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Climbing ivy curls around the edges, weaving between tiny painted stars and faded gold lettering. During October, she adds carved pumpkins to the front steps and strings warm white lights beneath the awning.
The effect is somewhere between a charming village shop and the place where a fairytale character would buy suspiciously expensive tea. Which is exactly why tourists love it.
The bell above the door chimes softly as I step inside. Warmth immediately wraps around me. Everly's shop always smells like cedarwood, cinnamon, dried lavender, and something herbal I can never identify. I have asked. Several times. She always answers with some variation of:
"Knowing everything ruins the mystery."
Which is an incredibly annoying thing to say while selling mystery-themed candles.
Shelves display jars of loose-leaf tea beside locally made candles, herbal tinctures, essential oils, handmade soaps, tarot decks, polished crystals, and enough houseplants to qualify as a small rainforest.
Business is thriving. Tourists drift between displays carrying woven baskets and taking photos of anything remotely witchy. One woman holds a crystal pendant up to the window light while her friend watches.
"Do you think this one helps with confidence?" she asks.
Everly looks over from behind the counter.
"I think confidence comes from believing you deserve space in the world."
The woman blinks.
"Okay."
Everly smiles.
"But the crystal is pretty."
The woman immediately buys it. That's Everly. She has somehow mastered the art of giving people practical advice while still letting them purchase something shiny.
Her hazel eyes find mine over the customer's shoulder. They brighten.
"There you are."
"I'm here to save you from crystal-related emergencies."
"You joke."
"I absolutely do not."
A middle-aged man approaches the counter holding two bottles of essential oil.
"So..." he begins.
Everly gives him her full attention.
"Yes?"
"Which one protects against negative energy?"
She considers this seriously.
"Healthy boundaries are usually more effective."
The man looks confused.
"So..."
He lifts the bottles.
