The Sparrow Sisters Read Online Free Page A

pay for his dinner. Frank took the money, and Henry asked, “Not on the house for me?”
    â€œWhen you cure my wife’s headaches in the time it takes to make a martini, I’ll tear up your bill too.”
    Henry felt the heat rise up his throat. He put a hand on the bar to stop Frank. “You seriously think her stuff works?”
    â€œI seriously think it does, and so do most of the people in this town.” Frank looked at Henry. “What do you know about the Sparrow Sisters?”
    â€œThere are three of them,” Henry said. He took a last swallow of his beer. “That’s all.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Frank said and let the name Marigold flit through his head. “And you were hiding from Patience because, what? She doesn’t like you?”
    That was a question; she sure didn’t seem to like him. “I wasn’t hiding,” Henry said. “How long am I going to be the new guy?” he asked.
    â€œA while,” Frank said.
    Henry stepped back, preparing to leave, but Frank stopped him.
    â€œYou should know that the Sparrow Sisters are something of a legend in Granite Point. Their family history, hell their own story, it’s as much a part of this place as the harbor.” Frank closed the register. “I’m surprised you’ve seen one in your office. They aren’t much for doctors after Marigold. Dr. Higgins was one thing, but the rest of the medical world, let’s just say the Sisters aren’t exactly fans.” Henry faked a shudder. “I wouldn’t want any of them pissed off at me.”
    â€œI’ll remember that,” Henry said. Too late, he thought as he walked out and right into Simon Mayo.
    â€œWhoa, there,” Simon said as both men grabbed each other’s elbows.
    As Henry apologized, he gave a slight hop to take the weight off his leg. He watched Simon’s eyes travel down.
    â€œSo, the city doctor meets the country lawyer,” Simon said as he stuck out his hand. “I’m Simon Mayo.”
    â€œHenry Carlyle,” Henry said as he shook. “The new guy. How do you know me?”
    Simon gestured to Henry’s face and leg and smiled. “I’m afraid you’re already famous.”
    â€œOh” was all Henry could come up with.
    â€œCan I buy you a beer?” Simon asked.
    â€œI’ve got work to do,” Henry replied.
    â€œAnother house call to the Sisters?” Simon’s voice thinned, and Henry heard the shift.
    â€œNo, I’m finished there.” Henry shook his head. “How does everybody know everything?”
    Simon nodded and smiled again. “Very small town,” He said. “I’ll let you go, then.”
    Henry watched him walk into Doyle’s. The light spilling around Simon’s shoulders and the familiar greetings he got from people in the bar reminded Henry of the extent to which he was under scrutiny in Granite Point. Somehow Henry had ended up in a town with three odd sisters digging around at their nursery, making “remedies” in a cauldron no doubt, and he was the curiosity.
    Frank had slipped out from behind the bar to watch Simon and Henry through the big window. He reckoned that the new doctor had a lot to learn about the Sisters if he wanted tobelong in Granite Point. Frank understood, or at least his wife had taught him, that each sister had a life that held in its smallness all the detail of a much larger tragedy. He’d listened to the story of the Sparrows because Claire had told it to him. If Henry seemed a bit undone by Patience, maybe it was because her story was still unwritten.

CHAPTER TWO
Viola gently stimulates the immunity
    L ike their mother, the Sisters loved the soil, though it took some years after Honor’s death before any of them were willing to be around her beloved plants. But when they were ready, the Sisters made haste. First, they reclaimed Honor’s garden, tending the