Cursed (4 page)

“Boy, what in the hell, happened to you?” his grandpa asked. His eyebrows were arched high, and his eyes were as round as saucers.

“Betty Voiles and her broom.”

He relayed the story, and his brothers howled with laughter.

“You actually let an old woman beat you up!” Hunter said.

“What was I supposed to do, wrestle the broom away and give her a heart attack? That would’ve gone over real well with Avalyn. I’d have earned us a curse worse than the one we’re trying to break.” He scowled as a fresh round of laughter filled the room. “I’m glad this amuses you.”

He glanced over at his grandpa, and his stomach sank into his shoes. The old man’s face was red, and his hands were clenched into fists. His body practically vibrated with fury. Even with the full beard that hung down four-inches, Colton could tell his jaw was clenched.

“No Voiles is gonna treat a grandson of mine that way. I’ll be having me a little chat with this filly.”

“Grandpa, it’s okay. Let it blow over.”

“No can do, my boy. This is a matter of honor.”

Colton felt a headache the size of Texas coming on. This was turning into a real Charlie, Foxtrot, or in layman’s terms: cluster fuck. He’d picked up the military jargon, thanks to his, grandpa, whose father had spent years in the army. Any time his family mentioned honor, shit got real quick, fast, and in a hurry. Nothing he said to persuade him at this point would actually be heard. Maybe if he stalled him, it would fade away. “I think everyone’s had enough drama for today, at least,” Colton said.

“You’re right. The element of surprise is important.” His grandpa nodded, and Colton let out a sigh. Crisis averted for tonight.

“Do you think she’s turned off from you completely?” Randy asked.

“No, she seemed almost resigned to her fate.”

A seed of hope was planted.

“Then you still have a chance,” Randy said.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell myself. Baxter is tiny; she can’t hide away forever. I just need to make sure I’m everywhere she is, in a non-stalking manner.”

Hunter frowned. “Good luck with that one.”

“Be grateful he’s putting in the effort. This is going to benefit us all.” Randy’s voice was sharp and serious. His face wore a dark expression, and his cheeks were flushed.

“Whoa, big brother, I was just trying to lighten up the situation.”

“That’s your problem, Hunter. You never take anything seriously.”

“No, I take what I need to seriously and nothing more. Life’s too short to live inside the tiny box society has set up for us.

That’s your stick, not mine.”

“No, your deal is avoiding dealing with anything. I may be a perfectionist, but at least I’m not afraid to try.”

“Right, cause look where that’s gotten you.”

“You son of a bitch!” Randy jumped from the couch, and Colton followed. He placed his body between them, grateful he towered above both of them at six-foot, four.

“That’s enough, both of you. We’re all in this together. There’s no need to point fingers or be at each other’s throats.

Hunter, you’re the baby, and it’s always made you a little more immature than the rest of us, which is fine, because growing up isn’t a competition. You
know
that’s not how Randy operates, so stop provoking him. Randy, no one looks down on you for trying with Lisa or Susan. They’re both wonderful women, and I can see why you didn’t want to let them get away. We all know why we’ve had shit luck in love. I’m hoping to change that now. Let’s keep it together for a bit longer.” He clapped his hand on Randy’s shoulder, relieved when his brother’s muscles relaxed.

Randy took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right, Colton.”

Colton glanced over at Hunter, who shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry bro, I didn’t mean to be so harsh. I just…” His voice trailed off, and he shrugged.

There was something going on there, but right now, Colton didn’t have the time to pry the secret out of them. He remained standing as Randy and Hunter took their seats. Once their gazes were fixed on him, he continued, “While I figure this thing out with Avalyn, I need to have everyone behind me. It won’t be easy to get her to go against her family. That
has
to happen and not just because of the curse. “He swallowed as his anxiety spiked through the roof. “I like this woman. She’s funny, smart, down-to-earth, and possibly the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.”

He felt like a teenager gushing about his crush, but he couldn’t stop the warmth that spread through his body when he thought of her. It was more than lust; it was potential. It was the first time he’d ever experienced anything like this with a woman. Every other time he’d entered into relationships before, he’d been watching the clock, wondering how long he could stick it out before the sensation to leave became too much. With her, there was no end in sight. He couldn’t believe it was a coincidence that the woman who caused this was the relative of the one who had cursed them. It had to be destiny at work. It was time to close the rift separating their families and bury the proverbial hatchet. He just hoped it wouldn’t be in someone’s skull.

“It’s fitting. No one in this family ever could make things easier on themselves,” his grandpa said.

Grandpa shook his head as a wry smile formed.

“We’ll be behind you if it’s what you want to do.”

‘It is.”

“All right then, let’s get this thing figured out. Edgeworths can woo women; we just can’t keep them.”

Colton gave a snort of amusement as he shook his head. His family might be a little crazy, but he could always count on them to have his back.

He’d been watching the store long enough to know Betty Voiles was in the store by herself and would be alone for an hour or so while Avalyn, and the other woman he figured was her mother, had lunch. Willie frowned. It was hard to imagine the tiny, white-haired woman had chased Colton out of the shop at broom point.
Don’t forget she has magical mojo going.
A smarter man would’ve been too scared to approach her, but he was an Edgeworth, and they didn’t back down. He wasn’t going to let her get away with treating Colton like this. He’d sent the boy to the shop in the first place. It was his fault it had blown up in his face. Willie took a deep breath and exited the forest-green, four-door, sedan. He crossed the street and made his way over to the shop. He swung open the door, and his heart beat just a little faster.

The chime of the bell above the door sounded, and the woman, Betty, peered up. She was dressed fancy in a flattering dress with a black-and-white, flower pattern. She stood up straight. Her body was rigid. Large, doe-shaped brown eyes narrowed. If looks could kill, he’d be flat on his back right then. Her thin brows came together as she frowned.

“Didn’t your son give you the message?”

“That’s what I’m here about. I don’t appreciate the way you treated Colton. It was unfounded. These youngsters have nothing to do with what went on between Viola and Joseph. He’s the black sheep of our family for a reason. Honor means something to this generation of Edgeworths, and I won’t have you thinking or saying anything differently. A chill crawled up his spine as the temperature in the room dipped well below what it had been seconds before. A violent wind ruffled his hair and pulled at his clothing. “Your hocus pocus don’t scare me none, woman, so you might as well stop showing off,” he spoke above the whoosh of the breeze.

“If you had any sense, it would.”

“Why? What more can you do to me? This curse of yours has been devastating my family for as long as I can remember.

There hasn’t been a female born to the Edgeworths since before Joseph was cursed, and every chance we get at love falls through. That’s a lot of suffering to stomach for people who are innocent. I’ve heard all about the Voiles. You’re white witches with a talent for healing. That means this goes against everything you stand for, so why hold onto the grudge?”

“After what your kin did to Viola—”

“He hurt her pride and left her broke. He didn’t kill her.”

“Excuse me?” Some of the anger in her eyes faded as confusion crept in.

“That curse has killed my wife, my son’s wife, and led my grandson to two divorces. The other two boys are too scared to do much more than casually date. “

She looked a lot less certain, and inside, he smirked. Good. She needed to be taken down a few notches.

“That’s something to think about while you sit up there on your high horse and judge us peasants down here. Last I checked, no one was perfect. I assume that includes witches.”

She pursed her lips, and the air settled around him. “You make a good point.”

“I usually do.”

She scoffed, but since he hadn’t been turned into something reptilian or slimy, he figured he was doing pretty well.

“Perhaps in time, we can reach a truce of some sort. But I don’t want my granddaughter involved in this. She’s not a means to an end or a pawn in some game.”

“That’s not how Colton sees her.” Willie shook his head. “She’s the first woman he’s ever truly taken an interest in. He won’t stop.”

“Then we have nothing to discuss. I’ve seen the damage your family is capable of.”

“Well, we’ll just see about that.” He turned around and walked to the door, ending the conversation. When he tried the knob and found it stuck, he scowled. Willie glanced over his shoulder at a glowering Betty.

“I wasn’t done talking to you.”

“You think real highly of yourself, don’t you?”

“And why shouldn’t I?”

“Because you’re acting like a damn bully. First you come at my grandson like a wailing banshee, and now you’re keeping me in this store against my will.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“No, I’m not. You need to be taken across someone’s knee.”

“How dare you talk to me that way!” She jabbed a finger at him.

“Hey, someone needs to. ‘Cause it looks like you’ve gotten way too big for those tiny britches of yours.”

Her mouth widened in an over exaggerated O, and he couldn’t stifle the chuckle that made its way from his mouth. With that laughter, the air around them was diffused, and the atmosphere grew lighter.

“Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should.”

She tilted her head to the side, and he could imagine the wheels in her mind spinning as she mulled over his words.

“You’re smarter than Joseph, I’ll give you that much.”

What does she mean by that?

“You’ve given me some things to think about, Mr. Edgeworth.”

“Willie.”

“Willie.” She gave a small smile.” If I’m calling you Willie, You can call me Betty. I’m not willing to forgive and forget so easily, but I am open to moving toward a truce.”

“That’s all I was asking for, a chance.”

“Then you succeeded.”

With his goal accomplished, he wasn’t sure where to go next.

“All right, I’ll be going then.”

“Will you be back?”

“Would you like me to be?”

“Yes, I think I would, Willlie Edgeworth.”

“Same time next week?”

“Perfect.”

“Until then, Betty.” He gave a polite nod before he turned around and walked to the door. They’d get this curse waived one way or another.

Avalyn struggled to balance the cup holders with three coffees, the store keys, and a wallet as she made her way from the pickup counter. The local coffee shop was less than a five minute walk from the store, and after a long night making up new batches of soaps and candles for the store, the three of them needed the pick me up. The keys slipped from her fingers, and she sighed and looked up at the sky. It was going to be one of those days. She’d woken up late this morning because she’d slept through her alarm, and everything had been off since.

“Let me get that for you.”

The deep tone made her shiver. Her stomach flipped, and she bit her bottom lip as she glanced down to see Colton bending to pick up the keys. He straightened and flashed a smile that made her want to moan. The man was an almost irresistible pull. He seemed to be everywhere she was, always ready with an easy smile, charming conversation, and that sexy rock-hard body carved by hours of hands-on labor. She cleared her throat, tucked her wallet under her arm, and held out her hand, palm up, for her keys. He laid the cool metal into her hand, and she delivered a shaky smile.

“Thanks, I should be getting back to the shop.”

“Are you still going to give me the cold shoulder, Avalyn?”

“I’m not.”

“Then what would you call this?”

“Being practical.”

“You know the connection we had is rare.”

“Yes, but so is our family history.”

“It’s not like we’re the Hatfields and the McCoys.”

“We might as well be.”

“I’m not going to give up on this. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you who I was up front, but I was pretty sure you’d never give me the time of day.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

“I know, and I apologized for that, many times now.”

He gave a frustrated sigh, and she felt her resolve weaken a shade more. It’d been over a month since her Gran had attacked, and he was still trying to win her over. That said something. The way she perked up at every run-in said more.

Regardless of the bad blood, she was still interested. Fighting it was getting harder with each conversation.

“Give me another chance, Avalyn. We had fun the last time.”

“I know we did, Colton. I really do think you’re a nice guy. It doesn’t change the fact that I can’t.”

She closed her hands around the keys and stepped around him to hurry down the sidewalk to her store. If she lingered a minute longer, she’d cave. She was winded when she reached the shop, and her mother shot her a curious glance when she stumbled inside.

“Are you okay, honey?”

“Just one of those days.”

“Hmm, you seem to be having a lot of those lately.”

“Mom!”

“Just an observation.”

“Where’s Gran?”

“She in the back working on new product for a client. Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing.” She shook her head, ignoring her mother’s skeptical glance.