The Perfect Ten Boxed Set

by Dianna Love

  “You killed my parents?” Oscar pulled the gun from Jordan’s waistband, and jumped to his feet. His anger became a raging fury. “I should kill you with my bare hands!”

  “No.” I stood up next to Oscar and put my hand on his bicep. “You are better than him. Ann was your nanny. You are a spiritualist. Eloise put some kind of spell on Jordan. He can’t move.”

  Out of the moon’s shadow and into the light, Eloise appeared with Madame Torres in her hand.

  “Eloise is your aunt.” I gestured for her to come forward. I took Madame Torres from her.

  A little hesitant from all of the stares, she enclosed Oscar in her cloak. “I can’t wait to tell you all about your mom and dad,” she whispered in his ear.

  Mr. Prince Charming danced around their ankles.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The day was dawning.

  The Karmina sisters’ hearse barreled up the hill. The lights flashed, lighting up the starry sky. Constance jumped out, velcro curlers all over her hair. “Who’s next?” She shined a flashlight in everyone’s face.

  Patience wasn’t too far behind. “Who’s next?” she chirped and shuffled over in her pink house slippers. She picked up a stick and poked Jordan. “He’s a fresh one.”

  Jordan jerked his shoulders back and glared at Patience. “Don’t poke the bear or he just might bite.”

  Patience jumped and held the stick like a gun. “He’s not dead.”

  “I’ll get you all!” Jordan scowled as Oscar cuffed him. Oscar jerked him up by the cuffs and hauled him off to the police station.

  Eloise started to slip out of the daylight and into the woods, but Izzy stopped her.

  “Wait, Eloise.” Izzy turned to the council. “Come have some tea at The Gathering Grove.”

  With Eloise smiling, we all walked in silence with Mr. Prince Charming trotting ahead.

  Bella and Axelrod had the tea and muffins ready when we got there. Oscar joined us once he got Jordan situated in his cell.

  “I’m so sorry, June.” Oscar sat in the seat next to me. He took my wrist and clasped my turtle charm bracelet around it. “We will drag the lake and look for your other one.”

  I opened my bag and pulled out two Ding Dongs. I handed him one. “You’re forgiven.”

  “How did you find my aunt?” His eyes clouded over. It was the first time I had ever seen Oscar brought to tears.

  “Hold on a second.” I stood up on the chair to gather everyone’s attention. “I have something to say.”

  The Gathering Grove became silent. Everyone looked at me.

  “There are a lot of rules in this village. And a lot I have to learn. Eloise saved us today. She and Ann were banned from Whispering Falls because they are Fairiwicks. I think it’s time that the village changes the rules to include anyone in the spiritual realm. We are much better as a collective whole than apart. Eloise has so much to offer our village with her potions. Without the truth serum, Jordan probably wouldn’t have spilled the beans and I would be dead.” Mr. Prince Charming caught my eye as he danced around the table where Petunia was sitting. I tried to concentrate on what I was saying, but I couldn’t. Petunia was whispering in his ear.

  “I. . ..um. . .” Snap out of it, there was no way Mr. Prince Charming was. . .oh my God! “I . . .I would like to take a vote at the next village meeting to incorporate the Fairiwicks into the Whispering Falls village.”

  A round of applause rang out. Even Izzy got up and hugged Eloise, but this was going to have to go through Oscar. He wasn’t letting go.

  Gerald and Petunia were behind the counter making sure everyone had what they needed.

  “Gerald, remember when you were reading my tea leaves?” There were some things he had mentioned that I didn’t understand.

  He nodded and handed a muffin over the counter to Oscar.

  “What did my reading say?” I asked.

  “Are you giving me permission to tell you from one spiritualist to another?”

  “Yes.” No matter what my leaves said, I still wanted to know.

  He took his hat off and placed it on top the counter. He leaned over and proceeded with a low whisper, “The O represented your father, Otto. He is always with you. As is your grandfather.”

  Mr. Prince Charming jumped up on the counter.

  “No. That’s naughty.” I scolded him and put him back on the ground. He might be able to jump up on the counters at home, but not here. “Go on.”

  “The wavy lines told me you were in for a rocky future. Which I don’t believe is over.” He drew back, took in a deep breath, and closed his eyes. “Madame Torres had warned the village of a powerful psychic coming to town and that her nightmares would prove innocence.” His shoulders slumped a little bit.

  “Are you okay?” I reached over the counter to pat his hand.

  Petunia grabbed a chair and eased him into it. “He gets this way when he reads the leaves. Sometimes the spirit takes over.”

  Cough, cough. “I’m fine.” Gerald held his fist to his mouth. “You are on a path to discovering your gifts. Don’t limit yourself.” He stood up. “I must get some rest now.”

  Without another word, Gerald went to the back of the shop.

  “That was weird,” I said to Oscar and shrugged my shoulders. “Let’s go sit.”

  Oscar nabbed the closest table and sat down. He pointed to himself. “I’m a sorcerer.”

  “No, you are a police officer.” I could feel the excited, renewed energy he had. “You worry about keeping our village safe.”

  “I think it’s cool. According to Eloise, I will begin my lessons soon with the new Fairiwicks moving into town.” His features became more animated. He acted like he was a kid at Christmas.

  “They already heard that Whispering Falls is going to make it official at the next council meeting?” I looked over at Eloise and Izzy.

  “It doesn’t take long for a spiritualist to listen to the winds.” Izzy smiled.

  I pulled Eloise aside. I was still having a hard time and questioning my entire existence. “Was my dad a medium?” My eyes darted between her eyes searching for an answer.

  The shadowy figure could have been Jordan watching me all this time, or it could be a spirit.

  “Darla and I never made it that far.” Eloise took both my hands. “She asked me about it hours before he was found dead. Why?”

  “She wrote something about it in the journal.” I wasn’t going to tell her that I had seen a shadow or two. There was no need to jump to any conclusions. I had plenty of time to explore my village. Today was for celebrating.

  “So, do you love us or what?” Bella smiled and hugged me. “You realize you own the cottage you are living in.”

  “Patience kind of let the cat out of the bag.” Even though I didn’t remember it from my childhood, the cottage did feel like home.

  “Darla always knew you’d find out, but we had hoped she would’ve shared the experience with you.” Bella wiped a tear from her eye. “Welcome home.”

  We embraced.

  There was a lot to learn about Whispering Falls. There was a lot to learn about being a spiritualist. And I had the rest of my life to do it.

  I opened my bag and took out Darla’s journal and rubbed my hands across the beat up leather cover. I took a good long look around The Gathering Grove. My first few days in Whispering Falls had been rocky, at best, but each one of these people held a special bond. They were a part of me. They were a part of my past. And I was embracing who I really was.

  I held the journal close to my heart. My instincts told me there was a lot in there to learn, and I couldn’t wait to savor every word.

  Quietly, Mr. Prince Charming and I headed to our cottage. Once we reached our front door, we turned around and looked over Whispering Falls.

  Mewl, mewl. His long white tail danced in the air.

  I looked down at the ornery cat. He dropped something out of his mouth. I bent down to pick it up. He did figure eights around my ankles.


  I held the small charm in the palm of my hand. “Mr. Prince Charming, what does this mean?” I dangled the metal, in the shape of a hand, in the air to get a good look.

  I made a mental note to visit Bella in the morning to return it. I was too tired to even think about opening the shop. Besides, it was my shop now and I needed to have the sign redone for the grand opening of A Charming Cure.

  After all, there was going to be a big line of customers and I had to be ready for them. At least that was what my intuition told me.

  The End

  A Note From The Author

  Thank you so much for reading my novel. I’m truly grateful for the time we have spent together. Reviews are very important to an author’s career and I would appreciate it if you could take a couple minutes of your time by clicking on the click below and leaving a review for my novel. I hope we continue to meet in the world of books. ~Tonya Kappes

  THANK YOU

   Thank you for reading A CHARMING CRIME. I hope you enjoyed it!

   Would you like to know when my next book is available? You can sign up for my email newsletter at Tonyakappes.com, follow me on Twitter @tonyak11, and join me on my Facebook Street Team, Author Tonya Kappes Street Team.

   Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews positive or negative.

   This book is lendable through Amazon’s Lending Program. Share it with a friend!

  OUT OF FOCUS

  by

  Nancy Naigle

  ~

  An Adams Grove Novel

  Acknowledgements

  Special thanks to the team of folks that helped me on the journey to bring this story to the finish line.

  From beta readers and cover art input to copy and line edits, these folks are the best of the best. Thank you to Jerry Hampton, Tracy Mastaler, Barry Ergang, and so many other special friends including all the facebook friends that gave feedback on the cover as we made final decisions.

  To my family, thank you for believing in me and for spreading the word. Mom, thank you for your unwavering support through every up and down as I live this dream.

  This book is for anyone whose life has taken an unexpected turn.

  Always trust your heart and have faith.

  Chapter One

  Kasey Phillips snapped off three more pictures of the country singer straddling seven hundred pounds of sleek American-made motorcycle. Cody Tuggle looked more rugged than the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains that swelled in the background.

  At her command, Tuggle leaned forward across the wide chrome handlebars. Even with the bandanna tied around his head like a do-rag, a look she’d never found appealing, there was no denying this guy was sizzling hot and all man.

  Kasey’s eyes narrowed as she leaned to get a unique angle. The estate was the perfect setting for this magazine shoot. It belonged to Cody’s agent, Arty Max. From the looks of the place, Tuggle’s fame had paid off big for everyone.

  Band members and roadies lined the perimeter, but she stayed focused on her subject. Curious onlookers were one of the biggest obstacles at an outdoor shoot, but it was easy to tune them out when the subject was someone with such star quality.

  Working with the light and shadows, she repositioned to find the right interplay to intensify the image. The camera clicked at a fast clip, and then not at all, as she considered the next best opportunity.

  Click. Click. Click-click-click.

  “I thought this was supposed to be hard work,” Cody said, pulling her out of her zone. “Those bikini models are always complaining about it on TV.” Laughter laced his voice. “Y’know, that fanny duster job, dusting the sand off those cuties’ hind ends. Now that looks like a right sweet gig. Got any connections?”

  Kasey lowered her camera. “You mean, in case the singing thing doesn’t work out for you?” She gave him a scolding look. As the mom of a three-year old, she’d pretty much perfected it. “If you keep talking I’ll catch you with your mouth wide open, and you’ll look dopey. Shhhsh.”

  “That must be why I always look drunk in those tabloids.” Cody flashed a devilish smile. “Anybody ever tell you, you’re kinda bossy?”

  “I got both of those shots,” she warned. “Those weekly gossip rags pay big bucks for celeb uglies. The uglier they are, the more they pay. They’d pay top dollar for those last two pictures.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “You’re right.” She raised her hand in front of her like a traffic cop. “Stay still. Yeah. Right there.” A perfect shot. The candy-apple red Harley was only feet away from the black fence that surrounded the estate. Light swept through a stand of birch trees in the distance, their thin white-barked trunks made the colors appear more vibrant and crisp. The forest displayed a myriad of green shades now. Those leaves would boast orange, yellow, reds and purples in the fall as the chlorophyll faded and autumn arrived—an awesome display to capture on film.

  Cody spoke to someone just behind her.

  She shot him the look.

  “What? It’s hard to sit still this long and not say a word.” Cody rewarded her with a natural smile. She took advantage of it, snapping the image.

  Kasey enjoyed the gentle sparring. “What’s the problem? You got ants in your pants? You said this modeling stuff was so easy, but all I’ve heard for the past thirty minutes is a bunch of girly complaining.”

  “Hey now, be nice. Girly? Me? You’re gonna hurt my feelin’s.”

  The roadies and band members nudged one another.

  “Somehow I doubt that.” Kasey watched the star’s smile fade into an exaggerated pout. He might be used to women falling at his feet, but she wasn’t one of his groupies. “Did I bruise your frail ego?” What a ham. “Maybe it’s that silly rag on your head makin’ you all girly.”

  She couldn’t help herself. The man in front of her was huge, at least six foot four, with shoulders so broad the wide-set handlebars on the motorcycle didn’t look nearly as impressive. This guy could wear a pink tutu and look masculine.

  The band members and roadies seemed to enjoy the banter, but she wasn’t sure whom they were rooting for—Cody or her.

  Cody sat up straight on the bike, his smile gone. He pulled the bandanna off and ran his fingers through his flattened mass of blonde hair.

  She took in a quick breath. Maybe that last comment had crossed a line. She knew the do-rag was symbolic to the band, but then if her jab got him to quit mugging around, it would be worth it. She’d get the best shots of the day.

  His hair bounced back into its usual tangle of waves, softening his chiseled look. He stuffed the slip of fabric into his back pocket with a half grin, maybe just short of a smirk.

  Kasey clicked like mad. “Now we’re talking.”

  Cody tugged open the snaps of his western shirt.

  She switched cameras and gave him a nod of encouragement. Tuggle’s PR guys had left last night. She called the shots now. Just the way she liked it. This was all Cody.

  His tan accentuated his chest. Flawless. He didn’t have a soft, white-collar body. This was the body of a guy who enjoyed getting physical.

  “Looking right manly now, Mr. Tuggle.” Her heart and soul belonged to Nick, but staring at Cody Tuggle for hours at a time was no punishment.

  “Mr. Tuggle? Why is it the less I’m wearin’ the more business you get?” He stepped off the motorcycle in one easy movement and took a step in her direction.

  “Quit it, you big flirt.” She took another picture. “I’m married.” She wiggled her ring finger in his direction.

  Kasey glanced at her watch. It was almost nine. “Let’s take five.” She walked to a table nearby, pulled her phone from her hip and dialed home. Every day on the road, at nine o’clock sharp each morning, there was nothing more important than checking in with Nick and Jake. She loved her work, but they were the light of each day, and three days in a row of not being with them was torture.

  With her back to Cody and the others, she talked
to Nick. He caught her up on their plan for the day. She checked her watch again, then forced herself to wrap up the call. “Love, love, love you boys.”

  “I love you ten and five, Mom.” Jake’s tiny voice made her heart bubble. Ten and five was the biggest number in the world to him.

  “Love you, babe. See you at the other end of the day,” Nick said and hung up.

  A familiar surge of happiness consumed her. She couldn’t wait to be home with them. She and Nick had wed just a few months after they’d met. It was a marriage made in heaven, and Jake was the icing on the wedding cake. That little angel was the best thing she’d ever done in her life.

  She snapped her phone shut and headed back to the shoot. “Let’s go, guys.”

  Tuggle turned his attention back to her. “Call home to check in with Mr. Phillips?”

  “Not exactly. Phillips is my maiden name.” She switched to her digital camera for the final run. “But yes. I was checking in at home.”

  “That dude’s one lucky guy.”

  “Two, actually.”

  Cody leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Two? I bet number one doesn’t think much of that.”

  “Funny.” She wrinkled her nose. “Husband and son.”

  “You had me worried there for a minute.”

  She lowered the camera. “Nick and Jake. Jake’s three, and the most adorable child. Not that I’m biased.”

  “Got his momma’s good looks, did he?” Cody smiled a perfect smile, the kind he wasn’t good at performing on demand. “You know I’m just playing around, right?”

  Kasey captured one last shot, ignoring the remark. “You’re done.” She lifted the camera strap over her head and wiped her palms on her jeans. “I’ve got what I need.”

  “I was just getting into it.” He struck an Egyptian pose. Everyone howled and cheered.

  “You’re too much.” She tucked the cameras into her case. “Give me a couple of hours and I’ll let you and Arty take a look.”