by Deanna Chase
“That was impressive,” Rex said with a nod. “You’re going to be a fantastic asset to this team.”
“Does that mean I’m hired?” she asked, really excited about the opportunity. She couldn’t believe how much she loved the place. From the scenery, to using her air magic to create something, to the fresh-earth scent of the vineyard, she couldn’t get enough.
“Definitely. When can you start?”
“Today?” she said with a laugh.
Rex chuckled. “Excited much? You really like it here, don’t you?”
“I do. It’s different, and I like being challenged,” she said, leaning against one of the stainless steel counters. “Don’t get me wrong, I love managing A Spoonful of Magic, but I’ve been doing that a long time. Most days I’m completely on autopilot.”
“I fear that will happen here, too. It’s mostly just tending vines and aerating the wine during the fermenting process,” Rex said.
“That works. If I get bored, I’ll have that incredible view to entertain me.” She turned and looked out the window just in time to see the sun setting over the mountain. “Look, Rex. It’s magic.”
“It sure is,” he said from right behind her, and she thought she heard a hint of longing in his tone. But when she glanced back to see his expression, he was already moving away from her toward the door. “Ready? It’s quittin’ time.”
“Sure.” She tucked her wand away and followed him back into the vineyard. “So, do you work on Sundays?”
“I do,” he said. “Do you?”
She was tickled he’d asked. It meant he was sensitive to his employee’s needs. “I do. Usually I work a few hours at the store in the morning and then teach a yoga class at night. But the spa is going to be closed tomorrow while Hunter finishes getting the new window in, so I’m free if you need me.”
“Perfect. How about noon?” he asked, leading her to the golf cart that would take them back to the main house where her car was parked.
She climbed onto the cart, buckled in, and said, “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Honey, I’m home!” Shannon called as she walked into Hope’s house.
“In here,” Silas called back.
She followed the sound of his voice into the kitchen where she found her brother and Levi sitting at the table playing cards. Levi had his injured ankle propped up on a pillow on one of the chairs. “Where’s the happy couple?”
“Date night,” Levi said without looking up from his cards.
“Good for them.” Shannon glanced at the kitchen, noting there were a pile of dishes in the sink, but it didn’t look as if anyone had actually cooked anything. “Did you two have plans for dinner?”
Silas’s head popped up. “Dinner? Are you making something?”
Shannon rolled her eyes. “Maybe.”
“We can get pizza,” Levi said. “Hope left some money on the counter.”
She glanced over at the envelope off to the right and swallowed a groan. No way was she letting Hope and Chad buy dinner when she and Silas were invading them. “Is that what you want?”
Silas and Levi both shouted an enthusiastic, “Yes!”
“Pizza it is then.” Shannon pulled her phone out of her pocket and made the call to the Mystyk Pizza Parlor. It was a newer place in town that had plenty of excellent choices.
Forty minutes later, Shannon was on her way back from picking up the pizza when she spotted a white van parked across the street from Hope’s house. Unease coiled in her gut. Had that van been there before? She peered in the window as she drove by but couldn’t see anything in the dusky twilight. Once she was out of her car and headed up the front walk, she glanced around for anyone suspicious. She didn’t see anyone, but the hair on the back of her neck stood up, making her hurry into the house.
“Silas?” she called.
Her brother appeared in the living room, his phone pressed to his ear as he rolled his eyes and made a face to indicate how irritated he was. He mouthed, Mom and muttered something into the phone that sounded an awful lot like, “No effing way.”
“What does she want?” Shannon hissed as she walked by with the pizza. They hadn’t heard much from their mother since she’d informed them they were going to have to move out of her grandmother’s house a few days ago. Shannon suspected that her mother was expecting them to call and beg her forgiveness or grovel to get the house back. Shannon would do neither.
“Same as always,” Silas whispered. “Guilt trip.”
“Of course.” Shannon moved past him and brought the pizza to the table where Levi slumped in the chair, looking miserable. “Hey, Levi. What’s wrong? Does your foot hurt?”
“Not really. I just iced it a few minutes ago.”
Shannon grabbed some plates and silverware before taking a seat next to him. “Wanna talk about it?”
He glanced toward the living room, and worry flashed in his eyes before he dropped his gaze back to the cards still sitting in front of him. “What’s there to talk about? Silas is going to go back home where he belongs, and I’ll be here.”
“Missing him,” she finished for him.
Levi sighed. “Who wouldn’t? I mean, he’s Silas.”
“He’ll be back,” she said, squeezing his hand. “He’s already said he wants to spend the winter break here.”
“Or in the Bahamas with his cast mates.” He turned to Shannon. “He got an invite today.”
Shannon chuckled. “What makes you think he’ll go there when he can come up here and see us?”
“Come on, Shannon,” Levi said, shaking his head. “Do you really think he’s going to come to this small town when he can be drinking rum on the beach?”
“Yes, she does,” Silas said, striding back into the dining room.
“Silas, I—”
“Nope. It’s my turn to talk.” Silas sat down next to Levi, leaning in close so that their shoulders brushed together.
Shannon got up and moved to the living room to give Levi and Silas some privacy. She felt for Levi. It never was easy being the one who was left behind. But she also knew Silas was serious about spending the holidays with her in Keating Hollow. He’d told her that very morning that, despite the turmoil with their mother and the paparazzi, he’d never felt quite so at peace as he did in the redwoods. He said it was good to spend time around people who really cared about him. She knew ‘people’ had meant her and Levi and that their acceptance of him, just for him and not his acting or fame or paycheck, was exactly what he needed most.
She moved to the window, eyeing the white van that was still parked across the street. A black SUV was parked behind it now, but she still didn’t see any photographers. Was she being paranoid? Maybe. She pulled her phone out to call Brian, but before she could pull his number up, her phone started to ring.
Gigi. Great. Exactly who she didn’t want to talk to. But she knew if she ignored the call, her mom would just keep trying. She was relentless when she wanted something.
“Shannon, it’s about time you picked up your phone. I’ve been trying for ages to get you,” her mom said without even uttering a hello.
“Good evening, Mother. How has your weekend been?” Shannon said.
“Don’t be cute. I’m calling because I just got word of your stalker. It’s time to come home, Shannon. You and Silas are not safe there in that little town. There’s no protection from the crazy people who want a piece of Silas.”
“Mom, I already told you Silas isn’t interested in going home right now. He needs this break.”
“I really don’t care, Shannon. It isn’t safe there for either of you. Just come home where we can keep the house gated and the insane internet trolls away from you and your brother. When things die down, you can go back to that little town of yours. I’m only saying this because I’m worried. I’ve seen the things they’re saying about you online. Have you?”
“No. You know I don’t look at that stuff.” Shannon eyed the vehicles out front and started to feel une
asy all over again.
“You have to, darling. It’s not good. Please just come home and let your father and I deal with this threat. Do you know what will happen if Silas is hurt?”
Shannon gritted her teeth together. And there is was. The real reason Gigi Ansell wanted her to pick up and run back to LA. Silas. She wanted him home, and she would do anything to get her way. But instead of arguing with her about it, she said, “I’ll talk to Silas, and we’ll get back to you.”
“Shan—”
“Mom, I said we’ll discuss it. That’s the best I can do.” Shannon ended the call and then turned off her phone before Gigi could blow it up when she tried to call back.
“She got to you, didn’t she?” Silas said as he leaned against the wall closest to the kitchen.
Shannon ran a hand through his thick hair. “Kind of. As much as I don’t want to go down there, she has a point. The house is gated. No one will be able to get to you.”
Silas narrowed his eyes, and when he spoke again, there was a trace of venom in his tone. “Shannon, have you ever wondered who is really behind this circus we’re living right now?”
“What does that mean? Drew said they arrested that gossip blogger and—”
Silas shook his head. “No. I mean who started this whole mess. Who told the press where we were? Who tipped them off to Brian’s drama? Why are they still here when there’s nothing to report? The paparazzi never sticks around this long unless there’s a really juicy story or someone is paying them for their trouble.”
“You mean like a bribe?” Shannon asked, her eyes raised in surprise. “Who would do that?” Cara’s people maybe. If she was trying to get publicity for her reality show, it made a certain amount of sense.
“People who are trying to get what they want, my dear sister. And what Mom wants most is to have not just me, but you too, home with her where she can control our lives. Think about it.” He was angry now, practically vibrating with the emotion. “This is what she’s best at, Shannon. Don’t fall for her crap. Please.”
Shannon didn’t know what to say. Last night had been scary. If they had to endure something like that again, she really saw no choice but to do as her mother asked. She wouldn’t risk Silas just because he was mad at their mother. Shannon was too, but with all the drama Gigi brought into their lives, the one thing she’d never done was put them in physical danger. She just couldn’t believe her mother was behind the attack. “Mom wouldn’t hire someone to throw a brick through the spa window,” she said quietly.
Silas closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. When he opened them to look at her, he said, “You know, Shannon, a year ago I would’ve agreed with you. Now I’m not so sure. But there is one thing I agree with you about.”
“What’s that?”
He glanced back at the kitchen where he’d left Levi. “We can’t stay here if there’s more violence. I won’t risk our friends getting hurt or their property being destroyed because of my fame.”
Shannon wanted to argue, to insist it wasn’t his fault. But she didn’t because she was certain that he already knew that. It didn’t change the fact that none of the paparazzi stuff would’ve happened if Silas hadn’t come to town. “All right. Let’s make a pact.” She walked over to him and held her hand out. Silas took it and squeezed tightly. Shannon gave him a small grimace and continued, “If there is even a hint of more violence or property destruction, we’ll head down to LA until things blow over. Together.”
Silas groaned, but he nodded and shook her hand. Then he looked up at the ceiling and, as if he was praying to a higher power, said, “Please let the shenanigans of the past few days be over. We’d really like to enjoy the rest of the summer with our friends without anyone getting hurt.”
“Amen,” Shannon said.
Silas gave her a wry grin and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brian paced his living room for what felt like the hundredth time. As it turned out, no photographers were camped out in front of his place and hadn’t been for at least the last twenty-four hours. He didn’t know if they’d given up and gone back to LA or if they just weren’t that interested in him. It was more than likely that pictures of him with Shannon were the money shots, and if they were watching her and Silas, they already knew Brian wasn’t with them.
The thoughts didn’t soothe him. It had been over two days since he’d spoken to Shannon, and he was starting to get worried. She had left him a message, but when he called her back, her voicemail had been full. He was minutes from jumping in his SUV and heading to town just to see if she was okay when his phone buzzed.
“Jacob, what’s up?” he asked his friend.
“You tell me. What the hell happened at the Pelsh winery today?” Jacob asked.
Brian frowned. “What do you mean?
“Oh, hell. You don’t know?”
“Obviously. Are they all right? What about Rex?” Brian asked.
“Turn on your television, channel 4. This is something you need to see to believe.”
Brian walked over to his entertainment center and used the remote to find the right channel. As soon as the screen came into focus, the camera panned an aerial shot of the Pelshes’ vineyard. There were rows and rows of grapes and… was that Shannon running through the vines? It was hard to tell because she was wearing a hat to shield her face from the sun and was carrying a red wand. Wasn’t Shannon’s wand sparkling turquoise? But it sure looked like her. No one else had red hair and curves like she did.
“Jacob, what the hell am I watching? Why is Shannon running through the vineyard?”
“Look at the vines on the edge of the property.”
Brian scanned the screen and then muttered a curse when he saw bolts of fire being shot at the vines. One small section had been burned to a crisp. “Who the hell is doing that?”
“No one knows. It’s a small group of people wearing all black. They just showed up and started screaming at Shannon, calling her a whore.”
Brian’s entire body went rigid. “They’re calling her a whore? Because of me?”
“I think so, man.” Jacob let out a long breath. “There’s more.”
“What?” he barked out, so angry he wanted to punch the wall. He refrained, however, knowing that would do nothing but potentially crack a few bones. He’d save the fists for someone who deserved it.
“Someone vandalized her grandmother’s house. They spray-painted Brian and Cara 4Ever on the door and then used fire magic to burn the same message into the lawn.”
“Holy effing hell.” Brian sank down on his couch, his head throbbing. “Who would do this? I’m no one in that world.”
“But Cara is,” Jacob said quietly. “You know that scene down there. Image is everything, and Cara’s has taken a hit with the rumors you cheated and all.”
“I didn’t cheat on anyone!” Brian growled.
“I know, man. I just mean that’s what the gossip rags have made everyone think,” Jacob said. “You remember how it is. It’s part of the reason we’re here now.”
Hadn’t Brian been thinking the same thing only days before? “Yeah. I know. It’s just… freakin’ insane.”
“No argument here,” Jacob said. “Are you sure you’re okay, man? Need me to come over? Head to the vineyard with you and check things out?”
“I’m fine. And no, but thanks,” Brian said, not wanting Jacob to be pulled into this mess. He had Skye and Yvette to worry about. If people were burning the vineyard, who knew what else they’d do.
After Jacob ended the call, Brian sat back on his couch and tried Shannon one more time.
Voicemail full.
Dammit! He typed out a text message with just two words; Call me.
Then he waited and stared at the television.
The news anchor reported first on Silas and how he’d been in town visiting his sister while taking a break from the industry. There was speculation about a new reality show and whether or not he w
as going to return to his regular series in the fall. Then the story morphed into the gossip about Brian and Cara’s engagement and Brian’s alleged infidelity. They flashed a picture of Shannon leaving her house, but then it segued into one of Shannon and Rex standing in front of the Pelshes’ home… kissing.
His eyes nearly bugged out of his head as he stared at the picture. Rex was kissing his girl? It wasn’t possible, was it? Shannon wouldn’t do that. Neither would Rex. But the proof was right there in front of his eyes. Rex had both hands on her cheeks, and his eyes were closed with his lips touching hers. Pictures didn’t lie.
Something inside of Brian withered, and he felt the same way he had the day he found out he wasn’t really Skye’s father. He knew the situations weren’t even remotely the same, but that didn’t stop him from feeling as if his heart had been ripped clean out of his chest. He pressed a hand to his breastbone and did his best to stop the metaphoric bleeding.
He got up and went into his kitchen. Without any conscious thought, he pulled the whiskey bottle down and poured two fingers into a glass. Whiskey neat. It was what his father drank after a shit day. Brian let out a small bark of laughter. After all the time he’d spent trying to not be his father, it appeared the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
As he sipped his whiskey, he remembered all the times he hadn’t been mentally available for Sienna. How he’d always known he wasn’t good for her. His presence in her life had only made things worse. And although Shannon was about as opposite a woman from Sienna as one could get, it appeared he wasn’t good for her either. In the short time they’d been dating—bet or not—she’d been stalked by the paparazzi, had fake news stories written about her, and been cyber-stalked and terrorized by some insane individuals who didn’t appear to be able to separate fiction from reality.
He glanced at the television where he’d frozen the picture of Rex and Shannon. His friend was doing a damn fine job of taking care of his girl. Maybe it would be better if they were together. All Brian brought her was trouble. And that was the last thing he wanted for Shannon. She deserved the world, not a man who decided keeping his distance was best when things got hard.