A Haunted Twist of Fate

by Stacey Coverstone

  “Everyone has psychic power within them, Shay. Not everyone recognizes that power or has an occasion to use it. Sometimes a person’s abilities can lie dormant until something occurs that opens a door into the world of the paranormal.”

  “Such as?”

  “A traumatic experience, a significant life change, or a death. I don’t know anything about you or your life, but it’s obvious you’re a sensitive.”

  Shay had never told anyone before, but there’d been some prophetic dreams that had come true when she was a teenager. There had also been times she’d awoken from sleep, and it felt like someone was standing at the end of her bed watching her. She hadn’t told her parents. She’d just pretended nothing had happened and tried to forget about the incidents, hoping she wasn’t going crazy.

  Could the death of her parents and the decision to stay in South Dakota have been the catalysts for the supernatural things she was going through now? It was an intriguing thought, and one that made sense.

  “Call me to set up a date and time,” Brenda said. “And one more thing. It can get hairy when I call up bad spirits. I want you to remember, whatever happens, spirits are just that. They’re dead people. This entity, whoever he is, is not alive, and he won’t be able to hurt us.”

  Right. Shay recalled being picked up off the floor and clutching the curtains for dear life. “I’ll call you soon.”

  Forty-Two

  Shay had just traipsed to the second floor to apply her makeup when her cell phone rang. Expecting it to be Colt after seeing his number pop up on the screen, she was surprised to hear a female voice on the other end.

  “Shay, this is Hannah Morgan.”

  “Hannah! Good morning. It’s nice to hear from you.” It was nice to talk to her, but a chill immediately ran through Shay’s body. Why was Colt’s mother calling her from his phone?

  “I’m calling from Colt’s cell phone,” Hannah said, reading her mind. “I found your number in his contact list.”

  Shay knew Hannah to be a direct, but polite woman. She hadn’t even said hello. That didn’t seem like her. And her voice sounded thick, choked. Shay knew something was wrong. “Hannah, what is it?”

  “It’s Colt. He’s been in an accident.”

  Shay’s heart skipped. “What happened? Where is he? Is he okay?” The questions flew out of her mouth at rapid speed.

  “He’s in the emergency room at Regional Hospital. Do you know where the hospital is?”

  “No. Please give me directions.” Shay ran to her bedroom and dumped her purse onto the bed and scribbled directions on the back of a blank check. “What happened to him? Is he all right?” she asked again.

  “We’ll explain when you get here. Hurry, Shay.”

  She jerked on the jeans and the shirt she’d worn the previous night, grabbed her purse, and dashed out the door.

  When she entered the emergency room waiting area, she glimpsed around and found Hannah and Chet huddled in the corner. Chet stood up and offered her his chair when she approached.

  “How is he? Have you seen him?” Shay asked.

  “He’s with the doctor,” Chet answered. Even under the harsh fluorescent lights, Shay noticed Colt’s dad was still a handsome man for his age. She nodded and gazed into Hannah’s eyes. There were no traces of tears, so Colt’s injuries couldn’t have been too bad. But on second thought, Hannah was a strong, stoic woman. Maybe she didn’t cry.

  “Please tell me what happened.” Her stomach was in a knot. It had been twisting with worry all the way here.

  Hannah explained. “Colt was showing a farm first thing this morning. He and his client were in the barn inspecting the horse stalls when some loose boards fell from the second story rafters. Colt was hit in the head and on the arm.”

  Shay gasped. “Is he conscious?”

  “Now he is. The client wasn’t hurt. He called 911 and told the paramedics that Colt was knocked out cold for a couple of minutes. They did a PET-scan on his head as soon as the ambulance brought him here. He has a concussion, but the doctor says it’s mild, thank God. His left arm is fractured. The doctor is doing a non-surgical treatment on him right now called reduction, where he moves pieces of bone back into the correct position. It doesn’t require any anesthesia and will take less recovery time than traditional surgery.”

  Gulping back the tears that stung her eyes, Shay bit her lip and nodded.

  Hannah patted her hand. “He’s going to be okay. It could have been so much worse. The doctor said his arm should heal fine within a few weeks.”

  “Good thing our boy has a hard head,” Chet added. “You’ll find that out soon enough, I suppose.” He winked at Shay.

  The two of them were being so kind, setting her at ease when they must have been just as afraid as she. Plus, Colt must not have mentioned their “breakup” or else Hannah wouldn’t have called.

  “Thank you for calling to let me know,” Shay finally managed to say. “Will we be able to see him?”

  “Yes,” Hannah said. “He doesn’t need to spend the night. The procedure shouldn’t take too long. Have you got time to sit and wait with us?”

  “Of course. I have nowhere to be. I’d like to stay.”

  “Good. We can get to know each other better. Find a chair, Chet,” Hannah said to her husband, nodding to the empty seat on the other side of her. “Shay and I are going to have a little girl talk. Here’s something for you to read.” She shoved a People magazine in his hands. “That’s better,” Hannah said, returning her attention to Shay. “He was making me nervous, hovering like a helicopter.” She chuckled. “Now, tell me, Shay. What is it about my son that has you in such a dither?”

  Feeling her face flush, Shay smiled shyly. “Mrs. Morgan…”

  “No need to try and fool me. It’s obvious you care for him. You have the same expression on your face when you look at Colt that my mama told me I had on mine when Chet first started courting me.”

  “That was about fifty years ago,” Chet said, leaning in front of Hannah. “It was love at first sight. For me, anyway.”

  “You’re eavesdropping,” Hannah chided, light-heartedly.

  “Can’t help it. I’m sitting right here.”

  “Don’t you want to read about People’s sexiest man on earth?” she teased.

  His face grew red. He mumbled, “Aren’t there any farm magazines in here?”

  “So, what is it?” Hannah urged, turning back to Shay. “Is it Colt’s handsome good looks? Or that sweet smile of his? Maybe it’s his sparkling eyes and witty sense of humor. Do tell.”

  Shay didn’t get a chance to answer because the automatic doors opened and Brady burst in, gazing around. Chet whistled and raised his hand in the air to get his attention.

  “What’s going on?” Brady asked, squatting in front of his parents. When he noticed Shay, they exchanged hellos.

  Hannah gave him the same information she’d given Shay. Brady breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You want to wait with us until he comes out of surgery?” Hannah asked.

  “Nah. It sounds like he’s gonna make it. I’ve got to get back to work. Tell him I came by though.”

  “Will do,” Chet said. “You can talk to him later.”

  “Okay. Shay, can I speak to you a minute before I go?” Brady asked.

  “Sure.” She excused herself, and they stepped a few feet away so they could talk in private.

  Brady lowered his voice. “I’m glad to find you here. Dawn told me she went to see you yesterday. I want to thank you for talking with her. She felt a lot better after your visit.”

  “It was my pleasure. She’s a nice young woman. I hope we’ll get to spend more time together.”

  “I expect you will.” He winked. “I think my big brother’s smitten.”

  Shay felt her face grow warm again. Did all the Morgans have the habit of saying whatever came into their mind?

  “Hey, I’ve gotta go. I’m on the time clock. But it was good to see you again. Let�
��s go out sometime when Colt’s up to it. The four of us can double date. Grab a pizza or something.”

  She didn’t know whether she’d ever have another date with Colt at all, let alone double with his brother. She simply nodded. He said goodbye and then kissed his mother’s cheek and shook his father’s hand before departing, which Shay found sweet. It was another sign that this family was close and loving.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Morgan!” A nurse called out their names. She held a clipboard in her hand.

  “Right here,” Hannah called, while pulling Chet up by the arm.

  “You can come back now.”

  Hannah gathered up her purse. “Come on. Let’s go see our boy. You come too, Shay.”

  Forty-Three

  Colt sat up in a hospital bed with his arm in a cast and his head bandaged. Tears burnt Shay’s eyes again when she saw him, but she had to hold herself together in front of his parents. When his gaze landed on her, she could tell he was surprised to see her.

  “Shay. What are you doing here?”

  “Your mother called, and I rushed right over.”

  “I thought you might want her here,” Hannah said.

  Colt held out his right hand, and Shay stepped forward and grasped it. He squeezed tight. “I’m glad you came.”

  “How are you feeling, son?” Chet asked.

  “A little loopy.”

  “We’ve given him pain medicine,” the nurse said. “The doctor has already talked to him, and I’ve gone over his discharge instructions. I’ve got the release papers here. One signature, Mr. Morgan, and you’ll be free to go.”

  Colt signed his name. “Good thing my left arm is the busted one. Don’t think I could learn to be ambidextrous at this age.”

  The nurse indicated it was time for him to get into the wheelchair.

  “I don’t need that,” he said.

  “Hospital rules, Mr. Morgan. Have a seat and I’ll give you a lift to the front door.”

  “This is silly. I can walk,” Colt repeated. When he hopped off the bed, he lost his balance and tipped to the side. His father caught him and helped him into the wheelchair.

  “See, smarty pants,” Hannah said. “Listen to the nurse or you’ll bust your other arm.”

  Once they reached the parking lot, Hannah said, “Do you want to go home with us, Colt? With that concussion, someone should watch you tonight. Your daddy needs to be at the ranch, but I can stay with you.”

  “I’ll take care of him,” Shay piped up. Three pairs of eyes gazed at her. Colt grinned.

  “All right,” Hannah smiled. “Thank you, Shay. That’s much appreciated.”

  “Do you mind staying at my house,” Colt asked Shay.

  “No. I expect you’ll be more comfortable there.”

  “Daddy,” Colt said, “my truck is still out at the Hull farm. Could you and Mama pick it up and drive it to my place?”

  “Sure, son. Be glad to.”

  Colt reached into his back pocket and tossed Chet the keys.

  “Let me help you into Shay’s car,” Chet said, “and then we’ll be off.”

  Once he was ensconced in her vehicle, the four of them said their goodbyes, with Chet and Hannah saying they’d be over with the truck soon.

  * * * * *

  Later in the day, Shay had a pot of beef stew simmering on the stove and biscuits in the oven, ready for Colt as soon as he woke up from a nap, which she suspected would be any time. The pain medication had made him drowsy. He’d been sleeping most of the day. In that time, his folks had brought his truck home, and his secretary had called to say she’d rescheduled his appointments.

  Since his house was already as neat as a pin, there hadn’t been any tidying up for Shay to do. She’d gone into the bedroom and checked on him several times, covered him with a blanket when she saw him shiver in his sleep, and then watched some television to kill time. She’d also phoned Lee Stansbury’s office again. No one had answered, so she’d left another message.

  Mostly, Shay had reflected on the way she’d reacted and felt when Hannah had called to tell her Colt had been in the accident. Her heart had dropped to the pit of her stomach. While driving to the hospital, she’d imagined never seeing him again. That thought had reduced her to a shivering mess. When she saw him in the room bandaged and with his arm in a cast, she’d wanted to hug and kiss him and never stop. And she’d jumped at the chance to come back here and take care of him. Thank God Hannah had called. Shay felt like she had a second chance with Colt.

  She was sitting at the kitchen island daydreaming with eyes closed and her chin in her hands when he sauntered in, sniffing the air. “Smells great. What’d you fix? I’m starving.”

  Jumping up from the stool, Shay smiled and pulled out a stool for him. “Beef stew. Did you sleep well?”

  “I never take naps during the day, but those pills knocked me right out, I guess.”

  “I’m sure you needed the rest.” She ladled stew into two bowls and removed the biscuits from the warming oven.

  “You made biscuits, too?” He licked his lips.

  “Don’t get overly excited,” she warned. “They’re not homemade like your mom makes. I found a box of quick bread mix in your pantry.”

  “Works for me.” He grinned and grabbed a biscuit off the baking sheet and bit it in half.

  Shay laughed. “Let me butter a couple for you. Do you want honey on them?”

  “All right. I’m so hungry I could eat a bear. I didn’t want to waste any time with butter and honey.” He swallowed a spoon of stew. “Hmmm. That hits the spot. Thank you, Shay.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  In short time, he’d finished the early supper and she cleared the dishes and joined him on the sofa in the living room. “How’s your head?” she asked, settling next to him.

  “Not bad. My arm’s throbbing some.”

  “Want me to get you more pain pills?”

  “Not yet. I don’t like taking medication unless I absolutely have to.”

  “I understand, but this is probably one of those times.” She started to rise from the sofa to get the pills, but he pulled her back down with his good hand.

  “Sit here with me. I’ll take more before bed tonight.”

  “Okay.”

  They were quiet for a few moments. She felt comfortable with the silence that united, rather than separated, them. With her heart racing, Shay finally said, “Colt, when your mom called me today I was so scared. I thought—”

  “What?” His intense gaze pierced her. “What did you think? Tell me.”

  “I didn’t know what had happened to you, but I thought I’d lost you. I imagined the worst. The idea of being without you…well…” She lowered her gaze to her lap. “When I was driving to the hospital, I asked God not to take you so we’d get another chance. You could be the man I’ve been waiting for. I wanted the opportunity to tell you that.” Relief at finally opening up and speaking the truth flooded her body as if a damn had broken.

  Colt tipped her chin up and traced his finger over her lips. “What about your past?”

  “What are you referring to?”

  “The two men you were engaged to. Will you tell me what happened?”

  She explained how they had both used her to get to her father’s money. Fortunately, she’d seen through each man’s façade before it had been too late, but the incidents had still left her heart with a gaping hole. And the death of her parents had opened the wound even further.

  “What will it take for you to trust again?” Colt asked, stroking her face.

  “Patience. Kindness. Time.”

  “I can give you all that, and more.”

  Her stomach flipped as his gaze delved into hers. Her resistance was growing weak, but there were still important questions left unanswered. “You told me you don’t want anything permanent. Is that because you’d feel disloyal to your wife?”

  “I worked through that feeling years ago.”

  She angled her head, not
comprehending. “Do you think you’ll never be able to love another woman the way you loved her?”

  “No. I have a lot of love to give to the right woman.”

  “Then help me to understand, Colt, because someday I want to be married and have a family. To me, that means a committed relationship. It’s senseless to waste your time or mine if that’s not something you want.” When he didn’t answer, she pressed. “Do you want children?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Her heart dropped to the bottom of her stomach.

  “I always wanted kids, but I’m forty years old now. Even if I could magically have a kid right now, I’d be close to sixty when he graduated high school. Everyone would think I was his grandpa, not his dad.”

  She wanted to reinforce that he was healthy and in great shape. There was no reason why he couldn’t be a vibrant father at his age and for many years to come. But what was the use? She’d received the answer she sought, and the rip in her heart grew larger.

  Forty-Four

  The sun streamed into the windows the next morning to awaken Colt and set his bedroom afire with light. Though he felt stiff from apparently lying in one position all night, the pain pills had done their job again. He’d slept like a baby. He smelled eggs frying and heard bacon sizzling.

  “Good morning,” Shay said, appearing and leaning against the bedroom door jam. “Are you hungry? I have breakfast waiting.”

  Her smile was friendly, but not as warm as usual. After their conversation yesterday, she’d grown more distant as the evening went on. By bedtime, she hadn’t been rude, but she hadn’t been speaking much either. She’d acted like a nurse-for-hire, attending to his needs, instead of a girlfriend or love interest.

  He knew he’d disappointed her when they’d talked about children, but he’d had to be honest with her and himself. That was a subject neither could dance around. He was glad it had come out. The fact was, he did want to be a father—cherished the idea, in fact—but he would never want his kids to be embarrassed by an old dad.