Time for the moment of truth.

I brought the small pot to my nose and gave it a sniff.

Nothing.

Well, there was a little something, but the scent emanating from the small flowers was too faint for me to be sure it was the fragrance I had recognized in the shop.

I put the pot back where I had found it and planted my hands on my hips.

Now what?

If I went to Nora without proof, there was a good chance she would deny everything, which was really aggravating given all the grief she had been giving me about keeping secrets.

I gazed absentmindedly around the greenhouse until my eyes landed on the cabinets Nora had bought from the library.

Of course! The dried plants often had a more pungent smell.

I hurried over to the tallest stack and drew my finger over the labels of the tiny drawers until I found the B section.

Baboon Flower. Baby’s Tears. Baneberry.

I skipped ahead.

Birch. Bird of Paradise.

No. No.

Black Gum. Blackberry. Bloodroot.

No.

There!

I wiggled the little drawer I had landed on open just far enough for me to reach inside and pull out a satchel filled with dried flowers. I loosened the strings holding it shut and brought it up to my nose.

Before I had even truly inhaled, I knew.

It was plain as day. This was the scent I had picked up on in the gift shop, and this was the scent on the letter Maureen had given me.

Black quartz flower.

The same black quartz flower Izzy said could break the warding spell she had put on the house.

It was an incredibly rare plant, one that only witches grew.

Unbelievable.

Nora had really gone too far this time.

I pulled the strings on the satchel closed, but I did not put it back in the drawer. Instead, I took it with me as I strode out of the greenhouse, up the path to the B&B.

I was mad. There was no denying it. Nora had accused both Izzy and I of not doing enough to help her, and yet here she was actively working against us.

I followed the voices coming from the dining room.

Not to mention the fact she felt entitled to knowing all of my most intimate feelings, but she had no problem keeping secrets of her own.

No, this was unacceptable, and I had no problem telling her so.

My steps faltered when I entered the dining room.

The special family dinner Izzy had planned was all laid out. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, freshly baked rolls, crisp green beans in lemon-butter sauce. There was even a peach pie for dessert. All Nora’s favorite comfort foods.

It was the perfect apology dinner.

But suddenly I was having a difficult time remembering what it was I was supposed to be apologizing for.

Nora was perched in her chair at the head of the table, looking like a queen, a smug expression on her face.