back—but Hell may come to her first. As Gabe’s 16th birthday approaches, events in Phoenixville become stranger, and more dangerous.
Will love be enough to protect Gabe—even from himself? Together, can they heal Phoenixville?
Excerpt
In contrast to Philadelphia, Phoenixville seemed like the perfect small town, cozy and friendly, where sunny days cast almost no shadow. Families occupied the same homes for generation upon generation, with young ones reaching adulthood and raising their own families there. Cousins grew up as best friends, and grandparents lived within walking distance. Some people moved away, of course, but more often, the move was a short distance, to the top of the hill, to Phoenixville Cemetery.
Gabe saw the town as the source of all their problems. Once upon a time, Grace believed it was the solution to those problems.
The fact that Grace’s ancestor once lived in Phoenixville made it all seem so perfect. She envisioned Gabe growing to manhood there, finding an open-hearted, open-minded girl who loved him, and eventually, Grace would be blessed with two or even three grandchildren running around her back yard, laughing. They would be nothing like the rest of her family. Grace had believed she could change the cursed Hawthorne legacy forever.
Grace’s confidence faded as the haze thickened around her vehicle. Pretending not to notice, she drove to Sycamore Street and parked outside the house that held her heart.
Work was the sole escape from her incessant worry. Thank the stars, she had plenty of orders to fill.
In her workroom, she launched her email from the laptop and found a dozen new orders since last night. The first customer asked for a Presentations Pouch to ease her fear of public speaking while conducting a workshop. Another woman, heartbroken after a bad breakup, ordered a Spirit Healing Package of essential oils, gemstones and a candle. The third wanted a Prophetic Dreams Pillow to reveal what would happen in her life. Because that woman was only twenty-one, Grace would counsel her to make her request as specific as possible. The pillow could only predict so much.
Before she could read the next email, a knock came at the window. The aged panes framed Sally Davis’s face. The wavy image distorted Sally’s almost-smile, but strain still showed in her eyes, rimmed with dark circles.
Uh oh. Grace knew that look. Sally’s hurt penetrated Grace’s skin, and sent tiny pinpricks along her neck. Only one thing could heal such pain: love.
“Hey.” She waved Sally inside.
“Not too early, am I?” Hesitant, the woman lingered on the threshold.
“You’re right on time. I was just about to grab another cup of coffee.” She huddled against the cool air as she led Sally down the stone path to the back door.
Sally sat at the kitchen table with a soft sigh that spoke of bone-tired weariness. “Is Gabe excited for the end of the school year?”
“He’s been so busy working, we hardly have time to connect. And then when we do…” She let that thought go. Negative energy tended to feed upon itself, and if you weren’t careful, it would begin to feed on you.
Sally waved her away. “Ach, teenagers.”
If only that explanation encapsulated the tension between them.
Grace set two mugs on the counter and poured.
With sorrowful wistfulness, Sally gazed absently outside. The thud of ceramic against the old wooden table snapped her out of it. “Exactly what I need. Thanks.”
“Having trouble sleeping again?” With anyone else, Grace wouldn’t have pried, but she and Sally had spent many mornings in this kitchen talking about their worries.
“Same old, same old.” Sally dropped her gaze to the cup, as if searching for some sign of hope in the steaming liquid.
Grace placed her hand over Sally’s and gave a light squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
“Why should you be sorry?”
Was Grace to blame? She’d asked herself that question many times. Guilt caused her to withdraw her hand.
Sally didn’t appear to notice. “You and Gabe are bright spots in this gloomy place. Dan can’t argue about staying when he knows how much Gabe depends on him.”
“It would be hard on us all if you left.” Friendship was a treasure Grace infrequently found. Her bond with Sally was especially precious to her.
“Dan finds it more and more painful to live here.” She turned pleading eyes to Grace. “But I can’t leave my home.”