Far and Away

by Fern Michaels

  Sophie reached for the doorknob but stopped. She felt a slight movement. She whirled around, but no one was there. Her heart rate increased, and she felt a bead of sweat forming above her mouth. “Who’s there?” She stared down the long hallway, hoping to catch a glimpse of something, anything that would explain the movement she’d felt, but there was nothing. Taking another deep breath, she put her hand on the doorknob and turned it. The door creaked open without any push from her. Weird, she thought as she stepped inside the room.

  The odor of mothballs was thick, but there was something else. She inhaled, trying to pick up a scent the way a bloodhound would. Something familiar—a floral scent that she couldn’t name exactly could be sensed through the mothballs. It didn’t matter. She walked over to the chair she’d used when she held the séance the other night. Sitting down, she carefully placed her hands on the old wooden table, then closed her eyes.

  Relax, she thought. I need to relax, to let go of the fear. Inhaling, then slowly exhaling to try to calm her pounding heart, Sophie spoke, her words soft and still. Her séance voice.

  She closed her eyes. “I can do this. I don’t know who you are, and I don’t know what happened to you.” She paused, allowing herself a few minutes to gather her thoughts. Remembering that Madam Butterfly always told her that when in doubt, she needed to be positive, she spoke again. “I’m here to help you. I mean you no harm.” The words she always used when trying to contact the other side.

  Opening her eyes, Sophie searched the room around her. Nothing seemed out of place. The room was as it should be. Other than the door being shut and the cold air, she had not picked up any psychic vibes at all. Highly unusual for her. Again, she closed her eyes, thinking that this spirit, whatever it was, needed calm and quiet. She remained still for a few more minutes. Nothing.

  Rubbing her hands across the old wooden table in hopes it would act as a conduit, as she believed, she began to speak. “Someone hurt you a very long time ago. You don’t know where you are. You are”—she paused—“caught.” Knowing she was on the right track encouraged her. “You’re stuck between worlds. There is no need to be afraid. When you enter the bright side, you will be whole again.”

  Sophie felt a disturbance in the air. A shift. “Are you with me now?”

  Unsure of what she expected, she closed her eyes again. Waiting for a sign, a movement, anything to let her know she wasn’t losing the spirit, she leaned back in the chair and relaxed. Maybe she was too uptight, trying too hard to focus. Maybe it just wasn’t the right time.

  Ready to call it quits for the moment, Sophie stopped dead in her tracks when the door to the room slammed shut.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You should have called first,” Toots said as she took Amy from Abby.

  Her daughter adjusted Jonathan on her hip with one hand and slung the diaper bag over her shoulder with the other as she walked to the kitchen. “Mother, are you serious? I’ve never had to before. Why now?”

  Toots chose not to answer Abby just yet. “Bernice, help me get the high chairs set up. The babies are here,” she called out. Bernice and Robert were on the veranda trying to decide on a wedding date. Goebel had wandered outside to check out her dying magnolia tree. For now, Toots, Abby, and the twins had the kitchen to themselves. Toots hoped that Sophie wouldn’t show up. She didn’t want to have to explain why Sophie had been in a house that was supposed to be poisoned with carbon monoxide. Hopefully, Abby wouldn’t ask where the godmother who was supposed to be living at Toots’s for a while was.

  Holding hands like two teenagers in love, Bernice and Robert returned to the kitchen and set up the high chairs. Toots prayed they wouldn’t mention that Ida was upstairs. If Abby thought she was ill, she would want to check on her. And Toots could not let Abby upstairs. If anything, she needed to do something to get her out of the house. Sophie had warned her to keep the twins away from this . . . evil, and she would. She just had to figure out a way to get them out of the house without raising Abby’s suspicion. Abby’s reporter instincts were always there, just waiting to pounce on anything fishy. It was hard to pull anything over on her daughter, but she remembered she had kept her in the dark when she’d purchased the Informer. Unfortunately, motherhood had only increased Abby’s intuitive feel for what was happening around her.

  “Mom?” Abby said. “Are you all right? Is there something going on that I should know about?”

  Amy started crying, and Toots was thankful for small favors. “Ah, now look at Gramma.” Toots peered inside Amy’s mouth. “Oh goodness, Abby, have you seen this?”

  “What?” Abby practically leapt across the kitchen.

  “Amy has teeth, or at least she’s getting them,” Toots said.

  “You scared me. For a minute I thought something was wrong. And to answer your question, of course I’ve seen her teeth. It’s what happens when they’re a year old. She is my daughter. Jonathan has them, too. Just not as many. See?” Abby held Jonathan’s mouth open for Toots to look at and admire his new teeth.

  “This makes me sad, Abby. Very sad.”

  “Mom! What is it with you today? You’re not acting like yourself at all. I think you’re up to something.”

  Toots adjusted the high chair, placed Amy in the chair, then buckled her in. She took the matching high chair and placed it next to the other. “Bring Jonathan here.” Toots held her arms out for her adorable grandson. She kissed his soft little neck, and he giggled. “This one is going to be a lady-killer for sure.” After she finished securing Jonathan in the seat, Toots asked Abby, “Can I give them a treat?”

  Abby plopped down in a chair. “Sure, as long as it’s not laced with sugar. What do you have?”

  “I have some of those baby things they chew on. They look like dog bones. I hope they taste better than they look. Let me get them.” Toots hurried to the pantry in search of the baby bones. That’s what she was going to call them. “These.” She held out the box for Abby’s inspection.

  “Those are fine, we have them at home. They’re very messy though,” she added.

  “I don’t care, as long as they enjoy them.”

  Toots positioned her chair so she could watch the twins and keep an eye on the stairs. If Ida decided to make a trip downstairs, she would be there to guide her right back up. She’d worry about an explanation when and if. For now, though, she really did want to admire her beautiful grandchildren.

  “Tell me, what’s making you sad?” Abby asked.

  “Oh, I meant the babies and their teeth. It’s just another sign they’re growing up. Before you know it, they’ll be in school, then they’ll want to drive. I’m sure they’ll both be highly pursued by members of the opposite sex. It’s only natural—just look at them. I do believe they are the most perfect babies I’ve ever seen. Except for you, Abby. I spent days and weeks after giving birth to you looking for something, anything that marred what your father and I knew was complete perfection. To this very day I am happy to announce I still haven’t found a thing.” Toots smiled at her daughter. Abby was almost perfect. At least to her.

  “Aw, that is so sweet of you to say. Why do I think you’re trying to butter me up? Are you keeping secrets again?” Abby went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. Bernice came up behind her, having left Robert out by himself on the veranda. “Darn! You scared me,” Abby said, then gave Bernice a hug.

  “How’ve you been?” Abby asked. “Mom said you were here. Sit.” She pointed to the two chairs across from her.

  “Not until I give this little king and queen a kiss.” Bernice kissed both babies on the top of their heads. “They’re growing like weeds, Abby. Before you know it, they’ll be in college and having babies of their own. Time is moving too fast these days.”

  “I hope they do it in a different order. Maybe college, then marriage, then babies”—Abby laughed—“but if they choose to do it the other way, Chris and I would be okay with that, too,” she added.

  “Ha
ve you put their names on any of the lists for private schools? Some parents do that even before they have their children.”

  “Mom! I think you’re losing it. To answer your question, no. I haven’t even thought about sending them to private school or public school. I want to enjoy them every minute I can. Like you said, they’re growing up so fast. They’ll be on their own, and I will be the saddest mom in the world.”

  “Don’t think you’ve got the take on sadness. The day you left for college, it took me exactly three weeks to stop crying. I even cried in my sleep—right, Bernice?” Toots asked.

  Bernice rolled her eyes. “I do recall you bawling a lot, but I don’t think it was three weeks. I can almost guarantee that I would’ve strangled you by then. Though you were not happy; none of us were. It was so lonely without Abby around.”

  “Stop it, you two! This is the happiest time of my life. I want to share it with you. And for the record, I’ve been thinking about homeschooling.”

  “I thought you said you didn’t want to think about that now. Abby Clay, I do believe you’ve told me a fib.”

  “Yeah, right. And you never have, right? What about the Informer?”

  Toots went to the sink, grabbed a paper towel, and ran it under lukewarm water. She waited for the twins to finish their bones, then began wiping the mess from their pudgy little hands. “Let’s not talk about that now, okay? Homeschooling, don’t you think that would be a bit hard to do?”

  “Yes and no. I thought maybe Chris and I could either take turns, or we could hire a teacher to come to the house. Isn’t that the way they used to do things in the old days, Mom?” Abby teased. “Back when you and my godmothers were growing up?”

  “Yes, but not in our old days. We all went to Catholic school—Bishop Verot, as I am sure you remember from all the stories you’ve heard about it.”

  Goebel chose that moment to come in through the back door. “That old magnolia tree looks like it’s on its last legs, but I’m certainly no expert. I have a guy I met at the nursery, he calls himself the tree whisperer. Says he can revive any tree. I could give him a call if you’d like.” Goebel washed his hands at the sink, then made his way over to the twins.

  “Yes, call him. That tree is as old as this house. I believe it was planted by the original owners. It would be a shame not to try to save it.”

  He spent a few minutes making faces and tickling the twins, then seemed to realize what that implied, with Ida upstairs. Toots gave him the don’t-say-a-word look.

  “I’ll call him now. I saved his number in my cell phone. Better yet, I’ll take a picture and send it to him so he’ll have an idea what I’m talking about. Good seeing you, Abby, and those two little stinkers.”

  “Later,” Abby said, and waved goodbye.

  For some reason seeing their mother wave her hand in the air made the twins giggle. “Oh, you two are little rascals, you know that?” Abby took a package of baby wipes from the diaper bag and wiped their faces.

  “They’re very good with this, Abby. I remember when you were little, you hated having your face washed. It didn’t matter how dirty you were, either.”

  “Trust me, this is just a lucky wipe. They usually put up a fight, but they’re at Gramma’s, and I think that makes them happy.”

  “Of course it does, and it makes Gramma happy, too. More than you’ll ever know. I am so blessed to have you living so close to me. Just think how many sets of eyes you’ll have on these two when they really need it.”

  “Toots, are you going to shut up for a second so I can tell Abby what you wanted me to tell her?” Bernice interjected.

  Toots almost flipped Bernice the bird but caught herself just in time. She wouldn’t want to corrupt her grandkids before they were ready to be corrupted.

  “Go on, I’ll keep quiet.”

  Bernice scrunched up her face when she looked at Toots, then gave the most beautiful smile when she returned her gaze to Abby. “It’s probably not a big surprise, but Robert and I have decided to get married. Tie the knot. Hang the noose around our necks. And we want to seal the deal next week.”

  Abby felt tears in her eyes. “Oh, Bernice, I think this is the best news I’ve heard in ages. I’m so happy for you two.” Abby leaned down and wrapped her arms around her godmother.

  “Did I hear you correctly? Did you say you wanted to get married next week?”

  “You did, and we are. Is that enough time to plan a big event?” Bernice asked.

  “No! I mean, yes, but don’t ever, ever call a wedding an event! Events are funerals, Bernice. You should know that by now. You’ve helped me through eight of them.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot. So, what do you think?” Bernice asked Abby.

  “If you and Robert are happy, I think that’s what matters most. Right, Mom?” Abby looked at her mother, who had a very strange look on her face. “Mom? Are you all right?”

  “Abby, I want you to take the kids outside right now. Do not ask any questions. Just go! Hurry!” Toots shouted so loud, the twins started to cry. “Bernice, help her get them outside immediately! Move it!”

  Hearing the urgency in Toots’s voice, Abby and Bernice practically yanked the little ones out of their high chairs and ran out the back door. Another second, and they would have been exposed to Ida, who stood on the bottom step. “What in the world was that all about?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Still in the séance room, Sophie crept back to her chair. “I mean you no harm. I want to help you. Your staying here isn’t going to change what happened to you. Do you understand what I am saying?”

  She was talking to an entity. It was quite normal for her to do so, but for some reason, this time she was frightened. Maybe this was a demonic spirit. Maybe she should call a priest or a member of the clergy.

  No, she needed to calm herself down. Closing her eyes, she tried to slow her breathing to a normal pattern. That would still the rapid beat of her heart, help her to gain control of herself.

  In her séance voice, she began to speak softly, encouragingly. “If you left this world unexpectedly, I know you must find it hard to let go, but you must. If you want my help, you need to show yourself.” Sophie paused, looking around the room to see if anything appeared changed. Other than the door slamming shut, there was nothing at all. “Is this your former home? Did you have an accident while living here?” She thought of the dream and the woman at the bottom of the stairs. Maybe she lingered because she wanted to . . . to find out who pushed her!

  The image was so vivid that Sophie drew in a breath. “Somebody pushed you down that long staircase, and you want me, need me, to find out who did this to you. If that is what you’re trying to tell me, show me a sign acknowledging that it is.” Sophie waited for a few seconds, then saw the knob on the door turning. The door opened so slightly that, had she not been watching for any changes, she wouldn’t have noticed.

  “You’re here now?”

  The door opened again, but this time it moved at least a foot. Sophie knew she was taking a chance, but there wasn’t much to lose at this point, so she went with her gut instinct. “Are you a member of the Dabney family?” The words barely escaped her lips when the door slammed again, only this time it was with such force the window behind her shook. She turned around, expecting to see an apparition, a wisp of something, but still she saw nothing remotely otherworldly in the small room.

  Sophie scanned the room again, really looking at it this time. There had to be a clue, something about this room that would aid her in releasing this . . . spirit from its earthly bonds. Nothing. She stood up and went to stand by the window. The beveled glass gave the images outside a distorted look, almost like one of those mirrors in a fun house. Sophie blinked, then looked outside again. She gasped, then took a calming breath, letting it out slowly.

  The gardens that she and Goebel had worked so hard to bring back to life were gone, replaced by dirt paths. The giant trees, which were as familiar to her now as her own image, were
small and scraggly, as if they’d only been planted recently. She shook her head to try to clear the visual, but it remained. Looking through the window and squinting her eyes, Sophie saw a man on a . . . horse? “Dear heavens,” she said, and strained to see the details. Though this time all she saw were the gardens, the giant trees. The gardens appeared as they should. Stepping away from the window, Sophie realized she’d just seen her home and how it had looked in the past. Not having a lot of experience with the past in the sense of actually seeing it as it was in real time, Sophie decided this wasn’t leading her where she needed to be led. Without another thought, she raced out of the room and downstairs to the kitchen.

  What she saw almost sent her into a state of shock.

  Ida’s description of the mess in the kitchen didn’t begin to cover the devastation she observed. This was not an entity trying to get her attention. No, this was something much more wicked. Carefully, she walked through shards of broken glass, splinters of what once were her cabinet doors, and the detritus from several jars of jam that had been smashed on the wood floor. “Goebel needs to see this.” She removed her cell phone from her pocket and dialed his number. He answered on the first ring. “You need to come home right away. Borrow one of Toots’s cars, and hurry.” Sophie clicked off, not giving him a chance to respond. She knew he’d understand the urgency behind her call when he saw the disaster in their kitchen.

  A buzzing sound coming from their pantry made her turn around. A few feet away from the kitchen island, Goebel had enlarged and redesigned the pantry, telling her they would never have an issue storing food, paper towels, odd-sized platters, and the usual kitchen items that never fit in a normal-sized cupboard. He’d customized it just for her. What she saw now brought tears to her eyes. It wasn’t the loss of the food; she didn’t care about that as it could be replaced. But she did care that the custom-built shelves were split into tiny pieces. The handcrafted porcelain knobs looked like someone had taken a hammer and smashed them into tiny pieces. Boxes of rice were ripped apart, peanut butter smeared on the floor, and the canned food they had was destroyed, crushed. Several antique platters and bowls she and Goebel had collected during their short marriage were now nothing more than colored shards of glass. A swarm of flies buzzed through the pantry, hovering above each pile of spilled food. “There is no way a spirit did this,” she said out loud. While she was no expert, she knew this much destruction had to come from a source so evil, so foul and unholy, that she feared its malevolence and its power. This was not the woman in her dreams, or her vision. In all likelihood, Sophie was staring at the work of the devil or someone who had the devil inside them. Most likely the latter.