Solomon said, “What about you, Ruby?”
“Yeah, me too,” I replied. “It’s like I’ve known you both from somewhere before.”
“What do you think it means?” Maureen questioned.
Unease pelted me as I looked back and forth between them. “How the hell should I know?”
“Well,” Solomon said, “I don’t think its coincidence that we all feel the same way. And I also think this is why the bikers are after you—us.”
I sighed and sat on my bed.
“Tell us about your power, Ruby,” he prompted. “Maybe it’s a part of this too.”
“Oh, all right,” I muttered, feeling as if I had no choice. “When I was a teenager, the white fire started materializing from my hands or fingertips whenever I became upset or frightened. I glow, my hair and nails change colors, and sometimes the power acts as an invisible force—”
“Like what you did to that biker chick at the museum!” Maureen stated.
“Yeah, but I couldn’t control it and still can’t—at least not very well. It’s one of the reasons I prefer being a loner. It has caused me a lot of problems while growing up, especially in school then later in the workforce.”
“Did you ever ask your folks about it?” Solomon questioned.
“It frightened my mother, so she ignored it, but Dad would act as though I were a monster whenever it happened. I worked hard to hide it from him, but finally a day arrived,” I gulped and pushed the memory of my mother’s death to the back of my mind, “when my father was forced to acknowledge my abilities. However, I know he has answers about why I’m like this, but he won’t talk to me about it.”
“Ruby’s dad doesn’t like to talk about the Nutters,” Maureen interjected.
Solomon straightened in his chair. “What’s he got against his family?”
As Solomon’s interest in my perverted talent grew, so did my discomfort. Mom’s death was something I still couldn’t deal with and even tap dancing around the issue made me feel sick and lightheaded.
“I have no idea.” I scooted back to lean against the headboard. “But Maureen’s right. Dad always says ‘the past is in the past’ and refuses to say anything more about his family. I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” I said forcefully. “I’m tired, and we have to hit the road early.”
“You’re right.” Solomon stood, stretching.
Relief washed through me.
“I’ll sleep in here with you two,” Solomon murmured as he stood. “Both Azazel and Wayne know you’re here now, so I think it’s wise if I stay in your room tonight. Put one of your wards over the inn too.”
I glanced at Maureen, who nodded her agreement.
“Yeah,” I said, “You’re probably right.”
“I’ll go change and be right back.” Solomon shut the door behind him.
As I turned around, Maureen stood stark naked in the center of the room and kicked her dress and undies over to a pile of our dirty laundry. Bending over at the foot of her bed, she presented me with a view that would give me nightmares for weeks to come.
Maureen retrieved her oversized t-shirt and pulled it over her head. She drew the covers back on the bed and hit the button on the little bedside light.
Bathed in darkness, I stomped toward the bathroom and stood in the crack of illumination spilling through the door as I studied her shape beneath the sheet. What must it be like not to worry about anything? Was it possible to be as carefree as Maureen? Or was it all an act?
I stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. Being carefree was impossible—at least for me. My past and powers haunted my every waking moment.
Finished in the bathroom, I discovered Solomon waiting for me in the room.
“Shall I sleep on the floor?” he asked.
At first I was going to tell him he should, but why fight it? I shook my head and stepped out on the balcony, focusing my strength into my power. A soft glow surrounded me and lit up the balcony. The feeling of electricity bled through my torso and into my arms, down into my hands. This time the invisible force poured forth, and I imagined it over the B and B and even put a ward around the Excursion and Shunka’s pen for good measure. Tired, I closed the French doors.
Solomon stood just inside the threshold waiting for me. “Floor or bed?”
“Bed, but we’re not doing anything.”
“Remember what I said to you earlier tonight?”
Like an unexpected slap, his words penetrated my brain. I sighed grumpily.
He swept the backside of his fingers over my cheek. “Besides, don’t you think it would be a bit difficult with Maureen in the room?”
A soft giggle reached me from the other side of the suite.
Fuming, I marched past him and hurriedly donned my Cleveland Browns shirt. Without another word, I climbed into bed.
Long, desirous moments passed as I listened to Solomon undress. The soft whisper of his slacks sliding down his long, muscled legs, the clink of the metal belt buckle and the soft swish of his beater landing on the carpet all sounded erotic in the darkness.
Heaven help me, how I wanted the man!
Solomon pulled the covers aside and slipped into bed. He rolled with his back to me, and within minutes, his breathing grew steady and slow as he slept. His body heat warmed the sheets, radiated through them to stoke the flames of my desire.
I lay there quietly a long time battling the need raging through me.
Damn him!
Chapter Twenty-Two
The following morning, I awoke to find Maureen and Solomon gone. Maureen’s backpack waited by the door. Figuring they’d both gone downstairs for breakfast, I showered, dressed, and finished gathering my things. Later, dressed and ready to go, I stepped into the hall and turned toward the sound of a door opening. Maureen emerged with Mr. Jebbstart. He hugged her and placed a not-so-chaste kiss on her mouth.
“I’ll always remember you, my pet,” he said with emotion in his voice. He patted something glistening on her arm, kissed her again and closed the door.
She saw me and blushed hot pink.
She didn’t! No way!
“Are you all packed?” she asked shakily, her gaze on everything except me.
“Uh, yeah.”
“I’ll just get my gear before you shut the door.” Without meeting my eyes, Maureen leaned through the threshold and retrieved her stuf f. “I’ll grab your cosmetic case for you since your hands are full.”
“Thanks.”
As she straightened, my attention landed on her right wrist. A beautiful silver bracelet inlaid with puau pieces encircled her wrist.
“That bracelet is lovely,” I said.
“Mr. Jebbstart gave it to me. He makes jewelry and peddles it around Florida and Georgia.” She still couldn’t look at me, and as she spoke, her cheeks flamed redder. As elderly guys go, Mr. Jebbstart was a debonair man and didn’t look his seventy-odd years at all, but to sleep with him? For what? A nice piece of jewelry? Hell, I wasn’t sure about anything anymore, and I was the last person to judge someone for their actions when I could barely control my own.
“Hey, it’s none of my business.” I pulled the door shut.
“Thanks.”
“For what?” With my duffle bag slung over one shoulder and a suitcase in each hand, I paused.
“For not asking any questions.”
“Remember that the next time you start pelting me with yours.” I grinned.
Flushing pink again, she smiled back. “You’re a good friend.”
Not expecting such a response, I turned away with my cheeks burning and started down the hall.
“Solomon’s getting Shunka from the kennel,” she stated.
“Then we’ll meet him at the SUV.”
Downstairs, quiet permeated the inn. The three witches were absent from their usual places in the den. Once we checked out, we headed for the door.
My biggest worry was the bikers and Wayne. Were they nearby, watching and waiting?
Outside under the carport, Solomon loaded the Malamute and our bags. The sunshine gleamed on the Excursion’s shiny paint, the wind brought the aroma of fresh coconut, and I was glad to be on our way again.
Solomon rearranged my purchases from the day before so there was room for everything in the luggage area. I pulled a box from the top of a shopping bag.
Maureen climbed into the backseat with the dog.
“Who’s driving?” Solomon asked.
“I will.”
He tossed me the keys, and I hopped in behind the steering wheel.
“What’s in the box?” he asked once he’d settled in the passenger seat.
“I bought something for you and Maureen yesterday.”
I slipped the key into the ignition before taking the lid off the white box. Inside it, a pewter sand dollar dusted with fine white sand laid in three pieces, each one with a rawhide strap to go around our necks. I handed one to Maureen, one to Solomon then took mine out and quickly put it on.
“Aw, Ruby, these are so cool!” Maureen said tearfully.
“Oh, no you don’t!” I said, looking hard at her. “Don’t get sappy on me.”
“Okay.” She smiled and slipped the necklace over her head. The sand dollar nestled between her monstrous breasts and glittered in the sun.
“Very nice.” Solomon donned his too. “Thank you, Ruby.” He leaned across the console and brushed his lips across mine, startling me.
“You’re welcome.” I tried to ignore the pleased smile on his handsome face. Emotion washed over me, and I suddenly fought tears and had to bite my lower lip to keep it from trembling.
****
By noon, the clear skies gave way to silver haze and stifling humidity. We stopped at a rest area and bought sodas and cold-cut sandwiches. Solomon took the dog out to the park’s pet area while Maureen and I sat at a picnic table and ate. She stared off into space as she chewed a mouthful of her ham-and-cheese sandwich. The unbearable heat affected everyone. Parents lay on blankets beneath shade trees with their babies while older children immersed themselves in hand-held games or reclined against tree trunks listening to iPods and MP3 players.
The elderly remained in their air-conditioned Park Avenues and Coup de Villes as their spouses or traveling companions braved the elements in pursuit of a fresh pair of Depends. Big rigs, pickups pulling travel trailers, and RVs all idled in the larger parking lot, their A/C units dripping condensation onto the pavement.
Sighing, I took a long swallow of my Pepsi. We’d already passed Daytona Beach, Titusville and Merritt Island. Melbourne and Vero Beach would soon be behind us as well. If we drove until suppertime, we could be in Florida City by nightfall.
Back on the road, we traveled in silence save for the pop tunes blaring from the SUV’s stereo system. I stopped once for gasoline, but after that, Solomon drove all the way through to Florida City. The closer we got to the town, the more subdued Maureen became. Around eight that evening, we rolled into the state’s toe-like tip. Since none of the hotels Solomon called would allow animals, he found a pet friendly motel instead.
From there we could drive to Key West in two to three hours, so I didn’t see much point in fighting tourists at the peak of vacation season for over-priced lodging in The Keys. Solomon readily agreed with me, but Maureen said nothing.
Our room was the last one at the far end by a high privacy fence. As Solomon unloaded the SUV, I fed and watered the Malamute, who panted in the heat. Striding to the heating-and-cooling unit on the wall, I cranked up the A/C full blast. The expression on the dog’s face almost looked like gratitude.
Our room possessed a kitchenette. Thinking of cooking something, I asked, “Do you want to go with me to buy a few groceries, Maureen?”
She lay sprawled on the second double bed. “I guess.”
“If you don’t want to, you can stay here.”
“No, I’ll go.”
She slipped on her sandals as if it were the biggest chore in the world.
I grabbed my purse and rummaged inside for the wad of hidden money. Quickly, I counted out half of it and offered it to Maureen.
“Here, this is your half of the money.”
“You keep it for me,” she said. “I’d only lose it.”
The fact that she wanted me to hang on to her money shocked me. I’d always figured as soon as Maureen had a couple thousand in her hands she would want to go shopping for more high-heeled shoes.
“Well, do you want some of it to keep in your pocket?”
She shrugged. “I suppose.”
Passing her two one-hundred-dollar bills, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure? You don’t act like your usual—” I sensed my razor-sharp tongue should be held in check. “You act like you’re upset about something. You’re not as perky as usual.”
“It’ll pass.” She shoved the bills into her pocket and sashayed to the door. “Are we going or not?”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Her change in behavior unnerved me. Maureen had such an effervescent personality that the switch to quiet and brooding creeped me out. Then there was the money issue. She trusted me to keep her part of the money for her? I wouldn’t trust Maureen, so why did she trust me?
No, I was wrong. I did trust Maureen and that freaked me out even more.
When we stepped outside, Solomon walked toward us with the last of our gear. “Where are you off to?” he asked.
“We’re going to pick up a few groceries to stock our kitchen,” I answered as Maureen got in the SUV.
“Should you go by yourselves?” he asked.
Shit. I hadn’t thought of that. My gaze met his, and the worry in his eyes touched my heart.
I crossed my arms over my breasts. “What do you suggest?”
“You stay here with Shunka and put a ward on the room. I’ll take Maureen to the store and be back ASAP.”
“Does this mean that from now on I’m going to be a prisoner of motel rooms or always chaperoned?”
“We all just need to be careful,” he replied. “At least until we figure out what’s going on and how to handle it.”
“Whenever that will be,” I mumbled.
He kissed me, and I found myself leaning into him. “Please don’t kiss me,” I whispered.
“It’s just a kiss, Ruby.”
“No, it’s not. It’s playing dirty.”
“Only if you allow it.” He offered me a lopsided grin that urged my heart to thrash crazily. “How about a decent bottle of wine?” he suggested.
“Sure.” I looked over at my hitchhiker, who sat quietly in the Excursion’s passenger seat looking as if she were about to be driven to the guillotine.
Solomon’s gaze followed mine. “Did you find out what’s bugging Maureen?”
“No.”
“Well, don’t press her.”
“She’s starting to wig me out.”
Solomon chuckled. “And you didn’t think the woman could ever be quiet.”
That made me smile.
****
Later, sprawled on one of the beds, I watched a rerun of All in the Family.
“We’re back, Ruby,” Solomon hollered through the door.
They brought in three plastic sacks of groceries and set them on a small kitchen table.
Solomon gathered his dirty clothes and left for the laundry room. Maureen changed into her bikini and wandered to the pool for an evening swim while I made supper.
One thing I could do well was cook. Since moving out of my dad’s place, I didn’t cook often, but when I did, I’d go all out to make a scrumptious meal. I took out a package of pork chops and created a marinade with some basic herbs and spices. As I worked, I thought about Maureen’s odd behavior and wondered if it had any connection with Mr. Jebbstart.
The door opened, and Solomon entered, hefting a basket of folded laundry. Maureen trailed in behind him.
After tripping over the dog, w
hich had crept into the kitchen area, I booted him in the ass, yelling, “Get out and stay out or I’m going to make a fur rug out of you!”
“I think he’s trying to say you’re a good cook,” Solomon said, laughing as he placed the basket on my bed.
I shook my head. “No, he’s proving he’s a pig in the disguise of a dog.”
“Be nice to Shunka.” Maureen walked toward the bathroom just off from the kitchenette. “He’s the one who saved you from that big biker.”
“It still doesn’t mean I have to like the overgrown furball.” I finished up the chops and placed them on a plate.
Solomon scooped his clothes out of the basket and disappeared into the suite’s tiny back bedroom.
I turned, staring first at the suite’s door then at the bathroom door. “Isn’t anyone going to eat supper?”
“You bet I am,” Solomon said as he sat at a dinette on the other side of the counter. “It smells fantastic.”
Maureen called, “I’m not hungry!”
I stared at the bathroom. Prickles of irritation raced over my skin. “What?”
“I said I’m not hungry!”
I strode to the bathroom and hit the door with the heel of my hand. “You’re going to eat if I have to knock down that door and drag you to the table!”
Someone rapped on the opposite side of the wall, yelling, “Keep it down over there!”
“Ruby, please, I don’t feel well,” she whined.
I looked at Solomon for help.
He shrugged. “Maybe she really doesn’t feel well.” He helped himself to a bowl of salad. “She didn’t say but a dozen words when we went shopping.”
With a sigh, I contemplated ripping the door off the hinges just to vent some frustration. I wasn’t sure why her refusal to eat bugged me so much, but it did.
“Fine,” I growled. “Eat leftovers!”
“I’m sorry, Ruby,” she said, her voice tearful.
“Aw, hell!” Snatching up the pork chops, I strode to the dinette.
“Calm down,” Solomon said. “If Maureen is sick, we’ll know soon enough. If something is bothering her, she’ll either tell us or she won’t. Sit and enjoy the nice meal you cooked.”
The Sorcerer King and the Fire Queen Page 21