The thought hit before I had a chance to stop it. Familiar pain gripped my heart.

I knew there would be memories coming into town today. How could there not? The cupcake store just ahead was the perfect example. I inhaled the scent of sugary baked goods as I walked by. Annie’s Place. Adam and I used to stop in all the time before closing to pick up a red velvet cupcake to share on our late-night walks. But even though the pain that came with the memory was very real, it was nothing I couldn’t handle. I lived with that pain every day. I just needed to keep on putting one foot in front of the other. I was fine.

I passed an older couple window-shopping at the jewelry store and smiled at the man holding what I assumed was his wife’s purse. She was busy pointing at one of the display cases. He gave me a warm smile and rolled his eyes.

That was one thing I noticed a lot of since becoming a widow. Couples. I couldn’t help but wonder about them. Were they happy? Were they in love? Did they appreciate what they had? I knew it wasn’t a healthy pastime for me, but stopping was easier said than done.

I let the thought go and hurried my step.

Hmm, Charmed Treasures had gone through a bit of a makeover. The gift shop was certainly ready for Halloween with its purple-and-black garland of jack-o’-lanterns draped across the front window. The store had never been that festive before. There was also a young woman standing behind the door who appeared new. At least I thought she was new. I was fairly certain I would have remembered her neon pink hair. I smiled at her, but she just stared back at me. Not in an unfriendly way. More surprised. Like she had just spotted a unicorn strolling down the street.

That was odd.

And it was exactly the type of thing I would have told Adam about when I got home. I could almost hear myself saying, The strangest little thing happened today.

I grunted softly with frustration. I was never going to make it to the bookstore if I didn’t get ahold of myself.

Suddenly a sharp bark startled me.

I brought my hand to my chest before looking down at a small dog tied to a bicycle rack.

Wait a minute, I knew that Yorkshire terrier. It belonged to Dr. Fournier, the town dentist. He was normally so friendly. The dog, not Dr. Fournier, that is. Although Dr. Fournier was friendly too.

“Hello, Buster,” I said, reaching out my fingers.

The little dog scooted behind a post.

“It’s all right,” I said, reaching toward him a little more.

He whined and inched away.

I pulled my hand back in and straightened up.

Dogs often had funny reactions to witches. If I had to guess, our magic smelled a little different to their canine noses. We had to work extra hard to gain their trust. But Buster had never reacted this way before. Was it something else? Dogs did pick up on all sorts of things the rest of us couldn’t. Scents. Pheromones. Emotions.