“I need to tell you something, Gabrielle.”
“I already know. If you will excuse me, I need to go to my room.”
His grip tightened on her arms. “Look at me, lass.”
Instead, she yanked from his grasp and fled up the stairs.
Safely locked away, she threw herself across the pallet and sobbed. Deep, soul-wrenching sobs. What had she done to deserve this? Why couldn’t her book have stayed a book, a fantasy that kept her warm on cold nights? Why did it have to become real and take over her entire life? So much so, she didn’t even have her old life to go back to.
Or did she? Gabby sat up and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. The healer had told her that Devlin had found her in the woods near the pond. Maybe she had to return there. To go back to her lonely old life caused her despair, but to stay and watch them together pained her more.
Gabby grabbed her book, the only reminder she would have of him, and left the castle. To hell with a cloak. If things went the way she planned, she would be curled up in her recliner, in front of a roaring fire within the hour.
It only took a few minutes to reach the place Devlin held so dear. She stood still and observed her surroundings.
“Goodbye, Devlin. I love you.”
Sadness weighed on her. But she proceeded to look for a clue to get back home. The search revealed nothing. The frigid air whirled around her, and she shivered. Gabby wrapped her arms under her chest and studied the area for anything she might have missed.
Snow crunched behind her. Gabby whirled around and gasped, as Gabrielle came into sight. A menacing aura surrounded the other woman.
“He wants you.”
Gabby jerked at her words.
“You can’t have him,” Gabrielle stated, her tone frosty.
Gabrielle’s advanced. Gabby stepped backwards. She moved too quickly and slipped on the snow. Her book flew from her hand and hit the ground. Gabby caught her balance and straightened.
“He didn’t propose?” Even with the fear that enveloped her, happiness entered her heart.
“No, you stupid twit. He broke it off, because of you.” Gabrielle stepped forward again.
Gabby took another step back. Gabrielle’s face twisted with satisfaction. What is she so happy about?
The crack of ice was her answer. No sooner had the noise sounded, than Gabby became submerged in an icy abyss. The shock of the sub zero temperature hit her so hard she inhaled a mouth full of frozen water. She broke the surface and gasped. Desperate to grab hold of something, she flailed her arms. Nothing was within her reach. The heavy material of her gown weighed her down and dragged her to the bottom of the dark pond. Frantically, she kicked, but moved nowhere. Her chest burned with agony from the lack of air. Unable to resist the instinct to breathe, her lips parted and allowed water to slip into her mouth. Her movements slowed, and her vision darkened. This is how it ended. She died.
Strong arms grasped her and brought her to the surface. Air hit her face, and she gasped for breath.
“Gabrielle!” Devlin roared.
Which Gabrielle? One look into his panic-stricken face, and she knew he’d called her name. She smiled at that knowledge, even though violent tremors shook her body. A dark cloud enveloped her, and she sank, limply, in Devlin’s arms.
* * *
Voices wafted into the room, fading in and out. Gabby fought to wake. Warm fingers held hers and drew soft patterns on the top of her hand.
“Please, my love, wake up.” Devlin’s voice sounded rough, almost scratchy as if he’d talked for days.
She tried to open her eyes but didn’t have the strength to do so.
“Gabrielle.” He let go of her hand.
She missed the feel of his palm in hers. She didn’t have long to wait, however. The pallet shifted under his weight; his arms wrapped around her and brought her close to his chest. He rubbed his palm up and down her arm and buried kisses in her hair. “I love you, lass. Donnae leave me.”
For him to be like this was too much to bear. Exhausting what was left of her energy, she managed to open her eyes and make a weak sound.
Devlin’s chest stilled under her cheek, and he stiffened. “Gabrielle?” Underneath her, he shifted and pushed her slightly away. Devlin’s weary, drawn face came into her view. Deep, dark lines etched his features, and tears sprang to his eyes. She managed a weak smile.
“Thank God.” He buried his fingers into her hair and hugged her close.
The darkness assailed her quickly and, having used all of her strength to open her eyes, she let it carry her away.
It took days before she started to feel like her old self. A week after the incident, Devlin walked into her bedchamber carrying her book.
“I found this by the pond. ‘ Tis your’s?”
Gabby gazed at the book and reached for it. “Yes, it is.”
He handed it to her and sat on the edge of the bed. “That book is about me.”
Gabby froze. So he had flipped through it. She risked a quick glance at him, but he didn’t seem angry, only curious.
“Yes, it is.”
“How did you write a story about us so quickly?”
Her brows drew together at the question. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been bedridden for days, but the pond is part of the story.”
“What?” Gabby flipped to the last part of the book and quickly read it then blinked in astonishment. Everything had changed. The book not longer ended with the wedding of Gabrielle and Devlin. The rewritten version now had Gabby in bed reading the final page, Devlin by her side. She glanced at him. His eyes held a mystified look.
He cocked his head to the side and studied her with the same intent expression he had at the pond. Finally, he said, “I think your name is Gabrielle Stone and I think you’re not from this time.”
Gabby smiled and reached up to cup Devlin’s cheek. His hand came up to rest on top of hers.
“Boy, do I have a story to tell you.”
He kissed the inside of her palm, lightly biting it with his teeth.
“I think I’ve already read it.”
Mistletoe Magic
by
Lanie Fuller
To my Mother, who also happens to be my best friend—thank you for
sharing your dreams.
Prologue
I am Magic Mistletoe, and this is what I do:
I grant wishes, though they are not known to you.
I know this may sound crazy, I know just how you feel.
‘Wish granting Magic Mistletoe?’ That cannot be real.
Yes, I grant wishes, but for a small fee,
When your wish is granted, set me free.
Pass me on to anyone; be they young or old.
They need not believe in me, even when they’re told.
I bring Christmas magic to those who hold me near.
I grant wishes, each and every year.
Chapter One
“C’mon, Hannah,” Jacob crooned, reaching out to grab her hand.
Laughing, Hannah playfully slapped his hand aside. “Not now, Jacob. We have guests arriving in under an hour, and I’ve still got to get the food ready.”
“Just one quick kiss. We’re under the mistletoe, and it’s supposed to be magic—the card said so. You have to. It’s a written law, somewhere.”
“It doesn’t count when you’re carrying the mistletoe and following me around. And even if it did, I’m sure having food ready for our guests beats out kissing under mistletoe, so you’ll have to wait a bit.” Seeing the exaggerated pout on his handsome face, she smiled. “And quit pouting. You just have to wait a little while, and then I’m all yours.”
“Promise?” he asked huskily.
“Of course. Now be a doll and grab the other bags out of the car for me.”
“Alright, but I’m keeping the mistletoe handy, just in case,” he said with a quick grin and headed down the stairs.
Leaning over the banister, Hannah
called out, “Would you mind taking the extra pumpkin pie across the street to Mrs. Rogers?”
“Sure, but now you owe me two kisses under the mistletoe.”
“I’ll even throw in a free one, since you’re being so nice,” she teased, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
Hannah walked down the stairs as Jacob strolled out of the house, the door closing behind him.
Maybe she would let him have a Christmas present early, she thought with a satisfied grin, knowing he’d love the little red teddy she’d bought.
Still debating on whether or not she was going to give him an early present, the sound of screeching tires caught her attention. Rushing to the front door, she swung it open and looked outside.
An unexplainable feeling of foreboding had her stepping out. She ignored the bite of the wind on her bare arms as she walked towards the street. Ten feet from the road, she noticed a figure lying there.
“Oh, God, no! Jacob!” she screamed, running towards his unmoving body.
* * *
“Jacob!” Hannah moaned and woke up shaking, her heartbeat pounding. Jumping up, she ran through the house, searching for him.
“Jake!’ she called out again and moved towards the kitchen.
“What’s wrong?” Jake rose from the couch behind her.
“Oh, God, Jake.” With tears streaming down her face, she launched herself into his arms.
“What’s wrong, Hannah?”
“It was just a dream. Only a dream.”
“What was?” He ran a hand through her hair, as if trying to soothe her.
“Bad dream, just an awful dream. I’m sorry.”
“What happened, Sweetheart?”
“I… It was just a bad dream. I didn’t mean to overreact.”
Jake pulled her down onto the couch. “Tell me about it.”
She wiped her eyes. “I don’t really remember what happened. I just woke up and had to find you.” She took a deep breath. “I overreacted a little, didn’t I?” Her smile shook.
He chuckled. “Just a little, but it’s understandable. Now, if you’d been screaming someone else’s name, then I might not have been so understanding.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.
Rolling her eyes, Hannah lightly slapped his arm.
“Hey now, what was that for?”
“For picking on me,” she said with a mock snooty tone.
“That’s my job. If I didn’t, then everyone else would think you got off too easy and do it themselves. I’m saving you from everyone else, really.”
“You’re hopeless, you know that?”
“Yes, you remind me daily.” Kissing her forehead again, he got to his feet. “I need to get the rest of the decorations up before you notice I haven’t gotten to them yet.”
Her eyebrows arched. “Good idea, especially since I don’t have ears and didn’t hear you just tell me that you don’t have them up yet.”
“See, that’s what I love about you. You don’t let me get away with anything, and yet, I always get away with it.” Thumbs hooked in his pockets, he favored her with a cocky grin.
Hannah bit back a smile. He knew she couldn’t resist that sexy one-dimple grin. “Yeah, yeah. Just get to work, buddy, before I have a change of heart.”
Grabbing her arms, Jacob pulled her to her feet. “Never. You have a heart of gold,” he said and kissed her deeply.
He pulled away, leaving her a little breathless. “Kissing-up to me is most certainly going to work. You’ll have to kiss-up more later.”
“Oh, I do plan on it. I might even have to get in some serious trouble, just to make sure I’m kissing-up for a good reason.”
Laughing out loud, Hannah pushed his hand away and swatted his butt. “Go. Decorate. I have to go buy groceries. Everyone will be here in less than,” she paused to look down at her watch, “three hours. And those decorations better be up by the time I get back, or kissing-up just won’t be possible when I’m through with you.”
He tugged lightly on her hair. “I can get in trouble just interpreting that sentence, but I think I’ll leave well enough alone for now.”
“See, and that’s why I love you. You catch on quick.” She pulled his face to hers by his ears and kissed him quickly. “I’m leaving now.”
“Okay, I’ve got a house to decorate. Unless you want to decorate and I’ll get the food.”
“Do you remember the last time I switched jobs with you? You forgot the pies,” she reminded him.
“That was two years ago. I’ll even take—” He broke off when she raised a hand.
“I’m going, and you’re decorating. Consider it your punishment for forgetting those pies.”
“It’s been two years,” he argued.
“I recall telling you I held grudges.”
“True. Okay, I’m decorator-dude.”
Patting him on the butt, Hannah grabbed her purse and keys. “That you are. I’ll be back soon.”
“Be careful, the roads are slick, even though they plowed them.”
“Nag, nag,” she teased and walked to the door. He was still laughing when she closed it.
Chapter Two
While putting her groceries in her car, Hannah’s cell phone rang. Pausing to open her purse, she pulled out the phone and said, “Hello?”
“Hi, Hannah dear, it’s Mrs. Rogers.”
“Hi, Mrs. Rogers, how are you?” She smiled to herself as she continued to place the groceries in her car.
“Oh, I’m fine, dear. I hope you don’t mind, but I called your house, and Jacob said you were at the store shopping.”
“Yes, I had to pick up some last minute groceries for the party,” replied Hannah, with an idea she knew where this conversation was headed.
“I have favor to ask of you, dear.”
Hannah grinned. Mrs. Rogers always had what she considered ‘favors’, though Hannah never viewed them as such. She never minded helping Mr. and Mrs. Rogers when she could. They were the sweetest old couple she knew. “I’ve already picked up a pumpkin pie for you, Mrs. Rogers.” Laughing, Hannah put the last bag into her trunk and then walked around to get into the car.
“You did? How’d you know I’d need one?”
“You always need an extra one around the holidays.” She remembered the last holiday when Mr. Rogers had eaten the pie before he was supposed to.
Mrs. Rogers chuckled. “You know my Bob too well, dear.”
Hannah got into the car and pulled the door shut. “Did he blame it on the grandkids this time too?”
“You know he did. I swear you can’t leave that man alone with any kind of pie for longer than five seconds or he’ll have it finished and have the plates washed before you know what happened.”
“But you find it adorably frustrating, don’t you?”
Mrs. Rogers sighed. “Yes, I can’t help it, either. I swear that man is a fifteen-year-old, trapped in a seventy-year-old’s body.”
“Don’t feel bad, Mrs. Rogers. Jacob ate the last slice of the cherry pie I made last week, saying he didn’t think I’d want it, when I had specifically told him I had dibs on it. All I could do was laugh.”
“Well, now, your young man is…well, young. He’s allowed to get away with things like that. You two have only been married for a little over two years, so it’s excusable at least, even if it’s a phony excuse.”
Hannah laughed. “There is that. Guess I need more time to get him trained properly, huh?” she teased.
“You know it, dear. Give him a few more years, and then you can scalp him when he eats the rest of your pie, since he’ll have no excuse then,” Mrs. Rogers suggested.
“Good idea, thanks. Anyways, Mrs. Rogers, I’ll have Jacob run the pie over when I get back, okay? I don’t like driving and talking on the cell phone if I can avoid it.”
“Sorry, dear, I didn’t mean to keep you.”
“It’s not a problem, Mrs. Rogers.”
“Alright, drive safe, dear.”
“Thanks, M
rs. Rogers,” said Hannah and hung up the phone.
On the drive back to her house, Hannah’s mind whirled at the thought of how long Mr. and Mrs. Rogers had been married. When Hannah and Jacob had first moved to the neighborhood, Mrs. Rogers had brought over a casserole and somehow they’d ended up discussing her forty-five year marriage to her husband, Bob.
Hannah couldn’t imagine being married that long. Not that she didn’t want to be, it just boggled her mind. Forty-five years was a long time to share a home with someone. Grinning, she wondered if they still argued over bathroom counter space the way she and Jacob did.
Pulling in to the driveway at her house, she grabbed a few bags out of the trunk of the car and walked into the house.
“Lucy, I’m home!” she called out and headed towards the kitchen.
Jacob stood in the doorway of the kitchen. He frowned. “Why am I always Lucy?”
“Because you have such pretty legs.” She sat the bags down on the counter and turned to face him.
“Well, that’s true.” He grinned, checking out his own legs.
“Okay, I need to go shower. Will you put these away while I shower and change?”
“Since you asked so nicely.” Putting his arms around her waist, he swung her around in a circle and brought her up against his body.
Hannah kissed him on the nose. “Hurry up, pretty boy. You have to get dressed too.”
“Yeah, yeah. But give me a kiss first,” he demanded.
Hannah happily obliged. By the time they finished their kiss, getting dressed wasn’t what was on her mind. “Food.” She pointed to the bags she had left on the counter. “Put it away while I shower and stop trying to distract me. Also,” she paused to glare at her captor, “I noticed that not all of the decorations are ready.”
He made a face. “Oh yeah, I knew I was forgetting something.”
“When you’re done, come upstairs and change.” Hannah wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and moved out of his grasp when he grinned. Leaving him to his work, she walked out of the kitchen. She couldn’t help but laugh when she distinctly heard him mumble ‘slave driver’.
Dream by the Fire: Winter Magic Page 3