“That’s for rituals,” Ruth blatantly lied. As a kid, Andrea would have believed it.
“Is John going to propose or what?” Florence asked.
“John?” Andrea frowned, not remembering a John. She didn’t know her aunt had a boyfriend.
“She’s talking about her stories,” Ruth dismissed.
Soap operas? Andrea shook her head with a laugh. “I have no idea what John will do.”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it? No one does,” Florence huffed. “He doesn’t have the good sense—”
“We don’t know how much time we have,” Ruth stated, cutting her off. “Andrea, don’t say any more about our futures.”
“Grandmama, why are the spirits warning you in my past? Why not now?” Andrea asked.
“Andrea?” Kenneth asked. His voice sounded close but she couldn’t see him. “Who are ya talking to?”
“Give me a minute,” Andrea dismissed him.
“A minute for what?” Florence asked.
“Grandmama, why now?” Andrea insisted.
“I’m guessing whatever it is that has found you is not going to want us helping you,” Florence answered. “Spirits don’t see time the same way we do, so they’re warning us now.”
Kenneth walked through her aunt and came into the room. “Andrea, no one is there.”
“Shh,” she shushed him. “It’s my grandmother and aunt.”
“Who are you talking to?” Ruth asked.
“It’s my,” Andrea glanced at Kenneth, trying to find the right word before she muttered, “boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Kenneth repeated, sounding surprised. She took his arm and pulled him away from the door so she could better see.
Ruth and Florence instantly looked over her outfit, as if seeing it for the first time. Florence laughed, clapping her hands. Ruth shook her head and clicked her tongue.
“I don’t see a ring on that finger,” Ruth scolded.
“Oh, hush.” Florence swatted Ruth’s arm. “Since when do you have to be married to have a boyfriend or two?”
“What’s happening?” Kenneth whispered.
“They’re commenting on my lack of wedding ring.” Andrea crossed her arms over her chest. To her relatives, she said, “If you’re done teasing me, I need your help. I think I know what the powerful threat is you’re talking about.”
“Where are you?” Ruth asked.
“In Green Vallis, Wisconsin,” Andrea answered.
“Jewel is not a threat,” Kenneth stated.
“Write that down,” Ruth ordered to Florence.
“With what? Do you think I keep a pen up my—” Florence was cut off as Ruth swatted her. “I was going to say skirt.”
“Andrea, my daughter is not a threat to ya.” Kenneth moved as if he’d stop the conversation he couldn’t see or hear.
“No one is talking about Jewel,” Andrea dismissed. She wished they’d all stop trying to talk to her at once. “You sent me to the swamp, and I tried to stop Mama Cecile. I failed.” Andrea frowned and looked at the floor in shame. “I thought I could handle it. The signs started and I was close.”
“No.” Ruth shook her head.
Suddenly, all of their words came at her in a rush.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Florence said.
“We’d never send you to do that,” Ruth insisted.
“What are they saying?” Kenneth asked.
“What were you thinking, cher?” Ruth demanded.
“Spirits like that don’t have this much magick,” Florence said. “This warning felt much more powerful.”
“Is it night time there?” Ruth asked. Andrea managed a quick nod. “Then give us a call in the morning. No need to interrupt our beauty sleep. We’ll write down—”
“This isn’t right,” Florence put forth.
“What are—” Kenneth started to repeat.
“Please stop. I can’t hear all of you when you talk at once.” Andrea closed her eyes and held up her hands. When she again looked, the doorway was empty. The portal to the past was gone and she was alone with Kenneth.
“Dammit. They’re gone.” Andrea went toward the door and lifted her hand to reach through the barrier slowly. Nothing changed.
“So what was that? Are ya a psychic?” he asked.
“I don’t know what kind of magick that was but I’m pretty sure I’m not doing it. Like I said before, portals started appearing in doorways at the motel. They took me here when I saw you as a statue. Then tonight, they started showing me into the past, to my grandmother’s house from when I was a kid. The spirits warned them that danger is following me. I need to call them tomorrow. I think they’ll have information about Mama Cecile. She’s clearly more powerful now than she was back then.”
“Ya have come to the right house. My family will protect ya.” Kenneth pulled her to his chest and held her. “I won’t let anything happen to ya, Andrea. I promise.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” Andrea leaned back so she could study his face. She wanted to accept his help, but she couldn’t bring her troubles to his family. It didn’t seem right. He had to think about his child.
“But I thought ya were my girlfriend.” He grinned.
“I had to tell them something.” Andrea gave a small laugh as she gestured at her outfit.
“No take-backs.” He brushed his hand over her cheek.
“So you want to be boyfriend and girlfriend after one day?”
“It’s been a strange day,” he said with a glance at the door. “Technically, we’ve known each other two years, more or less.” He brushed her hair back from her face. “Andrea, I won’t lie. I’ve told ya my life is complicated, but I’m also not squeamish when it comes to what I want. I like being with ya. I feel comfortable with ya. I feel like I know ya from another life, maybe the dream world. Standing here, with ya, feels right. That is all I need to know.”
“Just like that?” Andrea knew, logically, that relationship decisions shouldn’t be made so quickly, and yet she knew what he meant. This felt right, as if every day she’d lived had been leading to this moment.
“Aye. Just like that.”
“I’m not good with labels,” Andrea admitted.
“Boyfriend, girlfriend, lovers, friends…” Kenneth shrugged. “I don’t care what ya call this thing we’ve started. A word won’t change how I feel or how I act, unless ya tell me ya don’t want my attentions. Living with magick is complicated enough. I have no need for games when it comes to relationships.”
Andrea smiled at the simple honesty of his statement. “I want your attentions.”
“Then it’s settled. You’ll stay here and let us help ya fight this Mama Cecile.” He urged her to walk with him toward the bed. “And what happens between us will be what is meant to happen.”
Andrea nodded.
“Ya have to be exhausted. There is nothing more we can do tonight. Come to bed. Tomorrow we will find a solution.” His concerned gaze swept over her face.
It felt as if a weight lifted off her at his words. She’d been on the run, alone, for two years, knowing that fate was closing in on her. Now, to have help, to have someone who understood she wasn’t crazy, was more than she could have hoped.
At the idea of sleep, she yawned and nodded. “All right. We’ll try it your way but only because I don’t have a better idea.”
Chapter Ten
Andrea woke up alone in Kenneth’s bed. There was safety in the weight of the covers on her legs, in the quiet of the room. In the haze between wake and sleep, she wasn’t sure which was the dream world. The smell of him lingered on the pillow. Light streamed in through the window and the flames in the fireplace had died.
There was something to be said about the aftermath of sex. With the tension eased from her body, she’d been able to fall into a deep sleep, which helped her stress levels come down immensely. She could say without a doubt this was the best she’d felt since before that night in the swamp.
As reality trickled over the dream, she became more fully aware of her surroundings. Kenneth had left folded clothes on the dresser for her. The jeans and stylish gray sweater weren’t hers, but they fit perfectly. After her shower the night before, her hair had dried into a mass of curls. She combed her fingers through the locks, fluffing them so they looked even.
When she opened the door, she wasn’t sure what would greet her on the other side.
“Hey, Ken, do ya have the stain remover?”
A man approached looking down at his naked stomach. His skin was dyed a dark shade of blue and his hair green. He wore a kilt and nothing else, revealing that the coloring most likely covered all of his body.
“I opened a new soap and our wench of a sister left me a present.” The man glanced up and stumbled in surprise. “Ken? Did Malina get to ya too?”
“I’m not Ken,” Andrea said.
“What?” The man appeared surprised. “Ya mean…” He grinned, trying to look behind her toward the bed. “He here?”
Andrea shook her head.
“Was he here?”
“Hi. I’m Andrea.” She stopped his inquiry before it became any more awkward.
“Oh, sorry, I’m Erik. Kenneth’s brother.” Erik grinned. Something caught his attention, and he glanced down the hall. “Rory, come here.”
“I’ve heard of blue balls, but that’s taking it to another level. What did ya do to piss Lydia off?” Rory asked.
“Kenneth has a woman,” Erik said.
“It’s not official. I still have a chance.” Rory appeared next to Erik, his teasing smile fading. “Or not.”
“Morning, Rory,” Andrea said.
“Hey, Andrea. Tell me I’m not too late.” Rory gave a dramatic sigh.
“Sorry, it’s not going to happen,” Erik said for her, pushing Rory back the way he came. “We told ya, you’re just not lovable.”
“What do ya know, Captain Blue Balls?” Rory waved his hand in Erik’s face as he came back to the door. “Ya only found someone because Lydia clearly did something bad in a past life that she needs to atone for in this one by marrying ya.”
“Jealousy is never pretty, cousin.” Erik slapped Rory’s shoulder, before calling out, “Iain, come here. Meet Kenneth’s woman.”
“Ya are not supposed to refer to women like that,” Iain’s voice answered.
“It does make ya sound like a caveman,” Rory agreed.
“Andrea, my apologies,” Erik said. “Fellas, this is Andrea, she’s Kenneth’s lady.”
“Much better,” Iain drawled, giving her a quick wink.
Rory tried to push Iain and Erik behind him as he came forward. “Ignore them. They’re Neanderthals.”
“Wait,” Iain said, as if just now noticing his brother. “Why are ya blue?”
“Malina,” Erik said.
“Shampoo?” Iain asked with a laugh. “That’ll do it.”
“That’s why I put all of my shampoos in ya guys’ rooms. I’m not using anything she left for me.” Rory gave a short laugh.
“This was yours?” Erik asked. “You’re the reason I’m the color of a cartoon character?”
Rory chuckled and slowly began to back away from him. “What were ya doing showering here, anyway? Don’t ya have a home to go to?”
“Not that my bathing habits are any of your concern, but I was helping Murdoch clear part of the acreage for a putting green. I thought I’d shower before returning home to my wife,” Erik said. “Not that ya would know, but women like a man who bathes.”
“Whoo, look at me!” Raibeart ran past in fairy wings that matched the plaid pattern of his kilt. Jewel toddled along behind him.
Andrea was the only one who appeared interested in the scene. Iain merely stepped out of his uncle’s way and said, “Good morning, little love,” as Jewel ran past him.
“I’m going to see if Lydia has anything that will take this blue off,” Erik said. “If I manage to resemble a human shade later, we should all go get drinks at Crimson—”
“Um,” Iain shook his head, “Kenneth isn’t getting out these days.”
“Family dinner then.” Erik strode after Raibeart. “Even better. Let Ma know she’s cooking.”
“Come on, Andrea.” Rory hooked her arm with his and pulled her from Kenneth’s room. “I’ll show ya to breakfast.”
“She looks smart enough to find where we keep the food.” Iain fell into step next to them as they made their way to the stairs. Erik continued straight before disappearing into another room.
“Look at me, rightly flying,” Raibeart yelled.
Andrea gave a small yelp as he jumped over the railing toward the marble floor. Her heart leapt in her chest as fear choked her. She automatically went to stop him even though she was too late. Jewel tried to follow him over. The child jumped next to the rail.
“No!” Andrea swooped Jewel into her arms and stopped the child from toppling over.
Raibeart gave a gruff laugh as he floated in the air, paddling his hands and kicking his feet as if swimming a few feet beneath the ceiling. Jewel wiggled in Andrea’s arms. Blue sparkles erupted around them as Jewel disappeared.
Andrea made a weak noise. Jewel appeared next to Raibeart, mimicking the man’s movements as the pair dog paddled in the air across the front hall.
“Um, we can explain,” Iain said behind her.
“Magick,” Andrea answered. “I know.”
“Ya know?” Rory repeated, joining her by the railing. If she wasn’t mistaken, the man actually leaned closer to her and sniffed. “What kind of magick are ya?”
“Did you just smell me?” Andrea leaned away from him.
“Nice perfume,” Rory said.
“Um, thanks.” She wasn’t wearing any. “And I’m not magick. Not like this.”
“Then like what?” Iain insisted.
“Folk.” Andrea kept an eye on the flying duo while making her way to the stairs. She pointed at them. “Are you sure this is safe?”
“Probably not,” Rory answered with a shrug. “But she hasn’t hurt him yet.”
“I meant for the child,” Andrea corrected.
“Oh, sure. She’s the one doing it.” Rory took the steps two at a time. “Let’s hurry before she decides we all want to fly to Neverland with the lost man-child up there.”
Andrea followed Rory and Iain toward the dining room, careful to keep an eye on what was happening above them.
“Kenneth made pancakes.” Angus sat at the table with a stack of twelve pancakes covered with blueberries. He cut into the top layers with a fork.
Rory went toward the kitchen. “Hey, Angus said there were pancakes. Where are they?”
Kenneth appeared in the doorway in exasperation. “Those weren’t for ya, da.”
“They were just sitting there.” Angus hurried to take another bite.
“On a tray,” Kenneth said. “I was making them for Andrea.”
“Breakfast in bed?” Iain asked, his tone teasing. “Nice play, brother. Might I also suggest the carpet picnic.”
“Signature MacGregor move,” Angus agreed, before taking another big bite. “Women can’t resist the indoor picnic.”
Kenneth’s eyes met hers. She smiled, but before she could say anything, Rory reappeared with a fork. He stabbed a pancake from the top of Angus’ stack and shoved it in his mouth.
“Back, ya animal.” Angus poked Rory in the thigh with his fork.
Rory made a strange noise and laughed at the same time, even as he coughed to keep from choking on the food in his mouth.
Iain stole a pancake with his fingers while Angus was distracted. He rolled it and began eating away from his da’s stabby fork.
“Thank you for making me breakfast,” Andrea said to Kenneth as his family ate it.
“I should have known better than to leave it unprotected.” He motioned for her to follow him to the kitchen.
A tray was on the counter with a glass of orange juice and a coffee. A napkin looked
as if it had been folded at one point but had been knocked over. She pointed at the coffee. “Is this for me?”
He nodded. “Give me a minute. I’ll remake the pancakes for ya. I hope ya like blueberries.” Kenneth arched a brow. “And pancakes. I guess I just assumed, but if ya want something—”
“I love all those things. Thank you.” Andrea supposed she could have politely assured him he didn’t have to make her anything but she wasn’t about to turn down food. Plus, the aroma floating around the kitchen smelled amazing.
He poured several ingredients into a bowl, not bothering to measure anything. Then, as he whisked, he said, “I’m curious about something.”
“Yes, I would love it if your aunt can fix my hair color,” she answered. “Mama Cecile turned it white.”
“If that’s what ya want. Either way, it’ll be beautiful, but I wasn’t going to ask that.”
“I’m thirty,” she said.
“I wasn’t going to ask that, either,” Kenneth said, “but if that is your slick way of asking me how old I am, I was born in 1589. Ya will have to do the math. I stopped keeping track.”
Andrea started to laugh but realized he wasn’t kidding. “That’s only slightly intimidating.”
That was a giant understatement.
“Were ya hoping for someone older?” He stopped whisking and winked before walking over to a griddle.
“Honestly?” Andrea bit her lip and nodded. “Yeah.”
Kenneth laughed. “What I was going to ask was—”
“How is it a person like me comes to have roots in Louisiana folk magick?”
He lifted a spatula and pointed it at her. “That’s the one.”
“It’s kind of a long story.” She moved closer to him and leaned against the counter as she sipped her coffee.
“My favorite kind.” He poured the batter onto the griddle and kept his attention focused downward.
“According to family legend my great-great-grandfather was for all intents and purposes a masochistic asshole who made his fortune in the cotton trade. No one has a kind word to say about the man, not even the few mentions I’ve seen in historical documents. He had several illegitimate children and even more mistresses. I don’t know how it came to be or why, but he married a kindhearted lady from Pennsylvania who was never happy living in the Deep South, and even less happy with her family’s choice of husband for her.”
Magick and Mischief (Warlocks MacGregor Book 7) Page 9