A Haunted Twist of Fate

by Stacey Coverstone

  The long silence that followed was eerie. Shay and Brenda were still huddled together on the floor in the corner. Brenda pointed to the doorway. “Look over there.” Standing outside in the hall were more than a dozen men. Shay knew they were the card players, and the drinkers and gamblers who had been her invisible companions. She helped Brenda to her feet.

  Callie and Everett stood near the fireplace with their arms wound around each other. Their bodies were growing lighter in hue and density as the seconds ticked by. Shay moved toward Callie.

  “Is that why you came to me? Is this what you wanted? For Everett’s name to be cleared and for the real murderer to be known?”

  Callie nodded and smiled at Everett.

  “It’s time for you to go into the light now,” Brenda said. “Both of you. I’ll help you to cross, too.” She acknowledged the men in the hall. “It’s time for you all to move on.”

  “Wait,” Shay said. “I need to know one thing before they go. Callie, why did you choke me that first night and try to drown me in the bathtub? It felt like you were trying to kill me.” She rubbed her neck, recalling the sensations that had felt very real.

  “Cyn...th…ia,” Callie said, softly.

  Shay remembered the photo of Frank’s grandmother—the woman Frank and Colt thought she resembled. “Cynthia Averill?”

  Callie nodded. Her mouth twisted in pain when she said, “I… thought…you…were her.”

  Shay believed she understood. She looked so much like Dean’s wife that Callie must have been confused about the time period and wanted to take out her anger on Cynthia for what Dean had done. “It’s all right,” Shay assured her. “I promise to make the truth known about what really happened to you both that day.”

  “Thank…you.” Callie’s face relaxed.

  In what seemed like the best special effects Shay had ever seen, the ceiling opened just then to shower them all with blinding white light.

  Brenda said, “It’s time for you to cross over. Go now, and rest in peace.”

  Shay was a silent witness as the spirits stepped into the light and faded away one by one. But when Callie and Everett turned and waved, bringing up the end of the procession, it took great effort to keep her tears from flowing. She was happy the lovers would be together now, for all eternity.

  After closing her eyes and quietly saying a prayer for their journey to be a safe one, she reopened them and looked up. The ceiling had closed again.

  Brenda sighed. “It’s done, Shay. They’re all gone. How do you feel?”

  “Good. I feel very good. Are you okay?”

  Brenda touched her neck. “Yes. That was one of the strongest entities I’ve ever had to confront. It’s hard to imagine what drives people, now or then, to commit heinous crimes, isn’t it? I guess we’ll never know why Dean Averill’s heart was tainted.”

  Speaking of Frank’s grandfather—her great-grandfather—that way made Shay’s own heart heavy. The old man had no idea of the grievous sins his kin had committed. And he never would. She’d keep her promise to Callie and Everett about setting the record straight, but not before Frank passed.

  As she walked Brenda downstairs and paid her, she noticed there was a different feeling in the saloon. It felt lighter, peaceful, and finally at rest. “Thank you, Brenda. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “Thank you, Shay, for trusting me. I look forward to getting to know you better. Let’s have lunch sometime soon.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Brenda stepped outside. “Sleep well. It’s all over now.”

  Forty-Nine

  “Hi darlin’.”

  Colt’s voice sounded as smooth as honey, which sent tingles across Shay’s neck and straight into her heart. “Did I wake you?” She paced the floor with the phone to her ear. After what she’d just gone through, there was no way she could simply crawl into bed and fall asleep.

  “No. I’ve been watching TV and waiting for your call. I couldn’t sleep, wondering if you were okay. Did everything go as planned?”

  She was so glad he’d asked. “Better than I expected. Brenda did it. All the ghosts are gone, Colt. And I learned the truth about what happened to Callie. You won’t believe it when I tell you.”

  “Yes, I will. I’ll believe anything you say.”

  A long pause hung between them. Shay held her breath. Her lungs were about to burst with expectation and renewed hope and joy for the future.

  “Do you want me to come over?” he tentatively asked. “I’d be glad to listen if you feel like talking.”

  She released her breath. “Yes. I’d like that very much. See you soon. And Colt, bring your toothbrush.”

  * * * * *

  When she opened the door, he stepped through and held up his toothbrush. She smiled and kissed him.

  “What’s that for?” he asked, once they’d parted.

  “For being you. For being so patient and sweet and for giving me time.” She ran her hand through his hair and stared into his sparkling green eyes.

  He cocked his head. “Is something happening here?”

  “Would you mind if it was?”

  “Not at all.”

  They kissed again.

  Colt stepped back and gnawed on his lower lip, looking unsure. “Shay, I—”

  “Ssshhh.” She placed her finger on his lips. “I love you, Colt.”

  His eyes lit up. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “More sure than of anything else in my life.”

  He cupped her face with his hand and kissed her with vigor. With no more words spoken, he kicked the door shut, turned the lock, and wrapped his good arm around her waist.

  As they sauntered up the staircase, she planted tiny kisses all over his neck. He smelled so good; spicy and masculine, and his arm felt so strong and protective around her. Her heart beat a hundred miles a minute. There was no hesitation once they’d entered her bedroom.

  Later, they stayed molded for a while, slick with perspiration, breathing raggedly. Their lovemaking had been as wild and powerful as an unstoppable storm, but also beautiful and spiritual, as their bodies had united as one.

  When at last he moved off her, she dropped her head onto his chest and listened to the erratic skipping of his heart. As if he couldn’t get enough of her, his free hand rested on her belly. He seemed in no hurry to separate himself from her.

  After a few minutes, they rolled to face each other and their legs entwined.

  “Do you want to hear about the exorcism that took place here tonight?” she asked.

  With his eyes shut, Colt kissed her softly once and pulled her close, as if he never wanted to let go. “There’ll be time for that tomorrow. Right now I just want to hold you.”

  Satisfied and content, Shay tucked her hand under her cheek and closed her eyes, too.

  It was pitch black when she bolted awake sometime later. The bedside clock she stared into flashed three a.m. Colt spooned her with his casted arm resting on her arm, and his face was buried in her neck. The intimacy they shared was a reminder of what life could be like from here on.

  Fifty

  Shay’s warm body was curled next to Colt when he woke hours later. He turned his head to stare at her beautiful face. Had last night been a drug-induced dream? Or had she really told him she loved him? Smiling, he knew it hadn’t been the painkillers.

  Soft breath escaped through her lips. Her eyelashes fluttered and her mouth twitched into a tiny smile. Who or what was she dreaming about? Him, he hoped. Leaning on his uninjured elbow, Colt watched her sleep and knew he wanted this simple pleasure to be his every morning.

  Maybe she sensed him, because Shay stirred and her eyes opened.

  “Good mornin’, darlin’.”

  “Good morning, Colt.”

  He pressed his lips to hers, believing they were meant to be together. Now, more than ever, he was certain she was the woman he’d been waiting for.

  “I slept great last night. How about
you?” she asked, yawning and stretching her arms above her head.

  “Best sleep I’ve had in years.” He kissed her again and then gently tugged her out of the bed by the hand. There was no time to waste, now that he’d made up his mind.

  “What are you doing?” she chuckled. They were both naked, but she didn’t seem to mind. When he bent on one knee and folded her hands into his, her mouth dropped open.

  “You know I’ve never believed in the supernatural, but all that’s changed since we met,” he said. “Fate has brought us together. Shay, you’ve made me the happiest man on earth. I love you. I don’t want to spend another day without you. Will you marry me and be my wife?”

  She nibbled her lip and tears sprang to her eyes. He felt her hands trembling inside his. “Are you serious?” she whispered.

  “As serious as a heart attack.”

  “What about children? You said—”

  “I want children,” he assured, squeezing her hands tight. “I want babies with you. We can start trying tonight, if you want.”

  “Oh, Colt. You’re going to be a wonderful husband and father. I’m not afraid anymore.” Her mouth widened. “Okay.”

  His eyebrow lifted. “Okay?”

  “Yes. I’ll marry you. I’d be honored to become your wife.”

  “Yee-haw!” He rose to his feet and grabbed her around the waist and planted another big kiss on her lips. Feeling like a superhero, he lifted her off the ground and swung her around with his good arm. “I don’t want to waste another second. Let’s buy you a ring and plan the wedding.”

  “So soon?”

  “Honey, it’s never too soon to start your life with the one you love.”

  * * * * *

  Shay spied the perfect ring in the first jewelry store they visited. It was a gorgeous emerald-cut diamond in a white gold setting. Simple and not too big, and it was in stock in her size.

  “Is this the one?” Colt asked, as she admired it on her hand.

  She’d seen the price tag, and although it seemed a reasonable amount, she had no idea what his budget was. With her fortune, she could have bought her own ring. But despite being an independent woman, she was old-fashioned that way. Besides, Colt never would allow it. He’d said as much in the car.

  “I know you’re filthy rich,” he’d started, “but I’ll be buying your ring. And I won’t be touching a dime of your money now, or once we’re married. I know you used some of it to buy the Buckhorn, but the rest is yours to invest, or do with as you please. I want to make it perfectly clear. I’m marrying you for love, not money. I have enough of my own. I can take care of us, and our family. I don’t need—or want—a sugar mama.”

  That last statement had got her to laughing until she got a stitch in her side. He’d been uninterested in her fortune from day one when she’d told him about it. To hear him reinforce the sentiment now was all she needed to forget the past and look forward to the future.

  “Yes. This is it,” she said, feeling her face beaming.

  The transaction went smoothly. Colt paid for the ring and she wore it out of the store. “I’ll never remove this for as long as I live.” As she climbed into the driver’s seat, she continued to gaze at it.

  “Maybe I should drive,” he said, slamming the car door. “You may wreck us if you can’t keep your eyes off the ring and on the road.”

  She stuck the key in the ignition and the engine turned over. “I won’t wreck us. We both don’t need broken arms for our wedding.”

  “Speaking of the wedding, how soon do you want it to take place? Do you want a big ceremony or a small one?”

  The car idled. From the time women were little girls, most dreamed about their weddings. Because of the way she’d grown up, Shay had always thought she’d have a grand wedding and a fabulous reception. But now that she’d found the perfect guy, and her life had taken such an unusual path, none of that mattered anymore. Colt was a simple man. Her parents were gone and she had no family now, except his, and Frank. Everything had changed since she’d settled in South Dakota, bought the saloon, and met Colt. She no longer needed the things that had once seemed important. Anyway, Colt had been married once already. Maybe he didn’t want another big wedding.

  “I don’t care if we get married at the courthouse,” she answered with honesty. “I just want to become your wife as soon as possible.”

  He grinned. “I second that last part. But you might regret it later if we don’t have a formal ceremony. Anyway, I want to see you in a gown. You’ll make a gorgeous bride.”

  “Thank you, Colt.”

  “And my mama might throw a fit if we run off and elope. She enjoys weddings, and she does like a good party afterward.”

  What a dummy I am, Shay thought. Of course his family and friends would feel hurt if they weren’t invited to their wedding.

  “I’m sorry,” she apologized, feeling embarrassed. “That was stupid of me to even think of excluding your family. I never meant—”

  He interjected. “I know you didn’t, sweetheart. I never thought that. I’d take you to the courthouse and marry you this very minute, but I know every woman wants to have a nice wedding. We can look at the calendar and pick out a date. We can make it the day after this cast comes off, if you want.”

  Careful not to bump his arm, she scooted over to him and gave him a long, passionate kiss. “I like that idea.” Another thought occurred to her just then. “Colt, where are we going to live? Your place or mine?”

  He scratched his chin. “Good question.”

  She thought about it a moment. It made sense for her to move into his house since the saloon had no real kitchen or living area. It wasn’t a traditional home. When she’d bought the place, her initial thought was to maintain the historical integrity of the building while renovating the upstairs and turning it into a bed and breakfast. A B&B still seemed like a good plan, now that the spirits were gone. She could be there during the day when Colt was working, and hire a manager to handle things at night. At least, that would work until the first baby came.

  “Seeing how I’m a realtor,” he said, interrupting her thoughts, “I know all the good deals around. We can sell my place and find our own home, if that would please you. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable since I shared the house with Denise.”

  It was obvious he had only her feelings in mind and wanted to do what would make her happy. “What pleases me is that you would even consider that. I love your house. It’ll make us a fine home.”

  “Okay. That’s one big decision made. See how easy this is? Now, there’s one more thing we can’t put off.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Telling my family about our engagement.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I was thinking we could invite my folks and Brady and Dawn to a restaurant for dessert after the chuck wagon show tonight. We can tell them all together.”

  “Great idea.” Everything was moving fast, but it seemed so right. Shay’s heart leapt inside her chest.

  “I’ll call Mama and Brady now. I’ll ask them to meet us at the Alpine around eight o’clock.”

  Shay smiled. “There’s one more person to tell.”

  Fifty-One

  “We have some more news, if you can stand it,” Colt informed Frank later that day.

  “What’s that?”

  Colt held Shay’s hand up to show off her diamond. “I asked Shay to marry me and she said yes. Can you believe that?”

  Frank’s face broadened into a grin. “For heaven’s sakes. Isn’t that something? I’m certainly a lucky man. I gain both a granddaughter and a grandson. How’d you manage to rope her, Colt?”

  Shifting from one foot to the other, and acting as shy as a schoolboy, Colt said, “I guess it was my natural charm that did it.”

  “And your good looks,” Shay added. “Don’t forget your good looks.”

  Frank laughed and then started coughing and couldn’t stop. Colt poured him a glass of wate
r that he sipped at. Once he’d recovered, he said, “Am I invited to the wedding?”

  Shay and Colt exchanged glances. She could tell they were thinking the same thing. The wedding needed to be held as soon as possible if they wanted him to attend, because no one had any idea how long Frank would live.

  She patted his hand. “Of course you’re invited, Grandpa.”

  His eyes enlarged. She could tell he was touched.

  “That’s the first time I’ve been called Grandpa. It has a nice ring to it.”

  “Shay and I hate to run,” Colt said, “but we have a few more things to do before telling my family about our engagement tonight.”

  “Well, well. What do you know?” Frank chuckled. “I found out before Chet and Hannah. Hannah won’t like that.”

  “You can say that again, so don’t blab,” Colt teased.

  Frank nodded at Shay. “You made a good choice in Colt, honey. There’s no one else I’d rather you hitch your wagon to.”

  She smiled, mentally picturing that.

  “I’ve known the boy all my life, but it looks like he’s become a clumsy oaf as he’s aged.” Frank pointed to Colt’s cast. “You’ll have to take real good care of him, you know.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  “By the way, did you ever figure out all that ghost business?” Frank’s curious gaze latched onto her.

  Shay had no intention of exposing the kind of man his grandfather had been, but Frank deserved to know that his own experiences in the Buckhorn years ago had been real. “Yes we did. The spirits are at peace now. As is the saloon.”

  Frank nodded once, and he rested his head against the pillow with his thin lips curving into a smile.

  As Shay and Colt walked to the car holding hands, the image of Dean Averill attacking Callie flashed through her mind. Flowing through her veins was the blood of a murderer. It gave her the willies to think they were related. She prayed Frank would live to see her and Colt married. He didn’t have an ounce of bad blood in him, and he deserved some joy in the twilight of his life.