Sinful Suspense Box Set Read Online Free Page A

an attractive nuisance when it comes to the girls in town, dangerous and hard to resist. Although, I’ve rarely had anything to do with the Wolfes because my uncle forbids it.” She dashed up some air quotes. “Uncle Landon is always looking out for me, but sometimes he’s just a little overprotective. I guess there was this whole incident when my Uncle Landon and Alcott Wolfe, Jem’s dad, were teens. My mom’s best friend, Elizabeth, was dating Alcott, and she died. It was kind of a weird accidental death. She fell into the river or that was how the story went. Anyhow, everyone decided it was Alcott’s fault, and the town has just always branded him as despicable. My mom always insisted he wasn’t all that bad, but she’s about the only person who ever said that.”
    As she spoke I wondered just what kind of place I was heading to. The Grog had a lot of characters, but dark and sinister couldn’t be used to describe any of them.
    “I’m pretty good at taking care of myself,” I said with only a stitch of confidence. My aunt had left me on my own plenty, but the sheltered, semi-utopia of The Grog had made that easy.
    “I can tell you know how to take care of yourself. You’ll do fine.” Everly stretched her neck to see over the seats. “We’re coming to Trumble’s Bridge. Let’s exchange numbers.”
    I blinked at her, not understanding at first what she meant.
    “Oh my gosh, that’s right, you don’t have a phone.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “It’s just as well. We get such spotty reception up in Blackthorn Ridge, you have to walk around outside like Lady Liberty with your phone held high in the air hoping you can catch some of those cellular gamma rays or whatever. Can I use one of your blank postcards to write down my address?”
    “Absolutely.” I leaned down to fish out a postcard. “I’m staying at a motel on the highway until I can figure out a place to live.”
    She sucked in an excited breath and patted her chest as she coughed back up the gum. “Jeez, it cleared my ears but nearly killed me. Anyhow, you need to come live with me. Oh wow, say yes. You have to say yes. My mom will be gone for at least six more months, and I’m all alone, and frankly, I hate being alone. My uncle comes to check on me all the time, but I think he’d appreciate it if I had a roommate. It would ease his worry. We could have so much damn fun.”
    It didn’t take me long to decide. I hadn’t relished the idea of living alone in a strange town in a dingy motel. “I’d insist on paying some rent.”
    “Great. It’s settled. I’m so freakin’ glad I stopped for that grape slush. I’d nearly gotten on an earlier bus. Must have been fate.” She scribbled her address down and handed me the card. “I’d come with you on your walk, but I’ve got to get to work. Once you step off the bus, turn right and just keep walking along the highway. You can’t miss Phantom Curve because of all the dried flowers and old, splintered crosses. Be careful on the highway.” She reached over and took my hand. “I hope this eases some of the stuff going on inside your heart. I know it helps some people to visit the spot.”
    “Thanks.” In her mind, I was just here to see the place where my dad had taken his last breath. She had no idea that what I was really hoping to find was the piece of my soul that had somehow died with him. And something deep down, some little voice in my head, a voice that knew the truth but refused to let me in on the secret, told me I needed to start here, in Blackthorn Ridge.
    The bus pulled to a stop in front of a red bench. No one else stood up to get off. I pulled my backpack onto my shoulder.
    “After you’re done,” Everly said, “keep walking. Blackthorn is about two miles past the curve. Once you see the sign for the town, take a sharp left and walk two blocks. My uncle’s store is called Gregor’s Market. Stop in and I’ll fix you my specialty sandwich, chicken salad