Page 3 of Dead O’Clock

Carson and Cole looked dumbstruck. “Holy shit,” Carson said, taking a step away from the opened bag.

Lorrianne gasped. “I’ve been looking all over for that earring.”

“What we have to do is burn the root with the charcoal.” Ten set the bag into the selenite bowl and used the claw of the hammer to break apart the charcoal, hammering it to dust. “Cole, grab the fire extinguisher, would you?” Ten carefully placed the charcoal on top of the bag and root, struck a match, and dropped it into the bowl.

Bright green fire blazed up, reminding Ten of Maleficent’s dragon fire. A dark, pungent odor filled the air. Slowly, the root caught fire and burned to ash. “The curse is broken.” Ten pushed aside the ash to reveal Lorriane’s earring. “It will need a bit of cleaning, but it’s good as new.”

“I already feel lighter,” Lorriane said. “How can I ever thank you?” She reached for her wallet.

“Live a happy life, Lorriane, that’s how you can thank me. And, in future, don’t tell dates or boyfriends about your money.” Ten was certain she was going to be all right going forward.

“I promise.” Lorriane set a hand against her heart.

“Let’s get you checked out.” Cole led her from the room.

“I want to set up weekly readings with Tennyson,” Lorriane said, just before Carson shut the door behind her.

“Holy shit!” Carson’s blue eyes were bright and filled with awe. “You got all this from a damaged book in the shop?”

Ten nodded, a smile breaking across his face. “I’m single and don’t know a lot of people in town. I read at night after Jeopardy is over.”

“I know plenty of single guys, but in the meantime, I’m ordering books for you. I’ll get you the catalog, and you pick out the ones you want. Cole and I should get reading too. The more you know the more you can help, right?”

“Right.” Ten laughed. “The more services we can offer, the more clients we get and retain.”

“I like the way you think.” Carson slapped Ten’s back. “Mom told me hiring you was the best thing Cole and I could have done for the shop and, as usual, she was right.” Carson laughed as he opened the door and walked out of the room.

Ten sat by himself for a few minutes, mentally reviewing everything that had just happened. He’d gone from fearing for his job to becoming part of the Craig family.

“Welcome home, Tenny,” Bertha Craig’s voice filled his head.

Home was something Ten had been searching for since that day his parents put him on a Greyhound bus. He’d finally found his place in this world with people who loved him. Maybe he’d take Carson up on dating someone.

Maybe if he opened himself up to the idea, he’d find the man of his dreams.

1

Ronan

August, present day…

Ronan O’Mara stood at the stove flipping pancakes onto a plate. He added bacon and grapes and set it in front of Ezra, who wore a frown.

“Me no want gapes, Dada!” Ezzie reached for the maple syrup and dumped some onto his pancakes.

Ronan reached for the bacon on his son’s plate. Ezra howled with outrage. “No grapes, no bacon. You know the rules.”

Ezra growled and grabbed a grape. He popped it into his mouth and chewed, all the while shooting Ronan a dirty look. “Bacon!”

“You’ve got two grapes to go, buddy.” Ronan almost burst out laughing at the mutinous look on his son’s face.

“Breakfast smells delish!” Everly said, walking into the kitchen. Tennyson was right behind her.

Ronan fixed them both a plate before making his own. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“Uncle Cope’s taking us to the library for story time and to get new books. I’ve got a whole list. I made a list for Ezzie too. We’ll get more pirate books!”

“Joe! Joe! Joe! And bottle of bum!” Ezzie sang.