Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2)

by Marianne Spitzer

  “And I’m driving,” he said when he handed her a glass of sparkling cider. They toasted the year ahead and happiness. The mayor began the countdown to midnight and the fireworks began. The first was Annamarie’s favorite. It reminded her of a huge orange carnation. She smiled up at Sam and he put his arm around her. She snuggled closer. A second large firework lit up the river walk and the mayor announced midnight.

  Sam leaned over and kissed Annamarie. She kissed him back and felt stirrings she hadn’t experienced since Daniel died. He held her tighter while they watched the fireworks show.

  * * *

  At the stroke of midnight, while the fireworks burst over the river in Oaklin, the residents of Timmus Woods heard a tremendous explosion. It shook windows in the homes closest to the pine grove. The sheriff’s station received numerous calls and frightened people ran out of their homes to see what exploded. Most assumed the dairy since it was the biggest building in town, but the sparks and smoke they saw came from the pines at the opposite end of town.

  Sheriff Richardson went on his way to the pines. Steve followed him as soon as Greta arrived to take calls. His squad car sped down Prairie Road, siren blasting. The sound of the siren did little to calm the fears of the frightened residents. A second siren from the local fire truck followed the sheriff’s squad. When both reached the pines, they could see sparks similar to a giant July 4th sparkler coming from the edge of the pines nearest the Logan house.

  The sheriff jumped out of his squad car and ran toward the fire, when it suddenly died out. He could see a huge pine had toppled over and he smelled the remnants of burnt bark and pine needles. Fire Chief Leon Cornett was close behind him and both men stared at the tree. A full moon and added flashlights made it clear only one tree was involved and the lower half was singed. What grabbed their attention were the two deep burn marks in the side of the tree in the shape of human hands.

  Chief Cornett said, “Looks like a set of burning hands pushed over the tree. Seems odd to me, too big a project for a teen prank, those handprints are still hot. What do you make of it?”

  “No idea. The Logan house is dark. There won’t be any witnesses to this. All we need is another mystery.”

  “Spirits?”

  “Knock it off, Leon. Daniel Logan’s dead, and he took the spirits with him. Life has been quiet since he died, until tonight.”

  “Maybe we need an expert in lightning or spontaneous combustion to explain this. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “At least no one died this time and we won’t have to deal with the coroner. I’ll call the State Police and see if they have an expert. The university is closed for the holidays until next week.”

  “The state Fire Marshall might know what this is,” said Leon. “I’ll give him a call, too.”

  “Good idea, I’ll call you if I learn anything and you do the same.”

  “Deal.”

  Steve walked up and looked at the tree with the same confusion the sheriff and chief had. They covered the burned area with a fireproof tarp and Steve and a volunteer firefighter stayed the night to guard the site. Steve was able to pull his Jeep close enough to keep an eye on the site and aim the Jeep’s spotlight at the tarp to keep anyone away. Sitting in the Jeep would keep the two men from freezing. When the sheriff left, he said he’d send Greta up with coffee. It would be a long night and not the way either man wanted to bring in the New Year.

  * * *

  The two uniformed men stood and spoke to each other while they examined the tree. The sheriff and chief knew one would have been sufficient, but not when George Logan became involved.

  “I’m surprised he didn’t ask for the National Guard,” said the sheriff.

  The chief laughed.

  The state Fire Marshall spoke first. “It wasn’t lightning, not even ball lightning. There isn’t enough damage for any type of lightning strike.”

  The fire expert from the State Police agreed and added, “Whatever made those hand prints was extremely hot to burn over an inch into the tree. Also, there is no apparent reason why the tree fell. It wasn’t pulled down from this side--no rope burns. It couldn’t be pushed by any vehicle on the other side. There isn’t enough room.”

  “Then what the hell happened?” said Sheriff Richardson.

  “Well, the best we can come up with was something incredibly hot and strong burned the prints into the tree and pushed it over.”

  “You’re joking: pushed?” said the sheriff.

  The chief added, “Told ya. Spirits.”

  Laughing, the Fire Marshall said, “This is Timmus Woods. Don’t you guys have ghosts running around? One might have done it. I can’t find any human reason.”

  “I concur,” the State Police expert said. “Ghosts sound good to me.”

  “We’ll send you our report,” called the Fire Marshall as they walked to their vehicles.

  Leon looked at the sheriff and said, “If this leaks out, the town will be back in a panic.”

  “What was said here goes no further and whatever you do, don’t tell Greta. We’ll say lightning caused it. Steve and a couple of your men can cut it up and we’ll dispose of it.”

  “Works for me. I don’t like ghosts.” The chief smiled. “The sooner this is gone, the better. I’ll send a couple of guys with chain saws today.”

  * * *

  When Steve and the firefighters arrived, they found an extremely upset Annamarie standing by the fallen pine. Her arms wrapped her coat tightly around her against the cold as she stared at the handprints.

  “What happened here, Steve? Those look like handprints, and why did the tree fall?”

  “You weren’t supposed to remove the tarp. Fire Marshall said it was something similar to ball lightning and hit the tree like a ball hitting a pole and knocked it down and left the oddly singed prints. It’s rare, but it happens.”

  “Okay,” she said. “This is my property. I want to know what’s going on. If you guys want coffee, Elaine is brewing a fresh pot. I can have her bring out a thermos.”

  Steve said, “I’ll come get it in a little while.”

  Annamarie waved when she headed back to the house. She knew what caused those marks. Her neighbors told her it happened right at midnight, the exact time Sam kissed her. Daniel! Magdalena told her he couldn’t physically hurt a person, but could he cause damage to the trees? How was she going to find out? She hoped Magdalena would appear to her in a dream and soon.

  * * *

  Annamarie laid Lena down for her nap and told Elaine she was also going to take a nap. Last night had been long and the large meal she enjoyed at her parents was making her tired. She was happy to be home. Her last thought was a wish she would dream of Magdalena. It came true.

  Annamarie found herself in the clearing in front of the campfire. She couldn’t hear any violin music. Two wagons sat a short distance from the fire. Several men and women stood around the wagons, looking at her. The elderly man who had previously played the violin approached her.

  He smiled and said, “Magdalena and Josef will be back soon. They are following Daniel’s and Garret’s tracks through the pines and into the oaks beyond the cabin. Daniel and Garret have been hiding at the cabin.”

  Frightened of the answer, she swallowed and asked, “Spirits can hide? Can they also cause damage to non-human items?”

  “Yes, they can enter dreams and bring nightmares, start fires, break objects, and cause mayhem, but none of their actions are allowed to harm a living soul. Daniel and Garret are trying to break the law. Magdalena and Josef will be sure they are taken care of.”

  “How can they do that?” Her eyes wide with wonder.

  “Magdalena is extremely strong. She is connected to your living spirit, which gives her added strength. When you named your child after her, she also became connected to tiny Lena. Daniel is angry. He wanted to connect with Lena first, but you fought him off in the hospital.”

  “Then he was there?”

  “Yes, bu
t he could only cause you fear and try to break your connection to Lena so he could steal it. Your connection to Magdalena helped fight him off and also helped her connect to Lena.”

  Annamarie could only shake her head and wonder how all this was possible.

  “Come, sit. Have some fresh bread while you wait for them.”

  Annamarie sat on a tree stump and ate warm bread until she saw Magdalena approach through the trees. She jumped up when she saw her.

  Magdalena approached her and said, “We could not find Daniel or Garret. They are hiding, but Josef will find them. Daniel knows you kissed the man with hair of sunshine. He caused the horrible noise and knocked down the tree when his anger burned through his hands.”

  “I was afraid Daniel caused it. Will he harm Lena? He wants her; I know he does. I won’t let him take her. Tell me what to do.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  “He cannot harm either of you. You are connected to me and under my protection. Josef will kill him if need be.”

  “You can kill a spirit?”

  “We take their power and we’ll turn them into mold. They’ll live in the soil, protected by the trees.”

  Annamarie, shocked by all she heard, sat back down on the tree stump hard. Her head dropped into her hands and she cried again. Looking up, she said, “Please protect Lena, I don’t care about me. I need her to be safe.”

  “My love, I care about you too and you are both safe. If you have nightmares, ignore them. Remember, he cannot touch you.” She touched Annamarie’s cheek again, bringing the calm she always felt.

  Annamarie awoke and remembered every aspect of the dream. She was both frightened and relieved. She meant what she had said. She would fight for Lena and die if she had to. Daniel would never take her child. Magdalena had stopped Maureen and brought Sam into her life. She knew Magdalena spoke the truth.

  * * *

  Annamarie felt safe after her discussion with Magdalena. She and Sam were dating weekly and having lunch two or three times a week at Ray’s. People in town were whispering, but she was a Logan and no one would speak about her aloud. They returned to the candlelit restaurant in Oaklin on Valentine’s Day where Sam told her he loved her.

  Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight and she could not deny what he knew. “I love you, too,” she whispered.

  It had been over eighteen months since Daniel died. Annamarie felt the need to move on, love another, and give Lena a father she could see and touch. Her only knowledge of her father was from pictures and each night she said “night dada” to the picture of Daniel hanging on her wall.

  March brought Lena’s first birthday and a massive celebration. Annamarie’s guest list had a life of its own and she decided to have an open house so people could come any time in the afternoon and eat, have cake, give Lena a gift, and stay as long as they wish. It worked out well and the flow of people was non-stop. Lena’s pile of gifts resembled a small toyshop.

  Annamarie turned twenty-one in early May and Sam asked her to marry him. He gave her an antique diamond ring, which had belonged to his grandmother. Afraid of what Maureen would say or do, they kept it secret. They also decided to elope rather than have a wedding in town where Maureen would cause trouble. They could find no reason to wait and eloped two weeks later. Daniel was so busy eluding Josef that he and Garret were unaware of her plans.

  Annamarie felt guilty about not marrying in church and she and Sam spoke to Father Mueller after their elopement. He blessed their marriage and they drove to Annamarie’s parents’ home to share their good news and pick up Lena.

  Paula said she was not surprised and Theo said, “You better take good care of my girl and make her happy or you’ll answer to me.” Then he grinned and shook Sam’s hand.

  Chapter Fourteen: Warnings

  Sam and Annamarie settled into a comfortable married routine at the Logan House. Elaine stayed on as housekeeper to help and watch Lena. Annamarie felt the need to spend more time with Lena and Sam suggested she give up her job and be a full-time wife and mom. The idea suited her. Mr. Hanson said he would miss having her working for him, but understood.

  Maureen began to feel healthier and stronger. She was livid that Annamarie had married Sam and they both were living in the Logan house. Her new home was built to her exact specifications and had every amenity Maureen asked for, but part of her still yearned for the prestige the Logan house would bring her. Once again, she contacted her attorneys with a two-fold question. First, did it break the will if the Logan who lived in the house was a two-year-old child and not an adult? Second, Maureen believed Annamarie’s choice of husband was far from desirable. Could she seek custody of Lena? She loved Lena, but loved the house more. Maureen had returned to the person she was before Daniel passed away. She was hoping to use Lena as leverage to take the house from Annamarie. Her lawyers told her they would look into the matter.

  * * *

  George was still concerned about Maureen’s health.

  He said, “You need to slow down and forget about trying to take Lena from Annamarie. You won’t win. Father foresaw every possible scenario when he left the house to her.”

  Maureen was sure she’d find a way.

  It was a little after three in the morning when Maureen awoke screaming. George did his best to calm her and himself. Maureen had no idea what frightened her and made her scream. George tried unsuccessfully to convince her to reduce the stress in her life. She told him nothing was going to stop her from going after the house and Lena.

  * * *

  Lena woke Sam and Annamarie a little after six.

  Sam said, “I’ll see to her. Why don’t you take a shower first?”

  “Thanks, hon.” She kissed him and she left the room, headed for the shower.

  It was a beautiful morning and the sun streamed into the bathroom window. Annamarie was enjoying the large shower she had installed when the house was renovated. While she was working the shampoo suds through her hair, she heard Daniel’s voice right behind her.

  “Annamarie.”

  She spun, but no one was there. She knew it was Daniel’s voice and she shuddered at the thought that he could communicate with her while she was awake. She quickly finished her shower and walked into the bedroom. The wedding picture she and Sam had snapped at the courthouse was lying face down on the dresser. She picked it up and saw the glass was shattered.

  “Daniel,” she said aloud.

  “What?” said Sam as he entered the room.

  She turned and he saw the tears streaming down her face. “Our wedding picture is smashed and Daniel did it. He’s trying to warn me.”

  Sam looked at her and asked, “What are you talking about? Daniel’s dead.”

  Annamarie stood there and shook her head. It was time she explained to her new husband what had been going on. Since Daniel seemed to be able to torment her when she was awake, it was only fair to warn Sam.

  * * *

  Annamarie could hear Lena happily chatting with Elaine and she looked at Sam.

  “It’s time you learned what’s going on.”

  Sam sat on the bed and said, “Okay, I’m listening.”

  Annamarie had previously told Sam about the events leading up to Daniel’s death. However, she had neglected to inform him of her dreams of Magdalena and now Daniel’s intrusion into her dreams and his voice behind her in the shower.

  Sam sat there, mesmerized.

  When Annamarie concluded her story, he looked at her and said, “That explains a lot.”

  “Explains what?”

  “I thought I was dealing with guilty feelings marrying you when I knew it would anger Daniel’s mother. I thought she would cause you problems, but I love you so much I knew we could get through anything. I thought that’s why I was having the dreams.”

  “Dreams? What dreams?” She leaned closer to hear his every word.

  “Dreams of Daniel telling me I stole his wife and I would be sorry. He looked exactly like the picture in Lena’s room ex
cept his clothes were ragged and he was always standing in the pines. Maybe they were more than ordinary dreams—maybe Daniel can enter my dreams, too.”

  “I’m so sorry you’re involved in this. I should have warned you before we got married, but I thought you would think I was crazy. I love you so much I was afraid of losing you.”

  Sam took Annamarie’s face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you and have since the first time I saw you at the garage. We married for better or worse. I’m not leaving you for any reason. You’re my wife and I’ll stand by your side. Daniel will not harm you or Lena. I love Lena like she’s my own. If not for the quirky provision in your Grandpa’s will that a Logan has to live here, I would adopt her as my own.”

  Annamarie threw her arms around Sam and said, “I love you more than I ever thought possible, Sam Wescott. This situation has gotten worse and it might cause us trouble before it’s over.”

  “You and Lena are worth any trouble I have to face. C’mon, get dressed. I have to get to work and aren’t you supposed to spend the day with your mom?”

  “Yes, I am. It’s a good thing Elaine is getting Lena ready. Go have breakfast, I’ll be right down.”

  * * *

  Annamarie and Lena waved at Sam when he drove out the drive. Then she drove to her parents’ home. On the way there, Annamarie mulled over her conversation with Sam. She decided it was time also to take her mom into her confidence.

  Paula was out weeding her garden when they pulled into the drive. Lena’s voice rang out clearly through the open car windows. “Gamma, Gamma.”

  Paula looked up and smiled. Annamarie let Lena out of the car and she ran as fast as her little legs would carry her to her “gamma’s” side.

  Paula scooped her up and said, “What a pretty girl you are. I think your hair gets longer each time I see you.”

  Lena shook her head and laughed. Paula could see something was bothering Annamarie. “Let’s have some tea in the back yard and Lena can play.”

  Over several cups of tea, Annamarie poured out every detail of her dreams of Magdalena and Daniel and what she thought was going on. Her memory of killing Daniel and the night on the bluff were still completely obliterated. She truly believed the madman had killed Daniel.