At the Corner of King Street Read Online Free Page B

of the embrace, but held me close at his side. His gaze scanned the room. “Addie, you’ve outdone yourself. The launch is going to be perfect.”
    The compliment almost filled the emptiness. “Willow Hills Vineyards will shine on Friday night.”
    He drew in a deep breath as he moved toward the polished granitecountertop and smoothed his palm over the surface. “We’ve plenty of wineglasses?”
    â€œFive hundred.”
    â€œThey’ve been washed?”
    â€œI inspected them all for spots when they came out of the sanitizer.”
    â€œAnd the caterer?”
    â€œShe’s on target and will set up on Friday morning.”
    â€œThe band?”
    â€œConfirmed. Here midday Friday.” And before he could ask another question, I said, “We’ve received one hundred and fifty confirmations to our invitation, and I’m sending one last e-mail to everyone on our list this morning to remind them. The web page was updated and table linens were delivered an hour ago. I’ll have the room set up today.”
    He kissed me. “I love you.”
    â€œI love you, too.”
    My phone buzzed, sending a chilled warning up my spine. I didn’t dare look at the display.
Please, Janet, for once, stay away.
    Scott drew back. “Aren’t you going to answer that?”
    â€œWhat? Oh, I suppose.”
    â€œIt could be a vendor.”
    I looked at the phone and saw Janet’s name. I silenced my phone and slid it in my back pocket.
No more car accidents. No more bail. No more fixes, Janet.
“No one that can’t wait.”
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œVery.”
    â€œWell, if you have it all under control, I’m going to check the north property. We’re clearing the land today.”
    I never lied to Scott, but I also never told him about my family.Long ago, I locked away Janet, my mother, my Aunt Grace, and my life back in Alexandria in a very small box, and I had never once been tempted to open it. I reinvented myself when I moved to Willow Hills and left my history behind.
    One day, I might tell Scott, but for now, there was no reason. My sister weathered crisis after crisis and this one would likely blow over by tomorrow.
    I watched him leave, but the lightness I had enjoyed ten minutes ago vanished. Pulling out the phone, I checked for a message. Four missed calls but no message.
    Guilt chewed at me as I stared at 4 “Missed Calls” on my phone’s display. Janet was back, no doubt bringing with her another wave of destruction.

July 15, 1750
    We spent our first night in Alexandria in the tavern built in the shadow of the tobacco warehouse. Mr. Talbot, the tavern keeper, sent a female servant to attend me. Pale-skinned and gaunt, the servant kept her capped head bowed as she moved about my room. She barely spoke two words to me, but I felt her scorn. Thin as a reed, she moved as silently as a cat. When she finally lifted her face and I looked upon the ice blue eyes, recognition mingled with fear. I knew her. She is Faith. Witch of Aberdeen. A castout.
    That night, nestled close to Dr. Goodwin, I asked him about Faith. He told me she is indentured to Mr. Talbot, who bought her contract from the McDonald family. Talbot says she is a curious woman but means no harm.
    No harm. Mr. Talbot surely does not know his servant’s dark past. I wanted to ask Dr. Goodwin more, but feared my questions would arise his curiosity. Better he never know my association with the witch.

Chapter Two

    M inutes after two, the sun reached the hottest part of the day, its harsh light heating the rolling green hills of the valley and burning off the morning’s cool and pleasant breeze. I closed the doors to the tasting room. The air conditioner now hummed, the vents gently fluttering the muslin curtains. A wine-bottle wind chime, hanging near a window, clinked.
    All morning, I prepped for the launch party by setting up tables and chairs. The table