“What’s going on?” She sounded slow, as if her brain wasn’t catching up to what she wanted to say. “Did the unicorns fall?”
I had no idea what that was supposed to mean. “You fell,” I countered, holding her hand as the paramedics buzzed around her. “We’re taking you to the hospital.”
“Stupid unicorns,” she complained. “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
“You don’t have a choice.” I was firm on that. “You’re going. I’ll stop by the front desk to let them know what’s happening. They’ll hold down the fort while we’re gone. I’ll be right behind you.” On a whim, I kissed her hand. I hated being separated from her, but I had no choice. She had to go in the ambulance. “You’ll be okay.”
“Silly boy. Of course I will.”
WORD SPREADS FAST IN A town the size of Moonstone Bay. The island’s population is small; we are a community in the truest sense of the word. By the time I got to the hospital, Galen was already present. His face was lined with concern as he paced the waiting area.
“Anything?” I rushed immediately to him. The drive to the hospital had felt interminably long even though it took less than five minutes.
Galen slowly shook his head, his eyes narrowing as he looked me up and down. “You’re a mess.”
We enjoyed messing with one another, but for some reason his tone grated. “Well, excuse me for being upset about Mrs. Seaver. I care about her.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you saying I don’t?”
“I’m saying … .” I trailed off, uncertain. “I don’t know what I’m saying.” I waved my hand. “I’m sorry. I’m upset. You should’ve seen her. She dropped so fast. One second she was laughing and having a good time, and the next she was out cold on the floor. She looked like death had already claimed her.”
Galen’s expression softened. “I wasn’t talking about your face or anything when I said that, by the way. I was talking about … that.” He gestured toward my arms, to where drying paint remained.
I felt foolish. “I was painting her fence. I keep trying to get her to upgrade to a metal one, but she says she doesn’t have the money. I was going to price it out myself and surprise her. I was actually thinking about that right before she brought me some iced tea.”
“I’ll help pay for it,” Galen offered without hesitation. “We’ll do it together … and that includes putting it up. That’s too much work to do alone.”
I was grateful. “Thanks.” I scratched some of the dried paint from my arm, my eyes going to the door that led to the emergency ward. “Have you seen her?”
“No. They won’t let me back there.” Galen’s expression darkened. “I was at the station when I heard the emergency call come through. I was halfway to the hotel before I realized they were transporting her to the hospital. I didn’t realize you were with her until I questioned the paramedics.”
“Did they say anything about her condition?”
“They said she seemed altered, was talking about unicorns and stuff.”
“She was, but I don’t know that I would say she was altered,” I insisted, frustration rolling into a huge ball and wedging itself in the pit of my stomach. “She was a little confused and slow, but she seemed relatively on top of things.”
“Are you saying that because you can’t bear the thought of her suffering? If so, I understand. But we have to be practical.”
“It’s the truth. She did mention unicorns, but she also called me a silly boy and said that she was going to be fine.”
“Well, that’s something.” Galen clapped his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure she’ll be okay. I mean … she’s a tough old bird. She’s always been tough. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
“I certainly hope not.” I rolled my neck until it cracked and then slid into a chair as he got comfortable in the one next to mine. We spent a lot of time together for two people who supposedly didn’t like one another. We started as enemies – there was no doubt about that – but somehow the angles of our relationship had softened as we grew older. I still wasn’t sure how. “How is Hadley?”
If Galen was bothered by me asking about his girlfriend, he didn’t show it. “She’s okay. She’s on a reading kick so she’s spent the better part of the week going through May’s old magic books.”
May Potter, Hadley’s grandmother, left her the island’s lighthouse upon her death. She was the strong sort, like Mrs. Seaver, and we thought she would live forever. In the end, she was poisoned and nobody knew it until the murder was uncovered by her own granddaughter. By then, even though she’d only been on the island a few days, Hadley was firmly entrenched in our group. Now it was hard to imagine life on the island before she arrived.
“Does that bug you?” I asked. “I mean … it’s probably better for her if she knows what she’s dabbling in. The magic will help protect her.”
“I don’t have a problem with her learning,” Galen said. “It’s just … she tends to throw herself headfirst into things without really giving much thought to how it’ll change her life. Right now, she wants to learn about magic. She doesn’t realize that the more she knows, the bigger the target will be painted on her back.”
He sounded serious, which made me bite back a laugh. “It’s cute that you’re worried about her. She’s proved she can take care of herself. You probably shouldn’t get so worked up about nothing.”
Galen’s eyes were dark when they slid to me. “I’m not getting worked up. She tends to find trouble whether she’s looking for it or not.”
“That’s the nature of the beast,” I pointed out. “She doesn’t mean for it to happen, but we both know it’s going to keep happening. Isn’t it better for her to be prepared?”
“I’m done talking to you.” Galen held up his hand to silence me. “I don’t know why I even broached this topic.”
That made two of us. Hadley’s thirst for knowledge was a plus. Perhaps she wouldn’t need constant help in magical battles if she figured out how to beat her enemies without a sidekick present. “Suit yourself.”
“You’re not even here,” he growled.
“That’s funny. I just caught my reflection in that window over there and it looks to me as if I’m here. In fact, I think I look handsome. Paint and all.”
“Shut up.”
“Way more handsome than you.”
Galen let loose a low growl that made me laugh. “You just want to pick a fight to get your mind off June. I know the way that brain of yours works.”
Oddly enough, I also know the way his mind works. We were both trying to do the same thing. We needed distractions, which meant poking each other. “I’m worried.” It was hard to admit. “She looked so frail. I never really thought about her being old – I mean, not more than a passing thought here or there – until I saw her on the floor. I didn’t like it.”
Galen was back to being sympathetic. “It had to be frightening. She’s been a part of our lives for a long time. You remember that day she pulled us apart? I thought she was going to yank my ear right off.”
I snickered. “We were just talking about that before it happened. Well, that and a few other things. She’s determined I need to settle down and start having kids. She’s disappointed I haven’t settled on one woman yet.”
Galen made a face. “She never says things like that to me.”
“She’s not worried about you on that front. She knows you have Hadley. She’s seen you together. She asked if I liked Hadley and wanted to steal her from you, but I explained how she refuses to shut up.”
Galen’s expression darkened. “That is not why you and Hadley aren’t a couple,” he countered. “Not even a little. Hadley is with me because we belong together. We’re supposed to be together. You’re supposed to be with someone else … like a circus clown or something.”
I slid him a sidelong look. “Are you worried I’ll decide I need to be with her?”
“Not in the least.”
I was blasé,
but knew him better than most. “She is kind of cute.”
“She’s beautiful, but you shouldn’t be looking at her.”
I thought about torturing him further, but that didn’t seem necessary given our current circumstances. “Don’t worry. I couldn’t spend time with her even if I wanted to. She’s far too chatty. I like a quiet woman.”
“Too bad Helen Keller isn’t an option.”
“You jest, but I think that sounds heavenly. Your girlfriend talks enough for three girls combined.”
“I happen to like hearing what she has to say.”
I was silent for a moment. “Even when she talks about her shoes?” I asked finally. I just had to know. “You don’t imagine gagging her when she goes on and on about the difference between regular flip flops and comfort slides?”
He tried to keep his expression stern … and failed miserably. “Maybe a little,” he nodded. “But I’ll deny it if you ever tell her.”
“I have no intention of telling her, which means we’ll end up talking about shoes. You know how I feel about that.”
“I’m well aware.”
We lapsed into silence, both of us casting the occasional glance toward the door. We were getting antsy when Dr. Merriweather finally came out to talk to us.
“Well?” I was on my feet an instant before Galen, something that gave me a small thrill. We still competed for most things. We’d just removed women from the field of battle.
“You’re here for June?” Merriweather glanced around, as if assuring himself no one was being left out.
“We are,” Galen confirmed. “What can you tell us?”
“I think she’ll be all right,” Merriweather started.
“You think?”
“Let him talk,” I said. “We need information and he’s the only one who can give it to us. Don’t do that thing where you try to terrorize people into answering the way you want them to instead of telling the truth.”
“I don’t do that,” Galen protested.
“You always do that.”
Merriweather waited until we were both embarrassed. “I think that will be enough of that, boys.” He was familiar with our work. He’d seen both of us a time or two after we got into scraps as teenagers. He always warned us to stay away from one another, although that never happened. “I know you’re both fond of June – and I find it cute on most occasions – but it’s time for a serious discussion.”
Galen pinned me with a dark look before nodding in encouragement for the doctor’s benefit. “Please tell us.”
“She dislocated her hip.”
“But … how? She was fine a few minutes before. She didn’t bump into anything or fall.”
“I’m not sure how it happened. I only know it happened. She’ll need surgery and then she’ll be laid up for several weeks. I assume you can guess how well she’s taking that.”
“Not well,” I muttered.
“One of the paramedics said she was altered,” Galen pressed. “Is that still the case?”
“I believe she was mildly confused after the fall,” Merriweather responded. “She seems fine now. She doesn’t have a concussion. She will be laid up here for at least five days after her surgery. She’s threatened to feed me my balls for telling her that, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s necessary.”
“We’ll make sure she stays put,” Galen promised, his eyes traveling to the door as it opened to allow a familiar face entrance. “What’s he doing here? Is he here to visit someone?”
I’d been wondering the same thing myself. “He makes me nervous.” I wrinkled my nose as the man in question slowly scanned the lobby, not stopping until he saw us standing with the doctor. “Oh, geez. He’s coming over here.”
Merriweather looked over his shoulder, as if he was actually contemplating fleeing. He held it together long enough to flash a withering smile … although he didn’t look happy about his day being interrupted. “Mr. St. Pierre,” he said stiffly. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Merriweather.” The man’s voice was raspy, as if he’d been swallowing glass for twenty-four hours straight. “I’ve asked you repeatedly to call me Morgan.”
Merriweather swallowed hard. “It feels more respectful to call you Mr. St. Pierre. You are a member of our esteemed DDA, after all. You deserve a measure of respect.”
I wanted to gag at the way Merriweather kissed St. Pierre’s ancient posterior. It was disgusting and pitiful. “Yes, who doesn’t love a good dose of respect?” I drawled, ignoring the warning look Galen shot in my direction. “May I ask what you’re doing here, Mr. St. Pierre? No offense, but I can’t remember the last time I found you just hanging around the hospital because you had a gap in your day.”
Galen flicked my elbow before interjecting himself into the conversation. “He didn’t mean that the way it sounded. He’s just curious – as am I – about what could’ve called you away from your important DDA business.”
“Smooth,” I offered.
Galen kept his eyes on St. Pierre. “I hope no one in your family is sick.”
“No one in my family is on this island,” he reminded me. He was ghastly pale, almost sickeningly so, and his bald head gleamed under the harsh lights of the lobby. “I’m here to see June Seaver.”
That’s exactly what I was worried about. “I see. And how did you know she was here?”
Galen’s gaze turned quizzical, but he didn’t object to the question.
“It’s a small island,” St. Pierre said without looking at either of us. “News travels fast. I have business with her, so of course I wanted to check to ensure that she is all right. She is an island gem, after all.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. He had the smell of a predator. I recognized his type. He was here to see if he could take advantage of Mrs. Seaver’s weakened state to get her to sell. That was just like him … and the other DDA members.
“What business does the DDA have with June?” Galen asked, folding his arms across his chest. His expression was hard to read, but I sensed suspicion building inside of him. He didn’t trust the DDA any more than I did.
“It’s not police business, Sheriff Blackwood, so it’s none of your concern.”
“June is like family to me,” Galen reminded him. “What business is so important that you’re willing to bother her in the hospital?”
“It’s really none of your concern.”
He wasn’t going to answer. That didn’t mean I was going to let him off the hook. “The DDA is trying to buy her hotel. She told me this afternoon. They want the property.”
“That property has belonged to June since before I was born,” Galen argued, immediately taking up for Mrs. Seaver. “Her family has owned that parcel since … way, way back. You can’t take it from her. It must have been paid off years ago.”
“I didn’t say we were trying to take it from her,” St. Pierre pointed out calmly. “I simply want to talk with her. She obviously has a lot on her mind, including hospital bills. I don’t believe she has full coverage.”
I didn’t doubt that Mrs. Seaver had cut corners on certain things to be able to afford the hotel. It was just like her to play fast and loose with her insurance. “I’ll be taking care of her hospital bills,” I volunteered quickly.
St. Pierre’s gaze was speculative. “That’s generous of you.”
“I’m a generous guy.”
“I’ll be helping, too,” Galen volunteered. “We’ll take care of her. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
“I’m not worried. I simply want to see if selling the hotel rather than allowing you two to go into debt is something she would consider. He forcefully pushed past me. “I won’t take up much of her time, but we really do need to talk.”
He disappeared down the hallway without even asking which room Mrs. Seaver was in. He probably already knew, which I didn’t take as a good sign.
“We can’t let him railroad June,” I said to Ga
len, my temper firing up a notch. “That hotel is her life. It will kill her to lose it.”
“She won’t lose it.” Galen was firm as he started down the hallway. “I don’t care who he is, I won’t let him bully her.”
We finally agreed on something.
Three
We moved fast.
Somehow, despite his age and frail countenance, St. Pierre moved faster. He was already in Mrs. Seaver’s room when we caught up to him.
“What are you doing here?” She’d propped herself on her pillows and glared. “I don’t remember inviting you.”
If St. Pierre was bothered by her tone, he didn’t show it. “I’m here to see you because you’re a valued member of our community.”
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes in such a manner that my heart soared. She was back to her old self, even if she was stuck in a hospital bed for the foreseeable future. “If I dried out that load of manure I could fertilize an entire farm.”
“She’s not wrong,” I mumbled, earning an elbow in the ribs from Galen. Apparently he wanted to approach the situation differently.
“Mr. St. Pierre, while I’m sure June is thankful for your visit – it’s great that the DDA is so involved in the community – the doctor said she needs rest,” Galen supplied. “I think we should all make sure she gets it.”
“She definitely needs rest,” Merriweather volunteered. He’d followed us back to Mrs. Seaver’s room, although at a much slower clip. He clearly didn’t understand what was happening, but no one on the island was keen to help the DDA if they could help it. “If you’re here to talk business, I insist that you wait until my patient is back on her feet and on the road to recovery.”
“I thought her hip was injured,” St. Pierre pressed.
I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know that?” I was beyond suspicious. “The doctor just told us that. You weren’t in the lobby when he did.”
“I’m sure you’re mistaken.” St. Pierre’s face was blank. “I obviously heard it from the doctor.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Galen slapped my arm and gave me a firm headshake. “Does it really matter?”
Cupid in Crisis Page 2