Stressed!

by Deborah Martin

  The sound of my cell phone ringing made me jump. It was Cassandra’s ring tone and I caught it before it got more than a few notes in.

  “What did you find out?” was how I answered the phone.

  “No good news. There is indeed a spell on the cabin. A friend of mine is a weather wizard and although he can see the spell, he says it’s not one he’s familiar with and has no idea how to untangle it.”

  At that moment I heard a “thunk” of logs being thrown onto the pile on the porch and Tony walked in the door. He’d been gone well over an hour and despite the weather outside, he was barefoot and his clothes were ripped to shreds. “I need to change clothes,” was all he said as he walked upstairs. I told Cassandra I’d call her right back and followed him up.

  “I tried running to blow off some steam,” he told me. “I didn’t get far. There’s a wall of some sort that runs along the boundaries of Mike’s property. I ran into it and bounced off. Beyond it the sky is clear as a bell. The wall smells strange, too. Normally magic smells sort of like static electricity. This smells like that but with a tinge of sulfur.

  “Thankfully, the closest neighbor is several miles away. Hopefully, no one will notice that we’re being buried by snow when everyone else is out enjoying the beautiful day.”

  I told him what Cassandra had said. “Why in the world would someone want to snow us in here and/or make me change?” he mused.

  “I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count,” I said, grimacing.

  “Happy. That bastard. He found us and decided to try forcing the issue.”

  “Got it in one. I’m going to call Cassandra back and then make a couple more phone calls. The issue of finding his real name just moved up to the top of the to-do list.”

  “Hey,” I said when she answered. “We definitely are snowed in and confined. Tony found a barrier along the property lines. Now what do we do?”

  “First, I want to say it’s a strange spell if you’re walled-in and you still have reliable cell service. Most of the time if I do a spell around electronics, something goes haywire. But thank goodness for that. Tommy’s been on the phone with a couple of friends. They think they’ve got a solution but they need to be at the spell’s location. Give me directions … we’ll be there in about four hours.”

  I gave her the directions, disconnected from that call and dialed Bella’s number. After we got the usual pleasantries out of the way, I described our problem to her. “I hate to sound desperate but I am,” I told her. “Getting rid of this guy, somehow some way, has skyrocketed to the top of my priority list. Without any magic of my own, I’m in a deep hole, here.”

  “Honey, that’s awful,” she answered. “If you don’t mind virtually the whole magical community of the Twin Cities and beyond knowing about your love life and current predicament, I’ll put out what I call a code red. We need to banish this guy ASAP.”

  I relayed what she said to Tony. “At this point, as long as what Happy is holding over us doesn’t get out, I don’t care who knows about us or our problem. Go for it.”

  “I’m on it, honey,” Bella said after I gave her the OK. “If your friends can’t get you out, call me back and I’ll see what I can do from here. In the meantime, I’ll alert the gang and we’ll work even harder to find that demon’s true name. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon with a progress report.”

  Tony had started pacing again.

  “If you need to go running, do it,” I told him. “Otherwise, pour yourself a glass of wine or fix a drink or something and calm down. We’ve only got a few hours to hang out before Tommy, Cassandra and their friends get here and we might as well enjoy the time together.”

  He heaved a sigh, poured a glass of wine and plopped down on the couch next to me. “I really hate not having control of me and my surroundings. I’ve spent my whole adult life trying to ensure everything goes according to plan and this is not according to plan!”

  I commiserated. “I know. But since there’s nothing we can immediately do about it, I vote for wine and football.”

  “Regardless of what happens when your friends get here, I’m going to miss my flight. I need to make a few phone calls and rearrange my week.”

  “Maybe not. Didn’t you say you needed to be in Chicago tomorrow morning? If they get us out at a reasonable hour, you can drive and still be there in time for your meeting. It’s only about eight hours away and you can skip a little sleep for one night.”

  “I never thought about that. Whatever happens I need to extend the car a day or so. I can just arrange to drop it in Chicago. Give me a few minutes on the computer to rearrange the flight and the car. I knew there was a reason I loved you!”

  He kissed me and dug his laptop out of his briefcase. I turned my attention to the football game.

  I stared at the screen but didn’t really watch the game. Although I tried to stay calm for Tony’s sake, I was a bundle of knots inside. There was just as much at stake for me as for him – namely, my eternal soul if Happy was able to lay claim to us. I had no idea what happened when a person turned into a demon but whatever it was, I certainly didn’t want to hang out with Happy and his ilk for eternity!

  Tony finished his online work. I borrowed his laptop to extend my rental car another day, as well, and rejoined him on the couch. The game ended and he started flipping through channels to find something else to watch. He found a soccer game being rerun and we stared mindlessly at that. The tension in the cabin was thick with waiting.

  Dusk arrived, then dark. Although it was supper time, neither of us had much of an appetite. I choked down some crackers but the thought of a meal (especially since it would be leftover chili with all those spices) didn’t appeal.

  My cell phone finally rang about 6:30.

  “Hey, it’s us,” Cassandra said. “We’re out on the road. Mick and Jerry are going to try to open a doorway in the wall. If they’re successful, they won’t be able to hold it for more than a few minutes so I suggest you get ready to leave. I’ll call you back as soon as I know something.” She rang off.

  Tony quickly banked the fire and turned out the lights. We put on our warm jackets, grabbed our stuff and headed for the cars. Cassandra didn’t say anything about whether the cars would start but we could always hope.

  My phone rang again. “Try starting the cars. They’ve got a hole and are widening it.”

  I turned the key and my car fired up. Tony grinned and started his. We turned the cars around and headed down the drive for the road. As we approached the end of the drive, I could see two bundled-up figures to either side, in a pose that would make you think they were each holding a heavy drape. I drove out and parked my car behind Tommy’s SUV. Tony followed suit. The two figures let go of whatever they were holding and collapsed into the snow.

  A groan came from one of them. Cassandra hurried over with a thermos in her hand. “My special espresso. Take a swig,” she said. The figure on the ground complied. At the same time, Tommy was repeating the procedure with the other. Both finally stood and made their way back to Tommy’s car.

  “Tha’ was th’ worst barrier I’ve ever come across.” A thick Irish brogue came from one of them. “I’m Mick and tho’ ‘tis not the most pleasant of circumstances, pleased ta meet ya.” He held out his gloved hand.

  “And I’m his roommate, Jerry,” the other said, also holding out his hand.

  “You have no idea how grateful we are to you,” Tony said as he shook the hands vigorously. “There’s a diner that serves good food in town. May I suggest we repair there and dinner is my treat?”

  “Aye, I could use some food,” said Mick.

  “Then follow me,” Tony replied. He got into his car, I got into mine and Cassandra surprised me by sliding into the passenger seat. “The boys can drive on their own. You didn’t think I’d pass up a chance to get all the gossip first-hand, did you?”

  I filled her in as only a girlfriend can do while following Tony’s taillights. Fifteen
minutes later she knew as much as she was going to know and we were pulling into parking spots in an almost-deserted town. It was, after all, Sunday night, when most decent folks would be winding down their weekend in preparation for the workweek ahead. But the lights of the diner were bright and through the window, we could see a few occupied booths.

  The plump lady with salt-and-pepper hair and twinkling eyes behind the counter smiled as we walked in. “Tony, it’s been a long time! And I think this is the first time I’ve seen you with someone other than Mike. You look great! Who are your friends? Here, let me put these two tables together for you.”

  She said all this as she bustled around, moving tables, chairs and place settings, pushing Tony out of the way when he attempted to help.

  “Coffee all around, Gladys. It’s been a long day and we all have long drives ahead of us,” Tony told her as we all found seats. After a quick glance at the menu board posted on the wall behind the counter, he told us, “Unless you’re vegetarians, I’d recommend the meatloaf and mashed potatoes.” My stomach, released from its tension, growled in hearty approval of his choice.

  As soon as Gladys had put the coffee down and taken orders for six servings of the meatloaf special, Tony looked around the table and said quietly, “I’d love to hear the story of how you did what you did but this is not the place. And since I need to head for Chicago as soon as we’re done, I’ll have to get it secondhand from Amy. These folks, while as nice as they can be, are about as plain-bread as you get.”

  Everyone took his meaning and since dinner arrived almost on the heels of the coffee, there wasn’t a lot of time for talk, anyways. Tony was right, it was good and I, normally of the small appetite, wolfed mine down almost as fast as the boys. Tony and Jerry both ordered seconds before we all had dessert – homemade apple pie topped with homemade vanilla ice cream.

  In between bites, Tony filled us in on the diner. “This place has been here for over fifty years. Gladys and her husband, Bob, inherited it from Bob’s parents and I suspect their boy, Bob Junior, will take over when they’re ready to retire. The menu isn’t extensive or fancy but everything is made from scratch. And although this is a podunk little town, they’re open from six in the morning until nine at night seven days a week, catering to not only the locals but the log and ore truckers that pass through.

  “Mike, my friend who owns the cabin, is a native of these parts and has known the family since he was a kid. I try to come in for at least one meal whenever I’m here. The cooking and company is better than any five-star restaurant.”

  I couldn’t help but agree with him. Watching Gladys move from table to table, she spoke to every customer like they were family. As she cleared the plates, she asked Tony for introductions.

  Tony eyed us all and then introduced us, starting with “Gladys, I’d like you to meet my lady love, Amy, and our friends.” I blushed. Cassandra grinned and gave me a little kick under the table. “We decided to come up out of the city and enjoy the unspoiled winter at Mike’s cabin. I miscalculated the food needs so here we are, getting supper before heading back to civilization.”

  “Pleased to meet you all. Any friend of Tony’s is a friend of ours. You’re all welcome here anytime you happen to be in our neck of the woods,” Gladys said to the table.

  Tony paid the check and we all traipsed out to the cars. After all that food, I didn’t really want to move but I knew we all had to head back to our normal lives. As normal as they get, anyways.

  “I’m riding with Amy to make sure she doesn’t fall asleep,” Cassandra told Tommy. “I’ll see you at the deli in the morning, huh?” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and climbed back into my car as Tommy, Mick and Jerry piled into theirs. That left me and Tony standing on the sidewalk.

  “Doll, this was almost the best weekend of my life,” he said quietly. “I don’t know what tomorrow will bring but we will find a way to spend more time together without interference, won’t we?”

  “I enjoyed most of the weekend, too,” I said, looking up into his dark eyes. “Call me tomorrow night and I’ll tell you what happened, what Bella knows and all that, OK?”

  He kissed me and I kissed him back. I would have done that for quite awhile if my car horn hadn’t sounded.

  “I hate to break you two lovebirds up but I have work to do in the morning,” Cassandra said out the window.

  We sighed, had another quick kiss and then got into our respective cars. I followed him as far as Duluth, where he turned off for his drive through Wisconsin and I continued south.

  I glanced to my right. “OK, so tell me about Mick and Jerry. How were they able to open the barrier when no one else you knew recognized the spell?”

  “Mick, in case you hadn’t figured it out, is from Ireland. According to Tommy, Mick’s family specialty is dealing with the Fae – they’ve been doing it for generations. I’m not sure why he moved here but somehow he and Tommy hooked up and whenever something Fae-ish comes up, Mick is who Tommy calls.

  “When Tommy described your predicament, Mick thought it sounded very much like some things he’d encountered back home and volunteered to try his brand of spell-breaking. Jerry is a strong wizard and although he’s American, he knows Mick’s ways. They sometimes work in tandem. That’s all I know. I’m sure I’ll get more details tomorrow and I’ll be happy to share them with you when I do. So, what are you and Tony going to do, now?”

  I told her about my call to Bella and my hopes that her “code red” would light a fire under everyone to find Happy’s true name. “Tony and I were together long before Happy stuck his nose in things. Not only do I not want to take any chances but that demon is really irritating a lot of people. I’d consider it a public service to get him off this plane for awhile.”

  Cassandra agreed. “I’m concerned for my friends, yes, but more so for all the people he’s trying to coerce. Uncle Morris’ spell arrived in the mail yesterday so once we have the name, we can get the ritual together. Can I call your friend Bella?”

  “I don’t see why not. I’m not a witch and I don’t even play one on TV so I wouldn’t have a clue about anything you’d have to do. You can talk shop with her and anyone else you think you need. Her number is in my cell. You’re welcome to look it up.”

  We spent the rest of the drive chatting about our love lives. It was nearly midnight when I dropped her off at her house and shortly thereafter, pulled up in front of my own place. Fudge was standing right at the door when I walked in and promptly turned his back to me with his tail in the air. I was obviously in the dog house for leaving him at home.

  “I’ll introduce you to Tony just as soon as I can,” I told him as I pulled back the covers on the bed. “If you can handle having a dog around, then you can come with the next time.”

  I set my alarm back a half hour since I had to return the rental car before work and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  Chapter 17

  Even though I’d set the alarm early, I hit the snooze button so many times I nearly didn’t have time to drop the rental car before work. The sun was just cresting the horizon when I got to the rental agency. The kid at the drop point hadn’t gotten the memo that I’d arranged for the extra day. Thankfully, I had a copy of the confirmation on my cell phone so it only took an extra ten minutes before their courtesy van drove me to the office. Although the place was officially closed, Cassandra was in the deli. She saw me get out of the van, beckoned me through the door and had my coffee waiting on the counter when I walked in.

  “I think we both look a little worse for wear this morning,” she sighed. “Did you get any sleep?”

  “Actually, I slept like a log from the moment I hit the pillow until the alarm went off, although the snooze button got a workout,” I said. “Yesterday was more stress than I’m used to. You?”

  “I didn’t sleep a whole lot. I kept thinking about what would have happened if we hadn’t been able to get you out of the cabin, what might happen with Happy,
whether we’ll find his name, and then I added today’s work list on top. I think today’s going to be one of those days where I’m a fiendish caffeine addict.”

  “I thought I was supposed to be the worrier. Can’t you just put everything on the back burner, go home and take a nap?

  “I wish. We’ve got a catering job to get out this afternoon and it’ll be all hands on deck until we’re done. You need to go to work and so do I. See ya later.”

  I heeded the hint and headed upstairs. After starting my own coffeepot, I sat down to check email, review the reports left on voice mail and all the rest of my normal Monday tasks. The phone was strangely quiet. Ev and his odor wafted in about eleven. He surprised me by stopping at my office door.

  “I heard you had a fun weekend. Want to tell me about it?” he asked.

  “Huh? How’d you hear about my weekend?”

  “A witch friend told me about the code red going through the magical community. She knows about my problem with Happy and when the description went out, she immediately thought of me. Since the alert originated with Bella and we met her together, I put two and two together and came up with you. So what happened?”

  I so did not want Ev up to speed on my private life! However, anything related to Happy would affect him as well, so I briefly (and I do mean briefly) filled him in on Sunday’s happenings.

  “You and Tony are back together? That’s wonderful! How are you going to deal with his were nature? What’s Happy got on him?”

  “Hey, one question at a time,” I said. “First, yes, we’re seeing each other again but I’m still sorting through all my feelings. Second, what Happy has on Tony is none of your business. I haven’t shared your problem with him and I expect you to respect his privacy as well.”

  He had the grace to look a little abashed. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I thought you two made a good couple when you first dated. And I do want to see you happy, you know. Is there any word from Bella, yet?”