Double Star

by Cindy Saunders

  His features softened. “What is wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” She looked at him in disbelief. “Everything’s wrong. I don’t know where I am. I don’t know how I’m gonna get home. No one here knows anything and I need to go.” The desperation in her voice surprised her.

  “I have no idea what you would have me do.”

  The blood rushed to her face. “I want you to help me get home! I have a life! I have a family!” She thought of her mother again and then, unable to stop it, she began to yell. “Do you have any idea how worried my mom must be? I need to let her know I’m okay! She probably thinks I’m dead. How would your mother feel if you didn’t come home and had no idea where you were? Wouldn’t she be worried, or don’t you have a mother like that? You don’t know anything! All I know is—I need to get home!”

  He recoiled as if her words were stones.

  “We do not know anything?” he said and began to walk away, but then whirled around to face her. “You do not even know how you got here. Honestly, I no longer care how you get home. I just want you to go!” He slammed the door behind him.

  ***

  How dare she talk about his mother like that! She clearly had no sense of… anything. He stood on the front steps, hands clenched into fists, shaking. Of course his mother would have been worried about him. She would have set off on her own to find him or Meg, if the situation required it. So… so perhaps he did understand after all. But he was doing all he could. Which, he had to admit, was nothing. Ally needed to be patient. Thea would have answers when she returned.

  “Liam?”

  Olivia stood in the front yard, staring at him.

  “Olivia. When did you get here?”

  “I just arrived. Is everything all right? I have never heard you yell before.”

  Well, you should have been here last night when I lost my temper with Thea. But she had a point. He was starting to lose control. It seemed Ally’s presence was bringing out the worst in him.

  He tried to smile. “Really, it is nothing.”

  “Were you talking to Meg?”

  “Aye. You know how Meg is. She thinks she knows everything.”

  “Believe me, I understand. Remember, I have a little sister as well.” She chuckled and mounted her horse, Jade.

  “Let me get Pollux.” He would apologize to Ally later. That is, if she was still here. But he doubted she would be foolish enough to venture out on her own.

  ***

  “I’m so sorry,” Ally said to Meg. “I didn’t mean to be so rude. I appreciate everything your family has done for me… a perfect stranger. Well, not so perfect.” She looked at the table. “I didn’t mean to upset anyone.”

  Liam’s whole demeanor changed when she mentioned his mother. Just how insensitive had she been?

  “I am not upset,” Meg said, “but Liam… I have never seen him like that. He has not been the same since our mother died.”

  “Oh,” Ally sighed. “I’m really sorry, Meg. I didn’t know.”

  “How could you? Please do not misunderstand. It was hard on all of us. But it has been more difficult for Liam. I do not know why, but he has been lost since it happened. I miss our mom too… and our dad. His work keeps him away, and he is rarely home. All Liam and I have is each other… and Thea. I do not expect you to understand.”

  Unfortunately, I understand more than you know.

  Ally began to pick up the dirty dishes. “When did she die?”

  “Three years ago. She got sick. Even Thea’s medicines could not help.”

  Meg took the plates from Ally and put them on the counter. She placed a pot under the pump and began to pull on its handle.

  “Many passed on that year. I do not understand why my mom needed to be one of them. We do the best we can— that is all we can do.”

  How hard it must have been, must be, to deal with life without your mother. Ally was devastated when her father died, but she couldn’t imagine how she’d handle it if it were her mom. “Let me help you with these…”

  “Thanks, Ally,” Meg said after the last dish was put away. “I am going to my room to write in my new journal.”

  “Hey, Meg, where do you go to the… bathroom?”

  Meg rolled her eyes and pointed outside.

  Ally ran to the little structure at the edge of the woods and pinched her nose. She walked out a short time later, relieved it wasn’t nearly as bad as she imagined.

  She looked around. The stone house was surrounded by tall, gnarly trees. Flowers and bushes in iridescent colors filled the gardens. It reminded her of the Thomas Kinkade print in her mother’s bedroom. Mom found its beauty peaceful… a wonderful place to visit. Well, here it is, Mom—the place you’d love to be. But, I can’t wait to get out of here.

  She followed the cobblestone path along the side of the house. A barn, surrounded by small outbuildings, was to her right. Chickens ran around in one pen while two pigs savored a gooey mud bath in another. “You better enjoy that while you can,” she whispered, recalling the bacon.

  A moment later a dog ran to her side, wagging its tail. She wasn’t a dog lover, but this little collie was adorable. He sat in front of her and cocked his head from side to side.

  “Who are you?” She bent down and scratched his chin. He answered with a yip. “Come on, let’s walk around front.” He got up and trotted along the path ahead of her.

  The front of the house was as picturesque as the back. An old-fashioned stone well stood in the front yard; a wooden bucket hung above it. Made sense. There couldn’t be any city pipes around here. A warm breeze carried the sweet smell of honeysuckle. Her father had loved their fragrance, and Ally put her nose to one of the white flowers. Bittersweet memories of the past invaded her senses.

  She paused and looked to the dirt road that passed in front of the house. I wonder…

  Chapter 9

  Liam followed Olivia as she traveled off the main road and down a narrow path. Neither said a word since they left the house, and he was thankful for the silence. After a short distance, they rode into a large meadow.

  “First one to the other side,” Olivia said.

  As Pollux ran, Liam savored the exhilaration. They raced past Jade and Olivia and, when Liam turned to tease her, he realized they’d stopped a good distance behind. “Whoa, Pollux. What is it, Olivia?”

  “I am not sure. She seems to be struggling.”

  “Let us pause then.” Liam looked at Jade’s leg but did not see anything that caused him concern. They sat side by side while the horses grazed. A single cloud floated in the deep blue sky.

  “Liam, I am sorry about kissing you the other day,” Olivia finally said.

  He took a deep breath.

  “Please,” she said, sensing his discomfort, “there is no obligation to feel the same. I did not realize how I felt until our lips met.”

  He took her hands into his. “I am sorry as well. Let us try it again.” He leaned over and put his lips upon hers. Her mouth was open and he lingered a moment before he pulled away.

  Olivia laughed. “You do not look like you are going to be sick. That is a good thing, is it not?”

  He nodded. But it was still not as he imagined. Was it not supposed to be a bit more… powerful? Perhaps those were just stories. Perhaps he was expecting too much.

  Olivia looked over her shoulder. “I am afraid I should get her home.”

  “Ride with me on Pollux to your house, and I will take a closer look.”

  Liam hoped a visit to Death’s Garden would not be necessary. Doc Whitman, Pembroke’s veterinarian, had brought him there once to obtain the lethal water hemlock, to assist a sick horse in finding peace. The horse had fought the poison, struggled to remain on this earth, and Liam prayed Jade, and Olivia for that matter, would not have to endure that. He knew that poisoning was a most ignoble way to die.

  ***

  “Meg! I need to ask you a question.”

  Meg walked into the living room. “What is it
, Ally?”

  Hopefully Meg would help her, but if not, she’d go alone. “I need a favor. How far is the nearest town?”

  “Pembroke is quite a ride.”

  She’d been afraid of that. “Do you remember where you found me in the woods yesterday?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  Ally took a deep breath. “I need to go back there. Maybe I can figure out how I got here or how to get home. I’d never be able to find it on my own. Can you take me?”

  Meg bit her lower lip. “I would like to but I am not allowed to go out on my own.”

  “Well, you wouldn’t be on your own—you’d be with me.”

  “Liam will be mad.”

  “I’ll say I left on my own and you came to find me. We’ll make you out to be the hero.” Lying didn’t come naturally, and she felt guilty about asking Meg to do the same, but this situation required desperate measures.

  “Well,” Meg said, “do you know how to ride a horse?”

  Ride a horse? Desperate measures. “Of course.”

  Meg’s eyes sparkled. “Sure, I can help you. What is the worst Liam can do? He went riding with Olivia and then he was going fishing. He will not be back for a while.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We can take Pilotte with us. He is a great watchdog.”

  Ally could see the dog making a lot of noise, but how much protection could he really offer? And why would they need it?

  Meg saddled her own horse and one she called Chestnut. Chestnut? Didn’t Liam comment yesterday on the speed of that horse?

  Ally hadn’t lied to Meg, not really. She’d ridden a horse… once. She and her dad had taken a sunset trail ride, on a couple of old mares. But something told her none of the horses in this barn were ready for the glue factory just yet.

  Meg handed her a set of reins. “Here you go.”

  Ally put her left foot in the stirrup, held onto the horn, and struggled to throw her right leg over the saddle. When she was safely atop the horse, she pulled her skirt to her thighs.

  “Are you ready?” Meg asked, climbing onto Shilo.

  Ally nodded and clenched the reins.

  “Let us go, then,” Meg said. “Come on, Pilotte.”

  When they reached the road, Meg turned around. “We are going to have to move faster than this if we hope to return home before Liam.”

  “Okay…”

  “Ayah!” Meg cried. She dug her heels into Shilo’s sides and snapped the reins.

  “Hah,” Ally said, without conviction. Chestnut lurched forward.

  Oh, crap. I’m gonna die. The thought raced through her mind as she bounced up and down. Her ass would be bruised for the rest of her life. But, once she got the hang of it… it was a rush. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so free, so wild. They rode that way for at least an hour before Meg slowed her horse. Ally pulled back on the reins and Chestnut did the same.

  “Have you ever ridden a horse before?” Meg said.

  Ally smiled. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sit down for a week.”

  Meg shook her head and looked into the woods. “This is the location. I remember the cliffs.” A high rock formation could be seen in the distance.

  Ally looked into the dense forest. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “Where exactly did you find me?”

  “I do not know. Liam made me wait here.” Meg pointed to a group of trees whose trunks twisted up and out of sight. “They came out right there, though.”

  “All right. But you should stay here again. I won’t go too far and, hopefully, I won’t get lost.”

  “Take Pilotte with you. He will find his way back to me.”

  “Good idea.” Ally called Pilotte and together they walked into the woods.

  She remembered seeing a hawk fly overhead and looked into the sky. The forest around her was thick; the tops of the trees were barely visible. She pushed her way through thick bushes while ducking beneath low-hanging branches and finally she sat on a large stump. I have no idea where I’m going. This whole idea was stupid. “Pilotte,” she called, and looked around one last time.

  And then… she saw it.

  Pilotte ran to her side. “Good dog.” They walked into an open area protected by tall trees. At the edge of the small clearing, she dropped to her knees and picked up her bag.

  “Ssshh,” she said in response to Pilotte’s barking. She heard someone walk up from behind and, startled, Ally glanced over her shoulder. It was Meg, her eyes wide, her mouth open.

  “Meg, why didn’t you stay—?”

  “Ally,” Meg whispered, pointing to the woods.

  Chapter 10

  “Jade has not been herself for a few days now,” Olivia said when they reached her house. “I guess I hoped she would magically get better.”

  “She will be fine,” Liam said, refusing to meet her eyes. “I will return later with some of Thea’s medicine.” He leaned over and kissed Olivia’s forehead and began to walk away.

  “Liam,” she called. “Just so you know, that kiss was everything I thought it would be.”

  What was wrong with him? It was nothing at all as he imagined. Why was it so hard to determine your feelings for another? He prayed Olivia was not aware of his betrayal… of his confusion.

  He found Corm alone at the edge of the creek, fishing pole in hand. “Catch anything yet?” he asked.

  “Only a couple of nibbles. Where is your pole?”

  Liam whistled for Pollux.

  Corm shook his head. “Lightning would only come to me if I held an apple in one hand and a pile of sugar in the other.”

  Liam smiled and removed two pieces of bamboo from his saddlebag. He twisted them together, threaded the pole, and tied a hook to its end. “What are you using for bait?”

  Corm pointed to a container. “Earthworms caught this morning.”

  Liam pulled a worm from the moist dirt and put it to the hook. “How is your mother?”

  “The same, but I am optimistic. How is Ally? Are you still graced with her company?”

  “Aye, but graced is not the appropriate word. Cursed would describe it better.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Liam sighed. “She is unlike anyone I have ever met. She is so… so selfish. She has no idea how she came to be in the forest but expects everyone to assist in finding her way home.” He tossed his line into the creek. “I would like nothing more than to deliver her there. Where is this Sedona? Thea left this morning to see Podegar. She thinks the augur can help. So, it is Ally, Meg, and me for a few days. I will be glad when she is gone and everything is back to normal.”

  “Yes, because that is so exciting,” Corm said. “And how was your morning with Olivia?”

  Liam pulled in his line and cast it again. “She is no longer angry and, for that, I am thankful. But I am not sure I will remain in her good graces forever.”

  “Could you gentlemen use a little help?” Liam looked over his shoulder and saw Shane walking toward them. Today, his short white hair was hidden under a black beret. “Allow me to demonstrate the proper technique.”

  “This is more fun. It gives the fish a chance,” Corm said.

  “Aye. Using that as bait, you are giving them more than a chance. You are begging them not to bite the hook.” Shane tossed his hat on the ground and a white bear stepped into the creek. He stood on a flat rock and looked into the stream as it rushed by. A moment later, he put his snout into the water. When he pulled it out, a large fish flapped in his jowls. He tossed it at Liam’s feet and walked back in.

  “He takes all the fun out of it, does he not?” Liam said.

  “Aye, but we will have trout for dinner tonight.”

  “That is how it is done,” Shane said when half a dozen fish were at Liam’s feet. “Should I get more? Where are the others?”

  “Not sure,” Liam answered. “You were with Ian last night.”

  Shane smiled and revealed a set of perfect white teeth. “Ah, yes. We met up with Oisin
and enjoyed the Bacchanalia. I actually danced... with a girl. I guess notoriety has its benefits.”

  Shane, dancing? Liam cracked a smile.

  “I wanted to tell you, Liam,” Shane went on, “Olivia is quite a looker. How was the rest of your afternoon?”

  ***

  “Don’t move,” Ally whispered.

  Not more than twenty feet away was, what looked like, a huge gray lynx. Had it been there the entire time? The animal hunched close to the ground, and its eyes flicked between her and Meg. Could cats, like dogs, sense if you were afraid? She hoped not. Every reflex told her to run but she remembered, if you stare down an animal, they might not attack. No problem. I’m paralyzed right now. Why had she asked Meg to come along? She’d never forgive herself if anything happened to her.

  The animal lifted its hindquarters and shifted from side to side, a cat ready to pounce on the mice it had trapped in the corner.

  Pilotte began to growl. “No, stay,” Meg said in a low voice.

  Ally needed to come up with a plan… and quickly.

  “Meg, I’m gonna cause a distraction. When I do, run as fast as you can.” Ally talked in monotone syllables and tried not to move her lips. “Do not look behind you. Do not stop. Get to the horses. When I count to three, go.” Her heart was pounding. She took a deep breath and got ready to throw her bag. She wouldn’t be able to move fast with her ankle, and maybe it would take her down first. That would at least give Meg a chance.

  “One,” Ally counted. “Two… thr—”

  Pilotte bolted as if charging into battle.

  “No, Pilotte!” Meg screamed and tried to run after him, but Ally grabbed her arm. Instead of leaping at them, the cat turned his head and looked to its left. Ally’s fear was replaced with shock. A second animal lunged into the air, its black coat a blur.

  Where had this cat come from? Their high-pitched screams broke through her thoughts. As long as the two animals were fighting, she and Meg could try to get away.