Alexandra smiled up at him. She really, really wanted to kiss him right now. She knew the brothers still needed work—she could tell by the physical distance Dylan kept putting between himself and Zach—but at least it was a start.
“So…?” Zach murmured. “We gonna do this or what?”
Right. Alexandra blinked and focused on the task at hand. She gestured to their left. “There’s a nice spot over there.”
She sat in the middle of the park bench and motioned for the men to join her on each side. She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, silently dropping the mental wall she’d put in place to keep spirits away. After her ordeal with the demon, she’d been wary of letting it down, even if it had meant blocking out George and Rebecca for the past twenty-four hours.
Okay, Rebecca. You’re welcome to communicate with me now. Where are you, lady?
She opened her eyes, and Rebecca stood directly in front of them.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips. “She’s here.” Alexandra reached out her left hand to grasp Dylan’s. She held her right hand out for Zach. He hesitated only for a few seconds before sliding his fingers into hers. They were all connected now, not because they needed to be to communicate with Rebecca, but because Alexandra sensed it would please their mother.
“Thank you.” Rebecca clasped her hands together beneath her breasts. A tear fell from her right eye. “Oh, my boys. My beautiful boys, together again.”
Alexandra swallowed. “She’s happy you’re together.”
Rebecca covered her mouth. She sniffled before speaking again. “Tell them I want them to work on their relationship. I want Dylan to forgive Zach, and I want Zach to insist on being a part of his life, even if Dylan tries to push him away. Tell them that. Go on.”
Alexandra did, repeating the wish carefully and clearly, trying to keep emotion from clouding her tone.
Rebecca reached a hand forward and cupped Zach’s cheek. He flinched, as if he felt the gesture. “What was that?” he asked, glancing around.
“She touched your face.”
He swallowed hard but said nothing.
Rebecca reached out and did the same to Dylan, cupping his face with both hands. “Oh, my sweet baby.”
“Is she touching me now?” Dylan asked softly.
“Yes.”
He nodded. “I think I can feel it.” His eyes gleamed with unshed tears. “She’s really here.”
“I told you she was.” Alexandra pushed back the lump that was swelling in her throat. She leaned forward. “Rebecca, your sons are together again. They’re safe.” She swallowed hard, finding it hard to say the next words. “Do you want to move on? I can help you cross over if you’re ready.”
“I don’t know if I can go.” The older woman sucked in a deep breath. “What if they need me? What if they start fighting again?”
Alexandra shook her head. “You have to think of yourself.” She’d explained to both Rebecca and George that the longer they remained, the greater the risk of becoming demons. Both had expressed disbelief before horror and acceptance.
“What’s she saying?” Zach demanded.
“She doesn’t want to leave either of you. She thinks you might need her to stay.”
“You’re our mother,” Zach whispered. “We’ll always need you, but—” He shook his head. “We want you to be at peace. I need you to be at peace.”
Dylan’s fingers tightened their hold on Alexandra’s hand. “We’ve got each other now. We can take care of each other, me and Zach. He’s right, Mom. You should go. This chance might not come again, and we don’t want you stuck here.”
Rebecca nodded. “I suppose they’re right. I don’t want to become like that thing. I don’t ever want to be controlled by one again either.” Nodding, she looked at Zach. “I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. I approve of your young woman. She’s good for you. She loves you, and no one deserves to be loved more.”
Alexandra struggled to repeat the words without getting emotional. A tear escaped Zach’s control, and he wiped it away. “Thanks, Mom.”
“And you,” Rebecca said, focusing on Dylan. “You’re the best thing I ever accomplished. You’re so honorable and courageous. I’m so proud of both of you.” She looked at Alexandra. “I’m so happy to know that you love my son, and that he loves you. I never had a daughter…until I met you, Alexandra. Take care of him. Promise me.”
She thinks he loves you.
Alexandra nodded and shifted uncomfortably. She wasn’t so sure. She repeated the words to Dylan, leaving off that last bit. The last thing the poor man needed was to hear a declaration of love right now, or to feel pressured into one of his own. It would probably send him running for the water.
Rebecca shook her head knowingly at her when she remained tight-lipped about it. “You’re not ready yet, but you will be. I have faith in the two of you. Please have faith in it, too.”
Alexandra nodded.
“What’s she saying now?” Dylan asked.
Rebecca knelt in front of them and placed her hands on Alexandra’s knees. “When Dylan was four, he got out of the house without me knowing and climbed up a neighbor’s tree. He fell and broke his arm. Zach heard him screaming and found him. He was only eight, but he carried his little brother three blocks and rode with him in the back seat to the hospital, cuddling Dylan and reassuring him everything would be okay. Dylan took strength in his big brother that day. Remind them both of that. Tell them never to forget that bond they used to share. It never goes away, no matter what else happens. They’re family.”
Alexandra repeated the story. Dylan chuckled. “It’s one of my first memories. I was so scared and then you came and picked me up. I knew everything would be okay.”
“You screamed like you were being murdered.” Zach snorted at the memory. “I was so scared you were really hurt.”
Rebecca laughed with them and stood. “I think I’m ready now.” She leaned down to Dylan, kissed his cheek, and whispered something in his ear. His face paled as he seemed to stop breathing for a few seconds. She repeated the action with Zach before straightening. “What do I do, Alexandra?”
“You cross over by going into the circle. We have to ask for it to appear. If you’re ready, it will.”
With a nod, Rebecca closed her eyes.
“Here we go,” Alexandra whispered, exchanging glances with both Dylan and Zach before closing her eyes and praying for Rebecca to find peace. She opened her eyes as a whitened hole seemed to swallow the scenery in front of them. Rebecca turned and gasped, “Oh, it’s so beautiful. So peaceful. Do you feel it?”
She stepped forward until the light engulfed her.
Then she was gone.
Alexandra blinked rapidly as the scenery returned to normal.
“She’s gone. She’s crossed over.” She looked between Zach and Dylan. “Your mother is finally at peace.”
Both men remained quiet. Neither attempted to remove their hands from hers, which spoke volumes. This was a familiar scene, one she’d performed before with other people helping loved ones cross over. But it had never felt this personal for Alexandra.
Goodbye, my friend. I’ll miss you.
Zach was the first to stand. “Thank you, Alexandra.”
She rose too and was surprised when he pulled her into an awkward hug. “You’re welcome, boss.”
Pulling back, he smiled wryly at that. He looked past her shoulder, growing more serious. “I know you’re my brother and all, but she’s practically my family, too. You hurt her and I’ll kick your ass.”
“I’d like to see you try.” But the comment was good-natured.
They spent the rest of the afternoon in that tone, and Alexandra was relieved to see that the two brothers were getting along—finally. She and Dylan accompanied Zach to the airport, wished him luck with his proposal, and then watched as his plane left the ground.
Dylan was quiet on the drive back to his place. She’d already agreed to stay with him for t
he remainder of her time here. She had no idea what the future held for them, or if he even wanted a future with her, but she planned to make the best of the next few days with him.
When they got out of the car, he slid his hand in hers and tugged her along after him. “I remember someone telling me she wanted to take a carriage ride before she left.”
“Yeah, but now?”
“It’ll give us a chance to talk. I don’t trust myself to do that if we’re not in public.” He leaned down and whispered, “I want to take you to bed so bad.”
“Why don’t you?”
“We need to talk.”
“Talking is overrated.”
He chuckled and led her to a nearby carriage stop. He forked over a wad of cash and then gestured for her to climb into the carriage. He settled next to her, tucking her into the curve of his arm.
This city really was quite beautiful at night. Very romantic.
“I was wondering what your plans are when you leave.” Alexandra’s ear was pressed to his chest, and Dylan’s heartbeat seemed to gallop into overdrive when he spoke the words. She lifted her head to look at him.
“My life is in Atlanta now. I have a job that I actually love, and friends.” She took a leap of faith. “But I’m not opposed to visiting Charleston every now and then.”
He seemed pleased by that. “Good, cause I understand why you wouldn’t want to live here. Quite frankly, I don’t blame you.” He glanced around. “Not sure I’ll ever look at the place the same.”
“It’s still a beautiful city, Dylan.”
“Yes, it is.” He smirked down at her. “But I have a feeling it’s about to lose a lot of its appeal for me.”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged and pointed out a large water fountain lit and framed against the ocean. The moon, so large and half full, cast a dreamy glow on the water. They rounded a corner and the Southend Brewery came into view. A familiar face was leaning against the side of the building, a mug of beer in one hand. Smiling, George tipped his hat to her and held his mug up in salute.
She smiled and waved back at him. Dylan leaned forward and followed her gaze. “Let me guess. Our dear friend, George.”
“Yep.”
“Are you going to help him cross over before you leave?”
She’d given the idea a lot of thought. “Yes, but only when he’s ready. He’s happy here. He doesn’t want to cross over, so he shouldn’t be forced to.” Besides, she planned to have a discussion with the friendly ghost before she left. She was going to invite him to attach to her, which meant he could accompany her to Atlanta if he wanted. She suspected he would choose to stay here, but the line of communication would always be open between them. She’d check in every now and then, and if she ever saw any signs he was unstable or transforming, she’d force the issue.
“I put in for a transfer this morning.” Dylan’s words startled her.
“You did what?”
He nodded and grinned, looking somewhat nervous at the same time. “Figured my brother’s in Atlanta. My girl’s in Atlanta. Why not?”
His…girl?
She leaned back and stared at him. “You would move to Atlanta to be near Zach?”
“If it were only Zach, probably not. I think I mentioned my girl was there, too.” He rubbed at his chin. “She is, isn’t she?”
She bit her bottom lip, delighted beyond belief. “Does this girl have a name? Do I know her or—” She squealed when he jerked her back down to him.
“Are you my girl or not?”
She laughed. “That’s such a high school term.”
He mock growled and kissed her. “You know what I’m asking.”
She cleared her throat and tried to look seriously offended. “I’m not your girl.” His eyes widened and deepened with disappointment, so she was quick to add, “I’m your woman.”
His features relaxed. “Whew. I was starting to think my mother was yanking my chain earlier.”
“Huh?”
“Maybe I was hearing things, but—” He shrugged one shoulder. “I heard someone who sounded like her whisper something pretty interesting in my ear.”
She grabbed hold of his shirt. “What’d she say?”
“Only that we would make beautiful children together and I’d better make an honest woman out of you since you are so crazy about me.” He grinned.
Alexandra gasped. “She didn’t!” She narrowed her eyes on him. Zach might have heard Rebecca talking, but no way Dylan could have. She settled back against him, dumbfounded by his words. She whistled. “Your mom approves of me. That puts a lot of pressure on you, doesn’t it? I mean, I admittedly give new definition to the term psycho girlfriend being that I was recently possessed by a demon and all. I suppose some would say I’m quite the handful.”
His voice was laced with amusement. “I think I can handle it.” He pressed her close to his side. “Look. I know we barely know each other, but this thing between us is pretty damn exciting. I’m not ready to give it up.”
She held her breath, waiting for him to elaborate. It took all of her willpower not to fling herself at him and murmur words of undying love. That was so…out of character for her. She’d never been this out of her head gaga over a man before. It was both exciting and terrifying.
But before she made a complete fool of herself, she needed to know he felt the same.
He took a deep breath. “You have to know I’m crazy about you.”
It wasn’t I love you, but it was close enough. The poor man had been through a lot today. It probably wasn’t a good idea to encourage him to overdo it.
His eyes simmered with the same mixture of hope and anxiety she’d been experiencing. She lifted a hand and caressed his face. “I’m glad the feeling is mutual.” She pressed a kiss to his mouth, then cuddled close to him. “You’re actually moving to Atlanta?”
“Takes a while for transfers to go through. I’ve also got to sell my house. Should make a good buck off it.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’d like to meet my future sister-in-law and there’s this crazy girl who calls herself Spider I need to take out for coffee. Thought I’d visit you and my brother in Atlanta, and you can come down every now and then. I figure we can handle a five-hour drive between us for a while.”
“It’s a five-hour drive?”
“I looked up directions.”
He had it all figured out. Her chest swelled. “Hmm.” Perhaps she should point out he was about to have a very wealthy sister-in-law who would probably pitch in for airline fees if it meant he spent time with his brother.
Dylan tilted her chin up. “I’m not rushing you, am I?”
Hardly. She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I admit it. I was wrong.”
“’Bout what?”
“Talking.” She kissed his puckered chin. “Don’t get used to it though. I’m usually right.”
His hearty laughter carried through the night. He lifted her face to capture her mouth in a not-so-gentle kiss.
Alexandra couldn’t see what the future held, but his kiss felt like more than just a promise.
The End
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Chapter One
Oh yeah. She was sooo gonna kill that mutt when she got her hands on him. And the cat too, just because.
Emma “Spider” Fisher rattled the locked doorknob one more time and glared at the animals watching her from the other side of the front window. Costello, the dog, panted happily as his stubby legs grasped the windowsill, which barely lifted his head over the ledge, to give her a tongue-lolling, open-mouthed grin. Abbott, the cat, stood in the bay window beside him, watching her with disinterested, narrowed eyes as if she were the stupidest human he’d ever met.
Which was a distinct possibility.
“Ugh!” She rattled the front doorknob again and slapped the doorframe. Yeah, as if that would make it open.
It was the morning after her first night of house-sitting for Zach and Hannah, and she’d already locked herself out. Correction. One of the dogs had escaped the fence, she’d given chase in her PJs, and when she’d ran back to call for help after not being able to catch Charlie, Costello had bumped and shut the door she’d left cracked open.
Locking her out. Without a key. Without a phone.
Without a hope of not being killed by her boss when he returned from his honeymoon.
His beloved blind dog had disappeared after she’d chased him into some trees on the other side of the street. No telling where Charlie was now. God forbid, he could be lying dead on the highway. Might have fallen down a well somewhere. Joined a gang. Who knew?
In fact, who knew a blind dog could run so darn fast to begin with? She’d bet that dog had some Cheetah in his genes.
Heaving a half laugh, half sob, she turned and slid down the door until her bottom met the cold concrete of the front doorstep. A quick scan of the other houses and manicured lawns lining the quiet subdivision was no comfort. Well, maybe it was. No one seemed to peek out of curtains or be aware of her humiliating predicament, although she would have to start pounding on doors soon to see if someone would let her use his or her phone.
Who would she call? One of the so-hot-they-could-melt-the-panties-off-her guys she worked with? She groaned.
This could not be happening to her.
A flash of brown movement to her left caught Spider’s attention and sent her heart thumping wildly against her ribcage again.
Charlie was sniffing the grass and following an invisible trail beside the sidewalk in front of the house. Near the freaking road! Uttering a squeak, Spider sprang to her bare feet and hurried down the driveway, muttering “owww” and “ouch” every time she stepped on a rock or something sharp in the grass.
She had a hard and fast policy against swearing, but she was seriously reconsidering that rule this morning.
“Charlie!” Her voice carried down the street. She clicked her tongue. “Com’ere boy!”
Something Wicked: HarperImpulse Romantic Suspense Page 24