by Tanya Stowe
She pointed the way. He pulled up in front of the gate, turned off the engine, and came around for her. Suzy didn’t miss the irony as he carried her to the white picket fence and under the carved sign that read, “May Love Find All Who Enter.”
As he placed her gingerly on her feet, she said, “Thanks for all the first aid tonight.”
He held up a hand. “It’s the least I could do, Suzy, after the brave way you faced down the monster.”
“Brave,” she said with a laugh. “I was so brave, I tumbled all the way down the trail.”
“I meant me,” he said.
“Oh.” Suzy’s voice dropped to almost a whisper.
“I know I haven’t acted much like it, but I really do appreciate that you tried to help. Thanks.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He still smelled like forest and man. It was all she could do to pull herself away.
“Take care of yourself, Suzy.”
No words ever sounded more like good-bye.
4
The alarm woke Suzy the next morning. She tried to open her eyes in the dusky dawn and couldn’t manage it. She turned to flip off the alarm and sharp pain shot through her entire body. Suzy froze, afraid to move again. The alarm punctuated the air with frantic little beeps. Mustering her courage, Suzy forced her arm to move and hit the switch.
Every muscle in her body ached, and her knee throbbed with each effort. It was the worst possible time to take off from work, but there was no way she could make her body sit in a chair all day, let alone type at a computer. She lifted the phone, punched in the numbers and called in sick. Then she closed her eyes and promptly fell asleep.
The phone woke Suzy next. Raising her head slightly, she looked at the numbers on the clock. Ten AM. She’d slept for three more hours. The phone continued to ring as Suzy carefully inched her way to the edge of the bed.
“Hello.”
“Good morning. Did I wake you?” Scott’s voice sent a charge of electricity through her.
“No, no you didn’t.”
“Liar,” he said with a laugh. “You still sound sleepy.”
“I did just wake up. I’m trying to work up the courage to get up. I’m starving.”
“Maybe I can help with that. I’m in town to pick up a few things for the house. I thought I’d check on you before I went back. How about on my way, I pick up some pumpkin lattes and scones for the two of us?”
“I would love you forever if you did,” Suzy said the words before she thought about their meaning. When they finally sunk in, she was glad Scott couldn’t see her because warmth swept over her cheeks.
“Great. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Suzy said something appropriate before hanging up the phone. She lay back and basked in the glow of the moment. He wanted to check on her. She didn’t scare him off. He was on his way over.
Thank you, Lord.
She smiled. Then she remembered his words. Fifteen minutes.
It would take her that long to walk from the bed to the bathroom!
She hobbled to the shower. The hot water did a lot to ease some of the aches and pains, so she stayed in longer than she should have, especially since she was trying not to soak the bandage Scott had applied last night. Somehow, she got clean and got out with minimal damage. She dried off and stumbled into a pair of lounge pants and a matching tank just as the doorbell rang. Wiping away the condensation on the mirror, she brushed her teeth and fingered her hair into place. Thank goodness, it was short.
On the way to the door, she grabbed a sweater. The doorbell rang again as she limped across the room. “Coming!” she called out.
When she finally opened the door, Scott lifted a cardboard carry tray with two large, pumpkin lattes in one hand and a bag in the other. He looked tall and strong and so full of energy, Suzy had to fight the urge to lean in to him and rest.
“You sounded like you were in pain,” he said, concern in his features. His sweet, tender look did as much to undo Suzy as her injuries. Her legs turned to mush as she gestured him inside.
“It does hurt to walk.”
He glanced back at her. “Do we need to make a trip to the doctor?”
Is that why he was here? To see if she needed medical attention? Suzy’s energy suddenly seemed to flag, and she braced herself carefully as she sat on the couch. If she told him she was fine, would he disappear from her life for good?
“Here.” Scott placed the pillow from the other end of the couch behind her as she eased back. His concern felt wonderful and awful at the same time. It was oh so tempting to lie…just a little. Then maybe he’d stick around longer.
Suzy caught her lower lip with her teeth. Maybe it would be better if he left. Scott Lunsford made her think and do crazy things. He was a walking, talking temptation. Then again, perhaps it wasn’t Scott at all. Maybe the darkness that surrounded him wanted to push its way into her life, too.
“No, Scott. I don’t need to see a doctor. It’s just sore muscles,” she said, filled with sudden, fierce resolve.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She sounded a little too fierce now. But even so, the room seemed a little brighter. The air a little less heavy. Scott’s smile was wide and bright.
“Good. I’d be happy to take you to the doctor, but I’d much rather sit here and enjoy these.” He pulled two large sinfully rich cinnamon rolls out of the bag.
Suzy opened the small carton, inhaled deeply, and closed her eyes. “Thank you, Lord, for this delicious food and for my Roch…my good friend Scott.”
“Amen,” Scott echoed.
After her first bite, Suzy took a sip of her drink. “Hmmm. Cinnamon and pumpkin. Two of my favorite flavors. Especially pumpkin. I love this time of year just because I can indulge in everything pumpkin.”
“Pumpkin pie,” Scott said with a nod.
“Pumpkin muffins,” Suzy said.
“Pumpkin cheesecake,”
“Creamy pumpkin ice cream.”
“OK. OK.” Scott laughed. “You win. You are the queen of all things pumpkin.”
She gave a regal nod of her head. “Thank you. My family would agree with you. I’m in charge of carving the pumpkins every year, and I do it the best. Nothing scary, mind you. Just all kinds of different expressions. Happy faces. Puzzled ones. Even some grumpy fellows. I try to come up with a new one every year.”
She eyed Scott over the rim of her latte. “Come to think of it, that lovely, large porch of yours is in dire need of some pumpkins. Maybe five or six.”
“Five or six? I’ll be swimming in them.”
“Not on that porch. There’s room for twenty or more.”
Scott shook his head. “You’ll have trouble carving one the way you’re moving. Let’s take a look at that knee.”
He lifted the leg of her pants and removed the bandage. Suzy tried not to shiver as his warm fingers touched her. Her skin was bruised and the scrape red, angry, and raw.
“Well, it’s not too pleasant looking, but in a few days, you’ll definitely be on the mend. Do you have some bandages?”
“Sorry. Plenty of small ones but nothing large enough for that.”
“No problem. I’ll pick some up and drop them off. In the meantime, we’ll let it air dry.”
Suzy had eased back on the pillow. She didn’t realize Scott was studying her until he said, “You look worn out. Are you sure you don’t need to see the doctor?”
“I’m sure. It’s the end of the quarter, and it’s a really busy time of the year. I think I’m a little more stressed than I realized.”
He stood. “Do you have pain reliever?”
“Yes, it’s above the sink.”
He strode across the room. She was too sore to turn and watch, but she heard the cabinet door open and then the fridge. In moments, Scott was back. He handed her two pills and a bottle of water. “This will help with the pain and the inflammation. I have some errands to run and a couple of things to do at the house. But I’ll co
me back later with the bandages and some Chinese take-out.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Scott pulled her fluffy throw off the back of the couch and gently covered her. “You rest, and I’ll be back about three.”
Suzy nodded and said thanks several times. She was hardly aware that her eyes had drifted shut. It felt so heavenly to be pampered. Besides, he was coming back. He wanted to be with her.
As the door closed behind him, she whispered. “Thank you, Lord. I promise I’ll do better this time. I promise I’ll do things right.” She sighed and slipped even more comfortably into the couch.
One…I won’t talk so much. I’ll just nod and be sympathetic.
Two…I won’t mention Julie or guilt.
Three…I won’t talk about ghosts or spirits.
Four…
****
Scott knelt on the floor of the downstairs bathroom, tucked way back in the corner of the house. Large enough to fit two modern bathrooms inside made it roomy...and empty. The lid of the can echoed loudly as he dropped it to the floor. It would be better once he added a towel rack. Large heavy towels might deaden the empty echo.
The original tile had to be replaced, but he’d re-glazed the claw foot tub and the pedestal sink. He’d replaced the old above-the-head-tank on the toilet with a modern reproduction but somehow, the room still seemed kind of forlorn. It needed something, but for the life of him, Scott didn’t know what. The room’s only saving grace was a large window that let bright sunshine into the room.
In spite of the light, cool air drifted over Scott. The hairs on the back of his neck began to rise. He recognized the feeling, knew the signs. If he turned around, he’d see the shadows starting to form.
It was back there. He could feel it. If he leaned ever so slightly to his left, he’d be able to see behind him in the mirror. The temptation was great, but Scott resisted.
Suzy reminded him that the battle had already been won. He wanted to believe it, wanted to believe that dark, badly formed shape was not Julie. Not the woman he cared about. Not the one who blamed him for failing.
Suzie said he blamed himself. It was his own guilt, his own fears keeping him trapped in this circle of strange noises and apparitions.
But still, he was redeemed. That thought helped to resist the urge to turn his gaze to the mirror.
He heard a scratch on the floor and knew that thing was coming closer. It didn’t have a form or body so how could it make a sound? Still the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck rose.
“Yesssss. I am here.” The sibilant whisper made him shiver.
You don’t belong here. Go away. Scott didn’t say the words out loud. He wasn’t that brave and besides, it felt as if that thing was right behind him, inches away, so close it could reach out and touch him.
Determined not to turn around, Scott focused on the patch in front of him. Purposely stabbed his putty knife into the can. He patched the hole, and smoothed the putty over and over again. Finally, he gathered enough courage to move to the next hole and the next, never once giving in to the urge to look back. The sensation of something behind him eased.
Soon he heard car keys fall off a table in the other room.
“You’re not her,” he shouted without turning. No sound came back to him.
He patched another hole. Soon he realized he was concentrating less on the sounds in the house and more on the job at hand. He wondered how long it would be before the holes dried so he could sand them down. Did he have enough crème colored paint? Should he make this room a different color?
He’d seen a paint sample called pumpkin. The thought made him smile. The color was not too dark, not to light. Sort of like pumpkin cheesecake.
He’d do it. This room would be pumpkin in honor of Suzy…and the first time he chased away the shadows.
5
Suzy opened the door, and Scott had to take a second look. His little pixie had transformed. A dark brown skirt swirled around her legs, complementing a red and burnt orange shirt she wore tucked in. The fall colors of the shirt picked up the russet in her hair and made the tips glow. The girl with sunshine across her nose now had fire dancing around her.
“Wow,” was all he could say.
“I know,” she said, her hands sweeping down the skirt. “I’m overdressed for a simple trip to the store. But my pants don’t fit well over the bandage so the skirt is really more comfortable.”
Scott couldn’t stop looking at her. Had her eyes always been that rich color of jade? Was her skin so creamy, like ripe peaches? He only realized he was staring when her hand shot to her face.
“Is the scratch really that bad?”
“What scratch? Oh…on your cheek. No.” He finally managed to look away. “No. I didn’t even notice it.”
She gave him a look.
“Really! I was looking at your eyes. Have they always been that color?”
Suzy frowned and studied him. “Well, just since I was born.”
Scott laughed. “Right. I mean are you wearing contacts or something?”
“No, I don’t wear contacts. Why? Is something wrong?”
“No…no. They just look really green today.” Like a Caribbean lagoon. He barely stopped himself from saying the words out loud. Where did that come from?
“Oh.” Suzy tugged at one of her upturned locks. “It’s these colors. They always bring out the green.”
Scott nodded. He was making her self-conscious…but he couldn’t seem to help himself. Finally, he gestured toward her bad knee. “How is it today?”
“Much better. Still sore but I can get around. By Monday, I’ll be good as new.”
“Great. Let me know if you get tired, and we’ll end this shopping session.”
Yesterday, as they’d eaten Chinese take-out with chopsticks and discussed the paint samples Scott had brought with him, he asked Suzy if she felt strong enough to help him pick out the napkins she’d suggested on that first day. She’d agreed, and they made plans for this afternoon’s shopping expedition to Country Creations.
Suzy grabbed her purse and a brown sweater from a table and then locked the door behind them. Scott slowed his pace to match her limp as they walked to the car. He didn’t mind the pace. It gave him the chance to study her. He couldn’t believe how much the clothes had changed her. She’d always seemed so simple before, all freckles and sunshine. Now she made him think of something warm and spicy, like a mulled wine. The thought made him smile.
As he helped her into his truck, she shared some new ideas she had for the house, in particular, a stained glass window by a local artist.
“Her name is Zoe Wyndham. She actually lived at Heart’s Haven. She married and moved to Manhattan, but Country Creations still showcases some of her stained-glass pieces. They have a window with crème-colored lilies that looks almost exactly like the globes in your foyer.”
“Sounds great but where would I put a stained glass window?”
“Above the first landing, right across from the door.”
Scott paused, his hand on the ignition.
“I know. I know,” Suzy held up a hand. “Knock a hole in the wall you just repaired. I’m not saying you should do it. I only want you to see the piece and tell me if you think it would be as beautiful as I think it would.”
He turned the switch on the truck. “You’ve been right about everything so far. Besides, looking doesn’t cost anything but time, and we have plenty of that today.”
As soon as they opened the door of Country Creations, Scott understood why Suzy loved the place so much. The scents of cinnamon and pumpkin flowed over them. Glass items, figurines, and knickknacks were stacked on every possible space. Scott felt closed in, kind of like a bull in a china shop, but he followed dutifully behind Suzy. They’d only gone halfway down the aisle when she stopped.
“Look at this.” She held up a baseball-sized ceramic pumpkin. Different sizes were displayed on the shelf. “Someday, when I have a foyer as lovely a
s yours, I’m going to have a pumpkin collection and put it out every fall.”
“OK.” Skepticism was heavy in his tone.
Suzy looked back at him and flashed the bright, cheerful, familiar smile he was accustomed to seeing.
“It will look fabulous. Come on. I’ll show you.” She led him to the back of the room where various styles of pumpkins were stacked in an ordered fashion: ceramic pumpkins, metal frames in copper with delicate etched leaves, glass pumpkins, and ones made of wicker and stalks. Some even had lights woven over the frames. The look was colorful and bright and would no doubt look perfect stacked along the walls of his foyer. He could even imagine the delicate little glass pumpkins with colorful leaves on his oak table.
When he told Suzy his thoughts, her face lit up even more…if that was possible.
“I thought so, too, but I didn’t want to say anything. It is your house.”
“But you’re my personal interior designer so you’re welcome to speak out any time.”
A little frown passed over her features, and he wondered what he’d said wrong. Before he could ask, she gestured to a room at the back of the store.
“Since we seem to be on the same page, let me show you the stained glass piece.”
As soon as he saw the rectangular window with delicate crème-colored lilies and the intricate vines weaving around them, he knew exactly what Suzy had meant. Zoe Wyndham produced beautiful work, and with the morning sunshine flowing through the piece, straight onto the oak he’d just refinished, it would be perfect. In fact, as he looked around at more of the artist’s pieces, he realized they were well-suited to his grandmother’s house. The glass windows would bring a touch of grandeur to the old Victorian lady. He tried to think of places for other windows and asked Suzy’s opinion. When they’d picked out four pieces total, Suzy shook her head.
“It’s a grand idea, but I think four pieces would be too pricy for anyone’s pocketbook. Come on. Let’s go look at those napkins.”
After a look at the tags, Scott agreed. He followed Suzy but not without a backward glance at the lily window.