious differences—one dark as night, one pale as the moon; one tall and wide, one short and delicate—they were able to summon the same looks of surprise and skepticism.

It would have wounded Jasper, had he been older and known what those looks were meant to convey. "I'm strong on a horse, and I don't mind a journey," he continued, looking first to Mistress Masen for her thoughts before turning to his master.

Bella considered it. Travel would be easier with a companion, and though she didn't particularly relish the idea that she needed a man to help her, she was smart enough to understand how the world around her truly worked.

She turned to Monsieur Laurent. "Can you bear to lend your apprentice?" she asked.

The apothecarist's eyes were focused on the young man before him. Jasper had been his apprentice since the boy was seven years old. He'd had more hand in raising the boy than the boy's mother had. Jasper was still young, still impulsive, but he did trust him.

"You are to do exactly as Mistress Masen instructs," he said, his voice turning hard to convey the severity of the situation. Jasper immediately snapped to attention. "Your utmost priority is her safety, am I clear?"

Jasper nodded. "Yes, sir."

Monsieur Laurent turned to Bella. "Let me put some things together for your journey," he offered. Bella nodded, grateful. He turned from the counter as she turned back to Jasper.

"You're sure of this?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yes, mistress. I won't let you down." His eyes were bright, warm, and hopeful. He wanted to be of use, wanted to help her as much as he could. She could see his desire for adventure and to prove himself to not only his master but, perhaps, to himself.

She smiled then, just a little, at the brave boy offering her help. "I believe you."

…

Bella hoped that she would only be leaving home for a couple of days, but reality told her if something was truly wrong, she could be gone for months in search of her husband. She tried not to dwell on the possibility.

She did what she could to prepare her house for her absence, and when she was satisfied, she went to fetch the mare. Bear followed her, eager as always to be a part of whatever it was she was doing.

Jasper waited for her on the road, perched on the back of his mare.

Bella joined him on the road once she was seated in the saddle. It had been a while since she'd ridden a horse, and though her muscles remembered quite accurately, they were stiff and out of practice.

She met Jasper's gaze. "We're going to travel to the nearest village south of us. We need to figure out where he was last seen."

Jasper nodded. "After you, mistress."