“Promise I won’t hurt you,” Rhett held the reins and unbuckled the rope. The horse flicked its ears but didn't flare his nostrils. Normally, this stallion squealed and pawed the ground with its hoofs.
“Hey, fella. I’m gonna add my weight to your saddle.” He placed his foot in the stirrup and mounted.
The stallion took two steps back, let out a loud neigh, kicked up his hind legs with a powerful force, and continued bucking. Rhett gripped the saddle horn and managed to hang on.
A car honked, and the stallion rose up on two legs. In slow motion, Rhett flew toward the railing, hit his head with a clunk, and his body dropped to the ground. His head ached, his muscles tensed, but he knew he had to get up and get away.
“Watch out!” The foreman yelled.
“Oh, shit.” Rhett looked up at the stallion’s front legs. It pummeled its hoofs down near his shin.
CRUNCH! His bones cracked. Unbearable pain shot through his body.
His vision faded as he heard the foreman shout, “Get Rhett, I’ll go after Terror.”
Chapter Twenty-three
The sun shone brightly in Cupid’s Corner, but Cami refused to go outside. What difference did it make? Melancholy held her captive inside this apartment. She missed Rhett teasing her about hockey, missed how he helped her make breakfast, missed being held in his arms.
Her doorbell chimed.
She looked through the heart-shaped peephole. Her stomach clenched seeing the ratted blonde beehive hairdo. “Hello, Mother.”
Cami escorted her mom inside and was enveloped in a lilac scented embrace. “I’m glad you’re back home. Would you like me to make my specially blended tea?”
“That’d be heavenly.” The tea had a calming agent, something Cami could use as she motioned for her to sit on the couch.
Her mother waved her fingertips. Pink sparkles swirled, and two porcelain teacups of steaming brew floated to the coffee table.
Cami picked up the cup and sipped raspberry and persimmon tea. “Mmm ... This is delicious.”
“If only I could have traded places with you,” her mother said with misty eyes. “It must’ve been dreadful living as a human. How did you ever survive?”
“You always told me when life gives you sugar, spin cotton candy.”
“It’s one of my favorite sayings.” Her mother’s turquoise eyes sparkled.
“You’ll be happy to know that your lessons in baking the old-fashioned way came in handy.” Cami thought back to mixing and stirring muffins with her sisters. Batter splattered on the marble countertops and the floor and all over them. They filled muffin tins and enjoyed the sweet scent baking. Cleanup done in seconds with the help of magical dust.
“Great Grandma started our baking tradition after she visited Earth. She had listened to a baker share his recipe with his granddaughter. Stole a muffin and ate it whole. Too this day, she claims magic zaps out freshness.” Her mother winked. “As traditional as your father can be, he never turns down one of my muffins.” She took Cami’s hand and stared at her ruby and diamond ring. “Exquisite.” Like her father, her mother idolized Zander.
“I’m not marrying him.” The huge rock sparkled. “I never said, ‘Yes.’”
“Of course you did. You’re wearing his ring.”
“I can’t get it off. The dreadful thing’s stuck on my finger.”
“After your mishap, folks speculated Zander might choose another. I knew he wouldn’t.”
Cami wished he had. “We’re not together.”
“The boy loves you, always has. I know you’re rattled by your experience, but once you’re married, your world will be back in check.”
Cami let out an agitated groan, and her right eye ticked.
“Something’s wrong. I can tell by your twitching eye.”
“I don’t love Zander.”
“After everything, you’re just confused.” Her mom’s eyes glinted with concern.
“Oh, please.” Why wouldn’t she listen to her?
“After high school, I thought I’d never marry.” Now Mom was humoring her.
Cami’s teeth gnashed together.
“My friends and I became counselors at the Treasure Trove Camp near the bottom of Mount Olympus.”
“I’ve had friends go there. Said they had a wing-ding of a time.”
“Thinking back now, I regret we didn’t send you.” Mom’s mouth pruned as she shook her head.
Cami had begged to go. Her dad adamantly refused. “I wish you had. Why didn’t you?”
“You dad didn’t want to chance an injury to your arm or fingers.”
Sounds like dad. Always looking out for the budding archer.
“I met your father at the camp. He came in from his swim. Eyes the color of sapphires met mine and, my, I could barely breathe.”
Her mother had fallen in love with her father. Unbelievable. With the way her mother seemed to pander to his every whim, Cami assumed their marriage was arranged.
“Your father smiled, and called, ‘Hey, Cutie,’ walked on, and put his arm around a female counselor.” Her mom’s voice became giddy.
She tried to imagine her mother at eighteen. “Why haven’t I heard this story before?” Intrigued, she had to hear more.
“I doubt your father remembers. But I do.” Her mother laughed. “I figured he was the worst kind of Cupid—a heartbreaker. Had a reputation for flirting with female counselors. So, I ignored him.”
“Good for you, Mom.”
“A day or two later, your father dumped the other female and zeroed in on me. Eventually, he won my heart.” Her mother blushed, a full-on cherry red blush.
“Sorry Mom, but I just can’t see father ever acting charming.” Self-righteous would be Cami’s word of choice.
“Oh, but he was.” Her mother’s eyes had a dreamy, faraway look. “He picked wildflowers, took me sailing, even sang me love songs.”
“You are talking about Father, not a previous beau?” She couldn’t picture him ever singing.
“Your dad is such a romantic. We married a month later,” she tittered. “It shocked everyone. I fell for him. He’s a perfectionist. I’ve learned long ago to walk away when he’s in one of his moods. They don’t last long. Once his temper cools, he’s a softy.”
Not the dad she knew.
“More tea, sweetie.” Her mother picked up a pink and white teapot and poured liquid into Cami’s cup.
“I’m not marrying Zander,” Cami blurted again hoping her mother would listen.
“But you two are perfect for each other.”
Cami had to get her mom to hear what she was saying. Talking about Rhett was out of the question. If her father found out, she envisioned him chaining her in a dungeon like the one she’d seen in her dream. “Zander’s like an annoying cousin, not a boyfriend.”
“I believe your stint on Earth deflated your confidence.” Her mother cupped her hand and gave her a sympathetic smile. “You don’t think you’re good enough for him, but you are.”
“It’s nothing like that,” Cami said.
“Then what is it?”
Cami let out a long breath. “Everyone loved the idea of a Golden Archers match—Cupid’s Corner royalty fated to wed since we were cherubs. I kept quiet, assuming the love might come.”
Her mother straightened and wrapped her arms around her. For the first time she could remember, Cami had her mother’s complete attention.
“What’s worse is that I never said anything because Father’s eyes lit whenever I mentioned Zander. I thought if I got serious with him, I’d finally earn Dad’s respect.” Anything she did would never be up to her father’s expectations, never be good enough. She’d spent her life trying to earn his approval—only to fail miserably.
“Don’t you know your father loves you unconditionally?”
“No, he doesn’t. He loved that I was a champion. I blew it when I messed up on my first assignment—no less. He’s humiliated to have me as a daughter. The only way I c
ould make amends would be to marry Zander.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “But I choose my own happiness over father’s.”
“Sweetie, you’re wrong. Your father doesn’t expect you to wed Zander, not if you don’t love him.” Her mother pulled her tight. “When he gets back from his assignment you’ll see.”
When her mother left, Cami cried. She cried for her childhood lost to continual practice, she cried for a father who couldn’t love her, she cried for Rhett—another man who didn’t love her—but would forever hold her heart.
~ ~ ~
An hour later, Zander left a message saying he’d be gone the next two days. She silently thanked Serenity who’d probably hacked into his schedule.
Earth was a viable option for escape. If she stayed with Violet that might cause a rift with Violet and Michael. She had some money stashed in the apartment, but it would be too painful to go back to all those memories.
Her cloud covered door parted and in walked Belle and Serenity.
“We heard about the engagement at work.” Serenity’s tone was less than cheerful. “I thought you were going to tell him to fly away.”
“He didn’t listen.”
“Let me see the ring.” Belle took Cami’s hand and whistled. “Wow. Okay, how’d he propose?”
Cami rolled her eyes.
“That bad, huh?” Serenity made a funny face.
“He took me on a chariot ride to Aphrodite’s Lake, got down on one knee, and said, ‘I’ve always loved you, Cams.’”
“You hate being called Cams.” Belle whirled her silvery-purple dust and three wine glasses floated into the women’s hands.
“I needed that, thanks. Anyway, Zander said, ‘Marry me.’ He didn’t ask. Then he slipped on the ring. I tried to get it off. It wouldn’t budge. He might have put a binding spell on it.” Cami spoke fast, making it hard to breathe, and she gulped in air.
“See if this works.” Serenity’s sparkling dust surrounded the ring, and it dropped to the floor.
“You amaze me.” Cami hugged her friend.
“I suggest wearing it on your right hand.” Belle smiled. “That way you won’t chance losing it when you give it back.”
“No way will I wear this stupid thing ever again.” Cami laughed. After her tense day, it felt wonderful to laugh.
“Makes sense. Anyway, gotta get ready for dinner with the family.” Belle downed the rest of her wine. “Wynton’s picking me up in thirty minutes.”
“Sounds almost as fun as my day.” Cami sipped her wine, glad at least she didn’t have a weekly family ritual like Belle.
Belle scrunched her nose. “It’ll be a barrel of flutterfish.”
“Feel for you. Your grandmother scares me.” Serenity giggled.
“That’s why I’ll have backup. Grand Dame adores my boyfriend.” Belle rushed down the hall to her bedroom.
Cami still couldn’t believe a grandmother would call herself Grand Dame, but after meeting her, the name suited the mean-spirted woman.
“I have an idea to get you away from this madness,” Serenity spoke in a hushed voice.
“Really, do tell?”
“This morning, I contacted a friend who owns a cottage in the Forest of Enchantment. She’ll be out of town for the next few months and offered the place to me. Once I told her your dilemma, she thought having you stay there was a great idea.”
“What’d you tell her?”
“Just that you broke up with your boyfriend and needed to spend time in the forest to rejuvenate your psyche.”
“You’re a genius.” Cami held up her glass to her friend.
“And don’t you forget it.” Serenity smirked as she handed her a note with glittery pink writing. “Here’s the kicker. Since only you and I will know the location, no one else can pop in for a visit.”
“When can I leave?”
“Whenever you want?” Serenity gave her a knowing smirk.
Chapter Twenty-four
Inside her bedroom, Cami set her streaming cloud to her favorite old movie, Ghostbusters, and packed her bag. The movie took her mind off Rhett. A woman became possessed, and acted alien. Was that how he saw her?
Desiring someone who’d never return your love, in that respect, she was no different than Zander. There was no talking to him, but maybe a note would get his attention. Moving to her desk in the corner of her bedroom, she took out pink paper and a fuchsia pen.
Dear Zander,
Wrong salutation. She waved her hand, and the words disappeared.
Zander,
I’m sorry to say I’ll never marry you.
I’m not sorry. She erased the line.
I can’t marry you because I’m not in love with you. Thus, I am returning your ring. You deserve better than me. You deserve a Cupid who loves you with her whole heart. Someday, I hope you will understand.
Sincerely,
Cami
She folded the ring inside the letter, sealed it inside an envelope, added his name on the front, and left the note on her desk. Her hand skimmed her dresser, and she picked up a stuffed flamingo she had since she was little. Something dropped onto the floor. Not something, her communicator. She’d forgotten she still had it.
She tapped the device to turn it on. A stream of messages popped up. The top message from Violet caught her eye.
Rhett’s been in an accident. Rushed to Cedar Springs Hospital.
Oh no! Breathing fast, lightheaded, she held onto the dresser. This can’t be happening to him. He had to be all right.
The message was sent at eight. Two hours ago.
She texted to check how he was doing?
Violet wrote.
He’s been admitted
He wouldn’t die—couldn't die.
Her mind blurred. My sweet Rhett. Even if he didn’t want to see her, she had to go to him.
Thankfully, Serenity had come up with the forest cottage, but instead of going there she’d head to Earth. She used her wrist emblem and pulled up a virtual map of Cedar Springs. The hospital’s five blocks north of the Last Chance Saloon.
She grabbed her backpack and sped down the stairs, past Serenity, out the door, and flew.
“Wait up, Cami.” Serenity fluttered next to her along Bliss Avenue, breathing hard. “What’s going on?
“Rhett’s in the hospital. I have to see him.” She slowed her speed.
“What can I do?”
“Cover for me. Tell my parents and Zander I left for the cottage.”
“Sure.”
They passed the street that led to her parent’s residence and continued north.
“Thanks.” She would have hugged her if there’d been time. At the corner of Bliss Avenue and Hearts Way, instead of turning left, she kept straight into the forest, slowed at the second sunbeam, and looked around. No guards posted. She wrapped her arms around the light and jumped.
Unlike her first experience that seemed to take seconds, this descent moved in slow motion. The golden rays seemed endless in the distance. As she got closer to Earth, doubt flittered through her mind. Would her presence upset Rhett?
She beamed through the bar’s ceiling and landed on a pool table, finding the room dark except for the Budweiser sign flashing on the wall. A refrigerator buzzed. No voices. No music.
Beep-beep-beep. “You have ten seconds to enter the code,” a voice blared.
Code? It must be an alarm.
Beep-beep-beep.
She swirled her magical dust. The lights came on, and the noise stopped.
I have to find the hospital, now. She checked her wrist emblem. Half pale pink. Half white. Her magic was disappearing rapidly. With no extra vial of magical dust, she’d better transform immediately. She quickly pulled out the human outfit she’d stashed in her backpack and held onto the items. Opening the vial, she poured out half the content. Dust swirled, enlarging the clothing as she grew to her five-foot-two size—dressed in a T-shirt, jeans, and pink boots.
She slipped out the back door.
The bright sunlight blinded her. Blinking a couple of times, she hurried to the sidewalk.
An old man walked his dog and waved. She sprinted down the street, crossed the main highway, and kept running until she viewed the three-story white hospital building. She raced across the parking lot. Twenty to thirty vehicles filled the spaces, one with Michael’s silver truck.
The main entrance door slid open. She approached a dark-haired woman behind a counter and learned Rhett was on the second floor in the surgery unit.
Surgery? Humans have been known to die on the operating table. Please, please, please let Rhett survive.
She pushed the elevator button, and the door opened. A month ago at the hotel, she rode in her first elevator. The hotel where she and Rhett first made love. Her eyes got teary.
The door closed, and she was jolted upward to the next floor. She stepped out and continued along a sterile hallway.
“You’re here.” Violet came running toward her and threw her arms around Cami.
“What happened?” Cami wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Rhett tried to break Holy Terror.”
“Holy Terror?” Rhett told Cami to stay away from that unpredictable and dangerous stallion.
“A car horn spooked the horse. Rhett got thrown into the railing, fell on the ground, and Terror stomped on his left leg. He’s been in surgery for over an hour.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Rhett’s strong. We’re all praying for him. I’m sure you’ve been doing the same. The family’s in the waiting room.” Violet put her arm on her shoulder and walked her down the hall.
Inside a room, the chrome gray walls and pewter gray chairs and couches matched Cami’s dismal spirit. Michael saw Cami and embraced her with a big bear hug. “Rhett’s been miserable without you.”
She figured the brother was being nice. “I’ve missed him, too.”
“Glad you came.” Rhett’s mother hugged her. “I think your arrival may be the miracle we’ve been praying for.”
Cami was no miracle. She found the space confining. Along the left side, the twins colored next to their mother on a couch.
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