“It’s so pretty.” I stared at the rock in awe. I’d always been drawn to sparkly, shiny things. “What does it do?”

“Well, the outer edge looks like a rock, but the crystals formed on the inside are a nice calming blue. They give off soft, serene vibrations that soothe and comfort the spirit. It enhances one’s inner wisdom and grants direct access to the angelic realm.”

The crystal looked wonderful, but I was confused. “What does that do for me?”

“This crystal releases energies of tranquility and peace. It’s ideal for seeking harmony and connection.”

“Harm, speak English.” I bit back my frustration.

“Basically, it will help to balance your throat chakra. So, if you hold it in your hand,” she held the twinkling geode in front of me, and I naturally took it as she continued, “it will calm any disruptions that produce anxiety for you and will help you to be more compassionate and understanding. It will also help you with verbalizing what you’re feeling to others.”

“I’ll take it.” Oddly enough I felt connected almost immediately upon holding it, and when I handed it back, I was surprised when I noticed an absence of calming energy.

“I thought you would.” She winked and packaged up my possessions.

I grabbed my purse. “What do I owe you?”

“Nothing. It’s my contribution to the bear cubs.”

I laughed, and then my eye was drawn to a silver, foil-covered book with an intricate design on the spine. “What is that?” I pointed.

Harmony turned around and pulled the book from its shelf. “I’m not really sure. It came in on the last shipment. I put everything out for purchase, but I haven’t really looked closely at the books yet. I ordered books on ancient myths and legends, as well as strange cults, etc. Why?” She looked at the cover closer. “Oh, wow, look at this.” She pointed to the spine. “Doesn’t that look like a….”

“A clover. Yes. That’s what drew my eye.” I took the book from her, and sure enough, there was a bright green four-leaf clover etched on the spine.

“What do you think it means?” A wary expression crossed her face.

“I don’t know, but the clover kind of freaks me out, doll.” I flipped the book open and started to skim the pages. I came to a spot that made me freeze in place.

“What? Did you find something?” Harmony’s eyes grew wide.

My jaw fell open as I said in barely more than a whisper, “Yes.” I looked up at her. “I found the Children of the Clover.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Her face twisted into a look of horror. “It sounds terrifying. Like some scary movie.”

“It might as well be. There is an ancient cult of men who think they are so superior; they want to preserve their line for all eternity.”

Harmony barked out a laugh. “Yeah right. How are they going to do that?”

My eyes met hers. “By becoming seed spreaders.”

“Seed…whaters?”

“They believe the four-leaf clover is so rare and special that they tattoo it on their penises, and then they target women to procreate with to spread their seed and keep the children to populate the Clover Clan.”

Her jaw unhinged. “Dude, that is crazy weird.”

I stared at her with determination…or obsession. I couldn’t really tell what I looked like. “And yet suddenly makes so much sense.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What does this have to do with you?”

“Apparently, an older woman is at the peak of her prime in wisdom and still fertile. And a forty-year-old woman is even better because she possesses the power of the four, producing children who are worthy enough to carry on the power of the Clover Legacy.”

“Wait a minute, you think Matt McGinnis is a member of this cult?” Harmony gaped at me with major skepticism.

“How else would you explain the rumored legend? I saw something that looked suspiciously like a clover, and he got me pregnant on my fortieth birthday, with twins no less. Apparently, I’m very fertile but not so wise.”

“Tiffany, I think the pregnancy hormones are talking.” She patted my hand. “That’s a bit of a stretch if you ask me.”

“Well, I didn’t.” I tossed the book on my pile, feeling hysteria bubble up inside of me once more. “Add this to my order.” I set my jaw. “I’ve got an egg-shaped geode to hold and some reading to do.”

Chapter Nine

Isat at a table for two by the window in Lolita’s Place, waiting for my sister, Tabatha, to join me. I’d been the bigger person and had asked her to meet me for lunch to talk. After all, she was as much a victim of all of this as I was. I’d never blamed her for our parents keeping her and giving me away.

It wasn’t her fault any more than it was mine.

My heart beat faster when I saw her outside the window as she walked through the front door, spotted me, straightened her spine and then walked my way. She didn’t say a word until she sat down and draped her napkin over her lap.

Our waitress came over and we placed our orders, then sat in awkward silence.

We might be identical twins, but we were different enough in most ways. She had the same golden-blonde hair as me, but hers was a short bob, and she wore blue jeans, which I had never worn in my life. The one truly identical thing about us was our periwinkle blue eyes, so like our mother’s.

Inhaling deep, I smiled wide. “Hi, Tabatha.”

“Tiffany.” She didn’t smile back.

“I’m so glad you decided to join me for lunch.” I took in her stiff posture and tight face. “I didn’t think you were going to. What changed your mind?”

She shrugged. “Mom.”

“Ah, Rita.” I nodded, refusing to call her mom. “I’m coming to realize she can be quite persuasive.”

“Mom doesn’t have an agenda,” she leveled me with a hard stare, “if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Well, how would I know that?” I stared right back, locking gazes and refusing to blink first. “I really don’t know the woman at all.”

She looked away first as the waitress brought our food to the table, speaking only after the woman was gone. “You don’t know me, either.”

“And that’s the reason for this lunch.”

We took a moment to eat in silence.

“I want to get to know you, Tabatha.” I set my napkin down. “We’re sisters. Twins, for God’s sake.” My hand fluttered down over my stomach.

“I heard you were pregnant.” Her gaze briefly followed my hand before she winced and looked away. “Congratulations. You and your husband must be thrilled.”

“Thank you. No husband.”