“Thanks. I won’t be long.”
I stepped outside and walked down the three steps to the lawn. As the backdoor closed, I had the very definite impression the house not only welcomed me but would keep me safe. I blew out a small breath and then chuckled. Things most definitely were differently in Mossy Creek. The real question was if I ought to be worried because I accepted it all so easily.
A few minutes later, I sat on the grass under one of the many trees in the yard. From behind me came the sounds of the backdoor opening and closing. Even with my eyes closed, I sensed the shadow falling across me. Then I caught the subtle scent of Drew’s aftershave. Without opening my eyes, I held my hand up to him. His hand closed around it and he slid down to sit next to me.
We sat there, his arm around me, my head resting against his shoulder. The silence was broken by the sounds of birds singing and a dog barking somewhere to my left. It was all so very normal and reassuring. But it was Drew’s presence, the fact he was giving me time to figure out what I thought and felt that meant the most. I slid my arm about his waist and drank in the scent of him. I didn’t know what was happening, but he anchored me and I didn’t want to lose that.
“Are you all right?” he asked as I sat up.
“I’m beginning to wonder if this is the first time in my life that I have been all right.” I smiled a bit sadly. “Mom tried so hard to make a good life for us, Drew. I never doubted her love for me and I knew she sacrificed so I could have everything I needed. But why didn’t she come back here? What drove her from Mossy Creek and why, now that she’s dead, did she want me to come?”
And would I ever really know?
“We’ll find out. I promise.” He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “But you don’t have to find the answer today.”
“I know.” I bumped him with my shoulder and then stood. “C’mon, it’s time to go in.”
He slid his hand into mine and let me help him up. Then, to my surprise, he drew me behind the tree. I laughed as he made sure we were shielded from any prying eyes that might happen to look out the back windows. Laughter turned to desire as he leaned in. He nipped at my lower lip. His mouth trailed down my jaw to my neck. His hands grabbed my hips, holding my close. My breath caught, and my head fell back as my heart pounded. My hands slipped into his back pockets, holding him as close as he held me. Electricity ran through me, through us, alive and vibrant.
“Drew,” I moaned, burying my face in the crook of his neck.
“We are going to have to figure out what’s going on between us, Meg.”
He kissed me one last time and then shifted uncomfortably. My cheeks heated at the sight of the impressive tenting of his jeans. If I’d had any doubts about how he felt – not that I did after the last few minutes – I didn’t now. Of course, he wouldn’t be returning to the house for a while.
“I look forward to it.” I licked my lips ran my hand lightly down the front of his jeans.
“Witch.”
“Nope. That was my mother.” I grinned devilishly.
“Get inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
He kissed me and then closed his eyes. His lips moved as he silently recited something. From the look on his face, I had a feeling he was reciting sports stats or math equations or something to help him forget about what we’d been doing just a few moments before.
Instead of doing as he said, I leaned against the tree and waited, a small smile on my lips. It felt good knowing I had that sort of effect on someone. It felt better knowing it was Drew. I might not understand everything that was happening, but I knew one thing. I wanted to see if anything could come out of whatever it was between us. That, too, was different. Before coming to Mossy Creek, I’d never considered “settling down” anywhere, much less with settling down with someone.
I’d need to think about that. Was there something about this town that placed a spell on me as soon as I arrived or was it more fundamental than that? Was it simply the fact the town and most of its inhabitants didn’t judge and accepted you for who you were?
“Shall we?” Drew reached for my hand, shaking his head as that familiar spark appeared. Then he looked at me in concern, as if sensing my sudden hesitance. “What’s wrong?”
“Drew, how did they know who I was?” There. I’d said it. “I get they probably found out I was in town because of the grapevine. But how did they know what I look like and how did they know I’d be at Annie’s office?”
He opened his mouth to answer and then closed it. In a way, that reassured me because it meant he wasn’t going to tell me I was worrying about nothing. Instead, he thought about what I said. Good, maybe he’d figure out what I couldn’t.
“We need to ask the others those same questions.” He lifted my hand and brushed his lips against my knuckles. “But my gut tells me most of it was the grapevine.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Meg, the grapevine is both the bane and the boon of this town. You’re learning that the hard way. But, after what happened in court the other day, word spread you’d been appointed as co-counsel on the Brumfield case. My guess is – damn, I can’t call them your grandparents.”
I barked out a humorless laugh. “That makes two of us. I’ve been thinking of them as Mom’s bio-donors. At least that’s the nicest thing I’ve thought about them.”
“That works.” He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Anyway, they probably heard about all that and made an educated guess you’d be there. Even if you weren’t, they’d have the satisfaction.” He all but spat out the word. “Of harassing my sister.” His voice roughened, and his eyes flashed with anger.
“I promise, they won’t get near Annie again. Not if I have anything to say about it.” I waited until he nodded. When he did, I knew we’d both do everything possible to keep his sister safe. “Drew, there’s something else.”
“What?”
“Does the grapevine work fast enough they could have been behind my wreck?”
And wasn’t that the million-dollar question?
Chapter 15
A clock somewhere in the recesses of the house struck two. I glanced up from my laptop and frowned. All around me, the house was quiet. Even so, I felt the watchfulness of the house itself. I leaned back, opening my mind to it, tasting the flavor of its presence. It was similar to what I’d felt at Miss Serena’s and just as strange. Never before had I felt anything like it. Not that I was complaining. Far from it, in fact. That awareness was an added layer of security, one I wished Mom had had. Maybe then I’d have known about her illness before it was too late.
I’d been surprised when Quinn suggested everyone stay the night. Before I’d been able to object – even though, I’m not sure I would have – Miss Serena said she thought it was a good idea. Yes, the grapevine would speculate on what was happening but this sort of “sleep over” was exactly what Annie, Sam, Drew, Lucas and Quinn often did. Then, as if realizing what my objection would be, she assured me she’d be staying as well. For years, she and Judith spent the night at one or the other’s home after working together. With that, the topic was closed.
I leaned back and glanced at the legal pad next to my laptop. Page after page was covered with notes I’d made over the last few hours. I’d gone up to bed when the others had, but sleep hadn’t come. Not wanting to disturb anyone, I’d finally crept down to the kitchen. At least there I could find something to drink and work until exhaustion finally took over.
Unfortunately, that had yet to occur.
I looked up a little later as a gentle hand rested on my shoulder. Quinn stood there, clad in a pair of sweats and an oversized tee shirt. Then, without asking permission, she reached over and angled my notes so she could read them. Her expression grim, she nodded once. Then she crossed the kitchen to the fridge. I watched as she pulled out a couple of beers. She twisted off the tops and handed me one of the bottles before sitting next to me.
“I’m not going to ask if you’re all right.” She took a pull from her beer.
“I have a feeling you’re too much like me and, if I’m right, you’re pissed off right now and want to make someone pay.”
I nodded. “I can take care of myself and I’ve never walked away from a fight. But I’ll be damned if I let Annie or anyone else be hurt just because my mother’s sperm donor and incubator have a problem with me.”
“What can I do to help?”
She made it sound so simple.
“Maybe listen and see if you think I’ve lost my mind?” Especially since I wasn’t too sure on that count just then.
“Glad to.” She set her beer down and leaned back, considering me. “Meg, I know we’re asking a lot of you right now. You don’t know any of us, not really. But you’re smart enough to have realized how protective we all are of Annie.” I nodded. “I can’t speak for the others, but I knew the moment we met that you belong here and that you would look after her the same was we try to. That makes you one of us, whether you like it or not.”
I chuckled softly. “I pretty much figured that out and I hope you’ve figured out something as well.” Now it was her turn to look at me in question. “Mossy Creek feels like home and that is something I never knew I’d been missing. What that means in the long term, I don’t know. In the short term, it means I want to know why Mom left the town and why she left the people like your mother and Miss Serena who loved her. I have my suspicions and I’d like to run them by you.”
“Shoot.”
“You know what the police reports from when those bastards kicked Mom out said. Between them and what everyone’s told me about Mom’s life before then, it’s obvious they abused her physically and emotionally.” Quinn nodded, her expression grim. “They also wasted no time in making sure they had no financial responsibility where she was concerned, at least for a while. Then, suddenly, they decided they weren’t going to agree with her emancipation or with her severing all legal ties to them. Why? What changed?”
Quinn didn’t answer right away Instead, she reached for my notes and flipped through them. “You’ve been researching their financials.”
“Partially. I’ve also been checking their real estate and probate records but that’s slow going. I’m hoping Annie has someone she uses for title searches.”
“Miss Olivia,” Quinn said without hesitation. “What else?”
“Criminal and civil court records. So far, nothing really stands out. But I can’t help thinking this either goes back to money or to something they did to Mom.” Damn it, why had she kept everything so secret?
“Would your mother have sent you here for either of those reasons?” When I looked at her, she shrugged a little apologetically. “Sorry, I didn’t know your mother and I have to ask.”
“I know.” Not that I didn’t still feel the quick sting of anger at what she said. “And no, I don’t think that is why Mom wanted me to come here. In fact, I think that answer is pretty obvious now that I’m not falling over myself trying to find it. She wanted me to meet Miss Serena, even your mom and the rest of you. She knew I’d need friends and family. Even now, she’s trying to take care of me like she did when she was alive.”
“So why wouldn’t she tell you all of it?”
I tilted my head back and stared at the ceiling for a moment as I considered her question. “Mom knew me. If she’d told me about how those bastards treated her, I’d have come here looking to make them pay. She wouldn’t want that. In fact, I have a feeling the only reason she left the information she did is to protect me from them now that she’s dead.”
And, judging from the morning’s events, she’d been right to do so. But why? What still drove them to such anger and hatred?
Except I had a pretty good idea about that too and it made my stomach roil. Even so, if I was right, my love and respect for Mom grew. No one should face what I feared she had.
Not that it eased my frustration with her. Mom had chosen a hard path, one she hadn’t needed to. I saw that now. There were people who loved her here in Mossy Creek, people who would have done everything they could to protect her. But Mom had been ever stubborn, mainly because of her parents and how they treated her. I understood but I didn’t approve. It made me all the more determined to make sure the Luíseachs never had anything to with me or anyone or anything Mom cared about.
“What are you planning?” Quinn asked.
“To find the truth about why Mom left and never came back.”
“And the wreck?”
That was the one piece of the puzzle that didn’t seem to fit. No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t see the Luíseachs behind it. But I didn’t know them – yet. By the time I finished, I planned to know everything there was to know about Eileen Luíseach and the rest of the family. They would soon learn how big of a mistake they’d made in treating Mom as they had.
“I don’t know. For now, I’m going to leave that to Lucas and Drew.”
“Good.” She didn’t say anything for a minute and I waited. “Meg, we’ve talked a little bit about why I came home several months ago.”
I nodded.
“Long story short, I initially made plans to return home for a visit when Ali’s talents began manifesting. I had no idea how to deal with my little girl suddenly able to call wind and fire. I’d been divorced from her father for years and he was out of our lives. Suddenly, he decided he wanted to be included again and I knew that meant nothing good. I’d felt the back of his hand too often to risk letting him near my little girl.” She took a sip of beer, her eyes focused on a time and place far from the here and now.
“What I hadn’t anticipated was coming home to find Mom missing. The next few days were some of the longest of my life as we searched for her. I’ll tell you the whole story one day over a lot of drinks. My insides still turn to liquid when I think of what could have happened. It turned out my ex somehow found out about Ali’s new talents and wanted her. When he couldn’t get her, he decided to grab me and teach me a lesson.” She closed her eyes and drew in a long, deep breath. When she looked at me a moment later, her expression was haunted. “He’s dead now, thanks to Lucas and my sister. I’m still dealing with what he did and could have done, not just to me but to Ali and Mom.”
“Damn, Quinn.” I reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “You ever need to talk, I’m here.”
She smiled slightly. Then she leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. “I’m going to tell you the same thing. One of my talents, the one I’ve been using most of my life without realizing it, is the ability to see patterns. I know you’re troubled about something and it goes beyond mourning your mother and what happened this morning. I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I know something is and I have a feeling it has to do with what you talked with Sam about last night.”
I stood and paced the length of the kitchen several times before returning to the table. Like it or not, I had a phone call – several of them, in fact – to make. But they could wait until morning. At least I hoped they could.
“It’s like I told Annie this morning. Sam recognized something in me he sees in himself. I’m having trouble adjusting on a level after leaving the military. Call it PTSD if you want.” I gave a slight shrug and hoped she left it at that.
“Could it have anything to do with your wreck?”
I blinked, surprised. Where had that come from?
“I don’t see how it could.” But that’s why I needed to make a few calls. I had to rule it out. More than that, I wanted permission to talk with someone, anyone, about what happened before the nightmares got so bad I couldn’t sleep.
“What is it, Meg?”
“I’m not allowed to talk about it, Quinn. All I can say is something happened on my last tour that still bothers me.”
For a moment, she looked at me, her expression so intent it felt as if she could see into my very soul. Then, as if understanding I’d said all I could, at least for the moment, she nodded. At the same time, she patted my hand. She wouldn’t push but she’d be there when and if I
needed her. I knew it without being told.
“Let me ask you this then.” Now Quinn smiled, a hint of devilment in her eyes. “Despite everything that’s happened the last few days, are you happy here?”
I nodded. “Like I said, this feels more like home than anywhere I’ve lived, especially Maxon’s Mill. Why?”
“Will you do me a favor then?”
I narrowed my eyes, wondering if the other shoe was about to drop. “What?”
“Consider making it home.” She stopped me before I could respond. “Meg, I’m suggesting it for a couple of reasons. One is this house.”
I felt my brows wing skyward. What in the world did she mean? What did her house have to do with it?
“When you have a chance, ask Drew how the house has treated him in the past. Or just consider how, for most of my life, I never knew if the house would let me through the front gate, much less inside. It wasn’t until my talent manifested itself after Ali and I moved back that it not only accepted me but, well, became mine.” A funny, lopsided smile touched her lips.
“There’s more to my suggestion. This was your mother’s home and I think you’re beginning to see how much my mother and Miss Serena, not to mention others, loved her. They are willing to open not just their homes but their hearts to you. All you have to do is let them.”
“I know and I’m trying to wrap my head around that.”
“Then there’s Drew.” Now she tilted her head to one side and studied me. “Like I said, I’ve known him all my life. One thing I know is that I’ve never seen him respond to anyone the way he does to you.” When I started to look away, she tapped my hand, drawing my attention back to her. “And I have a feeling you feel the same way.”
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