The arrival - A small snow-covered town in the mountains.
Estelle couldn’t believe the life-altering changes she had endured the past few weeks. The loss of her job, separating from her toxic family, especially her narcissistic mother, a breakup and just about using up all her savings to start a new lifein the country. She was leaving her city life for a new chapter in Frosty Haven. A small, idyllic little town in the mountains.
Estelle loved the holidays, the music, the decorations, and the lights. Especially the lights. But she couldn’t help but feel a little down this year. She used to be one of those people who started decorating as soon as Halloween passed. But now her stuff was packed, and she was put -putting along the highway in her jeep.
The holidays were very special to her and her father. They would sit and watch Hallmark movies together while discussing the fantasy and conflicts in each film. Bake goodies and stuff their faces with them before they have time to cool from the oven. They loved decorating the family house until there was quite literally no space left to fill. Yet they would still find room for the year’s newest nutcracker or singing reindeer they found on their shopping adventures. This was their holiday.
Now, her father had passed she missed him more than anything in the world. He was her protector from the family bullying, supporter and best friend. His death is what prompted this move. He was the only one who truly cared about her. She was not welcomed in her family outside of him. She was different. She was caring, thoughtful, hopeful, and the biggest discordance, she was also a very talented Witch. Much to her mother's demise and jealousy. They say it skips a generation or two. Her grandmother was a Witch, and since her father didn’t receive the gift, it went to her.
Estelle’s powers came to her upon her sixteenth birthday. Her father descended the stairs with a giant box wrapped in a beautiful heirloom scarf. It was her grandmother’s Grimoire. He was ever so proud. The rest of her family, being the envious individuals they were, were less than pleased. And it was around this time they would bully and black mail her into doing their biddings.
Estelle's father sent her to a private prodigious university for those of magical abilities. When she returned home on that first break, she realized how much they despised her. It was during this time at school that her mother and sisters spread their hatred and spread rumors. Through the years at school, she kept to herself and her friends. The only communication from home she cared about was her father’s. Who desperately tried to keep the peace, especially during the holidays. So now, as she drove down the road and into the snow capped mountains, she was ready to leave all that behind her and start fresh.
Estelle loved the winter; the season fueled her magic and made her thrive at spells. She aced cold weather magic. That is one of the main reason's she wanted to live in the mountains, that and the fact her sun loving mother would never visit. So she googled the most charming winter towns in the Rocky Mountains and up popped, Frosty Haven.
She searched for spaces to rent with shops underneath them. She wanted her small town cafe where she could sell her magical remidies to the townsfolk. It was her dream to be in a place where she felt belonging to. Weaving her spells on a small town, helping people find happiness and love. So when her searching found the ad for a small cafe with an apartment above, she jumped at the opportunity.
The snow started to fall on her windshield as she pulled off the highway. Could it have gotten any more perfect? The GPS told her to turn left at the second light onto Candy Cane Lane. She had to chuckle to herself. "Did that sign really say, Candy Cane Lane?" She squealed with delight and made a mental memo to go back and take a picture. She could have just snapped her fingers but Estelle balanced her Witchcraft with her human upbringing.
Witch each turn and stop light, she saw signs supporting her decision to move here. The town was wonderfully dreamy, twinkle lights sparkled on rooftops, tress were decorate, and tiny shops lined the streets, all decorated with beautgul displays. Music played over the loud speakers attached to the lamp posts. As if it couldn't get any more perfect, an ice skating rink in the middle of the town just to top it all off.
"I'm home." She breathed outloud.
Estelle carefully drove to the end of the lane where her future shop sat. She pulled into the spot that said owner and pushed the column into park. Estelled smiled at the thought of it, owner. The shop exterior was already decorated to match the decor of the town with a sign hanging on the door.
“Estelle, please call me when you arrive.” -Ashley
She was too excited to worry about meeting someone after a twenty-one-hour car ride. Plus, her visions of the future practically started jumping from her mind the second she saw the cafe windows. Plus, she did make a promise to herself that she would meet and make friends with the people in this town. Pulling out her phone she took a few quick pictures.
She scrolled her messages and found Ashley McGuinty’s number. Estelle was actually excited to meet the person she had been talking to for weeks on the phone. As the phone rang, she let out one more excited squeal and started to look through the shops windows. Dusty white shelves and a few broken table sets lined the walls. She had a lot of cleaning to do in there. The phone picked up with a very excited realestate agent on the other end.
“Hello, Estelle? Are you here?” Ashley beamed.
Estelle could barely contain her happiness either to be honest.
“YES, I mean yes, I’m out front.” She tried to sound cool, calm and professional. But she was failing misserably. She was way to happy.
It was as if Ashley was secretly waiting in her car for she was there in less than five minutes. Immeadiately jumping into the conversation as if they had been long time friends. Rushing up to Estelle with a binder of papers and her curly red hair bouncing about her face.
