“That’s not what a parent does. Now ... move along.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “Now that you’re gone, Booker will have no choice but to join us.”
“He’ll still have a choice.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
I was feeling down — and a little hacked off — when I left the bar. Judy Pitman may be small, but she was a mountain of energy to contain. I didn’t know what to make of it. I was simply glad to be free of her.
A second dose of annoyance waited for me at the curb. Darlene stood staring at my purple golf cart — a gift from Wesley — and making a series of faces that would’ve been welcome in a mime act.
“Oh, geez,” I muttered under my breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. This day kept getting worse. “Can I help you with something?” I asked when the woman didn’t immediately turn in my direction even though my shadow crossed hers.
“I certainly hope so.” She turned a blinding smile in my direction, one that could’ve skinned a squirming cat, and held out her hand. “I’m Darlene Metcalf. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”
I took her hand, but only because it was expected. “I’m Hadley Hunter, and we did meet last evening.”
“I don’t recall that.”
“No? I was standing on the docks with the sheriff, Judy Pitman and Booker when you came up and pitched a fit about people getting in your way.”
“Oh, that.” She offered up a dismissive wave. “That had nothing to do with you and everything to do with Judy. She’s a nightmare.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Definitely. Kind of like this golf cart. Who paints a golf cart purple?”
I raised my hand. It was hard not to take offense at the woman’s tone, but that didn’t stop me from doing just that. “It’s mine.”
“Did you paint it purple?”
“Actually, yeah. It was peach before that. I happen to like the purple.”
“Yes, but ... it looks like some tacky accessory for one of those witches you see on television. I mean ... you could sell goods out of it for heaven’s sake.”
That’s when it hit me. I didn’t have to read people in the lighthouse or take up space in Lilac’s bar. I had a golf cart and could take my talents wherever I wanted, including house calls or meetings on the beach. “Oh, wow.”
“You’re finally seeing the color for what it is, aren’t you?” She looked hopeful.
“No, but I have an idea.” I dropped my purse in the passenger seat. “Was there something else that you wanted?”
“Actually, there is.” She looked uncomfortable about broaching whatever subject she had on her mind. “You see, I’m not familiar with Moonstone Bay. I’ve been here a few times, but it’s not my home.”
“Oh, yeah? Where do you live?”
“Aspen.”
That would explain her expensive outfit. She was on an island, but dressed in clothing trimmed with fur. The clothing made her stand out ... and not in a good way.
“Well, that’s a bummer,” I offered after a beat. “I guess you must like Aspen, huh?”
“It’s a beautiful area, filled with those who ... understand good taste. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Moonstone Bay has some beautiful sunsets. The island itself is hardly high class, though. No offense.”
No offense? She had to be kidding. I was hardly a native, but there was nothing about that statement that couldn’t be offensive. “You could always leave,” I suggested. “You don’t have to stay in a place you obviously hate.”
“The conference won’t be held for several days.”
“And it’s necessary you attend?”
“It is.”
“Why?” I decided if the woman was going to insist on taking time out of my day to play me — and make no mistake, she wanted something from me — then I could at least dig for the information Galen was unable to give me. “What happens at a cupid convention? I’m not prying or anything. I’m genuinely curious. I’m not even sure what cupids do.”
“I heard you were tight with Booker. What does he do?”
“Odd jobs, the occasional cult fight. Sometimes he drives me around when I’m frustrated and need to vent.”
Her expression twisted into something I couldn’t quite identify. “He does odd jobs? That’s not the way Judy makes it sound at the annual events.”
I sensed trouble. “I can’t speak for Judy or Booker. All I know is that he’s been ridiculously helpful to me since I got here. He’s a good man.”
“Good in what way?”
I knew what she wasn’t coming right out and asking. “Good in the sense that he treats me very well and we’re friendly. I’m not interested in him the way you’re suggesting. You don’t need to get your panties in a twist about it.”
“I’ll have you know that I never get my panties in a twist.”
“Sure. Whatever.” I moved closer to the cart. “If you don’t mind, I should probably be going. I have some things to do.”
“Oh, really? And what things do you have to do? You’re a witch without a job.”
Something sizzled in the back of my brain as I slowly straightened and turned. She didn’t exactly shrink in the face of my anger, but it was obvious she was regretting what she’d said. “Perhaps that came out harsher than I intended.”
“Perhaps,” I agreed, squinting one eye and raising the opposite eyebrow. My father told me it was my “do what I say or else” look. He was the only one who ever adhered to it, though, and he was rather hit or miss when it came to carrying out my bidding. “How do you know what I am?”
Darlene fidgeted, smoothing the front of her blouse before attacking her hair. She kept her eyes averted as she stammered. “Oh, well, I think someone told me. I can’t be sure.”
“Since very few people on this island are aware of what I am, I have trouble believing that. I very much doubt you’re in tight with those in the know.”
“Well ... I make it my business to find out everything I possibly can before I visit a place.” She finally got up the gumption to meet my gaze again. “I’m not going to apologize for checking into you. I’ve had private investigators working this island for two months. You might not have heard, but several years ago we had a conference here that went very wrong.”
“I’ve heard.”
“You’re dating the sheriff. Of course he would tell you.” She said it to herself more than me, but I got the gist of her intent.
“It seems you really have been doing your homework,” I noted, frowning. “Why would you care about me if you’re here for a cupid convention?”
“I asked for a list of the ten most powerful beings on the island as part of my check. You were near the top with a big, fat asterisk by your name.”
I had no idea what to make of that. “Why the asterisk?”
“The gentleman I hired said you’d only recently come into your powers and that you could be something special. He said it was too soon to tell.”
“I see. Who else was on his list?”
“Does it matter?”
“I would like to know.”
“Some half-demon who owns a bar. The sheriff himself. Booker.”
“And what do you plan to do with this information?”
“I don’t plan to do anything with it,” Darlene replied, her irritation coming out to play. “I simply wanted to make sure that I wasn’t walking into a trap.”
“What sort of trap would be waiting for you?”
“I see you don’t know Judy very well.” She clucked her tongue. “That woman is the worst. She’s the devil in Chanel. I mean ... that woman would make her own mother want to hide her in a closet she’s so obnoxious.”
“There seems to be a lot of that going around,” I drawled.
“Yes, well ... .” She moved her hand to my arm and smiled. “I can tell you’re a good girl, though. You only use your powers for the right reasons.” She frowned and moved her hand a second time. “A very
good girl.”
Something pinged in the back of my head and somehow I understood what she was doing. It amused more than aggravated me. “Are you trying to get a reading on me? If so, I’ve found that doesn’t seem to work when it comes to cupids. I’m apparently immune to your charms.”
“I ... no. That’s preposterous.” Her cheeks flooded with color. “I’m not trying to read you. Why on earth would you say anything of the sort?”
“Because you’re not good at hiding your intentions.” I exhaled heavily and shook my head, my eyes moving toward the beach. It was a rough-surf day. The waves were crashing into the beach with breathtaking frequency. Even the diehard islanders who liked to surf the big ones weren’t out. Despite that, a man in a suit padded across the sand. He appeared to be walking directly toward the water. “It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing I can do to help you.”
“There’s one thing.” Darlene was a woman used to getting what she wanted. She wasn’t about to back down now simply because I was seemingly uninterested in whatever plot she was cooking up. “You were just inside. I saw you leave. What can you tell me about what’s going on in there?”
“You’ll have to spy on Judy yourself,” I replied, my eyes still on the man in the suit. He didn’t seem to be slowing as he approached the water. In fact, he appeared to be speeding up. “What the ... ?”
Agitated, Darlene followed my gaze. “What is he doing?”
“I don’t know. I ... .” The man plunged into the water, shoes and suit jacket in place. He didn’t even jerk when the first wave hit him. Instead, he steadfastly walked forward and began sinking deeper.
“Son of a ... !” I swore viciously and broke into a run. “Get Booker,” I yelled over my shoulder. The order was meant for Darlene, but I doubted she was listening. Even if she heard me, the odds of her helping were slim.
I hit the water quickly, doing my best not to gasp as the cold waves rocketed against my shins. I had to slow my pace as I followed the man into the surf. He was up to his chest now, but he kept walking. I was breathless when he disappeared beneath the water. My heart started hammering when he didn’t resurface.
“I can’t believe this,” I gritted out before diving under an incoming wave. Aurora, one of the sirens who lived on the island, had been giving me swimming lessons. She said I was a marginal swimmer at best, and I thought it was smart to increase my level if I didn’t want to be clutching a flotation vest every time Galen took me out on a boat.
I surfaced and sucked in a breath before immediately diving under another wave. By dipping beneath them I kept from being rocked backward, but I wasn’t nearly as good at it as Aurora.
One more dive and I was on top of the man. He was unconscious, floating face down. I wrapped my arm around his waist and turned him so his nose and mouth were out of the water and then put my arm around his neck so I could tug him.
When I turned back, the distance to the shore seemed insurmountable. I had no idea I’d swam as far as I did. The waves weren’t helping and even now I fought them at regular intervals to get the man to safety. I could see people gathering on the beach — Darlene and Judy among them — but it was only when I saw Booker thrashing through the water toward me that I found any measure of relief.
“What are you doing?” he barked when he caught up to me. “You could’ve been killed out here. Didn’t you see the beach warnings?”
I rolled my eyes as I blinked the saltwater out of them. “I didn’t plan it. This guy just wandered in. It was as if he wanted to drown. I don’t even know if he’s alive.”
“Here. Give him to me.” Booker took the man from me and placed his ear to his mouth. “He’s breathing.”
“What should we do?”
He was incredulous. “What do you think? We’re going to swim back.”
“I get that. It’s just ... .” Suddenly, I felt really tired. “It’s a long way back.”
“It is, but I can’t carry you and him. You need to swim with me.”
“Don’t wait around for me if I fall behind.”
“Don’t fall behind.” He was beside himself. “Galen will kill me if I don’t come back with you, so it won’t matter if I make it back to shore and you’re not with me. Just ... steady strokes. Duck your head under the waves. You know what to do.”
I did. I simply needed to make my body acquiesce to what my mind readily commanded.
7
Seven
I was exhausted when we finally hit the beach. It seemed the swim took much longer than it should have. My arms and legs trembled even though I wanted to rejoice at the feeling of sand under my feet. The waves kept crashing, pitching me forward as one especially vicious wave took my legs out from under me. A set of strong arms caught me.
“Galen?” I had never been so happy to see anyone in my entire life. “It’s you.”
“Yeah, it’s me.” He tugged me up even though all I wanted to do was lie down and rest my legs. “What were you thinking rushing into the water like that?”
“He was going to drown.”
“Better him than you.” His eyes momentarily fired and then he heaved a sigh as he curbed his temper. “We’re going to talk about your self-preservation instincts a little later. Until then, here’s some water.” He pressed a bottle into my hand and led me to a bench in the sun. “Are you cold?”
“I’m okay. The water isn’t cold. It’s just ... wild.”
“Which is the reason we posted ‘no swimming’ signs,” he muttered.
“I heard that.” I was in no mood to be chastised. “I did the best I could. I couldn’t just let him drown.”
“I know.” He put his hands over my wet hair and kissed the top of my head. “I’m not ranting to make you feel bad. It makes me feel better.”
“How?”
“Because if I’m yelling that means I’m not thinking about what could’ve happened to you. I mean ... you do understand about tides, right? You could’ve been dragged out to sea and we never would’ve found you.”
“Wouldn’t you have just sent Aurora out to find me? She’s found me in the middle of the ocean before.”
He extended a finger. “Yes, but you can’t rely on stuff like that. You need to be more careful.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
“You’d better.” He grabbed a towel from a passing hotel employee and wrapped it around my shoulders. “You need to sit here while I check on the other guy. I’m going to have to take a statement from you on record.”
He sounded equally thrilled as I felt at that.
“Awesome,” I said blandly. “After that, can we get some lunch? I’m starving.”
“Something tells me you’re going to get your way on this.” He gave me one more squeeze before moving over several feet and kneeling next to Booker. A paramedic was waiting for Booker when he hauled the man to shore and he immediately started working on the unconscious man as the weary cupid collected his breath.
“What did you see?” Galen asked him.
I waved to get his attention. “You didn’t even ask what I saw yet,” I reminded him. “Shouldn’t I get top-billing?”
His lips quirked, telling me he’d lost the battle with keeping his amusement at bay. “I’m talking to Booker first, smartie. I will be with you again shortly. Drink your water and rest.”
“Yeah.” Booker shot me a pointed look. “You’re lucky to even be alive. There were a few tense moments during that swim back where I was afraid to take my eyes off you.”
“Don’t tell me things like that.” Galen made a face. “The mere thought is going to crush me like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Oh, you’re just lucky you weren’t there. It was terrifying. She needs to become a stronger swimmer. I thought I was going to have to leave Mark to his fate and go after her.”
Galen’s gaze sharpened. “Mark? Do you know him?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Mark Earle. He’s a high-ranking cupid who is about my age. We were always pit
ted against each other at events when we were growing up.”
Booker’s tone told me what he thought about that. “I take it you didn’t like him?”
“We never got a chance to like or dislike one another.” Booker was grim as he dragged his hand through his dark hair. “We were never going to be friends, because our mothers wanted us to be winners at all costs.”
I slid my eyes to the beach where people had started to gather. Judy was one of them. Galen had two deputies keeping people back. Booker’s mother looked as if she was about to spit nails. “Your mother is a trip. I thought my father was bad — and he is — but your mother is way worse.”
“My mother is proud of being worse.” He rubbed his forehead and watched as the paramedics checked Mark’s vitals. “I came in at the tail end of things, Hadley. You were already in the water and giving chase. It was right before he went under. Did he say anything?”
“I didn’t hear him utter a word.”
“Then how did you know to go after him?” Galen asked. “How did you know what he was going to do?”
That was a good question. “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I was in front of the bar. I had just finished up with Booker’s mother, who very sternly warned me to keep away from you, in case you’re curious, and came outside to find Darlene standing next to my cart. I was lamenting my bad luck when he caught my attention.
“I knew the beach was shut down because I saw the signs on my way in,” I continued. “I thought it was weird to see a guy in an expensive suit walking straight toward the water. I don’t know how to explain it. I read his body language, I guess. I was looking for a reason to get away from Darlene anyway. I thought saving a life fit the bill.”
“Very cute.” Galen flicked the end of my nose. “What were you talking to Darlene about?”
“Forget that.” Booker was incensed. “What were you doing talking to my mother?”
“She was waiting for me in the vestibule when I left,” I protested. “She wanted to make sure that I was aware I wasn’t good enough for you. She has big plans for you, by the way. That’s why all those women are throwing themselves at you.”
To Spell With It Page 6
