Blessedly Bound

by Lucretia Stanhope

  Gwen walked to the counter in the back and sat at a stool.

  Before she even settled in, a woman with a larger than life presence came out from the kitchen door. Her curls almost glowed in a shade of copper red only achieved by dying over white hair. Gwen guessed her to be over sixty by the depth of the creases that formed around her smile and at the edges of her friendly brown eyes.

  “Little Lizzy!” the woman said in a shrill tone. She moved around the counter with a speed that startled Gwen, considering she carried a hefty weight on her tall frame.

  Before she knew what happened, Gwen found herself engulfed in the woman's soft embrace. She breathed in the smell of bacon, coffee, and baby powder.

  “Oh, stand up, stand up let me look at you.” The woman tugged Gwen from the stool and took both of her hands.

  Gwen let the woman keep a hold of her hands as she looked at her. “Mel?” she asked, sounding timid.

  “Yes, yes, dear. I am so glad you made it safe. You need food, let me make you something. What do you love dear?” Mel looked at her with an expectant expression.

  “I'm Gwen,” she said, and smiled at Mel. Like with Sebastian and Kathy, it felt like she already knew her.

  “Of course you are. Our Lizzy told us all about your sweet face. Coffee? Pie, did you eat breakfast yet?”

  “I, umm, coffee, yes, and no pie. I'm really a cake type but I haven't had breakfast yet.”

  Mel shook her head and tsk'ed at Gwen. “Just like Lizzy, always too busy to eat. I'll sort that out for you. Lizzy always had waffles and fruit. I can whip you up french toast if you like, your mamma loved that, or do you have a favorite?”

  “French toast, that would be delicious.”

  Mel walked Gwen to a booth and sat her down with a cup of coffee while she disappeared in the back to cook. When she returned, she carried a plate stacked with several slices of powdered french toast. She sat the plate down and grabbed a bottle of syrup.

  “How are you, sweetheart? Do you need anything up there? I can send you with some leftovers from the morning shift.”

  “Oh, thank you, no. I'm fine. Well, still trying to figure out things really.”

  “I imagine. It is so shocking. I keep expecting Lizzy to walk in here with her smiling face.”

  Gwen chewed a bite and swallowed, savoring the meal she apparently needed. The sweetness of the powdered sugar and syrup soothed her soul. Mel cooked it exactly how she liked it, crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle. “This is delicious, thank you.”

  “You are so welcome. You bring yourself here anytime your tummy rumbles.”

  Gwen saw nothing but love and friendliness in Mel's face. She continued to eat and listen to Mel talk about Lizzy, and how much she loved her.

  The door opened and a little bell chimed, drawing Mel from her latest tale. “Excuse me, darling,” she said, and stood up. “Curtis. Sit yourself down. Coffee and cheese danish?”

  “You know it,” Curtis said, and sat in the booth across from Gwen.

  Gwen knew him as the indifferent sheriff who spent so much time at her place, and asked her a million questions the day she arrived. Mel disappeared and returned with his things before leaving again to tend to lunch preparations.

  “I hoped to see you again, Miss Hensley,” Curtis said after swallowing a bite of his danish.

  Gwen looked into his friendly, coffee colored eyes. She figured him close to Mel's age based on the lines in his hard, tanned features. His hair was neatly trimmed, sandy blonde, and peppered with gray. The rugged handsomeness of his features matched his aloof style.

  “Just Gwen will do,” she said, and kept eating her toast.

  “Do you have time for a chat, Miss Gwen?” he asked between bites.

  “I do, did you have news?”

  “I'm sorry, I can't tell you more right now. Have you settled in?”

  She gave him a puzzled look. “Sure, did you want to chat about me settling in or is there something new about the case?”

  “Both, did you know William, your grandfather?”

  “No, I never knew any of my family. I only have the very vaguest memories of my mother.” She watched him over the top of her cup as she sipped her coffee. His face didn't give away anything he might be thinking. She assumed all police officers could do that.

  “Who all have you spoken with in town about the case?”

  “No one really, I've only met Kathy and Mel.”

  His face never changed. “I should have something I can tell you soon. Try not to worry.” He finished his drink before he stood. “Thanks Mel, see you for dinner, love,” he yelled out as he left.

  While Gwen found his brief visit a little odd, she found most everyone there a little odd, mostly in a good way. She wondered if his address for Mel was just a case of friendly town-speak, or if they had some sort of relationship.

  She smiled at the thought of the clashing of Mel's vibrant personality and his stoic attitude.

  Mel came back in. “Did you need a refill? I'm about to get hit with the lunch rush.”

  “No, I'm good, let me just check out.” Gwen stood and grabbed her purse.

  “Oh heavens, you don't have to rush off.”

  “I need to make a few more stops before I head home,” she said, and walked to the counter. She paid Mel before asking, “Did you know William too?”

  “Of course. If you want to find out more about your family, try, Mike, at the library. Aside from gossip and opinion you can get from anyone else, Mike is working on family histories for the predominate families in town, like yours.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Gwen said and left.

  She followed the directions on her phone a few blocks off main street to the library. The parking lot sat mostly empty, probably staff cars she assumed with it being the middle of a work and school day.

  She walked inside and smiled at the blast of heated air that she already came to love when she walked into shops around town.

  The scent of books added to the warm, welcoming feeling. In her mind, she could almost hear the sound of an old book opening and sending out its welcoming scent. She smiled as she walked over to the front desk.

  The older lady who stood at the desk looked at Gwen over reading glasses that perched precariously on the end of her long nose. The severe bun the woman wore made Gwen wonder how she didn't have a crippling headache.

  “Can I help you?” the woman said in a flat tone, neither warm or cold, but somehow fitting of the librarian.

  “Yes please. Mel said that Mike might be able to help me with some questions I have?” Gwen said, in a hushed voice while offering a friendly smile.

  “Who may I say is calling?”

  “Gwen, Gwen Hensley.”

  The woman gave her a harder look. “Yes, I see that now. Just a moment, Miss Hensley.” The woman picked up her phone and pressed a button. “Sorry to bother your lunch but there is a Hensley here to see you.”

  Gwen thought the way she said 'a Hensley' almost made it sound like a dirty word.

  The woman hung up the phone and looked to Gwen. “He will be right out,” she said, and looked back down at her work, excusing Gwen without saying a word.

  Gwen hoped her own face didn't reflect her shock. She put on her best smile as she walked over and started looking at the display of books nearest the counter. The books had all been wrapped in brown paper and the display read blind date with a book. On the brown wrapping a brief description was given. She smiled at the idea.

  Gwen stood reading a book description when she felt eyes on her. She turned around to see who she assumed was Mike. He didn't look like a historian or librarian to her. He looked very apple pie, tall with an athletic build and neatly cut light brown hair. His steel gray eyes looked at her in a way that she interpreted as annoyed.

  His gaze made her want to take in the town gossip rather than his researched facts.

  She quickly sat the book down. “I'm sorry to interrupt you. Mel suggested I might be able to
get some information from you.”

  He continued to eye her and then turned and started to walk away. “Follow me please.”

  She walked with him to an office and he closed the door behind them.

  He sat down at a desk that had a lot of stacks of papers and documents of various heights. There was a bowl of soup in front of him. “If you don't mind, I will eat while we talk. What can I help you with, Mrs. Hensley?”

  “Miss, just Gwen, please.” She looked around the small office as she sat down. There were a few shelves that were just as haphazardly crammed with documents as the desk. “Thank you for seeing me. It seems I came on a bad day. I can make an appointment if that would be better,” she said, feeling like she annoyed him just by showing up.

  “No, I am afraid I am always busy. Those of us who have to work don't have free days to traipse around town. Today has already been disturbed by a visit from Curtis, drilling me about you and yours and now…” He paused and smiled. “Now, what is it I can do for you?”

  “Why was Curtis here?” she asked, shocked at that revelation.

  “I assure you I don't know.”

  “I, well, I just wanted to get a little history on William and Lizzy.”

  “I don't have much. I am sure if you are nosing around enough you will discover that I was trying to compile a history, and Lizzy was being…” He paused and took a sip of his soup. “Difficult.”

  Gwen looked shocked at the first unpleasant word she heard spoken about Lizzy. It was an odd word choice and made her wonder what sort of things he meant by difficult.

  “I'm sorry. I just wanted to know what happened to William, and how it might be related to what happened to Lizzy.”

  “I will tell you what I told Curtis. I can't see a link. Everyone knows William was killed on duty by an addict who panicked. He is in jail, now, forever.”

  Mike ate his soup while Gwen wondered why Curtis would focus on that angle. Surely the whole in jail thing eliminated that suspect. She looked at Mike's eyes to see if he held anything back but they only showed his annoyance.

  “I'm sorry to have bothered you. I am also sorry for whatever issues you have had due to my family.” Gwen stood to leave. She felt uncomfortable around Mike. “I'm still learning about them myself, but if I can help with your project, please let me know.”

  He looked up at her, his eyes softened for a second before he looked back down at his desk. She assumed she would love the library as much as the yarn shop, being a book lover. After her brief visit she changed that assessment. As she walked out toward her car, the woman at the desk didn't even bother to look up or say goodbye.

  The cold air outside felt more comforting than the cold feeling Gwen felt inside the building.

  While she drove home she puzzled over why Curtis asked her about William, if everyone knew he died in the line of duty. How could it be related, and why did it matter what she or some librarian knew about him? Too bad the librarian wasn't friendly enough to help her answer those questions.

  As soon as she got home, after adding wood to the fire, she turned on her laptop and started searching for information on William Hensley. She found a void of information before he arrived in town. She easily ran across the articles about him and Lizzy getting married, having Winnie, her mother, and his death.

  She even got a result of an interview with the junkie several years later. He claimed to have never owned a gun and that he did not shoot William. The best she could tell, they found his fingerprints on the unregistered gun. The case was very circumstantial and he only confessed under duress or so he claimed later.

  “Hmm,” she said, and looked up to see Lewis standing at the fire.

  “Hmm, what?” he asked as he turned to her. “Did you see the room we set up for you?”

  “Room?” She stood, walked over, and stood beside him.

  “Yes, my witch, Sebastian said you picked it and so we made it yours.” He smiled as she turned and started toward the stairs.

  “What did you make of Sebastian? Isn't he fantastic?” she yelled over her shoulder.

  He snorted and walked up behind her. “No, not fantastic. Moderately tolerable.”

  “Grouchy, you won't believe the day I've had.” She opened the door to see her room. “Oh Lewis, it's perfect.”

  He smiled as she hugged him and then started a fire while she related all that happened. “Do you think that Mike had something to do with Lizzy?” he asked.

  “I don't, he seemed annoyed but not murderous. It just seems odd that William should even be part of the questioning. I want to talk to the junkie.”

  “What for?” Lewis looked at her with wide eyes and a wrinkled nose.

  “Closure, to see what he might add to the puzzle.”

  “Sweetheart, with all you have been through, do you really think you need to be facing your grandfather's murderer? It won't help solve what happened to Lizzy, that man is in jail.”

  “Well, it might. The prison isn't too far off.” Gwen sat on the bed and noticed a stack of books on the nightstand. “What are these?”

  “From Sebastian, isn't he fabulous?” Lewis said, his tone mocking her own.

  She frowned at him and opened one. “Wow, Lizzy's journals!”

  She forgot all about the prison and the odd day as she laid back and started reading while Lewis rubbed her feet. She sunk deep in the reading and didn't even question why he kept his human form.

  Chapter Six

  “L ewis.” Gwen peeked in each room she walked by as she looked for him.

  On Saturday, most everything in town closed so she spent the day reading journals while Lewis made some minor repairs. He worked at locating and stopping drafts to help with the battle against the cold, which felt more like a war in the huge old house.

  Lewis smiled at hearing her excited voice. “In here, my witch,” he said from the dining room.

  She paused when she stepped inside and felt his magic. It always took more magic to hold his human form and she enjoyed the way it buzzed in the air.

  “Did you find the draft?”

  “Drafts, yes, some, not all. What has you so excited?” He watched her face as she hovered in the door frame.

  “Did you know that my family has some voodoo connection?”

  Lewis reached out and placed his hand on the table as his reality started to spin. He struggled to keep form. “I…” He closed his eyes, trying to find balance.

  Gwen crossed the huge room and made her way around the table.

  She reached out to offer any magical support she could give. “What is it?”

  Lewis pulled himself back from the darkness that crept into his mind. “I think I've been in this form too long.” He sat down in the chair beside them.

  “Well, shift back. You scared the daylight out of me. The drafts will be there when you are feeling better. Can I help you?” She absentmindedly ran her fingers through his hair.

  “Where… who told you about a voodoo connection? Is this more about that junkie?”

  “I read it in the journals. I'm not done yet, but I found out that it has something to do with why Lizzy came here.”

  Sebastian, Lewis thought. “I think we have enough of a mystery with who would want to hurt Lizzy at the moment, don't you?”

  “Lewis, did you hear me? Voodoo? She was running from something, someone, maybe they killed her.” She paused and looked down at him. Her brows creased as she saw something in his eyes.

  He shifted and sat perched on the chair.

  “What the actual hell Lewis? Why did you do that for? What are you hiding?”

  Lewis flew from the room with Gwen following.

  “Lewis? What is it?”

  “Gwen, leave it alone. Please.” His voice whispered in her mind.

  “What, the journals? Lizzy? William? What do you know? You tell me damn it.” She followed him out of the room and stopped in the main room. She watched him as he preened “Did you know about Lizzy? This whole time? My whole l
ife?”

  “Yes, Gwen. I told you before, I have been watching your soul since before you were born.”

  She held on to the edge of the couch, feeling her anger boil up. “Why didn't you tell me? I could have known her.”

  “I do everything through the lens of what is best for you.” His voice rang in her head as almost angry.

  “Best for me? To be alone in a shitty little hovel when I had family?” Gwen didn't wait for an answer. She stormed out of the room and into the glass room. She pulled the door closed behind her.

  She paced the room in an effort to get her feelings to come back in control. The view from the room was stars and an empty, dark sky. Tugging her jacket closed, she walked across the room, then opened the outside door, and walked into the night. The cool air wrapped around her as if trying to put out the fire that burned inside her from the anger she felt.

  As she walked and put distance between her and Lewis, she started to feel better. How could he have not told her? How could it ever be best for her? He knew how alone and desperate she felt in the city.

  The sound of crunching snow gave way to the sound of breaking sticks as she realized she walked into a forested area. She looked up, seeing a strangely comforting webbing of bare tree limbs. They looked like woven sticks covering her view of the night sky. Each crunching footfall washed away a little of her anger. By the time she came to the edge of the woods, she didn't feel angry anymore.

  As far as she could see in front of her a white blanket of snow covered the ground. She saw no house, no woods, no lake. She felt truly alone. The barren whiteness crashed in around her as she let the sadness hiding under her anger wash over her.

  Her whole life seemed to float from one loss to the next. She counted on Lewis as her only constant, the only certainty in her life. Lewis provided her grounding when things shifted. If he could lie to her and keep important things secret from her, how could she believe he loved her in any way? The hollow feeling welled up and she sobbed openly. She wailed at the emptiness inside and around her. As the tears rolled down her face, the sky cried with her. Little drops turned to snow as they fell on her face.