A Witch's Curse (15 page)

Caleb called to her vanishing spirit,
“I forgive you, Caroline.” Then he looked down at Carolyn and said to her, “Thank you, my love.” Then, he screamed, “No!” as he too vanished in a violent, twisting whirlpool of black smoke.

The storm inside the house abruptly stopped, and Adele jumped up to catch a falling Carolyn, helping her into a chair. Maggie, previously slumped to the table, raised her head again, her eyes looking normal, as was her voice. Maggie shook her head and asked, “What happened? And why am I so wet?”

Carolyn, her aura now a faint glow, answered in a choked voice. “We succeeded. Caroline released Caleb.”

“
We were? Fantastic! Where is he? I want to meet him.”

Carolyn buried her face in her hands in an attempt to dam the flood of tears. Adele explained to Maggie how with the curse broken, nothing bound him to this Earth, and Caleb moved on. Adele then checked on a limp Sarah, obviously drained from the experience. Handing Maggie a small pouch, she asked her to make tea for them with the special leaves inside the pouch. Adele went to a listless Carolyn, guided her upstairs, and put her to bed.

Adele sat on the bed
next to a semi-conscious Carolyn, and said, “You are even more powerful than Sarah thinks you are. I’ve never heard of anyone with the ability to call upon all the Goddesses and tap into their powers as you did. You, my dear Sister, are a witch beyond any to come before. I only hope this won’t also be your curse.”

Chapter Eight

Carolyn felt numb and hollow inside,
existing in a perpetual fog. For weeks at a stretch she'd arrive at work, not remember leaving the house, or the drive there, and vice versa. Her skin lost all color and turned pale as death itself. Her life became a meaningless blur. Nights were even lonelier for her as insomnia once again ruled her. Not even able to rest, Carolyn wandered the empty house at night, calling his name. She refused all attempts Sarah and Adele made to train her in the art of witchcraft. The price she paid so far cost her everything; she had nothing left.

Winter came and passed with her barely noticing. The last snow finally melted, the birds returned with their cheery songs, and small buds on the trees and flowers poked their heads out to sniff the warm air, yet Carolyn didn’t care. Her world died when Caleb vanished, and she continually prayed to join him, to take her from this empty life.

After another twelve-hour day at work, Carolyn drove home to find what she thought to be old clothes someone stacked on her front porch. Then the pile moved. A leg stretched out, then an arm. The pile rose and spoke to her.

“
I’m sorry if I scared you, miss. You are Miss Waters, aren’t you?”

Close enough now to see his face, Carolyn stopped dead in her tracks. He had Caleb’s ice blue eyes, except a mischievous twinkle replaced the sadness in them. Under a three-day growth, she recognized the same chiseled jaw and the full lips she had kissed and craved so often. Her Caleb had come back to her.

Carolyn ran to him, threw her arms around his neck, and exclaimed, “Caleb!”

The man extricated himself from her embrace and held her at arm’s length. “I’m sorry, Miss. My name is Carl. Carl Harris. I don’t know anyone named Caleb. I heard in town you were looking for a handyman, and I sure need the work.”

Embarrassed, Carolyn backed away. “You must forgive me, Mr. Harris. You remind me of a man I used to know.”

“
I understand. People are always telling me I look like somebody else. About the job? Is the position still open?”

Her heart still beating rapidly
, Carolyn swallowed and said, “Yes, the job is still available if you want to apply. As you can see, this is a very old house and something always needs fixing. Are you handy with tools?”

“
Yes ma’am, I can fix just about anything. If I may? This is a fine-looking home. I appreciate the love and care someone put into the construction of this house. For some strange reason I can’t explain, I get the impression I've lived here all my life. Almost as if I've came home after a long absence.”

You are, Caleb. You are home.
“Thank you. I’m extremely proud of my home. This house has been in my family for over three hundred years. How are you with gardens?”

Carl laughed. “Even better. Ever since I was a little sprout, people kept telling me I had a green thumb. Horticulture is a passion of mine.”

“
Excellent. Carl Harris, you are hired. Come with me. I want to show you the garden.”

Carolyn led Carl around the house to the back. As they strolled down the path deep into the maze, she explained. “I had plans to renovate this garden and I would like your opinion.”

Carl brushed back an unruly mop of hair from his forehead while he surveyed the garden. “The hedges are completely overtaken with weeds and ivy. They’ll need taken out, which will allow the sun in to breathe new life into what can be a marvelous garden.”

Carolyn nodded
, “I was thinking along the same lines. I do want them taken out. All except for these,” she said as they reached the fountain, and Carolyn pointed to the recalcitrant hedges encircling the courtyard.

“
Hmm? May I make a suggestion?” Carolyn nodded. “Why not replace the hedges with rose bushes? Perhaps build a gazebo over there? I think those would add a certain amount of romance to the ambiance.”

Carolyn smiled for the first time since Caleb abruptly left her the night they lifted Caroline's curse. “Yes, I believe you're right. They would make this place almost perfect.”

“
Almost?”

“
Yes. I would still need the right man to share all this with to be completely perfect.”

Carl rubbed the back of his neck and grinned. “Has anyone applied for that position?”

Carolyn smiled coyly, clasped her hands behind her back, and asked teasingly, “Why? Are you applying for both positions?”

“
I might.” Shifting his gaze from her, Carl turned to face the fountain. “I’ll fix this for you too. The place wouldn’t be the same without a proper working fountain.”

“
No, it wouldn’t,” Carolyn said
. Nor has my life been the same without you, my love. Thank you, Goddesses. Thank you for bringing my Caleb back to me.

* * * *

Spring changed into summer, summer into fall. A year
passed since Carolyn’s inheritance. She and Carl married three months ago and still act as they did on their honeymoon. Making love in every room in the house at least once amazed them at how well the antique furniture held up under the pounding given them.

Carolyn and Maggie sold their store in order to pursue
their individual interests. With Sarah's and Adele’s help, Carolyn delved deep into the art of witchcraft and devoted herself to being the best wife possible for Carl. Maggie went on a world cruise with the money Carolyn gave her from the inheritance, and having the time of her life, bewitching every handsome man she encounters.

With Chester rubbing against her leg, Carolyn stood on the back porch, taking in the aromatic odors from her herb garden and watching as Carl put the final touches on the greenhouse he insisted on building for her. Lovingly, she ran her fingertips along the slight swell of her stomach. Their baby would be born in April, and Carolyn believed that to be the perfect name for their daughter.

*
THE END*

About The Author

Paul Martin is the pseudonym of an erotica author who grew up in the not so gently rolling hills of southwest Pennsylvania. He writes sensual tales laced with the supernatural as well as contemporary works featuring strong women and the heroes who are man enough to
tame them. When not on the golf course, Paul can be found at his computer letting his imagination play with people's lives and loves.

Other Books by Paul

A Present for Santa

Secret Cravings Publishing

www.secretcravingspublishing.com