Kisses and Curses

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “What did she want you to do for her?” Cora glanced at the way he gripped the briefcase.

  “She did some research and found out that my cousin works as a private detective. She said she’d publish her story about me unless I contacted him and had him dig up dirt. I have no clue why but she acts like I have powerful connections.” Jefferson looked at Cora. “I’m sorry I even considered it and asked my cousin to check.” He glanced back and forth between them before reaching into his briefcase. He handed Cora a folder. “I was going to leave a copy of the information in your car to warn you. She won’t get this from me, but another detective might find it.”

  “If ya weren’t going to give it to her, why bring the briefcase?” Euann asked.

  “I was trying to secure her promise not to publish her lies.” He reached into his briefcase and took out a phone set to record. “I wanted to record her blackmailing me. My next stop was Cora’s car.”

  Euann lifted his hand and waved it over the phone. “Sorry, but I need to delete that recording.”

  Cora opened the file. “Why me if she wants intel on the MacGregor family?”

  “She seems kind of obsessed with you, Euann,” Jefferson said. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s more than a crush. I think she’s jealous.”

  “What’s in there?” Euann looked over her shoulder and refused to address Mrs. Callister’s hypothetical feelings for him.

  Cora stared at dated black-and-white photographs. “It looks like the back of my car.” She flipped through them. They showed the Kansas trooper walking up to her car. Her breath caught. The next was of Lewellen by her window, then one of her standing by the car with her arms up, and finally one with the trooper holding the trunk up with a child’s arm lifted from within.

  It was Jewel in the back of her car.

  “I don’t know the story, but the officer says everything was fine when he checked the trunk, and he voided the ticket. They think it’s some kind of digital matrixing, but it looks bad out of context. I put a copy of the full report in that file so you could contradict anything she might come up with.”

  “Of course Cora didn’t kidnap a child in Kansas,” Euann dismissed.

  Cora closed the file and folded it in half to make sure nothing fell out.

  “That woman has her eye on your family and that mansion.” Jefferson looked dejected. “She’s going to ruin me, but I won’t be blackmailed into ruining someone else to stop it.”

  “No, she won’t.” Cora didn’t like what was in the folder, but she also didn’t like people taking advantage of others. Remembering what Euann said about instincts, she followed hers. “We’ll make sure everyone knows about your pulled pork nachos. One taste of those and people will be back. Right, Euann?”

  Euann didn’t appear happy about the blackmail file but followed her lead. “Mrs. Callister won’t be able to superimpose rats in your kitchen. Trust me. I’ve seen her computer skills. It’ll look like a kindergartener’s collage project.”

  “Ma’am, I’m sorry I had my cousin poke into your past,” Jefferson said.

  “I believe you.” Cora felt there was more to it. She placed her hand on his shoulder, not sure why she did so. A light filled Jefferson’s eyes for the briefest of moments. She felt a sting in her fingers. She let go of him.

  Jefferson’s voice lowered to a monotone. “I had a moment of weakness when I asked my cousin for the favor. This restaurant is everything I have. I need it to make money. Mawmaw and Aunt Cheryl are counting on me.”

  “Jefferson?” Cora asked. His eyes were blank. She waved her hand in front of his face, but he didn’t blink.

  “I send them a check when I can,” Jefferson continued in the same tone. “Aunt Cheryl hasn’t been feeling well. The doctors can’t figure out what it is, but they keep sending her to specialists. I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “Euann?” Cora whispered, confused. “What did I do?”

  “I think ya made him confess.” Euann snapped his fingers a few times.

  The man didn’t notice, only continued, “I was worried after you cornered me and asked me all those questions about my family, you know, when your face was stuck in that half-shift glamour to hide it from your pretty date sitting by the other man. I have to protect my family, but I can’t hurt yours to do it. I am worried that Mrs. Callister may try digging into my family’s past. We have to keep the fact I’m a dhampir a secret.”

  “Isn’t that a human-vampire baby?” Cora looked at Jefferson in a new light. He looked completely normal.

  “Where did ya learn about those?” Euann poked Jefferson in the chest to see if he’d react. He didn’t.

  “They’ve been mentioned as characters in vampire novels.” She shrugged. He gave her a pained look. “What? I like to read.”

  “But vampires? They’re ugly, awful creatures. Why not read about shifters? They’re sexy.”

  Cora shrugged. “I don’t know. I like reading vampire novels.”

  “Please don’t tell the rest of the family that,” Euann begged.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Jefferson was repeating in his monotone.

  “I hope Callister doesn’t write something bad about his business,” Cora said. “He seems like a nice guy.”

  “If she does something awful, I’ll magickally hack her computer and bring the whole blog down,” Euann said.

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

  “Can you fix him?” Cora became worried. She waved her hand in front of Jefferson’s face, trying to get him to react. She clapped her hands.

  “I think I know what power the phoenix gave ya.” Euann nodded in appreciation. “You’re like a lie detector and a bottle of truth potion had a baby and named it Cora.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

  “How do we make him stop?” She clapped harder. “I think I broke him.”

  “Try touching his shoulder again and think of what ya want when ya do it.” Euann motioned for her to try. “Go ahead.”

  She thought about stopping the effects and patted him on the shoulder again.

  Jefferson blinked and appeared none the wiser. “Thank you for understanding. Please, if there is anything I can do…”

  “Tap him again,” Euann mumbled through the side of his mouth.

  Cora arched a brow but did as she had before. Jefferson’s gaze changed.

  “Tell us, what are the specials tonight,” Euann demanded.

  “It’s seafood night. I’m hoping the theme will bring people in. We have lobster gumbo, shrimp and grits, fried butterfly shrimp—”

  “Euann!” Cora swatted Euann on the chest lightly before reaching to stop Jefferson.

  “I forgot what I was saying.” Jefferson rubbed the bridge of his nose.

  “I was saying,” Euann said, “that next time ya have trouble with anyone in town, come to us. We can handle Mrs. Callister.”

  “I will. Thank you. I should go.” Jefferson hurried down the walkway to the parking lot.

  “So I’m pretty awesome.” Cora held up her fingers and wiggled them. “I should play poker. I’ll be able to tell when people are bluffing. Though, first, I have to learn how to play poker.”

  “I think one gambler in the family is enough,” Euann said.

  “Who has a gambling problem? Uncle Raibeart?” That MacGregor did seem to have a couple of screws loose. It didn’t mean Cora didn’t like him. She thought Raibeart was hilarious.

  “Malina’s husband,” Euann corrected. “He takes people’s good and bad luck, as needed. Malina said he’s at a poker event. As for Uncle Raibeart, his problems are too numerous to go into.”

  “What did Jefferson mean about your glamorous face and shifting?”

  “Oh, that,” Euann chuckled. “Let’s just say our first date went wrong in many ways.”

  “Does this have anything to do with Iain turning into a bird? When I was in the hollow, and he shifted right outside of it? I should have mentio
ned I saw it, but I had other things on my mind.” She patted his ass, so he’d get her meaning. “Though, bird shifting wasn’t the strangest thing I’ve seen all week.”

  “I’m not a bird. I am…well, I was a fox. For some reason, I can’t shift anymore. When we were at the Crimson Tavern, my face was stuck in a half shift and Iain had to put a spell over it so no one would notice.”

  “Is that normal, growing out of shifting?” Cora wondered if his lost ability was something they should be concerned about.

  “Not usually. Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”

  As they came to the parking lot, she saw who was most likely the hotel manager standing with housekeeping by the room she and Euann had used. Cora led him on a straight path to the car. “We should probably leave before they figure out we’re not guests.”

  “I could use some breakfast.” Euann slung his arm around her. He lifted his hand and waved at the manager. The woman waved back and smiled politely.

  “Fine, but then I want to do something.” Cora reached for the driver’s side door but Euann beat her to it. When he opened it for her, she said, “Why don’t you drive? You’ll probably just enchant the car and take over, anyway.”

  She went around and climbed into the passenger side.

  “What is it ya would like to do? Tell everyone about the engagement? Look for a dress? I’m assuming ya will want to wed soon. I see no reason to wait.”

  “I’m not that picky. I don’t need a fancy dress, I don’t think. Honestly, I haven’t thought about any of those things. I’m fine with a judge and a courthouse.”

  Euann put the car into gear and revved the engine a couple of times as Mrs. Callister drove past. The woman refused to look at them. “I don’t think the busybody likes me anymore. Anyway, ya were saying ya had an idea of what ya would like to do today?”

  Cora smiled sweetly. “I want to hunt that woman down and make her spill all her secrets on tape and then blackmail her so she never tries to hurt this family again.”

  “While I appreciate the thought…” Euann treaded carefully.

  “I’m kidding,” Cora laughed. “Well, I’m half-kidding. I want to, but I won’t.”

  “How about we go with my plan and just get married tonight?” he asked.

  “Tonight?” Cora didn’t know how to respond.

  “Not soon enough?” Euann pulled out of the parking lot and drove a little too fast down the side streets. “You’re right. This afternoon might work better.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “This afternoon?” Margareta fanned her face as if she couldn’t gather all the thoughts swimming in her head. She sat at the dining room table with a cup of tea and a scone. “That’s not enough time. I mean, maybe tonight, but I would need flowers and cake and—”

  “Tonight is perfect, Ma,” Euann said. He couldn’t have been more excited. He didn’t care what his wedding was like as long as it meant Cora’s was his forever. He saw no reason to wait. “Cora and I discussed it. She has no family to invite, so we’d love it if ya just planned it for us. If you’d rather we go to the courthouse—”

  Margareta stood up, almost knocking over her chair in the process. “Don’t ya dare!”

  “We don’t need much.” Cora slipped her hand into his. “Whatever we can throw together will be fine. As long as family is there, it will be perfect.”

  His ma’s face lit up. She went to Cora, clutching her hands. “Really? I can plan it?”

  Euann saw his mother’s hands shake in excitement. “Yes, Ma, surprise us.”

  “We’d be honored.” Cora nodded, gazing into his eyes. She hadn’t asked for a ring or made any fancy demands. It’s one of the many things he loved about her.

  “I have the perfect wedding ideas for Euann’s special moment.” Margareta threaded her arm through Cora’s. “Come with me. Let me show ya my wedding idea book.”

  Malina came into the dining room. Seeing Euann, she furrowed her brow at him. “Hey, thanks for making sure I was awake for all the fun last night. Instead, you all left me to play sleeping princess under a spell. I had to hear about it from Rory.”

  “Malina, enough,” Margareta scolded. “Euann and Cora are getting married tonight. I have a wedding to plan.”

  “Wait, Ma is planning your wedding?” Malina looked around the trio for confirmation. “Ma, can I help? Please?”

  “No smartass remarks,” Margareta warned.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, I was thinking of how beautiful your vision for number sixty-three in the wedding idea book is. It would be a shame if we never used it.” Malina turned, walking backward to follow their mother. His sister grinned mischievously, and he knew he’d be in for something oh so special.

  “Tell Ma I’ll find my good kilt,” Euann said.

  “Oh, yeah, I’ll be sure to do that.” Malina laughed and ran to follow his ma and fiancée.

  “Angus MacGregor reporting for duty.” Angus appeared at Cora’s side. “I’m supposed to float ya down the aisle.”

  Cora bit her lip and nodded. The dress she wore looked as if someone had hoarded it since the late 1700s. She only knew that because Malina had taken one look at it and said, “What the hell, Ma? Have you been hoarding this since your trip to France in the 1700s?”

  It was around that time Malina had been kicked out of the wedding planning process.

  The cream-colored gown came with a corset and was sewn of opulent silk. It even included a pannier which is what Margareta called the frame pushing the floor-length skirt out on each side of her hips but leaving the front and back flat. The woven silk fabric had a wavy pattern intertwined with flowers. A triangular piece pointed from her shoulders to her hips along the front. Metal thread gave it shape. The point lined up with the tip of a second triangle in the opposite direction, flaring from the widened hips to the ground. The fitted quarter-length sleeves widened at the end with a mess of lace and silk.

  If ever she had little girl fantasies about her wedding day, they never included a dress like this. Or harps. Or clouds. Or a magickal warlock family from Scotland living in Wisconsin because of power lines.

  Ley lines, she corrected herself. There was so much to learn.

  She stood inside a canopy. Through the gauzy walls, she saw figures moving amongst chairs in the back gardens. They were blurs. Raibeart was obvious. He was hard to miss. Kenneth was upstairs with his crying daughter. Apparently, this reincarnation of Jewel had colic.

  Cora counted figures, not knowing if she assigned them the right names, but seeing who all was there—Erik, Lydia, Iain, Jane, Rory, Margareta, Malina… There were three extra heads.

  “Lass?”

  She started counting again. A small figure ran across the gardens. “Is that a gremain?”

  “Where?” Angus looked where she pointed and chuckled. “Close. That’s Traitor, your uncle Fergus’s dog. He snores like a gremain.”

  “Euann told me about him. The English bulldog, right?” She willed the creature to come toward her, but it merely lay down in the aisle. The celestial music of harps began to play. “Now? Is it time?”

  “Only when you’re ready. Ya don’t look ready. What is it?” Angus asked. “Are ya having second thoughts?”

  “Not at all. I love Euann. My mind is just racing with all these fears and hopes. It’s like I can’t get it to be quiet. Do you think that’s a side effect of my new magick?”

  Angus chuckled. “I think it’s a side effect of being a bride on her wedding day. Tell me, what’s worrying ya? We’re family now. Maybe I can ease your mind.” He arched a brow and leaned back slightly. “Unless it’s lady troubles, then I’ll get my wife.”

  “Euann told me that he couldn’t shift, that he was supposed to turn into a fox, but couldn’t anymore.” Cora looked at her future father-in-law. “Should I be worried? Is that normal? Is he sick? If he gets the ability back, do I have to run away from him? Will he be dangerous? Or will he know me and—?”

  “Oh, hey,
calm yourself. No, it’s not normal, but it doesn’t mean it’s anything to fret over,” Angus said. “The shifters are part of who my sons are. They would not be able to lose it.” He patted her cheek. “But don’t ya worry none, lass. We’ll take care of it. Such concerns should not ruin your wedding day. What else?”

  “What about a job? I should have one. I can’t just freeload off the family.” Cora’s hands shook.

  Angus gave her a kind smile. “You’re right. Your mind is a cyclone of thoughts. Do not worry about jobs. You’re family. We know what that means. Ya will find your place.” He turned and picked up feathers from a table. “Now, put on your angel wings and climb up on that cloud. Let’s make this official.”

  Nervous thoughts made time less fluid. She felt herself climbing onto a billowy mass shaped like a cloud. Her legs hung over the side, and she leaned awkwardly. It was all she could do to maintain her balance as the pannier pushed up from her hips. This was not a well thought out plan. Angus walked beside her, pulling her cloud perch through the canopy. Her wings snagged on the material, pulling uncomfortably before finally coming free. The harp music changed, not that she recognized any of the celestial songs. The sound of snoring drew her attention to the dog sleeping in the aisle. Traitor had his feet kicked into the air as he rested on his back. He wore a bandana that matched the MacGregor kilts. The dog’s lips vibrated with each breath.

  The guests stood at her entrance, all in traditional Highland garb. They held candles in the evening light. Gold glitter began raining from the sky, coating everything. It tickled her exposed skin. The sound of childlike voices joined the harps.

  This definitely wasn’t a wedding she could have come up with in any of her most bizarre of dreams.

  Then she met Euann’s eyes and everything stilled. All her racing thoughts and worries faded away. She felt calm. It was the first time she’d been able to see him all day as the family had kept them apart for good luck.

  And then she saw what he was wearing.

  Her groom wasn’t in traditional Scottish garb like the others. Euann wore a fur cloak over his shoulders. It exposed his naked chest and legs. Instead of a kilt, white silk draped from his hips like strange shorts. A crown of leaves rested on his head. He grinned at her as if trying not to laugh at the ridiculous ceremony. His mother stood beside him, smiling so happily, Cora didn’t have the heart to return Euann’s smirk.