by Ciana Stone
And God knows he did that.
Chapter Seven
"Oh, shoot!" Molly grimaced and with one hand on the grocery cart, started to kneel to pick up the bag of peppers that'd fallen out.
"Wait, let me get that for you!" The female voice had her pausing and glancing around.
A beautiful raven-haired woman with skin the color of an extra creamy Latte and the most unusual violet eyes parked her own cart and hurried to pick up the spilled peppers.
"Here you go," she said with a smile as she stood.
"Thank you, so much." Molly accepted the bag and put it in with the rest of her groceries in the back of the SUV.
"You're welcome. Let me help you get that cart unloaded."
"I appreciate the help. I swear I'm starting to feel like a beached whale."
The raven-haired woman laughed. "Well, you look absolutely beautiful. My mama was right, pregnant women do glow."
"That's because we're always sweaty," Molly said in a stage whisper. "And forgive my manners, I'm Molly Johns."
"Tallulah Duval," the woman set the last bag of groceries into the car. "Lula to my friends."
"Oh, you're working out with Reese and Charli, right? The gymnast who is going to teach classes at the gym?"
"Well, yes, I do work out with them, and I don't know if I'll get to teach the class or not. Maybe if it's in the evenings. I start my new job at the high school on Monday."
"Really? What subject?"
"PE. And I'll be coaching gymnastics and the cheerleaders."
"Oh wow, you're a brave woman."
"Or off my rocker. That's yet to be determined."
"Say did Reese or Charli mention that I wanted to have a luncheon and invite you?"
"Oh, yes they did when we worked out. And I'd love to but here it is Friday, and I start work on Monday."
"Well how about this weekend? Maybe Sunday?"
"I won't be back until Sunday afternoon. I have a sort of –a surprise date."
"Surprise?"
"Yes, I don't know where we're going. He just said he'd pick me up from work Saturday night and have me back home Sunday afternoon."
"Okay, I'm confused. I thought you were starting work on Monday?"
Lula smiled. "Yeah, I can see how that would confuse you. Right now, I work as a dancer at a club in Rock Ridge, and I have to work tonight and tomorrow night. Lincoln said he'd pick me up after my shift on Saturday."
"Oh, okay. Wait! Lincoln? As in Lincoln Shaw?"
"Yes, do you know him?"
This time it was Molly who grinned. "He's my brother-in-law."
"No kidding?"
"Nope."
"Well, that's my date for the weekend."
"You'll be the envy of many, that's for sure."
"I keep hearing that," Lula said. "And I don't doubt it, but it does kind of concern me."
"Why?"
"Because it makes him seem like a real player and I don't play games."
"I think people sell him short. Lincoln's a genuinely good person and devoted to his family."
"Family as in..."
Molly could see misgiving in Lula's expression. "His brothers and their families."
"Oh. Okay, thank you. I was starting to panic."
Molly put her hand on Lula's shoulder and immediately pulled back. "It will be fine. Like I said, he's a good guy. And I'm glad we met, Lula. Maybe we can still get together some time?"
"I hope so."
"Me too. Thanks again for your help."
"My pleasure and I'll put the cart up for you. Have a great day."
"Thanks again and you too."
Molly got in the SUV and backed out. She waved at Lula who was pushing her own cart and towing Molly's. What a disturbing encounter. On the surface, Lula seemed like a cheerful, pleasant woman. But hidden beneath was a wall Molly didn't think could be broken. It was like opening a door and looking inside someone's private room and finding it empty.
That just wasn't normal. She could always pick up things about people. Why was Tallulah Duval a blank slate? She needed to get home and talk to Mercy so she could decide whether to break her own rule and get involved in someone else's relationship.
Because this was a time when it could be called for. Lincoln needed to know that he was getting involved with someone who might be hiding things, things he might need to know before he got in too deep.
She fretted about it all the way home and had made up her mind to just keep her mouth shut. She got out of the SUV to walk around to the back and start hauling out groceries. That's when Lincoln pulled up behind her and parked his truck.
Fate. She decided, smiled and then spoke when he walked over and started gathering up grocery bags.
"What brings you here?"
"Just want to see how everyone is."
"That's nice of you. And thanks for the help."
"My pleasure."
They entered through the side door, into the kitchen and Molly called out. "Anyone home?"
She shrugged as she piled bags on the table. "Guess not. So, what's up?"
"Not much. Looks like the construction is coming right along on Venture."
"It is." She started unloading bags. "Oh, I met someone new today. Lula Duval. We got to talking, and she mentioned she knows you."
"Yep." He held up several packages of pasta. "Where does this go?"
"In the pantry. And that's it? Just, yep?"
"Okay, yes I know her, and I have a date with her this weekend."
"First dates are always exciting."
"It's not a first date."
"No?"
Lincoln stopped unloading groceries. "Okay, out with it. What do you want to know?"
"Nothing in particular. I'm guessing you like her if you asked her out."
"I do."
"She said she was going to be teaching at the high school."
"Yes, she's pretty excited."
"But currently she works at a strip club?"
"Molly Johns, are you going to sling shit at her for that? You, of all people, would put down on someone who does what they have to do, to survive?"
"I most certainly was not going to sling shit at her. I don't give a hoot about it, but I'm betting there are people on the school board who might, so I was just going to suggest that maybe you might want to tell her that keeping mum about that might be in her best interest."
"Oh, well, that probably would be wise. Thanks. And sorry about the crack."
"It's okay. What brought her here?"
"I don't know."
"Aren't you curious?"
"Yeah, I guess, but I figure if she wants to tell me, she will."
Molly stopped and turned to face him. "You're right, and I'm sorry. I'm being nosey, and I apologize. It's just that I touched her and —"
"Stop."
"Pardon?"
"I said stop. If you tried to read her, then you were trespassing, and I don't want to know that you'd do that, nor would I want to know anything you'd found. If you weren't trying and something just leapt at you, then please, keep it to yourself. Respect her privacy and my right to discover who she is on my own."
"You're right. I'm sorry, and I wasn't trying. Besides, if there are things she wants you to know, I guess she'll tell you herself."
"I guess so." He handed her the last item to go into the refrigerator and smiled. "Tell Wiley I said hi. Go get off your feet and rest. You look tired."
"I am. Thanks for the help. And have fun on your date."
"You're welcome and I will."
Molly watched him leave and then sat down at the table and stared out of the window. There was way more to Lula Duval than just a stripper turned school teacher and she feared that whatever that more was, it was going to end up bringing someone pain.
Chapter Eight
Lula heard the crunch of tires on gravel and hurried to the door. She didn't bother to turn on the porch light, she just stepped outside to wait for Lincoln to park his truck and g
et out.
Only the truck hadn't yet reached the house. Lights appeared between openings in the woods lining the narrow road that led in. Wonder why she'd imagined hearing tires on gravel?
Maybe it wasn't her imagination, she realized as she saw the girl standing at the edge of the small front yard. Her blonde hair was pulled back at each temple and held in place with a clip that sported a white flower. The curls framed a face that was not easily forgotten. Her above the knee floral print cotton dress with the Peter Pan collar, white ankle socks, and patent-leather shoes, was the kind of outfit a child might wear to church on Sunday.
It was the tears streaming down the child's face that destroyed a perfect image of innocent beauty. Lula walked down the steps and into the grass. "I'm listening. All you have to do is tell me what it is you want, and I'll help if I can."
I wanted to find something special for my sister for Christmas.
"Your sister? Who is your sister?"
The little girl turned her head to look at the approaching headlights, and her image started to fade. "No!" Lula took several more steps in the child's direction. "Please don't go. Just tell—"
Too late. She was already gone. In her place was a thin mist that swirled and crawled toward the edge of the road before rising into the air. Lula shielded her eyes from the headlights as the truck stopped in the driveway.
When the lights turned out, it took a moment for her night vision to return. By that time, Lincoln was out of the truck and halfway across the yard.
"Are you ready?"
Lula blinked, looked toward the edge of the yard and then at him. "I don't think I can go."
"Can't or don't want to?"
"A little of both. I want to spend time with you, but I don't want to go anywhere. Can we just stay here? I'll cook."
"I wanted to take you somewhere you could be spoiled instead of doing for me."
"I kind of like doing it." She reached for his hand, and when his hand tightened around hers, she smiled. "Unless you don't like my cooking."
"You know better than that."
"Then get your stuff from the truck and come in."
"Are you sure about this?"
"I am."
"Fine." He headed back to the truck, got his bag and returned to where she waited. "Is everything okay?"
"Absolutely." She took his hand, and they started toward the house.
"Why do I get the feeling you're not telling the truth?"
His question surprised her. "What would make you feel that way?"
"The fact that you're not looking at me when we talk, that odd mist that was in the yard when I pulled up, and the worried expression on your face."
"You're quite observant, aren't you?"
"An acquired skill that stuck."
She opened the door and gestured for him to enter.
"Ladies first."
Once they were inside, Lincoln put his bag down and followed her into the kitchen. Lula opened the freezer section on the refrigerator. "I have some ribs I could thaw, and potatoes."
"Fine by me, but I'm not all that hungry."
"No?" She looked over her shoulder at him. "Well, duh, silly me. You're accustomed to eating at a normal time. That's fine. I'm not really hungry either."
She closed the refrigerator and turned to lean back on it. "So, what now?"
"How about a fire by the lake?"
"Sounds wonderful. I restocked the wood pile. Let me grab some towels for the chairs. Want something to drink?"
"Sure. What do you have?"
"Whatever's in the fridge, and there's a quart of apple shine in the cupboard beside the sink. Grab whatever you want, and I'll get the towels."
She hurried to the small linen closet in the bathroom, and as she did, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. If she'd been a car, her brakes would have locked, and smoke would have boiled from her tires. That's how fast she came to a sudden stop.
Behind her reflection was that of the child, the little girl who'd followed her a thousand miles to this place. Lula didn't bother to turn around but spoke to the reflection. "Will you please tell me what you meant? You wanted to find something special for your sister? Please, give me something else to go on."
"Lula?"
Lula jerked around to see Lincoln standing in the doorway. She immediately glanced back at the mirror. The little girl was gone.
"What's going on?" Lincoln asked.
"What do you mean? I was just getting towels and—"
"Will you please tell me what you meant? You wanted to find something special for your sister? Please, give me something else to go on.
"That's what you said. And you were talking to something behind your reflection in the mirror. Who was there?"
This was the last topic she wanted to discuss with Lincoln, with anyone for that matter. "You heard wrong." She tried to muscle past him, but he wouldn't let her.
"No, I didn't. What's going on?"
"Haven't you ever talked to yourself?"
"Of course, but that's not what you were doing. You were talking to someone behind you. I saw you. You weren't talking to yourself, nor were you getting towels. So, let me ask again, what's going on?"
"I said nothing." This time she managed to wiggle past him and hurried to the kitchen.
Lincoln followed and leaned against the doorframe. "Are you scared to tell me?"
That question surprised her. "Scared? No, of course not."
"Then tell me."
When she tried to leave the room, he barred her way. "Lula, if you're in trouble or afraid or need help, just tell me. I'll protect you."
The sincerity in his voice touched her, and she stopped trying to get past him. "I'm not afraid, and I don't think you can help in this but thank you."
"How do you know I can't help?"
"Just an educated guess."
"But you don't know for sure unless you tell me."
"You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"No."
"Fine. I'm going to need—no, that's a lie, I never need a drink, but right now I want one. How about you?"
"Okay."
Lula went to the cupboard, took out the jar of apple moonshine, got two juice glasses and filled each half full. "Let's go outside, okay?"
"Fine by me." Lincoln accepted the glass she offered and gestured for her to lead the way.
Lula headed straight for the small beach at the edge of the yard. The fire pit was loaded and ready for lighting. She put her glass down beside one of the chairs and took a pack of wooden matches from a metal box between the chairs.
Lincoln took a seat and remained silent as she lit the fire. Once it was going, she sat, drank from her glass and stared into the flames. She'd made a habit of not telling anyone her secret and right now was feeling more insecure than she could remember. So, she kept her eyes on the fire and drank until her glass was empty.
"More?" Lincoln asked.
"I wouldn't say no, but I don't feel like moving."
"I'll get it."
"Thanks." She heard him move away but didn't turn her head to look. She needed to figure out two things very quickly. First, how did she go about revealing her truth and second, could she trust Lincoln Shaw?
Chapter Nine
Lincoln returned, refilled both glasses and took a seat. "Okay, Tallulah Christmas, out with it. Whatever it is, just say it."
She took a sip from her glass and blew out a breath. "Before I tell you anything, I need to ask you a question. Have you ever witnessed anything—um—supernatural or paranormal?"
His laugh shocked her, and she shot him a look of annoyance. "You think that's funny?"
"Not funny. Just ironic. My family isn't exactly normal in the typical sense of the word."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, let's see. My oldest half-brother Deacon is an empath. Wiley, my other half-brother, is not only empathic but an energy healer. So is Deacon's daughter. Wiley's wife, Molly, is—I don't quite kn
ow what to call her other than psychic. She picks up on a lot about people. So does her mother, Mercy."
"And you?"
"What about me?"
"You left yourself out of that narrative—and family tree of psychic skills. You must have some ability."
"I sense things from time to time. But this isn't about me, is it? It's about who you were talking to in the bathroom."
"Yes, it's about that."
"So?"
"So, it's a bit of a story."
"I have until Monday morning when you leave for school. And Lula? Whatever it is, it stays between us. You have my word."
Lula was pretty good at reading people and knew he spoke the truth. Then there was also the fact that her ghostly child companion had returned and was sitting on the ground between them, looking up at Lula.
You can trust him.
That was a first. The child had never offered much in the way of clues, and certainly nothing in the way of encouragement. Why she was now, was a mystery but not one Lula would ponder because the truth was, she wanted to trust Lincoln.
So, she took that leap of faith. "Fine. To start, I spent the first fourteen years of my life on a farm near Tallulah Falls, Georgia. It was passed down to my mother, Estelle Crismas."
"Your family name was Christmas?"
"Not Christmas – Crismas, no 't'. Anyway, when she married my dad, he was still in the service, so she lived with her parents until he was back on home soil. He left the military two years later to be with her all the time, and they had three children. My brother Eric, me and my younger sister, Harmony."
"So, your name is Crismas?"
"No, it's Christmas like the holiday. I was born on Christmas, so they gave me that as a middle name. Anyway, we lived in Georgia until I was fourteen. That's the year my dad's father died, and we moved to Louisiana to take care of his mother. Well, all but my brother, Eric, who was nineteen. He stayed in Georgia and still lives there today, on the farm."
"Sounds pretty normal."
"It was until we got to New Orleans. Grandmother's house was a big old plantation outside the city, and the first time I saw it, this chill wrapped around me like hands from the grave."