by Kimbra Swain
GRACE
Almost a whole week had passed when Jeremiah reappeared at my door.
“Come in,” I said inviting him into my trailer.
Winnie sat in the floor playing with some blocks. She looked up at Jeremiah and gave him a big smile.
Rufus backed away from him and hid under the kitchen table. Some guard dog he was turning out to be. Jeremiah eyed the dog.
“Where did he come from?” he asked.
“He just appeared on my doorstep in a crate with a note which said his name is Rufus,” I replied. I had tried to figure out who would give me a dog, but I gave up. Nobody I knew would give me a dog. Perhaps he belonged to someone else, and his appearance was an unfortunate mistake. It would be tough to give him up. I kind of liked the furry beast.
“That’s it?” he asked.
“That’s it,” I assured him.
“Well, hello, Miss Winnie!” Jeremiah said. Winnie looked up at him with a brilliant smile. “She’s adorable. Isn’t she?”
“I like her,” I said. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No, thanks,” he said.
“Suit yourself,” I said while cracking open an orange soda. I took a sip and savored the burn as it rolled down my throat.
“Not alcohol?” he asked.
“No. So I ask again, wanna drink?”
“Coke,” he said.
“That I can do,” I said, pulling out a can from the fridge and offering it to him. “What brings you to town? I’ve been good.”
“I know you have. You have only been to the Hot Tin once,” he said.
He already knew I had visited the Hot Tin. He probably knew about the altercation with the man when I left, but he didn’t mention it. I wondered if Deputy Maynard spied for him. Or perhaps the bartender, Nestor.
“Just once. I’ve got a mess of frog legs in the fridge if you’d like,” I offered.
“Cletus and Tater,” he chuckled.
“Yeah. I’m not big on eating slimy things,” I said.
“They are fried, aren’t they?” he asked.
“Yes, but they were slimy at one point,” I reminded him.
He laughed. “You are happy here,” he said.
“For now,” I said. “For her.” I nodded to Winnie who played quietly in the floor.
“Somehow I knew that you would like this little one. You like Betty, too,” he said.
“I do,” I replied.
“Good.”
“You came here for a reason. What’s the bad news?” I asked.
“Why does it have to be bad news?” he protested.
“Because Jerry, you haven’t been here since you dropped me off. I figured something was wrong when I saw that beat up land yacht pull into my drive,” I said.
He sighed, then took a seat on the couch. I’d only offered him basic hospitality. I didn’t intend to offer him anything else. He more than anyone knew the consequences for crossing me. Hospitality wasn’t needed.
“The Sanhedrin,” he started.
“You talk about them like you aren’t one of them,” I said.
“We think we need an added layer of protection while you are here,” he explained. “We have decided to bring in a man who specializes in detecting supernaturals. I know your ability to do it isn’t the best, but he’s good. He will be here to look out for anyone coming after you.”
“Liar. He is coming here to keep an eye on me!” I growled. Winnie looked up at me with concerned eyes. I lowered my tone. “This isn’t necessary. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Grace, you are right. You don’t, but you aren’t the only one who will be in trouble if something bad happens here,” he said.
I caught his meaning. He’d stuck his neck out for me, and if this experiment of his failed, then they would hold him responsible.
“What will they do to you if I slip up?” I asked.
“You won’t,” he reassured me and himself.
“What if I do?” I asked.
“I’ll be forsaken by the Sanhedrin,” he said.
“Forsaken,” I muttered.
“It doesn’t mean the same thing as it does in the Otherworld, but it’s almost as bad,” he said. “So, please, Grace, stay put for now.”
“This man coming in, is he human?” I asked.
“Yes,” Jeremiah said without hesitation.
“And a human is supposed to control me?” I asked.
“Not control you. Just keep an eye on things,” he replied. “If he needs your help with anything, you help him.”
“What?”
“He’s going to be the sheriff. If a supernatural case comes up, and occasionally they will especially with you here, you help him. Do you understand me?” he demanded.
“I’m not your child,” I countered.
“You are mine! You signed the contract. You will help the sheriff!”
“Bite me,” I growled, because I couldn’t think of a better comeback. I didn’t really want him to bite me. Sometimes that kind of thing is fun, but not with Jeremiah. Ew!
He sighed, “Grace, whether you believe it or not, I want you to be happy, and if you just hold on a little longer, you will be. I’m certain of it.”
“Can you see the future, Jerry? No, you can’t,” I said, answering for you.
“Do you even care how Remy is doing?” he asked.
I did. “No,” I replied.
“Well, he’s got a new job, and he misses you like crazy,” he said.
“He knows where I am,” I said.
“The Sanhedrin are keeping him away,” he replied.
“They think I’ll kill him,” I surmised.
“No,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care what happens to Remington Blake,” I said.
“You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever known,” he groaned.
“Fairy,” I corrected him.
“That too!” he exclaimed. “I’m done here today. Dylan Riggs will move into town tomorrow. Please, Grace, be nice to the man. He’s a good man, and you will like him if you give him the chance.”
“Winnie and I will try to like him. Won’t we?” I said to her. She clapped her hands like she agreed. Jeremiah shook his head. I could tell he regretted his decision to pair me with the child. I would be a terrible influence.
“Later, Grace,” he said.
“Winnie, tell Mr. Jeremiah bye-bye,” I said.
“Bye-bye,” she said. Adorable. Even Jeremiah had to grin at her.
19
GRACE
The thought of a man coming here just to keep an eye on me infuriated me, but it also intrigued me. Perhaps I could play a few games with the human watcher. If he had the talents that Jeremiah claimed, then he probably had a patron from our side of the lot. It also meant he knew about fairies, and probably about fairy queens.
We could be very seductive if we wanted to be and I wanted to be more often than not. I’d seen a few good looking men in town. Once Jeremiah turned me loose, I might try a few of them out for size.
Most human men were up for a roll in the hay with no baggage which was the only way I’d do it. One time. No repeats.
I needed to go to the store and pick up more milk for Winnie. She had finished off the jug yesterday. She was always so hungry. It made me ache to think that this poor, helpless child wasn’t receiving the best her world could offer. Bethany was bringing her over more often. I wanted to have a talk with her about Winnie’s future. Every time she left her daughter with me I knew that she might not come back to get her. The life of a prostitute was dangerous. Any of her suitors could strangle her or kill her if they didn’t have the money to pay. Then what would happen to Winnie?
I could call Remington to set something up so that I could become her guardian if she didn’t have any other family, but it was something that I needed to discuss with Bethany before I made a move. But I couldn’t call Remington. It would open a door that I had firmly slammed shut.
A lig
ht tap on the door caught my attention. My senses flared. Whoever was outside the door had power. I looked through the wall with my fairy sight. I could see the being on the other side glowing in a deep blue color. Winter.
I opened the door to a very dark-skinned man. He smiled brightly as he met my eyes.
“By the goddess, it has been ages since I saw you, Gloriana,” he said. He wore a nice suit and carried a leather briefcase.
“Don’t use that name here, please,” I said.
“Ah, yes. Grace, it is,” he said. He put me at ease with his smile, but I knew better than to trust any fairy.
“What can I do for you, Sir?” I asked not recognizing the man.
He held a business card up between us. A deer skull with large antlers stretched across the back of the card. My father’s symbol in the Otherworld.
“I’m here to give you this,” he said, holding it out for me.
I trembled at the sight of the card looming between us. Forcing my hand to take it, I turned it over. Surprisingly, it didn’t have my father’s name on it.
“Demetris Lysander. Attorney at Law,” I read from the card.
“He sent me here to provide for your needs,” he said.
“He,” I repeated.
“He,” he said, nodding at the back of the card.
“Oberon,” I said.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Why?”
“I don’t ask those kinds of questions, Grace. I do what I am told,” he said which I knew to be true. My father’s absolution was undeniable and unquestionable.
“I don’t know what I’d need you for,” I said.
“I believe he wanted you to avoid any further entanglements with other lawyers,” he explained.
“Oh,” I said. My father didn’t want me around Remington Blake. “Alright. Well, thank you for bringing this by. I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“You are welcome, Grace. Don’t hesitate to call,” he said with a fake lawyer smile. He strode back to his black BMW and gave me a wave just before he got in the car.
My father sent me a lawyer. How thoughtful. I still didn’t recognize Mr. Lysander, but of course, that didn’t mean anything. I didn’t remember very many people there anyway. My mother and father. I had many brothers, but Finley was my constant companion. If I missed anyone from the Otherworld, it was him. I was sure that after I left, my father took Finley on as his favorite child since I had disappointed him so badly.
The Food Mart sat in the center of a small strip mall in town. It was the only grocery store in Shady Grove, but it had all the essentials.
I pushed my buggy around the store picking up a few things for Winnie. I’d found that I enjoyed cooking. Most fairy royalty had their own cooks and lavish homes. It didn’t bother me, because they were tied down. I could leave at any moment.
Turning the corner of an aisle, a woman in a rush smashed her cart into mine. Without a word, she rushed around me.
“Excuse you,” I muttered.
She spun around on me. Long black hair and pale skin combined in unnatural beauty. She had to be a fairy. I had no idea that there were other fairies in this town. Looking through my sight, I saw the bright green hue around her. My nose wrinkled when I caught a whiff of peaches and rain. Summer.
“What did you say?” she growled. I wasn’t sure what it was about Summer fairies. They always seemed so self consumed. Certainly nothing like the fresh and inviting land where they were born.
“I said, excuse you. You ran into my cart and didn’t say excuse me. So, I did it for you,” I smirked.
Her nostrils flared. “I know who you are,” she said.
“I know who you are,” I said, even though I didn’t. Not exactly.
“Stay out of my way, Gloriana,” she said.
“How rude. I had such high hopes that we would be friends,” I said not knowing her from Sam Hill.
She faltered for a moment before she picked up on my sarcasm. “You think you are cute. Go back to your trailer, Trash.”
“Well, I see you’ve met Stephanie,” Mable, the cashier interrupted.
“I wish I hadn’t,” I replied.
“Stephanie, perhaps you could tone down your vile spew,” Mable scolded. “Grace is new in town. You should be more friendly to your neighbors.”
“Fuck off,” Stephanie said.
“You are so rude. One day someone will put you in your place,” I warned.
“It won’t be you,” she grinned. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have pressing matters.”
She disappeared around a corner, and I looked at Mable.
“Don’t let what she said bother you. She’s always been rude,” Mable said.
“They usually are,” I said. I hadn’t met a Summer fairy that I liked. Ever.
“They?” Mable asked.
“You know the type. Too pretty and she knows it,” I said.
“She’s beautiful, but her heart is black,” Mable said. “I hope she didn’t upset you.”
“Nah. I’m fine,” I said.
“She’s got her eyes out for the new sheriff coming to town. The rumor is that he’s handsome. All she needs is another man in this town in her bed,” Mable said.
“Oh?” I asked pretending to know nothing about the subject.
“Have you heard about it?” she asked. I shook my head. “Well, I hear that he was brought in especially by the state because there was corruption in the sheriffs department which isn’t unheard of in these parts.”
“Well, maybe he can turn things around,” I said nonchalantly.
“Good to see you, Grace. I’ve got to get to work,” she said, then headed toward the front of the store.
I grabbed the few things I needed and checked out in her lane. We chatted about things going on in the town. Mable knew everything. The town gossip. I believed she had a genuine heart. I grabbed my bags, shot her a smile, then ran out into the heat of the day. The humidity slapped me in the face. When I got in my truck, I pulled out to the main road.
Then, I saw him.
Dylan Riggs.
Driving through town in a red Camaro, Shady Grove’s new sheriff was handsome. He surveyed the town as he drove by slowly. I saw him pulling around the corner to the front of the Hot Tin Roof Bar.
I didn’t realize I was still staring at the bar until someone honked their horn behind me to keep moving.
At least my plan to flirt with him to throw him off wouldn’t be terribly unenjoyable.
20
GRACE
Dylan Riggs had been in town a couple of days, and thankfully he hadn’t called on me to help him with anything. Perhaps this threat to have to help him was nothing more than an idle threat.
Curiosity drove me to Hot Tin Roof that night. I wanted to get my eyes on this watcher. This man who was supposed to contain me. Jeremiah could say whatever he wanted. This man was here because of me. It was about time I looked him in the eye.
I chose a sexy red dress and heels out of my closet. Standing before the bathroom mirror, I adjusted my glamour trying on different styles of eyeshadow and colors of lipstick. I went with dark smokey eyes and blood red lipstick.
Rufus stood at my feet wagging his tail.
“We are not going for a walk,” I said. He ran to the front door. He didn’t understand negatives. All he heard was walk.
Just before I left, I patted him on the head. “I’ll let you out when I get home.” I actually liked the mutt. He was cute, except when he had an accident. He was a puppy. He was learning. Accidents were bound to happen.
Normally, I would walk, but with these heels, I decided to drive. Cars and trucks filled every spot in the parking lot at the bar. I drove my truck up on the curb in the grass. I’d seen other people do it when it was busy. If you had a truck, you might was well park it like one.
One last look at myself in the reflection of the truck. I looked dang good. Taking a deep breath, I focused on my mission. I wanted to meet Dylan Riggs face to fa
ce on my terms. I would gain the upper hand, because I didn’t know a human man that could resist me. Especially dressed like this.
“Let’s do it,” I said giving myself one last pep talk.
My mind toyed with my emotions. Suddenly, I was thinking about Remy and our old booth. The good times. The good sex.
I noticed the bright red Camaro parked near the door. He was here. This was my chance to get ahead.
“Where are you going?”
My tattoo flared with power, and I spun around to find Jeremiah leaning against my truck.
“I am going to have a drink,” I replied, shaking my hand to release the build up.
“Dressed like that?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Is there something wrong with how I am dressed?” I asked.
“Looks like you are trying to catch a lay,” he suggested.
“No. I’m here to have a drink,” I insisted.
“You won’t seduce him.”
“Shut the fuck up, Jerry. You don’t know everything,” I snarled.
He laughed. “Grace, I’ve known you long enough to know all of your tricks.”
“If you would excuse me, I need more alcohol now that you’ve ruined my night with your presence,” I said.
“Grace,” he warned.
“What?!”
“No sex. No men. It’s your contract.”
“I don’t need you to remind me, Jeremiah. I have no intentions of sleeping with anyone tonight. If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t quite gotten over the last screw-up. I’m here for my own purposes. So, go take a long walk off a short pier,” I fussed at him.
He smirked, then faded away. I hated when he did that.
I cursed him all the way to the door. When I stepped inside of the bar, the murmur of the customers quietened. So many eyes on me. I swallowed hard. Scanning the room, I saw Dylan moving toward the door with Stephanie
She clung to him like shit on a shovel. She saw me before he did. The edge of her lip curled up in victory. I wanted to tell her that she could have him. Then his eyes met mine.
Blue like the hottest burning coals in a fire. I forced myself to look him up and down. I liked what I saw. Sandy blonde hair. Muscular and lean. Strong hands. Big feet.