Winter Magic

by Cheryl Pierson

  Jake’s pulse jumped. Why were they leaving? And where were they headed? Magdon had spent several minutes each day telling Jake about how he relished forcing Brett into the bank job; how he’d enjoy killing him once it was over. What had changed?

  “We’re taking a little ride west of here,” Magdon announced as he stopped in front of Lainie and Jake. The odd look in his eyes unsettled Jake.

  “If you’re going to kill us, why not do it here, Magdon?”

  The big man smiled. “You ain’t used to taking orders, are you, Diamond? Same as your damn brother. We’re headed out in ten minutes.”

  “I need to take a piss.”

  Magdon laughed. “You be a good boy, and I’ll cut you loose so’s you can hold your pecker.”

  Hate filled Jake’s expression as he raised his eyes to meet Magdon’s smirk. “Thanks,” he spat.

  Magdon jerked his head toward the door. “C’mon. Outside. The lady may need privacy, too.”

  Jake didn’t look her way. It would embarrass her. He got to his feet as Magdon helped him up, turning his back for his captor to cut the ropes that bound his hands.

  If Brett didn’t kill Magdon, Jake vowed, he would do it himself.

  ****

  The tree was up, finally. It had taken all Earlene’s and Angie’s combined effort to get it in place and steady in the bucket of dirt. They’d decorated it and sang Christmas carols as they had hung the paltry ornaments they’d made and saved from times past.

  Now, as Angie kept vigil at Brett’s bedside, she remembered the warmth that had coursed through her. Happy as she’d been since before Mama had died, she didn’t want to let go of the feeling.

  She left the chair and moved to stand beside the bed, laying a hand on Brett’s dark hair as he slept.

  Being up in the front room for the day had tired him. Quickly, once dinner was over, she’d had Earlie help her get him back to bed, and he’d fallen asleep almost immediately.

  She could heal him. She stood looking down at him, indecision warring in her heart. Mama had told her she possessed the healing power—greater than anyone in their family had ever had. But healing someone could cause other complications.

  She was inexperienced. She’d only used her healing on animals. What if—what if she did something wrong? Or what if she accidentally made him have other feelings or thoughts, or ideas—oh, thunder! Why did it have to be so complicated?

  But now would be the best time—while he slept; deeply and soundly; oblivious to her, and his surroundings.

  Healing took so much from a person. She’d have to be so careful not to give too much of herself, or she’d become weak and sick—and that wouldn’t do. She needed to remain strong if she was going to help Brett face down Teller Magdon.

  She walked around to the other side of the bed, lowering herself slowly to the mattress so as not to awaken him. Carefully, she pulled the covers back and laid a hand over the bandage that covered the wound.

  Better take it off.

  She carefully removed it. Brett turned fitfully, and she laid a hand on his head.

  Be still, my love. Sleep well and deep.

  He relaxed into the pillows.

  Angie laid her right hand over the wound. It was hot with fever. She shook her head. Her lips began to move, her words a whisper in the near-dark room, the only light a low-trimmed lamp on the night table.

  End his suff’ring and his pain

  Make him well and whole again.

  Every ache and painful woe,

  See them pass and outward go.

  Nerves return to former use,

  Fingers become limber, loose;

  Skin and bone shall knit and heal;

  Hurt, no more, this man shall feel…

  Beneath her fingertips, Brett’s wound mended itself. Slowly, at first, then completing its healing, disappearing before the last words of Angie’s spell were voiced.

  She lifted her hand, peering closely at the place where the bloody hole had once been. It was done. She gave a nod of satisfaction, then stretched out beside him. Fatigue engulfed her, dragging her down to the softness of the bed, and she nestled close to Brett, seeking his warmth.

  A feeling of peace swept through her for the first time in years. Safety surrounded her, and she wanted to hug it close. But Brett was the only thing she could hug, and he was fast asleep.

  She smiled. If he knew the power he held over her heart… But he wouldn’t. She’d lie here and rest awhile, then get up and move to Earlene’s room with her…and he’d be none the wiser.

  Chapter 9

  Brett awoke feeling better than he had in…well, at least two days. Since the little hellcat had blown him out of his saddle. A faint smile touched his lips at the thought of Earlene and her gun.

  But the smile faded as he wiggled his fingers and realized they were in perfect working order. Just to be sure, he raised his hand to his mouth and bit down on his index finger, then his thumb.

  A head appeared beside his, green eyes hazy with sleep, then widening as they focused.

  Angie Colton was about the most beautiful sight he ever saw, with her golden hair tousled and her eyes soft and dreamy…

  “You’re biting your fingers,” she observed.

  He felt the blush creeping up his neck. “They work.”

  She nodded. “Good.”

  There was something in her expression he didn’t understand. A secret. Guilt. And a little fear.

  His head wasn’t pounding anymore, and he realized that was most likely what gave him the clarity to see the nuances in her face as her thoughts changed.

  “How’re you feeling…otherwise?”

  Her question was tinged with trepidation. But why?

  “Better,” he answered cautiously. “Much better, in fact.”

  He shifted to try to ease his shoulder, then realized there was no need. He turned his head and noticed the bandaging had been removed. There was no trace that he’d ever been wounded. No mark on his skin, no pain, no blood—

  “Jesus…” he whispered, then he met Angie’s eyes. She stared at him, unblinking.

  “You did this?” he croaked.

  She nodded. “I wasn’t sure I could. But—it worked.”

  “But—how?”

  “A spell. A powerful one.”

  “You didn’t pour any eye of newt into me, did you?” His stomach churned at the thought.

  Angie gave a burst of laughter. “Of course not!” She pulled a face. “Double, double, toil and trouble—”

  “Stop!” Brett’s heart beat double-time, echoing her words. Obviously, Angie knew what she was doing when it came to spells. He was living proof. “Don’t—uh get carried away.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s not an authentic spell, silly. It’s just one Shakespeare made up to sound real.”

  “Why didn’t you do this the day you found me on the porch?”

  Angie’s features hardened. “I…debated with myself about it. I’ve never tried it on a human—only animals. I didn’t want to do more harm than good.”

  He watched the emotions flit through her eyes. “What changed your mind?”

  She was silent for several seconds. Finally, she murmured, “It’s said that, to make a spell effective, the witch must have confidence and faith in her own abilities. I guess maybe I didn’t trust myself enough until last night, Brett. I’m sorry.”

  She pushed herself up into a sitting position, then perched on the edge of the bed. “I couldn’t let you worry any more—about your own ability to save Jake. But I’m still going with you.”

  Brett frowned. “Angie, don’t you know—”

  “I know I care about you, Brett Diamond. And I can’t bear to sit by and watch something happen if I might be able to stop it…or prevent it from happening in the first place.”

  “What about Earlene?”

  “Believe it or not, you’ll be mighty glad to have my sister’s gun on your side when hell breaks loose.”

  Bret
t nodded. “Okay,” he said, resignedly. There was no convincing Angie to stay behind. He should have realized from the beginning she wasn’t that kind of woman. “Let’s get this over with. One way or another, we have to bring this to an end.”

  ****

  It had gone better than Angie had expected—especially after she’d woken up beside Brett in his bed. The spell had drained her. She’d slept the night away beside him, woken up wrapped in the strength of his arms, warm from his body heat soaking into her.

  Now, she prepared a quick breakfast for the three of them, thinking of what they’d need to take with them for the trip.

  Earlene came inside from doing her morning chores and washed up, plopping down at the table. The look in her eyes was somehow knowing, and oddly triumphant.

  Angie didn’t like it at all. She’d seen it before—and it usually meant mischief.

  “Going somewhere?” Earlene nodded toward the clothing satchels Angie had laid out by the settee.

  “We’re all going somewhere, Earlie.” Angie turned to look at her from where she stood in front of the stove.

  “Mm.”

  There was no argument, and Angie knew then something was amiss. She turned back to the stove, minding the scrambled eggs. Earlene was definitely up to something. She hadn’t even asked where they were going, and Angie knew Earlie’s curiosity rivaled any other kid she’d ever known. Now, Earlene was far too silent.

  “Thought Mr. Diamond was too bad hurt to do somethin’ like that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Go after Teller Magdon.”

  “How did you know—”

  “Aw, come on, Ang. It ain’t a secret.”

  But it was. They’d never discussed it in front of Earlene…had they? Angie shook her head, trying to think. No. She’d have remembered—and Earlene would have driven her half mad with questions.

  It took every ounce of her strength to keep from whirling around to face Earlene—but Angie knew her sister was like any typical eleven-year-old; she was waiting for a reaction.

  Angie tried something different.

  “Mr. Diamond is feeling much better now.” She dished up some eggs on Earlene’s plate and handed it to her with a piece of toasted bread.

  “On account of you healing him an’ all.” Earlene reached for a fork, and Angie quickly moved the eggs off the stove to keep them from burning, then seated herself beside Earlene.

  “How do you know that, Earlene?” She gripped her sister’s wrist as Earlene started to move the fork under a bite of eggs. Earlene raised her mercury eyes to Angie and their gazes locked and held.

  “How?”

  Earlene gulped at the anger Angie couldn’t hide.

  “I—I just know! Oh, Angie, there are a lot of things I know, all of a sudden. And things I can do that I never could before…”

  “Like what?” Fear rose up inside Angie, and she felt as if it would strangle her. She didn’t know how to handle her own powers, much less what to do about Earlene and her newly-discovered abilities.

  Earlene was still a child. Still lost her temper, and was unreasonable about childish things…

  What if I can’t control her?

  “Earlene…”

  Tears rose up in Earlene’s eyes. “Seems I can’t do nothin’ right in your eyes anymore, Angie.” She shoved her plate away and jumped up.

  “Wait—”

  “I’m not leavin’ my Christmas tree! Just look at it…” Her voice turned soft, wistful. “It’s the most beautiful thing I ever did see.”

  Angie was struck once more by what a child Earlie still was. She started forward, wanting to take her in her arms, but Earlene was already headed for the door.

  “I ain’t leavin’ my tree, Angie.”

  “We have to do this, Earlie. If we don’t, Brett—Mr. Diamond’s brother, Jake, could be murdered.”

  A flash of indecision crossed Earlene’s mulish expression, but then she reached for the rifle and flung the door open. “He ain’t gonna die. And we ain’t gonna leave...not now, anyway. There ain’t time. I have to go get into position.”

  “What?”

  “They’ll be here soon, Angie. We can fight Teller Magdon right here on our place, where we know what’s what, and he don’t.”

  “Earlene, what in God’s name have you done?”

  “I told you, Ang. I can do all sorts of things now I never could before,” she answered softly. “They’ll be here soon. Best get ready. I summoned them.”

  ****

  Jake and Lainie rode double on the back of a sleek black mare that looked as good as any horseflesh Jake had seen in a long time. If he made it out of this alive, he thought, he’d take the horses—all of them—and settle down on a small place. It would be a start for the ranch he’d always dreamed of. And these beauties would know nothing but kindness for the rest of their days.

  Magdon had left his hands unbound, and Lainie rode behind him, her body close to his. She didn’t complain about the grueling pace Magdon had set. He’d been like a man possessed, riding through the night to get to his destination—wherever that might be.

  When one of the other five men who rode with Magdon had questioned their mad dash, their leader had turned icy eyes upon him and told him to “Shut up or die.”

  That had put an end to any further questions or conversation.

  Magdon seemed to know where he was going, but from time to time, he stopped and scanned their surroundings as if he was uncertain about which direction to take. After a few seconds, he would start off once more, the others following at their breakneck pace.

  They’d ridden this way a good part of the night when, at one of their stops, Jake said, “Magdon, you’re gonna kill these horses, riding ’em so damn hard.”

  To his surprise, Magdon agreed. “We’re close enough now, we can slow down. We can’t kill ’em—we’ll need ’em to get away after we get what we’re after.” He laughed at his own attempt at humor.

  “What might that be, exactly, boss?” Oscar, one of the men, ventured to ask.

  Magdon seemed at a loss. The startled, questioning look in his eyes surprised Jake—and worried him more than a little. Was Teller Magdon crazy?

  Of course he was. But not the kind of crazy Jake had seen evidenced just then. He’d always been a cruel, greedy, self-important man; but what Jake saw made him wonder if Magdon’s senses hadn’t taken their leave.

  After a moment, the answer seemed to come to Magdon, and he turned to Oscar with a smile that froze Jake’s blood.

  “Why, we’re goin’ to where Brett Diamond’s hiding out. Damn coward. And we’re gonna drag his ass back to Ft. Smith with us, boys.” He turned his pale gaze on Jake, and Lainie huddled closer.

  “But first…we’re gonna get rid of some extra baggage—Mr. Jake Diamond.” He let go a loud laugh. “I want your brother to watch you die.”

  His eyes slowly moved to Lainie, undressing her with his gaze. “And I’m gonna have me some fun with you, whore. Right on the front porch, where everyone can watch.”

  Lainie trembled against Jake, and he heard her soft intake of breath. But he also knew she was staring right back at Magdon, and it made him feel proud of her—even though he knew he really had no right.

  “The front porch of where, boss?” Seldon asked.

  “There’s a little cabin, hidden…but I know where it is, now.”

  “How’d you know, Tell?”

  Magdon’s gaze swung to Oscar again. “Anyone ever tell you that you ask too many questions, Oscar?”

  The man blanched and looked away quickly with a mumbled apology.

  Magdon grinned. “You might say I’ve been somehow blessed with an ‘inner window’, boys. I’m suddenly able to see things I couldn’t see before. And I can see where Brett Diamond is, clear as day.”

  He looked at Lainie again, a grin on his lips. “Someone else is there, too, Miss Barrett. Your circus friend, the clever pickpocket—the woman I will take for my new bride…Ang
ie Colton.”

  Lainie’s fingers tightened around Jake’s waist, but he felt her toss her head, as if Magdon’s words had no impact on her. She was not going to be cowed by the likes of Teller Magdon.

  “I’m glad to know she’s alive and well,” Lainie said coolly. “Most of us thought you had murdered her. Just like you did my—her mother.”

  He shook his head. “I would never do such a thing. Angie, she was meant for me, since before I ever found her. And I will have her. Nothing will stand in my way.”

  ****

  “Brett!”

  “I heard,” he replied, rounding the corner just as Earlene slammed the door behind her. “How long before they get here?”

  Angie shook her head. “I don’t know, but soon.”

  Brett smiled. “I hate to say it, but in this case, Earlie was right. We will be better off fighting them on our own territory—bringing the battle here, rather than us having to go to them.”

  “All because she didn’t want to leave the Christmas tree…”

  Brett took two strides and pulled Angie into his arms. “She’s a kid, Ang.”

  “She brought them here!”

  “Maybe it’s not just the tree. Maybe—she’s tired of this life, too. Wants to see an end to it, one way or the other.”

  “Brett Diamond!” A voice called from outside, behind the barn. “Can you hear me?”

  Brett’s dark gaze locked with Angie’s, and they both remained silent for a moment.

  Then, Brett leaned down and put his mouth over Angie’s, kissing her as if it was the last thing he’d ever do…as if there would be no tomorrow for them.

  He could see the dismay in Angie’s features when he lifted his head. She didn’t believe this was the end for them. Had she seen something she hadn’t told him about? Something from their future?

  “Angie, if we have tomorrow, I want you with me. Then, and for all the tomorrows after—”

  She nodded, her lashes wet with tears. “Oh, yes, Brett. I want that, too.”

  “Let’s give it our best shot, darlin’.”

  Again, she nodded, but he felt her tremble.

  “I hear you, Magdon!” Brett shouted back. “Come get me, you sorry son of a bitch!”