The Tree and the Tablet (The St. James Chronicles Book 1)

by Kathryn O'Brien

  Stunned, I asked, “How did you know?”

  The branches of the tree vibrated gently. “I felt him yesterday, too. I don’t know how I knew it was him. I never met him in person before, it was like a whisper in my mind. He seems a little crazy, though.”

  Turning to Daniel, I asked, “But why would he want the tablet and not ask about the amulet?”

  Daniel looked at me with a sheepish expression, “Because there's two amulets?”

  Andrea and I spoke accusingly at the same time, “How do you know that?”

  Daniel took a step back defensively, “When my team found Maxwell’s belongings, it was because he dropped them running from Joseph in the woods. He jumped off a cliff into a lake and we assumed he was dead because we couldn’t see him come back up. I searched but couldn’t find any signs that he had exited the water below.” Stopping his discussion of the facts to think for a moment, he remarked, “That would explain the limp though.”

  Thinking out loud, I said under my breath, “Interesting, but I assumed the limp was due to a deformity rather than an injury when he delivered the tree. But how did you know he had a limp?”

  Daniel was still talking, “Tatyana and Joseph are researching exactly how he came to possess and deliver the tree, but we suspect he knew something was up and that's why he went to Denver. We believe he's also responsible for the murder of Mr. Caulker, the antiquities dealer that gave Andrea and Jaxon the amulet.” At my questioning look, he responded, “I noticed the limp when I was studying the tracks outside the window.” Returning to his discussion, “As I was saying, Maxwell wrote everything in his journal.” Looking back to the tree, he continued, “He’s slightly crazy, but I don’t believe he’ll hurt Kelsey. He just wants the tablet. He only sees her as a tool to get what he wants.” Kicking at the dirt near his boot, he angrily exclaimed, “I should've known and come to you sooner.” A low growl rumbled across his lips.

  Turning to face him with a white, hot rage enveloping me, “How could you keep that a secret?” He flinched, “You knew all of this prior to today and did nothing to protect her?” He had the nerve to look ashamed, but wisely chose not to respond. Looking at Andrea, I asked, “Did you see anything that would help us find him?”

  Andrea’s face was anguished, “No. I’ll try again. Jaxon and I have a mind-link of sorts and he’ll let me know if he sees anything.”

  Daniel chose that moment to speak up, “Maggie, I had no way of knowing he would do this. I’m so sorry I missed the signs.”

  Facing him, I asked, “Really? You were aware that he was a dangerous man who KILLED someone, and you had no idea?”

  He looked like a wounded puppy, “I really didn’t think that she’d be in danger, but I promise you this, we'll get her back.” More succinctly he stated firmly, “I. Will. Get. Her. Back.”

  Giving him a stern look, “For your sake, I hope you're right.” As I watched the petals on the ground lift and float in the breeze, then drift back to the ground, I spoke softly. “Andrea, we’ll be leaving tomorrow after Daniel’s team gets here. I’ll come out to speak with you again after I get something to eat and take a shower. Rest for now and focus on Jaxon.” Walking past Daniel, I stopped as I stepped up onto the deck. Stiffening my resolve, I looked over my shoulder, saying in the sweetest voice I could muster, “Come on Daniel, as you said, we need to keep our strength up so we can be on our game tomorrow.” Sarcastically, tears in my eyes, I added, “We can’t have you wasting away while a poor child is in the clutches of a deranged maniac.”

  He nodded and reassured Andrea again, “We’ll find her.” Meeting me at the door, we stepped into the dining room together.

  Making my way to the kitchen, for a moment, I let my eyes roam the empty space as I tried to reign in my emotions. Turning away from him, frustrated that I had to wait to go after Kelsey, I asked softly, “Would you like your food reheated?” I prepared to warm up my omelet and made myself a pot of coffee while waiting for it to reheat. When he nodded, I placed his plate in the oven as well. He sat down to watch me, almost like a bird of prey wondering when to best pounce. Or maybe he was more like a rat, hiding in a corner, waiting for the moment to slink across the room.

  Grinning to myself at my private thoughts, I continued with my preparations. Setting the food in front of him, I also got us each a new cup of coffee. We sat down and ate in silence. After cleaning the dishes, I decided to go take a shower. Daniel said he was going to make some phone calls and get some things arranged.

  Stepping into the shower, my body tingled with the sensation of the hot water hitting my skin. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I melted into the heat. As the tension gradually seeped out of my body, my mind started to wander through all the things that had happened since the day Andrea called me to take Kelsey. It seemed like such a long time ago, but it was only a month since everything in my world went sideways. Eventually my thoughts landed on the day I met Daniel. Even though we’d had barely any time together, I kept feeling like our paths were meant to be intertwined somehow. Now that he was here and I was dependent on him to help me find Kelsey, what did this all mean? The main question that kept recurring in my mind was, “Why?” Why did this happen? What was it about Daniel that I couldn’t stop thinking about him? Was he really interested in helping me? Did he feel the link between us? What role did he really play in all of this? Who was he and why did I have such a strong connection to him? I just couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all important and had something to do with my future, but how?

  There had to be more to what was going on and I really needed him to let his guard down and start sharing everything with me. But, was I willing to do the same? What if we can’t find the tablet? Shaking my head, I quickly resolved to stop that line of questioning in my mind. Gathering my wits, I finished my bathing ritual. Standing in the water with my mind cleared, my belly full, and my heart open to the possibilities, I focused my thoughts outward toward Kelsey. “Kelsey, if you can hear me honey, we’re coming to get you. Hold on baby. Auntie loves you.”

  For a split second, I thought I heard her respond in my mind, “Aunt Maggie? Please hurry.”

  It startled me so much that I slightly slipped in the shower and as I attempted to catch myself, I dislodged the caddy that was hanging over the faucet-head which caused several bottles of soaps to fall clattering to the floor.

  Shortly, there was a knocking at the bathroom door followed by Daniel’s voice, filled with concern, “Maggie? Everything okay there?”

  Feeling a little embarrassed, I quickly responded, “Yes, I’m fine, just dropped the soap.” Ugh, I can’t believe I said that. Hysterical laughter flew from my lips and I admonished myself for being such a dunderhead. Daniel reminded me to be careful and I swear I could hear him chuckling as he walked away from the door.

  Once I was dry and dressed again, I decided to let my hair air dry. Brushing it out, I allowed it hang loose down my back. Heading into the living room, Daniel stopped his perusal of what looked to be a map, to look up at me upon my entrance into the room. My face felt very hot and my heart beat a little faster as I turned toward the kitchen. Asking over my shoulder, “Is there any coffee left?” Stealthily, he had crossed the room and stepped up behind me, he slid his hand around my waste to turn me toward him. Catching my breath, I looked up at him and noticed that his eyes had changed colors. The color was somehow deeper and richer than I remembered them to be.

  “Maggie.” He breathed my name as if it were a sigh on his lips and he leaned forward to place the gentlest but most stirring kiss upon my lips. Drowning! I was definitely drowning. My heart felt like it would pound itself right out of my chest. Just when I thought I’d totally lose all control of my senses, reality crashed around me and the deep pleasure that was curling itself through my belly came to an abrupt halt as he released my lips from their very pleasant perch upon his own. When he pulled back, he looked at me longingly for a moment and abruptly released me as if he could sense my anguished
guilt-ridden thoughts. He mumbled "I'm sorry." as he slinked away.

  Standing there trying to catch my balance and return my breathing to normal, my heart was pounding in my ears and all I heard was the thrumming of blood rushing through my veins. Instantly, the warmth left me and was replaced with an emptiness and severe longing to run up to him and put him back into my arms. It was a small consolation from the pain of my worried thoughts of Kelsey, but the void was a reminder of how truly alone I was feeling. It was all compounded with the aching caused by the loss of his warmth and I wondered what had caused him to stop.

  Looking up from my gaze on the floor, he was sitting on the sofa again with his map in his hands, as if he hadn’t moved from his precarious perch to uproot my world. Raising my hand to my lips, I could still feel his warmth like a silky layer of softness lingered there. If it wasn’t for the slight swelling of my lips and the nerve memory of the sensation it invoked, I would have thought it was a dream. How did he do that? Just sit there like nothing happened? Was this some sort of game?

  Then, I remembered that I was supposed to be angry with him for his secret keeping. Confound it all. My foot itched to stomp the ground in frustration. Admonishing myself to let it go, I turned toward the coffee maker, seeing that there was indeed coffee. I quickly prepared a cup and went to sit at the table. Broodingly, I found myself staring out the glass doors toward the water and the fog that was rolling around in the harbor.

  Picking up my portable phone, I called Sherri.

  When she answered I tried to sound upbeat, hiding my raging pain as I said, “Hi.”

  “Hey, girl, what are you doing?”

  “Not much.”

  “Is everything okay?” Concern tinged her voice.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” The lie stuck in my throat. Swallowing a sip of coffee to mask it, I explained, “Just sitting here, drinking a cup of coffee.” Thinking back on the conversation about why we wouldn’t be involving the police in the search for Kelsey, I continued to lie to my best friend. It killed me to do that, but even I knew it was all ridiculous as I barely believed what was happening. How would she take it? “Hey, I just wanted to see if you could come by on Wednesday and unlock the house for the Christmas tree delivery person? She’s supposed to show up around 10:00 am and set up the tree and decorations.”

  “Sure, honey. What’s going on?” More concern.

  “Kelsey and I are gonna take a trip to the coast. She suggested it so we could hang out together.”

  “You want me to come over and help you pack up for the trip?”

  Sensing she was trying to figure out my lie, I laughed, “No, that’s alright. I got this. Besides, you have your own family to deal with. Thanks for coming by. The key is still hidden under the rock.”

  “Alright. You're sure everything’s okay?”

  A little exacerbated, I chuckled, “Yes. Everything’s fine.” Not knowing how long we’d be gone, I swallowed the lump and said as calmly as I could, “Thank you for being my friend. I love you.”

  “I love you too, honey. Have fun.”

  “Okay, Bye.”

  “Maggie?”

  “Yes?”

  “Call me if you need me, okay?”

  “Sure thing. Talk to you later?”

  “Okay, Bye.”

  Hanging up the phone. It felt like I just kept ripping a band aid off of the open wound that was my heart and it hurt like hell. Would the pain just stop coming? Taking a deep breath, I returned to broodingly staring out the windows at the relatively calm day that seemed to mock my mood.

  The day was slipping away. It would be dark soon and I felt so tired, like all my strength had been sucked right out of me.

  Daniel approached and gently placed his hand on my shoulder so as not to startle me. “Maggie, can I sit with you?” I nodded. He took a seat next to me, placing his map on the table in front of him. He pointed to a mountain range and a heavily forested area, but I wasn’t focused on his words. All I could think about was his luscious lips. Kelsey was God knows where, probably frightened out of her mind and here I was thinking about kisses. What was wrong with me?

  “Maggie? Are you okay?” He sounded concerned.

  Shaking my head as if I were awakening from a dream, I said, “Yes, I’m so sorry. I’m just suddenly feeling exhausted.”

  He smiled at me—A gentle, no frills, kind-hearted type of smile. It melted my soul. “Why don’t you go take a nap? We can go over the plans for tomorrow when you wake up.”

  Looking up from the map, I replied, “Yes, I think I will.” As I stood up and turned toward the hallway, my world spun out of control and I crumpled. His strong arms wrapped around me. A feeling of intense peace and security filled me, and I gave in to the mind-numbing abyss that had been threatening to engulf my world.

  The room melted away and there was only the feeling of him against me. He carried me so gently, but so securely, that I felt as if I were floating on the wings of a hundred butterflies. Gently, I landed upon the soft down comforter of my bed and snuggled into the cool, but comforting cloud. My thoughts were soon drifting through a vortex of whirling and shifting colors that twisted around me until my mind landed firmly in a dark room filled with dirt. The musty smell of the wet earth clung to my nostrils and there was the pungent aroma of ferns and wildflowers. My ears cued in on the sound of water rushing all around me, but I couldn’t see it. In the distance, I heard the cackling laugh of some deranged soul.

  There was soft sobbing coming from behind me, but the room was so dark, I couldn’t make out what was causing it. In my mind, I imagined a light beaming from my hand and used it like a flashlight to see what was surrounding me. Turning from side to side and trying to see into the intense darkness of the dirt-filled room, I stopped abruptly and said, “Kelsey? Is that you?”

  Kelsey looked up from her little corner where she was holding Peanut and whispered, “Aunt Maggie? I can hear you, but I can’t see you. Where are you?”

  My heart screamed with pain, “Oh, honey, I’m not sure what’s happening, but we’ll find you. Are you safe?”

  “Yes, the man that took me gave me food and blankets. Peanut’s keeping me company.”

  “Sweetie, I’m not sure how I’m able to see you and talk to you but stay safe. We’ll be there soon. I love you.”

  Sounding confused but optimistic, she replied, “I love you, too, Auntie. Please hurry. I’m scared.”

  A crazy sounding scream filled my ears and I sat up in my bed. Sweat was pouring down my face, or maybe it was tears. My body felt like it was wading through mud. As I began to come to, I could feel that Daniel was holding me, rocking back and forth. His voice sounded strained, “Maggie, please wake up.”

  Tensing up, I pulled away to look at him confused, “Daniel?”

  He brushed the hair from my face and asked, “What the hell, Maggie? You scared me half to death.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Placing my hand on Daniel’s chest, I asked, “What happened? I blacked out.” Suddenly feeling protective of my experiences and not wanting him to think I was crazy, I decided not to share everything that had just happened. The duplicity of what I wanted from him and why I didn’t share with him right now, hit me like a ton of bricks. But until I could get him to share with me, I felt it was a good idea to guard myself as well. Besides, I wasn’t quite sure it was even real.

  “Maggie, you collapsed, and I carried you here to put you in bed, but you started moaning and thrashing.” He looked at me intently to make sure I was okay. “You started crying out and I couldn’t wake you.” His face was really pale.

  Looking down and away from his prying eyes, I couldn’t help but to smile at the thought that he was concerned for me, but then I was instantly ashamed for wanting him to care when all I should be focused on right now was finding Kelsey.

  Drawing my attention away from my own deprived thoughts, Daniel squeezed me tightly, asking, “Maggie, what happened? You were in a type of trance. You opened
your eyes but looked right through me.” He leaned away trying to regain eye contact with me but let his hand slide slowly down my arms and rested one hand on my left arm. Shivering at the delicious and exciting sensation that movement caused, I took a steadying breath. Dammit, how did he do that to me? How was he able to make me focus on him and nothing else?

  Looking up to his beautiful gaze, I could see his expression had turned hard and demanding. Inhaling sharply at my surprise. What did I do wrong now? He almost seemed angry. I continued to lie, “I’m fine. I don’t know what happened. I must have just had a dream.” The lies seemed to come easier. Don’t get used to this, Maggie. It’s dangerous to spin a web of lies, you’ll get trapped. My mother’s words came back to haunt me and I admonished myself as I continued my storytelling, “I used to have weird dreams when I was a kid, too.” As I laughed to take the edge off, “My mom always told me that I’d have strange dreams where I could look right through her and still be asleep. She called them night terrors. She also said I had a penchant for turning up in strange places or just disappearing, but I don’t really remember any of that.”

  His face softened slightly as he looked at me skeptically, asking, “Are you sure you’re alright?”

  Nodding, I tried to reassure him. “Yes, I just have these spells when I get stressed out.” Was it just a dream? It seemed so real.

  It was easy to see he was still frustrated with me, but I couldn’t figure out why. Thinking I did a pretty good job with my explanation, I couldn’t be certain, and I always felt on edge or like I was second guessing myself when I was around him. What an enigma he was. He appeared like he wanted to say something more but not certain if he should, he exhaled sharply. Seeming resigned with my misinformation he sighed. Running his fingers through his hair, he shook his head. “Well, best to get some sleep then. I wouldn’t want you to be too stressed and suffer from a spell when we’re out in the wilderness.” A knowing look crossed his face, but was just as quickly replaced with a stern expression. Standing up and turning toward the door he looked back at me over his shoulder at the doorway and said, “Get some rest. I’ll be here if you need me.” Stepping out into the hallway, he left the room closing the door behind him. It might have been my imagination but I thought I saw a fleeting look of consternation cross his face through the crack as he glanced back toward the closing door. When the door latch clicked, signaling that I was alone, I sighed audibly.