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He’d mentioned his date with Krista before leaving the office. Not wanting to get into a discussion, he tried to come up with a suitable diversion.
“It was great. Can you locate the file on Mr. Gordon’s case?”
“Sure thing. Your first appointment will be late. Lucky for you.” She handed him a cup of black coffee.
“You’re the best.” He made a clean getaway after all. He smiled, grateful for small wonders.
After a few sips of coffee, he settled into his oversized black leather chair and dialed Monique’s number. The scent of a neighbor’s fire pit filtered through a crack in the window.
“Hello, this is Jon,” he said when she answered.
“Happy to hear from you,” she replied.
“Do you have news?” His pulse sped up.
“I had planned on calling you today. I found the answer to your sorrows. A close friend and confidant enlightened me on the reversal of the ancient curse. The secret lies within a sixteenth century pendant.”
“I can’t believe we both were fortunate enough to receive the same answer. Mine was in a letter from my great-grandmother I just happened to come across. She mentioned a pendant. But finding the item seems like a long shot.” He shook his head, frustrated and worn out.
“It’s possible. There were two made by Wolfgang Langford from London. He was a witch and craftsman, respected by his people. The work he did was remarkable, and I’ve been fortunate enough to come across one of his masterpieces. I believe it may be the item we need. I found it yesterday, right here in town, no less.”
“It’s strange how I found a note from my great-grandmother at the same time you found the gem. How did she know what fate would fall upon her granddaughter?”
“Believe it. It was meant to be. You came to me at the precise time, my friend.”
“Where did you find the piece?” he asked.
“In a little shop on Millard Square.”
“Was it expensive? I’ll pay you for it.”
“Nonsense. I’m not selling it anyway. This is a valuable find, and I truly believe I walked in the store that day to find it. I was led to the shop by a force bigger than both of us.”
“I don’t know what to say, but thank you.” His emotions ran wild. The search was over. The end was near.
Ambivalence filled his spirit. It was time to say farewell to the woman who gave him unconditional love. How was he going to let her go? It was what he had searched for, but now with the end near, his heart longed for her comforting embrace.
So many things had changed in a few short days. Since he’d first laid eyes on Krista, his world changed. A love formed as soon as he tasted her sweet lips. His head spun so fast he couldn’t hold a thought.
“Are you with me?” Monique asked.
“Yes, yes, I’m here.” Still in shock, he took a deep breath as he fiddled with a paperclip. “When can we get together?”
“I’m running a meeting tonight, but I can come to your house Friday night. The moon will be in place, and I have everything I need.”
“I’ll prepare mother. Please let me know if you need anything.” He found it overwhelming, but the rest of his life stood in front of him, and he found peace in Monique’s confidence.
It would be nice to surprise Krista with a visit. With positive energy surging through him like a wildfire, he couldn’t wait to see her beautiful face. There was no reason to put his life on hold. His mother wanted peace, needed it, welcomed it. It was her wish to see her son happy and settled before she ventured to the other side. He couldn’t wait to tell her.
She sat in the same spot she waited in every day. It was as if she sought a miracle outside the window, buried deep in the bushes. “Hello, Mother. I have wonderful news.”
She turned slowly, dark circles surrounding her empty, sunken eyes.
“A woman is coming on Friday to set you free. She’s the senior coven member in town, and she has the secret to the curse.”
He moved closer and sat beside her. As he placed his hand on her knee, a tiny smile appeared on her pale, cracked lips. A glimmer of hope in her eyes made her look like the woman she once was.
“I already know, and I’m ready. Now, go meet that pretty, young woman. She’s waiting for you.”
