I perched over the top of the living room sofa observing Billie Jo and Jolene tote in the rest of the cat supplies she’d bought at the local pet store. From the pet carrier, Zeus growled. Guess the ornery guzzler was waking up from his moonshine binge. Poor thing. Going to have one hell of a hangover for sure. Jade kept a close eye on Billie Jo from atop the Christmas tree. In my opinion, she made a stunning tree topper.
“Well, that’s the last.” Jolene dropped the bag of cat food onto the kitchen counter. “Food, litter box and litter, toys, and a bed. That should hold you for a while. I didn’t have time to run him by the vet’s office. He’s a stray, so he needs shots and neutering.”
Billie Jo slipped on a pair of latex gloves and poured the litter into the box. “There’s a nearby vet’s office. I’ll call them and see if they can get us in today. At least for a rabies shot. The neutering can wait. It’s almost Christmas Eve. Gosh, Jolene, I’m so glad you decided to come home for Christmas. This may be our last Christmas together as a family, now that you’re living in Wyoming.”
Christmas Eve. Yikes. I had less than twenty-four hours to complete my mission. Time to move things along. I zipped across the living room. In the kitchen, I wafted over the counter across from Jolene.
“Tell her about Finn’s quest to deflower Lynette,” I told her. “And about the dangerous game, those teenagers are playing with the spirit board. Tell her why I’m here.”
“Deflower?” Jolene said aloud. “Oh, you mean, popping the cherry.”
Billie Jo cast her a quizzical look. “Who are you talking to?”
“Maybe you’d better sit down,” Jolene said with a crooked smile.
“I knew something was up.” Billie Jo stashed the litter bag in the recycle bin beside the refrigerator and then plopped down on one of the chrome bar stools. “Who’s in trouble this time? Mama? Daddy? I know it can’t be Deena. She’s too proper to dip her toes into troubled waters.”
Jolene draped a strong arm around her sister’s shoulder. “Stay calm, Billie Jo, but I’m here because of Lynette.”
“Lynette? Oh, my God.” Billie Jo tried to stand, but Jolene’s arm anchored her to the chair. “What am I missing? She just left for the salon. She’s helping Deena for the day. Tell me what’s going on with my baby girl.”
“Open your eyes, sis. Lynette’s growing up. She’s practically a young woman. The guys are buzzin’ around the bloom.”
“Finn Herrmann,” Billie Jo supplied. “I’ve noticed his interest, but they’re just kids. Teenagers. And Lynette knows how I feel about pre-marital sex. How did you know about this, Jolene?”
“Scarlett paid me a visit.”
“Is she here now?” Billie Jo swiveled her head over her shoulders, her eyes wide as saucers as she surveyed the living room. “Scarlett? Tap on the wall to show your presence. Come on, don’t be shy.”
Jolene pointed at me wafting over the granite countertop. “The breeze you feel is Scarlett waving hello. She’s responsible for the cat.”
Billie Jo tilted her head. “Yes, I can feel her. Oh, Scarlett, thank you for watching out for my baby girl. And for bringing Jolene back to Whiskey Creek. And Zeus. Geez, Scarlett, although I can’t see you, I’m glad you’re back.” Tears pooled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. “Damn, these mood swings.” Her hand caressed her rounding stomach budge.
Jolene patted her on the back. “There’s more I have to tell you, Billie Jo.”
Billie Jo brushed tears off her cheeks. “What could be worse than Lynette foolin’ around with sex?”
“Experimenting with the occult,” Jolene replied. “Lynette and her friends are dabbling with a spirit board. They’ve opened a portal and loosened Krampus and a gang of poltergeists. Scarlett is here to send them back to where they belong and close the portal.”
Billie Jo frowned. “Krampus? Never heard of him. I wondered what they were doing in Lynette’s room. Conjuring spirits? Good Lord, how did Lynette get mixed up with this nonsense? She’s a good Christian girl.”
“Peer pressure, what else? You remember how tough it is to be a teenager, Billie Jo. Worse years of a kid’s life. Trying to fit in and be accepted by the popular kids. Lynette is under extreme pressure at this stage of her life. And I doubt any of them thought anything more than playing an innocent party game.”
Billie Jo sighed. “I guess the time has come for me to have the talk.”
Jolene grinned. “You should’ve had that talk with her long ago, sis. It’s a little late now.”
“Not Lynette. Roddy.”
Interesting. My ears perked up, eager to hear the rest, and I spotted Jade materialize on the top of the refrigerator. I guess she was as interested in the conversation as I was. Once she settled, my attention shifted back to the sisters.
Jolene’s eyebrows twitched upward. “Roddy? About what? The supernatural?”
“No. Birth control for Lynette.”
Jolene whistled. “I don’t envy you that conversation.”
“I don’t envy me either. He’ll go grizzly bear when I tell him my intentions to put Lynette on the pill. He’s worse than I am when it comes to his little princess. But I’d rather face Roddy’s objections than an unexpected pregnancy.” She patted her stomach. “One is enough.”
Jolene’s cell phone rang. She grabbed it out of her shoulder bag and answered with a cheery, “Hello.” Then rolled her eyes and mouthed the words, “It’s Mama,” to Billie Jo. “Yes, Mama, I’m here. Yes, Sam will be here Christmas Eve.” Pause. “Yes, Mama, I won’t miss the service tonight.” Another pause. “I stopped by Billie Jo’s before going home to unpack. No, Mama, I can’t drive out to the farm right now. I’m beat and need a quick nap, and I still have to check with Deena at the salon, and run by Becky’s. Yes, I’ll drive out this evening and have supper with you and Daddy.” A long pause, then, “Okay, love you too. Bye.” She disconnected the call and heaved a dramatic sigh. “I thought getting remarried would’ve cut those damn apron strings, but no, they’re tighter than ever.”
Billie Jo rose from the bar stool and stretched her back. “She hasn’t adjusted to your eloping with Sam and leaving Whiskey Creek. Mama doesn’t like sudden surprises. Well, maybe baby surprises. Too bad you’re past the age of reproduction.”
“Hallelujah to that, sister.” Jolene stood and pushed the bar stool under the counter. “As much as I would like to stay longer, Billie Jo, I need to shove off. Becky and Hannah are waiting for me, and I still have to run by the salon.”
Zeus growled a warning from the cat carrier. I wafted out of the kitchen to peek inside the carrier. The cat’s amber eyes stared back. The hairs rose on his back, and he hissed back at me. Stupid cat.
“And I need to see about Zeus,” Billie Jo said from the kitchen. “But I’ll see you later at the farm for supper. Mama invited the family out for a welcome home celebration. And she plans for the family to attend the annual church Christmas production tonight. I hope you brought an extra helping of patience.”
Jolene laughed. “First thing I packed. I know how stressful the holidays can be. Especially in our family.”
I looked over at the two sisters hugging and experienced a rush of affection. Over the years since my death, the Tucker sisters had wormed their way into my heart, and I into theirs. Every year on my birthday, Jolene and her sisters placed an arrangement of yellow roses on my grave. Tears gathered in my eyes at the thought, and I wafted in-between the two becoming part of the group hug.
A sharp warning yowl shattered the peaceful moment. Billie Jo and Jolene broke apart and raced over to the carrier and peered inside with concern. Jade tapped me on the shoulder. “We have visitors upstairs. Perhaps you should turn the animal loose and see if he can corner the rat.”
I scanned the staircase, alert and wary. “Krampus?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, but the cat detected the presence before me.”
I flew to Jolene’s side. “Let Zeus out of the crate. He smells a rat.”<
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Her words tumbled out, “Turn him loose? Are you sure it’s safe? He’s drunk. And dirty.”
Billie Jo’s face mirrored confusion. “What’s going on?”
“Scarlett insists I let the cat out of the crate,” Jolene said over the yowls. “Something about a rat.”
“Rats? In my house? Oh, no, that won’t do.” Billie Jo unlatched the carrier door, and Zeus shot out and raced up the stairs. Jade and I immediately zipped behind him, arriving in Lynette’s room well ahead of Jolene and Billie Jo. From underneath the bed, sharp yowls increased in volume and anger. Scuffling ensued, and seconds later, Krampus and a dozen poltergeists somersaulted out of the bedroom window, their screams of indignation tinting the morning in multi-colors of nasty.
I zipped under the bed and came face-to-face with Zeus stretched out in the middle of the opened talking board. He swatted a paw of sharp claws at me when I tried to dislodge him. I drew back an injured hand. “Ouch. Stupid cat, I’m not the enemy.” Zeus growled another warning, and I backed off and rejoined Jolene beside the bed.
“Did you see Krampus and the gang?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Scary stuff. How do we get rid of them?”
“The answer is under the bed.” I pushed back a strand of wayward hair that had escaped from my ponytail and tucked it behind my ear.
Jolene dropped to her knees and lifted the frilly bedspread. “Yes, I see what you mean.”
“What do you see?” Billie Jo looked puzzled. She shivered. “I hope not a dead rat.”
Zeus strolled out from under the bed, his purrs loud in the silence, and tangled himself around Billie Jo’s ankles as if to say, I would like my reward now for chasing away the boogeyman.
Jolene scooted halfway under the bed. “Not a dead rat,” her muffled voice announced before she wiggled free with a game board in hand and held it up for Billie Jo’s examination. “This is a spirit board, sis, and the instrument of paranormal activity. According to Scarlett, Lynette and her friends have to close the game they opened. Scarlett will then return Krampus and his gang to their dimension and seal it with Saint Peter’s silver emblem.”
Billie Jo bent down and scratched Zeus’ ears. “Unbelievable. So what’s up with this cat? Is he really just a normal cat or is there more than you’re telling me?”
“He’s a normal cat, Billie Jo. Nothing special or paranormal.”
“Like Tango?”
“Yes, like Tango only meaner and dirtier. He’ll make a perfect guardian,” Jolene said with a tired grin.
“So what’s next?” Billie Jo sank down on the bed.
Jolene sat next to her sister. “We round up Lynette and her friends, and they close the game. Scarlett will take it from there.”
“Everyone needs to be present?” Billie Jo questioned.
“Yes, the original players need to be present,” Jolene replied.
“Well, that’s a problem. Finn Herrmann left this morning for Germany.”
Jolene glanced toward me. “Finn is gone. Can we close the board without him?”
I shook my head. “We can’t proceed without him. Finn opened the portal when he summoned Krampus. Lynette and the others were players, but Finn holds the key. We must get him back and close the board before Christmas Eve.”
“We?” Jolene let out a strained laugh.
“Me,” I corrected. At the window, I whistled for Skywalker, then turned back to Jolene. “Keep an eye on things while I’m gone. And be careful, your guardian angel is on vacation, and I’m your stand-in. If you get into trouble, you’re on your own.”
Chapter Nine
A Christmas to Remember
I caught Finn’s commuter flight out of Albany for Atlanta in mid-air. A nearby flock of birds provided the perfect weapon of destruction, and I wasted no time. With the cry of a maddened banshee, I spurred my boot heels hard against Skywalker’s sides and grabbed the saddle horn when he shot through a bank of clouds, scattering the flock in every direction.
Wham! A direct hit in the plane’s left engine.
“Woo-wee,” I shouted with triumph when the engine ignited in smoke and flames. As expected, the plane returned to the airport, and I waited patiently on the tarmac for Finn to disembark with the other disgruntled passengers.
The towering Hispanic with the massive wings accompanied him off the plane. Finn headed indoors with his cellphone glued to his ear and the Hispanic straight for me. Anger twisted his features. Skywalker snorted out a warning, but the angel charged ahead. I swung out of the saddle to meet my challenger.
“This infraction will be reported to the authorities,” he snarled. “You’ve committed a violation against my charge.”
“Screw your charge,” I fired back with equal anger. “Finn’s going back to Whiskey Creek and close the portal he opened on the spirit board. Those are my orders from Saint Peter. If you have a problem with it, then take it up with him.” I rested one hand on the coiled whip and the other hand on my sword hilt in case he challenged me.
Several tense seconds passed as his blazing gaze locked with mine, and I sensed he wrestled with an intense desire to thrash me. Well, bring it on, my eyes dared. I’m afraid of no male, be it human or angelic.
I pressed my advantage, and threw back my shoulders and heaved a deep breath. His eyes flickered and grew round with awe as the girls strained against the buttons on my western-styled blouse. He faltered, and I knew I’d won. Fairly or not, I didn’t care.
The Hispanic relaxed his stance. “How long is this going to take?”
I exhaled, and my boobs settled into a more comfortable position. “I wish I knew, but I could use your help in convincing Finn to return to Whiskey Creek.”
“Finn is deaf to my voice. Deaf to reason. The Dark Side has his ear.”
“Yeah, I guessed as much.” I smiled. “To be honest, I don’t care for him. Calculating eyes and bad vibes.”
“We don’t have the option of choice in our line of work, Scarlett.”
“Boy, ain’t that the truth.” I tied the whip back to the saddle jockey. “If you’re agreeable, let’s get Finn and head back to Whiskey Creek. The sooner we complete this job, the sooner Finn can return to Germany and me to Heaven.” The nubs between my shoulder blades tingled with anticipation at the thought of seeing Hazell.
Finn proved to be every bit as tricky as the Hispanic had predicted. The boy was stone cold deaf to angelic voices. We both had a turn at him to no avail. Finn was determined to catch the next flight to Atlanta and then on to Germany in time for Christmas Eve, but Lady Luck had our backs. The Hispanic and I watched from the ticket agent’s counter.
“I’m sorry, son, but the best I can do is Flight 365 for Frankfurt. The commuter flight for Atlanta isn’t due until nine o’clock tonight,” the ticket agent said with a strained smile. “There’s a two-hour layover before your nonstop flight would leave for Germany. You would arrive approximately eight or nine Christmas Eve morning. I have five seats remaining, so you need to book now if you want a seat.”
Finn blew out a frustrated breath. “Book it.” He scowled at the agent. “What am I supposed to do for twelve hours? Hang around here?”
“I’m sure a smart young man like yourself can figure it out,” the agent replied with his face glued to the computer screen. He handed a new ticket over the counter. “Next!”
Finn grabbed the ticket and stalked over to the baggage reclaim area. His guardian angel and I wafted behind the sullen teenager. An older couple I recognized from my physical life in Whiskey Creek stood several feet away watching the rotating baggage carousel. The Browns from down the street. A good Christian couple from my neighborhood. Inspiration struck, and I wafted over and introduced myself to their guardians and shared my dilemma. They agreed to help.
Finn’s cell phone rang, and he pulled it from his front jean pocket. “Hey, Curtis,” he answered. Paused, then, “Can you believe a stupid bird flew into the engine… Yeah, I know… I have to hang here for twelve h
ours… What? Whiskey Creek… No, man. I don’t have a ride… Uh-huh… That would be rad if I could swing it… I know… I know… Later.” Finn shoved his phone back into his pocket in time to jerk his bags from the carousel.
The older couple retrieved their luggage and turned to leave. One of the guardians, a tall bronze Native American, spoke to his charge. The man smiled and turned to his wife. She nodded, and Mr. Brown approached Finn.
“Young man, my wife and I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. We’re on our way home to Whiskey Creek and wondered if you’d like a ride? We’d be happy to drop you off at your friend’s house. But you will have to make other arrangements to get back here in time for your flight.”
Finn hesitated, surveying the small terminal and his fellow stranded passengers as if weighing his options, then nodded. “Thank you, sir. My friends will drop me off in plenty of time to catch my flight.”
My plan worked. In a hurry to complete my solo mission, I turned to the Hispanic and rewarded him with a huge smile. “Now that Finn’s on his way back to Whiskey Creek, I need to round up Krampus and the gang for a trip back to the netherworld.”
Skywalker waited for me on the tarmac. The morning sun had warmed the air, and I vaulted into the saddle and clicked my heels against his sides. “Giddy-up,” I called out with glee. The horse reared on his hind legs, his massive hooves pawing the air, then shot upward and through the endless blue sky. West we flew until the city limits of Whiskey Creek came into view. Downtown was bustling with morning shoppers, and we zipped past Main Street and galloped toward Jolene’s house on Pinecone Lane. With any luck, she’d be home, and I could give her an update on my progress.
The house was quiet when we arrived, and I turned Skywalker loose in Jolene’s fenced-in backyard and wafted through the patio door and into the back of the house. Silence wrapped around me with only the soothing tick-tock of the grandfather clock from the den. I drifted down the hall to the master bedroom and found Jolene curled up in the middle of her bed sound asleep. Blue shadows beneath her closed eyelids discolored the peachy sheen of her face, and I debated the wisdom of waking her. I glanced over at the digital clock on the nightstand.
Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells Page 6