A Villainous Tale: A Fairy Tale Historical Fantasy (Fairy Taled Series Book Three) by Carmen Erickson

Author:Carmen Erickson [Erickson, Carmen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-03-24T00:00:00+00:00

An hour after Rump’s departure, Marta had ripped at every hangnail until her fingers bled. Additionally, she’d consumed a bag of potato chips, six coconut macaroons, and spent thirty minutes on the phone with Marigold as she mulled over the situation. The mere mention of children had dredged up wicked feelings she thought had been cemented in a vault. Now self-doubt covered her like a Swiss meringue buttercream.

“It sounds easy enough,” Marigold said encouragingly. “Don’t even look at the kids. Open the door a crack, enough to get your arm through, and drop the candy into the bag.”

Easy? To her, it sounded like climbing fifty flights of stairs. “Won’t that frighten them? What if I miss?”

“Sister, all they care about is getting candy. The method of delivery is inconsequential.”

Marta nodded, her cheek pressed hard against the phone. “I suppose you’re right, Mare. So you really think I can handle it?”

“With flying colors. Then maybe you will be able to let go of the past for good.”

Marta’s gaze swept over the shelves and table in her living room, at the things she’d loved and collected over the years after losing her beloved candy house. Letting go wasn’t easy for her. She stuffed another macaroon into her mouth, nestling it in the pocket between her cheek and teeth.

“Are you still there?” Marigold asked. “You got this. Onward and upward, my sweet sister. Believe in yourself. Murphy and I do.”

Marta savored the coconut notes in her mouth. “Rump said it was all in the attitude. But he doesn’t understand addiction.”

“You’ve conquered your addiction. You haven’t been tempted in years.”

Her rose-colored-glasses sister didn’t know the thoughts living in Marta’s mind. ‘Conquered’ was a fluid term. In the past, she’d used ingredients in her brews she was now ashamed of, but it was still tempting. Whispers of want had never stopped caressing her ears. Addictions battled you inch by inch.

“I’m tired, Mare.” Marta sighed. “I think I’ll watch one of my shows to center myself and then I’ll call Murphy.”

“Don’t do that,” Marigold said. “You know I love Murphy dearly, but he can be so flip-flappin’ negative about things like this.”

“He’s really good at assessing a situation and weighing the pros and cons. He thinks of things I don’t and doesn’t get emotional like I do. He always says ‘facts don’t care about your feelings.’”

After a brief pause, Marigold said, “If you feel you must, but please don’t let him talk you out of this. It would be very nice to do something to boost your confidence so you could believe in yourself again.”

Marta said her goodbyes, got a bag of Fritos, and settled in with a new show called Ready Jet Cook with the wonderful chef, Jet Tila—he was such a doll!—followed by an episode of Chopped. She’d call Murphy in the morning. Right now, she had to see what the contestants were going to do with a basket of sweet breads, broccoli rabe, pre-made fruit cake, and snails.

“Make a casserole,” she shouted at the TV.

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