Once a Gypsy

by Danica Winters

  The stray strand of hair fluttered down, teasing him as it caressed her full, luscious lips. They had to be as soft as they looked. He wanted to lean over the table and taste those lips, explore them with his tongue.

  Graham shifted, the thought making him uncomfortable. She didn’t think of him the same way. He rubbed his hand against his kilt, drying the layer of sweat that had risen on his palm. “Helena, you need a break.”

  He moved his hand over the table and held his palm open, hoping she would slip her fingers into his. “Let’s go for a walk. It’ll clear your mind and we can talk about…” He leaned over, coyly moving his hand closer to hers. “Bear markets.”

  She gave him a cute half smile as she took his hand. “I’ll go with you on one condition.” She moved her hair behind her ear.

  “What’s that?”

  “We say nothing about bears, bulls, exams, my parents, or murder. I’m tired.”

  “Sounds great. Wait here.” Graham got up and walked to the kitchens.

  Mary was bellowing at one of the staff as he approached. “What happened to all my blasted peaches? I bought three crates yesterday and I’m missing one. How am I supposed to make enough peach pie for the guests?”

  Graham smiled as he walked in and put his hand on Mary’s shoulder. “I couldn’t help but overhear your little meltdown.”

  “Well, whoever took my peaches is going to have to answer to me. I will find whoever thinks they can get away with stealing from my kitchen!” She stomped on the floor just above the infirmary.

  “You know they can’t hear you from here, right?” Graham said.

  Mary crossed her arms over her chest in disgust as her aura pulsed a muddled red color. “I’m sick to death of them taking things without so much as a whisper of permission. All they do is take, take, take. I make them three square meals a day. If that isn’t enough, they need to get a kitchen down there that cooks only for them. I’m about fed up.”

  Graham squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting? It’s just a few peaches.”

  “A few peaches here, a tray of bacon there. All they have to do is ask so I know how much to make. The guests come first ya know.”

  “Do you think Herbert would like the way you’re acting right now?”

  Her gaze snapped to him. “Shhh…” She looked around to make sure no one was listening. “Don’t be talking so loud.”

  “Have you checked on him lately?”

  Mary nodded. “The nurses think he’s doing better, ever since they started him on the Ativan.”

  “Is he still channeling?”

  Mary cringed. She motioned him into the farthest recesses of the kitchen. “He says he’s still hearing the dead, and they’re telling him things… awful things… He’s even been talking about the codex more and more. I’m hoping that his therapy and his new meds will help, but only time will tell.” Mary paused. “Speaking of the infirmary, Helena let it slip.”

  “She saw Herb. She must have realized that you knew too.”

  “But what if I didn’t?”

  “Helena’s smart. She can be trusted,” Graham said. “She can help.”

  “Is that right?”

  “I introduced her to Danny.”

  “Aye?” Mary cocked an eyebrow. “That girl’s got a lot on her shoulders. Do you really think she’ll be able to take it all on?”

  “I think so, but I’m trying to bring her in slowly so she doesn’t have any problems.” He gave Mary a knowing look. “I was hoping to talk to her a little bit more about what we need. Do you think you can handle her being gone from the kitchen for the rest of the day?”

  “You can take her. She got more done this morning than most of my staff, but I want my Herbert back.”

  Graham patted her arm. “I’m working on it.”

  Mary’s eyebrow rose. “Is there something else you ain’t telling me?”

  He tried to control the warmth that spread across his face. “Nah, we’re only friends.”

  “Well, you ought to start thinking about finding yourself a good woman.”

  “Oh come now, Mary. You’re already taken.”

  “You little flirt,” Mary laughed. “Run along, and take Helena with you.”

  Helena was concentrating on her book when Graham walked into the break room, but she wasn’t the only one there. Sitting across the room was one of the nurses from the infirmary. There was a worried expression on her face, and her aura was a bright yellow light. The nurse stood as Graham entered the hall.

  “Nurse, what’re you doing here? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s about your mother.” She glanced across the room at Helena. “Can we talk?”

  He gave her a tight nod. “What’s going on?”

  “Well…” The nurse twisted her hands. “We had Rose sedated. She was having fits this morning. She acted like she had been possessed. We had her restrained; we thought we had her under control, but—”

  “She escaped,” Graham growled. “How could no one notice her leaving the infirmary? That’s two this week!” He slammed his fist against the wall.

  Helena jumped, and the nurse recoiled from him.

  “Nurse, this is unacceptable. Do you realize what could happen? What if she attacks a guest?” Graham said, trying to control his anger.

  “I’m sorry. We were trying to be more careful, but we are low on staff. We tried…”

  Graham ran his hands through his hair. “How long has she been missing?”

  “Her nurse last checked on her about a half an hour ago.”

  “That’s good.” Graham sighed disgustedly. “Have you told Mr. Shane?”

  “We haven’t. We were hoping you could talk to him.”

  “You mean you want me to take the fall?”

  “We just thought he would take the news better if it came from his son.” The nurse shuffled her feet.

  “Stepson.” He reached into his leather sporran and took out his mobile. He punched in the numbers and waited as the phone rang.

  Why did everything have to go to shite today? All he had wanted was to have a little time alone with Helena.

  “Hello?” Mr. Shane sounded annoyed.

  “There’s been a breach.”

  “Again? Who?”

  “It’s Mother. They said she’s been possessed.”

  “Why didn’t anyone notify me?”

  Graham glared over at the nurse. “I was only just notified myself.”

  “Do you know where she went?”

  “Not yet. I’m about to take Helena and see if we can find her. She can’t have gotten far.”

  “Check the manor. Do a thorough search. Can you get Seamus to search the grounds?”

  “Yes, sir.” Graham paused. “Sir?”

  “What?”

  “I think we need to hire more nurses so this won’t happen again.”

  “That’s impossible. Things are tight as it is.”

  “If you don’t do something… something bad is going to happen. The nurses are in over their heads caring for all these patients.”

  “Don’t worry about the nurses. Just tell them to do their jobs. You need to worry about getting a handle on this. We don’t want any more accidents. Go.”

  Graham clicked the phone off and shook his head. “Sorry, there’s not much I can do.”

  The nurse nodded. “Aye… Please keep trying. We need help.”

  “I will. In the meantime, please go back downstairs and take care of the rest of the patients. Is Danny still there?”

  The nurse nodded. “He’s under sedation.”

  “Good. Go. Make sure no one else manages to slip by you.”

  The door slammed as the nurse scurried from the room.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Helena asked.

  “Who?”

  “Your mam.”

  “Aye. I hope so. This isn’t her first possession. She has a weak soul and is easily taken. I should’ve told you about my mother’s problems.”
>
  “Why didn’t ya?” Helena closed her studier and stood up.

  “You just found out about the infirmary. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

  “You don’t think I deserve to know the whole truth?”

  “I wanted to tell you.”

  “All ya give me is half truths. Why can’t ya just be honest?”

  Something about her anger made something spark within him. He had been trying to protect her until he was comfortable that she could handle everything he had to tell her. He had tried to be the best man he knew how to be—and if that wasn’t good enough for her… well, damn it, then he would never be enough.

  “You want me to be honest? Then why don’t you try being honest with me?”

  Helena looked affronted. “What’re ya talkin’ about?”

  “Your father told me about your engagement,” he spat. “Yet you haven’t said a word. You know how I feel. I mean… you must know how I feel. But you don’t seem to give me a bloody thought.”

  “Da told you?” Helena sat back down.

  “From what he said, your mother’s the only one that doesn’t want us to be together.”

  Her face softened. “He… and you… you want us to be together?”

  “I… we… bollocks.” Graham moved to the table. “I’m doing this all arseways, but to hell with doing this right.”

  He grabbed her and pulled her close. His breath caught in his chest as she looked up at him. “I want this.”

  He leaned in and grazed her lips with his. The warmth of her touch radiated through him and quelled the last of his anger.

  Her lips moved over his like she wanted this as badly as he had. He reached up and took her face in his hands. Her soft skin warmed as he brushed his thumbs over her cheek. His kiss hardened as a hunger for more raged within him.

  Graham’s body yearned to take this moment further, but he forced himself back. “We have to stop.” His voice was hoarse. “I… I want this… and I want you… But I need to find my mother.”

  “Aye. Right.” Her arms dropped from his shoulders. “I… that’s a grand idea. Besides, I need to get back to work.”

  Helena turned away from him, and the simple action made his gut ache.

  “No. You don’t have to. I talked to Mary. She said you could have the day off.”

  “You can’t keep leavin’ Mary with my work. She’s gonna fire me,” she said, turning back to face him.

  The same few strands of hair as before fell into her eyes. He smiled as he took the time to push the wayward lock back behind her ear. She leaned into his hand and let his fingers cup her face.

  “Mary is okay with you helping me. She knows who and what you are. And she wants you to help Herb.” Graham ran his thumb over the soft pink flesh of her cheek. “He’s a channeler.”

  “What’s a channeler?”

  “Ghosts talk to him. Sometimes they invade his body and use him to take care of unfinished business.”

  Helena reached up and held his hand. “I want to help, Graham. I want to help Mary and her husband. I want to help everyone in the infirmary. I do. But I don’t have much time. I have to get married.”

  “You’re still getting married?”

  “I don’t have a choice. I can’t disgrace my fam.”

  “There’s always a choice.” Graham took her fingers and laced them in his. He leaned in and captured her lips with his. This time their kiss was soft and deep. Her tongue moved against his bottom lip.

  Helena leaned back, breaking their kiss. “Let’s get your mam.”

  They made their way around the manor, starting in the kitchens and then moving to the drawing room. The sound of spoons clinking against expensive china filtered into the hall as he peered in.

  Graham stepped into the dining room and nodded to the host, who was waiting for the next guests to arrive. The room was packed with plaid-wearing tourists, cameras strapped around their necks and travel guides in their back pockets. He recognized a few of the visiting supernaturals, who gave him curt nods but quickly went back to their menus.

  “She’s not here.”

  “Where do you think she would have gone?” Helena asked.

  Graham shrugged.

  They made their way down the long hallway to the pool. Young children splashed in the water, and their laughter filled the room. Their nannies fanned themselves as they lounged at the tables.

  The parlor was empty, and they weaved through the private dining halls set aside for foreign dignitaries and VIPs, which were also deserted. At the front desk, two men stood talking. Their khaki pants were pressed with fine lines, and they wore club shirts from the golf shop at the bottom of the hill. The receptionist was pointing something out to them on a small map.

  She looked up and smiled. “Hello, Mr. Kelly. How are you today?”

  The men turned and looked at him and Helena.

  “We’re fine. How are you enjoying your vacation, sirs?”

  “Very fine, chap,” the man farthest from them answered in a Cork accent. “We just came back from the nineteenth hole. Damn fine establishment. Damn fine.” He slapped his friend on the back.

  “Yes, damn fine,” his friend echoed.

  “By chance, gentlemen, did you see a woman out there, walking alone?”

  The men looked at each other and shook their heads.

  “Thank you, gentlemen. I hope you have the very best of holidays.”

  The men laughed. “Yes, it’s hard to top Adare Manor!” one said.

  Graham opened the front door for Helena and followed her outside. The car park was full of Friday traffic. Even more cars would come and go before the end of Feile na Maighe and the summer tourist season tomorrow. Guests would be touring the manor, and reservations would be made for the Oak Room and the private dining halls; the tee-times were probably already filled for the rest of the summer.

  This was a fine time for Rose to go missing. She’d been in the infirmary for the last three years, but of course she would have to escape at the worst time to be out of control.

  Graham took out his cell phone as they reached a corner of the garden, where there weren’t any tourists.

  Seamus answered the phone on the first ring. “Wotcher?”

  “We have a missing guest. Small woman, about five foot two inches. Gray-haired. Probably not making much sense. Her family said she was having an adverse reaction to a painkiller. We need to find her. The well-being of our guests could be at stake.”

  “Aye. Will do.”

  “I need you to do a full search of the grounds. Check the gardens, golf course, archery range, and the villas. We need to find her. She goes by the name Rose.”

  “Will do, boss. By the by, did ya chat with Helena?”

  “I did. She’s coming with me to search for the woman.” He had a fleeting thought of what he and Helena could have been doing if they hadn’t needed to locate Rose, but then shook the image away. “We’re headed to Holy Trinity Abbey Church now.”

  Seamus laughed. “Just because I gave ye a nudge doesn’t mean I wanted ye runnin’ off to the altar this afternoon.”

  Graham smiled. “Don’t worry. It won’t happen. At least not today.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  It was a short drive to Holy Trinity Abbey Church, which sat just outside the gates of Adare Manor. The thirteenth-century church’s car park was empty aside from the church van and a group of pigeons.

  “Do you think she’d really come here?” Helena got out of the car and slammed the door shut; the pigeons took to the air in a flurry of flapping wings and spent feathers.

  “I don’t know, but we have to start somewhere.” Graham led the way through the white iron gates and toward the entrance.

  The red mahogany door of the abbey stood out against the ash-gray granite that encased it, making it look like a pool of blood in a desert of stone. Helena couldn’t help but think of how they would have to pass through the ominous entrance to reach the safety of the church. It reminded h
er of Chester, and how his murder had been her final trial before her initiation into the supernatural.

  “What makes you think she’d come here?”

  “This is where she and Mr. Shane got married. If she’s possessed, it’s possible she might come here to rid herself of the demon.” Graham closed the gate behind Helena. “Plus, she’s been a longtime friend of the vicar. Before she was sick, she donated money to refurbish the church—she was always passionate about this place.”

  He crossed himself as he opened the crimson-colored door.

  Their footsteps echoed inside the empty parlor. Through the arched doorway was the nave, where rows of carved pews led up to the pulpit. Throughout the main cathedral, columns stood like sentinels, their arms connecting in long protective arches above the pews.

  On each side of the altar stood golden-hooded angels. The angels looked down on them as if judging them for their sins. Behind the high altar, the sun shone through the stained glass images of the Holy Trinity, casting long red and green shadows across the floor.

  Graham dipped his fingers in the holy water of the font and made the sign of the cross. She followed his lead. Something about the habitual motion calmed her.

  A robed vicar made his way down the red-carpeted mezzanine toward them. “Hello, my children.”

  “Hello, Father,” they said in unison.

  The vicar extended his hand for Graham to shake and then turned to Helena. “It is nice to see you here. You are always welcome in the house of the Lord.”

  “Thank you, Father,” she said quietly.

  “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “We’re looking for Rose,” Graham said.

  “I see.” The vicar’s soft expression turned hard. “I haven’t seen her. How long has she been missing?”

  “For about an hour. We think she’s been possessed.”

  The vicar shook his head. “I shall prepare myself for a possible exorcism.”

  “Thank you, Father, but hopefully we won’t need your help.”

  “If you do, please do not hesitate to contact me. You know how demons can be,” the vicar said, making the sign of the cross. “Be careful and may God bless you, my children.”