by Sable Hunter
The way she said it, the clear pointed way Harley was looking at her made Harper shiver. Did she know? “Well, I was mugged not too long ago.” She watched Harley shake her head, that that wasn’t the memory. So, she offered another one. “And a man named Ajax…” Her words dwindled at another shake of Harley’s head. She knew…
“You were much younger,” Harley said softly.
Harper hung her head.
“Your father…”
“Yes,” she keened. Her lips tried to form the words, but she couldn’t.
“Don’t you dare be ashamed, I can read you like a book.” Harley grasped both of Harper’s hands in her own. “I was raped onboard a ship when I was in the Navy. When I met Beau, I was a mess. I didn’t know if I could ever make love or if he’d want to touch me.”
“I’m so sorry,” Harper murmured. “I know I’m not alone.”
“No, you’re not,” Harley agreed. “And I’m not saying what you went through isn’t worse. We both suffered. But this was your father!”
A pain seared through Harper’s heart. “I’m a mess too, but in different ways.”
“You don’t have to tell me a thing,” Harley assured her. “We all work through our problems in different ways.”
Harper realized then that Harley and Beau must know a little bit about her and her history. And then it hit her. “Beau LeBlanc, I remember now. Your husband is a friend of Noah’s brother. Beau went with Revel when they rescued Aron.”
“Yes,” Harley agreed, not giving anything else away.
“So, you know…” The words stuck in Harper’s throat.
“What I know is that Revel is hopelessly devoted to you and that you have my complete and utter support. No one should have had to go through what you went through.”
“I haven’t been able to tell Revel,” Harper whispered. “I can have sex.” Her voice dropped almost past hearing. “I just want…need…”
“Harper, don’t judge yourself.” She leaned closer. “I could read Revel’s face when we drove up. He’s happier than he’s ever been.”
“Did you ever tell Beau what happened?” Harper asked, then worried. “If that’s too personal…”
“Not immediately,” Harley said, pressing her lips together and looking at Harper with concern. “But when I did, he was so perfectly sweet and gentle. He urged me to see someone, talk to a specialist and I did. We went together. And it helped. Lucas was able to make me realize that I wasn’t to blame for anything and that I was just as worthy of love as anyone else.”
“Lucas Wagner?” Revel’s friend. Did he put her up to this? Part of her wanted to walk away and part of her wanted to cling to what she said. “Beau’s cousin’s husband?”
“Yes, Dandi’s husband. They weren’t together at that time.” Seeing Harper’s confusion, Harley added, “Long story.”
Hating to ask, but needing to know, she enquired, “Did Revel ask you to talk to me about this?”
Harley made an X across her chest. “Cross my heart. He didn’t say a word. That man wouldn’t betray you for love nor money.”
Harper hung her head. “That’s true. I know it is.”
“Well, think about it. We’d best get this lemonade out to the boys. Don’t you think?” Harley stood and gave Harper a bright smile. “And remember, you have friends now. Patrick and Savannah. Lucas and Dandi. There’s some more in our group I’ll introduce you to as time goes on: Cato, Fresca and Tammany. I bet you’d get along with Avery.”
“Uh, I know Avery. Isaac’s wife. Right?” Uncomfortable territory.
“Listen, those folks are good people. Cato is married to one of the McCoy cousins and Joseph’s wife Cady is a good Louisiana girl, she’s related to Nana Fontenot. Did you know that?”
“No, I didn’t.” She paused, trying to process everything. “Harley, you won’t tell Revel about this, will you? I’d like to tell him in my own way, in my own time.”
Harley hugged her. “I understand needing to do things in your own way.”
“Good, let’s go out to the patio. I hear the guys down by the water.” Harper picked up the tray of drinks as Harley grabbed the door. “And thanks for the pep-talk. I’ll take what you said under serious consideration.”
* * *
After Beau and Harley left, Revel was helping Harper tidy up the kitchen. “We can have another bowl of gumbo for supper,” he said. “That’s the beauty of these recipes. And they’re even better the next day.”
“I agree.” She nodded, setting out a pork roast to thaw. “Tomorrow I’ll make some pulled pork. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful.” He grinned, happy she was settling in so well. “I’m heading out back to feed the chickens. Wait for me in the living room and I’ll bring us a glass of wine when I return.”
“Okay.” Harper hugged herself, her head full of chaotic thoughts. Moving to the other room, she walked around it, noticing the books were still upside down. The sight made her quiver. Easing on to the fireplace, she touched a framed photograph of Clotille, marveling at how pretty she was. Then she walked to Revel’s desk, seeing all of his work papers and computer. Letting her eyes rove over the surface, a slip of paper with Wildwood’s name on it caught her eye. Picking it up, she read the words. It was a payment coupon, made out to Revel. Quickly she read and when she digested the information, her stomach clenched. She didn’t know whether to be angry or to cry with joy. Revel had lied to her, but the lie was beautiful.
He was paying a mortgage on Wildwood. And she didn’t have to be told why—he was doing it for her.
“Harper, what are you doing?”
Turning to him, she met his gaze evenly. “Wildwood wasn’t left to me, not free and clear. Was it? You had to step in and save it, didn’t you?”
Revel froze. Trying to read her face, he answered carefully, “You weren’t here. The will was contested. I did the only thing I could to keep you from losing it.” He paused. “I did it for you. Hell, I did it for us.”
Her heart beat so hard, Harper thought it would escape her body. “You sacrificed for me.”
“It wasn’t a sacrifice. I wanted to do it.” He lifted his hand, looking around. “Being here was the closest to you I could get.”
His beautiful confession helped her make up her mind. “Thank you for saving us—me and Wildwood.” If he could make a sacrifice, so could she. It was time she took charge of her life—maybe. She almost laughed out loud at her cowardice. If she could tell Lucas, maybe someday she could tell Revel…the truth. “I think I’m ready for you to make me an appointment with Dr. Wagner.” She didn’t bring Harley up, Harper didn’t know how much Revel knew and Harley’s story about her own hardship was Harley’s to tell, not hers.
Revel was stunned. He repeated to make sure she knew what she was saying. “You’re ready to see Lucas?”
“Yes. Will you call him for me?” She looked up at him and he stared at her for two seconds before grabbing her close.
“Of course I will. I’ll do it first thing in the morning.” He kissed her lips in a smack. “I’ll even go in with you if you want me to.”
At that, she stiffened. “No, no, I want you to stay in the waiting room.”
Revel chuckled. “Well, okay. But that doctor is a handsome cuss.”
Harper tightened her arms around his neck. “You don’t have to worry about that.” She kissed him again. “I only want you.”
“Ah, baby.” Revel devoured her mouth. “I want you all the time,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ve never touched another woman, not from the first moment I touched you.” He hugged her so tight she almost couldn’t breathe. “Never will.”
It turned out to be a wonderful night. They sat in front of the TV and watched Game of Thrones cuddled up together on the couch. Since it wasn’t exactly her cup of tea, Harper dozed off, her head on his shoulder. She didn’t awaken when he carried her upstairs to bed. Laying her gently on the covers, Revel longed to wake her up, to make love to her, but he d
idn’t have the heart. She was sleeping so peacefully and he didn’t know how she’d react. As much as he wanted her, he decided it would be best to wait and see how her session with Lucas went.
With great care, he undressed them both, then crawled into bed with her. When she turned in his arms and cuddled against him, he was content—horny, but content.
Sleep came to them both, but the night wasn’t as peaceful as it could have been…
Seated in a chair next to the open bedroom window, Harper watched storm clouds move across the full moon. Low rumblings of thunder echoed through the night air. Harper’s mind wandered, she raised her arms and took a deep breath, relaxing her mind. Her spirit felt free as if it could arise and leave the confines of her body. The thin white curtain fluttered in the breeze. Suddenly an unnatural piercing sound rent the air. It was enough to send shivers over her whole body.
A movement at the corner of her eye caused Harper to jump. Turning, she saw a vaporous spirit. The wraith of a woman with long dark hair wearing a floor length white gown with long sleeves stood with arms outstretched. “Help me, help me,” she cried.
Harper shrank back, horrified that the cold fingers of the ghost would touch her skin. “What do you want?”
“My baby, I want my baby.”
Her eyes were sightless, her mouth open in a perpetual agonizing scream. Shadows swirled around the room and piercing howls from down by the bayou split the night. But nothing was louder than the helpless hopeless wail of the unseen, unforgotten waif.
“Revel!” Harper cried as she sprung upright in the bed, sobbing.
Revel came to a jarring complete awareness in seconds. Taking her in his arms, he sheltered her, crooning. “I’ve got you, it’s okay, I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
She clutched him, burying her head to his chest as thunder rolled outside. “I was dreaming?” she asked, still shaking like a leaf.
“Yes, you were dreaming.” A lightning strike lit up the room.
“A woman, a ghost, was trying to find her baby. And there was a horrible growling sound outside. And the baby crying, it was awful.” Her voice hiccupped the words.
“Shhhh, just a nightmare. A summer storm blew in.” He stroked her back, trying to calm her down. His head was bent to hers, totally absorbed in comforting her.
Harper stilled in his arms, whispering, “Then why can I still hear it?”
Revel raised his head and sure enough, he heard it too. “A baby,” he whispered. “I can hear the baby crying too.” Kissing her on the forehead, he rose from the bed, grabbing his jeans from across the back of a chair and slipping them on. He tried to turn on the bedside lamp. Nothing. “The electricity is off from the storm.” He opened the drawer on the nightstand and took out a flashlight, a candle and a long lighter like one would use at a fireplace. “Stay here, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Before he left the room, he lit the candle for her. Considerate man. “Okay. Don’t worry, I will.” He wouldn’t be getting any argument from her. She pulled the covers up around her neck. All of the nightmares from her childhood came rolling back.
Meanwhile, Revel moved out into the hall, stepping slowly and carefully, as silently as possible. He didn’t bother turning on the flashlight—not yet. He didn’t want to alert whoever or whatever was producing the chilling noise. Could it be a ghost? He remembered everything Savannah had told him about her investigations. A ripple of unease moved over him.
Listening carefully, he noted the noise didn’t seem to be a loop, or if it was it wasn’t a short one. The cry varied, rose and fell, wails of desolation and abandonment that made the hair on the back of his neck and his arms rise. As he moved down the hall, Revel realized the sound seemed to be coming from the very last room. This was a bedroom he hadn’t done anything with beyond cleaning it, the hardwood floors were original as was the yellowed wallpaper. Even the furniture was original to Wildwood.
Leaning near the closed door, the crying died down until there was an almost palatable silence, a lull. Reaching for the doorknob, he turned it, a little at a time until he heard the click of the release. Even though he tried to be quiet, the cre-ee-ee-ak as he opened the door was disturbingly loud. Wincing, he hurried up the push and stepped into the dark room. At once he was struck by the fact that it was icy cold. A chill swept over him. This wasn’t right. It was comfortable in the house, he’d installed central air, but there was no earthly reason for the room to be so frigid.
Odd. He’d been walking in the dark with no light in the room he shared with Harper or in the hall he’d just left. But here within this room, the blackness seemed thick and impenetrable. Revel stood within the doorway, letting his eyes adjust as best he could. When he could make out the furniture, he moved within the room. He’d taken no more than three or four steps before the crying started up again. It was the loneliest, saddest sound imaginable.
Was this a recording? Was someone coming into Wildwood and setting this up? That it could be related to the books and the other strange things that had happened crossed his mind. Again, the crying came and Revel realized it seemed to be coming from underneath the bed.
“Gotcha,” he whispered. For the first time, he flicked on the flashlight and went to his knees, assured he’d find some type of tape recording device. Lifting up the hem of the dust ruffle, the crying abruptly ceased. Revel peered underneath, shining the thin beam of light into the blackness.
There was nothing there.
He didn’t jump. But the sight of an empty space was suddenly very disturbing. He took a moment to look carefully at the legs of the bed and all the area underneath. Standing, he was determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. He set the flashlight on the nightstand and pointed it toward the bed, then Revel proceeded to strip off the covers, pull off the sheets, then physically move the mattress and the bed springs from the frame. Methodically, he ran his hands over the items and found nothing.
“Revel!” Harper screamed at the exact moment as something banged against the window. He took a moment to glance at the moonlit window and he blinked. It seemed something was swaying outside—back and forth. Drawn to the odd image, he started to walk over but another cry of “Revel” sent him out of the room and back down the hall.
Harper was nervous. She threw back the covers and wrapped the sheet around her body. Making her way to the door, she opened it and stood, letting the light from the candle filter into the hallway. “Revel!” Candlelight usually inspired thoughts of romance, but tonight it seemed to just make the shadows darker.
Revel didn’t bother to remake the bed. He’d do that when daylight came. “I’ll be there in just a second, Harper,” he called reassuringly. Taking one last look around the room, he shook his head. The mystery was unsolved.
When he returned down the hall, he found Harper waiting for him. “Did you find anything?”
“No, I didn’t.” He put a protective arm around her. “Let’s go back to bed. I’ll look more closely in the morning when the sun is up and the electricity is restored.”
“Do you think it was a ghost?” Harper asked in a shaky voice. “Or is someone playing tricks on us?” Unbidden, thoughts of her uncle came to mind.
“Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out either way. I’ll get T-Rex to come and help me look outside and around for footprints. And if we don’t find anything, I’ll call Savannah, Patrick’s wife. She is considered the area’s foremost authority on hauntings and the supernatural. If there’s something here, she can tell us what it is.”
“And what it wants,” Harper whispered.
For the second time that night, she cuddled against Revel, trying to get as close to him as possible.
Revel tightened his arms around her, smiling. There was something to be said for things that go bump in the night.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Morning brought sunshine and a brighter outlook. “How long does it take for the electric company to get the juice turned back on?” Harper leaned on the counte
r munching on a crisp slice of bacon. She was ogling Revel. He had no idea how scrumptious he looked, swirling a spatula over an omelet in a frying pan with his shirt unbuttoned. She was tempted to go to him and run her fingers through the crisp sexy hair on his chest.
“Just depends on how widespread it is,” Revel answered with a smile. “We’re back in the boonies. This part of the parish is sparsely populated, sometimes it takes a while. Good thing we have a gas stove. Are you hungry?” He turned to divide the omelet, then dish it up onto two plates.
“Yea, I’m starving.” She helped him set the table, pouring milk and getting the butter and jelly for the toast. “Thanks for checking things out for me last night.”
“You’re welcome.” He pulled out her chair. “That’s what I’m here for.” After setting down his plate, he playfully beat his chest. “I’m your he-man protector.”
Harper joined him, sitting on one bent leg. “I sure would hate to be here by myself and all of this going on.”
“Me too.” He gave a fake shiver. “I feel much safer with you here.” He playfully felt of her bicep. “All those muscles.”
“Stop it.” She laughed. They ate and while they were sitting there, the lights came on. “Yay!” Her good mood dampened a bit when he went to the phone. “I’m calling Lucas for you now, we’ll see when he can work you in. Then I’ll call T-Rex and go out and look for footprints.”
“I want to go with you. While you call the doctor, I’ll change clothes.” She fled the room as if one of the spirits from the night before was after her. Not being present when he made the appointment made her feel better for some inexplicable reason. Harper hoped this wasn’t a huge mistake.
When she came to the top of the stairs, she hesitated for a moment. Was there something up here? She didn’t want to feel this way. Wildwood had always been her sanctuary. If there was something paranormal, she couldn’t believe it wanted to hurt her. This was her home. Whatever this was, it had been here all of her life. Maybe they both belonged. Taking a deep breath, she started on down the hall to their room.