Sure, she’d liked Mike’s father, but he was still a hermit of sorts. And even though she thought she understood him, she didn’t have a psychology degree. She doubted he’d welcome her with open arms. Still, she was a people person who trusted her instincts and her instincts told her Edward needed a friend. Fate was giving her an opportunity to do some good for Mike and his father and she intended to make use of it.

Maybe a small thank-you gift would help soften her intrusion into his home. She pulled off the highway one exit before Salem for a brief pit stop. According to her directions, Stewart would be the next exit, so she had to find something for Edward here. She checked out the stores in a small strip mall in search of a fitting present for Edward Corwin.

The first store in the row of shops was a boutique with items that seemed too froufrou for a gruff man like Mike’s dad. The liquor store was next, but Amber doubted Mike would appreciate her adding alcohol to his worries about his father.

The last store was a New Age shop named Crescent Moon. Intrigued, Amber peeked in the cluttered window. Barely bigger than a walk-in closet, the place oozed eccentricity. It was perfect.

She opened the door and bells tinkled over her head. As she stepped inside, a pleasing scent welcomed her. Incense, she guessed, and she glanced around. Oddities surrounded her, along with more familiar items like silver jewelry, turquoise and other types of stones.

Dreamcatchers hung from the racks and she lightly touched one, wondering what Edward would think of it. Would it trap his evil spirits as well as it supposedly caught bad dreams?

“Welcome to Crescent Moon.” A big woman approached her. “I’m the proprietress, Clara Deveaux. Can I help you?”

Her skin was smooth, her hair jet-black, and she possessed an ethereal beauty. Her brightly colored, multipatterned dress floated around her as she moved.

“I’m looking for a gift,” Amber said.

“As you can see, I have an abundance of things to choose from.” She waved her hand and her many bangle bracelets jingled around her wrist. “For whom are you shopping? The items in my store have very specific uses. To help you, it’s best I know all I can about the recipient.”

Amber nodded, enjoying the sound of the woman’s voice. “It’s for a man. My father-in-law, actually. I’m going to stay with him for a few days and I need a thank-you gift.”

“Since you’re here and not at the gift shop, I assume you don’t want to take the traditional route.” A mischievous smile twinkled in her eyes.

Amber laughed. “That’s right. My father-in-law is…different.” She chose her word carefully.

“We’re all different.” Clara spoke with what seemed like wisdom beyond her years. Amber judged her to be in her midfifties, like Edward.

Amber nodded, acknowledging the other woman’s point. “He’s a loner by choice and he believes in curses. One specific curse to be exact. He’s explored voodoo and claims to ward off evil spirits,” Amber explained. “I’d like to bring him something that says I respect his beliefs.”

What she really wanted was to get closer to Edward and maybe help father and son gain a better understanding of each other while they still had the chance. She knew too well how quickly those you loved could be taken away from you.

“If he fears a curse, he’d be happiest when surrounded by positive energy.”

“That makes sense. I’m Amber, by the way.” She extended her hand for Clara to take.

They shook in greeting. “Amber. Pretty name.”

Amber smiled. “Thank you. My mother chose it,” she said wistfully.

“I’m sorry she’s passed.”

Amber raised an eyebrow in surprise. How did Clara know?

Still, Amber inclined her head. “Thank you.”

“What’s your full name, Amber?”

“Amber Rose…Corwin.” She used her newly married name out loud for the firs time. It seemed strange on her lips.

“Corwin as in the Stewart Corwins,” Clara said knowingly.

“How do you-”

“You told me your father-in-law is a loner who believes in curses. The Corwin curse is well-known in these parts. Any male with that last name has a rich history of tragedy behind him,” Clara said, her gaze warm and unnervingly understanding.

Amber was surprised that the Corwin curse seemed to be common knowledge outside of the Corwin family. Apparently it held power over more people than just Edward. “Do tell. I’m new to the area and to the family.”

Somehow, asking Clara about her new relative didn’t seem odd. And if she was going to be able to help Edward, she needed to know what she was up against.

Clara nodded. “This will take some time. Let me make us tea first.”

A few minutes later, Amber was sitting across from Clara at a small corner table she hadn’t noticed earlier.

Over orange-scented tea, Clara explained the legend of the Corwin curse. Her description matched Mike’s, but she elaborated more on the way in which the current generations in the town of Perkins, which was a mere two miles from Clara’s store, had perpetuated the myth by illegal, as well as immoral means. Both Stewart and Perkins were still recovering from former mayor Mary Perkins’s so-called reign of terror.

“Now, I’m not saying the curse is real. And I’m not saying it’s not. But Edward Corwin’s attempts to ward off bad spirits make sense. He just needs to use more positive forces than negative ones. That’s the purpose of my business here. To help people do right by others.”

Amber smiled. “Thank you for sharing this with me. I feel a little more prepared now.” She enjoyed the other woman’s openness and warmth. “This is all fascinating,” she offered, spreading her arms wide and gesturing to the store, as well as the story.

“It’s Wiccan belief, honey. My mother taught it to me. ‘An It Harm None, Do What Ye Will.’ Translated, it means as long as you don’t do anything that will hurt anyone, it is allowed.” She paused to sip her tea and Amber did the same. “Sounds to me that’s what your father-in-law needs. Some good around him.”

“Oh, I agree. That and people who care. He’s been alone too long.”

Clara patted Amber’s hand. “You’re wise for one so young. If only all people were as accepting and understanding as you, I wouldn’t be going out of business.”

“Going out of business? Why?” To Amber, the woman’s generous spirit was as obvious as the pleasure she took in her beliefs. Why would she close up shop?

Clara sighed. “Lack of interest combined with development. This whole row of stores is slated for demolition,” she said sadly.

“I’m so sorry. Are you planning to move the store somewhere else?”

“It’s not easy to find a place where people need the kind of help I offer, but I’ve been looking at rental space in Stewart. With their rich history of curses, I’m thinking people might be receptive to my wares.” Her gaze didn’t hold Amber’s too long and she reached for more tea.

“Sounds like a good plan.” Amber knew of at least one person in Stewart who could use Clara’s help. “What do you think I should get for Edward Corwin?”

“A dreamcatcher for sure. He always-I mean, he should get use from one. And there are candles and incense that might help. But most of all, that man needs a few good spells cast around him for a change.” Clara picked up their empty teacups and placed them in the backroom, on the sink.

Amber wiped down the small table. Then, on impulse, she pulled out the directions and copied Edward’s address onto one of Crescent Moon’s business cards by the register. She purchased the items Clara had suggested for Edward and waited while the woman wrapped them.

“Thank you. This has been an enlightening morning. I’m so glad I stopped by.”

“Me, too. You’re a good person, Amber Rose Corwin.”

Amber flushed at the compliment. “I wish my husband felt the same way.”

Clara studied her for a moment, her stare deep, her expression intense. “He doesn’t see the world the same way you do. Just keep on doing good deeds. He’ll come around.”

Amber hoped the other woman was right. “Speaking of coming around, if you have some free time maybe you could visit me at Edward Corwin’s and introduce him to some of those good spells you mentioned earlier.”

“That’s a tempting offer.” Clara’s eyes sparkled as she accepted the card and glanced at the address. “It’s so busy I’m not sure I can get away,” she said, laughing as she gestured around the empty shop.

Amber chuckled, too.

Clara’s visit was sure to lighten the tension in the Corwin house during Amber’s stay. Besides, anything this Wiccan woman had to offer must be better than voodoo, the jujus and red dust on Edward’s doorstep.

In fact, the more Amber thought of it, the more she guessed that Clara might be just what Edward Corwin needed.

AS AMBER APPROACHED Mike’s father’s house, her nerves took over and her stomach flipped in anticipation. She didn’t know what to expect by way of a greeting. She parked in front of the house, beside an SUV that hadn’t been here the last time she’d visited. She pulled her purse and the small packed bag from the backseat and walked to the front door. Then, drawing a deep breath, she rang the bell.

To her surprise, Edward didn’t answer. A dark-haired man greeted her instead. His good looks weren’t as rugged as Mike’s, but there was a family resemblance. Amber guessed this man was Mike’s cousin.

“Amber?” he asked.

She inclined her head. “Derek?”

“Good guess.” He extended his hand and she shook it. “Welcome.”

“Thanks. I didn’t expect you here.” She glanced over his shoulder into the house, but she didn’t see Edward.

“I thought I’d smooth things over,” he said, gesturing for her to come inside. He took the bag from her hand and placed it by the stairs, then led her into the family room she’d seen the other night.