Page 33 of The Curse of Indy Moore (The Cursed Duology #1)

“He was and, admittedly, remains to be. We worry about him. He works far too much, and while the family is grateful, we would certainly prefer he show his face more often than not.” Colt cut into his chicken smothered in hot spices.

The silverware scraped against the plate before his shoulders fell slightly.

“However, that relentless curiosity of his makes him good at his job, so I am sure whatever ails you, he will fix it.”

“We are to attempt to help after this luncheon,” Otis explained. “Actually, perhaps you could help. Are there any shops nearby that you would recommend Indy to attend?”

“Mr. Hawthorne suggested I buy something for myself as an experiment, and I have no idea where to begin,” I explained, flushing under Colt’s curious attention.

Shopping was never of interest. We couldn’t afford to spend our money on anything so frivolous. We had what we needed and made do if anything broke. The girls were always our top priority. I couldn’t imagine wasting a day shopping, with someone else’s money no less.

“It depends on what interests you.” Colt looked at me expectantly, waiting for a response, but nothing came to mind. I didn’t need new clothes, although the girls could use them.

“My cousins,” I tried, but something smacked the window. The three of us gazed at Miss Beamy, who awoke long enough to glare at me through the glass. Her tail smacked the windowsill over and over in warning. She took her job very seriously.

Mr. Hawthorne said for me. For me …

I did not know what I should get. I needed nothing. Want, Mr. Hawthorne had repeated, but I wanted nothing either. Nothing that could be bought, at least.

I stalled a moment by taking a drink, considering what might be an easy venture. Mr. Hawthorne mentioned I needed better attire, but knowing him, he would complain about whatever I bought. He may be more lenient about accessories, like a new hat or a plain necklace.

“Jewelry, or accessories in general,” I suggested, pushing my lips into a painful smile.

“There is a lovely jewelry store a few blocks over. I got all my wife’s earrings from there, as she has sensitive skin and the materials they use are safe for her. I will happily take you there afterward,” Colt replied.

“Thank you. I would appreciate that.” Although I remained clueless about what to buy. I could grab the cheapest item and get out of there.

“I am shocked Rooke didn’t insist on joining you. He… enjoys shopping.” Colt pursed his lips like he worried about what he had to say.

“That is an understatement. Ivory House has more than I could possibly fathom. At times, I fear a door opening to drown me in whatever outlandish things he has acquired.”

Colt took a drink and set the cup aside to rub his thumb against the porcelain.

“He wasn’t always so materialistic. We didn’t grow up with much, so we did what we could with what we had, and he never minded.

None of us did, but he worked hard and achieved more than we could ever dream of.

Thanks to him, I got my job, which I am incredibly grateful for.

It’s much better than my,” Colt rolled his shoulders, “my previous occupation at the mines. However, since his accomplishments, his collections have become more exuberant.”

I couldn’t blame Mr. Hawthorne for that, even if I truly believed that such materialism would lead everyone down the wrong path.

People didn’t heal their greed by obtaining more.

Their greed worsened the more they consumed until that was all they could do and they would commit atrocities if it meant getting them what they wanted .

My wrist itched, and I scratched it beneath the table. “I didn’t know you worked in the mines. I’m glad you’re out of there. I’ve heard terrible things.”

“As am I,” Colt said, his expression having significantly darkened.

“Have you ever spoken to Mr. Hawthorne concerning his obsession?” I asked.

Colt laughed, the sound somewhere between shocked and concerned. “Absolutely not. My brother isn’t the type you talk to, and as you can see, he doesn’t come around much.”

“He should. Family is important.” And I envied him more than ever.

Otis, having sensed my discomfort, held my hand. “I know this is tough for you, but we’ll figure this out then you can go home.”

“Until then, please bother Rooke as much as possible, and visit again. I’ll take you somewhere new,” Colt offered.

I thanked them both for the support and enjoyed our meal while Colt shared potential places to visit, if I had the time. There were boats that would take us on a short trip further into the sea to search for dolphins and whales, though the whales wouldn’t migrate until spring.

Afterward, Colt escorted us to the jewelry store, where we said our goodbyes. Otis had his own stops to make, so we went our separate ways. I was more than capable of returning to the transit hall, especially with Miss Beamy’s watchful eye.

She and I entered the jewelry shop, seeing as the front door said animals were allowed.

She pranced around the shelves in a manner that said she had visited the store many times.

Of course she did. Mr. Hawthorne no doubt shopped there.

He likely had enough jewelry to wear something different everyday while ensuring it matched his attire.

“Can I help you with anything today?” the owner asked.

They wore a beautiful flowing gown with dangling pearl earrings as opulent as their store.

When Colt said he bought his wife’s jewelry from there, I should have assumed that meant the shop was pricey.

And jewelry was expensive, but I should be able to find a simple chain necklace that would placate Mr. Hawthorne’s incessant nature.

“Show me your cheapest—”

Miss Beamy hissed at my feet. The shop owner jumped while I avoided meeting Miss Beamy’s warning glare. The swooshing of her tail said she was willing to smack me at any moment.

“I am looking to make a purchase, but I have never worn jewelry before,” I said.

Miss Beamy considered that acceptable based on how she sat on her haunches.

“Are there any specific colors you like?” the owner asked while gesturing toward a counter. “Perhaps a gem that catches your eye?”

I had never had the luxury of spending an afternoon wandering shelves to consider what gem complimented my complexion. This was the first jewelry store I ever entered.

“Not necessarily,” I answered, feeling my muscles tighten.

“Oh, you are certainly a silver one,” they said when taking me by the arm. “Come, come, we’ll take a look together.”

The owner settled in front of the first showcase to explain the various options.

The more they offered, the fewer answers I had.

I didn’t know what I liked, even as they presented necklaces and bracelets to try on.

I peered into a mirror, uncertain and divided.

The reflection looked like me, but I felt out of place, like I shouldn’t be wearing any of it.

“Why don’t you walk around and see if anything catches your eye?” the owner suggested, realizing they would have better luck selling to another customer.

Nodding, I took to pursuing the display cases.

The prices made me gag. They were too expensive, even if Mr. Hawthorne gave me more than enough to spend.

I could make a multitude of purchases and have money left over.

But I clutched the coin purse close to my chest, unable to part from it.

My mind ran over every possibility, how Mr. Hawthorne might need these very same coins one day, that I could waste them here rather than use them when they were needed most.

Miss Beamy wandered toward a sun ray on the floor, where she basked in the light. Her little eyes closed, though her ears remained high. She was listening, even if she didn’t seem like it .

Opening a case, I grabbed a simple silver chain and approached the mirror to settle the necklace around my nape.

Nerves gnawed at me, making me shift my weight from side to side.

Glancing over my shoulder, I half expected the owner to call me out as a thief, even as I clutched a purse of coins.

When I faced the mirror, Carline stood behind me, far in the back of the shop, beneath the shadows where her eyes burned bright.

When she smiled, her fangs glistened, too white to be real.

“Shopping, are we?” she purred, sleuthing around to approach.

My eyes darted toward Miss Beamy, who took to cleaning herself. A couple entered the shop. The owner greeted them enthusiastically. I understood Carline was in my head, but it felt different facing her in public, where others should see and hear her.

“That necklace is so plain. Surely you can pick one better than that,” she said.

“I find it pretty,” I whispered, telling myself to talk to her even if I desperately didn’t want to. Mr. Hawthorne needed more information, and I would give it. There were aspects of this curse only I could work with, and this was one of them.

“Aren’t you the most horrendous liar?” she laughed.

“How do you know if I am lying or not?”

“Haven’t I proven that I know you?” She never strayed from the shadows. I wondered if that had to be something to do with the hallucination. Perhaps it was easier to trick my mind in the dark.

“I suppose you have. The other night, you said you sensed my desires, something within me, something that made us… similar?”

Miss Beamy rubbed against my leg. If she spoke, I didn’t hear her.

“Yes. We are very similar, which is why I encourage you to return before it’s too late. I swear, you will be happier,” Carline replied.

“Happier with you than my family? That’s ridiculous.”

“You don’t belong with them.” Her words struck a chord I wished not to hear. She knew it, too, grinning viciously. “They took you in because they had to. There was no other choice. You’ve become their burden, but I can lighten that load for you. ”

I held the necklace so tightly that the chain made indentations in my palm. “My family loves me.”

“I do not doubt that, just as I do not doubt how much you love them, but that doesn’t change how you feel, that you are a burden that doesn’t belong anywhere.”

I shut my eyes, refusing to face her a moment longer. I’d buy the damned chain and get out of there. Mr. Hawthorne would have to deal with it.

My eyes opened to meet the man in question.

I thought him to be an illusion at first, no different from Carline.

However, Mr. Hawthorne took the chain from my hand to replace it with a silver necklace inlaid with sapphires.

He laid the necklace over my chest and leaned in so every word brushed against my ear.

“How difficult is it to buy yourself a necklace, especially when each looks so good on you?”