by Betty Bolte
The looks from her classmates warned Tara something weird and unexplained had happened. Something frightening to everyone around her, including herself. After school recessed for the day, she’d confided to her mother the events of the morning while sitting in the conversation corner. Away from eavesdropping or nosy neighbors. Away from the prying eyes of passersby. Her mother’s revelations as to the sisters’ true nature proved eye-opening. She’d learned very quickly to keep her ability hidden to avoid being ostracized by others.
As she’d grown older, she’d learned when and how to use her talents. She’d chosen to become an official healer in the form of a licensed midwife in order to provide cover for her healing touch. Brief touches over a short period proved as effective as a longer contact. When she was with her sisters, though, she could employ her gift. Together in their own house, they were safe.
Tara tilted her head to one side and studied her oldest sister for several moments. She sensed Roxie had made a decision, one involving her and Beth. “What have you settled on that we may not approve of?”
“Oh, you’re good! I’m sure you’ll never guess, so I’ll have to tell you.” Roxie put her hands on her hips, bracing to reveal her bombshell as a wide smile split her face. She tossed her head, her ponytail whipping over one shoulder. “Paulette called, and she mentioned Grant Markel arrived out at the plantation yesterday unannounced to share Thanksgiving with his brother and her since their parents elected to go on a world cruise over the holidays. She and Zak have tickets tonight for a dinner theater with Meredith and Max, and she was worried about Grant being left all alone.”
Grant? Tara’s heart raced at the thought of the handsome man she’d tried so hard to forget. She’d secretly helped him the month before when he’d accompanied Zak to town in search of some alchemical solution to his desperate medical condition. Several presses of her fingers to his temples were all she needed to save him. Then he’d gone home, and she’d strived to push him out of her mind. Away from her heart.
Yet how could she forget his dove gray eyes smiling at her as they danced? Or the way his thick brown hair with red and gold highlights caught the light from the disco ball on the ceiling? His muscular shoulders swaying to the beat of the energetic tune? The zing of electricity flowing through her fingers when she touched his temples? He was a gorgeous sight, but there was one huge problem. She had no intention of leaving Roseville, her home, or her sisters. When he’d returned to Michigan and his home and work after his week’s visit, she had moved on. Well, tried to move forward.
Roxie lifted a charred but still gooey bun from the pan, picking off the black edges with pincer fingers. Taking a bite, she moaned with delight as she chewed and swallowed. At least the buns still tasted good. A plus in Tara’s favor.
“He’s such a hunk of man. I would love to get to know him better.” Beth tapped a finger on the red-and-white checked tablecloth, leaning back in her chair, one brow quirked and lips slightly parted.
Beth’s comment sparked a bolt of jealousy, one Tara quickly suppressed. Beth could have him if she wanted him. Tara shot a glance at Roxie, noting the laughter in her eyes as she finished her bun in several quick bites. When Roxie turned her gaze to Tara, her heart sank. “What have you done?”
“I told her we’d be happy to help keep him busy.” Roxie cleaned her fingers on a paper napkin then tossed it into the trash. “He’ll come over this evening for dinner.”
“Tonight? It’s taco night.” Tara shook her head, her ponytail whipping her cheeks. Each sister took turns with the cooking so as to share the task or the fun, as the case may be. Today was Tara’s day to handle the onerous chore. “I don’t want to be responsible for making dinner for him. Let Beth do it instead.”
“Why?” Roxie swiveled her head to frown at Tara. “It’s the perfect night since he can pick and choose what he wants. It’ll be fine.”
“Come on, Tara, don’t be a wimp.” Beth pushed out her chair and stood, bracing one hand on a hip. “Tacos are the easiest thing to make. Even you can’t mess them up.”
“We’ll see.” Tara dragged in a breath and let it out with a huff. She’d never had a problem before, so perhaps her sister was right. “Fine. But don’t blame me if it all goes wrong.”
Roxie sidled over to hug Tara with one arm, her free hand resting on Tara’s upper arm, giving her a brief squeeze. “Relax. We’ve got your back. Besides, it’s just Grant, and he’s family now.”
“Extended family. Through marriage.” Tara managed to squash the desire to roll her eyes at the idea of the brawny geologist as close family. “His brother, Zak, married our cousin, Paulette, so that makes Grant, what?”
“A cousin-in-law?” Beth chuckled as she lifted her keys from the hook and headed for the back door. “I’ve got to get to the bookstore. See you all later.”
“I’ve got to run, too.” Roxie dropped her arms to pivot on one foot, snatch her purse from the shelf by the key rack, and follow Beth through the door. The jingle of keys cut off when the door bumped closed.
Alone, Tara surveyed the mess in the kitchen and tossed a quick prayer to the patron saints of cooking, whoever they may be, to give her guidance. Pushing up her sweater sleeves to the elbow, she picked up the blackened foil pan and tossed it into the garbage. Best to keep busy and not dwell on her shortcomings. The day had to get better. Triple damn. Had she just jinxed herself?
Chapter 2
Foolish and yet determined. Grant mentally shook his head at his folly as he stared out the parlor window at the lake in front of the manor house. Nevertheless, he’d arrived at Twin Oaks plantation where his brother now lived with his new wife, Paulette, ready to discover the solution to the so-called miracle. Miracle, indeed. He didn’t believe in inexplicable phenomena or the supernatural. His doctors apparently did, though, calling the unexplained cure of the tumors in his head miraculous. No way. Something about the town of Roseville or the Twin Oaks plantation held the explanation, the answer, a clue. He planned to discover it and then return home and set the record straight. The doctors would learn a lesson about believing in such nonsense as miracles and he would be able to pursue his new future. One that included more satisfying work than being an analyst in a testing lab as well as a wife and family of his own. Nearly losing his sight or dying had woken him up and set his feet on an entirely different path.
“I’m glad to see you, bro,” Zak spoke from where he paused in the doorway and then sauntered into the double parlor and stopped beside the love seat. “If you’d let us know you were coming, we’d have gotten you a ticket.”
“Our folks weren’t going to be around.” Grant shook his head as he turned to face his older brother. “It was a last-minute decision, so don’t worry about it.”
Zak’s inky black hair shone in the chandelier lighting, his gray eyes crinkling at the corners as he flopped onto the small sofa. He fished a slip of paper out of his shirt pocket and handed it to Grant. “I’m not, especially since you’ll be entertained this evening by the Golden sisters.”
“Excuse me?” Grant glanced at the paper and noted a street address. He sank abruptly onto the chair opposite the love seat and stared at the smirk aimed his direction. His older brother loved to discomfit him. Not this time. “I thought I’d just hang out here, rest after the long drive yesterday. That sort of thing.”
In fact, lounging around in the huge antebellum-era house sounded like a fine way to spend the evening. Pacing through the single and double parlors, the sewing room, the updated kitchen. Maybe even wander outside to the gazebo to read until the sun set and the air chilled. Then a bowl of bubbling chili topped with cheese and onions and a cold brew. He’d be all set.
He was tired and wanted nothing more than to rest and think through his next move. He’d spent the day retracing his steps from his visit before Halloween. He poked around the bedroom Meredith had put him in for the second time. The comfortable bed and cheerful furnishings held no clues or answers. He checked the water, u
sing his portable testing kit, but no unusual elements were revealed. Simple well water. The pillow’s composition seemed to be foam, so that couldn’t have affected his illness. Sniffing, he had smelled nothing unexpected on a fall day in the country. What about the undetectable elements? He’d need an air sample tested. Somewhere, somehow he intended to find the truth and put an end to the ludicrous idea of a mystical cure for his tumors.
Zak shook his head with a big grin. “The ladies are looking forward to having you join them for dinner. Six o’clock, and don’t be late.”
“You didn’t have to arrange for them to take care of me. I’m a big boy and can fend for myself.” Grant rested his hands on his knees, contemplating Zak’s expression. “I know how to open a can, after all.”
Zak’s chuckle echoed in the large room despite the carpet on the hardwood floor and the drapes at the windows. The snap and crackle of the fire in the firebox filled the brief silence. A welcoming space in the impressive house, one he had enjoyed during his previous visit. Knowing Twin Oaks had plenty of rooms to accommodate guests—Paulette and Meredith had run it as a B&B before their double wedding—he had made the abrupt decision to make the journey and stay with his brother until he’d located the source of his cure. His mission, not a vacation.
“I know, but it will do you good to get out and have some fun.” Zak’s smile faded into a hint of a grin. “You’ll be surrounded by three gorgeous women all to yourself. If I weren’t married…”
“What would you do?” Paulette strode into the room, a tray bearing plates of cookies and sliced apples in her hand. Wearing dark blue leggings and a flowered tunic, she appeared to have adapted to being a wife and mother with little change to her outward appearance. She quirked a brow at her husband and set the tray on the coffee table between the two men. “I’d like to know.”
“Nothing, my beautiful, loving wife.” Zak surged to his feet to seal his statement with a kiss on Paulette’s neck. “I’m married, so it doesn’t matter, right?”
“Good answer.” She kissed him back and then broke away to address Grant. “Would you care for some tea or a cocktail while we wait for Meredith and Max to get ready?”
“I’m driving into town later, so I’ll take a beer.” At least he’d get the brew part of his fantasy. “Just one though.”
“I’ll be right back.” Paulette started to pivot and then speared Zak with a look. “Behave yourself.” Then she sashayed out of the room and turned toward the kitchen.
Zak let out a burst of laughter and sank onto the love seat. “Enjoy being around the sisters. They’re full of surprises.”
“If you’re talking about their Halloween costumes which became bridesmaid’s dresses, then I know what you mean.” Grant rubbed his thighs, the rasp of his hands on his jeans a soft disturbance in the quiet parlor. “Imagine dressing as witches for your wedding. The poor minister. I thought he’d collapse at the very idea.”
Memories floated in his mind of the array of costumes for the party that morphed into a wedding a few days later. After a purported ghost had abruptly but unlikely ended the party. And Paulette just as abruptly had her baby. When the baby’s absentee father suddenly showed up, tensions ran high until Zak convinced the jerk to leave mother and child in peace. Followed by the double wedding. A busy few days to say the least. Grant was glad he’d been there to stand as Zak’s best man, but the whole scene had been unnerving. They all seemed to believe in witches and ghosts. A thought that made him shake his head at the absurdity. But who was he to tell them what to believe in?
Zak chuckled and reached for a chocolate chip cookie, popping it whole into his mouth and chewing as he eyed Grant. “I’ll never forget my anniversary, that’s for sure.”
“Good point.” Grant shook his head as he tapped a hand on one knee. “Paulette may not take it kindly if you did.”
“Likely. So, bro, you’re going to see Tara this evening.” Zak shot a smirk at Grant as he reached for another cookie. “Paulette tells me she studiously avoids mentioning your name.”
Interesting observation. Tara had enthralled him at the party, the way she flirted with him and made him feel as if he existed in the center of her world. If only for a few brief hours. Before he’d been forced to return to his world. The big city suited his temperament with its thriving populace and energy. Or at least it always had, until his health crisis opened his eyes to what was important. To what he’d shunted to one side but now proved all-consuming. “Why would she have a reason to talk about me?”
“No reason.” Zak regarded him for a beat, leaning against the love seat again. “Except for the fact that you’re my brother and I do have occasion to mention you and the work you’re doing.”
“Boring them, I’m sure.” Or was it? Could Tara possibly have any interest in his work? That would be something unique in his experience.
“Imagine how bored they become when I talk about chemical engineering.” Zak folded his hands over one knee as he regarded Grant. “At least they don’t doze off.”
Previous women Zak had dated had literally fallen asleep at the table before he’d learned to stick to lighter fare. Music. Movies. Books. Grant had benefitted from his older brother’s experience as far as knowing what topics to discuss with the girls he’d taken out while in high school. Somehow he didn’t believe they’d care for a lengthy chat about the composition of various kinds of rocks. Or the contents of the layers of sedimentary rocks. Or how fissures are related to earthquakes. So he made sure to be informed about art, movies, books, and other cultural subjects.
“About tonight.” Grant rose and paced to the fireplace. Leaning an elbow on the mantel, he carefully avoided the grouping of framed photographs flanked by hurricane globes with gold pillar candles flickering inside. Pictures of Paulette’s sister, Meredith, and her lawyer husband, Max, standing by the lake out front of the house. Of Zak and Paulette laughing in an immense pile of colorful leaves. Of Paulette holding their newborn son. No one could miss the love between the trio or doubt Zak’s love for his new family. “Do you have a sitter?”
“Yes. Max arranged for his secretary to keep Pat overnight at her place. He’s already safely ensconced in Sue’s happy, grandmotherly arms.”
“She’s a good woman to take care of him.” He recalled the feisty middle-aged lady with her vivacious manner that belied her age while she danced at the wedding reception. “I have one more question for you.”
“What’s that?” Zak bit into a slice of apple as Paulette strode into the parlor, a bottle of beer in one hand and a flowered mug in the other.
“Here you go.” Paulette handed him the dark brown bottle and then sat beside Zak. She sipped from the mug of steaming tea, the mingled scents of honey and orange fighting with the smell of wood smoke. “Enjoy.”
Grant nodded his thanks and then addressed his brother. “Where can I get a decent bottle of wine to take with me? I can’t go empty handed.”
Zak settled on the sofa and wrapped an arm around Paulette’s shoulders. He thought for a moment. “There’s a little shop next to the grocery store that carries a good selection and has good prices too.”
“I think the girls are serving tacos tonight. It’s Tara’s night to cook, according to Roxie.” Paulette looked at Zak and then up at Grant. “Maybe some Mexican beer would be a better fit?”
What did he know? Didn’t women prefer wine? He’d enjoy a good Corona or Dos Equis. “Do the girls like beer?”
Zak angled his head as he turned to snare Paulette with his quizzical frown. “I’ve never seen them drink it…”
Paulette shrugged and sipped from the cup of tea. “Wine is a safe choice and would be fine with tacos.”
“You think wine is fine with anything.” Zak grinned at her, squeezing her shoulders.
“True.” She lowered the mug to rest on her thigh. “I’d pick a Merlot, I think, to go with the spices in the meat.”
The cold bottle sweated as he lifted it to take several swallows.
Wiping his mouth with his free hand, he nodded. “Good idea. Although I didn’t come here to have dinner with your cousins. I came here to—”
“I’ve been wondering why you showed up at our door without even letting us know you were heading this way.” Paulette sipped, rested the mug on her leg, and then snuggled against Zak’s side. “What’s up?”
Seeing his brother content and happy with his new beautiful bride contrasted sharply with his own lonely life. A life that would have been much different if not for the end of the tumors threatening to steal his eyesight and thus his ability to perform his job as a geologist. He worked in the lab testing various samples and specimens for their composition. While boring, the analysis yielded results necessary for builders and others to choose the appropriate materials for their construction and other projects. Beyond just his chosen profession, though, the tumors had threatened his entire lifestyle. Everything would have changed, and not for the better, if the tumors had succeeded in their aim. Thank goodness he had retained his vision. But he must understand the cure to put to rest the claim of a miracle. Perhaps the real miracle arrived in the form of a change in his perspective and plans for his life.
“I’m in search of the reason for why the brain scans came back clean after I stayed here last month.” He smoothed a hand over his jaw, noting the stubble. A quick glance at his watch confirmed he’d best excuse himself to shave and dress for the evening’s entertainment. “The doctors said it’s a miracle, but there must be an explanation. Do you think it was something in that Elixir thing you were trying to make?”