by Kelly Hall
Chapter Six
Talon arrived home before noon. He lugged his bag and skateboard down the hall and threw open his bedroom door. Still in his bed and his clothes, it embarrassed me that he found me there, reading a sappy romance. “Talon!” I threw down my book and sat up.
“Hey, nice outfit. You look great.” He dropped his bags and board, walked over, and picked me up to my knees with his hug. “Wow, boxers too? Didn’t realize you’re such a big fan of my underwear.” His eyes brightened and he leaned in for a quick peck. I didn’t feel like pulling away. I locked my hands in his hair and held him tight, taking in his scent and his warmth. When I finally let go, he was smiling.
“I missed you.” I laid my head on his shoulder thinking how a few days could be no time at all, and yet an eternity.
“So, you’ve been in here the whole time,” he teased poking my ribs.
“Very funny! What are you doing home so early?” I hoped he would say that he couldn’t stand another minute away from me, but that was wishful thinking.
“Mom was on her way to the lake. Her new boyfriend is looking for land there.” He made a face.
“Another new boyfriend?” I raised my brow.
“Yeah, that’s why she wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner. She didn’t do it to impress me, not that she impressed him with that dry duck she roasted.” He plopped down on the bed. “He’s an okay guy, just a little too “bubba” compared to her usual type. I guess his money makes up for it, but I doubt it will last.” I didn’t know if he meant the money or the relationship, but I had a feeling both, where his mother was concerned.
“I talked to my mom. She knows that I know about Henry Oliver. She even told me some interesting stuff about my dad.”
“That’s great.” He sat his bag on the bed, and opened it.
“It’s really great! My dad was a Light Keeper, that much is certain, but Mom just thought he’d gone crazy from headaches.”
His expression grew serious. “She never witnessed anything? Did he try and tell her about it?”
“Yes, but the one time she saw it she thought it was ball lightning and she discounted all of his stories as delusions.” I averted my eyes and bit my lip. With a deep breath, I continued. “She said he went out to try and find the Light the night he died.”
“Wow.” Talon pondered that, staring at the floor.
“Lily!” Mom called from the kitchen. We both were startled but realized she probably hadn’t heard our conversation from all the way in the kitchen. I walked into the living room and found Owen standing at the backdoor.
“Oh, no, Cate, I came to see you,” he said, staring at my attire and shaking his head. “Lily said you might cut my hair again?” He gave Mom the charming smile that he often used on the girls at school when he needed to borrow their notes.
“Sure thing, come on in and have a seat. Boy, it’s getting really long.” She ran her fingers through his hair and looked at Talon who had walked in and stood by the kitchen table. “You, sit. I’ll get to you too.” She walked over and gripped his curls in her fingertips.
Talon responded. “Maybe just a little. Lily likes it a little longer.” He flashed me a wink.
“Well, if you can round up Hunter, we’ll make it a party. He looked pretty scraggly yesterday, too.” She walked to her room to retrieve her spare kit.
“He and Holly have gone into town. She had to return her papers to Naomi.”
“So she’s gonna take the job?” Mom pulled the comb through Owen’s golden strands.
“Yep, Hunter must have gotten over it. Not that he had a choice.” I glanced to Owen for his response.
His nose crinkled. “He had no chance. You know he can’t refuse her anything.”
“So, Talon,” Mom said, changing the subject. “Did you have a good time at your mom’s?”
He hesitated. “Um, yeah.” He seemed unsure, and I wondered just how bad his mom’s new boyfriend was.
“What did you do?” Owen asked, staring suspiciously. It sounded more like an accusation and I glanced back and forth at the two. Is this some kind of boy code?
Talon folded his arms and shrugged. “Just hung out, skated, and went to the mall.”
“So did we,” I said. “The mall, minus the skateboards, of course.”
“Yeah, Lily loves shopping. She about wore me out,” Owen said with a smirk.
“Hold still.” Mom poked Owen in the head with her belly. He made a funny face on contact. “Sorry.” She took a step back. “My chair at the salon is a better height. Everything’s thrown off with this big tummy.”
After Mom finished with Owen’s cut, Talon took the chair and Mom took the scissors to him too. His thick curls always took Mom a bit longer. So having gone and changed my clothes, I headed out behind Owen to go see Granny.
On the front porch, Owen stopped in his tracks and I nearly ran into him. Then I saw what he saw. The silver car. LeAnn was parked in his drive. I could see her sitting inside.
I wanted to protect Owen from her, to save him from the certain misery she’d inflict. “Owen.” I grabbed his arm, anxiously tugging, “Come back to my room, I forgot something.”
“We’ve got company.” He pulled away and headed down the steps. I gripped his arm again and followed. He glanced back with a furrowed brow and his face scrunched, but I didn’t let go. As soon as we crossed my lawn onto his, his mother stepped out of her car and shut the door.
“Owen!” She yelled. “I’d know you anywhere, baby!” I could feel Owen tense as I grabbed his arm tighter, clinging to his side. “I should have known the loud-mouthed little tart belonged to you.” She chuckled as he glanced down to me, realizing that we’d met before.
“Mom,” he barely whispered, turning to see her. My hand tugging him closer answered his question.
“It’s been so long.” She stepped towards us and I felt him tense.
Granny, Hunter, and Holly appeared on the steps. Granny stood ramrod straight, wearing her apron, and wielded her spatula like it was a weapon. “What do you want?” Hunter hissed, clearing the steps so fast that Holly couldn’t stop him.
“Why, Hunter Ray.” LeAnn looked him up and down grinning ear to ear. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Can’t say the same,” he spat the words.
Owen stood still, eyes wide.
“Now that’s no way to talk to your mother!” She scolded. “I see the old lady’s not taught you any manners.”
“She’s done more for me than you ever have!” Hunter closed the gap between them and Owen moved in with him, putting a restraining hand on his brother’s chest.
LeAnn looked at Granny. “I came here to give you one more chance. I had hoped you’d change your mind.”
“I’m not changing anything.” Granny pointed her spatula. “You won’t get a dime from me. Now, get off my land.” Granny turned her chin up and stepped forward.
“You have the nerve to come here wanting money.” Owen laughed nervously. “Look around woman, do we look rich to you?”
LeAnn smirked. “Well, I guess there’s no reason I shouldn’t play my next card.” She looked at Granny, pausing to see if she’d stop her, but Granny squared her shoulders and said nothing.
Anger swept over me and I lunged forward. “Go to hell!” I screamed. Hunter grabbed me around the waist. His bear-like grip picked my feet up off the ground. Owen stepped in front of me. He knew that the Water might still be in my system and if so, I was more of a threat than she could ever imagine.
“No, Lily,” Granny said. “Let her have her moment. It’s all she’ll ever get.”
“What’s gotten into you?” Owen whispered, keeping a hand on my shoulder, more concerned with me than the woman who wanted to ruin his world.
LeAnn sneered. “You boys are looking so much like your father these days. He was always so handsome.” Her expression feigned tenderness as she exchanged glances with her sons. “Still is.”
Hunter stepped forward. “Our dad is
dead, you sick, twisted ...”
“Who is he?” Owen interrupted. He already knew what she meant. He’d been suspicious all along. Hunter froze and the color seemed to drain from his face at the realization.
“I’ll tell you for a price.” She laughed. “You give me what I want and I’ll give you what you want. Everyone is happy.” She shrugged, making it all sound so simple.
“We’ve already told you, we don’t have any money.” Owen threw up his hands.
Hunter stood shocked. He stared at the ground still trying to piece it all together.
“Yeah, about that, it seems genealogy is not the only secret the old lady’s been keeping.” She looked up at Granny. “Just how many millions do you have?”
“Millions?” Hunter turned to look at Granny.
She looked away.
“Yeah, my friend at the bank wanted to know just how I knew the millionaire,” she laughed. “I couldn’t believe it myself, but someone else confirmed it.”
“Well, you’re out of luck. I don’t need to know,” Owen hissed. “William Riley was my dad. He was more of a dad than you ever were a mom.”
She raised a thin, dark eyebrow and smirked. “I’m sure that’s what she wants you to think? I could tell you lots of things she never will.”
The expression changed on Owen’s face as she opened her door and got in her car. I saw the curiosity in his blank stare. His mother waved and flashed a knowing smile and then shut her car door. She’d planted her seeds.
She lowered her window just enough to stick her head out. “Think about it,” she said with an evil smirk. As she started the car and backed out of the Riley’s driveway, Talon stepped out of the house and looked puzzled to find us all standing around. He glared curiously at the car with the rest of us and started to walk over, his curls still wet on top.
Owen looked at me, tears filling his reddened eyes. “You knew.” He stayed in my face and stared through to my soul, ripping it to tiny pieces. “You knew the whole time.” I shook my head and reached for him, but he stormed away. I ran after hm.
“Owen, please listen to me.” I kept following as he ran down the hall to his bedroom. “I didn’t know. Not the whole time. Just the past few days, I swear.” He slammed his bedroom door in my face.
“Go away,” he called through the double panel.
“No, I’m not leaving.” I banged on his door until my hand hurt and then I dropped to the floor and leaned back against it. “Not until you talk to me.” My stomach churned with nervous unease. I worried it would come to this and it had. I felt helpless in a way and torn between them and Granny. I didn’t like either being upset with me, especially Owen because he cared so much about me, and when a person cares that much, you don’t want to disappoint them.
Granny and Hunter came inside arguing about the money. “Millions? What the hell? What did you do, win the lotto? Rob a bank?” Hunter’s voice boomed out as his forehead creased.
“No, I found gold in my flowerbed. Now you watch your mouth.” Granny’s hands trembled. “You were right, there is gold out here.” She paused. “Besides, I’ve always tried to give you everything you needed.” She cleared her throat.
“Yeah, and I always felt guilty, knowing what a sacrifice it was. I’ve always felt so bad, since we didn’t have the money that I didn’t even ask for some of the things I wanted.”
“You have always gotten everything you’ve asked for,” she countered.
“I can’t believe this. Why not just tell us? It wouldn’t have changed a thing.” He stepped closer to the hall where I sat. “You! You knew this the whole time, didn’t you?”
“I knew about the gold, yes,” I answered, looking up at him.
“And you didn’t tell me. You let me worry over Holly’s ring and Holly’s job. You let me make a fool of myself, knowing all along.”
Granny came to my defense. “I asked her not to. Lily’s very good at keeping her word.”
“Yeah, lucky us,” Owen sounded from behind the door. I didn’t think he could hear, but from the way he sounded, I imagined he was sitting with his back to mine on the other side.
“So, you had all this gold, all this money, and you wouldn’t even let me have my one measly coin.” Hunter focused on Granny again.
“I had to make it seem like a big deal, like something special. And it is, Hunter. Besides, I haven’t spent a dime of it. I’m afraid. It isn’t ours. I didn’t earn it.” She clasped her collar pinching her eyes tight.
“What are you afraid of? It isn’t like Mr. Hill is coming back for it.” He stopped and pondered, and then a smile spread slowly on his face. “So, I haven’t wasted my time? There is gold out there?” Suddenly, he laughed like a madman. I waited to see if Granny would tell him that she knew where the rest of the gold was, but she didn’t. Hunter continued to rejoice. “I’m going to find it for us. You’ll never have to work again.” He spun Holly around in his arms.
“Put me down,” she cried, worried over the crazed look in his eyes.
“I’ll give you everything. I promise.” He set her on her feet. As Holly grabbed him around the waist in a tight grip, I heard another call from behind the door.
“Good for you, brother. I hope you two get everything you want.” I pulled my feet in and rested my chin on my knees. I knew that Owen usually didn’t stay mad for long. I’d wait him out. He’d realize how irrational he had acted and talk to me sooner or later.
Talon came down the hall, looking fresh and clean cut from Mom’s handiwork “Lily,” he said, looking down to where I still sat leaning against the closed door. “Come on, let’s go home and leave them to work this out.” Seeming confused, he glanced around like the house could blow up at any minute.
He reached down and took my hand. I let him pull me to my feet; then we walked through the kitchen passing Holly and Hunter, who still argued in the living room over her keeping her job. Granny had gone to her kitchen to salvage dinner, and Owen still hadn’t come out from behind the door.
“So, what the heck is going on?” Talon finally asked when we’d gotten to my room.
Mixed emotions clouded my head and I squeezed my eyes tight and rubbed my temples trying to figure out where to begin. “Their mom showed up and told them that William Riley is not their real dad. Granny’s known all along and hid it from them. Oh, and they’re rich from the gold Granny found in the flower bed, but she doesn’t want to spend it.” I sighed as I thought about how crazy it must sound.
“Wait, so, they aren’t your cousins? I mean, naturally they’re still cousins to you, right?” I didn’t think he grasped all I’d said.
“Yeah, just as much as you’re my brother,” I mumbled, knowing Owen wouldn’t see it that way.
“Hey, wait, did you just say... gold?” He stared.
“Yeah, gold. As in lots of money.” I looked away to the floor and sighed. “Owen is so mad at me.”
“Great, so now he’s rich, too.” Talon mumbled.
“He’s never gonna speak to me again.” I had never seen Owen so mad at me.
“Hey, come here,” Talon said, pulling me to him. “They need time to work it all out, just like we’ve needed time, but I’m ready to talk about us now.” He looked deep into my eyes.
“What?” I couldn’t believe he’d chosen that moment to be ready for a chat about our relationship.
“I know things have been crazy lately. I’ve been struggling with not believing I’m worthy of you, not knowing if I had any right to happiness after what I’ve done. You were right, I’ve been punishing myself. But I can’t do it anymore, especially knowing that I’m only hurting you. I’m not promising you anything official, but I want to talk about our options.” Before I knew what happened he pressed his lips hard against mine. They mingled there slowly, softly, until he realized my lips were still and pulled away.
I didn’t say a word. Then I realized I didn’t have to. My scrunched face, curled lip, and narrowed eyes showed all of my confusion and worry
.
“Unbelievable!” He shook his head and backed away. I could see the fury burning in his eyes. “Come see me when you’re over him.” He turned and stormed to his room. I should have said something, but I couldn’t. Knowing I’d hurt Owen’s feelings and the guilt from keeping secrets was all I could think about. Everything else had left my mind completely.
Chapter Seven
Later that night, Talon still wouldn’t talk to me, and even though it upset me, I was more concerned that I had to try and work things out with Owen first. I opened my bedroom window, popped off the screen, and then with my flask tucked into my pocket I dropped to the ground. Because I was too short, I stood on a cinder block to pull it shut and then secured the screen. After brushing my hands off on my pants, I pulled Talon’s flashlight out of my back pocket and flicked it on. Then I walked the beaten path to Owen’s bedroom window.
His bedroom light seemed to be the only one on in the house so hopefully Granny and Hunter would be asleep. I tapped the screen and waited. Nothing happened, so I tapped once more. I looked back to his car, just to make sure he wouldn’t startle me again, but he wasn’t there. I took a bold chance and tapped on the side of the house, right where I figured his head would be if he were in bed.
Seconds later Hunter peered out the window. I saw Owen pass by the window in the room behind him.
“You wake Granny up and you’re gonna take the heat,” he assured, opening the window. Hunter looked tired. It had been a long day for them all and I immediately felt sorry for bothering him.
“Sorry. I wanted to see Owen.”
“He doesn’t want to see you. He’s had a rough day. We both have.”
“I know. I’m sorry. But I didn’t know about your dad. Not until a couple of days ago. Granny made me promise not to tell you. It wasn’t my place to.”
Hunter held out his hands as if reminding me to keep it down. “I know, Lily. You were just trying to protect us. Owen will get over it. You know he always does.” He glanced to where I knew Owen must have been listening and what he said made sense. Owen would get over it, but he hadn’t yet and that worried me most.
