by Laura DeLuca
Drew reached out to touch the crinkled but obviously well-loved pages before she could zipper the bag. “I’d love to read your stories,” he offered. “I have plenty of free time when you’re working and I was thinking about getting some new reading material anyway.”
Lainey seemed unsure. She actually clutched the bag tighter against her chest. “I’ve never let anyone read them before,” she admitted. “Not even my girls. Erin would kill me if she knew I let you see them before her.”
“I won’t tell her if you don’t...”
“If I let you read them, you have to swear to be brutally honest,” Lainey asserted. “I want a frank opinion, not a lot of fluff compliments because you think that’s what I want to hear. If it sucks, you have to tell me and save me the humiliation of a hundred rejections from agents and publishers.”
“I’m sure they’re wonderful,” Drew told her. “I can’t imagine you creating anything that’s less than perfect.”
Lainey punched his arm. “Now that’s exactly the kind of fluff lines I was talking about.”
“I was being completely sincere,” Drew argued, nuzzling her neck.
“I mean it, Drew.” She pushed him away and wagged her finger. “If I let you read my books, you have to be one hundred percent honest. You work in the movie industry so you should be able to tell a good story from a bad one.”
Drew fought the urge to groan. He was beginning to wonder about his ability to judge a good screenplay. Lately he kept picking the worst options, but of course he couldn’t tell Lainey that. As the lighting guy, he wouldn’t have the same type of options as the leading man.
“I promise I’ll give you a thorough and honest critique,” he vowed. “You have my word.”
“Okay then,” Lainey agreed. “I’ll let you take them home after the storm.” That dark shadow crept over her features once again. “Assuming we have a home to come back to.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lainey chewed the inside of her lip as she maneuvered down Route 47. All along the road they passed homes and businesses with windows boarded or taped. Some had even written, Go away Sandra in spray paint on the wood. The hurricane obviously wasn’t intimidated by those silly warnings. She could tell the wind had already picked up by the way her car rocked slightly to the left. Lainey kept her hands firmly at the center of the wheel to keep her tires steady. It was a lot harder to steady her nerves. The classical music Blanche hummed along with did little to calm her down. She wished the whole ordeal was over already, and she was heading back home instead of leaving everything behind. Even Drew’s encouraging thumbs up from the backseat weren’t enough to make her feel better. Lainey hadn’t felt this helpless since she held her grandmother’s hand in the hospital the day she finally gave into congestive heart failure.
“Are we there yet?”
Drew leaned around the side of the headrest and flashed her one of his dazzling smiles. Any other day it would’ve melted her heart and left her feeling giddy, but at the moment even Drew’s hands gently rubbing the tight muscles around her shoulders was no comfort. As much as she wanted to maintain her normally positive outlook, she couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom which had little to do with the television forecasts and more to do with her own natural instincts.
“It’s around the next bend,” Lainey promised them. “We’ll be there soon.”
As they neared their destination, the houses became fewer and further apart, many of them colonial style farmhouses with acres of land and old barns in the background. They’d just passed the edge of the Bellplain State Forest when Lainey guided her Fiat along the well-hidden path of Sharon’s driveway. The two-story home was set far off the road and surrounded by dozens of thick-trunked trees. A canopy of branches stretched out to welcome the visitors, swaying lightly in the breeze. Offshore, the wind wasn’t as forceful as it had been on the island, but the land was still surrounded by an eerie silence. No birds sung in the treetops. No cicadas chirped their evening songs. The storm was definitely inching closer, as evidenced by the large drops of water that splashed against the windshield when Lainey twisted the keys free from the ignition.
“Here we are,” Lainey announced. “Sharon’s home for lost and wayward souls.”
Blanche chuckled as she unbuckled her seatbelt. “Seems like a lovely spot. Quite rustic.”
“You weren’t kidding about the enchanted forest,” Drew added. “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to find a few of your fairy friends lurking around here.”
That actually got a reluctant grin from Lainey. She began to feel more relaxed, probably because Sharon’s house was more than a safe haven from the storm. A lot of magic had been weaved within her gates and the whole property had a mystical feel to it, even to those who weren’t normally sensitive to such things. Mixed in among the trees were potted plants, flowers, and herbs, all still bright green despite the autumn season closing in around them. Peeking out between the greenery were figures of goddesses, fountains, and even a large monk, all sprinkled tastefully along the grounds. Many were clay castings Sharon had created herself. Off to one side of the ten-acre lot was a greenhouse that produced a variety of herbs yearlong. Lainey would’ve loved to give Drew and Blanche a full tour of the lot, which included a pond, a small circle of stones, and even a giant cauldron that served as a fire pit, but the sky was about to open up on them at any moment, so Lainey urged her troops forward while Sharon rushed out to greet them.
“Welcome everyone!” Sharon waved a hand stained with dye. The apron around her waist was also splattered with dried paint and clay. There was even a small smudge on her cheek. They’d obviously interrupted her while she worked, but that didn’t stop Sharon from lending a hand. She reached into the backseat. “Let me help you with your bags.”
They staved off more formal introductions while they gathered their luggage. Drew pulled Blanche’s oversized suitcase from the trunk, along with a box of old photo albums she couldn’t leave behind. While Drew juggled those, Lainey struggled with Misty who bounced around the carrier so much she nearly dropped her more than once. Sharon grabbed the book bag with Lainey’s manuscripts and used her free arm to help guide Blanche along the cobblestone walkway.
“Some of the stones are a little uneven, so watch your step Mrs....”
“Oh please, dear, call me Blanche,” she insisted. “After all, people sharing space should be on a first name basis. I do appreciate you letting me come along with Lainey. Such nice girls, you two are.”
Sharon laughed. “I can’t remember the last time anyone referred to me as a girl,” she teased. “But you’re certainly welcome. All I ask is that you let us take a peek at those old photo albums while you’re here. I love flipping through old pictures.”
Their hostess held the door open as they chatted, so Drew could get through with his larger burdens. Blanche was right behind him, and Lainey took up the rear when the sound of an engine caught her attention. She peeked over her shoulder just in time to see a second car pull up behind her Fiat. Lainey instantly recognized Erin’s silver SUV and turned to Sharon with a puzzled expression. When they’d left the office, Erin was on her way to her parent’s second home in the Poconos.
Sharon shrugged. “The more the merrier, right? Erin called about an hour ago begging for sanctuary.”
“From the storm?” Lainey asked.
“I believe the larger concern was her mother...”
Sharon left the statement hanging and there was really no reason to elaborate. Mrs. Conway had been extremely overprotective of Erin when they were kids and she hadn’t mellowed out much after their high school years ended. She’d become even more domineering once Nate was born, and constantly gave Erin a hard time about every decision she made as a single mother. Lainey understood why Erin didn’t want to be on forty-eight hour lockdown with her parents if there was another alternative.
“Hey, Nate!” Drew snuck back out and raised his hand for a high five as Erin dragged her son and the
ir overnight bags up to the porch. “Boy, am I glad to see you. I was getting a little overwhelmed being left alone here with all these women. Good to see I’m not the only guy crashing this slumber party.”
“Tell me about it!” Nate agreed with a heavy sigh that had all the ladies hiding a smile behind their hands. “Maybe we can play video games or somethin’ while they do their hair and paint their nails.”
The two guys exchanged one of those handshakes which were instinctual in all males, even the small ones. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
“As long as the electric holds out,” Sharon reminded them.
Nate waved his hand nonchalantly. “Oh, that’s no biggie, Aunt Sharon. I have my tablet and a flashlight that doubles as a battery pack.”
“Emergency preparedness at its best.” Erin sniffed. “We did bring along some sleeping bags too, Sharon, since you have such a full house. I really appreciate you letting us tag along.”
“It’s no problem,” Sharon assured her, as they stepped into the living room. “Like Drew pointed out, it feels like a big party. And did I mention I have wine?”
“Red or white, dear?” Blanche called from the recliner. “I prefer red myself, but desperate times...”
“No worries, Blanche,” Sharon assured her. “I have red, white, pink, sparkling, and everything in between. I even have a pumpkin flavored wine since it’s so close to Samhain.”
Blanche twisted her face in distaste. “I’ll stick with red, I think. You kids sure have some funny ideas about wine. It’s supposed to be wine flavored. Period. Anything else is a bunch of poppycock in my mind, but to each his own.”
Lainey giggled and took a deep breath as she stepped into the foyer. Sharon always had incense burning and the aroma helped to calm her frazzled nerves almost as much as the familiar décor. Sharon’s walls were lined with shelves and every one was overflowing with knick-knacks. On one side of the room there were statues of pharaohs, dozens of owls, crystals of every shape and size, bowls filled with seashells, stones, and driftwood from the beaches. The other side had a television, but also an assortment of Buddha figures, a vintage scale of Lady Justice, a collection of geodes, some tiny Chinese collectibles, and drizzled in among all of it was Sharon’s original clay work that included offering bowls, goddess plaques, vases, and so much more. It was like entering a spiritual museum that covered every culture across the globe, except it held a loving and welcoming atmosphere no public place could offer. There were so many amazing things, even after years of visits, Lainey still found new discoveries to wonder at every time she stepped through the doors.
“This place is really something,” Drew whispered as he studied a shelf filled with fairy figurines. “Very unique furnishings, but with all these eyes on me, I sort of feel like there are minions watching from every corner.”
“They only come out if provoked,” Sharon promised with a light laugh. “Though I can’t say the same for my cat, Snowfox. If you see a white ball of fuzz lying around, proceed with extreme caution. She’s been known to swat without instigation. When we all got together a few weeks ago, she got Lainey, Elisa, and Erin, three for three. I almost ran out of Band-Aids and lavender oil.”
“Misty got us pretty good today too.” Lainey held up her bandaged finger after dropping her bag, and placing the cat carrier down gently behind the sofa. “She wasn’t happy about getting locked up.”
Misty hissed when she was jostled in her cage, and almost instantly another cat materialized from underneath a coffee table to offer their sympathy. This one wasn’t Snowfox though. A noble feline marched right up to the cage and gave it a curious sniff before rubbing her fluffy gray mane against the carrier with a strut that declared her station. Lifting her golden eyes to Sharon, she gave a long meow, offering an acknowledgement or maybe even permission.
“This is Shadow Cat,” Sharon introduced, for those who hadn’t met the matron of the house before. “I found her when she was a kitten, and she’s been with me over twenty years. Shadow is always the first to come and greet any newcomers. Now that Misty has met with her approval, you can let her out, Lainey. Shadow will show her around.”
Relieved her furry baby wouldn’t have to stay caged for the whole visit, Lainey released the door of the carrier with minor trepidation. She didn’t want Misty leaping up onto the shelves and knocking down any of Sharon’s treasures. The black cat inched out, warily at first, her thick fur standing on edge as she examined the unfamiliar territory. Shadow circled her a few times, purring as though to make an introduction. Oddly enough, the friendly overture helped Misty to settle down. Within minutes, Misty bounded off toward the kitchen with Shadow taking slow but deliberate steps behind her with her majestic head held high.
“Wow, twenty years.” Drew whistled as the crone-cat scampered away. “That sounds like an amazing life.”
“Shadow Cat is pretty incredible,” Sharon agreed. “She even has six toes on each foot. She’s the pack leader, but she’s just one of the felines in charge. I have two others around here somewhere. Snowfox, who I already told you a little about, and an orange tabby named Phoenix. Those three run the roost. Sometimes I think the only reason they keep me around is to fill their bowls. Usually, they keep to themselves around strangers, but try to be careful if you’re going in and out of the house. We don’t want anyone getting left out in the storm.”
With the animals settled, it was time to get the humans situated. Drew carried Blanche’s bags up to the guest room and spots were claimed in the living area for the evening’s festivities. Blanche and Sharon got the two recliners while Erin and Nate unrolled their sleeping bags on the floor. That left Lainey and Drew free to claim the couch. At the moment, Sharon’s living room overflowed with more than artwork, but despite the limited space, it still left Lainey with a sense of security. She was surrounded by the people she cared about the most. Now she didn’t have to worry about what was happening with Erin during the storm. Even Elisa was just on the other side of the fence if they needed her. Of course, having Drew’s arm around her shoulders was a wonderful perk as well. As terrified as she was for her hometown, an evacuation couldn’t get much better than this.
“Okay.” Sharon started, rubbing her hands together. “I threw a few frozen pizzas in the oven since all the take-out places are shut down because of the storm. And I have all my flashlights ready, but I also left candles out all over the house in case we lose power.”
“We should be okay for the night,” Erin told them. “Last I checked, the worst of the storm isn’t supposed to hit until the early morning hours. Today was all about getting people to higher ground.”
“That means tonight we can have some fun.” Sharon stood from the recliner to grab a poker. “What do you say we light the fire, relax, and maybe play a few board games?”
“I love games!” Blanche applauded. “I used to play bridge with my lady friends every Wednesday in my younger days. I haven’t gotten to play in years, but I’m up for anything.”
Lainey was glad to see Blanche fitting in so well with the crowd. Drew was also busy getting a lesson on the tablet, so Lainey got up to help Sharon retrieve the board games from the top shelf of the closet. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Nate explain to Drew about mining diamonds and fighting box-shaped monsters. Seeing her new boyfriend playing with the little boy made Lainey feel warm all over. She was so distracted, she totally missed catching the box Sharon attempted to hand down to her. Suddenly colored money, silver tokens, and small red and green houses sprinkled down on her like rain.
“Welcome to Lainey’s world.” Erin laughed from across the room. “See that, Sharon? This is the type of clumsiness I have to deal with every day at the office.”
Lainey blushed crimson as she bent down to pick up the pieces. Sharon, still giggling, climbed down off the chair she’d been standing on to help gather them up. While they were both bent low to the ground and out of earshot, she gave Lainey a conspirative smile.
“
You really care about him.” It was a statement. Not a question.
Lainey’s color deepened. “Wow, that obvious, huh? And here I thought I was playing it pretty cool.”
“I can feel the energy coming off you in waves whenever he’s around,” Sharon confessed. “You’re not the only one though. Drew’s aura is lit up like a Yule tree as well. I’m guessing this is love.”
Lainey cast her gaze down and picked up a few pink bills. “We haven’t used the L word yet. It’s a little too soon for that.”
Sharon winked a hazel eye as she tossed the last of the tokens inside the box. “Auras speak louder than words, my dear. Take things one day at a time and no matter what happens, try to keep an open mind.”
Lainey gave her friend a funny look as she brushed dust off her knees. “Keep an open mind about what?”
Sharon scratched her chin. “I don’t know exactly. Just have faith in the universe. Don’t be afraid of the future. Open up and embrace whatever gifts it hands to you, even if they intimidate you at first.”
Lainey nodded. Sharon was more sensitive than most to certain energies and she often picked up on vibes that other people, even those in their own circle, didn’t always notice. Lainey wasn’t sure what surprises destiny had in store for her and Drew, but in five years, Lainey had never known Sharon to get it wrong. Sometimes her predictions weren’t clear until after the fact, but they were always right on.
“Are those pizzas almost ready, Aunt Sharon?” Nate glanced up from his tablet long enough to lick his lips. “I’m starving.”
Sharon checked the clock. “They should be just about ready. Let me run in and—”
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The jarring bang cut off Sharon’s sentence. For a second, everyone in the room stared at the door.
“Expecting a few more stranglers?” Erin finally asked.
“I thought the gang was all here.” Sharon inched toward the door and peeked through the peephole. As soon as she did her smile widened. “But I should’ve known this one wouldn’t want to be left out.”