by Nicki Elson
“Oh, yeah, sure. You okay?”
“I will be. Thanks.”
The second after she clicked off the phone, Evan was at her side, holding her while she buried her face in his shoulder and released her sobs. He stroked her hair and scooped his arms behind her knees, lifting her. She clung to him, feeling as if she were emptying herself—all her fear, confusion, anxiety, and conflict. She needed someone to take it from her, at least for a little while. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
He pulled her closer and carried her upstairs, where he laid her on the bed, then climbed in behind and wrapped his arms around her, cradling her in his peace.
Chapter 15
THE BLURRED, RED NUMBERS told Maggie her alarm would go off in twenty minutes. She’d slept solid the whole night through and had never felt the need to pull on her sleep mask. Closing her eyes again, she reflected on what had happened the night before. It was all still so eerie, but no longer overwhelming.
She flipped to her other side, keeping her eyes shut, and inhaled Evan’s mellow and enticing scent. When she lifted her lids, he was only inches away, with his head on the pillow and his crystalline eyes wide open and crisp, not dull and puffy like Maggie was sure hers must be.
“Have you been here all night? Watching me?” she asked.
He reached up to push her hair from her cheek. “I was with you, but not watching you.”
“You slept too?”
“No.” His fingers stayed on her face, lightly tracing over her forehead, lulling her eyes back closed.
Stifling a yawn, she murmured, “You didn’t watch me, but you were with me, and you didn’t sleep. What did you do?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” he said and tweaked her nose before bringing his hand to rest on her hip, molding over it.
“It’s a little early in the day to be torturing me with your cryptic answers, isn’t it?” she said as she nuzzled into the pillow.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“Isn’t that something you can sense?”
“I want to hear you say it.”
Maggie opened her eyes. “I’m still a little freaked out, but I’m feeling better. Is it still out there? The thing that was in Tommy?”
“Most likely. Men of the cloth have certain powers and rights entrusted to them, but obliterating any of God’s creatures from existence isn’t one of them.”
“One of God’s creatures? It sounds so strange to call it that.”
“If you believe he’s the Great Creator of all things, then yes, even spirits turned evil were initially created by him.”
Maggie gave a small nod. “Before it left Tommy, it felt like…like it wanted to enter me.”
“I know, Maggie. I know everything about what happened last night. You don’t need to talk about it unless you want to.”
“Do you know that the thing, the demon, may have made an earlier attempt to get to me? When Tommy was here playing with Liam, after his family had visited Somme, he got sick—he vomited, which is what he said happened whenever the demon tried to leave him.”
“I’m sure it tried to leave many times. That doesn’t mean it was targeting you. But either way, there have been enough close calls that I’m going to stay closer to you from now on. I won’t interfere, and I promise to stay in the background. But you’ll have to be careful about blocking me again, Maggie.”
She pulled her hand from under the covers to rest it along the side of his face. “I wouldn’t have made it through last night without you. I want you close. I won’t block you again.”
They stared at each other, silently sealing their pact. It had been weeks since Maggie had felt their flesh meld the way it did now with her hand pressed against his face, and she knew no matter how many times she experienced it, the sensation would always take her by surprise. “Father Tom said I should keep an arm’s distance from you.”
“Should I move away?” Evan’s silvery irises flicked back and forth, studying her expression, while his hand tensed on her hip.
Maggie shook her head no as best she could with half her face against her pillow, and she lightened the pressure of her hand on his face so that her fingertips barely skimmed its surface, gliding over the contours of his jaw and cheekbone. “I can handle this. You’re my friend. My blessed, divine friend, and I can keep the lines straight. Plus, I’ve got a burning hunk of man now to direct my earthly passions at.”
“Raymond?”
“Yes, Raymond.” She tweaked his nose and brought her arm under the cover, snuggling in closer to her platonic friend for the last few minutes before the alarm would sound and she’d have to begin her day.
“Just be careful, Maggie. I’ll be around, but that doesn’t mean I can protect you from everything.”
Maggie could hardly breathe. Her heart throbbed at double time as Ray’s weight pressed into her. Her skin burned despite the fact that her blouse was now open and hanging half way off of her. Although Evan might be lurking somewhere near, she felt no sense of her guardian angel. But just the thought of him was enough to rally her force of will. She pushed back Raymond, inching him away. Her sudden resistance seemed to surprise him, and he sat all the way back in the driver’s seat of his truck. Once she’d caught her breath, she climbed over the console to straddle him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she repeated as she feathered small kisses onto the side of his neck. She’d entered into the make-out session willingly enough—instigated it, if she was being honest—but she hadn’t expected it to get so heated that quickly. Ray didn’t say anything, just breathed hot, heavy gusts onto Maggie’s bare shoulder. She pulled back and readjusted her shirt, slowly buttoning it back up as she tried to explain herself. “This all just kind of took me by surprise, and there’s something I want to talk to you about before we get too far down this road, okay? I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about it.”
Raymond brought a hand up to smooth his disheveled hair. He seemed to be more bewildered than angry. “Feel about what?”
“Carl and I never got an annulment. So, if you adhere strictly to the church’s rules, then having sex with me would make you an adulterer. And I just, I didn’t think it would be fair of me to pin that scarlet letter on you without at least warning you first.”
He turned his eyes to the window, and she kicked herself internally for not having told him earlier. He probably figured she was free and clear of marital encumbrances when Father Tom set them up.
Raymond returned his gaze to her. “Is that really all this is about?”
“Isn’t that enough?”
“Maggie, I know this could become an issue if we went as far as getting married and wanted a church wedding, but even then I’m sure it could be worked out. Red tape as far as I’m concerned. So no, it doesn’t bother me. Does it bother you?”
Maggie shrugged. “I’m not sure exactly where I stand on it. And believe me, I’ve given it a lot of thought. But I just can’t bring myself to negate my marriage to Carl as if it was never real. And the more I’ve thought about it, an annulment just seems like a way to avoid admitting to a mistake. Isn’t it unfair for the church to deny me a second chance just because I’m willing to own up to my mistakes rather than ask for a free pass?”
While talking, she mis-buttoned the top of her blouse, and Ray’s long fingers followed behind, putting the buttons into the correct holes. “It sounds to me like you know exactly where you come out on the issue. Listen to his word, and listen to your heart—it’ll all come together.” He finished buttoning and ran his fingertips along the inside edge of her collar, ticking her skin. Maggie smiled in appreciation of his straightforward simplicity.
“So where does this leave us?” he asked.
“It leaves you as a very good kisser.” She leaned down and gave him a soft peck on the lips. “And me needing to get into the house before the kids start getting suspicious about what Mommy and Mr. Fender have been do
ing out in the driveway for so long.”
He laid his hand over hers and held it to his chest. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I guess I’ve still got some internal wrestling to do. But I’m getting there. And when I arrive, you’ll be the first to know.” They finished off the evening with a long, slow kiss that brought Maggie a little closer to clarity.
It had been more than a week since the incident at the Wilson’s before Maggie thought to call Sharon. Kirsten and Liam were both occupied in other rooms, so she grabbed the phone and dialed, planning to chat with her friend while she straightened up in the kitchen.
“Hello,” Sharon said.
“Hi! It’s me, Maggie.”
“Yeah, I know. Saw your name on the phone.” Sharon’s tone stayed flat.
“Right, of course. Well, I was calling to see if you’re free next weekend. The kids and I—and this new guy I’ve been seeing—were hoping you’d join us for Boo at the Zoo. I know it’ll be crazy crowded being the last weekend before Halloween, but—”
“Can’t. Busy next weekend.”
“Oh, shoot. I really want you to meet Raymond, the new guy. He’s great.”
“I’m sure he is, and sorry to shock you that I, too, have a life. May not be the thrill ride that yours is, but it’s mine, and I’ve got plans.”
“Oh, something exciting?” Maggie asked in an attempt to allay whatever had put her friend in such a sour mood.
“Probably not to you.” Sharon left her answer clipped, causing Maggie to suspect her friend’s irritability was purposely being directed toward her.
She proceeded, babbling now that she was somewhat nervous, under the hope that she was just being paranoid. “Well, if it’s an adult-only thing that’s got you tied up, Katie and Shelby are welcome to join us. Actually, Kirsten’s sort of counting on Katie being there. Raymond’s bringing his teenaged son, and she’s just absolutely mortified by the thought that the outing could be construed as a double father-son, mother-daughter date. Apparently she doesn’t think Jason, who I haven’t met yet but sounds like a great kid, is cool enough for her.”
“Ah, okay, now I get why you called. Sorry, can’t help you out. Katie’s coming with us.”
“Okay, well, I figured it was worth a shot. So how’s everything else with you?”
“If you really gave a rat’s ass about how I was doing you’d probably call more often, and not just to ask a favor.”
“Aha, so you are mad at me.”
“Frankly, yeah. I’m tired of being hung up on and rushed out on. You’re making me feel like the clingy best friend, and I guess I’m just done with it. You’re not obligated to be my friend, and I’m not obligated to be yours. We don’t have to pretend just because our daughters are close.”
Maggie was stunned into silence.
“Look,” Sharon continued. “I’m most likely perimenopausal, and I’ve had a shitty week. It’s best to hang up now before I say something I’ll really regret. Have a good time at the zoo.”
Maggie heard a click at the other end of the line, but continued to hold her phone, staring at it even after she’d also clicked off. She couldn’t deny she’d been neglectful, but she had a lot going on under the surface that Sharon had no idea about and felt unfairly blindsided. She was completely oblivious to how richly she’d deserved her friend’s reproach.
By the time zoo day arrived, Maggie had decided it was better that it was just the five of them for their first “family date.” This way they could get to know each other without being distracted by others. Every year, Maggie had thought about coming to the zoo for its autumn festivities, but it took Ray suggesting it to get her there. The day was cool and slightly windy, sending orange and yellow leaves swirling through the park at random intervals, and the animals were so much more alert and energized in the crisp weather than during the hot summer months. In contrast, Raymond was noticeably more reserved. He didn’t grab Maggie’s hand or show any other type of physical affection, and she appreciated his respect for any conflicted feelings the kids might have about the new relationship.
It turned out that Kirsten didn’t need live people for a distraction and spent most of the day texting her friends and glancing up once in a while at a particularly playful rhino or baboon. Jason seemed bored at first, but as the day progressed, it became clear that every word he said was like gold to Liam—particularly when the topic of video games came up—and the two boys started palling around, with Jason taking Liam off on side expeditions to the bear wilderness and the reptile house. As Maggie had suspected, Jason was a very nice kid, but he wore his insecurities on the outside—in the form of dark, nondescript clothing and long bangs that shrouded his eyes. She was pleased that Kirsten hadn’t been outright rude to the boy, but she made a note to talk to her daughter later about making more of an effort to be nice.
Things got busy for Ray the following week, and Maggie only heard from him sporadically. She was disappointed when he didn’t answer her last-minute phone call inviting him over to drink wine with her while she handed out Halloween candy. It tended to be more drinking than candy giving since few trick-or-treaters ventured into her neighborhood of townhouses.
She’d already gone out with Liam, dressed as Super Mario for the second year in a row, for an hour before Carl came to take him to what they called the “rich neighborhood” where houses gave out full-sized candy bars and cans of soda. Then she’d driven Kirsten to the annual Halloween scavenger hunt party at Katie’s and stubbornly stayed in the car when she’d dropped her off instead of accepting the customary open invitation for the parents to come in for a mug of Sharon’s specialty Halloween grog.
When Ray responded via text that he couldn’t make it, Maggie sighed and filled her glass, resigned to drink alone as she smiled at the random goblin or princess on her door step and tossed fun-sized candy bars into their bags. After a particularly adorable spider left, she kept the door open and leaned against its frame to watch the arachnid, its parents, and their baby ladybug amble down the sidewalk.
“It’s safe to come in, you know. I’m all alone,” Maggie said when the family was too far to hear.
“You knew I was here?” Evan asked, his lean form coming into full view as he stepped from the shadows.
“I always know.”
“And yet this is the first time in weeks you’ve invited me in…”
“Sorry.” She smiled and stepped back to motion him through the doorway. “I’ve been busy.”
“So I’ve seen,” he remarked as he strode past her. After Maggie shut the door, he asked, “And everything feels…normal?”
“Remarkably normal. Is that why you’ve been sticking so close to the shadows? To restore normalcy? Do you think that’ll help keep me away from the evil influence?”
“Possibly. Sometimes these things are drawn to those closest to our Lord. Being a constant companion of an angel could make you a target.”
“Then wouldn’t it make more sense for you to not come around at all?”
“Do you want me to stay away?” Evan asked.
“No, definitely not. It’s just that, if you’re not fooling me, surely you’re not fooling it, them, whatever. So is a true separation something we should consider?”
“I have considered it.” Evan examined her, his eyes roving over her face and down her length, as if searching for something. It made her uneasy.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I don’t appear to have any choice. I’ve not been allowed to take my focus off you. The best I can do is stay in the background.”
“So you want to leave me?”
“No. But I also don’t necessarily want to be around to witness…everything.”
The silver of his irises looked more leaden than usual as he glanced away, and Maggie blushed, thinking of that night in Ray’s truck. Perhaps she hadn’t been able to sense the angel’s presence as accurately as she’d thought. A subject change seemed in order
. “We haven’t talked since that phone call to Sharon, the one where she told me I’m a horrible friend. I was thinking about how Liam’s friend had started being nasty to him because he’d been infected—do you think that could be the case with Sharon too, maybe to a lesser extent?”
“I can’t say for sure, but this seems like a strictly human problem to me. It’s entirely possible for friends to get angry at each other without being possessed by demons.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Look, I know I haven’t been the most attentive to her, but I can’t believe she’d come down on me like that. And honestly, she’s been pretty damn rude to me throughout the years—always prying into my business, making snap judgments about my personal life—and I’ve never once railed on her. She can just stew on this one for a while.”
Maggie took a long sip of wine and drained her glass, ignoring the arch in Evan’s eyebrow that accused her of being the one who was stewing. As she reached for the bottle, Evan laid his hand on hers. “Be careful with your anger, Maggie. It feeds them. You and your friend have issues to work out, but giving evil purchase on your souls isn’t going to help either of you.”
The doorbell rang, and Maggie laughed at the timely arrival of a miniature, horned Beelzebub standing on her doorstep.
Chapter 16
ON ALL SOULS DAY, Maggie let Brenda know she’d be taking an extra long lunch break and drove south along the river to meet Raymond at a new gourmet sandwich place. She found him already there, seated at one of the high-backed booths. He stood and greeted her with a stiff kiss on her cheek and stayed quiet while they looked over their menus. At first Maggie thought he was probably preoccupied with the work that had been keeping him busy the last several days, but when he laid down his menu and didn’t look directly at her as he asked how she’d been, she knew something wasn’t right.