The Contestant Flies Off the Handle

by Heather Horrocks

  “Excellent answers, ladies,” the MC said enthusiastically. The crowd seemed to agree.

  Cara’s face burned hot because she knew Gabriela was referring to her and Isaac arguing last night.

  The MC wrapped up the question and answer portion of the pageant. “Now we will have a short break and then we’ll be back to announce the runners-up and the lucky winner — the new Miss Paranormal Universe!”

  Cara hoped Miss Brazil didn’t win.

  Cara sat in a chair backstage, anxiety making her insides tingle. They’d reached the moment of truth or dread coming up in just moments — the announcement of the runners-up and the lucky winner, who would get the runestones. Cara didn’t care about any of the other treasures or fame or anything else that came with the crown. She’d been this close to her runestone, had felt the yearning to touch it — and its yearning to be held by her — and knew she had to have it.

  She wondered what she would be willing to do to get it, if she didn’t win.

  She could live without it; she had for three years. She would just never feel whole without it, and her magic wouldn’t be what it was meant to be. There would always be a yearning ache inside her heart — just as there had been an ache without Isaac for the past five years.

  She couldn’t take another hit to her heart.

  Someone stepped close and she looked up.

  Isaac!

  “I don't want to argue with you. I have to go on in just a few minutes.”

  “I’m not here to argue,” he said gently. “I’m here to wish you good luck. And to give you this. I had to pay big bucks for it. Those darn leprechauns are con artists.”

  He held out a lucky four-leaf clover.

  She shook her head. “That’s not enough, Isaac. You’re still so reserved, so cautious, so businesslike. Love is not business.”

  “I’m not feeling businesslike at all.” When she looked away, he said, “Please take it. I would feel better if you had it with you going into this last round.”

  She turned back. Finally, she took the clover. As their hands brushed, attraction zinged through her. Stupid handsome vampire.

  “Good luck. I hope you win.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Afterward I hope we can talk.”

  “The time for talk has passed, Isaac. I think it’s too late.”

  He sighed and nodded. “Good luck, beautiful lady.”

  And he walked away from her.

  Fern the Ghost herded the finalists back onto the stage.

  Cara was a little lightheaded from the stress of the moment. This was it. She’d either win her family’s runestones back — or she wouldn’t.

  If she didn’t, perhaps she could convince the winner to sell the runestones to her family, though they’d have to mortgage something — several somethings, more like — to come up with the money to buy all of them back.

  She stood between Mariana and Gabriela on one side and Riley and Céline on the other. All five of them held hands. She could feel energy flowing from the others into her — worried energy, excited energy, energy matching her own.

  The MC took his time adjusting his tie and then looked up as if surprised. “Oh, are we back on air?” He chuckled. “How time flies when you’re having fun. Are you having fun yet?”

  He held out the mic and the audience made noise.

  “We’ve had some fantastic women in this pageant, and the finalists are truly beautiful. Don’t you agree?”

  Again the crowd responded noisily.

  “It’s time for the runners-up to be announced. Are you ready?”

  Yes, yes, yes, get on with it! Cara couldn’t handle the stress much longer! And the others couldn’t, either. Riley and Mariana were holding her hands so tightly they hurt.

  The same blonde as usual brought out the envelope.

  Mesmerized, Cara watched the envelope float to the floor, and saw the MC clutch the card in his hand. “One lucky lady is about to win riches and fame.”

  He paused while the audience again grew noisy.

  “All right. It’s time. The fourth runner-up is...” He paused again. Cara was going to hit him after this was over, mature or not. “Gabriela Santos. Miss Brazil.”

  More cheering as a disappointed Gabriela put on a smile, gave each of them a hug, and left the stage.

  “The third runner-up is ... Céline Dumont. Miss France.”

  Another smile to cover disappointment and hugs, and then there were only three of them on the stage. Three women who hadn’t known each other before this week but were now friends — Riley, Mariana, and Cara.

  “The tension is palpable, isn’t it?” the MC asked, as if amused. “So we won’t make them wait any longer.” And then he proceeded to make them wait while he told a story about another pageant.

  Then, finally: “The second runner-up is..." He smiled. “Riley Garcia. Miss Texas.”

  Riley hugged them, and told them each, “Good luck.”

  Cara was so close to holding her stone in her hand again, feeling its power! For the first time, she thought she might actually have a chance to win.

  “And now, you know what this means. I am about to announce the final runner-up and then we will know who the next Miss Paranormal Universe is. So, without further ado, I will announce the first runner-up, who will assume the duties of the winner in case the winner cannot, for any reason, fulfill them, herself.”

  Then he paused again. How had this man not been staked long before now?

  Finally, he said, “The first runner-up is..." Another pause. “Cara O’Sullivan. Miss Ireland.”

  While the crowd went wild, disappointment rushed through her. Mariana had won.

  The thought came to her, in just a split second, that Mariana was pregnant. Mariana had won a contest for which she could have been — should have been — disqualified. Only Cara knew about the pregnancy, which meant Cara could tell about the pregnancy, have Mariana disqualified — and hold her stone tonight.

  “And the winner and new Miss Paranormal Universe is Mariana Lupei. Miss Transylvania.”

  As Cara hugged — and was hugged by — a beaming Mariana, she knew she couldn’t do it. Mariana caught her gaze, and they both knew what Cara could do right now.

  The other woman needed a new life for the new life she sheltered in her womb. Cara couldn’t find it within herself to tell and have Mariana cast out from her pride. She’d have to hope she could buy the stones from her.

  “Congratulations,” she told Mariana, then, “Let’s talk later.”

  And she pasted on a smile to cover her disappointment, and walked off the stage.

  Isaac waited for a moment to talk with Miss Transylvania.

  He’d watched his lifemate walk off the stage and his heart ached for her.

  Why couldn’t he have helped her more? He felt like he’d failed her, though he didn’t know what else he could have done.

  Was it their argument that had cost her the crown? He was afraid that perhaps it had, especially after Miss Brazil’s gibe.

  It had been an hour since the winner was announced, and he finally spotted his chance to talk with Mariana. He went to her. “Miss Lupei?”

  She looked at him, beaming. “Yes? Mr. Murphy, right?”

  “Yes. I just wanted to know if I could purchase the runestones that you won today. I would pay you top dollar for them.”

  Mariana studied him for a long moment, then she slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

  Disappointed, he said, “What could I offer that would change your mind?”

  She said, “I’ll let you know if I change my mind. How’s that?”

  Disappointed, he pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “Here’s my number. I hope you do. Congratulations on your win.”

  “Thank you.”

  He turned to walk away — and Mariana grabbed his sleeve. “You’re the one Cara likes, right?”

  “She does?”

  “Of course she does. Do
you want her back?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then make a fool of yourself over her. Lose your stiff legal attorney attitude — and do something wildly, foolishly romantic.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have any suggestions?”

  She shook her head. “That’s your job.”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  He left her, already pulling out his phone to call Michael, his brother with all the wisdom. On second thought, he was going to talk to Dixie, the woman who would know what he should do.

  The coven sisters had whisked Cara off to a consolation dinner.

  “We’re so sorry you came in second, Cara,” Marigold said.

  “I appreciate that. You’ve all been like my family while I’ve been here, and I’ve really needed that. Thank you.”

  “We have something that might cheer you up,” Chicory said. “We’ve gotten a collection going, from lots of people in town, and we’ve collected quite a bit of cash already.”

  Dixie nodded. “My father, the king of the garden pixie court, put in a substantial amount.”

  “And, most surprising of all,” Marigold said, “the Oracle, herself, put in a hefty sum.”

  “What is the money for?” Cara asked.

  “To purchase the stones.”

  “Really? Why would they do that?”

  “Because we love you and want you to stay here in Moonchuckle Bay.”

  “With Isaac,” Dixie said. “My idiot brother-in-law, who is crazy in love with you but is too stupid to know what to do about it. I hope I talked some sense into him a little earlier.”

  “It’s all yours to offer Mariana for the stones.”

  So her family wouldn’t need to come up with the horrendous sum necessary? Or at least not all of it?

  “I don’t know if she’ll sell,” Cara said.

  “We’ll lobby on your behalf,” Sugar said. “Walter is already crafting an official council paper to facilitate the purchase.”

  “I don't know what to say,” Cara said, choked up. “I can never thank any of you enough.”

  “Then just eat your dinner and enjoy it,” Marigold said. “I had the staff whip up something special for you.”

  Back in her room, she was all alone. Mariana was probably still celebrating somewhere in the hotel.

  That was all right. Cara needed some alone time. Except she needed to talk with her family first and tell them the disappointing news. No, they’d probably been watching, so they likely already knew.

  She pulled up her laptop and got a connection to her family’s computer. When the connection went through, she saw her entire family standing there, smiling at her. “Congratulations, sweetheart,” her mam said.

  “Mam, I didn’t win.”

  “Well, you came very close to winning. you gave it your all.”

  “I feel like I’ve let you down, all of you. I came this close to winning our runestones back.”

  “It’s all right,” her da said.

  “It’s not. I stood within two feet of my runestone and I need to get it back.”

  “Offer to buy them, sweetheart,” Nana said. “That’s all we can do now.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Sis,” Mary said. “We didn’t know if you’d win. We just wanted to get you to Moonchuckle Bay.”

  Cara looked at her, confused, and Nana chuckled. “Why else would we have put you in the pageant instead of one of your sisters, then?”

  “Because they’re engaged,” Cara said testily.

  “No, we’re not. It was all sham,” Ruby said.

  Sophie grinned. “Except for Mary. She and Patrick realized they really do love each other and they’re getting married soon.”

  “Congratulations,” Cara said. “And why on earth did the lot of you want to get me here to Moonchuckle Bay?”

  “Because,” Mary said, “we were on that cruise with you and Isaac. We saw how you both fell head over heels for each other. You’d told us he lived in Moonchuckle Bay and, when the pageant was going to be held there, we knew we had to get you in as one of the contestants.”

  “What?” Cara felt disoriented.

  “We wanted to get the two of you back together again. That’s why.”

  “So you never even thought I would win?”

  Her da said, “Well, we were hoping for sure, a chroí, and you did us proud, that you did. But more than that we wanted you to be happy. You’ve not been happy for five years.”

  “You were willing to give up a chance to win the stones for a chance for me to be happy with Isaac?”

  “We were,” they all said in unison.

  “You have two more days,” Nana said. “Try to make up with him before you leave. Or stay longer. This is important, child.”

  Cara started to cry.

  Watch Out for Nana

  THAT DAY’S PAGEANT ACTIVITIES DIDN’T have any of the stress of the previous week.

  There was a luncheon at a secret restaurant named Private, located on the upper level of another restaurant, Incognito. All fifty ladies had been led around the wraparound porch of the old Victorian mansion to the back, where they were led upstairs to the upper level.

  The food had been divine, though Cara was sort of missing a good home-cooked meal after a week of rich foods. Some of Nana’s shepherd’s pie sounded divine.

  But the crab was pretty good, too.

  As the dessert was being brought out — a rich caramel cheese cake with a drizzle of caramel and chocolate on top — Fern the Ghost rose in the center of the upper floor, above the majestic staircase. “We are ready to announce the winner of Miss Magicality for this decade’s pageant. Miss Paranormal Universe, will you please come up and do the honors.”

  Mariana rose from the seat beside Cara, smiling, and walked to the staircase, then unfurled a pageant banner with “Miss Magicality” scripted across it in gold lettering. From that spot beside the railing, she could see everyone in the restaurant.

  Like Miss Congeniality for the person most likeable, Miss Magicality was awarded to the person most likeable who was also most impressive with their magic. She figured someone like Riley would get it.

  Seated on the other side of Cara, Riley grinned at her. “At least the pressure’s off now. I could hardly eat these last few days.”

  Cara chuckled. “I’ve seen you downing lots of food.”

  She laughed, then scooped up a huge chunk of cheesecake. “Yeah, but you’ve never seen me at home.”

  Mariana turned slowly in a circle so she could see everyone. “We had a hard time choosing because so many of you are both nice and talented, but finally it was decided that this decade’s Miss Magicality would be..." She smiled. “I learned how to pause for effect from the MC. Miss Magicality is Miss Ireland. My roommate, Cara O’Sullivan.”

  Surprised, Cara stood, a flush of pleasure warming her heart.

  Mariana motioned her over, and Cara joined her in the center. Mariana raised the banner over her head and Cara slipped an arm through. She looked down at it, pleased. “Thank you.”

  “Thank the pageant,” Mariana said. “Oh, wait, you can thank me, too.”

  “I just did.” Cara chuckled.

  “Not for the banner.” Mariana smiled. “For the runestones that are your family’s and that I won. I’m going to give them to you.”

  Stunned, Cara said, “You can’t. You need the money.”

  “There was plenty of other treasure.”

  “Let me buy them from you. The local coven has received generous donations from many people in town, including someone called The Oracle.”

  There were surprised gasps around the room.

  Cara said, “So please let me buy them from you.”

  “All right,” Mariana said. “But only for whatever amount has been raised and not a penny more.”

  Cara hugged Mariana fiercely. “I owe you so much. Thank you.”

  Mariana whispered back, “I owe you so much. Thank you.�
�

  As they pulled apart, Mariana shrugged and whispered, so low even the other paranormals in the room couldn’t hear, “And my parents changed their tune after I won the pageant. They’re willing to accept a certain very tiny person into the pride.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad for you.”

  Mariana said, “We’ll transfer the runestones to your possession as you’re leaving the pageant, and a representative of the pageant will accompany you to assure their safe arrival. A vampire.”

  The words “a vampire” were Isaac’s cue.

  He bounded up the staircase and vaulted over the railing at the top to land beside Cara. She jumped in surprise. “Isaac?”

  “Consider me a representative of the pageant.”

  “You’re coming to Ireland with me?”

  Music started to play — and it was the song they’d listened to their first night on the cruise. Their song.

  A woman walked sedately up the stairs carrying a huge bouquet of red roses — her favorite. She was followed by two more women carrying huge bouquets of pink and white flowers, respectively.

  “What is going on?” Cara asked.

  “I just want to let everyone here know that I love Cara O’Sullivan.”

  The women ohhed and ahhed over that so he knew he was on the right track. Corny, mushy — and true.

  “I’ve loved her ever since I met her on a week-long cruise five years ago. And I was a total idiot.”

  Cara’s eyes softened. “Sure and he was.”

  He chuckled. “You don’t have to agree so readily.”

  “Well, you were.”

  “Yes, I was.” He turned and held out his hands. “I met her when she was not quite twenty and I mistook her normal wonderful bubbly personality for being an irresponsible party girl. And, since I’m a stick-in-the-mud attorney, I thought she needed some time to grow up.”

  Women gasped.

  “Exactly. And then, instead of telling her that, which would have been stupid enough, I just told her I thought we needed some time apart.”