There was no more conversation. Just the ritual. It had been done a thousand times in Jolene's life. And for hundreds of years before that. Exactly the same…except perhaps in the old days it was in Latin. Jolene had learned the meaning of each ritual and took care with them until today where she was distracted by Patrick sitting next to her.
The brush of his leg when they knelt.
The sound of his baritone voice when he sang age-old, familiar hymns.
Lust in the Church…..yet another sin to stain her soul.
She would be back to see Father Dougherty again next week.
All because of Patrick. Again.
And Patrick hadn't taken Communion. After the mass he left. Leaving her sighing with relief and deflated anticipation.
Jolene pulled out her Rosary. She could put extra effort and meditation into the stations of the Cross to make up for her distracted, lustful thoughts during Mass.
Jolene went to the first scene and began. By the time she arrived at Agony in the Garden she had almost completely forgotten Patrick and floated in her world.
"You went to Confession because of what we did." His dark whisper slid over her. Jolene jumped up from her knees, her Rosary dropping from her fingers.
Her heart pounded and she glared with the worst scowl she could manage. "How dare you Patrick!" she whispered ferociously.
She reached down and plucked up her Rosary at the same time Patrick determined to do the same thing.
Their fingers met. Jolene jerked her hand back from his. Patrick folded the Rosary inside of his fist.
Furious, Jolene put out her hand with the palm up. "Give it to me right now Patrick," she whispered fiercely.
He took her outstretched hand into his free hand. "Let's go outside ter talk."
"No, I don't want to talk. There is nothing to talk about."
"All the same, if yer want yur Rosary you must hear me out."
Patrick pulled her gently from the Church. Despite her stiff, reluctant step, her hand sizzled under his palm.
They hit the hot afternoon sunshine with squinting eyes. Most of the parishioners had already departed leaving the tree lined courtyard nearly empty. Patrick led her down the steps out to a large oak tree.
Jolene yanked her hand from his. "Now, say what you want to say Patrick and give me back my Rosary so I can leave."
Patrick looked at her with sad morning glory eyes. "I am sorry for what I did to yer."
Jolene felt the blow of anger hit her fast beating heart. "Let's get one thing straight Patrick, I am a grown woman. There is no 'what you did', it was what we did….both of us."
Patrick turned his hand and opened his palm to look at the Rosary. The crystal beads sparkled in the dappled sunlight. "I was much older than yer and yer were in my care."
Jolene tore her gaze from him and paced around the tree. "I was and am a grown woman Patrick."
"You weren't a grown woman because yer were never with a man."
Jolene sighed and stopped to stare at Patrick's beautiful face. She had loved him always. If it was going to be with anybody and a sin…she would not have picked anyone else. She missed him like hell. He had become everything to her, her entire family all rolled into one. "Everybody has a first time, even grown women. Maybe it was a mistake for you, but it wasn't for me Patrick."
She took her captured gaze from his blue heaven and took another circle around the knobby trunk of the old oak tree picking up a curl and twisting it tight around her finger.
"Don't twist yer hair Jolene." He sounded sadder than she had ever heard him. "You are too young to know what you want Jolene…you just feel obligated to me. I was your hero as a young girl…and I took advantage."
"Have it your way Patrick, if that is what you want to believe."
"You can come back and see Storm any time you want. I explained to Leona that I had lost my head that day I came after you in the storm but that I'd taken care of yer always. She understands yer don't have anyone else and she said as long as you never are alone with me it is alright if we visit from time to time."
Jolene let the acrid laugh hit the Sunday morning sunshine and looked at him incredulous. "Oh really? Well, I don't want to see you or her...especially not her." She tossed her arms in the air with frustration. "I mean honestly…I get visitation rights? You know we can't go back after what happened."
Patrick captured her again in his darkened gaze. "We don't need to go back, we need to go forward. I'm asking yer for forgiveness and for us to at least be friends again."
"That is never going to work. And I don't want it to work. Friends…really?"
"I have plenty of old girlfriends who are still my friends and some of them have married and I know their husbands."
Jolene rolled her eyes then smiled brightly though the fury built with each word between them. "Thank you for that Patrick. But I don't think I even made the girlfriend list. We took a tumble out on the pasture…that is the word all over town thanks to Leona. But your sentiments are oh-so-modern sounding."
He stepped toward her, his eyes burning violet. "Stop it Jolene."
She was shaking from her fury. "Well, I am sorry if I am just not capable of that sort of open-mindedness. But then, of course, you being the Earl of Meath and all .... everyone wants to be your friend after sex right? In fact, in your and Leona's world it is probably casual sex all the time."
He growled, his fingers clinching at his side. For an instant Jolene thought he was going to reach out and grab her but of course he would not right outside the Church. "Jolene, that is not called for, even if I did act like a jerk."
Jolene narrowed her gaze and held back the sobbing lump in her throat. "Please give me the Rosary so we can both move on. I've been to see the Priest and I am all good again….maybe you could ease your own conscience if you did the same thing."
The fire never left his eyes. "Have it your way then. I can't say I blame yer." He lifted his hand out to her and she reached out with her hand up and he dropped the Rosary into her palm. The beads were still warm from his hand when she closed her fingers around them.
"Remember what I said Jolene, yur always welcome to come by."
"Goodbye Patrick."
Chapter 23
The traditions are very old and date all the way back to the first settlers of the magical Appalachian Mountains who came over from Scotland and Ireland in the 1700′s. They brought with them their even older Irish and Scottish magical traditions. Those two ‘old world’ Traditions blended with a dash of the local tradition of the Tsalagi (Now, called the Cherokee Indians.) The recipe for the Appalachian Granny Magic Tradition was completed and the pot of potion simmered on a low boil for many generations before anyone gave it the name, ’Appalachian Granny Magic.’
"Come over as soon as you can, there has been an emergency."
Jolene read the text message a second time and responded. "Aunt Paula, what is wrong? Tell me before I get there so I know what to expect."
After moving into her house she had started veterinary school three weeks ago. She lived in a small renovated home with a fence near University of Kentucky. With the money generated by Big Storm she had been able to find something quite nice for a decent price. She had furnished the place lightly but comfortably with modern pieces from the Koko furniture store that featured middle range furnishings that were cost effective and functional.
This was not her dream home so she didn't want to put too much into it.
Her dream home was her family home.
And now she could never go home again.
She clapped her hands together and smiled at her dogs to send away the hurt. "Ride pups!"
She got into her SUV and Oliver and Finn followed her, yapping happily at the chance for a ride. They pressed their noses against the glass and barked at people in other cars at each stop light. Finn climbed into the seat next to her.
"I hate to go back pups, but at least I'll have you here for comfort." She petted them both. "I wo
nder what Aunt Paula is up to now. Probably needs money."
It took her 45 minutes to get to Aunt Paula's. When she pulled into the dirt driveway she squinted against the Saturday afternoon sun at the house to see if anything seemed amiss.
Why had Aunt Paula been so vague?
She opened the car door and got out and the pups followed, their noses in the air, suspicious and cautious just as she was.
Something didn't seem right.
The house was quiet and even the front door was closed. Usually Aunt Paula only had the screen door closed because she had no air conditioning in the house and it was too hot to leave the doors and windows closed.
The door swung open. It was Travis. Looking as unkempt and gross as ever. "Come on in Jolene, but leave those mutts outside."
Jolene walked up to the door and peered past Travis. "Where is Aunt Paula? Is she alright? She texted me."
He pushed the screen open. "We had a fight, I hit her a little too hard and she is laying back in the bedroom."
Jolene rushed past him and he slammed the door on Finn and Ollie who barked furiously and scratched on the screen.
Jolene went through the house to Paula's bedroom. "Oh my God!"
Aunt Paula had been beaten to a pulp. Her face was bloodied and swollen.
Jolene rushed over to her and checked her pulse. "Why didn't you call 911?"
"She'll be alright. I caught her with Jack Davis…do you remember him? That asshole coming around here while I'm gone and doing Paula."
Jolene looked closer at Travis. He was drunk or high, or both. His glazed eyes stared at her as if he did not comprehend what he had done.
Paula was dead.
Jolene took in the scene with a hammering heart and disbelief. Booze bottles lined the dresser and night stand. Pipes littered the night stand.
She looked back at Travis who looked mentally absent. "I think Paula is seriously hurt. We need to call an ambulance."
Travis blinked as if he could not comprehend what she said, then he grinned. Naaw…she's just knocked out a bit. She is sleep'in off the effects. She'll be getting up soon." His yellow grin grew larger. "But that wasn't why I called you here."
Jolene slowly stood, her heart pounding harder. "It was Aunt Paula who texted me."
Travis laughed roughly showing his yellowed teeth. His cankerous breath lingered in the air. "After I knocked her out I got her phone. I figured I could take advantage of Paula sleeping and it is high time that you and I finish our little game from before you moved away…you know before you left and got all fancy on us."
Jolene backed away from his advance toward her and tried to inch to the door.
"Travis, if you harm me I will see to it that you rot in prison the rest of your life."
Travis cackled. "You think I am scared of you little girl? When I am done with you, you'll be begging for more. I can keep you here a long time with me. Who is going to come looking?"
Hysteria raced through her blood. "Patrick will look for me."
Travis cackled again and spit trickled into his unkempt beard. "I don't think so sweetheart…ole Irish lover-boy already got his tumble with you and now he is soon off to marry Leona. Now it is my turn."
Jolene felt the panic freeze her limbs. She heard her dogs barking furiously outside. Just how to get to them? "You cannot possibly mean to rape me Travis."
Travis' eyebrows shot up over bloodshot eyes. "Oh no, Jolene…you and I gonna have lots of fun together."
Jolene trembled with horror and she thought her stomach would come right out through her lips. "I am leaving."
She tried to run past him but even drunk and high Travis was determined. He stood between her and the door and he grabbed her as she attempted to flee. He wrapped his flabby arms around her and slammed her against his stinky body.
Jolene fought with all her might, but in the span of a few seconds he had given her several head blows that sent stars running in her head. She tried to get her balance but her world moved dark until it slipped away entirely.
Jolene regained her sight and senses a few minutes later to find Travis tying her to the bed that had previously contained the now missing body of Paula. She could smell the fumes of unwashed bodies and booze on the pillow…and blood stains sat next to her on the pillow and sheets.
Her legs were tied spread eagle to the bottom posts and her hands to the top posts while Travis hummed softly finishing the last knot. When she tried to pull her arms and legs from the ropes Travis looked at her and smiled a yellow smile. "Oh now there you are Jolene. I didn't want you to miss the fun."
Jolene screamed loud. "Travis, let me go this instant. I'll kill your ass, I will!"
"Now that is what I like…a woman with some fight."
He sat down on the bed next to her and ran his dirty fingers across her t-shirt over her breasts. Jolene thought she would faint then. It was her worst nightmare…She screamed again.
Travis ran his hands over her, pressing his fingers under her shirt to squeeze her breast fiercely. "Now Jolene, you know that no screaming is going to help you way out here."
Jolene pulled with all her might as his dirty fingers pressed over her body. She trembled with rage, fear and utter disgust. "I see you trembling for me like girls do in those books you like to read."
When he pulled out his pocket knife Jolene sobbed. "Stop Travis..please let me go."
He deftly cut her t-shirt apart exposing her lacy bra. "Now, Jolene, I am just making you more comfy. You don't need that t-shirt in this heat and I want to get a good feel of those pretty boobies under this nice lace...that is so damn hot Jolene."
Jolene screamed and cried. She knew no one would hear. She pulled the ropes so hard that sharp hot pain shot through her wrists and ankles.
"All that screaming is a turn on... look how pretty and ready you are except those shorts."
Jolene's closed her eyes against the terror that clawed her into a horrific abyss to escape this nightmare.
She felt her shorts being cut away and she tried to shake his hands away with her legs with her limited movement. "Stop it, stop it Travis!" She screamed so loud that she was sure the walls would come down. Only they didn't.
His hands slid down her legs leaving terror behind. "Now see how nice and pretty your panties are Jolene…I'm just going to take those pretty things and keep them as a souvenir. But you and me going to be here a long, long time Jolene. Just you and me together... in this room...just the way I always knew it should be."
Jolene was sobbing, so lost in terror that she did not hear the outside door crash in. But her dogs bounded inside barking furiously…Jolene opened her eyes to see Oliver and Finn snarling and tearing at Travis.
"Get down pups and go outside." It was Patrick's voice.
Dear Patrick...my Angel Gabrielle.
Jolene sobbed when she saw his face. But she had never seen him look like that. He was holding Bernie's M-16 directed at Travis who now lay on the floor with tattered clothing, blood and a dazed look on his face.
"I should put a bullet in your head right now…but I don't want Jolene to see it. Get up!"
A siren screamed toward the house and stopped outside piercing the air.
Police busted through the house and back into the room. Patrick lowered the gun and rushed to Jolene. He quickly untied her, took off his shirt and wrapped it around her…buttoning it with soothing words that she often heard him use on the skittish horses.
Jolene didn't see them take Travis away. Patrick held her in his arms and shielded her from the scene. Despite her face hiding in Patrick's chest, she could hear them talking and knew that they had found Paula in the bathtub.
"She is dead," a flat professional voice called from the bathroom.
But Jolene already knew that.
Jolene was shaking so much despite her state of numbness that when the police started to ask her questions she just looked at them. She opened her mouth to speak but no sound would come out.
Patrick r
an a tender hand over her hair. "Let me take her home and then later when she is better, you can come by and talk with her."
He carried her out to the truck with Oliver and Finnegan whining and jumping around his legs. He tucked her into the seat murmuring consoling words. The dogs jumped into Patrick's side of the big red Ford panting with relieved smiles. They were the heroes of the day. And they knew it.
Patrick slid into his seat and locked both of their seatbelts. "The dogs came a' barking like crazy and I knew something was terribly wrong….I followed them in the truck all the way back to your Aunt Paula's house."
"It was so horrible."
"Forget about it Little Red. They are both gone now."
"You are taking me away from there just like you did a long time ago."
"So I am, but this time you are all grown up and sophisticated."
The memories of past times she had ridden with him rose up with bittersweet traces to curl around her heart. She laid her head back against the head rest. Her life was never going to be complete without him. She turned to look at him. He was so beautiful. Like Angel Gabrielle showing up to save her again.
Worry surged from his eyes. "You okay Red?"
"I love you Patrick."
He turned forward and gripped the wheel of the truck. "Jolene, you are too young to know your mind. You love me like a brother or a father."
"I love you Patrick…I always have and always will."
Patrick backed out and sped away rolling down the window as if he needed air and the heat soared in to pick up her hair and toss his dark curls. "Sweetheart, I saved you from your Aunt Paula and took you back home. Yer might think you love me, but love is not admiration or hero-worship."
"Nothing you say is going to change my mind. I know my mind Patrick. I am not a little girl anymore."
He turned on the road home. "Leona and I broke up."
Jolene sat up straight twisting toward him her heart leaping to heaven. "Really Patrick? How wonderful!"
Patrick chuckled. "Yur not even feeling sorry for me and my heartache."
Once Upon a Misty Bluegrass Hill Page 17