A Witch's Curse Read Free

reinvested the royalties into stocks and bonds, things like that. That means I’ll receive a small but steady income in addition to what I’m making at the store.”
    “ So, my partner is rich as well as gorgeous. Men will be hanging around you like flies. Promise me your leavings?”
    “ You can keep them all, Mags. I grew up in this town, and the only decent men left are all married.”
    “ I hear you, sister. Hey! Maybe we can import some. You can afford to bring them in by the busload.”
    Chuckling, Carolyn said, “Not for another year, I can’t.”
    “ So what’s this about a cousin? Last week you were an orphan, and now, you’ve a rich grandmother who leaves you a fortune and a cousin to boot?”
    “ Mr. Hargrove, Grandmother’s lawyer, says she’s more a rumor than an established fact. He didn’t think finding her would be worth the expense only to tell her, sorry, you were almost rich. He will though, if I don’t fulfill the terms stated in Grandmother’s will, then my unknown cousin will be the one who’s rich.”
    “ But, why wouldn't you stay?”
    “ There's no reason I can think of to make me leave.”
    “ Not even the ghost?” Maggie kidded.
    “ Not even a ghost could budge me from here.”
    “ Good for you. Now, how about a giving me a quick tour before we get down to serious cleaning. I've always wanted to get a good gander of the insides of Spook Manor, and I guess I should see what I got myself into when I volunteered to help clean this institution.”
    Maggie stood, her head swiveling back and forth as she studied the room. “How many rooms are there in this bizarre fun house? Oh, I brought some cleaning supplies and a house warming gift, I left them on the porch.” Maggie headed for the door, and over her shoulder, she added, “I bought you a marigold plant. I thought you could use something bright and pretty to help chase away the drab. I mean, this isn’t exactly the most cheerful house on the block and living right next door to a cemetery…eww.”
    Carolyn drained the last drops from her mug and followed Maggie to the door to help bring in the assorted buckets and boxes. “The cemetery doesn’t bother me, Mags, and once I’m finished decorating and remodeling, this will be a very nice place to live, thank you very much. How many rooms? Hmm, there are twenty rooms, counting the foyer, which is certainly big enough to count as two.”
    She turned and walked toward a pair of closed doors to the left of the kitchen. “You’ve already been in the kitchen and living room, which, in the olden days, I believe they referred to as the parlor . Over here is the formal dining room,” she said, pulling the pocket doors apart.
    “ Formal indeed. You can sit an army at that table. Would you look at that chandelier? That has to be crystal.”
    Carolyn crossed the living room and foyer and said, with a playful, sophisticated air, “Oh, but of course. Nothing but the best for us rich folk.” Then, with a laugh, she added, “The library is over here. I’m told Grandmother moved her bedroom down here when she wasn’t able to climb the stairs anymore.”
    Sliding the doors open, her face brightened when she spotted Chester lying on the hospital bed. “There you are. I wondered where you went, buddy. How did you get in here? Did I lock you in here all night?” Chester paused from licking his paws to grace her with a momentary glance before continuing his grooming.
    “ When did the local library open this branch?” Maggie said, gawking at the floor to ceiling shelves filled with books.
    “ Come on, I want to show you the master bedroom.” Carolyn led the way up the curved staircase and flipped on the hall light at the top.
    Maggie paused and stared at the overhead light. “I thought this house was three-hundred years old? I didn’t realize this in the kitchen, but you’ve got electricity?”
    “ Of course I do. And gas, heat, and even indoor plumbing, all the conveniences of a