Chapter Twenty
Cole set the ladder up against the wall and used the end of the broom to push open the attic door. The sooner he got this task over with, the better for everyone. He placed the ladder under the door and headed up. His method was straightforward, put all the items he was going to donate or toss by the door, bring them down and get them out of the house before he had any second thoughts.
Amanda would understand. He would have hoped she’d done the same thing had he preceded her in death. He jumped up from the top rung and headed to the back of the attic. Would she have remarried? He hoped that would have been the case. A man to take good care of her and the kids. He stopped suddenly. He was in love with Hayley. He wanted them to be a family, but he hadn’t yet thought about remarrying. Was marriage something Hayley wanted?
He guessed there was only one way to find out and that was to propose.
He’d been nervous as hell the first time around. Amanda had to almost pry the words out of his mouth.
The Valentine’s Day’s tea. He’d surprise her by dressing as cupid and pop the question. He smiled thinking how stupid he was going to look, but he couldn’t wait to see her face.
Cole got on his hands and knees and pulled out the first box sitting under the shelf. He opened it up and saw that it was full of old books belonging to both he and Amanda. Maybe the library would like them. He wrote that on the box, closed it up and slid it toward the door. Next he opened a bag full of knitting wool and needles. Amanda had bought it a week before she’d died. Maybe one of his sisters would like it. He slid that toward the door too.
He reached up on the shelf and pulled down a box marked Christmas. He’d missed this one the last time he’d been up here. He pulled it open. More Christmas ornaments and all of them still in their original packaging. Amanda must have bought them. He pulled them out, thinking maybe the fire department could sell them in their next rummage sale. New items, still in their original packaging would probably bring in more money.
As he got to the bottom of the pile, he saw a wrapped gift. It had his name on it.
To Cole, from Amanda.
He swallowed a few times to get rid of the lump in his throat. She’d bought this thinking she was going to put it under the tree. The one they were bringing home that night.
Should he open it? Should he just throw it away?
She’d taken the trouble to buy and wrap it, so opening it was the least he could do. But what if it upset him?
Without giving it another thought, he slid his finger along the taped edge and ripped off the paper. It was a box. Maybe it was a watch. He’d broken his a few weeks before her accident so she’d probably thought he needed a new one.
Wondering if it was still working, he lifted the lid to see a piece of folded paper sitting inside. He lifted it, not paying any attention to what was underneath.
Merry Christmas, hope you’ll like this gift…finally the third child we’ve always wanted.
He dropped the box seeing the pregnancy test kit starring back at him with the plus sign in its window.
Cole couldn’t breathe. Why hadn’t she told him? No, that was typical Amanda. She loved surprising him.
He burst into tears. She’d been carrying his child. Their baby had died along with her that night. They’d tried for so long for another child. How could life be so cruel?
He slid down the stairs, almost tripping at the bottom. He had to get out of here. The house and the memories.
Cole grabbed his keys for the truck and ran outside. The snow was falling at a heavy pace. He got in, started the ignition, and backed out of the driveway.
He didn’t know where he was going, but all of a sudden he didn’t care.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sadie sat on the chair outside the office of the Board. She’d broken the news to them two days ago and an emergency meeting had been called soon after. Last night she’d been summoned to attend a hearing, and here she was waiting to learn her fate.
She heard the door opening and saw the secretary standing beside her.
“We’re ready for you now, Ms. Sutton.”
It was never a good sign when people didn’t call you by your first name. Sadie stepped inside the room to see three witches and two warlocks sitting behind a table with papers in front of them. She’d seen them before but didn’t know any of them personally. They looked up as she approached.
“I’m Reney Warner. Please have a seat,” said the witch sitting in the middle of the group.
Sadie sat with her heart beating faster by the second. All eyes were now upon her. She twisted one of the rings on her finger, hoping she didn’t look as nervous as she felt.
“Ms. Sutton, first of all, we’d like to commend you on your honesty in coming forward about this matter.”
“Thank you, but I thought it was the only thing to do.”
Reney nodded.
“It was a foolish mistake on your part. You know the strict rules about mortals entering our world.”
“I do but…”
Reney raised her hand. “We have read the letter you gave us from the child’s parents. They speak highly of you and feel that you did it in the best interest of their baby.”
Sadie nodded.
“We also see that the parents request that the child be trained in witchcraft skills in the mortal world, and only by you.”
She stopped for a minute while the warlock sitting next to her whispered in her ear. She nodded.
“While it’s never been done before, we are willing to allow it to take place but only on a trial basis. Should it not work out then we will reconvene and consider the matter again.”
A tear ran down Sadie’s face. It had to work. It had to.
“Thank you. I won’t let you down. Presley will be a credit to us.”
“But there’s the question of your punishment. There has to be a consequence for your impulsive action despite it being done with a kind heart. Now Perfect Pairing…”
“No, don’t take it from me, please.” Sadie stood and knew that was the wrong thing to do.
“Ms. Sutton, if you’d just allow me to finish my sentence.”
“I’m sorry.”
Sadie sat, more tears streaming down her face.
“Perfect Pairing is one of the most successful businesses run by the Realm, it will therefore continue.”
“Thank you, oh, thank you.”
“I haven’t finished yet. We have a situation that has come to our attention, and we will assign you the task of putting it right. This will be your punishment. You are to report back here tomorrow evening for your instructions.”
Sadie stood and as she headed to the door, the most terrible feeling hit her. Cole was in grave danger.
****
That was strange. Cole wasn’t answering his cell phone. She’d even tried his home phone, but it kept going to voice mail.
Hayley turned off the heat under the skillet and pushed the pan to one side. He was usually punctual but right now he was thirty minutes late for dinner.
She pushed back the drapes, thinking she’d just heard a truck pulling in, but it had been one of the guests who was staying for two nights. She hadn’t realized it was snowing that hard and nightfall had set in rapidly. She let the drape fall back on the window.
Maybe she’d give him another call.
Just as she picked up her cell, the phone in the reception rang. She ran out to it.
“Hello, Rustic Inn.”
“Hayley.”
“Yes.”
“It’s Eileen.”
“Oh, hi.”
“Is Cole with you?”
“No, in fact, he should have been here thirty minutes ago. Is everything okay?”
“That’s what we’re worried about. I brought the kids home and we found the ladder up to the attic with the door still open and Cole missing.”
“I’ll be right there.”
She had a feeling something wasn’t right.
She pulled on her coat, put her feet in her boots, and headed out to her car. The snow was deep and it was still falling. Hopefully there was a simple explanation for all this, but that chill she felt told her something was very wrong.
She headed out of the driveway, her back tires spinning. If only she’d get the hang of driving in this white stuff.
****
Cole knew it was a stupid thing to do. Drive fast when it was snowing so hard. He was a Wyoming boy, born and bred, and he should have known better. He couldn’t feel his leg and didn’t know if it was due to the cold or if it was broken and he was losing circulation in it. He tried to move it so he could free it from underneath the dashboard.
“Fuck,” he said, glad kids weren’t around to hear him say a word he’d forbid to ever pass their lips until they were old enough to vote.
But his knee hurt like hell. He glanced in the rearview mirror, seeing blood slide down his face from the cut in his scalp. He leaned back, sensing that no one would see him down here in the ravine, in the snow and worse still, in the dark.
He was going to die here. He banged the passenger seat with a fist. What would the kids do without him?
Shit, shit, shit.
Was this how Amanda had felt that night? Thinking about him, the kids, and the baby inside her?
He burst into tears, wondering if it had been a boy or a girl.
He’d gotten into the truck to escape the pain and now he was in a worst dilemma. He thought of Nina and Jon, and also of Hayley. He’d never see the three of them again. He closed his eyes and began to shiver.
Something made him open them again. A light in front of him. Someone walking toward him. A woman.
“Hey, help!” He shouted through the cracked windshield.
Good, she was getting closer.
He recognized her. It was Sadie Sutton.
What would be the chances of her finding him? It was a miracle.
“Hang on, Cole. Hang on,” she shouted.
“I will. You have a cell phone?”
“Someone’s on their way to help you. When they do, remember that Hayley is your future. Don’t look back.”
He felt himself getting sleepy and didn’t recall anything else.
****
Hayley paced up and down. She’d offered to go out to look for Cole, but his brother-in-laws had insisted they do it. By the time she’d gotten to his place, Eileen had found the wrapping paper and the pregnancy test kit that was intended to be Cole’s gift from his wife the year she’d died.
Poor Cole.
No wonder he’d just taken off. She was the one that had nudged him into clearing out the stuff in his attic. If she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have stumbled upon it.
“They’ve found him,” shouted Sarah.
Hayley jumped up and ran to the kitchen where everyone had gathered. “His truck went off the road, but they’ve taken him to the hospital.”
Hayley sighed with relief. In the pit of her stomach she’d thought that maybe he’d done something stupid.
“He’s in surgery right now.”
She slumped down on the stool feeling sick to her stomach.
“Come on, Hayley, he’s going to need us,” said Eileen, getting hold of her hand.
****
Cole opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, what day it was, and why his mouth felt like cardboard. He swallowed but didn’t have enough salvia for it to be pain free.
He turned his head to try and focus but felt dizzy. Just where the hell was he?
“You’re awake.”
It was a female’s voice but not one he recognized.
He focused some more and saw the outline of a woman. She wore a nurse’s outfit and was fiddling with what looked an IV.
“Am I in the hospital?”
“Yes, you came out of surgery about four hours ago.”
“Surgery.” He tried to sit up, but holy shit his leg hurt like hell.
“Cole, just rest and stay where you are. You broke your leg in three places. You had surgery and some pins put in there.”
He flopped back on the pillow. It meant he’d be out of work for a while and shit, what a mess.
“Your kids and sisters are here, and your significant other. That’s what she said to tell you.”
Despite the situation he was in, he laughed but quickly held his chest which also ached. Hayley knew how to make him smile and laugh.
“Can they come in and visit?”
“Sure, but not for too long.”
She left and Cole hoped he didn’t look as awful as he felt. He ran his tongue over his teeth just as the kids ran into the room and over to the bed. They leaned over and caught his leg and he stopped himself just before he said the f word in front of them.
They kissed him and he put his arms around them.
“We were worried about you,” said Jon.
“Yeah, I know. I should have left a note where I was going.”
“So where were you going?” asked Nina.
“Honey, I’m not sure, but I’m glad Sadie found me.”
“It was a man who found you,” said Jon. “He saw the back of the truck through the trees.”
So he must have been dreaming.
“The nurse said we can’t stay long and Hayley wants to see you.”
He kissed them. “Are you staying at Eileen’s or what?”
“Nope, Hayley said we can stay at the inn. Isn’t that neat? I’m going to work at the reception desk,” said Nina.
He smiled. “That’s wonderful, honey, and I’ll be home soon.”
“Get well, Dad,” she said, kissing her fingers and then putting them on his nose.
She hadn’t done that since she was four, but he liked it.
The kids left, and then Hayley walked in. She made his heart beat faster the closer she got to the bed. He lifted up his hand and she slipped hers inside.
“You doing okay?” she asked.
“I am now.”
“You had us all scared.”
“Sorry for just running out on everyone, and you and our dinner. It was stupid.”
“We found what made you run.”
He took a deep breath and wished he hadn’t because his leg brushed against whatever they’d put around it.
“I’m so sorry, Cole,” said Hayley.
He lifted her hand and squeezed it. “I was heartbroken at first, but then when the truck went off the road and I laid there with all that time to think, I realized we each have a past, present, and a future. Amanda is my past. She’s that part of my life no one else can have. Nina and Jon are my present. And, most importantly, you’re my future.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“She’s going to love it,” said Nina.
Cole hobbled over on his crutches. He’d been off work, money was tight, and he hadn’t been able to buy the engagement ring he’d wanted for Hayley. Nina had encouraged him to go to the craft store in the mall and make his own until he could afford a better one. At first he thought it crazy but deep down he knew Hayley would love it.
“Let’s hope she says yes,” said Cole.
“Am I going to be a bridesmaid?”
“That’s up to the bride,” said Cole.
“Here comes Hayley now,” shouted Jon, who’d kept watch at the window.
Nina smoothed his hair down and then they both ran upstairs as Hayley rang the doorbell.
Cole made his way there and opened it.
“You said you needed a ride to the doctor’s office,” said Hayley.
“Sure, I’m nearly ready, come inside.”
Hayley stepped into the house, and Cole’s stomach did flips and turns as he led her into the kitchen.
“You want to try these chocolate chip cookies I made?” he asked.
He handed one to her. The one with the ring he’d placed upon it.
As best he could, he went down on his good knee.
“Hayley, will you be my wife, will you be my future?”
/> She went on her knees too.
“This is the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen, and yes, I want to be both.”
****
Sadie at least had one thing, no make that two things, to be happy about. One was the news that Cole and Hayley were engaged and a spring wedding was planned. She’d buy another new hat for it. And two, the Board wasn’t taking Perfect Pairing away from her.
She opened the door and stepped inside to see just Reney sitting at the table. She looked up when Sadie coughed to let her know she’d arrived to hear what her assignment would be.
“Good evening, Ms. Sutton.”
“Good evening,” said Sadie, sitting down.
“Let’s get straight down to business. I’m sure you heard the news about Mavis White.”
She had. She’d been thrown out of the Realm for practicing bad witchcraft. The sort that hurt mortals more than helped them.
“I have yes.”
“It’s seems that our banishment of her was not enough to cure her of her bad behavior. She has done the unforgiveable.” Reney paused for a minute before continuing. “News has come to us that she cast the most evil of spells on a man and has turned him into a wolf shifter.”
“Oh dear,” said Sadie.
“This situation must be handled with the upmost of secrecy and delicacy. We’re counting on you to assure the continued good name of the witch and warlock community.”
“I understand, and yes, I’ll handle this in a way that will make you proud.”
“I’m not sure if the curse can be reversed, but you’ll see about that when you get there. And should we not be able to help this poor soul, then I think it only fair that you find him his true love so he can spend the rest of his days with a companion. He’s already been seen wandering on the borders of Idaho and Montana, areas you know well, so that should help.”
“You mean you need me to find him and then you want me to find a match for a man who sometimes turns into a wolf?” asked Sadie.
“That’s exactly what we’re asking. I have every confidence in your skills that this will be another Perfect Pairing in the making.”
The End
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