Pulling The Wool: A Magic Garden Mystery (Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

together.
    “Sorry, Fern, got to dash. Stewart just gave me a lead on another story I’m working on.” She stood up and gave Fern a departing hug. “Look, I promise I’ll keep my ear to the ground about this sheep poisoning – if Stewart or I get any inside information, we’ll pass it along to you.”
    “Thanks, Alana. Please do. Are we still on for lunch tomorrow?”
    Alana pulled her bag over her shoulder, and adjusted her glasses as she rushed for the door.
    “Definitely. We’ll speak later.”

    F ern spent the next hour going through the books and highlighting the customers in the past six months who had bought azaleas in their various forms from The Magic Garden. Satisfied she had identified everyone, she stepped outside the front for some fresh air.
    Glancing at the various flowers in their buckets and deep in thought, she almost jumped when she heard a deep voice coming from behind her. Spinning around, she came face to face with the most handsome man she’s ever seen in Thackery, who on first glance, appeared to be of similar age to her, if not a few years older. He stood in front of her with a warm smile.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Fern felt herself colour as she glanced down at his outstretched hand, waiting for her to shake it.
    “Oh! I’m sorry.” She smiled and shook his hand. “Hi, I’m Fern. Can I help you?”
    He gently released her hand and Fern noticed his pale blue eyes crinkling at the corners from his smile.
    “No, you’re fine. I was just passing through and noticed the beautiful flowers you have. I’m Owen, by the way.”
    Realisation quickly dawned upon her. “Oh, you’re the new vet! And Willie’s, er, I mean, Police Constable Willie’s, nephew.”
    He grinned at her and Fern felt herself blushing harder for stumbling over her words.
    “Yes, I am. I believe I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting your aunt Zinnia, but it’s lovely to meet the other Amesbury woman.”
    Fern returned his grin. “There’s actually another one of us. My younger sister, Calla, but she’s currently travelling.”
    “Well then, that’s just as well. I don’t think my heart could take seeing yet another beautiful Amesbury in two days.” He shot her a friendly wink and Fern knew that he was teasing, but she was at a loss to say anything clever in return.
    “Anyway, Fern, it’s been lovely meeting you, but I must be on my way. One of farmer Jerry’s horses has gone into labour.”
    “Okay, sure. Good luck! Hope everything works out with the horse. And nice to meet you too.” She watched as he walked past her, noticing his brown hair, which was just slightly too long over the collar of his shirt.
    “I’ll see you around, Fern.” He turned back and smiled, leaving her with a grin on her face.
    She decided that he was definitely much more amenable than his uncle!

Chapter Four
    A fter her brief meeting with Owen, Fern glanced at her watch, noticing it was lunchtime. She needed to check on a few things out back in the nursery, so she flipped the sign on the front door to state that she would be back in an hour. Any customer would presume she was on her lunch break. Fern also locked the door on the inside – what she was about to do could not be witnessed by anyone.
    She walked through the shop and out into the back area. When she reached the far corner, she faced the wall. Taking a quick breath she recited some words softly and then looked up.
    “ Libero sigillum .” Release the seal.
    Stepping back, she watched as the brick wall parted before her, creaking and sliding across to the other side. Fern smiled at the sight before her and stepped into the bright warm sunlight. Clapping her hands in glee, she looked around at her nursery, the new flowers already blooming and basking in the heat.
    “Yessss! It worked!” Fern fist-pumped the air, grinning wildly. She had consulted her Book of Shadows a hundred times and was still failing at her attempts with weather