Destiny Calling Read Free Page A

across the counter. “Don’t bother with any stories. I’ve been around a long time and know a lot more than a woman ought to. Working in places like this taught me things you’ll never learn in any school.”
    She shuddered. “Plus it’s my guess you’ve heard a lot of stories.” She pointed her finger at me. “Just so you know, they’re not all stories.”
    I jerked back, unsure if she meant the stories Tessa always used to spout, or the ones I’d heard about this town. I’d been starting to wonder if they were one and the same.
    “I also know as far as bartending, you’re as green as the beer on Saint Patrick’s Day. I have a house in town with an apartment over my garage. You can stay there. It’s not much, but it’s bigger than that car you’ve been squatting in.” She inclined her head toward the door.
    The warmth from a flush heated my neck. I stared at the key still partially covered by her hand as the fatigue of the past month settled upon my shoulders.
    She slid the key closer, and I reached for it. As I grasped the key, she snatched her hand back before my fingers got too close.
    “No offense, sweetie.” Ruthie smiled, revealing amazingly white teeth. “But like you, I don’t want to take any chances.” She placed her hands on her ample hips.
    “I’ve been waiting on you. Now stop gaping at me like I’ve grown another head and get on back to see Mrs. Shaw.” She scanned over her shoulder. “Don’t let her scare you, now.” She winked. “Then get on over to the apartment and settle in. We’ll talk rent later. You’ll have to be back here tomorrow evening to start your shift.”
    I slid off the stool.
    Ruthie glanced at the clock. “You see, there’s others been waitin’ on you too, and they’re not all as friendly as me.”
    “Others?” I furrowed my brow. “What are you talking about?”
    “You notice things, and they notice that you notice. Most people can’t or don’t.” She waved her hand. “You’ll find out soon enough.” Ruthie paused, and narrowed her eyes. “What in tarnation did you do to your hair?”
    “What?” I fingered my poor attempt at being a hairstylist. “There’s nothing wrong with my hair.”
    “I’d say there was nothing wrong with your color before.”
    “Before?” How Ruthie knew what my hair looked like before baffled me, as much as why I’d tried to color it black. Perhaps seeing my red hair every day reminded me of the blood pooled around Tessa’s lifeless body. The memory I’d been unable to get out of my mind for the past month.
    I repeated the question Griffith asked me that I couldn’t answer. “What are you? Are you…”
    She snorted, and then peered around to ensure no one was listening. “I’m a witch, of course.”
    I’d been about to ask her if she was my mother, so I felt a little foolish. Even though it didn’t feel exactly right. I thought I’d be able to tell if I actually found her. But nonetheless, I felt a kinship with Ruthie. “Is that what I am?”
    “No, honey.” Her tone became serious. “You’re nothing like me.”

Chapter Two
    “I’m sure you’re familiar with an employment application.” Mrs. Shaw drew her lips back into a thin line. Her bony hands rested on the form with each of her fingernails filed to a point. Odd . Large, gaudy rings dwarfed her tiny fingers.
    “I find it unorthodox to hire someone prior to finishing the normal process of employment,” said Mrs. Shaw.
    “Yes, I understand.” I nodded, picking up the paper. Place of employment, length of time working and references were all required. Crap . “I’m not sure I can remember all of the phone numbers from my prior jobs.” I’d been counting on this place not caring about these little details, but I hadn’t counted on the likes of Mrs. Shaw working here. She was as out of place here as an office manager, as I was as a hairstylist.
    “It’s not that I’m saying you wouldn’t make a good underling, I mean,