Magical New Beginnings 8Midlife Witchery #1) - Brenda Trim Page 0,1

to call it a cottage was misleading. The thing was nearly as big as my house in Salisbury, but it had charm coming out of the eaves.

The brown roof reminded me of a thatch design. Every angle was rounded, creating a soft, inviting look to the five-bedroom home. The shutters on the windows matched the brown of the roof, and the ivy growing up one side was straight out of a fairytale. I’d always thought that, and now it was mine.

I even owned a cemetery. Never thought I’d say that in my life. And, the craziest part was that it made me feel closer to the family I’d never known. I turned my head to the left and glanced at the headstones. Towards the back of the place were a couple mausoleums. Yeah, it’s super creepy but also pretty neat. I mean, there was a graveyard a hundred feet from where I slept. Good thing I have always loved them, or I wouldn’t have been able to stay in the house.

Turning away from the cemetery, I glanced at the garden I had spent days wondering if I should remove. Not only did I cringe at the thought of so much bending, but I didn’t have a green thumb. I wasn’t as bad as Violet, my best friend, but plants didn’t exactly flourish under my care. And I’m starting a new life now. I admit that I have no desire to weed the damn thing. I was reluctant to actually pull the plants up. They’re a part of the place’s charm.

I headed to the pond and smiled as I looked at the large watering hole. I’ve seen deer, rabbits, and small bears drinking late at night or in the early morning. The entire property was surrounded by woods. The area was lush thanks to the rainy weather in Northern England.

Opening the small gate in the fence around the garden, I went in search of some basil to add to my tomato sandwich for lunch. There were so many herbs and plants, and I knew what maybe a third of them were. Rosemary and mint were the most obvious. The rest I would learn in time if I don’t lose it all to weeds.

I found what I was looking for in the far corner closest to the cemetery. My gaze shifted to the fresh grave. My vision blurred when I read my grandmother’s name. A pinging started up in my head. That was the only way I could describe it.

There was something hitting the walls of my skull, almost like a bee trapped under a cloche. I’ve never experienced it before in my life. The stress of the past month must be getting to me.

I took a deep breath and thought about my grandma. Isidora Shakleton was unforgettable and an integral part of the town. Most of the residents of Cottlehill Wilds showed up for her service.

The pinging was gone by the time I turned away and walked back to the house. The inside was just as cozy as it appeared on the outside. The back door went right into the kitchen, where I dumped the basil before I headed through the small living room and up the stairs to my bedroom.

The patchwork quilt my grandmother made was still on her bed. I had my clothes and a few of my favorite mementos shipped to me. The rest was going to the kids.

I really do need a new comforter. And sheets. I made plans to head into the city so I could pick up a nice Down quilt and maybe a new mattress. I swear there were more lumps in the thing than there were on my butt and thighs. And that was saying something.

Being my age, it was shocking if you didn’t carry an extra fifteen or twenty pounds. I know I certainly had the extra cushion. Along with aches and pains, I thought as I bent to pick up the towels Skylar left on the wood floor.

That was one thing I will not miss. The kids, much like my late husband, never picked up after themselves. And boy, did that get on my last damn nerve. I spent my entire life caring for others—both at work and at home. I swear being a caretaker was woven in my DNA.

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in nursing, I worked full-time in the ICU at a local hospital for twenty years then took care of Tim at the end. Perhaps that was