Paula took Karen’s hand. She would forever be grateful to her brother for risking his life to save her, and to her cousin for giving her life to save Karen’s. In the end, Chelsea hadn’t been so selfish after all.

“Well, I’ve finally agreed to marry Michael,” Jeanette announced. “I figure a forty-one-year engagement was long enough to make him wait.”

They all smiled, looking out over the cliffs.

That sat there in silence for a while. Finally Douglas asked, “We’re sure it’s over, right?”

“Of course it is,” Jeanette said. “They’re all at rest now.”

“Of course it’s over,” Paula echoed. “Uncle Howard reunited Beatrice and Malcolm. And he paid for his crime with his death.” She shuddered. “It’s got to be over.”

They were all looking at Carolyn for affirmation.

“It’s over,” she told them.

They seemed to be reassured by her words. Douglas squeezed her hand.

After all they’d been through, it was natural to wonder. It was perfectly understandable that they’d fear this time ten years from now. For the first time in ninety years, no lottery would take place in the house behind them. Carolyn believed it wouldn’t matter, that danger no longer threatened them. They’d discover that nothing bad would occur as a result of skipping the lottery. There would be no dead bodies in the morning. They’d know that the curse finally and truly was over.

But still.

Ten years.

It was a long time to wait.