“C’mon in,” I invited. “Lester and I are going to have a pizza.”
She shook her head. “No. But thank you anyway. I have to get back to work. A client is bringing her pony.” She looked critically at my bandaged hands. “Was it worth the pain?”
I considered this. From anyone else, the remark would have been a criticism, but from Gray it was an honest question. So I answered her honestly. “I don’t know,” I said. “I never know. Results are important to the people who hire me, so I guess only my employer can answer that.” I flexed my fingers inside the gauze. “But was it worth it to me? Yeah, it was. Not the outcome, but the effort. That’s the most important thing—trying to keep the predators at bay. And giving it my best shot.”
She smiled, nodded as though this made perfect sense to her, then walked away into the night.
I closed the door thoughtfully, feeling better than I had in two days.
In the kitchen, Repo and Jeoffrey sat at Lester’s feet as he poured kibble into a bowl and talked to them. “I’ll do it,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “You listen for the pizza man.”
There was a pounding at the door. “Let me pay,” Lester said. “My treat.”
I knelt down and for the first time got a really good look at striped Jeoffrey. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have suspected he was blind. His beautiful gold eyes simply had a faraway, contemplative look in them, and he carried his head cocked to one side as though he were listening for something. Well, maybe he was.
“Jeoffrey,” I said, stroking him with my mitten. “‘For I will consider my cat, Jeoffrey,’” I told him, quoting from mad Christopher Smart’s wonderful 300-year-old poem:
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest;
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion;
For every house is incompleat without him,
And a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
He turned his head toward me.
“Hi, guy,” I said. “Glad to have you here.”
He purred, and I looked over at Repo. “Show him the ropes,” I said. “You know—litter pan, rag box, catnip plants, scratching post. The back stairs to Malcolm and Yvonne’s. The best sunning spots.”
“Mraff,” Repo agreed.
Lester came back, carrying the pizza. “I met some kids coming up your walk,” he said. “They’re trick or treating. I put that basket of apples I picked out on the front porch with a sign for them to help themselves.”
“Help themselves?” I asked.
“Yeah. It’s Hallowe’en.”
“Hallowe’en?” I straightened up, surprised. How could it be? Where had the days gone? And to think I almost missed it, as I had year after year. Well, I wouldn’t miss it this time. I would finally keep my promise. “Hallowe’en,” I repeated. “Of course it is. Hey, there’s something I have to do.”
“You do?” he asked warily. “Tonight?”
“Uh huh. Say, did you get those leaves bagged?”
“Er, no,” he said. “I’ll do that tomorrow.”
“You won’t need to,” I said. “Take a look in that drawer, will you. The one beside the stove. There should be some matches toward the back.”
While he was rummaging through the drawer, I darted into the bedroom and eased a heavy wool pullover on over my sweatshirt. I met him back in the kitchen.
“Got ’em,” he said, a quizzical expression on his face. “Do you want me to build a fire?”
“Sort of,” I said. “But we’ll do it in the back yard. We’re going to light a Samhnagen,” I told him. “Bet you’ve never done that before.”
He looked at me apprehensively. “Caitlin, are you sure you feel okay?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I feel okay. And in a few minutes, I’m going to feel better than okay. I’m going to feel good. Come on, kiddo.”
Outside, under the stars, we shivered a little in the late night chill. “You’re sure this will be all right?” he asked nervously, eyeing the pile of leaves.
“Well, the Oak Bay Fire Department might come, but we’ll just tell them we’re burning garden debris.” I winked at him. “No problem.”
He held the matches uncertainly in one hand. “Is this, you know, some kind of ritual?” he asked. “A ceremony?”
“That’s it exactly,” I told him. “A ceremony. A throwback to my Celtic ancestors. Oh, by the way, did you leave the back door open like I asked you to?”
He nodded.
“Okay. Light the fire.”
He struck a match, and bending, touched it to the pile of dry leaves. They caught instantly, and he stepped back. “Now what?” he asked.
“Now we wait,” I told him.
“What for?” he whispered.
“We’ll know when it happens,” I whispered back.
The fire grew until the entire pile of leaves was burning, sending sparks shooting into the night sky. It turned Lester’s face a ruddy orange, and for one glorious moment lit up the entire back yard, sending a dazzle of light high into the night sky. I raised my face to the moon, trying to follow the path of the sparks. How high did they rise, I wondered. Would it be high enough? Could the souls of the dead really see anything? Meadhbh, Mary, Judith, the dead animals, all the innocents—could they see my Samhnagen? And Meadhbh: would she come?
The fire began to burn down, smoking a little, and a brisk wind from the sea came scudding across the yard, twisting smoke and sparks together into fantastic shapes. One last flurry of light leaped high into the night air, an explosion of reddish gold motes like a school of copper minnows darting through dark seas, and from the house came a resounding whamp.
I thought Lester would jump out of his Air Jordans. “The, um,” he cleared his throat, his voice dropping an octave, “the wind. Just the wind.” He laughed nervously, hands jammed in his pockets, muttering to himself. “I thought for a minute someone went inside. But it was just the wind.”
I looked over at the closed back door of my house and smiled. The wind? I knew better.
“Are you disappointed?” he asked softly.
“What?”
“Are you disappointed? Because, you know, nothing happened.”
“No,” I said, smiling, “I’m not disappointed.”
“Good,” he said, teeth chattering a little.
“C’mon,” I told him. “Let’s go in. It’s cold out here, and I have a visitor to take care of.”
He looked at me in wary puzzlement for a moment, then nodded quickly. “Oh yeah, your new cat.”
I patted his shoulder, not wanting to confound him with too much truth all at once. “Right.” I said. “Him, too.”
Author’s Note
Although this book is a work of fiction, the testing of cosmetics on animals is a fact. People wishing to purchase “cruelty-free” shampoo, soap, etc. are encouraged to write to the address below for a list of companies that do not test on animals, and for educational material.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
501 Front Street
Norfolk VA 23510
(757) 622–PETA
www.peta.org
About the Author
Lauren Wright Douglas was born in Canada in 1947. She grew up in a military family and spent part of her childhood in Europe. As a child she enjoyed telling stories to friends, and began to write poetry and fiction at age nine. After graduating from college in Canada, she taught high school English and Physical Education, was a French translator, a newspaper editor, and a financial advisor. Lauren has published 10 novels, one of which, Ninth Life, won the Lambda Literary Award and she is at work on an 11th book. She lives on the Oregon coast.
Publications from
Bella Books, Inc.
Women. Books. Even Better Together.
P.O. Box 10543
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Phone: 800-729-4992
www.bellabooks.com
BLIND BET by Tracey Richardson. The stakes ar
e high when Ellen Turcotte and Courtney Langford meet at the blackjack tables. Lady Luck has been smiling on Courtney but Ellen is a wild card she may not be able to handle.
978-1-59493-211-3 $14.95
JUKEBOX by Gina Daggett. Debutantes in love. With each other. Two young women chafe at the constraints of parents and society with a friendship that could be more, if they can break free. Gina Daggett is best known as “Lipstick” of the columnist duo Lipstick & Dipstick. 978-1-59493-212-0 $14.95
SHADOW POINT by Amy Briant. Madison Maguire has just been not-quite fired, told her brother is dead and discovered she has to pick up a five-year old niece she’s never met. After she makes it to Shadow Point it seems like someone—or something—doesn’t want her to leave. Romance sizzles in this ghost story from Amy Briant. 978-1-59493-216-8 $14.95
DEVIL’S ROCK: THE SEARCH FOR PATRICK DOE by Gerri Hill. Deputy Andrea Sullivan and Agent Cameron Ross vow to bring a killer to justice. The killer has other plans. Gerri Hill pens another intriguing blend of mystery and romance in this page-turning thriller. 978-1-59493-218-2 $14.95
SOMETHING TO BELIEVE by Robbi McCoy. When Lauren and Cassie meet on a once-in-a-lifetime river journey through China their feelings are innocent…at first. Ten years later, nothing—and everything—has changed. From Golden Crown winner Robbi McCoy. 978-1-59493-214-4 $14.95
LEAVING L.A. by Kate Christie. Eleanor Chapin is on the way to the rest of her life when Tessa Flanaghan offers her a lucrative summer job caring for Tessa’s daughter Laya. It’s only temporary and everyone expects Eleanor to be leaving L.A . . . 978-1-59493-221-2 $14.95
WILDFIRE by Lynn James. From the moment botanist Devon McKinney meets ranger Elaine Thomas the chemistry is undeniable. Sharing—and protecting—a mountain for the length of their short assignments leads to unexpected passion in this sizzling romance by newcomer Lynn James.
978-1-59493-191-8 $14.95
WEDDING BELL BLUES by Julia Watts. She’ll do anything to save what’s left of her family. Anything. It didn’t seem like a bad plan . . . at first. Hailed by readers as Lammy-winner Julia Watts’ funniest novel.
978-1-59493-199-4 $14.95
WHISPERS IN THE WIND by Frankie J. Jones. It began as a camping trip, then a simple hike. Dixon Hayes and Elizabeth Colter uncover an intriguing cave on their hike, changing their world, perhaps irrevocably.
978-1-59493-037-9 $14.95
ELENA UNDONE by Nicole Conn. The risks. The passion. The devastating choices. The ultimate rewards. Nicole Conn rocked the lesbian cinema world with Claire of the Moon and has rocked it again with Elena Undone. This is the book that tells it all . . . 978-1-59493-254-0 $14.95
FAÇADES by Alex Marcoux. Everything Anastasia ever wanted—she has it. Sidney is the woman who helped her get it. But keeping it will require a price—the unnamed passion that simmers between them.
978-1-59493-239-7 $14.95
HUNTING THE WITCH by Ellen Hart. The woman she loves—used to love—offers her help, and Jane Lawless finds it hard to say no. She needs TLC for recent injuries and who better than a doctor? But Julia’s jittery demeanor awakens Jane’s curiosity. And Jane has never been able to resist a mystery. #9 in series and Lammy-winner. 978-1-59493-206-9 $14.95
2ND FIDDLE by Kate Calloway. Cassidy James’s first case left her with a broken heart. At least this new case is fighting the good fight, and she can throw all her passion and energy into it. 978-1-59493-200-7 $14.95
MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME by Karin Kallmaker. Take one Next Home Network Star and add one Little White Lie to equal mayhem in little Mendocino and a recipe for sizzling romance. This lighthearted, steamy story is a feast for the senses in a kitchen that is way too hot.
978-1-931513-61-6 $14.95
SUBSTITUTE FOR LOVE by Karin Kallmaker. No substitutes, ever again! But then Holly’s heart, body and soul are captured by Reyna . . . Reyna with no last name and a secret life that hides a terrible bargain, one written in family blood. 978-1-931513-62-3 $14.95
DEADLY INTERSECTIONS by Ann Roberts. Everyone is lying, including her own father and her girlfriend. Leaving matters to the professionals is supposed to be easier! Third in series with PAID IN FULL and WHITE OFFERINGS. 978-1-59493-224-3 $14.95
WHEN AN ECHO RETURNS by Linda Kay Silva. The bayou where Echo Branson found her sanity has been swept clean by a hurricane—or at least they thought. Then an evil washed up by the storm comes looking for them all, one-by-one. Second in series. 978-1-59493-225-0 $14.95
LESSONS IN MURDER by Claire McNab. There’s a corpse in the school with a neat hole in the head and a Black & Decker drill alongside. Which teacher should Inspector Carol Ashton suspect? Unfortunately, the alluring Sybil Quade is at the top of the list. First in this highly lauded series.
978-1-931513-65-4 $14.95
THE WILD ONE by Lyn Denison. Rachel Weston is busy keeping home and head together after the death of her husband. Her kids need her and what she doesn’t need is the confusion that Quinn Farrelly creates in her body and heart. 978-0-9677753-4-0 $14.95
CALM BEFORE THE STORM by Peggy J. Herring. Colonel Marcel Robideaux doesn’t tell and so far no one official has asked, but the amorous pursuit by Jordan McGowan has her worried for both her career and her honor. 978-0-9677753-1-9 $14.95
THE GRASS WIDOW by Nanci Little. Aidan Blackstone is nineteen, unmarried and pregnant, and has no reason to think that the year 1876 won’t be her last. Joss Bodett has lost her family but desperately clings to their land. A richly told story of frontier survival that picks up with the generation of women where Patience and Sarah left off. 978-1-59493-189-5 $12.95
SMOKEY O by Celia Cohen. Insult “Mac” MacDonnell and insult the entire Delaware Blue Diamond team. Smokey O’Neill has just insulted Mac, and then finds she’s been traded to Delaware. The games are not limited to the baseball field! 978-1-59493-198-7 $12.95
WICKED GAMES by Ellen Hart. Never have mysteries and secrets been closer to home in this eighth installment of this award-winning lesbian mystery series. Jane Lawless’s neighbors bring puzzles and peril—and that’s just the beginning. 978-1-59493-185-7 $14.95
NOT EVERY RIVER by Robbi McCoy. It’s the hottest city in the U.S., and it’s not just the weather that’s heating up. For Kim and Randi are forced to question everything they thought they knew about themselves before they can risk their fiery hearts on the biggest gamble of all.
978-1-59493-182-6 $14.95
HOUSE OF CARDS by Nat Burns. Cards are played, but the game is gossip. Kaylen Strauder has never wanted it to be about her. But the time is fast-approaching when she must decide which she needs more: her community or Eda Byrne. 978-1-59493-203-8 $14.95
RETURN TO ISIS by Jean Stewart. The award-winning Isis sci-fi series features Jean Stewart’s vision of a committed colony of women dedicated to preserving their way of life, even after the apocalypse. Mysteries have been forgotten, but survival depends on remembering. Book one in series.
978-1-59493-193-2 $12.95
1ST IMPRESSIONS by Kate Calloway. Rookie PI Cassidy James has her first case. Her investigation into the murder of Erica Trinidad’s uncle isn’t welcomed by the local sheriff, especially since the delicious, seductive Erica is their prime suspect. 1st in series. Author’s augmented and expanded edition.
978-1-59493-192-5 $12.95
BEACON OF LOVE by Ann Roberts. Twenty-five years after their families put an end to a relationship that hadn’t even begun, Stephanie returns to Oregon to find many things have changed . . . except her feelings for Paula.
978-1-59493-180-2 $14.95
ABOVE TEMPTATION by Karin Kallmaker. It’s supposed to be like any other case, except this time they’re chasing one of their own. As fraud investigators Tamara Sterling and Kip Barrett try to catch a thief, they realize they can have anything they want—except each other. 978-1-59493-179-6 $14.95
AN EMERGENCE OF GREEN by Katherine V. Forrest. Carolyn had no idea her new neighbor jumped the fence to enjoy her swimming pool. The discovery leads to c
hoices she never anticipated in an intense, sensual story of discovery and risk, consequences and triumph. Originally released in 1986.
978-1-59493-217-5 $14.95
CRAZY FOR LOVING by Jaye Maiman. Officially hanging out her shingle as a private investigator, Robin Miller is getting her life on track. Just as Robin discovers it’s hard to follow a dead man, she walks in. KT Bellflower, sultry and devastating . . . Lammy winner and second in series.
978-1-59493-195-6 $14.95
LOVE WAITS by Gerri Hill. The All-American girl and the love she left behind—it’s been twenty years since Ashleigh and Gina parted, and now they’re back to the place where nothing was simple and love didn’t wait.
978-1-59493-186-4 $14.95
HANNAH FREE: THE BOOK by Claudia Allen. Based on the film festival hit movie starring Sharon Gless. Hannah’s story is funny, scathing and witty as she navigates life with aplomb—but always comes home to Rachel. 32 pages of color photographs plus bonus behind-the-scenes movie information.
978-1-59493-172-7 $19.95
END OF THE ROPE by Jackie Calhoun. Meg Klein has two enduring loves—horses and Nicky Hennessey. Nicky is there for her when she most needs help, but then an attractive vet throws Meg’s carefully balanced world out of kilter.
978-1-59493-176-5 $14.95
THE LONG TRAIL by Penny Hayes. When schoolteacher Blanche Bartholomew and dance hall girl Teresa Stark meet their feelings are powerful—and completely forbidden—in Starcross Texas. In search of a safe future, they flee, daring to take a covered wagon across the forbidding prairie.
978-1-59493-196-3 $12.95
UP UP AND AWAY by Catherine Ennis. Sarah and Margaret have a video. The mob wants it. Flying for their lives, two women discover more than secrets. 978-1-59493-215-1 $12.95
CITY OF STRANGERS by Diana Rivers. A captive in a gilded cage, young Solene plots her escape, but the rulers of Hernorium have other plans for Solene—and her people. Breathless lesbian fantasy story also perfect for teen readers. 978-1-59493-183-3 $14.95
ROBBER’S WINE by Ellen Hart. Belle Dumont is the first dead of summer. Jane Lawless, Belle’s old friend, suspects coldhearted murder. Lammy-winning seventh novel in critically acclaimed mystery series.
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