It’s #bookqw and Mary Clare is ‘rolling’ with her magic!
More from my short story, Falling into Place:
The back door burst open, and Mary Alice rushed in. “You’re here!” she said breathlessly as she grasped Mary Clare’s shoulders, her eyes gleaming. “I volunteered to fetch you as soon as I heard. Come on!”
“Heard what?” Granny asked before Mary Clare could. “Not trouble?”
No, it wasn’t trouble. Mary Clare could sense that through her Knack. Excitement and joy rolled off of Mary Alice, and Mary Clare forgot her lecture about kitchen cleanliness and reached up on tippy-toes to hug her taller sister. Mary Clare bounced twice on the spot. “You’re thrilled for me? Why?”
Mary Alice lifted a finger, and trepidation flowed forth. “Ah-ah. You can’t! Not now.”
Mary Clare’s Knack shifted again to match her sister’s emotion. “Darn it all, I had no warning.” Frowning, she backed away, batting the air between them as Mary Alice moved her hands in the boxing motion Ma always made to indicate Mary Clare should ward her Knack.
She pressed her forehead, bringing up barriers to block incoming feelings. “I don’t need reminders,” she huffed. “I secure it when I’m anywhere else.” Because if she didn’t, and swayed the wrong stranger’s emotions, she’d be labeled a Basin witch and banned from the magical Blighted Basin valley forever.
Thus, she’d lived at home longer than most young women, perfecting her warding. But seeing her sisters’ freedom swelled her urge for independence and spurred her goal of living outside their tight-knit family.
The risk would be worth it. “Ugh. I’m so tired of family interfering,” she muttered.
Mary Alice sighed. “Consider it for your own good. Get changed and come.”
“What exactly is the news?” asked Granny.
“Wellspring’s kitchen assistant has up and left with no notice,” squealed Mary Alice. “Rumor is, she either got a job at the new station diner up at Cross Corners, or she’s run off with an animacambire, but our cook isn’t saying. The best news is, Mrs. Betsy came to ask me if Mary Clare might be available.”
~~~
All proceeds from the sales of Love at Dawn: A Romance Anthology go to World Central Kitchen, a charity that supports families in need – please support this wonderful charity with your purchase of the ebook or paperback from your favorite retailer today!
Read more about my newest story on my books page!
~~~
Date reminder for Gaithersburg Book Festival!
Saturday, May 20th, 2023, 10 am – 6pm
I’ll be at the Gaithersburg Book Festival rain or shine!
Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. Our mission is to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation.
Leave a Reply