Night Visions

by Ariana Dupre

  "I bet you don't either."

  "You're just a skeptic."

  "No, I'm not. My sister has paranormal experiences. Remember? I could go get her. She might know something about this kind of thing."

  "That's okay. I'm sure if I'm meant to find it, I will."

  "Suit yourself."

  Angie continued to search the Internet, but her concentration was gone. Jared's nearness toyed with her focus, kept her glancing over at him too often. He had moved from the box to the computer screen.

  Maybe I'll go work in the library. But he might think I'm leaving because of him. Nope, I'm going to stay right here, no matter how uncomfortable I feel.

  Her mind drifted back to the night Jared cooked dinner for her, and the feelings she experienced at the touch of his hand. Instantly, she became hot and damp. Forget it. I need to get out of here.

  Clicking the X to close the browser window, she pushed her chair back and stood to leave. Air, that's what I need, some fresh air.

  But Jared stopped her. “Bring your chair around here for a minute."

  "Why?"

  "I found something you may be interested in."

  Pulling the chair around to his desk, she sat down beside him.

  "I searched for ghost hunters and this site with a lot of pictures came up. Look at this one."

  "I can't believe you found this.” Angie stared at the groups of pictures. “No, that's not really it. Can you scroll down some please?"

  He moved down the page, pausing over each frame. “Any of these?"

  "No."

  At the bottom of the page a link in bold red lettering said: Cursed Spirits—Enter At Your Own Risk.

  Jared put the curser over the script. “Wanna see what they look like?"

  "I don't think so.” Angie shivered. “Why would it say enter at your own risk?"

  "Probably someone was trying to make the site seem scary.” He clicked the link.

  "Jared, no wait—Oh my God!"

  "What?"

  Angie pointed at the screen.

  "Is that it?” Jared looked from the screen to Angie. “That's what you saw?"

  Staring at the web page, Angie could only nod. In the middle of one picture glowed a large oval of blue light. The brilliant edges faded to a center of white. The apparition was large, just like the one she'd seen the night of the fire.

  "Well, say something.” Jared stared at her, waiting.

  Angie looked at him. “First of all, how someone could actually get a picture like this is beyond me. Do you think it's fake?” It must be fake, she reasoned, but in her heart she knew it was very real.

  "I don't know. A lot of things on the Internet are. If I can find a contact number, we'll call and talk to someone about it."

  "Okay.” Her mind whirled, trying to make sense of it all. I saw a cursed spirit? Why would it help me escape?

  "Here we go...” Jared wrote down the number, then disconnected from the Internet to free the phone line. Punching the numbers on the dial pad, he made a connection, and said, “Hello."

  Angie had to move. Her nerves wouldn't let her just sit. She went into the kitchen, fixed two glasses of iced tea then grabbed a bag of chips.

  Am I cursed too? Slow down Angie, she reprimanded herself. Her thoughts were getting worse by the moment. Returning to the office, she put the drinks on the desk, plopped down in her chair and ripped open the bag.

  Jared smiled over at her. He talked for a few more minutes; then said, “Goodbye, and thank you,” and hung up the phone. “Do you always crunch so loud?"

  Angie smiled. “Only when I'm nervous. Who did you talk to? What did they say?"

  "I talked to the head of the ghost hunter's society, Garrett Lloyd. He said there are two types of curses. One can be broken, the other can't. The research he's done on cursed spirits indicates that if a curse can be broken, the spirit must help the living in order to end it."

  "This is too weird,” Angie said between bites. “How did he come up with all of that? Did he just walk up and ask the cursed spirits?"

  Jared laughed as he grabbed a few chips. “Are you hungry?"

  She shook her head. “Very nervous, though. I've got to do something with my hands. I don't smoke, so I eat."

  "I guess it's a good thing the bag isn't super sized then."

  "Ha, ha, very funny. Even nervous, I couldn't eat that many chips."

  "If it makes you feel any better, Garrett said it's a positive sign that you saw the apparition. It's trying to help break whatever curse has it captured."

  "So, it's not following me around, watching me?"

  "I didn't ask him that, but I doubt it."

  "I guess I feel a little better then. I don't understand why I keep seeing strange things lately."

  "What else have you seen?"

  "Nothing really.” Whew, that was close. I almost revealed my dream. Sticking her thumb in her mouth, she licked the salt off her fingers, watching Jared. “Did he say anything else?"

  "He asked if I knew about a curse in this area. I told him no, but he said he'd like to come out to run some kind of tests."

  "What'd you tell him?” She replaced her thumb with her pointer finger.

  "That we'd keep him in mind if anything else happened."

  "Okay.” She took her finger from her mouth but before she could replace it with another, Jared grabbed her hand.

  "Let me.” His gaze locked with hers as he slipped her finger into his mouth. He sucked gently, removing the residue with his tongue.

  Angie held her breath.

  Jared leaned forward, threading the fingers of his free hand through the hair at the nape of her neck, slowly pulling her towards him.

  He put her ring finger in his mouth, caressed the salt off, and replaced it with her pinkie.

  Breathing shallowly now, Angie's heart pounded in her chest. She felt as if her blood was rushing through her veins, its heat making her dizzy.

  Erotic. That's the only word that came to mind. The man had her sizzling. Thank God for the chair.

  She could not, would not, lose control again.

  His lips moved from her pinkie to lightly touch her mouth. Shivering, her heart swelled; then skipped a beat.

  I love you so much, Jared.

  His tongue traced the outline of her lips until she no longer had a choice. Her body defied her mind, as her lips parted. Jared ravished her mouth with a force that took her breath.

  She tilted her head back as Jared pulled her onto his lap. He held her face within his palms, whispered between kisses—"I want you, Angie"—His breathing became faster.

  He wanted her. She had affected him, stirred his desire.

  Something in the back of her mind told her that she wasn't all he wanted. What was it?

  I can't think when he touches me like this.

  The Inn. He wants to buy me out of the Inn.

  "Wait,” she breathed against his mouth.

  "Hmm...” Jared kissed her neck; then nibbled her shoulder.

  "Jared. Stop."

  Pulling back, he smiled at her, his dark eyes smoldering.

  Angie slid from his lap, back into her chair. “I need to ask you something."

  "Okay."

  "Earlier today you asked me to sell my part of the Inn to you. Why?"

  Jared leaned back and ran his hands through his hair. “I thought you wanted to run The Variety Vine. If I buy you out then you're free to leave."

  "You want me to move out?"

  "Well, no. Not yet."

  "You mean not until you get me in your bed."

  "That's not what I meant, Angie.” Standing, then adjusting his pants, Jared moved away from her. “I just thought you wanted out of this deal."

  "Not anymore.” Not until I figure out why you want me out. “This wouldn't have anything to do with that journal I found, would it?"

  He grabbed her arms before she even blinked. Shocked, Angie stared up at him.

  "Why would that journal have anything to do
with my offer?"

  "Let go. You're hurting my arms,” Angie said through clenched teeth.

  He released her. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way. I don't know what got into me. What's in that journal that makes you think of me?"

  Man, what's the matter with me? he berated himself. I'm just going to scare her again.

  "Nothing.” She grabbed her drink and notepad. “I'm going to bed."

  "Angie, wait. I'm sorry I overreacted. I was still affected by our kiss. Please, don't leave like this."

  "You've made your intentions pretty clear, Mr. Maxwell. Goodnight."

  "You're wrong, Angie,” Jared called to her departing back. Then he sank into the chair.

  "Damn! I need to get my hands on that journal."

  * * * *

  Chapter 13

  A soft tap drew Angie's attention away from the robin perched on a tree branch outside her window to her door. She went over and pulled it open to find Devin and Kevin, Terri's children, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, giggling, their hands over their mouths.

  Smiling brightly, Angie knelt to their eye level. “Good morning. You two sure are up early."

  "We're going to see a surprise,” they said in unison.

  "You are?"

  "We want you to come too,” Kevin said, taking her hand.

  "You do?” Angie giggled with the boys. “Why?"

  "Cause Uncle Jared—” started Devin.

  "Devin! Kevin!” Terri called from down the hall. “Did you two wake Angie?"

  They nodded their heads, giggled again. “Yes, Mama."

  "I'm sorry, Angie.” Terri walked up and held each child by the shoulder. “I told them to wait. We're going to see our new farm and they want you to come along. Can you?"

  "No, I'm sorry but I can't. I have too much work to do."

  "I believe Mr. Harland, along with the entire country has declared July Fourth a holiday. You can leave the property today, right?"

  "Well, yes, but I have some wallpaper I need to get up. I don't want to fall behind schedule."

  "Tell you what—change into a pair of jeans, come with us to the farm, then we'll stop and check on your store. Besides, it gives me a good excuse to shop. Burt said you carry unusual merchandise."

  "Yes, the store is unique.” Angie shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know, Terri. I'll feel guilty if I get behind. Besides, I'll have to stop early as it is to get things going for the cookout."

  "Okay. I'll make a deal with you. Come with us; then after the cookout, if you still want to put paper on that dumb wall, I'll help you do it."

  "Have you ever hung wallpaper?” Angie eyed Terri suspiciously.

  "How hard could it be? A little glue, a little paper."

  Angie laughed. “I'll make you a deal. I'll come with you so you'll stop bugging me. But you have to promise that you'll stay far, far, away from the wallpaper and glue."

  "Done. Now get out of those shorts and into some jeans. I'll meet you outside in five minutes.” Terri grabbed the kids by the hands. “Come on, you two urchins.” The boys giggled, pulling their mom down the hallway.

  Angie changed her clothes; then met Terri and her kids beside the rental van. “I'm ready."

  "Let's get this show on the road then. You can sit up front, Angie.” Terri stood in between the seats, strapping the boys into the third row seat belts.

  Jared opened the driver's door and sat inside.

  "You know, I changed my mind,” Angie said, her anger with Jared still fresh in her mind. “I better stay here and put up that wallpaper before the cookout.” She reached for the door handle just as Jared pulled away. “Jared, can you stop so I can get out?"

  "Nope."

  Angie glared at him but he concentrated on the road.

  Fine. I can handle this.

  She sat back with a determined look on her face. But the twins began asking so many questions that eventually their excitement rubbed off on Angie. She couldn't help but smile at their glowing faces and bright eyes as they chattered about some day having a pony of their very own.

  Seeing the joy in those happy little faces, Angie started to think how wonderful it would be to have kids of her own.

  And Jared would be a great dad. Right then, he was in the middle of telling the twins a story about ponies, knights, enchanted forests and the fairies that lived deep within them.

  Jared glanced her way, caught her staring at him, and winked. Angie felt her aggravation with him soften. He was really enjoying himself, weaving his tale. The corners of her lips lifted into a smile as the children unsheathed invisible swords and held up pretend shields; then bravely rode their steeds into the shadows of the forest until the van stopped in front of a rustic ranch house made of brick.

  While Terri unbuckled the boys, Angie laid her hand on Jared's arm. “You're really good with them."

  Jared locked his eyes with hers. For Angie, time seemed to stop. They were the only people in the world. “Angie, I'm sorry about—"

  She shushed him with her fingers to his lips. “Not now."

  The slam of the van door shattered the moment. Jared grinned, quickly running his finger down her nose. “Come on, let's go see Terri's new home."

  Angie followed the family through the four-bedroom house while Jared gave the grand tour. The children's laughter echoed off the empty walls as each chose his bedroom and planned where they would put their toys.

  Suddenly Angie missed the joy of family she'd know with Aunt Martha. Her heart ached as tears burned behind her eyes.

  I will not cry. Angie reprimanded herself as she turned away from the others.

  The tears didn't listen.

  Slipping away from the group, Angie made her way to the deck, which overlooked a beautiful lake. Leaning her elbows against the railing, she dried her eyes with her fingertips.

  The lake looked like glass. Years ago, she'd heard that Tom McNichols built it behind his house, but she'd never had the opportunity to see it until today. Gazing out over the water, determined to gain control of her emotions, she pushed the memories of Aunt Martha to the recesses of her mind.

  And jumped sky high when hands rested on her waist.

  Angie quickly turned, right into Jared's arms, and choked on her words. “I thought we agreed not to sneak up on each other."

  "I didn't sneak.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and tilted her chin to look into her eyes.

  At the sound of children's laughter, Angie moved out of his embrace.

  Kevin and Devin ran around the corner of the house waving frantically. “We're going to the stables, Uncle Jared."

  "Have fun. You might even find some surprises in there,” he replied. Smiling, he gave his sister the thumbs up before turning back to Angie.

  "I bought them ponies,” he said.

  "That's so sweet of you.” Angie returned his smile, then turned away to lean against the railing again.

  Closing in, he whispered in her ear. “There may be some surprises here too."

  "What do you mean?” She continued to look out over the lake at the mix of pine and oak trees.

  "Why are you standing out here alone?” he asked, turning her to him. “You look like you've been crying. Is something wrong?"

  Angie looked up at him. “No, I'm fine.” She heard the wobble in her voice and cleared her throat. “I just miss my aunt sometimes. It's still so new."

  Angie's pain hit Jared in the pit of his stomach. No matter how much he wanted to pull her into his arms, he had to win her trust, too. He'd kissed her too much lately. Way too much! “I wish there were something I could do for you."

  "Sometimes it just hits me that she's really gone. That's all."

  "Let me take your mind off of it for awhile.” Grasping her hand, he led her down the deck stairs. Walking in silence to the lake, holding hands, Jared held his free index finger to his mouth when they neared the water.

  Angie motioned that her mouth was zipped shut. Jared grinned at her anti
cs. When they approached a small weeping willow on the edge of the lake, Jared pulled her to him then moved a few branches to reveal a nest of ducklings.

  "Oh my gosh! How cute!” Angie whispered in his ear, “Where's the mom?"

  Jared pointed to the other side of the tree where the branches disappeared into the water. The mother duck's head was submerged, her tail in the air. He let the branches slip quietly back in place, slid his hand into hers then retreated from the willow.

  When they were far enough away that they wouldn't disturb the ducks, Angie spoke. “How did you find them?"

  "Mr. McNichols showed the nest to me when I listed the farm. I thought they might pick up your spirits."

  "They did. Thank you."

  Jared squeezed her hand. She felt his warmth radiate through her. If only she could do this every day, go walking with the man she loved.

  If only.

  "Penny for your thoughts."

  She withdrew her hand. “Oh, I was just thinking that this is nice."

  "Walking together and holding hands?"

  "No,” Angie lied and shoved her fists into her jean pockets. “This is a nice farm. Your sister will love it here."

  "Maybe the two of you could become friends."

  "Maybe.” She'd like to be friends with Terri.

  "Angie, I'm sorry about last night. I just hoped you'd sell your share of the Inn."

  "I'm not interested, Jared. What I would like to know is why you want me to sell so badly. Are you playing real estate agent again, Mr. Maxwell?"

  "I guess.” Walking slowly toward the barn, he looked up at the sky, then over at her. “Angie, I wanted to apologize for something else too."

  "For what?” she asked without interest, kicking a little rock out of the way.

  "For scaring you."

  "Oh, it was nothing. I didn't hear you come up behind me. That's all."

  "I'm not talking about on the deck. I'm sorry you're afraid of me. I don't know the reason, but I wish you'd tell me."

  Damn! As hard as she'd tried to hide her feelings, he still figured it out.

  "Angie?"

  "Listen Jared.” She turned suddenly to face him. “I'm not afraid of you."

  "It seems like you are,” he declared. “Did I do something wrong?"

  "Yes ... No ... Oh, just forget it,” she replied, staring intently into his face. “Besides, last night, we were getting along fine, weren't we? And the project is ahead of schedule. That's what's really important right now."