A bloodcurdling scream fills the room as Maxine falls to her knees beside her granddaughter, touching her dead skin. I spin around. A trembling Collins is staring at her sister in disbelief. “I had to,” she whispers. “I had to. It was the only one I remembered from the notebook.”
I take her in my arms, hugging her tight. She doesn’t respond. “It’s okay. It’ll all be okay.” I lead Collins past the sobbing Maxine and out the front door. Away from the crime scene. We make it all the way to the sidewalk when the police car down the street starts its engine and guns toward us. The Gardenia Sheriff’s Department will not be getting a donation from me this year, that is for damn sure. Two dark SUVs also round the corner, reaching us a few seconds after the police get out of their cruiser. “She’s in shock,” I tell the police as I help Collins sit on the curb.
“Mona?” Adam shouts. He bounds out of the barely stopped SUV and starts running toward me. I leap up and do the same, all but crashing into his open arms. I close my eyes and savor this. His wonderful smell, his beating heart, those arms that hold me tight enough to believe as long as they’re around me nothing bad can touch me. That I am loved. “Baby, are you okay? What happened?” he asks desperately.
“Cheyenne’s dead. She was going to shoot me, but Collins stopped her.”
“What?”
“Just hold me, okay? Don’t let me go.”
He showers kisses all over my face. “Never. Never.”
I believe him.
Go home
He’s as good as his word. Adam doesn’t leave my side as the circus unfolds around us. Maxine has to be sedated and taken to the hospital. After giving her statement, Collins goes with her grandmother. I don’t think I’ll be welcome there, so I call Debbie to meet Collins. She’ll need someone by her side now. The four F.R.E.A.K.S. agents collect all the evidence, snap a few pictures, load up Cheyenne’s body, and drive off to sort out this mess. I give my statement to a short man wearing gloves, and they allow Adam to drive me home. The end of the nightmare. He’s been glancing at me with worried eyes the whole time, but it gets worse in the car. Maybe I’ll break down later, but right now I’m just tired. So tired. I could sleep for a week.
When he pulls into my driveway, Auntie Sara rushes out of her house. The news has spread like a virus. “Are you okay?” she asks as I get out of the car.
“I wasn’t hurt. I’m fine.”
“Is she really dead? Did Collins really kill her? What—”
“Sara,” Adam snaps, “leave her alone. Now.”
Her mouth shuts. “Well, then. Sorry.”
I muster a smile and round the car over to them. “It’s okay.”
“I’m going to take Mona inside to lay down,” Adam says. “The bus will be here soon. Can you get the girls from the bus stop for us?”
“Of course.”
Adam nods, slips his arm around my waist, and we start walking toward the house. It’s quiet inside. I used to love the quiet, now it just feels aberrant. Life should not be quiet. It should be filled with laughter and music and conversation. I’ll never take those for granted again. Our footsteps on the steps and then the hallway fill the void, as does the Captain’s meow when we trudge into the bedroom. I crawl in beside him on the bed and run my fingers through his fur. “Good boy.”
Adam lingers by the door, fidgeting and glancing around the room. “Do you need anything? Water, or—”
“Can you just hold me a little longer?”
“I … of course.” He kicks off his shoes and climbs into bed, spooning me, while one arm rests on my waist and the other under my head. I wrap my fingers in his, bringing his arm up to nuzzle against. We just lay like this for a minute, his breath tickling the back of my neck. “Are you okay?”
I snuggle closer. “Am now.”
He’s quiet again, and then says, “I’m so sorry.”
“About what?”
“I should have been there. I failed. Again.”
“You’re here now. I need you more right now than I did then. I don’t need grand gestures, and I don’t need rescuing. I need this. This. No one can do it but you.”
“I—”
“Don’t talk anymore, please. Just … let’s have this moment, okay? Where there’s nothing but you and me. No past, no future, no coven, no pack. No murderer, nothing in this universe but us and how this feels.” I think I can feel him smile.
He holds me, occasionally kissing the back of my neck for I don’t know how long. Time has no place here. I savor each second, banking them away like precious jewels so I’ll always remember the first time in my life where I was well and truly happy. Where faith won.
Go to the pageant
I fight sleep as long as possible, wanting this to never end, but it sweeps over me far too soon. I wake with a start alone in my bed. The house is still, and it’s dark outside. The clock reads 6:30 p.m. Crap, the pageant. Double crap. My car is gone. I have to walk. I quickly change into a burgundy sweater and sneakers before running out. It’s a beautiful night in the low sixties without clouds to hide the few stars already out. It feels good to walk. I should do it more often, maybe get Auntie Sara to come with me. The pounds would melt off. Have a reason to care now.
It takes me twenty minutes to get to the park. I’m always amazed how well things come together. Happy families walk around stuffing their faces with sweets while others chat with their neighbors. Oldies play over the loudspeaker as the rides twirl. I don’t even care that people keep giving me sideways glances as I pass. I even see a few members of the F.R.E.A.K.S. walking around. The teenager with bangs walks arm in arm with a blind man while the man with gloves trails behind eating cotton candy. They’ve earned some fun. I don’t stop to say hello as I spot a grinning Clay and Bethany at the ring toss. He misses. “Shoot.”
“It’s okay,” Bethany says, touching his arm. Even from several feet away I can see him blush.
“Hey, guys,” I say.
The moment I stop moving, Clay pulls me into a tight hug. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Not even a bruise.” He releases me. “It’s over.”
“I can’t believe it was Cheyenne,” Bethany says. “How’s Collins?”
“I called Debbie on the walk over. She’s with her. She’s holding up pretty well. Collins is a strong girl; she’ll be fine with time.”
“Poor thing,” Bethany says. “I can’t even imagine it.”
“Oh my God!” I hear Tamara shout. She all but body blocks people out of her way to get to me. I get another bear hug. “I heard! Are you okay?”
I pull away to breathe. “I’m fine. Little shaken. I really don’t want to talk about it yet. I’m still … processing.”
“Of course,” Clay says, “but if you need us, we’re here.”
Tamara hugs me again. “I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.” I pull away. “Have you guys seen the girls or Adam?”
“Yeah, they’re over by the stage,” Clay says.
“Thanks. Have fun, okay?”
A few people stop me and try to get the gory details while feigning concern, but I quickly excuse myself. I want Sophie to know I’m here cheering her on before she goes up there.
Inside the tent there are about thirty kids all dressed in costumes ranging from pilgrims to dance leotards. Pilgrim Sophie is off to the side with tutued Melody Yates playing cat’s cradle. She glances up, shocked to see me. “Aunt Mona! You came!”
I scoop her up, giving her a huge hug. “Of course I came. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” I release her. “You look so authentic! Are you nervous?”
“Not really,” she lies. “Are you okay? Adam told us what happ-
ened.”
“I’m okay. Really, I’m okay. It’s all over, honey. No one’s gonna hurt us again.”
She nods. “Good.”
“No parents backstage!” one of the teachers shouts.
Ugh. “I better go find a place to watch. Y
ou’re gonna be great.” I kiss her. “Break a leg.”
Parents are beginning to assemble near the stage as Magda and the A/V tech check the microphones. Adam isn’t among them. They’re not at games or rides, so I stroll over to the concession area, and there they are. My family. Adam hands Auntie Sara and Cora corndogs with a smile. I really do love that smile of his. It brings one to my face and makes me tingly at the same time. He says something to Cora, who giggles, then he looks up and spots me. Our smiles grow in time to each other. But his falls a second later.
“Mona?” a man asks behind me.
I turn around and, to my surprise, find Guy standing there. Strange, but I feel nothing. Not lust, not anger, nothing. “Hello, Dr. Sutcliffe.”
“I, uh, heard what happened today. I was at the hospital when Collins arrived. I’m glad to see you’re alright.”
“Thank you. It’s been quite a week.”
“Yes,” he says, looking over my shoulder toward Adam. “I’m happy to see your cousin is doing well too. It was a miraculous recovery.”
“He’s not really my cousin.”
“Oh.” We’re quiet for a few seconds as he gathers strength. “Well, I just wanted to … I’ve had time to get over my understandable shock and reflect on my behavior that night.”
“Good for you.”
“Yeah, I just wanted to apologize. I was … unnecessarily cruel, and you didn’t deserve that. I’m sorry.”
“I accept. I hope there weren’t any after effects, dreams and whatnot. If there are, they should fade in a week or two. The girls have been punished.”
“Good.” He pauses. “I am sorry. You are a wonderful woman.”
“I know. See you around!” With a hop in my step, I turn around and walk over to my inquisitive family. Cora barrels through the crowd as a glaring Adam follows behind her. “Hi!” Cora runs into my arms, and I sweep her up. “Oh, I love you sweetie pie!”
“I love you too, Aunt Mona. Adam bought me a corndog, but I’m not allowed cotton candy. I can have some if you say I can. He did win me a goldfish! Can I keep him? His name is Nemo, like the movie. Auntie Sara has him in her purse. I love him.”
“Of course you can keep him. Just don’t let the Captain get jealous.”
“I won’t.” She pauses for a breath. “Are you mad we didn’t wake you up? Adam said not to.”
I glance at Adam, who shrugs. “No, it was the exact right thing to do.”
“Attention, please,” Magda says over the loudspeaker. “We are about to begin the festival pageant. Please join us by the stage on the south side of the park. Thank you.”
“Guess we better get over there,” I say as I put Cora down. She runs a little ahead with us adults following behind. I smile at Adam. “Thank you for bringing them.”
“You’re welcome,” he says. “What did the doctor want?”
“To apologize.”
“Oh. Good.” He pauses. “I still think I should kick his ass.”
“He’s not worth it. Never was.”
We join the crowd beside Tamara’s family, Clay, and Bethany. Tamara eyes Adam and me with a sly smile. I pretend not to notice. Magda walks onstage a minute later and after a speech about what a success the week has been, she thanks the committee and we all applaud. “I can’t see,” Cora says.
“We’ll fix that,” Adam says. He picks her up, placing her on his shoulders like a few of the other fathers before taking the video camera from Auntie Sara and starting to film. Anyone looking at us right now would think we were just like everyone else. A family. A week ago he wasn’t here. He was on the fringes of my life, seen but unseen. Now …
As the opening act, Miss Blanchard’s dance class, taps across stage, I keep stealing glances at the smiling werewolf who is too busy channeling Spielberg to notice. When the dance is over, the parents applaud as the pilgrims filter onstage. Sophie stands in the back clutching onto her skirt for dear life. Adam’s smile grows when he sets eyes on her. The time comes for Sophie’s first line, and she delivers it like a pro. Adam’s smile matches my own. It’s so full of pride it all but explodes out of him. If I didn’t know he wasn’t her real father the thought would never cross my mind. It moves me to no end. He must feel me staring because he looks at me, still beaming. His smile wavers from confusion as he studies my awed face. He’s about to ask me what’s wrong, but I smile and slip my hand into his. His brow furrows as he looks down at our hands, then back up at me for verification that this is real. My tear-filled eyes express the words I haven’t managed to get out yet. His say the same thing. We hear Sophie’s next cue and both turn back to the performance to support the family. Our family.
Hand in hand.
Get everyone to bed
Adam carries the sleeping Cora through the front door with Sophie and I behind. Silently he passes her off to me, and I give him Nemo’s bag before starting up the stairs. We’re all pooped. As I put her sister to bed, Sophie changes into her pajamas and crawls into bed too. Showers can wait until morning. I tuck our star in, giving her a quick kiss. “I am so proud of you,” I whisper.
“Was I good? Really?” Sophie whispers back.
“The best up there. No question,” I say with a grin.
She smiles back then looks away. “I was really scared. I almost didn’t go on.”
“But you did. You didn’t let fear stop you. You’re a brave girl. Never had any doubt.” She still won’t look at me. “What is it?”
“Were you scared? Today?”
I sit on her bed. “Yeah. A lot. But it’s all over now.”
She nods, pausing for a few seconds, then says, “Does that mean Adam’s leaving?”
“Why? I thought you hated him.”
She shrugs. “He’s okay.”
“Would you like him to stay?”
“I don’t know. I guess. You smile a lot around him.”
“Do I?”
His ears must be burning as the man himself walks into the room, carrying a vase with our newest member Nemo floating in it. She’s right: one look and I’m beaming. “This is all I could find,” he whispers. He sets the vase on Cora’s nightstand. “Welcome home, Nemo.” He looks at us. “I’ll leave you ladies alone.”
He’s about to leave when Sophie whispers, “Adam?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He winks. “Anything for one of my favorite people, doll face. You were great tonight. Sleep tight.” He walks out.
I turn back to my smiling niece and kiss her forehead. “I love you.” I kiss her again. “Dream only good dreams.” I stand up and walk out. Adam’s leaning against the wall in the hallway smirking when I step out. I walk over to him, take his hand, and lead him down the stairs. “Come on. We can still watch the fireworks from the porch.”
The street is bustling with families walking or driving home from the park. They smile and nod, and we reciprocate as we lower ourselves onto the porch swing. As if he’s been doing it for years, he drapes his arm around me, pulling me toward him. I cuddle close and rest my head on his shoulder. The Jordans next door eye us as they pass. “I think I’m ruining your reputation,” Adam says with a grin.
“Thank the goddess for that,” I say as I snuggle closer. We sit like this for a minute, just rocking. “Sophie wants you to stay.”
We rock for a few seconds before he says, “What do you want?”
“I want … to not need you.”
“What?”
I sigh. “This is so easy. You and me. You fit so seamlessly into my life, like a peg in a hole I never knew existed. Now it’s filled … you have the potential to break my heart so thoroughly nothing could repair it. The thought of you leaving … never coming back … ” I shake my head. “A big part of me can’t believe this is happening. I’m not sure I can trust it.”
“I know,” he whispers. “I’m sitting here with you in my arms, like I’ve imagined a million times, and it still doesn’t feel real.” He pauses. “It is, isn’t it? Y
ou haven’t said.”
I sit up and look at him square in the eye. “Before we do this, and there’s no going back, I need to set a few things straight. I’m not a teenager. I have massive baggage. I have a house and a shop that is always a hair’s breadth from going into the red.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to pass the state licensing board and be a contractor here. Shouldn’t be too hard. Two incomes are better than one.”
“I only have a few years before middle age hits. I’m just gonna get fatter and grayer. My granny had facial hair too.”
“Baby, I almost threw you to the floor when you had green gunk and hair dye on. I don’t think me wanting you is ever going to be a problem.”
My scowl deepens. “Okay, how about this? My sister is bound to crawl out from under her rock and try to get those girls back, and there is no way in hell I am giving them to her. It will get ugly.”
His smile drops like a ton of bricks. “I will fight to my dying breath for them. Anyone who wants them is going to have to get through me. I promise you that.”
“Well, what about—”
He takes my hands in his. “Listen, just stop, okay? I know all of this. I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. I know what loving you will cost me. It’s been drilled in my head for eighteen years, and I have fought against this very situation every one of those days. But after one week with you, with those girls, seeing how strong and smart and caring you are with everyone, I just know … no matter what life tosses at us, I want you by my side. And I can’t promise it’s all going to be easy for either of us. I can be damn stubborn, and territorial, not to mention the whole werewolf factor, which is going to be a bigger problem than you realize. I just … I can’t not wake up next to you, and dance with you, and … and … you make me smile just by being in the same room. You make me happy. Happier than I ever thought I could be. And I can’t promise we won’t fight, and we won’t drive each other crazy, but I can promise I will always be there when you need me. Through thick, through thin, through sickness and health, through crazy relatives, and burst pipes, and whatever else life throws at us. Because I love you. Always have. Always will.”
What's a Witch to Do?: A Midnight Magic Mystery Page 26