Clara sighed. “Lack of interest combined with development. This whole row of stores is slated for demolition,” she said sadly.

“I’m so sorry. Are you planning to move the store somewhere else?”

“It’s not easy to find a place where people need the kind of help I offer, but I’ve been looking at rental space in Stewart. With their rich history of curses, I’m thinking people might be receptive to my wares.” Her gaze didn’t hold Amber’s too long and she reached for more tea.

“Sounds like a good plan.” Amber knew of at least one person in Stewart who could use Clara’s help. “What do you think I should get for Edward Corwin?”

“A dreamcatcher for sure. He always—I mean, he should get use from one. And there are candles and incense that might help. But most of all, that man needs a few good spells cast around him for a change.” Clara picked up their empty teacups and placed them in the backroom, on the sink.

Amber wiped down the small table. Then, on impulse, she pulled out the directions and copied Edward’s address onto one of Crescent Moon’s business cards by the register. She purchased the items Clara had suggested for Edward and waited while the woman wrapped them.

“Thank you. This has been an enlightening morning. I’m so glad I stopped by.”

“Me, too. You’re a good person, Amber Rose Corwin.”

Amber flushed at the compliment. “I wish my husband felt the same way.”

Clara studied her for a moment, her stare deep, her expression intense. “He doesn’t see the world the same way you do. Just keep on doing good deeds. He’ll come around.”

Amber hoped the other woman was right. “Speaking of coming around, if you have some free time maybe you could visit me at Edward Corwin’s and introduce him to some of those good spells you mentioned earlier.”

“That’s a tempting offer.” Clara’s eyes sparkled as she accepted the card and glanced at the address. “It’s so busy I’m not sure I can get away,” she said, laughing as she gestured around the empty shop.

Amber chuckled, too.

Clara’s visit was sure to lighten the tension in the Corwin house during Amber’s stay. Besides, anything this Wiccan woman had to offer must be better than voodoo, the jujus and red dust on Edward’s doorstep.

In fact, the more Amber thought of it, the more she guessed that Clara might be just what Edward Corwin needed.

AS AMBER APPROACHED Mike’s father’s house, her nerves took over and her stomach flipped in anticipation. She didn’t know what to expect by way of a greeting. She parked in front of the house, beside an SUV that hadn’t been here the last time she’d visited. She pulled her purse and the small packed bag from the backseat and walked to the front door. Then, drawing a deep breath, she rang the bell.

To her surprise, Edward didn’t answer. A dark-haired man greeted her instead. His good looks weren’t as rugged as Mike’s, but there was a family resemblance. Amber guessed this man was Mike’s cousin.

“Amber?” he asked.

She inclined her head. “Derek?”

“Good guess.” He extended his hand and she shook it. “Welcome.”

“Thanks. I didn’t expect you here.” She glanced over his shoulder into the house, but she didn’t see Edward.

“I thought I’d smooth things over,” he said, gesturing for her to come inside. He took the bag from her hand and placed it by the stairs, then led her into the family room she’d seen the other night.

“It’s really nice of you to help me out, but I’m sure you have better things to do than babysit.”

“I hardly consider getting to know my cousin’s wife babysitting. Why don’t you have a seat.” He pointed to an old blue velvet sofa and she chose a space in the middle.

Derek sat in a chair across the room and studied her without saying a word.

“Mike told you about us?” Amber asked, breaking the awkward silence. Considering how much he didn’t want people to know their official status, she thought maybe Mike had told his cousin she was just a friend who needed help. So she was surprised when Derek had called her Mike’s wife. But she cautioned herself against reading too much into it.

Derek raised an eyebrow. “Mike and I are close. We don’t lie to each other.”

Ouch, Amber thought. Direct hit. Apparently this man knew more than she’d realized. She didn’t blame Mike or Derek for their feelings about her past, but she refused to let Derek bait her into a confrontation.

“I’m glad he confided in you. It’s good that he has someone he trusts,” she said to Derek. She met his gaze without flinching. She’d done what she’d done, but she refused to let her past define who she was—and who she wanted to be.

The crunching sound of a car driving up the gravel distracted her, but not Derek.

Tags: Carly Phillips Lucky Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net