The View from Prince Street (32 page)

Dearest Daughter Faith,

On your wedding day, I am passing down a box of letters that your namesake entrusted with me. Protect it and see that no one reads it until the three witch bottles are no more.

—H

Rae McDonald

T
HURSDAY
, N
OVEMBER
3, 9:00
A.
M.

I
was almost sorry when the construction on the garage and apartment was finished. Almost. I was getting used to seeing Zeb every day and visiting with Eric from time to time. Today when the red truck pulled up, I was sitting on the back porch, drinking morning coffee and enjoying the bright sun. I rose and walked around the side path and greeted the two of them as they headed up to the front door.

“Good morning.”

Zeb's grin was slow and steady and sent a shiver of warmth up my body that could have melted any ice. “Good morning.”

Eric ran past his dad. “We brought you a glad-the-job-is-done present.” He held up a box.

I accepted the gift and carefully opened it. It was a bottle of sparkling cider.

Margaret had given her public lecture on the witch bottles only when Michael's doctors and parents cleared him to travel. Pride filled me when I sat next to Michael as Margaret detailed the lives of the McDonalds, from Patience and Michael's trip from Scotland to the
Virginia Colony all the way through the generations to me, and lastly, Michael. The boy seemed pleased by his long lineage that up until now he'd known little about. I was glad not only that I'd given him life but that we shared a rich ancestry, and perhaps one day it would allow us to be close friends.

“Are you going to tell her about the stones, Dad?” Eric asked.

Zeb sighed. “I was out in Loudoun the other day, and the builder who purchased your hearthstones had extras. I took all he had.”

“You brought the hearthstones back here?”

“Only if you want them.”

“I would. Do you have enough to build anything?”

“Maybe a fire pit. It will be first class.”

“Sounds great.” These hearthstones had a new purpose. Just like me. Lisa. Addie. Even Janet.

I leaned in and kissed Zeb as naturally as if I'd known him all my life.

Zeb kissed me back. “Good.”

Eric rolled his eyes. “I want to drink some of the fake wine.”

Smiling, I straightened. “When Lisa arrives, we'll have a toast.”

“When's she coming?” the boy asked.

“Soon. Real soon.”

“Is Charlie coming?”

“Yes.”

With Amelia's passing, Lisa wasn't under a lot of pressure to sell the Prince Street house. She'd taken it off the market, knowing she'd stay in town until at least the spring. It was nice having her around. We might not have gotten along as teenagers, but as adults, we have become good friends. She and Colin had been dating for a couple of months and she looked happier than I ever remembered.

“I hear you're having a party?” Zeb asked.

“A little gathering. Rachel is catering the desserts.”

Zeb's head cocked. “You aren't matchmaking, are you?”

“Mr. Talbot, I'm not a matchmaker, remember?”

He laughed. “Does Rachel know?”

“Not exactly.”

He groaned. “Who is the poor man you have in your crosshairs?”

“One in particular, but if you want to find out you'll have to come to the party.”

His expression turned serious. “It's not me, right?”

Slowly, I shook my head. “No. I have someone else in mind for you.”

A dark brow arched. “Like who?”

“I know this woman,” I said, smiling. “She's local. Deep roots to the community.”

He took my hand in his and traced the underside of my palm. “I hope she has red hair.”

“It's not exactly red. I think of it as more brown with auburn highlights.” I tipped my body closer to his, coaxing him to lean forward. He smelled like fresh air and sawdust—my new favorite combination.

“That sounds like trouble.”

“Lots of trouble.”

His smile warmed my heart.
“Good.”

Rachel at the Union Street Bakery puts her heart and soul into her cooking, and she'll tell you her recipe selections vary with her moods. She worked hard to balance the flavors of this particular cookie. There were times when she used too much lemon and polenta, making the lemon polenta cookies slightly bitter. Other times, she was heavy-handed with the sugar, creating a cookie that was too sweet. But these days, she feels as if she's found the perfect blend of sweet and savory. She encourages everyone who makes her cookies to experiment. Feel free to mix in different flavors or try a unique topping. She wants you to find your favorite balance of flavors. Enjoy!

¾ cup softened butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup ground cornmeal

½ teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cream together the softened butter and sugar until it's well blended. Mix in the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture. Scoop the cookie dough by tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

1 cup softened butter

½ cup sugar

1¼ cups brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon rum extract

2½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup large chocolate chips

1 cup small chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cream together the softened butter and the sugars. Add the egg, egg yolk, and rum extract. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture. Mix in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by tablespoons onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

THE VIEW FROM PRINCE
STREET

1. Could Faith have found another way not to give up her son?
   
2. Since Rae gave Michael up for adoption, Rae lives to avoid further mistakes. Is it possible to live a full life when you aren't living to win, but to not lose?
   
3. Lisa appears to be very open about her alcoholism and is never afraid to speak her mind. However, is she as trapped as Rae, who keeps all her emotions hidden? Is redemption obvious when it is offered?
   
4. As Rae and Lisa stare at the witch bottles in the Shire Architectural Salvage yard, each is at a crossroads. How would their lives have been different if they chose another path?
   
5. Were you surprised when Rae broke her witch bottle? What do you think about Lisa's secret?
   
6. Do you think Faith's curse is real?
   
7. Do you think Lisa actually heard Jennifer, or was the voice a part of her imagination?
   
8. What constitutes a real mother?
   
9. Do you believe in being careful what you wish for?
   
10. What would your witch bottle include and
    why?
    

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