“She’s not ready,” my mother said, sitting back in the beach chair.
“She has my abilities mixed with yours and her father’s,” Vinette added.
“Who is my father?” The words left my lips before I even realized what I’d said.
“All you need to know will be revealed soon enough when the time is right, Tess. You must trust me.”
“Trust you?” I huffed, rising to my feet. “I don’t even know you. My entire life is one big lie that you orchestrated.”
“I’m your mother; that’s not a lie. Your dad who raised you loves you; that’s not a lie. And Noah loves you too. You’re very blessed, Tess. Always remember that and never forget.”
Vinette rose from her spot and neared me. I stepped back, making her chuckle. “You should not fear me, child.”
“Last time we met, you tried to kill me.”
“No, I was training you.”
“By trying to kill me.”
“Semantics.” She touched my forehead with her finger. “They’re worried about you, Tess. It’s time to go.”
I woke with a gasp, my chest rising from the bed as I met my father’s gaze. He was holding a cold washcloth to my forehead. My clothes soaked as I stuck to my bed.
Relief filled his eyes, and even a tear formed. He cleared his throat. “It’s about damn time we broke your fever. Welcome back, baby.”
“Did Ryder get her?” I asked, trying to sit up.
“Easy, Tess. That was a week ago. He’s already taken her to the Council.” Noah appeared on the other side of the bed and eased me back down.
“A week?” I asked, easing back into the bed.
“You’ve been unconscious for six days. Ryder assured us that the magic just drained your energy, and he healed you as best he could. He claimed you just needed time. We’ve been taking turns watching you ever since.”
I turned my gaze to the tube attached to my arm and up to the bag attached to the pole.
“I can’t stay,” I said, emotionless as everything started to sink back in.
“This will always be your home,” my father said.
“I know. You’re my dad no matter who I’m biologically related to.” I turned to Noah. “And you…” A tear started to form.
“You don’t even need to say it.” He lifted my hand to his chest.
“I still need answers. I deserve answers.” I sighed.
“Well,” Dad said, rising from his spot and crossing the room, “I might be able to help you with that.”
“What? Did Mom tell you who he was?”
“No, that was one secret she kept to herself, but while you were unconscious, you’ve been getting some very persistent calls from a man.”
“Who?” No one ever called me unless it was solicitors.
“When I answered, he started off by telling me he wasn’t selling anything, he doesn’t care about your religion, and he doesn’t know anything about a murder mystery box.”
I chuckled. “The man I hung up on.”
“Yes, I do recall him mentioning that. He said he’s been trying to reach you and leaving you messages on your cell phone.”
“Well, we all know cell service sucks.” I turned to my dad. “You should work on that.”
“It’s on my list, Tess. It’s on my list.”
He handed me a notepad. “The man claims to be the attorney for your grandmother.”
“I thought your mom died a decade ago.” I turned to look at my father.
“She did, and your mother’s died before mine.” My dad’s gaze softened. “I believe it’s your biological father’s mother.”
“Really?” I couldn’t believe it.
“He’d like to meet with you to go over the details. He wouldn’t discuss it with me.”
“Is he coming here?” I asked.
“You’re going there,” my dad said and dangled the pendant that Ryder had once loaned me to wear. “This is your chance, Tess. See the world, find your answers.”
This was my shot to get out and see the world.
“I thought you’d be happy.” My dad’s gaze softened.
“I thought I would too,” I answered honestly.
“You will be,” Noah announced, rising from my side. “We’ll keep the light on in your cabana. That way you can find your way home.”
Chapter 18
A week later I stood at the ferry with my luggage by my legs. I’d told the others not to show. I wouldn’t leave if they did.
The ferry was going to be an empty ride. No one was scheduled to show up for another three weeks. Dad had canceled an entire month’s worth of guests and spending time taking care of me and being there in ways that I’d always needed him to be.
It was never too late to get to know his children. I reminded him when I left the hotel. I really hoped he decided to take my advice. They deserved to know he was a good man.
The ferry pulled in, and I grabbed my bag and was heading up the dock when Ryder appeared in the mist, his hands in his pockets, standing there like he’d been waiting on me.
“I hear you’re leaving.”
“Yeah, but I’ll be back,” I answered, stopping in front of him. “Why are you here? Do you want your pendant back?
“I’m here for you,” he announced, taking my bag and walking to the boat. “I wanted to be your escort for your first time on the mainland.”
“Who told you?” I asked.
“Noah. He called and said he was handing over the reins. He had your back on the island; I have your back in my world.”
Heat crept into my cheeks. “That’s not necessary.”
“I might have a personal agenda.” He grinned. “But that’s need to know.”
I playfully smacked his ribs as I stepped onto the boat. “I think I qualify.”
He turned me into my arms and cupped my cheeks. “Let me show you.”
He lowered his lips to mine in a kiss that I’d never forget no matter where my travels took me.
The End.
I hope you enjoyed Tess’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Stay tuned for how Tess’s life turns upside down while learning what her grandmother left her in the will. Keep reading for a sneak peek into the next book: Witchy Trouble on Amazon.
Chapter 1
I sat idly in the attorney’s office while he dug through his filing cabinet in search of Mildred Hexford’s file. You might be wondering who exactly Mildred Hexford was; I’d had the same question. A grandmother whom I never knew existed, one that I’d never get to meet. Why? Because she was dead.
I didn’t know what bothered me more, the fact that the man that raised me wasn’t my father or that my mother had kept the sperm donor’s identity a secret. That was why I was here waiting for Michael Stephens, Esquire, to locate my grandmother’s file.
He slammed the drawer of the cabinet and moved to a picture hanging on the wall. The man in the picture resembled the attorney, with exception of the clothing. There was a century or so difference. The gold plaque attached to the creepy picture read, Mitchell Stephens Senior, Canapoly Falls, North Carolina 1st US Marshall.
“I see serving the law runs in your family.”
“Yes, well, one might think that, looking at this picture,” he mumbled as he removed it to the floor, revealing a state-of-the-art wall safe hidden behind it. “My grandfather was an interesting man, much like your grandmother. Both stubborn to a fault, never backing down.”
“And here I thought I got my stubborn streak from my dad.”
Mr. Stephens rested his hand on the palm reader and waited for a click before he replied. “Your father was stubborn and unique.”
“I was referring to the man that raised me,” I answered as Mr. Stephens took a box and file out of his safe before closing it.
He sat down at his desk, his ruddy cheeks now much brighter. “My apologies, Miss Venture. Mildred explained you didn’t know your father.”
“You can call me Contessa or Tess. I answer to both. Di
d you know my father?” I asked, slightly tilting my head.
“Yes, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. I can’t tell you much. I’m bound by confidentiality in Mildred’s will.”
I uncrossed my legs and inched forward on my seat. “My grandmother stipulated that you couldn’t talk about my father?”
“That and much more, I’m afraid.”
“Why?”
He sighed as if debating the words he wanted to use. It would be useless in the end. I’d find my answers one way or another. I was good that way. He flipped the file open and entwined his fingers. “Once I go over your inheritance, you’ll understand.”
“Okay,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “What did the woman want?”
“This is the last living will of Mildred Hexford,” he started to read.
“Give me the Cliff Notes,” I suggested.
“Tess, you’re entitled to one-third of the estate once her stipulations are met.”
“Stipulations?”
“She stipulated that you must stay at the Hexford Inn and run it for one full year, including, but not limited to, seeing to the needs of the live-in tenants.”
“Who’s taking care of those people now?” I asked. My grandmother had been dead for three months.
“Your grandmother made arrangements. You’ll find she was very efficient at handling all of the details, but you needn’t worry. Your current guests won’t be much of a bother, and I’ll introduce you to them later if you agree to the rest of the stipulations.”
Interesting. The woman couldn’t have been that bad if she’d made plans before kicking the bucket that her guests lives wouldn’t be bothered by her departure. Interesting, indeed. “Continue.”
“You’re also to accommodate any and all guests in the reservations previously written in the register.” Mr. Stephens rested his hand over a large leather-bound ancient journal.
“What, she doesn’t believe in a computer?”
“This book was her life. She didn’t trust computers. She was a bit eccentric, which you’ll soon find out.”
“Okay, no computer, that’s fine. I brought my own and can import the reservations into my calendar, should I decide to stay.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. It’s one of her stipulations,” he added, glancing down at the document. “There will be no changes to how the inn is run nor to any structure inside the Inn or on the property itself.”
“Was she afraid I was going to tear it down?” I asked.
“We could only be so lucky,” he murmured, resting his hand on the box. “Inside this box is every answer to every question about the family and your father that you will ever want to know. It also contains the most prized possession of her estate and a trust in your name that will go in effect one year after you sign the agreement.”
“Let me guess. I can’t take a peek.”
“Not until your year is up. There are two more identical boxes, one for each of your half-sisters should they decide to stay.” Mr. Stephens rose and put the box back in the safe.
“Wait. I have half-sisters?” That thought confused me and terrified me. Maybe they’d grown up learning to use their magic. Maybe they’d known our father.
“You have two. I can tell you that should you decide to stay that the rewards will be worth it.”
“How do you figure? I’ll be staying in a house that you seem to think should be demolished, taking care of people I don’t know, for a woman I’ve never met, and I have to make good on obligations that I have no say-so in.”
“Your trust is worth five million dollars,” he said, hanging the picture back on the wall.
“She’s assuming I’m here for the money?” I said, rising and clutching my purse tighter to my side.
“Oh no, Ms. Venture, the money is just a bonus. Trust me when I tell you that the secrets hidden in that box are of much more value to you.”
He grabbed a manila envelope out of the file and handed it to me. “You’ve had a long trip. Let’s get you settled. It will give you time to process everything and read the extra stipulations. I’ll take you over to the inn and introduce you to the life-long residents and show you around.”
My brows crinkled, and as if sensing my dismay, Mr. Stephens smiled brightly. “Look at the bright side. Since you were the first sister I’ve found, you’ll get your pick of rooms, but if I may be so bold, I’d suggest you not pick the doll room. Many guests have left screaming in the middle of the night.”
“Please tell me the dolls aren’t considered a part of the structure of the inn.” Those would be the first thing to go. Creepy dolls. No thank you.
“Oh no, Ms. Venture, she covered them in the stipulations under ‘guests.’”
To find out more about Witchy Trouble, you can find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
Other Books by Kate Allenton
Suggested Reading Order
BENNETT SISTERS BOX SET (Books 1-4 in one bundle, 1218 pages)
BENNETT SISTERS BOX SET VOLUME 2 (Books 5-7 in one bundle, 517 pages}
INTUITION (Book 1)
TOUCH OF FATE (Book 2)
MIND PLAY (Book 3)
THE RECKONING (Book 4)
REDEMPTION (Book 5)
CHANCE ENCOUNTERS (Book 6)
DESTINED HEARTS (Book 7)
PHANTOM PROTECTORS BOX SET (Books 1-4 in one bundle, 964 pages)
RECKLESS ABANDON (Book 1)
BETRAYAL (Book 2)
UNTAMED (Book 3)
GUIDED LOYALTY (Book 4)
CARRINGTON-HILL INVESTIGATIONS
DECEPTION (Book 1)
DEADLY DESIRE (Book 2)
SHIFTER PARADISE BOX SET
NOT MY SHIFTER/ SINFULLY CURSED
KARMA
SOPHIE MASTERSON SERIES/ DIXON SECURITY
LIFTING THE VEIL (Book 1)
BEYOND THE VEIL (Book 2)
VEILED INTENTIONS (Book 3)
VEILED THREATS (Book 4)
THE LOVE FAMILY SERIES
SKYLAR (BOOK1)
DECLAN (BOOK 2)
FLYNN (BOOK 3)
REED (BOOK 4)
LANDON (BOOK 5)
ALEXIS (BOOK 6)
GABE (BOOK 7)
JACKSON (BOOK 8)
LINKED INC.
DEADLY INTENT (BOOK 1)
PSYCHIC LINK (BOOK 2)
PSYCHIC CHARM (BOOK 3)
PSYCHIC GAMES (BOOK 4)
DEADLY DREAMS (BOOK 5)
CREE BLUE PSYCHIC EYE
DEAD WRONG (BOOK 1)
DEADLY VOWS (BOOK 2)
DEAD FAMOUS (BOOK 3)
DEADLY TIES (BOOK 4)
DEADLY BLISS (BOOK 5)
HELL BOUND
MYSTIC TIDES BOX SET
MYSTIC LUCK BOX SET
MAID OF HONOR
HARD SHIFT
About the Author
Kate has lived in Florida for most of her entire life. She enjoys a quiet life with her husband, Michael and two kids.
Kate has pulled all-nighters finishing her favorite books and also writing them. She says she'll sleep when she's dead or when her muse stops singing off key.
She loves creating worlds full of suspense, secrets, hunky men, kick ass heroines, steamy sex and oh yeah the love of a lifetime. Not to mention an occasional ghost and other supernatural talents thrown into the mix.
Sign up for her newsletters HERE
She loves to hear from her readers by email at [email protected], on Twitter@KateAllenton, and on Facebook at facebook.com/kateallenton.1
Visit her website at www.kateallenton.com
Visit Coastal Escape Publishing’s website at www.coastalescapepublishing.com
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