by Sandra Cox
“Be careful,” Piper cautions.
Angel takes a small lock of hair then clips one of Amy’s fingernails and hurries away.
Are we making a mistake in allowing Angel to learn vodou? I see my question reflected in Piper’s worried countenance then shrug. It’s just another form of religion and as long as it’s used for good, it’s broadening her horizons. As if she can read my mind, Piper nods.
For the next hour the rest of us keep vigil with Amy. She’s no worse and maybe even a bit better, but it’s obvious she’s uncomfortable.
Another hour goes by before Angel and Molita return. Molita places a crimson scarf on the dresser and puts a small doll on top of it. She begins to chant. The words sound French but I can’t make them out.
The voodoo doll isn’t going to win any points with the Barbie set. If Molita was going for homely, she succeeded. The poppet certainly doesn’t resemble Amy, except for the black hair glued to the top of the doll’s head and the turquoise eyes colored onto the face. It looks as if it’s made from sticks with moss glued on for the body.
Molita’s voice grows in volume until it’s a high keening sound. My attention is divided between her and Amy. I can see no difference in my sister. Molita’s chant ends abruptly. She kisses the doll then has Angel do the same.
Molita turns to Amy and places her hands on Amy’s face. “Blessings of our ancestors, sister.” She leaves them there for several moments before dropping her hands. “She will rest easy now.”
Is it my imagination or are her color and breathing better?
Dylan watches her closely. He puts his hand on her forehead. “The fever’s broken. How do you feel, Miss Amy?”
She yawns; her body slumps against the pillows. “Better.”
He checks her ankle. “The swelling’s gone.”
Mr. Dunn grabs his hand and shakes it. “Thank you. You did a wonderful job. We’re very grateful.”
Dylan grimaces. “I appreciate that, sir, but I believe Molita deserves the credit.”
“From where I sit, you get the credit.” Mr. Dunn turns to Molita and smiles warmly. “I sincerely thank you, young lady, for your efforts on our dear Amy’s behalf.”
Molita and Mina give him a tolerant smile, Mina’s filled with amused understanding. “You have interesting tribe dynamics here. It just goes to show that blood does not always make a family.”
For the first time, Dylan studies Tyler’s and Mr. Dunn’s eyes. “I thought you were all related, but I guess not.”
“It’s a tale for another day, son. And it’s past my bedtime. If you’re sure Miss Amy is going to be all right, I think I’m for bed.”
“Miss Amy is going to be just fine. By morning, I have no doubt she’ll be her old self.”
Mr. Dunn nods. “Good to know.” His shoulders slump and a huge yawn escapes. He kisses Piper and Angel then turns to Mina. “Would you like to go on a picnic with me tomorrow, or should I say this afternoon?”
Piper’s eyes widen and she bites her lips together. Angel just smiles. She takes her mom’s hand and swings it back and forth. Piper’s breath whishes out and she relaxes.
“Would you like to see the sunrise on the ocean with me this morning?” Mina counters.
“I would like that very much.” Mr. Dunn’s voice is soft. It’s like the two of them are alone in the room.
“And I would like to have a picnic with you, which I’ll prepare.” Her gaze encompasses the room. “You’re all invited. You too, Dylan.” She smiles at Piper’s grandfather and walks out. Mr. Dunn stares after her then shakes himself back to his surroundings and meanders down the hall to his room.
“Well, I guess I’ll pack it in too. Joel?” Tyler asks.
I look at Amy, undecided. I really don’t want to leave her. And Tyler clearly doesn’t want to leave me with Piper.
“She’s going to be fine,” Dylan assures me. “I don’t know if the concoction in this bag had a thing to do with it.” His expression is rueful. “But I’m going to wait till there’s more in her system, and then I’ll be leaving.”
“I’ll be with her,” Piper assures me.
“Me too, Daddy.”
“Then I guess I’ll call it a night.” I take one last look at my sister. Her color is good, her breathing is even, and she’s sleeping peacefully. I make my way to the little foldout bed in the loft.
Chapter 13
Piper
Fragrant steam swirls under my nose. Fresh brewed coffee tweaks my senses. “Wake up, Pip.”
I pry open an eye. The room is still dark. “What?”
Tyler looms over me like a ghostly apparition. “Your gramps had the right idea,” he whispers. “Let’s take a walk on the beach at sunrise.”
“Seriously?” I roll away.
He lifts my hair and kisses the nape of my neck. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
His soft lips tickle my skin. I snuggle into the pillow. He tugs at my strap and kisses my bare shoulder.
“Okay. Okay.” I push up in bed and take the cup he extends. I take another deep inhale then my first sip and nearly groan in pleasure as smooth-tasting caffeine rolls down my throat and heads for my belly.
“Hey,” he says softly.
“Hey, yourself.”
He squats beside me at eye level and gives me his dear, quirky smile. I glance over his shoulder and see the gangly voodoo doll sitting on the dresser and bolt upright. Tyler grabs the coffee before I douse both of us with it.
I shoot out of bed and head for Amy.
“She’s fine,” he whispers.
I feel her forehead. It’s warm, but a normal warm, her breathing deep and even. She’s curled on her side with her hand under her pillow, her cheek flushed with sleep. I lift the sheet and check her ankle. There’s no swelling and barely a sign of the bite. Relief floods my system. My muscles sag. “She’s okay.”
“That’s good.” He kisses my cheek then clears his throat. “I’ll give you a chance to get dressed. Meet me in the kitchen.”
It takes me a minute to realize I’m only wearing a cami and bikinis. And they’re white, no blending or hiding what I’m wearing in the dark. Thank God, my underwear isn’t a thong. “Uh, yeah.”
“Hurry, we don’t want to miss the sunrise.” He gives me another quick kiss, this one on the lips with passion thrown in, then he’s gone.
I toss on clothes, brush my teeth, and leave Angel and Amy sleeping peacefully. As promised, Tyler is waiting in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee. Seeing me, he stands and grabs a picnic basket with a red and white cloth cover. “Let’s go.”
“Isn’t it a bit early for lunch?”
He laughs, the sound light and rich. I’ve always loved Tyler’s laugh.
“Since our late night picnic didn’t work out last night, we’re having breakfast on the beach.”
“That will be fun.”
“Yeah, your gramps if full of good ideas.” He holds open the back door and we head for the beach.
“I thought he and Mina were having lunch on the beach.”
“I’m modifying.” He grabs my hand and swings it. It’s like it used to be before Joel and Angel burst into my life, just a boy and a girl walking on the beach at sunrise.
“I wonder if Gramps is up.”
“Yeah, he left the house about ten minutes before I woke you, as jaunty as a kid. Mina’s doing wonders for him.”
“Yes, I suppose she is.”
Something in my voice alerts him. He leans his head against mine. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“I want Gramps’ happiness more than anything in the world. It just takes a little getting used to that I may not be his number-one girl anymore.”
He kisses me lightly on the forehead. “You’ll always be his number-one girl.”
My chest expands and I step a little closer, into his personal space. “Thanks. You always know the right thing to say.”
He laughs ruefully. “It seems these day
s I’m constantly pulling my foot out of my mouth.”
“You’ve had to deal with a lot of unique situations.” It’s time to change the subject. “So where is this picnic breakfast going to be held?”
Gramps and Mina must have headed in the opposite direction because we have the beach to ourselves. The sky has turned from black velvet to a pearly gray with a tinge of pink. It won’t be long till the sun comes up.
“How about right here?”
“Works for me.”
He tosses down a blanket, makes a courtly gesture with his hand for me to be seated then opens the picnic basket. He pulls out a quart container, shakes it, then pours orange liquid into two wine goblets.
“Orange juice. How thoughtful, perfect in fact.”
He grins and hands me a goblet.
I take a gulp and gasp as my insides heat. “Mimosas.”
“Well, for the most part you were right. It’s mainly orange juice.”
“Uh-huh. Well whatever brand of OJ you bought, it’s got a kick to it.”
He winks then turns his attention to the sky. “Look.” He sets down his glass and points. The sun, a brilliant yellow, is cutting through the lacy swath of rose-pink.
“It’s beautiful.”
When I turn back, he grabs my hands and is on his knees in front of me. “So are you.”
I know what’s coming and don’t know how to ward it off. I can’t seem to catch my breath. It’s lodged somewhere in my throat. I’m going to hyperventilate.
He drops my hands, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a small diamond ring. Panic surges through me. Every cell in my body clenches up. I can’t do this.
“You know I love you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Will you marry me, Piper? I’ll be the best dad I can be to Angel. I’ll make you happy, I swear it.”
I close my eyes and attempt to ignore the buzzing in my ears. I try to push air into my lungs but it just won’t come. The sun seems to be swinging dizzily in the sky.
He pushes my head down to my knees. Oxygen shoots into my lungs then out again as I take deep swallows of air. My head clears and I lift it.
He gives me a crooked grin that’s a little forced. “Of every scenario I’ve imagined—and they’ve ranged the spectrum from you throwing your arms around me and saying yes, to telling me hell no—having you nearly pass out wasn’t one I anticipated.”
He leans back on his heels and studies me. I can’t meet his eyes. I’m totally humiliated. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
“Okay, how about we leave it as you’ll think about it?”
My shoulders slump as my muscles loosen. I’m nearly nauseous with relief. I nod.
He pulls out a thermos, fills a coffee cup, and hands it to me along with a gooey pastry. “Is it Joel?” His manner is offhand but his jaws are clenched and his eyes anxious.
I put the pastry down on the napkin and hide behind the coffee cup but my hands are shaky so I set the cup down too.
“Joel doesn’t want me.” I fight back the lump in my throat that rises when I say those words.
“If he did?”
Tyler doesn’t even think Joel wants me. How could such a beautiful, rose-colored sky turn gray so quickly? Surely it’s my perceptions and not Mother Nature empathizing.
I search carefully for the right words. Though I’m not convinced there are any. I’m so bad at this. Why can’t I pluck out the perfect response like so many women are capable of doing? I’m such a failure when it comes to relationships. I’m awkward and unsure of myself and never know the right thing to say.
“Piper. What if Joel did want you?”
I reach over and clutch a handful of sand, then open my fingers and let it run through. Finally, I clear my throat and respond. “Joel and I are dolphs. That’s a pretty strong connection. We have a daughter, that’s an even stronger connection. That means we have a bond.” I look up and force myself to look in Tyler’s eyes and keep my voice even. “But that doesn’t mean it’s a till-death-do-us-part bond. It simply means that we have enough in common to always be close.”
Tyler searches my features. I force myself to look back at him without blinking, fighting the heat that wants to surge from my chest, up my throat and flood my face. Whatever he sees must reassure him, because he hands back my mimosa and clinks his glass against mine. “I can wait. Here’s to the next proposal.”
It’s not the toast I would have suggested but it’s good enough. I drink down the contents then set my glass in the sand and reach for my coffee and pastry. Things could have been worse.
As I swallow the pastry, Angel comes running down the beach, two small bags swinging from her hand. I automatically cover the coffee cup as she kicks up sand coming to a halt beside the blanket. “Hi, Momma. Uncle Tyler.”
“Hi, sweetie.” I reach up to hug her. “Did you come to share our picnic breakfast?”
“I came to give you your gris-gris bags, but if you don’t mind, that would be lots of fun.” She settles onto the blanket and hands each of us the bags that are on long twined strings. “Put them on.”
We comply.
“And remember, you’ve got to leave them on. Everyone has one now.”
“Did you find Gramps?”
“Yes. He wasn’t too thrilled about wearing his, but he did. He didn’t come out and say so but he thinks it’s a pack of nonsense.”
“Well the main thing is he’s wearing it.”
“What do you think about vodou, Momma?”
I stretch my legs out and sip my coffee, enjoying the morning sun on my skin. “I agree with your daddy. As long as it harms none, gives hope and encourages people to do good by others, to me it’s just another form of religion.”
Angel nods. “That’s how I see it too.”
“And you, Uncle Tyler?”
I know she’s just being polite; she can read what we think as clearly as if we are speaking.
She gives me a sheepish grin.
“I think your mom is a wise woman. That makes perfect sense to me. It’s certainly broadening our horizons isn’t it?” He reaches over and gives her head an affectionate rub.
“Yes it is. And you’ll wear yours all the time, Uncle Tyler?”
“For you, Angel, anything.”
I see the deep affection in his eyes for my daughter. Maybe things can work between us. If there’s a crack in my heart it will eventually heal, not deepen and widen till the whole organ falls apart.
Angel’s mouth droops and her eyes glisten. Crap. I blank my mind and force my stiff lips into a smile.
Tyler’s eyebrows crinkle in a bewildered smile, his glance sliding back and forth between me and Angel. “Am I missing something?”
I reach over and take his hand. Angel takes the other. “Not a thing.” I give his fingers a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s go back to the house and see what’s going on.”
We walk back hand in hand, Angel kicking up sand as she scuffs her feet.
The day passes with no incidents.
When the sun sets, we decide to dig for clams and have an impromptu party on the beach. Angel, Amy, and Gramps go ahead. I hang back to change my top. When I walk into the bedroom, the room is shadowed, dusky dark, except for two tiny beams of glowing red light coming from the ceiling.
I stare, bewildered.
Then my muscles lock and my skin crawls as the form takes shape.
Chapter 14
Piper
Not red lights, beady eyes. A vampire bat!
Saliva drips from its canines in thick drops of translucent mucus, plopping on the floor like raindrops that have been slimed. It has to be rabid. It dives straight at me. I give one short, sharp scream and dive under the bed, taking a layer of skin with me as I wedge myself under the bed frame. Something brushes my foot and I shudder. Ice crystallizes in my veins.
Joel bursts in. “Piper, where are you? What’s wrong?”
My teeth chattering, I for
ce words passed a larynx that doesn’t want to cooperate. “Baaa.”
“Baaa?”
“Baaaaat.”
“Geez, Piper, my heart nearly stopped. I thought at the very least you were being murdered. I know they’re creepy looking little creatures, but they won’t— Holy shit.”
I hear the whistle and thud of a knife then a squeak. “Okay, you can come out. Or perhaps you’d rather stay put until I get this cleaned up.” His voice sharpens. “Did it bite you?”
“Nooo.” I can’t get my stupid teeth to quit chattering.
“Thank God. Stay there a moment longer. I’ll have this mess cleaned up in just a second.”
“Al-lll right.” My leg is cramping, but I’m not about to come out and look at that ghastly vampiric creature. I’ll be seeing it in my dreams as it is.
The door flies open again. “Piper. Piper, are you all right? Where are you? What’s going on?” Tyler calls.
“She’s under the bed.”
“Why the hell is she under the bed?”
“She was dive-bombed by a bat.”
“A tarantula last night and a bat tonight, what the devil is going on?”
“Good question.” Joel’s voice is grim.
“Where is it?”
Joel must have pointed, because Tyler replies, “You killed it with a knife?”
“It was rabid and my knife was the closest weapon at hand. Now I’d better get this mess cleaned up. I’ll be right back.”
The door groans a little as it opens and closes again. The bed skirt rustles and Tyler’s face peers into mine. “How are you, babe?”
I nod. I don’t trust my vocal cords to respond to the message from my brain.
He lies down and reaches for my hand. I’m afraid he’s going to try to pull me out, but he just holds it.
My galloping heart settles down to a slow trot. Nothing comforts more than contact with another warm-blooded mammal. “You’re okay now, Piper.” His hand on mine tightens. He keeps his voice neutral, along with his demeanor, but I can see the skin draw across his cheekbones. “It didn’t bite you, did it?”
I shake my head. Then manage to push out, “No.”