“Really?” Galen didn’t appear bothered by Wesley’s statement. “Last time I checked, you and May divorced a long time ago, yet you shared the same bed quite often. Does that make you a dishonorable man? I mean … she was a single woman once divorced, after all.”
Wesley’s scowl was so pronounced it made him look like a cartoon character. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”
“No.” Galen’s face remained impassive. “I think I care about Hadley. I think I care about her a great deal, so much that I think about her half the day when I should be working.”
Oh, that was kind of sweet. My cheeks flushed with pleasure, but I was careful to keep myself hidden from view because I didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping. That would be embarrassing.
“That doesn’t mean you have to spend the night,” Wesley argued.
Galen sighed. “Things are different now. It’s not like when you and May started dating. I don’t know why I’m even telling you this because it’s not your business, but nothing has happened. We’ve only slept.”
“Oh, right. Nothing has happened.” Wesley adopted a mocking voice. “I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. I know what happens when two people share a bed.”
“Yes. They sleep.”
Wesley wrinkled his nose. “I don’t believe you.”
“I don’t care.” Galen was firm. “Things aren’t going to change between us. We’re happy together. We’re having a good time. If people would stop dying around us we’d be even happier. I won’t let you derail this.”
“I don’t want to derail this.” Wesley let out a heavy sigh. “She’s all I have left. She’s … my legacy.”
“And I’m hoping she’s my future,” Galen supplied. “You’re doing right by her, Wesley. The golf cart was a nice touch, and she’ll remember her first gift from her grandfather forever. That doesn’t mean you can exert yourself on her life. She’s an adult.
“She doesn’t know you,” he continued, “but she wants to. Don’t ruin things by being you.”
“I’m pretty sure that was an insult,” Wesley grumbled, folding his arms over his chest.
“And I’m pretty sure you can take it,” Galen fired back, growling when his phone dinged. He reached for it on the counter, his jaw tightening as he read the message on his screen. “Apparently Henry has been seen by the Elks lodge. Two people are reporting it.”
Wesley turned serious, all frustration from their earlier conversation evaporating. “Go. I know it’s important. I’ll stay here and do the séance with Hadley.”
“Booker and Lilac are coming, too.”
“Why?”
“Because I want Hadley protected just in case.”
Wesley furrowed his brow. “Do you think she’s in danger?”
“I think someone has broken into this lighthouse at least once, probably twice,” Galen replied. “I think Hadley’s senses told her someone was watching her at the cemetery the other day. I think someone tried to frame her for murder yesterday. I think she could’ve easily been killed yesterday. I’m not taking any chances.”
Wesley sighed. “See, I want to dislike you because I’m convinced you’re a pervert, but you’re too good of a man to allow me to do it. I hate that.”
Galen grinned. “You’ll live. I need to tell Hadley I’m running out.”
“I can do that,” Wesley protested. “She’ll be fine. I promise.”
“I know she will.” Galen pushed himself away from the counter. “It doesn’t matter. She already knows. She’s been eavesdropping through that door for at least five minutes. I still want to say goodbye.”
I scowled as his words registered. Crap. And here I thought I was being so stealthy.
I was still stewing when Galen strolled out of the kitchen and tapped my chin. “Give me a kiss.”
“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” I said hurriedly, brushing the front of my shirt to give me something to do with my hands. “I was just … listening.”
“That is eavesdropping.” Galen didn’t seem bothered by my actions. “I have to follow the lead on Henry. I’m sorry. I’d like to be here for you, but … .”
“You have a job to do,” I finished, sulking. “It’s okay. Booker and Lilac will be here.”
“They will be. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay.”
“Great.” Galen gave me a quick kiss. “When I get back I’ll give you a few pointers on eavesdropping without getting caught.”
I glared at his back. “You’re not nearly as smart as you think you are.”
“Oh, I’m plenty smart. I think you’re plenty smart, too. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Be safe.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You’d better be.”
WESLEY SET UP FOR the séance. I watched closely, barely glancing at Booker and Lilac when they joined us. I was interested in the process and eager for it to get underway.
“We’re ready,” Wesley said when he was sure the candles were in the right positions. “Everyone gather on the floor and hold hands.”
I sat to his right and Lilac settled across from me. Booker took his spot across from Wesley and didn’t complain when I gripped his hand a little more tightly than necessary. He gave me a knowing look and an easy smile, but remained silent.
This was Wesley’s show, so I watched as he closed his eyes and began to speak.
“May Belladonna Potter,” he intoned. “We call to you in the great beyond. We demand your presence. Right now!”
I gaped. “Oh, well, that’s not going to work.”
I couldn’t have been more wrong. May, her ghostly face determined, appeared in the center of the circle. She glanced between faces as she got her bearings, ultimately focusing on Wesley.
“Well, it’s about time.”
Wesley snickered. “It’s good to see you, too.” He sounded almost reverent as he gazed upon her. “You look … good.”
May rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I look stretched, because that’s the way I feel. We have to be quick. I’m not sure how much time I have.”
Now it was my turn to make a face. “I thought you were a ghost. Don’t you have all the time in the world?”
“That’s not what I mean.” I could tell May was feigning patience when we snagged gazes. “Something has happened the last few days. I’m not sure how to explain it.”
“I know how to explain it. You haven’t been visiting even though I desperately needed someone to talk to. Do you even know what happened to me yesterday?”
May looked exasperated. “We’re talking about me right now, dear. We can talk about you when my problem is fixed.”
I was taken aback. “What’s your problem?”
“Someone has built a barrier of sorts,” May replied. “I can’t control my comings and goings. In fact, I haven’t been able to enter the lighthouse since … well … I can’t keep track of my days. When was the last time you saw me?”
“The night you saw the person break into the lighthouse,” I answered automatically, my mind buzzing with possibilities. “You scared him or her off. Galen searched the lighthouse and came up empty. That was it.”
“And when was that?”
I shrugged. “Days ago. You haven’t been back since.”
“Not for lack of trying.” May’s eyes landed on Wesley. “The only reason I managed to break through now is because Wesley used magic to call to me. Even now I can feel something trying to push me out.”
“You should’ve come to me,” Wesley groused. “You should’ve visited the ranch and told me what was going on. We could’ve fixed this days ago.”
“I tried,” May said simply. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to visit other places … at least not yet. I’m anchored to the lighthouse. It was my home. Maybe eventually, but … for now I can’t.”
Wesley clenched his jaw. “Then we’ll fix it so you can come here whenever you want. This is your home.”
“It’s Hadley’s home now,” May corrected. “I
would love to be able to visit from time to time. I can’t even do that. Someone is working against me.”
“It has to be Madame Selena,” I supplied, twitching my nose because it itched. I was too afraid to release Booker and Wesley’s hands to give it a scratch. “She’s behind all of this, including what happened on the beach.”
May made a face. “Selena? What does that old hag have to do with anything?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Wesley shifted to get more comfortable. “I’m confused.”
I related the story of Gus’s death again, keeping it quick and succinct. When I finished, Wesley was more furious than the first time he heard the story and May was flabbergasted.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me about Selena’s part in this sooner?” Wesley barked. “I heard about the shooting, and you mentioned it briefly a few minutes ago. I naturally assumed Gus was the target.”
“He was the target,” Booker interjected. “He was always meant to die. Hadley was meant to serve as a distraction to Galen because whoever did this didn’t want Galen to clear Ashley. This all began when he started asking hard questions of others.”
“But … what does Selena have to do with it?” May asked, still confused. “How could she have ties to either of them?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Would she take money to cast a spell?”
May nodded without hesitation. “She was known for it. That’s why we didn’t get along.”
“But that rift was started on your end,” Wesley pointed out. “She wanted to be friends, but you wouldn’t allow it. She was always bitter about the way you were regarded in town, as if you were the expert and she was a fraud.”
“She was a fraud.” May was unemotional. “She had access to a lot of magic, but never bothered to learn how to properly wield it. She wanted me to give her the secrets of the trade, but I couldn’t do that if she was going to be lazy about it.”
“She obviously picked up on something,” Booker pointed out. “She was strong enough to try to curse Hadley to forget.”
“Hadley was strong enough to break free.” Wesley puffed out his chest, pride evident. “She didn’t need any help to do it. Her instincts took over.”
“And she’s lucky for it.” May looked thoughtful. “Where is Selena now?”
“We don’t know. Her golf cart was found tipped over on the main highway this morning. Galen had his men out looking for her last night, but they never found her.”
“There was blood on the cart seat,” Booker added. “It wasn’t enough to make me think she died there, but it was enough to cause concern. The working theory is that someone forced her off the road – perhaps the same person who shot Gus – and then took her from the accident scene to make sure she couldn’t talk.”
“I guess that makes sense.” May continued floating in the center of the small circle, but took on a far-off expression. “Does Galen think she’s dead?”
“He said she was either dead or about to wish she was,” I answered. “We don’t know. He thought maybe Maureen was behind everything, but she has no motive. Even with both Gus and Trish dead, she inherits nothing. Also, she apparently has an alibi that holds up for Trish’s death.”
“She could’ve hired someone,” Lilac pointed out. “Maybe she didn’t know she wasn’t in the wills.”
“She’s the one who told us she wasn’t,” I countered. “I really don’t think it’s her.”
“Then who does that leave us with?” May asked. “Who else could’ve done this?”
“Henry and Barbie are Galen’s top suspects,” Booker supplied. “Henry was sighted at the Elks lodge and Galen headed out there to see if he could track him down. If it’s not Henry or Barbie, I don’t think we have any ideas on culprits.”
“And we believe Selena cast a spell to keep me out of the lighthouse,” May mused. “That sounds about right. She would want to visit and knew I would pop up and tell you to kick her out if I realized she was here.”
“Could she have been the one who broke in the last time we saw you?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to make of any of it.”
“She came here under the guise of helping me,” I offered. “She was far more interested in looking at your books, though. Then, when I came back here yesterday to research cupids, I felt certain that someone had moved things around on the third floor.”
Booker scowled. “You researched cupids?”
“You bet your diaper-covered posterior I did.” I winked at him, causing Wesley and Lilac to snicker. “I’m nowhere near done either.”
“Ugh. I knew I shouldn’t have told you. This is going to be the worst thing ever.”
“Oh, stop being a baby.” I pursed my lips. “You don’t know what kind of spell Selena cast, do you, May? Wesley might be able to put something together to counter it if you do.”
“I have no idea. The thing is … if Selena cast the spell and she really is dead, it should’ve lifted when her soul was released from her body,” May explained. “The spell is still active. In fact, I can’t stay much longer. I’m weakening. I think that means Selena is still alive.”
I didn’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed. “Okay, well … .” I didn’t get a chance to finish because the sound of someone banging on the front door drew my attention. “Who could that be?”
“I don’t know,” Wesley said grimly, his expression a mixture of fury and disappointment. “May just disappeared. We need to figure this out … and fast. I don’t like the idea of knowing she can’t visit her own home.”
I released his hand and stood. “We’ll figure it out … right after I see who’s at the door. We’re not done here. We’re just getting started.”
27
Twenty-Seven
I was frustrated when I made it to the door.
“I’m going to start throwing punches at whoever this is,” I muttered. “I mean … it’s like the worst timing ever.”
Wesley, his expression forlorn, stared at the spot May had hovered in only moments before. “We’ll fix it so May comes back. I’ll … we’ll fix it.”
Sympathy washed over me. “Of course we’ll fix it.” I meant it with all my heart, for his benefit as well as my own. “We’ll figure out what’s going on. I’ll do research and then you can … do whatever needs to be done.”
I was frustrated when Wesley didn’t meet my gaze. Lilac, as if sensing my distress, made a tsking sound with her tongue and rested her hand on Wesley’s forearm.
“We’ll find a way to make sure May can be here,” she said. “Don’t be sad. We’ll figure it out.”
Whoever was outside pounded the door again. Hard.
“I’m coming,” I grumbled, stomping my feet to make my irritation known as I reached the door. “There’s no need to get your panties in a bunch, for crying out loud. I mean … .” I was about to say something really mean, but it died on my lips when I saw the person standing on the other side of the threshold. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Booker immediately keyed in on my demeanor and jumped to his feet, his eyes going wide when he saw the disheveled woman standing on the front porch. “Hadley … .”
He was going to warn me to step away. I was already doing it when Madame Selena swooped into the room, her gray hair poking out from beneath a messy turban. I was keen to keep distance between us, so much so that I almost tripped over the coffee table (which we’d moved to make room for the séance) and banged my knee hard against the corner.
“Ow!” I dropped to the ground on the other side, grimacing as I held my knee tight.
“You’re so graceful,” Booker drawled, causing me to scowl.
“You have to save me,” Madame Selena announced. “I’m in danger of losing my life.”
“I’ll say,” Lilac drawled. “We might all kill you now that we know what you did to May.”
Madame Selena blinked several times in rapid succession and I could practically see the gears in her
mind grinding. When she spoke, I wasn’t surprised by her words. “Whatever do you mean? I think there must have been some sort of mistake.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I would’ve probably tipped over if I hadn’t already been on the ground thanks to my throbbing knee. “Don’t bother denying it.”
“Really,” Wesley growled, slowly getting to his feet. His eyes blazed as he focused on Madame Selena. “Why would you do something so terrible to May?”
Madame Selena balked. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Whatever she told you … well, it’s a lie. She never was very truthful. I guess she carried her lying ways into death with her.”
Wesley moved to lunge at her, but Booker was clearly expecting an act of aggression because he caught Wesley around the waist and kept him from closing the distance … and potentially committing murder.
“Simmer down, Wesley,” Booker ordered, his eyes keen and thoughtful as they landed on Madame Selena. “She’s not worth it.”
“I don’t care if she’s worth it,” Wesley spat. “It won’t take long, and I bet I don’t even break a sweat. I’m not a proponent of hurting women, but she has it coming.”
I decided to be practical as I rubbed my knee. “Wesley, you can’t kill her. We might need her to help bring May back.”
“Oh, I’m not bringing back May.” Madame Selena’s face remained impassive even as she wiped her sweaty brow. “I didn’t spend two days coming up with the perfect spell to keep her gone just to bring her back.”
I was floored. “What?”
“Let me go, Booker!” Wesley growled as he doubled his efforts to escape.
“I can’t bring her back.” Madame Selena was straightforward. “I mean … I just can’t. If she’s here she’ll try to stop me, and there’s nothing more annoying than a ghost who tries to act as your conscience.”
“I’m guessing you don’t have a conscience,” I shot back. “You knew I wanted to spend time with my grandmother, learn from her, and then you cast a spell to keep her away.”
Madame Selena didn’t bother to deny it. “I needed time to work without May breathing down my neck. If she knew I was in here she would’ve told you, and that would’ve made accessing the lighthouse all the more difficult.”
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