Twenty minutes later, you and Hayley stepped off the bus and walked into the gardening section of the mall where she began to pick out a number of odd herbs and plants. "What exactly are you and mom making in this garden of yours?" Curious, you asked. "I didn't even know you had a garden."
"Home remedies, mostly." Lightly, Hayley replied. "There is more to it but you will want to take things slow as there is a lot to take in."
"Mom said it was a girl thing." Wincing, you said. "I don't mind garden work."
"As I said, there is more to it, John." Smiling, Hayley said. "You'll understand more once you get into what we are doing."
You sighed and shrugged then looked at the list mom gave you. "We only have a one more item to get; an all oak stirring spoon." You raised an eyebrow. "Why does it have to be oak?"
"Anything else would ruin the taste." Simply, Hayley replied. "Don't worry, none of it made any sense to me when I first started either."
"Where are we going to find an all oak stirring spoon?" Curious, you asked.
Hayley frowned slightly. "From Forester's antiques."
"I thought mom didn't want any of us anywhere near aunt Samantha." Worried, you said.
"She had a falling out with the family years ago." Sighing, Hayley said. "I'll get the stirring spoon, you just wait out in the hall."
You followed your sister out of the gardening section to Forester's store where she motioned you to wait in the main hall. "I'll only be a minute." Quickly, she said.
"I'm not letting you go in there alone, sis." Firmly, you said. "Mom does not want anyone alone with that woman, you know that."
Hayley sighed. "Okay, you can come with me but don't touch anything." Sternly, she ordered. "Also, whatever you do, don't accept anything from that woman, she is nothing but trouble."
With that, you and Hayley walked into the store where a tall young woman was standing near the cash register. She had long red hair and cold calculating fire hazel eyes. Just looking at her gave you chills as she seemed focused on your every move.
"Welcome to my humble store, Hayley." Sweetly, she said. "What can I offer you today?"
"All oak stirring spoon." Flatly, Hayley said.
Samantha's eyed your purchases from the gardening section and nodded. "I see..." Grinning, she said. "Are you and your mother planning to let John in on your family business?"
"Family business?" Curious, you asked.
"That is not your concern." Serious, Hayley replied. "Please retrieve the all oak stirring spoon so we may make our purchase and return home."
Samantha threw you a mischievous grin that made you shiver before slipping behind a curtain to the back room. "She gives me the creeps." Frowning, you whispered.
"You don't know the half of it." Serious, Hayley whispered back. "For your sake, I suggest you don't pry; its not a pretty story."
You nodded then turned to see Samantha return with a long wooden spoon. "Will this spoon suit your purposes, Hayley?" Politely, she asked.
Hayley examined the spoon and nodded. "Yes, that will do nicely."
Samantha nodded then wrapped the spoon in a neat long box before handing it to you. "Here you go, young man." Smiling, she said. "This purchase is on me. Consider it a peace offering."
You half raised your hand to accept the box but hesitated, remembering Hayley's warning not to accept anything from her.
What do you do?
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