by Lena Gregory
He nodded, but the horrified expression remained glued to his face.
“Do you think she’d be interested in a reading?” Normally, Cass would have told him about her group readings. They were more like a show, entertaining for couples to attend together, socialize, enjoy refreshments afterward. But with what had gone on at the last reading, she wasn’t even sure she’d have any more.
“What is that exactly?” he asked.
“Individual readings are very personal. She’d come sit with me, and we’d see what I could tell her.”
“Sophie has talked about having readings before, and Marilyn always seems fascinated.”
“How long will you be on Bay Island?”
“Two weeks.” His posture finally relaxed.
“If you’d like, I can set up a reading during that time, then we can put together a basket of crystals and stones, with maybe a Bay Island souvenir of some sort to remind her of your time here? That way you’d have a gift to give her as well.”
“That would be perfect.”
Cass led him toward the counter, pulled out a basket, then looked around. “Can you tell me a bit about Marilyn? What she enjoys? Does she work? Does she tend to stress?”
“Hmm . . . let’s see.” He concentrated hard, and in that moment, all the love John Hicks had for his wife showed on his face. “She loves the beach, and she’d never seen a lighthouse before, so she was very excited about that. Made me climb to the top three times already; my legs are killing me. I told her I needed a break today, mostly so I could get away to come here, so she went to check out the lighthouse on the other side of the island by herself.”
It struck her this man would do anything for his wife. What a lucky woman she was. Cass hoped to share that kind of relationship with Luke . . . or with someone . . . someday.
“And she’s delicate, my Marilyn. She likes dainty things, pretty things. You know what I mean? She loves to read, especially fantasy books. She does tend to stress, though. Even since we’ve been here, she’s worried about everything back home. I keep telling her to relax, but it’s hard for her to just let go.”
“That’s perfect, thank you.” Leaving the basket on the counter, Cass crossed the shop, then stopped at a row of glass shelves along the back wall. She scanned the row of lighthouse figures, searching for the one that felt just right for Marilyn Hicks, then lifted an etched glass replica of the Bay Island Lighthouse and returned to the counter. “Do you think she’d like this?”
John took the lighthouse from her and turned it over in his hands, studying every detail, running a rough finger over the etchings in the glass and the delicate seagull soaring along its side. “It’s beautiful, perfect. I think she’ll love it.”
“How many years have you been married?”
“Twenty-four years,” he said with no hesitation.
“Ah, you need something with a stone theme then.”
“A stone theme?”
“Sure. Each year has a certain theme, and twenty-four is the stone theme.” Not that she had them all memorized, but since last-minute anniversary gifts often brought men to her shop, she kept a cheat sheet beside the register.
Cass sifted through the baskets of crystals she kept in a glass case beneath the counter, but the pouch of crystals she usually offered didn’t feel quite right for this occasion. Instead, she put them away and went to an octagonal glass case in the middle of the shop. She removed a velvet box, lifted a beautiful necklace from its cushion, then held it up for him to see. “This is a moonstone.”
Sunlight glinted from the opalescent stone, sending shimmers of pink, blue, and green skittering across its surface. But when you looked deeper into the stone, billowy blue clouds appeared to be surrounded by white light. The oval stone sat in the center of a hand-woven antiqued silver design and hung from a silver chain. She laid the necklace in John’s hand. “Moonstone is said to bring calm, peace, and balance. It’s also known as the ‘traveler’s stone’ and is reputed to offer protection against the dangers of travel, especially over water.”
“Oh, wow. That’s incredible. It’s just so perfect. It looks like something out of a fairy tale. She would love it, but . . .” His gaze shifted for a moment, then returned longingly to the necklace. “Not that I wouldn’t do anything for Marilyn, but how much is it?”
“Don’t worry. Moonstones are not particularly rare, so it’s not expensive.” She turned the box over for him to see the price.
He looked up, his eyes wide. “Seriously?”
“Yup.”
“I’ll take it.” He gently cradled the necklace and laid it in its box. “And the lighthouse.”
“Perfect.” She collected a few more things. “I’ll even wrap it all up for you.”
“I can’t thank you enough. I just know she’s going to love it.”
“So, when’s your anniversary?” She returned to the small basket on the counter and filled it with light blue tissue paper.
“Today.”
“Nothing like waiting ’til the last minute.” She laughed and put a few candles in the basket, then added bath salts. She held one of the candles out for him to smell.
“Wow, that smells good, like peaches.”
“I’ve been getting really nice feedback on these. They’re supposed to help you relax.” Hmm . . . maybe she’d take some home with her. A candlelit bath sounded amazing, and she could definitely use some relaxation.
Cass placed the lighthouse in the center, set the box with the moonstone necklace at its base, added the gift certificate for her individual reading, then wrapped the basket in blue cellophane and tied it closed with white and silver ribbon. She rang up his purchase. “Do you have dinner plans for tonight?”
He counted out the bills and handed them to Cass. “Not yet, but I’d like to take her somewhere special.”
“Might I make a suggestion?”
“Absolutely.”
She handed him his change. “Does Marilyn like barbeque?”
“She loves it. We both do, but I was hoping to do something a little more special tonight.”
“In keeping with the stone anniversary tradition, you might check out Island Grill. They offer a picnic basket to-go. You can order dinner and a nice bottle of wine. They pack it in a picnic basket for you with plates, utensils, silverware. Most people take them out to the beach for a romantic dinner, especially when the moon is near full, which it will be tonight. But if you go out past the lighthouse, the shore is lined with huge boulders.”
“We saw those from the top of the lighthouse.” He grinned. “All three times.”
“There are picnic tables scattered around out there, or you can spread a blanket on the beach beside the stones, and it makes for a beautiful, romantic dinner spot.” Not that she knew from firsthand experience, since she and Luke hadn’t had time to give it a try, but she often heard about the picnics from newlyweds and couples looking to get married at the lighthouse. And she always tried to support local businesses when she could. “Then you just drop the basket back off after you’re done.”
A shadow flitted across the floor as someone passed the window on the back deck. Whoever it was disappeared from view before she could identify them. Maybe Bee had arrived with her soda and didn’t want to interrupt, though he usually came right in and made himself comfortable while he waited. Maybe he’d decided to sit on the deck by the beach until she was done. She wouldn’t blame him with how hot the shop was.
John studied her. “You know, I was a little worried about coming in here today. I always like to do something special for Marilyn on our anniversary, and I was kicking myself for forgetting. It’s been a long time since we got away together, just the two of us, and it totally slipped my mind. When I called Cayden and asked for suggestions, I never expected to end up with such an amazing day for her. Thank you.”
Warmth rushed through Cass, and not because the air conditioner didn’t work. “You’re very welcome. I hope she loves it.”
&n
bsp; “I’m sure she will.” He shook her hand and took his basket, leaving much happier than when he’d come in.
Customers like John were the reason she’d gone into business in the first place, and also the reason she wouldn’t walk away. She might have a lot of work to do to restore her reputation, but it would be well worth it.
As soon as he left, she crossed to the back of the shop and opened the screen door.
A woman sat in one of the rocking chairs, staring out at the water, a big floppy straw hat covering her head, casting a shadow across her face. She turned to Cass and lifted the brim enough for Cass to see her face. “Can I talk to you? In private?”
Chapter Twelve
“Ellie?” What in the world? “Are you okay?”
“Yes, but I can’t sit out here.” She kept her voice low. “Could I please come in?”
“Of course, but Bee will be dropping by soon.” Actually, he should have been there already.
“That’s okay, I guess, but I don’t want anyone else to see me.” She peered in all directions from beneath her hat’s wide brim. “When you came by this morning, you said it was okay if I came in.”
“Of course it is. Come on inside.” Cass held the screen door open for Ellie to precede her. “But be warned, the air conditioner is on the fritz.”
“The heat doesn’t bother me.” Ellie took another quick look around the beach from beneath the brim of her hat before Cass shut the door.
Cass had spent the better part of an hour with John Hicks, and she’d been contemplating closing early, anyway, since she was so exhausted. Plus, it wasn’t like there’d been a mad rush of customers. It had been her quietest day all summer. She turned the Closed sign over, then locked up the front door as well.
Ellie chewed on her bottom lip and stared out the window. “Would you mind closing the curtains?”
Alarm bells screamed in Cass’s head. “We could sit upstairs if you’d prefer.”
“No, thanks.” She glanced back and forth between both doors before perching on the edge of a chair at the back table Cass usually used for readings, taking care to choose a seat facing the front door. “This is fine.”
While Ellie had always been a bit high-strung, this behavior was extreme, even for her.
Cass pulled the curtains across the back window. Though she kept curtains on the back window to avoid direct sunlight streaming in and blinding her customers during readings, she didn’t bother to keep them on the front window, so there was nothing she could do to block the view into the shop from the front deck. “Would you like something, Ellie? Tea, water?”
“No, thanks, I’m fine.” She motioned for Cass to sit. “Please, I don’t have much time, and I need you to do a reading.”
“Sure thing, Ellie.” Ellie always left calmer after a color reading, so Cass grabbed the basket of colored pencils and a stack of white paper she kept on the back shelf. She lit a few candles and set them on the side of the table, then sat and tried to calm her nerves enough to focus. “Okay, what’s got you so spooked?”
“Don’t worry about it, Cass. That’s not important.”
Respecting Ellie’s wishes, Cass let it drop. For now. She’d get to it in time. She centered a sheet of blank paper in front of her and laid a row of colored pencils on the table within easy reach. She rolled the pencils back and forth a few times while discreetly studying Ellie.
Ellie knew Cass’s routine, and they usually chatted while Cass tried to tune in to her feelings, but today she remained quiet, her right knee bouncing up and down beneath the table. At least she finally took her hat off and set it on the table within easy reach.
Without looking, Cass took a pencil from the row and started scribbling a swatch of color on the paper. Red. The color of fire and blood. While red could definitely symbolize danger, it could also have many other meanings. It was sometimes associated with power, though that didn’t feel right, not in connection with Ellie, who was as meek as they came. At least, she always had been before her husband had disappeared. Once Jay was gone, she’d become more independent, stronger. Strength; another of red’s possibilities. Could the choice show the strength Ellie had gained since losing both Jay and her mother? Maybe. She’d have to see what came next.
Ellie leaned forward. “Is something wrong?”
Usually, Cass explained her thoughts while doing a reading, but she didn’t know what to say to Ellie yet, so better not to say anything. “Oh, no. I’m sorry, Ellie, I was just caught up trying to determine why I chose red as your first color.”
She lurched forward, sitting even closer to the edge than she’d been, like a skittish animal ready to bolt at the slightest provocation. “Is that unusual? I don’t remember you ever using red for my color readings before. Does it mean something bad?”
“No, not necessarily. I just have to figure out what it’s trying to tell me. It may take another color or two before it becomes clear.” A fleeting memory resurfaced. Earlier in the day, she’d been concerned Ellie had met someone new, another man just as abusive as Jay had been. Red could also symbolize love.
“You’ll tell me even if you see something bad, right?”
Probably not, unless it could help save her. “Of course, but you know I only let good spirits in.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Ellie slumped back a little.
Though Cass couldn’t see her hands beneath the table, her arms kept moving, and she could envision Ellie weaving her fingers together, then pulling them apart, a nervous habit Cass had come to recognize from past readings.
Cass set the red pencil aside, then chose another. Black. Her tension level ratcheted up a bit, though whether it was an empathetic feeling brought on by Ellie nervously twisting her fingers or a feeling in her own gut, she had no idea. She began to color, moving the pencil back and forth, slightly overlapping the blotch of red she’d already colored.
“Black is bad, isn’t it?”
“Not always. It can be, but it can also symbolize a lot of other things.” She needed to settle her own nerves or she’d never be able to help calm Ellie.
Ellie glanced nervously from the front door to the back and back to the front, tears shimmering in her eyes, then leaned closer across the table and whispered, “It doesn’t mean I’m going to die, does it?”
“What? No! Of course not.”
“You’d tell me?”
“Yes. I would absolutely warn you if I saw something like that. I promise.” Not only would she warn her, she’d stick to her side like glue until whatever threat hovered over her had passed. “Black can symbolize a lot of other things, mystery, for instance, or fear.”
Heat spread through Cass, burning through her veins. Her heart pumped harder, faster, thudding almost painfully. In that instant, the certainty slammed through her. Fear. Ellie was terrified. But Cass could already tell that from her behavior. So, was she feeling Ellie’s fear in some psychic capacity, or had she simply chosen the color because she could tell how afraid Ellie was? Though she always tried not to look at the pencils, she could have inadvertently noticed where in the line the black pencil had been. “What are you so afraid of, Ellie?”
“What?” She jerked as if Cass had slapped her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Ellie had never been one to open up or share her feelings. She’d thought she’d hidden her husband’s abusive behavior from the world, though it was common knowledge that Jay Callahan had treated his wife horribly. She’d refused to see his philandering ways, even though he thought nothing of parading around Bay Island with other women. If she’d gotten herself into another relationship like that, Cass needed to figure it out, and fast. But she was going to have to approach it a different way. “I started with the color red, which can symbolize strength. Then moved to the color of mystery and fear.”
She could interpret that two ways. Either Ellie had been strong and was now afraid, or Ellie would show great strength against her fears. The latter seemed right. “I think the co
mbination of red and black is showing that you will remain strong even though you are frightened.”
Ellie scoffed, then caught herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I guess I just don’t view myself as strong.”
“How can you say that?” Ellie didn’t need a reading, she needed a friend. Cass set the paper and pencils aside. “You showed incredible strength when Jay left, leaving you to answer a million questions from the police. You seemed confident, determined to make a life for yourself. What’s changed?”
Tears shimmered in Ellie’s brown eyes, and she jumped to her feet. “I have to go.”
“What are you talking about?” Cass had to keep her there, couldn’t let her run out in the condition she was obviously in. “We didn’t finish your reading.”
“I have to get out of here.” Her head swiveled in every direction at once. “I shouldn’t have even come. If he catches me here . . .”
“If who catches you, Ellie? What is going on?”
Ellie slung her bag over her shoulder, smashed the straw hat back on her head, and whispered, “He’s back.”
Despite the heat in the shop, Cass’s insides went cold. “Who’s back?”
Ellie looked around and leaned even closer, even though the shop was clearly empty. “Jay. He’s back.”
“What!” The burning through her body intensified, nudging out the cold. “Has he contacted you?”
Ellie caught her bottom lip between her teeth and shook her head. “But I saw him.”
“Where?”
“All different places. It’s like he’s everywhere, watching me, stalking me. I’ll be walking along, minding my own business, and all of a sudden, I get this feeling like I’m being watched. If I turn around quick enough, I catch just a glimpse of him as he disappears around a corner or behind something. It’s driving me crazy.” Ellie slouched against the table, deflated, as if telling her story had taken everything out of her.
“Are you sure it’s him?” Had Ellie become paranoid? Because that made more sense than Jay actually returning to Bay Island. Cass moved closer, wanting to put an arm around her, comfort her.
