Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Oh my dear—I would be honored!” Goody Albright squeezed me even tighter. “I’m so happy for the two of you! I just knew you belonged together!”
“We’re Heartmates,” I said simply, smiling.
“Yes, you are and now that you’ve broken that awful curse, you never have to worry about losing him. Orcs live a very long time and they’re practically indestructible, you know,” she added.
I laughed and pulled back.
“Well, that’s good to know—especially since Rath is going to be a father soon.”
“He is? Oh my goodness!” She fluttered her hands excitedly and looked down at my belly. The Breeding Bump had gone down some time ago and I hadn’t begun to show yet, but she put a hand on my abdomen anyway, beaming with excitement. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her. “I just wish my Grandma and my Mom could be here to see it,” I added wistfully.
“Oh my dear, they will be!” Goody Albright exclaimed. “They’ll be here in spirit—literally!”
“Really?” I asked doubtfully. I had heard my Grandma’s voice once or twice in my ear since I had broken the curse, but I hadn’t heard my Mom again and I missed her.
“Really,” she said firmly. “I have a special spell for gathering the spirits of the departed for special occasions. I’ll lend it to you—or if you’re too busy, I’ll do the spell for you.”
“Thank you so much—that would be wonderful.” I smiled. “I would love to know that my Mom and Grandma are seeing me get married.”
“And don’t forget all your other ancestors too!” Goody Albright exclaimed.
I had told her about how I had felt all the spirits of the women in my family going back eleven generations when I had broken the curse and she was clearly eager to bring them back.
“Well, sure.” I nodded. “Why not—the more the merrier.”
“Excellent! You just leave everything to me. Now come along and we’ll talk wedding planning. Have you decided who you want to officiate?”
She hooked her arm through mine and we moved off, towards the main part of the house. But as we went, I couldn’t help throwing another glance over my shoulder at the strange marble statue. Who was the angel-gargoyle and who was he really supposed to be guarding? What did the poem mean? Was it just a pretty piece of verse…or some kind of ancient prophecy?
I supposed I might never find out, but something inside me told me that I just might…
After all, anything is possible in Hidden Hollow.
THE END?
I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT!