Tempest Brewing Tropical Storms Part 1 by Sandra Ross Page B

had done it so
many times now that it was becoming somewhat of a routine. However,
this time it was different. She wasn't going to be moving again in
the near future, if ever. It had taken a while to save the money
she needed, but now she had her very own book shop. Even better,
her spacious apartment was right over the shop, which meant that
she had everything she needed conveniently within reach.
    The first order of business had been to get her
belongings moved into the apartment. Tomorrow, Devon would begin
unpacking boxes and stocking the shelves of her shop with the help
of Janina, the girl she had hired to help her. Together, she hoped
that they would be able to get most of it all done within a couple
of days. She really wanted to have her grand opening by the end of
the week. Saturdays were usually excellent days to hold them
because people would be looking for something to do on the
weekends.
    Devon had planned it all out beautifully. She
did her research and found that this tiny coastal town on the east
coast would be the perfect location for her book shop. Crystal Cove
was small enough to be quaint, but large enough that tourists
visiting nearby beach resorts would be able to find it easily
enough. In fact, tourism was a large part of the town's income.
When she found Crystal Cove, it boasted one casual dining
restaurant, one fine dining restaurant, a Victorian bed and
breakfast as well as a small but elegant inn. There were other
necessary businesses in town but there was no book shop. That's
where Devon came in.
    She was going to be selling all sorts of books.
There would be sections for romances, mysteries, occult, research
materials, and even a children's section. That was going to be set
up as a story time area. Her favorite part, though, was in the back
of the shop. That's where Devon would be offering Tarot readings in
a private and specially decorated area. No one had to know that her
information came from sources that had nothing to do with the
Tarot. She had been playing that off for years so that people
didn't become afraid of her and her abilities.
    Well, Devon thought. I can't just sit here
daydreaming. I've got to get busy. Her electricity, water, and
landline phone were all turned on and she could now stay here. The
movers were due to arrive in a few hours to bring in her furniture.
One thing at a time, she thought. She got up and started to do some
cleaning and measuring so that she would know where she could put
what.
    This is going to be amazing, Devon thought. Dan
would have loved it. No, I'm not going to think about him right
now. It's only going to make me sad and I can't afford to get
depressed right now. She went into her sunny kitchen and grabbed a
diet soda from the refrigerator. Stocking the refrigerator had been
something she had had the foresight to do. She would get her bed
set up and at least be able to eat something in her own home
tonight.
    Just as she popped the top on the soda, her
phone rang. Startled, she nearly spit out her swallow of diet coke.
It had to be a wrong number, she thought as she went back into the
living room to answer the phone. Picking up the phone, she said a
cautious but cheery "Hello." At first, no one said anything.
    "Hi, is anyone there?" Devon said.
    "Hi," a deep male voice said. "I guess I must
have the wrong number. I was trying to get in touch with Dan, but
you're obviously not him."
    "Dan?" A little unpleasant shock ran through
Devon's body. "How do you know Dan?" "Hey, I'm really sorry for
bothering you."
    Before she could say anything else, her caller
had hung up. She checked the caller ID and saw Unknown Number
registered there. How odd, she thought. There wasn't enough time
left to dwell on it, though, because at that moment, the movers
pulled up. She was distracted for the next couple of hours with
supervising the unloading of her furniture and boxes of things.
    As she had promised herself, Devon got her bed
set up and a path cleared so that she