There wasn’t anything more sorrowful than seeing a full-grown man sob from a broken heart. With each tear he shed, the guilt he’d been carrying around for being absent at the time of her death, the guilt that had weighed him down for so long now, was being lifted from his shoulders.
“It was a very special gift of love just for you, Mr. Hinton. She wants you to know that and understand it wasn’t your fault.”
Jody focused on the space next to Dallas and nodded. “She wants you to know that when you go out to the pond and talk to her…” Fiona’s abrupt interruption made it difficult to keep a straight face. “Okay. Okay. She wants me to remind you the pond is where the two of you caught that ginormous catfish.” Jody spread her hands wide just like Fiona had shown her, resulting in an outburst of laughter from everyone in the room. “When you go there and talk to her, she’s with you and hears every word you say. She told me you’re the best dad ever, and she loves you with all her heart.”
Jody turned to Sarah and leaned in. Now for the most difficult message. “Fiona wants you to know it’s not the right time for you to come and be with her yet. You need to stay with her daddy.” The room went silent as the realization of her words dawned on the participants. Sarah gasped when her innermost secret wish for death had been revealed.
Shocked by this latest revelation, Dallas wrapped his arms around his wife and held on for dear life. He spoke to her through his sobs. “I can’t lose you too, baby. You can’t leave me.”
Jody now understood why Fiona had become more frantic as time went by, never giving her a moment of peace.
“That first night Fiona and I met, she took me to her deathbed. I saw the two of you cuddled together. You were begging her not to go. You talked to her about how much you loved her and needed her to stay. She heard every word, but it was her time. It wouldn’t have mattered when you got her to the hospital. She wouldn’t have survived. She was being called home.
“She wants you to know she wouldn’t have given her life up with the two of you for anything, even if it meant staying until she was old. The two of you always made her feel loved, and wanted, and safe.”
Shocked by what she’d just learned from Fiona, Jody’s eyebrows rose. She looked into Sarah’s eyes and smiled. “You’re pregnant.” It was a statement, not a question.
Sarah vehemently shook her head. “No.”
Jody nodded affirmatively. “Fiona says you are. She just told me you need to take care of yourself and eat good food like strawberries and apples. If it were up to her, you should probably stay away from broccoli.” Jody laughed at the absurdity of the message and held her right hand up in the air. “I swear, I couldn’t make this shit up if I wanted to.”
Sarah threw her head back and laughed for the first time since Fiona had died. “My little Fiona hated broccoli. She would moan and groan to try to get out of eating it.”
Jody snickered. “Well apparently, she’s looking out for her little brother. She’s holding his soul for you until it’s time for him to come. She’s been telling her baby brother all about you two and how much fun he’s going to have.”
Jody’s attention was once again distracted. The people in the room patiently waited for her to receive the coveted information from their baby girl. “Fiona promised her little brother that you would give him Thumper Bumper. She’s told him all about the stuffed, green bunny. She says he’s expecting to see it right away, so don’t forget it when the time comes.
“She also says he’s going to look just like her daddy. His hair is light brown and curly.”
Jody leaned in to add her two cents. “If I were you, I’d go to the doctor. She seems pretty certain about this pregnancy.”
Jody started to see hope for the future, as well as healing of the past in the faces of Fiona’s parents. Their demeanor had changed dramatically. Fiona had lightened their heavy load. They’d been holding on to each other since almost the beginning of Fiona’s messages. Their sweet, little Sunny Girl had given them the gift of bringing them together again. She’d given them what they each needed to move on and look forward to in the future. The Hinton’s were going to make it. Jody was sure of that.
“Fiona’s showing me something, but I’m not quite sure what it is. It’s a small piece of black fabric. It has what looks like a silver helmet at the top, with green and gold leaves flowing from it. In the center is a white shield with a picture of what looks like a deer.” Unclear about what she was seeing, Jody shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea what this is, but she’s waving it in the air like a flag and wants you to know she has it.”
Sarah’s voice cracked. “I put it in her coffin before it was sealed. It’s the McCarthy coat of arms. I told her to find our people, and they’d keep her safe.”
Jody’s smile brightened the room. “She’s with them! Before we found you, Fiona wouldn’t give me any peace. She didn’t understand the rules of engagement between the living and the dead. A woman appeared and told her to go with her. She told her they’d make cookies and have a little chat about bothering the living.” Jody laughed at the memory.
“Fiona identified the woman as her grandmother. I’m surprised she didn’t come through today, but it feels as if everyone has taken a step back to let Fiona have her say.”
Jody studied the couple sitting across from her. She was thrilled for them. Fiona’s visit had given them a new chance at life. They were smiling and laughing through their tears and holding each other’s hands.
The weight of this meeting had started taking its toll on her, though. She’d have to end this soon. “I have something for you.” She picked a package up off the floor and set it on the table before them.
“I know Fiona touched many lives when she was alive, and that hasn’t stopped in death. This is a gift from one of those people, a friend of mine who’s an artist.”
Sarah opened the box to find a beautiful portrait of Fiona drawn in charcoal. Terry, who’d never met her in life but had fallen in love with the spunky little girl in death, had sketched her.
Overcome with emotion and knowing time had now grown short, Jody clutched at her heart as her eyes filled with tears of joy for this family. “I’ll never forget little Fiona. I’ll think of her always.” She stood and slowly drifted over to Sarah with her arms outstretched. “Thank you for meeting with us, and thank you for letting me pass her messages on to you.”
She whispered in Sarah’s ear. “Please go to the doctor. You are pregnant.”
Jody stood by silently as Jared closed the door behind Sarah and Dallas. When he turned back to her, her forlorn expression as she looked across the room told him everything he needed to know. Her tears flowed freely down her face as she held her hand up in a silent farewell to Fiona.
“Do you think you’ll ever see her again?”
Weary from Fiona’s journey, she absently shook head. “No.”
He crossed the room and drew her into his arms, needing the embrace as much as she did.
Chapter Seventeen
Even though the reunion with Sarah and Dallas had been a resounding success, extreme exhaustion left Jody completely disabled. Her mind wanted to shut down and reboot. Her body found the simplest motor skills almost too difficult to execute. All of her concentration focused on putting one foot in front of the other, each step taken without falling a small victory. If her rubbery legs cooperated long enough, she’d eventually make it back to her room. Thankfully, before they’d gotten too far, Jared noticed her struggling and put his arm around her waist for added support.
By the time they made their way to the elevators, her body felt as though she’d run a marathon. Once inside, Jared steadied her against the railing and punched the button.
While not a small elevator by any means, the space inside felt as if it were closing in on her. When Jared turned to Jody, the intensity of his worry rolled off of him in waves and felt as though she’d been smacked across the face. He’d been such a huge help to her. She wanted desperately
to alleviate his concerns, but in this weakened state, she just didn’t have the resources to even try. Every ounce of energy had been used to allow Fiona to speak with her family. At this point, the only thing that would make her better was food and rest.
As if he’d read her mind, Jared stated in a manner there’d be no argument, “I ordered a meal. It should be in our room by the time we get there. I want you to eat and then go straight to bed.”
She opened her mouth, but before she could offer her gratitude, he held his hand up. “This is non-negotiable. Your energy is completely depleted. You can hardly walk. I insist.”
In response, she managed a feeble nod. She would’ve offered Jared a smile but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to make the muscles in her face work. She felt like a stumbling zombie. Hell, she probably looked like one too.
The elevator doors opened, and before Jody could budge, he bent down and picked her up. His satisfied murmur let her know it pleased him she didn’t argue about the offered help. When she laid her head on his shoulder and allowed him complete control of her care, his cheek nuzzled the crown of her head. “It’s going to be okay now. I’ve got you.”
Once inside the suite, Jared placed Jody in a chair at the table where the meal he’d ordered had been set up. He removed the cloche in front of her to reveal a beautiful gourmet fare. The meal looked and smelled divine, but she’d passed the point of being able to savor it hours ago. Each bite she managed to take served to fuel her body. Beyond that, her state of fatigue made it impossible to enjoy.
They ate in complete but comfortable silence. When he noticed she hadn’t taken a bite in quite some time and only stared at her plate, he slid her chair out, picked her up, and carried her to the master bedroom. Attentive to her every need, he sat her on the bed, strode to the closet, and picked out a plush hotel robe for her.
Jared pointed to the door behind him. “That’s the master bath if you need it.” Jody nestled the luxurious bathrobe in her lap, absently rubbing the soft material. “Don’t worry about taking the time to find something to wear in your bag. Just slip into the robe. You’ll be comfortable and warm in it.”
Somewhere in the back of her mind, the extent to which Jared fussed over her clicked. Jody had no choice but to allow him to make the decisions about what she ate, what room to sleep in, and what she’d wear. Up until this point in her life, outside of her mother, Nathan and Terry were the only people who’d ever treated her so sweetly and so lovingly. Certainly, no other man had lavished her with such attention.
Now that she had food in her belly, the heaviness of exhaustion started to overtake her quickly. Clutching the robe, she responded to Jared’s gentle instruction with a nod of understanding. He left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him. She knew he had done that to give her some privacy, but he’d still be able to hear her if she needed him.
****
To ensure he didn’t disturb her sleep, Jared waited until the lights had been turned out and a full thirty minutes had passed before pulling his phone out and calling Nathan. He’d had several text messages and voice mails from both him and Terry, all concerning Jody and how she’d held up during and after the reunion. He didn’t particularly want to make the call, but as close as they seemed to be, he knew her two friends would be worried sick about her until they heard something.
Nathan picked up on the first ring. “J.D., how’d it go?” his voice strained with anxiety for his friend.
Trying to ease his tension, Jared closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.” He hoped the admiration in his voice spoke volumes.
Nathan’s sigh expressed his experience in the matter. “Jody and her gift have that effect on people.”
Jared couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, apparently they do. I was just calling to tell you she’s sleeping, and she’s okay. Little Fiona has moved on and shouldn’t bother her again.”
“Good. Tell Jody I’ve called her work and told the staff she’d be out for about a week. I told them there was an emergency she had to deal with out of town. They’re taking care of everything, so she’s not to worry about getting back.”
“I’ll make sure to tell her. She’s so exhausted that she may sleep for a week.”
The intensity of the long pause on the line had Jared squirming. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt Nathan didn’t believe he was good enough for Jody. He’d prove him wrong, but it would take time. Right this minute, there wasn’t a single thing that could be said to sway Nathan to his corner. Learning early on that words were meaningless, he’d have to show Nathan he was a changed man. Jody had done that for him. She brought out a softer, more caring side to him he wasn’t even aware had existed—a side Nathan had certainly never seen before.
Looking at the situation objectively, he understood the apprehension Nathan felt on behalf of his good friend. On paper, Jared and Jody were worlds apart, two independent personalities which should never work well together. But in his heart, Jared knew they would mesh. He’d do whatever necessary to make her happy and safe. However, right this minute, there wouldn’t be any way to persuade Nathan his feelings for Jody were heartfelt, so he didn’t even try.
“J.D., about Jody…”
Jared interrupted by quickly speaking over Nathan. “I know we need to talk, but after the exhausting day we’ve had, I just can’t have this discussion right now. I’ll talk to you when we get home.” He hit the end button to avoid the inevitable confrontation regarding his feelings.
Not knowing what to do with himself as the evening progressed, Jared sat in the living room of the suite and pondered what he’d witnessed today. Knowing he’d had a small role in the Hinton family healing had him feeling overcome with joy.
What Jody did with her abilities and how she used them was beyond his comprehension. He’d watched her closely enough to know her gift was one of those anomalies in life which would remain a mystery forever.
To his surprise, what had impressed him the most today had been her courage in facing off with Dallas Hinton. Clearly twice her size and out of his mind with grief, the man could’ve easily gone into a rage and killed her. Jared shuddered at the thought of what might’ve happened had he not been there. As it was, Jody hadn’t left the meeting with the Hinton’s totally unscathed. The guilt twisted in his gut when he thought of how her wrist had been badly bruised when Dallas threw the phone at her. He couldn’t help but wonder how often spirit messages put Jody in dangerous situations like the one he’d witnessed today.
Working as a private investigator, Jared had seen firsthand how emotionally distraught people reacted so easily with violence. The destructive, aggressive behavior would usually occur during a confrontation which would end his client’s marriage or their life as they knew it. All because the person he’d investigated had made poor choices and been caught in the act of violating the trust of someone else.
He knew full well the comparison between his apples and Jody’s oranges was a stretch, but for the moment, it was all he had. With his limited personal experience in this area and absolutely no spiritual experience, he had to fall back on what he knew. It all came down to fear. Fear always presented itself as anger.
He felt a sense of pride for Jody because even when physically attacked, she never once considered giving up. She had information she knew would help Dallas and Sarah Hinton. No matter what the consequences to herself, she’d been determined to deliver those messages so they’d be able to heal and little Fiona could finally rest. Never once had she considered disengaging as an option, making her, by far, the fiercest person, male or female, he’d ever come across. Knowing she’d surely deny that quality had him smiling. She amazed him. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything and certainly anyone else ever before.
As the day’s events rolled through Jared’s mind, a sudden unexpected movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Believing Jody had woke
n up and wanted something had him sitting up and at the ready to get whatever she needed. Peering at the door across the room and seeing no sign of her left him baffled. The bedroom door remained only cracked as he’d originally left it. That’s weird. I could’ve sworn she was standing right outside of the bedroom door. With some confusion, he continued to watch the slightly open door expecting her to come through it at any moment. Instead, as he waited for her, he saw a light go on in the bedroom. Since she was awake, he took that as his cue to check on her.
He gently knocked on the door. “You okay in there?”
No response.
Curious, Jared opened the door and peeked in to find Jody curled up fast asleep in the big, soft robe. She hadn’t even made it under the covers. Moving his attention to the bathroom door, he found the source of light he’d seen go on from the other room. He was positive he’d seen it go off earlier while sitting in the lounge area of the suite.
Being careful not to wake her, he slipped stealthily across the bedroom and peered into the spacious bathroom. Nothing seemed to be amiss which left him scratching his head in bewilderment. Maybe she’s a sleepwalker. That didn’t feel right to him, though. She’d been so exhausted she barely had enough strength to stumble to the elevator. I must be losing my mind. The light was probably already on, and I just didn’t notice it.
Filled with an indefinable stirring of discomfort, he reached out and flipped the bathroom light off. He’d never been susceptible to seeing things before, but he wrote it off to his lack of sleep. Jared quickly accepted the fact that he’d obviously been more fatigued than he originally thought, which made him feel a little more comfortable.
As Jared turned away from the bathroom, a cool breeze brushed across his face. The cold air blowing through the room had him trembling and cursing himself for forgetting to check the thermostat. When he realized it registered at what should be a comfortable seventy-eight degrees, he vigorously wiped his dried out eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Even more peculiar, he couldn’t explain where the cold air was coming from since the air conditioner didn’t appear to be running.
Troubled Spirits Page 14