Page 26 of Heir to a Curse

“Wow, it’s beautiful back here.” She motioned to the shrine. “Even that, damaged as it is.” She blew out a long breath. “It’s really just hitting me that Sofia is gone. None of this has been normal. Stupid plague.”

I nodded. It had been the same for me. Partly because there had been no funeral. It was impossible during a pandemic, and irresponsible to try to gather people in one place. We all knew Sofia wouldn’t have wanted that.

“Let me see this cabin of yours,” Addy demanded.

“Yes, ma’am.” I motioned her toward the door.

“Look, you have rabbits. How cute,” she said as we neared the door and a white rabbit sat in the grass near the far corner.

Was it the same rabbit as yesterday? I studied it as I opened the door and motioned her inside. The rabbit didn’t move, obviously not stressed by our presence, but the same fluffy snow white of the previous day. I really needed to look up common rabbits of New York. How did a rabbit stay that white in the wild? Was it possible?

“Welcome to my humble abode,” I said.

“Love the furniture. It is a bit eclectic, but fun,” Addy said. “I have a few things in the truck for this too.” She pointed at the bed. “Like bedding and curtains.”

“Oh dear, you chose curtains for me? Well, I declare.” I teased with a hand on my chest.

She laughed. “Yes. I am your work wife after all. I ordered screens for the windows, since you had the measurements in your notes. None of them were standard so it will be a few days before they are ready.”

“You are magic,” I told her.

“Mhmm.” She studied me, making me feel a bit like a bug under a microscope. “You’re very quiet.”

“Life is a little crazy right now,” I defended.

“Is it?”

I waved my hands in the air. “Um, pandemic?”

She shook her head. “But what has that changed for you? You’re still working, wearing masks was something you did a lot anyway. Washing your hands. I see your books, so I know business hasn’t slowed that much for you.”

“Sofia’s gone,” I whispered.

“Yes. We all knew it was coming.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier. That’s why I’m here. Moved around my whole schedule to be here, fix up the house. Try to get it functioning like she wanted it to.”

Addy didn’t seem to be buying my excuses. “Sit down, buster. There’s something you’re not telling me.”

I wasn’t sure I was ready to share the crazy dream. Even with Addy. It was a bit like giving up the memory of him, his kiss, his arms, the light of his eyes in the moonlight. I let out a long puff of air. “I’m not ready yet,” I said. “Maybe we can grab the stuff for in here and I can work while you talk. I am still processing. I’m feeling a bit crazy right now.”

“Last time you were feeling a bit crazy you bought a crack house with foundation problems.”

“Hey, we made that work.”

“It was a money pit, and one of the only houses we’ve ever sold at a loss.”

I sighed. “I promise not to buy any houses right now.”

“Is it this house?”

“No? Yes? Maybe. This whole house thing is pretty stressful. I mean I own a few properties, but this is more than I would have ever taken on. More house, more yard, more people, and the constant damage is frustrating. Really makes you want to believe in some curse, right?”

She put her hands on her hips and studied me. “I’ve got your back. Whatever happens with this house we can handle it.”

“Even if the curse is real?” I asked, the words out of my mouth even before I knew what I was going to say.

“Sofia said you could break the curse. You thought it was psychological.”