“There’s nothing about the history of Casper Creek in there,” Hannah groused as she sat cross-legged on the floor, stacks of books surrounding her. “And this one, How to Hex Your Ex. Should this really be here? I mean ... come on.” She threw the book. This one was too far away for Cooper to catch.
He spent a moment watching her flip through another book, debating, and when she reared back to throw it, he made up his mind. “Okay, that will be enough of that.” He caught her wrist and retrieved the book before she could hurl it. “Let’s have a talk.”
Hannah’s eyes went wide. “Talk? We don’t have time to talk. Angel is missing. We have to find her. There’s no time to talk.”
“Well, we’re going to talk anyway.” He shoved one of the stacks of books away to make room for himself and dropped onto the floor next to her. “Come here.” His voice was husky.
“What are you doing?” Hannah’s brow creased in confusion as he tugged her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her, situating her so her back was against his chest and he could wrap her in his warmth.
“I love you.”
The simple admission caused her heart to seize. “I love you, too. We have to find the information about these witches, though.”
“Shh.” He smoothed her hair and rubbed his cheek against hers, relishing the feeling of her soft skin. “We’re going to find the information we need. It’s going to be easier if you’re not manic, though.”
Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not being manic.”
“You are, and I understand. You’re worried about Angel.”
“Of course I’m worried about Angel. She disappeared on our watch. I should’ve gone to the barn with her.”
“The storm was already on us when we realized what was happening. You couldn’t get to her.”
“I should’ve found a way. I’m a witch, right? There had to be a way.”
Cooper remained calm as he held her, flipping her hand over so he could trace the lines on her palm. She didn’t squirm, but he could tell she was coiled and ready for action. “You didn’t cause this, baby. We’re still not sure what happened. The only thing I can say with any sense of certainty is that we’re severely lacking in information ... and you’re not to blame for this.”
Hannah’s expression turned dark. “She wouldn’t have been out here if I hadn’t suggested it to Boone. She would still be tucked away at his house, safe, if I hadn’t opened my big mouth.” Her breath caught. “Why do I always open my big mouth?”
“It’s part of your charm.” He kissed her neck. “I know you’re angry at yourself — and I get it — but you honestly didn’t cause this. I need you to stop blaming yourself.”
“If I can’t blame myself, who can I blame?”
“Maybe there is no one to blame.”
“She’s gone. She was taken and you know it. This wasn’t an accident. That means there was someone to blame.”
He wanted to argue the point, but he knew she was right. Not about the blame thing of course, but about the rest of it. “We’ll find her.”
“How? She could already be dead.”
“She could, but I choose to believe she’s not. I mean, if the end game was to kill her, why not take her out in the accident last night?”
“How do you know that wasn’t the ultimate goal?”
“If there’s a creature out there who can cause an accident of that magnitude, you would think it would have better aim. On top of that, if all this creature wanted was to kill her, why not rip her throat out in the barn and be done with it? Why remove her at all?”
Hannah hesitated and then shrugged. “I don’t like that you have a point.”
He chuckled. “We’re going to find her. I promise. We won’t stop until we do. Until we find a direction to look, though, I need you to calm down. You’re acting like a crazy person.”
“Because I’m the one who will be responsible for killing her if something happens.”
“No, you will not.” Cooper was determined as he shifted her, making sure she had no choice but to look directly into his eyes. “I know you’re upset. After everything that’s happened ... Becky especially ... you’ve been dealing with so much. You’re not to blame for this, though.”
The mere mention of the woman’s name had Hannah’s eyes filling with tears. “Casper Creek won’t survive another calamity. Abigail built this place up over decades, and if it falls, I’ll have taken it out in a matter of months.”
“Baby, no.” He pulled her tight, hugging her to his chest. “I’m so sorry this is happening. It’s not your fault, though. You can’t blame yourself.”
“There’s no one else to blame.”
He stroked the back of her hair, rocking her, until a noise at the door caused him to look up. Jackie stood in the opening, obviously confused, and looked as if she wished she could be anywhere else. “I can head out,” she offered lamely.
Cooper shook his head. “We need you.” He pulled back and stared into Hannah’s eyes. “We’re going to work together and figure this out. It would be best for all concerned if you don’t melt down.”
“I wasn’t melting down,” Hannah protested, swiping at her eyes as she shifted from Cooper’s lap. “I was researching.”
“You were throwing books.” Cooper shot her a rueful smile and then focused on Jackie. “We need information.” He filled her in on their meeting with Astra, leaving nothing out. When he was finished, Jackie looked legitimately confused.
“She said to look at the history of Casper Creek?”
Cooper nodded. “Do you know what she was talking about?”
“History-wise, no. There is a legend, though, and it might match up to Hannah’s dream.” Jackie looked thoughtful as she sank down on the couch, her eyes focused on nothing as her mind worked through a problem. “I wonder if that’s what she’s talking about.”
“What’s the legend?” Hannah prodded. “She said history, but if you think it’s the legend, that’s good enough for me.”
“It’s a really old legend,” Jackie warned. “It’s one of those Paul Bunyan kind of legends.”
“So, you’re saying it can’t be true,” Hannah pressed.
“I always assumed it was one of those stories Abigail liked to whip out at a party simply because she enjoyed it. Where is Abigail, by the way? She would be better at telling the story.”
“I called for her when I came up here,” Hannah replied. “Apparently she’s still messing with her ghostly abilities because she didn’t show up.”
“She will when she can,” Cooper reassured her. “Until then, try to nutshell it for us, Jackie. If we know what we’re looking for, we might better be able to track it down in these books.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jackie agreed, her gaze momentarily landing on the book stack. “Um, as for the legend, it went something like this ... and I’m definitely nutshelling it. There was a warlock who married a witch and had two daughters. His wife died in an earthquake that was so bad a fissure opened in the ground and swallowed her whole. Anguished, he tried to go in after her, but his twin daughters were eight and called out to stop him. He had no choice but to stay behind, because as much as he loved his wife, he loved his daughters more.
“They lived on the land, in a farm right on this very spot,” she continued. “They had a house ... and a barn ... and multiple crops. As the girls grew, their personalities began to shine, and the father realized he had a problem.
“One of his daughters — and, I’m sorry, I can’t remember the names — was a witch of pure white light. She wanted to make the world a better place and was always ready with a helping hand. The other daughter was a dark witch. She was lazy and wanted to use magic to further her agenda without breaking a sweat.”
“This sounds like a fable,” Cooper noted.
“Basically, it is,” Jackie agreed. “The lazy daughter lounged around all day and used magic to get what she wanted. The giving daughter went out into the town and helped t
hose in need. This happened for years, and a schism opened between them, until ultimately the dark daughter’s jealousy of her sister turned into murder.
“The story goes that the dark daughter was jealous because the light daughter was clearly the father’s favorite,” she continued. “She became bitter and caused horrible things to happen to the townspeople. The other daughter figured out what she was doing and confronted her. It culminated in a terrible fight, with the dark daughter threatening to wipe the entire town off the map and the light daughter sacrificing herself to protect the people ... and in the process she ensured both their deaths.”
Hannah tugged on her bottom lip as she absorbed the story. “That sounds like what I heard in my dream. I mean ... they didn’t get into specifics or anything. I’m pretty sure that’s who I heard talking, though.”
“So, what?” Cooper asked. “Does this mean the legend was real?”
Jackie held out her hands and shrugged. “I don’t know. There are a lot of twists and turns in the story I can’t quite remember. What I told you was the basic framework. Abigail will know better.”
“She’s not here right now, though.” Hannah shifted her eyes to the bookshelves. “The story has to be in here somewhere. You’ve given us a good start, though. Now we know what we’re looking for.”
“I’m glad to help.” Jackie stood and headed toward the door, pausing with her hand on the handle. “I am curious, though. What do witches who died hundreds of years ago have to do with a missing girl and a dome that popped up today?”
“I have no idea. I’m going to figure it out, though.”
“Well, good luck.” Jackie tugged the door open. “I’ll see if I can find more specifics on the story. I don’t know how easy it will be, but I’ll give it a try.”
“Thanks. I’ll search, too.” It was with determination that Hannah faced down the bookcase. “There are answers here. I just know it.”
9
Nine
Cooper insisted they tackle the books in an orderly fashion. Hannah was the type to haphazardly start removing books from the shelves, and then proceed to dump them on the floor in no discernible order. Cooper’s organized brain couldn’t handle that.
“Okay, these look like books on herbs,” he said, gesturing toward a shelf. “Every single one.”
Hannah wasn’t impressed. “Who needs that many books on herbs? I mean ... blah.”
He laughed as she stuck her tongue out and cupped her chin to give her a kiss. She had an amazing rebound rate and was already mostly back to herself, which was something he was thrilled to see. A knock at the door caused him to groan and separate from her.
“That’s probably Tyler. He agreed to pick up dinner since we’re busy with ... this mess.” Cooper shuffled to the door and pulled it open, immediately stepping back so Jinx could race inside. The dog looked confused when he registered the mess. “I know, boy. Your mother has lost her mind.”
“Wow,” Tyler intoned as he stepped into the apartment behind Jinx, a box balanced on his hand like a tray. “Are you guys redecorating?”
“Don’t give her any ideas,” Cooper warned, gesturing toward the table. “What did you get?”
“Well, since you granted me carte blanche to get what I wanted, I went with the meal of champions.”
Cooper was familiar with Tyler’s appetite and didn’t have to ask. “Steak and potatoes.”
“And that fried onion thing ... and stuffed mushrooms ... and fried pickles.”
Cooper blinked several times in rapid succession. “Are you pregnant?”
“Not last time I checked. I just like weird food. Sue me.” Tyler started digging in the box and removing containers. “I got you the porterhouse, Hannah. I got the garlic mashed potatoes for all of us, too.”
“Oh, good, garlic,” Cooper deadpanned. “That won’t put a crimp in my plans for the night or anything.”
Hannah scalded him with a look and then moved to another shelf. “We’re not having fun while Angel is out there suffering. It’s not going to happen.”
Aggrieved, Cooper made a face. “I don’t think that should be a rule.”
Tyler chuckled and handed his best friend a container. “Welcome to the celibate club. I’m the president. You can be the vice-president.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to be in that club.” Cooper placed his container on the table and focused on Hannah. “Baby, I don’t want to come across as a sex fiend or anything, but I don’t think the way to help Angel is to stop living.”
“Then I guess we’d better find her fast, huh?” Hannah flipped through a book, her brow wrinkling. “Wait. I think I found something.”
“Thank the Goddess,” Cooper muttered.
“There’s a whole chapter in here about Clement Creed, a farmer from Louisiana who moved here in the late 1700s. He had two daughters, was a widower at some point, and was renowned for being a powerful warlock.”
“That certainly sounds like him,” Cooper agreed. “Bring that book over here. You can flip through it while eating your dinner.”
“I’m not hungry.” Hannah was completely engrossed in the book.
“You’re eating.” Cooper was firm, although he momentarily cringed when Hannah pinned him with a dark look. “Or something less bossy,” he corrected quickly. “You need your strength if we’re going to find Angel and Tyler went out of his way to get us an expensive dinner.”
“I just went to Ponderosa,” Tyler countered in a low voice. “It wasn’t all that expensive.”
“Shh.” Cooper was serious as he regarded Hannah. “I’m willing to stay up with you all night and research these witches, but I need you to meet me halfway.”
“And that’s dinner?” Hannah challenged.
“That’s nourishment ... and not looking at me in that evil way.”
She heaved out a sigh and stomped toward the table. “Fine. I’m only doing this because I don’t want the food to go to waste, though. I’m not doing it because you want it.”
“As long as you eat, I’m fine with it.” Cooper and Tyler exchanged looks. The veterinarian’s reflected amusement as Cooper dealt with his weariness. “We’ll go through the book together.”
“I’ll go through the book,” Hannah corrected as she plopped down in a chair, making sure it was across from Cooper rather than next to him. “You and Tyler can talk about manly things while I read about the witches.”
“Oh, that sounds fun,” Tyler drawled. “I think we should start with chest hair. Believe it or not, you have less of it than I do. I choose to manscape while you’re into the shaving thing. I would like to know if you believe there are genuine benefits to your approach.”
Even though she was determined to remain separate from the conversation, Hannah couldn’t stop herself from choking on a laugh.
“We’re not talking about that,” Cooper insisted, taking his seat. He was agitated Hannah opted to sit away from him, but he knew what she was doing. If it took picking a minor fight with him for her to feel strong, he was willing to take one for the team. “Tell me what’s in the book, baby.”
“I’m not in a ‘baby’ mood,” Hannah warned. “I’m mad because you’re so bossy.”
“Fine, tell me what’s in the book, Ms. Hickok. Later, when it’s just the two of us, you can punish me for my terrible transgression.”
She made a face. “You might think you’re joking, but I’m being serious. I’m totally going to punish you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Hannah opened the food container, convinced she would push the contents around and pretend to eat while reading the book. The second the heavenly scent hit her olfactory senses, though, she almost started drooling. Her stomach roared its approval so loudly that Cooper and Tyler both eyed her in surprise.
“I think someone was hungry after all,” Tyler noted.
“I might’ve been a little hungrier than I realized,” Hannah hedged. “I’m only eating because it’s necessary for survi
val, though. I’m also reading.”
Cooper smirked. “I think that’s fair. Tell me what the book says.”
“Well, it’s written like a history book,” Hannah noted. “I’m not sure why if this is supposed to be a legend.”
“A fable,” Cooper corrected. “It’s a cautionary tale about good versus evil.”
“Whatever.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “The book is written by Helga Longfellow, a local witch back in the day. Maybe she wrote it this way because the story is true and it’s somehow fallen into legend because the so-called normal people in the area would never believe something so fantastical.”
“That’s certainly possible,” Cooper agreed. “Just tell me the story.”
“Well, there’s a lot of fanciful language here — and a few mentions of herbs that I’ve never heard of — but here’s the basic gist,” she said. “Clement was a native New Orleans resident and his wife Josette was from Louisiana, but it doesn’t say where. According to this, she was a black woman who could pass for white.”
“That would’ve been a big deal back then,” Tyler noted. “Black people had zero rights, especially in the south.”
“Yeah,” Hannah agreed. “Clement was white but apparently he was worried enough about people finding out who Josette really was that they moved to Kentucky. They wanted the option of bolting farther north if it became necessary.”
“He sounds like a strategic thinker,” Cooper said.
“They settled in a rural town about twenty miles from here,” Hannah continued. “It was very small, but they were comfortable. There weren’t enough people to worry about discovering Josette’s secret.”
“Someone obviously discovered it,” Tyler countered. “Helga wrote about it, after all.”
“Good point.” Hannah barreled forward. “They had a farm, sold their goods in town. Josette canned on the side. For the times, they made a good living. Everyone commented on how their farm thrived when others were struggling.”
Cooper paused with a huge mound of mashed potatoes halfway to his mouth. “Magic?”
Dances With Witches (A Hannah Hickok Witchy Mystery Book 5) Page 9