Darlings of Paranormal Romance (Anthology)

by Chrissy Peebles

  Sonja smiled to herself as she considered what the bit more might be. She jumped when cool fingers touched her shoulder. Water sloshed and her sister giggled when the Chinese girl handed her a scented soap and another towel for her hair. Still, she drifted on blue eyes and a deep, male voice whispering her name.

  Almost an hour later, when both ladies finished soaking, cleaning and being pampered, they emerged to find Ty waiting for them.

  He stood near the only window in the establishment and drew long and leisurely on a cigar. The smoke spiraled toward the ceiling in the bathhouse parlor giving him a certain dark and sexy air.

  Sonja’s first consideration was how handsome he appeared standing in front of the window with a hand tucked casually in the vest he now sported. He’d loosened his braid and his gleaming jet-black hair hung about his shoulders. His growth of a slight beard, shaved, now exposed the cleft of his chin again. Her heart rate increased with his dark gaze settling on her.

  Slowly, deliberately his eyes moved over her curves, leaving a trail of burning need in its wake. He wore no hat at the present and Sonja found her fingers tingle with the need to run her hands through the thick mass of his coal black mane. After stepping to the entrance, he turned and his crystal blue eyes met hers, her heart stopped, the breath left her lungs and she found she couldn’t walk. His eyes traveled slowly down her body with a look so akin to desire it made Sonja weak in the knees. Sonja found she couldn’t break the connection.

  He moved to stand beside her and laid his warm hand against the small of her back as he held the door open for her to go through.

  Her heart was racing as she stepped out into the daylight. Surely, the feeling was brought on by some belated reaction to the steaming waters or the massage Briann and she’d enjoyed afterward. Her reactions to things proved all a jumble of late.

  “Um, lilacs.” Ty’s words, deep and reverberated in the still air caused a ripple up her spine.

  Unable to look back, Sonja instead concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other as they progressed down the planks of the sidewalk. She needed to remain calm. People were watching, weren’t they?

  In the distance, there appeared a man who resembled Sonja’s late husband. His height was the same as Robert’s and he wore a dark suit similar to the one she’d buried her husband in. Perplexed, Sonja stared hard at the apparition who stood at the opposite end of the long board walkway. The man’s hair was cut much like Robert preferred and danced about his face in the breeze. Her heart leapt in her chest when he started to walk in their direction. His gate was the same! She wasn’t at all certain she wasn’t looking at her husband. But how could that be? Robert was dead! She repeated the mantra several times under her breath. Silly, she mused. The bath must have done something to addle her brain. She needed rest – that’s all.

  “Mrs. Brooks.” He waited until he’d gained her full attention. “There’s small café down the street and they serve the best apple pie you’ve ever tasted. I’d like to share a piece with you, if you don’t mind.” His fingers rested protectively against her backbone. Marveling at how right the sensation felt, Sonja basked in the sensation. There was such a heat in his gaze.

  “I’d like that much, Mr. Loflin.” She could almost taste his lips on hers. He’d practiced their polite decorum faithfully since the trapper’s attack. Sonja, more guarded than usual appreciated his attention to her wishes. Maybe his change in attitude had something to do with his examination of her injuries. There’d been something akin to pain in his face when he’d seen what the attack had done to her. Briann was right. Mr. Loflin held himself apart for reasons Sonja didn’t fully understand, yet. He had a kind and concerned heart. She hoped she’d be able to share in his kindness again soon. With a slight smile for no one in particular, Sonja proceeded along with the others to the small café and a lite repast.

  A jolly woman, probably in her mid-fifties greeted them as they entered. She haled Ty and motioned them to a quiet table along the sunny window side of the bustling café.

  All eyes turned to examine the new patrons, before shifting back to their plates and conversation. The cheery red-checkered tablecloth covered tables lined the windows running the length of the dining room wall. Positioned eight rows deep, the dining room was surprisingly big and for the mid-afternoon, surprisingly busy. Several waiters hustled among those seated at the wooden tables serving drinks, food and smiles.

  Quite impressed with the establishment, Sonja allowed Ty to pull out her chair. Jeb eased Briann into the straight-back wooden chair and fussed over whether or not she was comfortable. Noticing the tightening of Briann’s mouth as she settled, Sonja reached out and gathered her hand in hers. “Is everything all right?”

  Briann smiled and turned her hand over to grip her sister’s. “Yes, everything is fine, just fine.” Glancing at Jeb, she cut him a steady stare before turning to her menu.

  Sonja found the exchange puzzling. The waiter returned and her attention turned to giving the waiter their orders. To his credit, Ty allowed Sonja to order for herself and Jeb, who Sonja was certain held Briann in the highest regard, allowed her to make her selections as well. Doing their best to be open-minded of a woman’s place in their man’s world, the men earned more of her respect. She smiled to herself when she considered the implication. Their journey was proving beneficial in many ways, she mused. Perhaps it had something to do with the frontier and a new beginning, which gave a man the courage to ease the restraints placed on a woman by their society.

  She steered conversation to topics both couples could appreciate as the meal progressed. Sonja spoke confidently of Texas. Ty’s descriptions turned vivid when he shared tales of Shooter Creek and Texas.

  Sonja couldn’t help the anticipation building inside her to see Tyler’s Texas.

  Jeb commented only briefly each time Sonja tried to draw him into the conversation. His attention kept returning to Briann, who spoke little and only picked at her food.

  When she referred to the wealth awaiting them further west, Ty’s demeanor became bland and his eyes steadfast on his plate. If she wasn’t mistaken, there was tension in his jaw as she expounded on the dreams awaiting them in Texas.

  “Oh!” Briann clutched her stomach and winced briefly. Glancing about, she qualified the exclamation with a small smile.

  Reaching out, Sonja took her sister’s free hand in hers and squeezed. “Are you all right, sister?”

  With a less than vibrant smile, Briann shook her head. “A little tummy trouble. Nothing to worry about.”

  With a glance in Briann’s direction, she could only surmise their exchange was on her sister’s unspoken, empathic level. Her sister’s eyes held a strange expression for Jeb. She almost asked again, what was wrong, but thought better of it as they were in a public place.

  After the meal, Ty gathered the check and escorted Sonja from the establishment once more. Once they were outside, he skirted the group and took up the position closest to the street. Ruffians and rife-raft couldn’t be ignored, Sonja supposed. After all, the town was in its infancy seeing as how its founder discovered the springs only thirteen years prior. What the community lacked in options the people made up for in pride. Its streets were clean and well maintained. Why, even gas lampposts dotted the main street. Taking in the quaint and interesting displays in the shop windows, Sonja didn’t notice Briann and Jeb lagged behind. They past a photography shop and she paused grinning up at Ty who’d halted as she did.

  “Wouldn’t a picture to commemorate our travels be nice?” she asked him.

  He studied her a moment and broke into a grin himself. “My ancestors believe a camera steels the soul of a person.”

  His wry smile told her he didn’t harbor the same opinion, so with her arm wrapped casually about his, they stepped into the cool interior of the establishment.

  The kind faced woman behind the counter introduced herself and offered them a seat. “My name is Caroline. I would be happy to help you decide
on a seating arrangement for your photograph.” Her bright, green eyes twinkled as she spoke. With a wide sweep of her hand, she guided them into the back of the shop where a large brown box sat atop a tripod stand.

  When she noted the women’s curiosity with her equipment, she laid a hand atop the large black box with a drape hanging from behind and smiled, “This is the camera. I’ll slip under the cover so as not to expose the picture to any more light and when I count to three, the frame I hope up with go up in a cloud of smoke. The whole process takes less than a couple of minutes from setup to the finished picture. Don’t be disturbed by the exploding powder or the noise, it’s all quite harmless, I assure you. She winked for the sisters, “Come, look at the various seating arrangements I have on display. If you don’t see one you like, I can work with your idea as well.” Her smile was warm and companionable.

  Caroline went to a nearby table and gathered a small book before bringing it to them. She opened the book to the first page and smiled broadly. “Pick any stance you like and we’ll do our best to reproduce it for you.” She turned and went back to the table across the room. “I’ll set everything up and we’ll be ready in just a few minutes.”

  Sonja glanced up as Briann and Jeb appeared in the doorway.

  “We heard voices. Thought you might be back here.” Jeb escorted Briann ahead of him as they entered.

  Briann’s face grew strained and Sonja was again concerned. Briann gave her a positive smile, so she let it drop. “We’re having our picture made,” she announced cheerfully. “Please join us. I would like so much to document our travels with the people who are most important to me.” When the words slipped out of her mouth, Sonja flushed with what she’d implied. Glancing briefly at Ty, there was a glimmer of something she considered might be genuine appreciation and as quickly as it had appeared the expression was gone. In defense of nerves, Sonja extended her hand and grasped Briann’s as the young woman stepped over to sit beside her and view the lovely scenes available in the photographer’s portfolio.

  The ladies didn’t take long to decide on a pose. When Caroline returned, she positioned her subjects and within minutes, their images became emblazoned within the camera’s lens.

  “Ty, we’re captured for all eternity. You aren’t worried about your soul or something like that, are you?” Jeb’s tone was serious. His eyes twinkled with mirth though, at his own joke. Draping Briann’s hand over his arm possessively, he smiled down at her with humor playing on his lips.

  Being able to appreciate the General’s wit eased some of Sonja’s concern over her sister’s choice of a companion. Jeb managed not to break out in a grin when Ty simply shrugged and shook his head.

  “Haven’t lost it over the past four years. Don’t suppose I will.”

  Sonja understood his reference to the war. He said little about his service, yet the dreams continued.

  “War changes a man.” Jeb glanced out toward the rolling hills through the photographer’s window and squinted.

  Briann brought them all back from their individual musings with a groan.

  Jeb was checking on her before either Sonja or Ty could rise.

  From what she could tell, Briann wasn’t feeling well. They should leave.

  Chapter 9 the Dead Live

  “Where’s the doctor?” Sonja appeared in the doorway to a room they’d taken at the hotel. Lucky to find one after so many people ascended on the town, she’d stayed with Briann while Jeb and Ty went for a physician.

  “There isn’t one,” Ty growled as he stalked past her.

  The hallway was small and several people loitered in the area. Sonja sent a couple a withering look before closing the door soundly.

  “What do you mean, there isn’t one? In a town this size? That can’t be possible.” She heard the edge of The sharp edge of hysteria lined her voice.

  Jeb went straight to the bed, gathering Briann’s hand in his. “How is she?”

  Real pain showed in his eyes. Apparently, being undead hadn’t altered his ability to care and deeply. Laying a hand on his forearm, she tried her best to comfort him. “It’ll be okay. We’ll find someone who knows what to do!” She glanced hopefully at Ty.

  Jeb spoke up at that point. “Ty didn’t tell you everything.” His face tightened over the words. A pale set to his mouth made Sonja more uneasy. “The town doctor won’t have anything to do with someone from the train.” They’ve decided it’s a fever. His voice, filled with reproach, sounded lost. Nobody will even answer a question.” A mask of solemnness shrouded his true feelings.

  Sonja ground down on her teeth. Such backwoods assumptions based in gossip and innuendo couldn’t be helped – at least not in time to help Briann. Seeking Ty’s council, Sonja spoke low, “The townspeople must have one hell of a gossip vine for Briann’s condition to have already been diagnosed by the street doctors.”

  “Fear moves like a wildfire.” Ty brought her close in such a tender embrace, Sonja searched out the heat of his neck to rest her head for a brief moment. “I’ll go for Hortence. Maybe she can help and contact the Guardian as well. At least we won’t have to worry about explaining his presence or the old witch’s for that matter to any butcher pretending to be a man of medicine.”

  Agitated, Briann called out. Her eyes, glazed and blank stared out blindly.

  Turning, Sonja stepped back to the bed. Checking her temple, she glanced at Ty. “She’s running a fever.” Tenderly brushing a damp curl from her sister’s forehead, she whispered, “I’m right here Briann. Don’t worry, dear, the doctor’s on the way.” She turned back to Ty. Her features hardened to stone. Through clinched teeth, she whispered. “Go get Hortence now!”

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he stated through his own clinched teeth and shoved the Stetson lower on his head.

  Ty disappeared out the door. The war had made him what he was. That was the truth, but conflict also gave him a strength few could say they possessed.

  Not wanting to allow doubt to rear its head in the situation, Sonja reached out and gripped her sister’s hand giving her a great big smile meant to encourage her.

  Lowering to kneel beside the bed, Jeb spoke softly. “We’ve got the best there is, honey. I won’t leave you either.” When Briann searched Jeb’s face for affirmation of his words, Sonja’s chest tightened over the love visible in his face. His used his big, weathered hand to brush the perspiration from Briann’s temple. While he faced the woman he obviously loved, he showed no signs of doubt. His face remained solid and strong. The dark blue of his eyes remained calm. Comforted by his strength of courage, Sonja released a sigh. She was glad to have him there. Briann was lucky to have him in her life. Sonja discovered his presence alone proved enough for her, so if he helped Briann, she would be grateful to him forever.

  Her concerns ebbed with his stalwart presence. Sonja found a new confidence anchor her. Glancing at the general, she reached out and took his cool hand in hers. They’d do what had to be done, she mused.

  ***

  Briann’s pain progressed steadily as the fever increased. Jeb never left her side, tending her as any family would. His words of support and comfort brought an ease to Sonja. His presence seemed to calm her sister as well and for that, Sonja said a silent prayer. Briann’s strength began to wane though, as the time continued to slip away. Watching the clock became a secret task for Sonja.

  Jeb’s quiet eyes didn’t miss the passage of time either. The room grew overheated and without a knowledge of what the fever harbored, Sonja was afraid to open the windows. She noted the general continued his steadfast demeanor for Briann’s sake. Yet, Sonja could see the tension tighten the muscles of his face as the time wore on. With Briann condition complicated by the length of time, which passed, both Sonja and Jeb began to swap uneasy glances. Neither dared voice an opinion as if to mention their concerns would make them all the more dangerous to Briann. Sonja recognized Jeb’s worry that without a change in the situation soon, Briann could die.


  The solid knock on the door had both of them rising. Jeb pulled his revolver and pointed the barrel squarely at the portal as Sonja gingerly opened the door.

  Hortence bustled in dragging Ty in tow. “Your sister is going to be all right. Never doubt her ability to survive,” the old witch told Sonja.

  Sonja’s inability to hide her concern hadn’t escaped Hortence either. Using a different approach, Sonja helped the old woman with her potion in order to remain focused on the moment. Realizing Hortence’s arrival brought a new kind of tension to the room, Sonja engaged the men in gathering linens and hot water. The question remained on everyone’s mind. Would Hortence be able to heal Briann with magic?

  “There is a powerful force at work here, Sonja. You of all people should understand the evil that can invade a body and the havoc such a thing can render.” The old woman’s face turned up and through beady eyes, she peered about the room as if in search of the evil. In the blink of an eye, her knarled hand thrust toward Jeb. “Your defiance of the evil is admirable. Good for you and your woman. Hold fast to your faith. Hold fast to the truth of your love for her.”

  Sonja’s nerves stretched to a breaking point. She’d listened to the old woman babble on for over an hour without any change in her sister’s condition. The brew which Hortence instructed her to keep warm hadn’t shown any signs of helping as of yet. “Hortence can you save her?” Praying the old witch wouldn’t see how badly she was shaking, Sonja knelt on the opposite side of the bed.