Night Visions

by Ariana Dupre

  Jared's burning stare pinned her where she stood. She hadn't noticed before, but he was wearing only boxers. “I just wanted to apologize."

  When he still said nothing, she slowly turned away from him, and left.

  She was halfway down the hall when the tears came. What was her problem today? She had to get off this emotional roller coaster one way or another.

  Before she realized what was happening, Jared spun her around, right into his naked chest. He held her tightly, caressing her back, kissing the top of her head, until her tears subsided.

  "Angie, am I the man in your nightmare?” he whispered.

  She froze.

  "I knew it. That's why you're so afraid of me. Didn't I tell you earlier today I'd never hurt you?"

  She nodded. “The dream is just hard on me. I'm really sorry."

  Tilting her chin, Jared gazed down at her. “Do you remember the day when you sensed Ruby's feelings for Clyde?"

  "Yes."

  "Can't you sense what I feel for you? Please Angie—allow yourself to feel my feelings."

  Looking into his eyes, she let the gateway open and in an instant she felt overwhelmed by a deep love. But she also felt a slight hesitation as if he wasn't completely sure of his feelings. So she shook her head in denial.

  "Maybe this will help."

  Lowering his lips to hers, he gently showered light feathery kisses along the outside of her mouth. Then he kissed the tip of her nose and each eyelid. For a second, he captured her gaze with his before feasting on her mouth in a fury of passion.

  As he clutched her against him until they molded together, Angie felt as if they were becoming one, in body and spirit.

  And she opened herself up to him, to his hunger and desire. All of her doubts melted away in the closeness of his embrace. She gave herself willingly, realizing just how much she had missed his kisses.

  Nothing would ever be the same for her after this moment. He'd comforted her, and she'd felt his love for her. And with that little glimmer, she lost the one piece of her heart she had never given another, the one part of herself she'd held back from him before. She gave her whole heart and soul, unconditionally.

  Her love would forever belong to him.

  The kiss became greedy, frenzied. She couldn't get enough of him, nor him of her. Desire burned into each of them, branding them forever.

  Jared slowly drew his mouth away from hers, then whispered against her cheek, “I need you, Angie."

  "I need you, too,” she whispered back.

  Jared groaned. Kissing her again, he swept her up and carried her to her bedroom.

  Angie pulled him down onto the bed's soft sheets so that he lay on top of her. Their lovemaking intensified and Angie reached down to caress him.

  "Angie ... Angie...” he breathed between kisses. “We can't."

  "Yes, we can. I want you, Jared, right here, right now."

  "No."

  Angie stilled. She'd never been willing to give herself to any man before, and now he didn't want her. The heart she had just given so completely, shattered. “But I thought..."

  "You thought right. I need you, Angie. I've never needed anyone like this before. But I'm not going to take what you've held precious for twenty-six years when I'm not able to give everything you want and deserve in return."

  Angie felt the tears burning the backs of her eyes. Nothing he could have said would have hurt her more, especially after she'd just confessed her own desire. She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

  "I broke my promise to you,” Jared said in frustration. “I agreed we would keep our relationship professional. Once again, I couldn't keep my hands off of you. We'll talk in the morning. But for now, try to get some sleep."

  Gently, he pulled the sheet over her. Stepping away from the bed, he stood watching her, running his hands through his hair, as if he couldn't quite make up his mind. Giving her one last look of deep longing, he left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

  Angie stared at Jared's retreating back in utter confusion. She couldn't take any more of this. Burying her head in the pillow she cried, releasing all the emotions that had been building up for weeks. The fear, the desire, and the love all poured from her, cleansing her.

  Exhausted, she snuggled into her pillow, her sobs growing softer as she fell asleep.

  * * * *

  Chapter 16

  Angie hugged Whisper's neck before throwing her right leg over the animal's broad back and headed her down the road toward the Davis house.

  She'd woken up long before dawn, grumpy, tired, and remembered almost immediately that Jared had wanted to talk to her that morning. Talking to him was the last thing she wanted to do, so she went down to the barn and bridled Whisper. She wasn't supposed to venture out alone because of the stalker but she needed some time away from Jared to think things through and hopefully improve her mood before work. And she could escape a stalker on horseback, she reasoned.

  Angie let Whisper pick up the pace. Where to go? she thought now. I'll let Whisper choose the path.

  But she couldn't let Jared choose the path between them. Still, how should she handle him? Her emotions were in turmoil. But now more than her physical safety was at risk. Her heart was in danger, too.

  She couldn't believe Jared loved her. Not after the night before. Not after that awful rejection. Something caught in her throat, just thinking about it. A man who shied away from the responsibility of taking her virginity was a man who didn't want any kind of commitment. Or so she reasoned as she rode through the morning mist that breezed lightly across her face while the sky turned a somber shade of gray.

  I'll just mend my broken heart; then move on. I survived Aunt Martha's death, and I'll survive this too.

  Aunt Martha. The realization hit her hard.

  I'm doing exactly what she did. I'm so afraid of losing the man I love that I'm not even willing to give him a chance. But no, I did give him a chance last night and he ran. Still, I only offered him sex. Nothing more.

  "I'll give him a chance with my love,” she told Whisper, “and if he turns that down ... well, then I'll know there will never be anything between us. How's that sound for a plan, girl?” she said, patting the horse's neck. The decision lifted her spirits, cleared the feelings left over from last night. She urged the mare into a canter, closed her eyes as the wind whipped around her face.

  No sooner had Whisper began to canter, than the mare came to a sudden stop, almost throwing Angie from her back.

  Angie clutched the reins, tightened the grip of her thighs, and righted herself, as the horse scrambled backwards, snorting and tossing her head.

  Something is very wrong.

  "What's the matter, girl?” she whispered. Angie scanned the woods around her, looked quickly over her shoulder.

  When she faced forward again, she saw them.

  A man and woman, strolling hand in hand, wearing outfits reminiscent of the early 1800's.

  Angie could hear the woman, whose brown long sleeved dress touched the ground, giggle as she leaned against the man, laying her head on his shoulder. The gathers of material below her waist swayed as she walked, but the line of black buttons up her back stayed straight. The man's trousers were navy, and his matching coat hung well below the waist.

  The hair on the back of Angie's neck prickled. “Hello!” she called to them.

  They kept walking.

  Angie urged Whisper forward but the horse snorted again and pranced in place.

  The couple remained oblivious to the noises behind them, but they stopped, and the man drew the woman into an embrace, kissing her.

  Angie knew she should look away, but she couldn't. Something was wrong with this picture. Whisper never spooked.

  "Mary, my love, you are my precious gem."

  The man's voice carried to Angie and her eyes widened in shock. Oh My God, she thought, gripping the reins so tightly her knuckles turned white.

  "Theodore, you make me
so happy."

  "You're still happy with me after all this time?"

  "You know you are everything to me.” Mary kissed Theodore full on the mouth.

  Then they both turned to face Angie.

  Whisper reared and tried to bolt. Angie held tight, angling the horse's head away from the couple, her heart pounding furiously in her chest. She didn't dare take her eyes off the apparitions before her while she fought to steady her mount.

  Smiling, the couple stepped toward her.

  Hesitantly, Angie smiled back, still fiercely gripping the reins.

  "Angelina,” said Theodore.

  He knew her birth name? “Yes, sir?” She barely breathed the words.

  "Thank you, my dear, for making my home beautiful again."

  Angie gazed at him in silence for several moments. “You're welcome, Mr. Slayton,” she finally answered, softly.

  "I'm happy that you'll be part of my family, Angelina,” said Mary. And the couple turned their backs to her and moved away down the path.

  "Wait!” Angie called. “Theodore ... Theodore Slayton?"

  Theodore turned again to face her. “Yes?"

  "Just making sure it was you."

  "Yes, I can assure you,” His voice was low and a little gravelly, “It is I."

  Bowing slightly to Angie, Theodore then turned and linked his arm with Mary's. The couple walked further into the woods, slowly fading into the morning mist.

  Whisper calmed down.

  Angie freaked out.

  Her heart was still pounding so hard it affected her hearing. Was this some new ability? Seeing spirits? Aunt Martha's ghost had terrified her, but now her heart pounded with excitement, not fear.

  How stupid of me. Why didn't I ask Mary why she welcomed me to her family?

  It had all happened too fast.

  She had to tell Alan and Jared. Pulling the right rein and turning Whisper around, Angie dug her heels into the mare's sides then raced back to the house.

  She brushed Whisper down so quickly the currycomb fairly flew over the mare's flanks, and then she stalled her, gave her a cursory pat on her neck, and rushed to the house.

  Once inside, she telephoned Alan, waking him up.

  "Angie? What's wrong?” he said frantically. And groggily.

  "Nothing's wrong, Alan,” she answered, “but you have to come over here right now!"

  "It's six-thirty,” he said in a weary voice. “Can't it wait until later?"

  Angie shook her head, for nobody's benefit but her own. “Uh-uh. You get out of bed and get over here. It's really important."

  Alan sighed. “Give me half an hour."

  "Okay,” Angie responded, and added a quick “Bye,” before hanging up the phone.

  The smell of coffee drew Angie from the office to the kitchen.

  "Good morning.” she almost sang, bounding into the room.

  Jared raised his brows, filled two cups with coffee, and handed one to her. “You sure are in a good mood. What's going on?"

  "I'll tell you soon.” Angie reached for the proffered mug. “I have to wait until Alan gets here."

  "Alan? This early?"

  "Yes.” She sipped her drink. He'd made it just the way she liked it. A little milk and a lot of sugar. “How can you drink your coffee black?"

  "I like things that are strong and untouched."

  Angie ignored his innuendo. It wasn't hard. She was all keyed up about her news. How could she wait another twenty minutes for Alan? She was about to burst!

  Maybe if she kept busy the time would go faster. “Are you hungry? I'm hungry. Want some eggs?” she didn't wait for an answer but grabbed them from the fridge and started cracking open the white shells into a bowl.

  "Angelina?” he said hesitantly. I don't want to pressure you but...

  "Hmm?"

  "We need to talk about last night."

  "I know but not right now, okay?” she said, flashing him a nervous smile.

  "Okay, later then,” he said, walking up to the stove. “Sooo, are you feeding an army this morning?"

  Looking down into the bowl, Angie felt her face flame. She'd used up at least eleven eggs. “Oops. You are hungry, aren't you?"

  "Not that hungry.” He laughed.

  By the time she'd finished cooking the biggest mound of scrambled eggs she'd ever cooked in her life, Alan had arrived. Angie sat him down at the table, and shoved a plate in front of him.

  "I don't normally eat breakfast this early, Angie."

  "Humor me, Alan. Please?"

  He shrugged, looked disconsolately at the huge yellow heap in front of him, and sighed. “Okay, I'll do my best. Now, what was so important that you got me out of bed?"

  She sat down and leaned eagerly towards him. “Remember when you said that you hoped I had dreams about Theodore Slayton while living here?"

  "Of course I do. Did you dream about him?” Alan had a gleam in his eye that was brightening his whole face.

  "No,” she said, darting a warning glance at Jared. “Something even more amazing happened, you guys."

  Both men had their forks halfway to their mouths. “What happened, Angie?” asked Alan, as he stopped the utensil in midair.

  Unable to contain her excitement, she got up and paced around the kitchen. “When I woke up this morning I just felt that I ... um ... needed some fresh air, so I took Whisper out for a ride."

  "How'd you get past security?” Anger flared in Jared's eyes as he dropped his fork onto his plate.

  "I just walked to the barn. I guess they didn't see me."

  "Damn it, Angie! Someone wants to kill you and you're sneaking around by yourself?"

  "I didn't sneak.” Angie's voice rose as she glared at him. “You're not going to control my life just because someone tried to hurt me before. I'm not stupid and I was careful. I needed to get away from here for a while—alone. Now can I please finish my story?"

  "Fine. Go ahead. What was so intriguing that you risked your life to see?"

  She rolled her eyes at him. “I got down to the little road by the creek, on the way to Clyde's house, and Whisper spooked, almost threw me over her head."

  "And you said you were careful?” Jared snorted. “The horse almost threw you! What if she had? What then, Angie? No one would have even known where you were!"

  "Oh hush up, you old mother hen, and let me finish. Now, where was I? Okay—After I got Whisper under control, I saw a man and woman walking on the road ahead of me. I said hello but they didn't answer. They were laughing and holding hands. They called each other by name...” She paused for dramatic effect. “...Theodore and Mary."

  The shocked silence was gratifying.

  "You really saw them?” Alan said at last, putting down his forkful of scrambled eggs.

  Angie nodded eagerly. “They kissed; then turned and looked straight at me. Whisper reared up, but I held on. I turned her head so she couldn't see them. Spirits spook animals when they look at them, you know."

  It was Jared's turn to roll his eyes.

  "Theodore called me Angelina. He thanked me for the renovation. When he started to walk away, I called out, ‘Theodore Slayton.’ He turned back to me and said ‘yes’ like a question. I told him I wanted to be sure that he was who I thought he was. He said, ‘It is I,’ bowed, then Mary took his arm, and they left. Both of them evaporated into the mist."

  Angie drew in a huge breath. “I was so excited. I saw Aunt Martha one time a little while ago, and it must have prepared me for this. I was terrified when I saw Aunt Martha, even though I loved her so much. This time I was a little frightened but I understood what was going on so I wasn't as scared."

  She plopped down in the chair, drained, “It was exhilarating. I saw him, Alan! I saw Theodore Slayton's ghost walking around with Mary on the farm."

  Neither Alan nor Jared said a word. They just stared at her, then looked at each other.

  Jared, calmer now, spoke first, “Angie, are you sure you didn't fall off that horse and hit y
our head?"

  "Oh course, I'm sure. I didn't think you'd believe me!” Annoyance flared in her eyes and she stood, pacing again. “You believe me, don't you, Alan?"

  "Yes, I do,” he said quietly.

  "What's wrong?” Angie stilled, looking deep into his eyes. The sadness she saw there surprised her. “I thought you'd be happy."

  "Why didn't you tell me that you saw Martha?"

  Oh no. I'm such an idiot. Going to him, Angie put her arms around his shoulders. “Alan, I'm so sorry. I just didn't think about it. She told me something private. I never thought of sharing it with anyone. Please forgive me, I didn't mean to hurt you."

  Alan patted her arm. “Don't you fret now, dear. It was just a shock, that's all."

  "She's fine, Alan. She looked beautiful and happy."

  Alan smiled at her. Angie hugged him tight.

  "I didn't mean to doubt you, Angie,” Jared said, between sips of coffee.

  Angie stood away from Alan. “It's okay,” she began with a smile in Jared's direction. Then ... “Oh! Oh! I forgot something! This is really strange. Mary welcomed me to her family, but I didn't ask what she meant. I was too concerned with Theodore's identity."

  Jared sat his coffee cup down with a thud. “Why would a ghost welcome you to her family?” Unless it's a sign that we're supposed to be married, just like I wished.

  "How am I supposed to know?"

  "Well, thanks for breakfast.” Pushing his chair back, Jared headed for the door. Opening it, he turned back to Angie. “I've got to get to work. Your story is amazing, but you have to promise me that you will not go anywhere else alone."

  "Fine. I promise."

  "I'm holding you to it,” he stated, closing the door behind him.

  She stared after him for a long moment.

  "Angie, I want you to promise me, too."

  "Promise what, Alan?” She turned from her contemplation of Jared's departure toward him.

  "That you will keep security or someone else with you at all times. I don't want to lose you."

  "Of course, Alan.” She went and sat down with him at the table again.