The Curse Keepers (Curse Keepers series) by Denise Grover Swank

buildings sported new roofs that had been installed about a month ago.
    I’d grown up in the residential house with Momma and Daddy, and then with Myra when Daddy eventually remarried. The Dare Inn had been part of the Lancaster family since the eighteen hundreds, but whenever I saw the place, it filled me with dread. I couldn’t wait to move out after I graduated from high school. Nevertheless, I felt an obligation to help maintain it, even if that meant working for free and chipping in for repairs.
    Dwight accused me of living off Daddy and Myra. He had no idea that I’d paid for that roof, as well as part of Daddy’s respite care so Myra could work part time at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site visitor center. If business at the Dare Inn didn’t start to bring in more money, Myra would be forced to sell it and Daddy would lose the only home he’d ever known. With his Alzheimer’s confusion, that might prove detrimental to his condition.
    Myra stood on the back porch, cradling a cup of coffee. Her shoulder sagged into a post while she watched me walk up. “How did your date go last night?”
    I was worried about her. She looked exhausted most days, and I was sure it was taxing to take care of the inn, and Daddy, as well as her job at the visitor center.
    I moved past her with a fake growl. “Don’t ask.”
    She pushed away and followed me in the back door. “That bad, huh?”
    “Well, at least we got a partially paid roof out of it.” I instantly regretted my statement as soon as it left my mouth. I’d met Dwight fighting the insurance company to reimburse us for part of the repairs after the hurricane.
    Myra’s face tightened with guilt. “Ellie, I’ll pay you back every cent.”
    I gave her a smile. “Oh, Myra. You know I don’t mind. I’m just investing in my future.” We both knew that was a lie. Neither one of us expected me to inherit the inn. The bed and breakfast was on life support, and we were just trying to keep it going as long as possible. Which is why I worked there twice a day, every day, with no pay. I could get a job at the Tranquil House Inn if I wanted—and some days I really wanted to. I was tired of constantly being short on money.
    Myra rested her hand on my arm. “You can always move back home, Ellie. You know you’re always welcome here.”
    “Thanks, Myra. I know.” At times I was really tempted, despite my uneasiness with the place. I felt guilty not being here and helping more, but I loved my little apartment. It may cost a fortune, but it looked out into the sound. Besides, I liked my independence too. I wasn’t ready to give that up yet. But losing it all, the inn included, loomed in my future, closer than I liked.
    I spent the next couple of hours changing bed linens, setting out clean towels, and starting the laundry. There were several commercial machines in the main house. We had a good routine worked out: I’d put everything into the washing machines and Myra or her friend Becky, who filled in while Myra worked, would transfer the loads to the dryers. By the time I showed up again, late afternoon if I had a lunch shift, they’d be ready for me. If I hada dinner shift, I’d hang around at the inn until the laundry was all done. It was a routine, a monotonous one, but to me, the definition of routine was boring.
    When I arrived for my shift at the restaurant, Lila was filling salt and pepper shakers. She shot me a glare. “Thanks for getting me in trouble yesterday.”
    I didn’t need any of her nonsense today. I’d already had enough nonsense in the last twenty-four hours to last me a lifetime. “I didn’t get you in trouble. Marlena knew my shift was over and made me leave.”
    My answer didn’t appease her. She was still grouchy when the doors opened and the early lunch crowd converged.
    The dining room was packed by 11:30, and the sidewalk outside was crowded with tourists waiting for a table. I was carrying a tray of food from the kitchen when