The Magic in her Gift Read Online Free Page B

demands
and let her go away to school. Lizzie had been home schooling her
up to that point.”
    “ And that made her
happy?”
    Karl snorted. “I’m not really sure
Gwen’s ever been happy, or even capable of being happy.” He looked
at Sara apologetically. “Sorry, kid. I forget that she’s your
mother.”
    “ No apology necessary.” Sara
sighed. “I’ve never known her to be happy either.” She was quiet in
thought for a moment. “You never said how you met Grandmother.
Where do you come from?”
    He looked uncomfortable for just a
moment. “Well, I’m from a place called Rysm, which I already know
you’re gonna say you’ve never heard of. When Lizzie called for me,
I was in a bad way. I had lost my wife and son in an accident and
just wanted to start my life over. She gave me that chance and I’ll
always love her for it.”
    “ Did you always stay here
with Grandmother, or did you get to travel when you were
younger?”
    “ No traveling, it just
wasn’t possible. We spent our life on this island, happy right up
to the end.”
    “ You look wistful. Did you
want to travel with her?”
    Karl looked away and brushed at his
eyes. “I always wanted her to come to Rysm, but she wouldn’t leave
Gwen here alone.”
    “ That’s sad, Karl. I’m sorry
you didn’t get to show Grandmother your home. You said you’re
leaving here in the morning. Are you going home?”
    “ I’m not rightly sure, girl.
My time here’s up, but whether I end up back home or not is
anybody’s guess at this point. I didn’t really wanna go on without
her here. It’s time for me to move on.”
    Sara walked over to stare
out the window. “I don’t understand any of this, Karl. Grandmother
said she was leaving me her magic , but she didn’t explain what it
meant.” She turned to look at him. “Do you know what she meant by
her magic ?”
    Karl stood and walked over to take her
hands in his. “You have to find the magic in yourself, Sara. It’s
there, deep inside you just waiting to help you find happiness.
Don’t be afraid to embrace it.” He reached into his pocket and
pulled out an envelope. “Lizzie wanted you to have this letter, but
I’m supposed to tell you not to read it until after the reading of
her will. Will you promise me to do that?”
    Sara stared at the letter from her
grandmother and swallowed hard. She slowly held out her hand. “I
promise.”
    “ Be happy, little Sara.”
Karl bent and placed a kiss on her cheek, then turned and walked
toward the door.
    “ Wait, where’re you
going?”
    He turned and smiled. “It’s time for me
to move on, little girl. I’ve fulfilled my promises to Lizzie so I
can leave this place a happy man.” His eyes narrowed as he gave her
a shrewd look. “Now it’s time for you to find your happiness, and
don’t you let anyone stand in your way.”
    Before Sara could say anything, he
walked out the door. She thought for a moment and realized it was
silly for him to leave before the memorial service. “Karl, wait,”
she yelled as she ran to the door. Surprised to find the hall
empty, she rushed down the steps in an attempt to catch him. Still
not seeing him at the bottom of the stairs, she walked to the front
door and stepped outside.
    “ Is everything all right,
Miss?”
    Sara turned around at the sound of
Elias’s voice. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Did you happen to see Karl
come this way?”
    “ No, Miss, I didn’t, but he
did say he was leaving this evening. Perhaps he’s already
gone.”
    Frowning, Sara stared toward the jungle
path. “I guess you’re right, but he sure did leave in
hurry.”
    “ I wanted to ask if you or
your family need anything before I leave.”
    “ You’re leaving?” Sara
couldn’t keep the anxiety out of her voice.
    “ Don’t worry, you’re
perfectly safe here. I’m heading back to the mainland for the
night. I’ll be bringing Mr. Aames back with me in the
morning.”
    “ And Mr. Aames is
Grandmother’s attorney? The