Marcus spun on his heel and fled through the swinging door that led to the kitchen. Thistle was unbelievably amused at his departure, although her gaze was thoughtful when it landed on me. I could practically see her mind working.
“What?” I challenged.
Thistle shook her head, the teal hair glinting under the chandelier. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
“You clearly have something to say,” I prodded.
“I don’t have anything to say.” Thistle stood and locked gazes with Tillie. “Are you ready to come up with our point system? I have work and then … well … then I have Bay.”
That was the second time she’d mentioned Bay. I couldn’t help but be suspicious. “What are you doing with Bay?”
“Cousin stuff,” Thistle replied evasively. “You guys have fun with your video. If you find proof of Bigfoot, we’ll be thrilled to see it.”
“If we find proof of a hominid-like creature, the world will be thrilled to see it,” Chris corrected. “We’ll be famous.”
“Yeah, you need to show your trouser snake to the blond girl over there,” Tillie said, pointing. “I think that’s the only thing that’s going to save your nerves and make you famous in your own mind now.”
Chris stared blankly. “What’s a trouser snake?”
“Oh, geez!” Aunt Tillie pinched the bridge of her nose. “I miss the normal guests. They’re so much easier to mess with.”
Thistle grinned. “Well, if you don’t feel up for a challenge, old lady, you can just give me the money now.”
“Keep it up, mouth. You’ll be crying when I’m done with you.”
As frustrated as I was about the previous evening’s events – and the confusing way I woke – there was something comforting about the Winchesters’ brand of zany hijinks. I lost myself in their silly argument for the rest of breakfast, pushing my own problems out of my mind.
That didn’t stop the big question from popping up, though. Where were we supposed to go from here?
Twenty-One
“Men are stupid.”
With nothing better to do with my morning I decided to go back to the site for a better look around in the bright light of day. Chris was eager to pore over the video. He kept Hannah and Laura close so they could use various filters to clean up the imagery. I found the video distracting because the only thing I could see with any certainty was that a branch fell at some point. Of course, Chris was determined the creature dropped the branch. I could hardly tell him the truth without outing myself. In an effort to escape my discomfort, I suggested returning to the site.
Ostensibly I volunteered for the task to see if I could make casts of the prints – which Chris readily agreed to – and then asked for keys to one of the vehicles. Chris suggested I take Jack with me, which was a terrible idea, so I opted to shanghai Millie instead. She seemed up for the adventure until I fell into a fit of melancholy once we parked next to the Dandridge. I couldn’t get Jack’s earlier words out of my head. I became steadily obsessed with the size of his ego as we walked to the site.
Millie arched a penciled eyebrow as she shifted a glance toward me. She was fine picking her way through the woods and trudging over broken trails, never uttering a word of complaint. I could tell she was curious about my mood, but she didn’t ask a single question … until I opened my big, fat mouth.
“I was thinking of making that the title of my autobiography one day,” Millie mused, slowing her pace to step over a fallen tree. “I think ‘Men Are Stupid … and So Are the Women Who Love Them’ is a fantastic title.”
I tilted my head to the side, curious. “Are you planning to write an autobiography? I bet you’ve got some good stories to tell.”
“I do,” Millie confirmed. “I would never really write an autobiography, though. That was a joke.”
“Oh.” In hindsight I should’ve realized that. “I can see why you wouldn’t want that. You’re a private person, after all.”
Millie snorted, taking me by surprise. “I’m not private in the least,” she offered. “In fact, I’ve got some very off-color stories involving public restrooms that I’m dying to share once I know you better.”
“I’m never offended by true stories,” I protested.
Millie didn’t look convinced. “You’re under the age of twenty-five, honey. You’re part of that whole politically correct youth movement that’s so annoying today. Don’t get me wrong, I like it when kids state their opinions and stand up for injustice. I read about the whole ‘burning your bras’ thing and wished I’d been old enough to do it at the time. What I don’t like is people getting offended just to be offended.”
I studied her a moment, conflicted. “You would burn your bra?”
Millie’s smile was so wide it almost split her face. “How did I know you would focus on that? For the record, yes, I would burn my bra. That’s not just because I hate wearing a bra – I do – it’s also because I love a good protest.”
I took a moment to look Millie up and down as I waited for her to edge around a large rut in the middle of the pathway. “I can see you at a protest,” I said after a beat. “I’ll bet you participated in a lot of protests. Like … did you protest the war?”
Millie balked. “How old do you think I am?”
“Oh, I … .” I knew answering that question would be a mistake. My mother always told me that when a woman asks you to identify her age it’s almost certainly a trap. “You don’t look a day over twenty-nine.”
Millie snorted, amused. “You’re quick on your feet. I’ll give you that.”
“That’s what my mother always told me.”
I felt Millie’s eyes rest on my back as I continued pushing forward. “Your adopted mother, you mean?”
I swallowed hard. “How do you know about that? I only told Jack … and now I’m definitely regretting it if he told you. I didn’t realize he had such a big mouth.”
“He doesn’t,” Millie clarified. “He didn’t mention anything about that. But I am curious about what happened to the two of you last night, so don’t go thinking we’re done talking about that. You shouldn’t blame him, though. The boy is loyal. He wouldn’t betray your trust.”
I had the grace to look abashed. “Oh.” I ran my tongue over my lips as I tried to rein in my temper. “If Jack didn’t tell you, how do you know?”
“I’ve seen your file,” Millie replied. “Before you have another meltdown, I’m the only one who has seen it other than Chris. He doesn’t share files with the others. I saw it because I went through his things.”
“You went through his things?”
Millie bobbed her head. “He keeps candy in his desk. I was looking for a Cadbury chocolate bar when I saw your file. I recognized the name because Chris said you were joining us. I took a peek.”
“Oh, well, I guess you were curious.” I forced out the words even as my stomach rolled. I knew people would find out about my past, about my parents, before too long. I didn’t think it would be this soon, though. I hated answering questions about my parents.
“I’m nosy,” Millie corrected. “I thought maybe there was something about you I might be able to exploit in case I ever wanted to blackmail you.”
Now it was my turn to balk. “Excuse me?”
Millie’s smile was impish. “How do you think I manage to handle Laura so well? I’ve got a doozy on her. I thought I might need something on you, too. It turns out I don’t, because I like you. But I didn’t know that at the time.”
“I suppose I should take that as a compliment, huh?”
“It’s the closest you’ll ever get from me,” Millie confirmed.
“What did … um … what did the file say?” I kept my eyes focused on the ground, telling myself it was because I didn’t want to trip, even though I knew in my heart that I was afraid to meet Millie’s steady gaze lest she see into my soul and read the fear living there. The fear was always close. It wasn’t the same sort of fear I felt the night before when I
saw the figure near the tents. No, this fear was worse.
Much, much worse.
“It said that you were found abandoned when you were a child, put into the foster system and adopted by Kate and Caleb Rhodes.” Millie recited the file with clinical detachment and exactitude. “The file said your adopted parents died when you were a teenager. You’ve been on your own since.”
“That’s all?”
Millie lifted an eyebrow. “Should there have been something more?”
I shrugged, noncommittal. “It’s always humbling to see your entire life broken down into a few sentences. I had two sets of parents, and now I have none. That’s all my life amounts to.”
“I didn’t mean that,” Millie said hurriedly, and for the first time I saw something other than mischief on her face. I saw pity. I preferred the mischief. “You had a lot of academic accolades in there, too.”
“Yes, well, I think I’ll make that the title of my autobiography,” I offered, going for levity. “Everyone loves academic accolades, right?”
“I think I’m doing this wrong,” Millie muttered, scratching her cheek. “I can never tell because I’m so used to sticking my foot in my mouth. Most of the time I don’t care. I care today, but I still managed to trip over it. I’m … sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I waved off the apology. “It’s fine.”
“I don’t think it is, but I also don’t know what I said to put you on edge. I truly am sorry.”
“I said it was fine.” I focused my attention on my shoes as I trudged forward. “The site is only a few minutes away.”
“Uh-huh.” Millie sounded thoughtful as she followed me. “You said that men are stupid,” she prodded after a few moments of quiet. “Do you want to tell me what happened between you and Jack last night?”
“Not particularly.”
Millie wasn’t about to give up. “I know something happened. You guys went from constantly sitting next to one another to not even making eye contact.”
“I think you’re exaggerating,” I said. “Jack and I are fine.”
“Whatever.” Millie rolled her eyes. “I’ll bet you saw each other naked and have buyer’s remorse. That’s ridiculous. You’re both under thirty, so what reason could you possibly have to be remorseful? Your thighs don’t brush together when you walk and your boobs are still perky. Now is the time to get naked, honey.”
It took me a moment to comprehend what she said. “We did not see each other naked!”
Millie’s eyebrows flew up her forehead at my high-pitched tone. “Yeah, that convinces me.”
I took all of my effort to lower my voice and remain calm. “We did not see each other naked. I swear it.”
Millie searched my face, and apparently decided after a long time that I was telling the truth. “That’s disappointing. I thought for sure you two rolled around on top of each other instead of looking for Bigfoot.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re suddenly uncomfortable with each other. You were fine yesterday,” Millie replied, saddened now that I had kicked the legs out from under her assumption about Jack and me. “Actually, that’s not entirely true. There’s been a bit of tension here and there where you guys are concerned. I noticed it right away. I thought it was merely flirtatious energy, but now I think it’s something more.”
“Oh, yeah? What is that?”
Millie shrugged. “I think you guys are attracted to each other.”
Well, that was just ridiculous. “Why do people keep saying that?” I asked, annoyed. “He’s very bossy. It’s not that he’s not good looking, because he is – I mean he really is – but we have nothing in common.”
“Relationships where you have everything in common are very boring,” Millie supplied. “Why do you think Myron and I crashed and burned?”
That was an interesting question. “Because you’re full of life and he’s not.”
Millie smiled. “Thank you for that, but on paper Myron and I had a lot in common. We were both academics who enjoy theater, reading and travel. We should’ve been a good match.”
“What happened?”
“Life happened,” Millie replied. “I didn’t want to be a businessman’s wife. All he wanted to be was a businessman. I saw us as equals. He didn’t. There went the marriage.”
“See, that’s exactly why Jack and I would make a terrible couple,” I said. “He’s bossy and feels the need to tell me what to do. I can’t put up with that.”
Millie tapped her bottom lip as she stared at me. “He’s not bossy. He’s … protective.”
“That’s not how I see it.”
“Then you’re looking at it wrong,” Millie pressed. “Jack is a … tortured … boy. I say ‘boy’ but he’s more of a man than anyone I’ve ever met. You guys seemed to have a nice talk last night before whatever happened that you’re pretending didn’t happen, huh?” Amusement flittered across Millie’s face. “Do you know that you’re the only one Jack has bothered to talk to since joining the group?”
“That’s not true,” I protested. “I see him talking to you all of the time.”
“We talk, but not about anything heavy,” Millie countered. “He’s a good boy with a big heart. He’s haunted, though. He talked to you, and I’m guessing it was more serious than any talk he’s ever had with me. Why do you think that is?”
I shrugged, unsure. “We were bored and stuck out in the woods together. There was nothing to do besides watch the fire and chat.”
“Yes, but why did he volunteer to go with you?” Millie prodded. “He could’ve stayed behind and sent you by yourself. He volunteered to go with you despite the fact that he was agitated about you taking off for the resort with the blonde. Why do you think that is?”
“I … don’t know.” I wasn’t being evasive. I honestly didn’t have an answer. Millie’s therapist shtick was getting old fast. “We didn’t talk about anything all that deep. We talked briefly about my parents, then we went to sleep. Then I thought I saw something and climbed into his tent. That’s it.”
“Ha!” Millie barked out the exclamation, causing me to jolt, and pointed her finger in my direction. “There it is! I knew something happened between the two of you. You climbed in his tent. Were you naked?”
“No.”
“Was he naked?”
“No.”
“Did you kiss?”
“Absolutely not.”
Millie’s face fell. “It sounds like you did it wrong. Why didn’t you make a move?”
“I barely know him and I’m not interested in a relationship,” I replied, hiding my internal disgust when I realized I used the same words Jack had earlier. “Jack’s not interested either. I came here for the job. Nothing more.”
“You’re an idiot,” Millie muttered, shaking her head. “I think you’ll figure that out on your own eventually.”
“I think you’re dreaming, but I don’t feel like arguing,” I shot back. “As for Jack … he didn’t tell me much about himself. He did seem a bit … frustrated … this morning because we slept in the same tent and ended up a little closer than he felt was comfortable. He kept offering to resign if I felt that he crossed a line. It was very odd.”
“He’s had a traumatic past,” Millie said, her voice low.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that he’s had a traumatic past,” Millie replied. “Something happened when he was in the Marines … and, no, I don’t know what it is. He was going to make the military his career, but then he cycled out at some point. I’ve heard Myron and Chris whisper about some incident, but I don’t know what it entailed.”
We moved toward the last hill before reaching the site. “You don’t think he’s dangerous, do you?”
“I think that depends on who he’s up against,” Millie replied. “I don’t believe he’s dangerous to you or me. He’s dangerous to anyone who tries to hurt an individual under his protection. I’ve seen him in action a time o
r two, and he’s good at his job. The thought of him being even better is terrifying.”
I hadn’t seen Jack in action, but I wouldn’t challenge her assessment. “And you want me to hook up with … that?”
Millie snorted, her dour expression melting. “I think you will hook up with that, but that’s a discussion for another time. We’re supposed to be looking for Bigfoot. Let’s focus on that.”
“I agree. I … .” I didn’t get a chance to finish my statement because when we reached the top of the hill we found Thistle, Clove and Bay searching the site. They didn’t bother glancing in our direction, instead focusing on the ground for … something. I had no idea why they were here, and I had trouble wrapping my head around the turn of events. Then Bay spoke, continuing what looked to be an easy conversation with her cousins as they traipsed around our hominid search site.
“Men are stupid,” Bay announced. “I’m totally sick of them.”
Thistle snorted. “Honey, you’re preaching to the choir.”
Millie met my gaze before focusing on the cousins. “Oh, this should be interesting.”
I had no doubt she was right.
Twenty-Two
“Honey, you’re preaching to the choir.”
Millie, not one for awkward silences, filled the one in the clearing as soon as Thistle lifted her head and realized her group wasn’t alone. Bay, who was mid-complaint, didn’t bother to tamp down her surprise when she saw us standing on the other side of the tents.
“What are you doing here?” Bay blurted out, her cheeks flushed.
“What are you doing here?” I countered, suspicious.
Thistle mentioned twice over breakfast that she had something to do with Bay this afternoon. Were they always planning a visit out here? If so, why?
“What are you doing here?” Thistle asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I asked first.”
“Uh-uh.” Clove shook her head and pointed. “Bay asked first.”
Witchy Dreams Page 67