Witchin' USA

by Amanda M. Lee

  “It will be fine. Just hold on.”

  I did as instructed, pushing the odd feeling of Aurora’s fin against my thighs out of my mind as I squeezed my eyes shut. “Will we make it?”

  “We should. No more talking, though.”

  As if on cue, the boat’s engine roared to life and remained running. Ned was mobile again, which meant he was heading in this direction.

  “Let’s go!”

  THE SWIM BACK to the island was quick. I had no idea a sea creature could move as fast as Aurora, but she was sleek and quick as she glided through the water. Before I even realized what was happening I found my toes touching sand, and I fell forward as I dropped to my knees.

  The waves crashed into me, driving me forward, and I discovered I couldn’t readily open my eyes because the seawater caused them to burn. I heard footsteps rushing toward me in the water but I couldn’t make myself look, terror that Ned overtook us threatening to overwhelm me.

  Then I felt strong hands on my arms and I had no choice. I had to look. I wrenched open my eyes, determined to find the magic that evaded me when my mind collapsed thanks to the drugs, and gasped when Galen’s handsome face swam into view. “You found me.”

  “Aurora found you,” Galen gritted out, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me to my feet. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m thirsty.”

  “Other than that?”

  “I’m really thirsty.”

  Galen flicked a worried look to Aurora. “She seems out of it. What happened?”

  “I found her with Ned, just like you figured,” Aurora explained. “He was ranting and raving about wanting property so he could join the DDA. What a putz.”

  “What else?”

  “He drugged her.” Aurora wrung out her hair, paying no heed to the fact that she was naked and standing in front of the sheriff. “She’s a bit spacey. I think some water will do her good.”

  “I’ve got it.” Galen took me by surprise when he hauled me into his arms and carried me away from the water. “Where is Ned?”

  “He’s giving chase, but he’s had a few boat problems,” Aurora replied. “He should be here soon.”

  “Good.” Galen was grim as he sat me down in the shade and grabbed a bottle of water from a cooler he had lodged in the sand. “Drink this.” He twisted the top off the bottle and shoved it in my hand. “Drink all of it.”

  I wanted to argue, tell him that he wasn’t the boss of me and then ask about Booker, but I was so thirsty all I could do was guzzle. It tasted better than any gourmet dinner or expensive glass of wine I’d ever come across.

  “Thank you,” I gasped, water leaking from the corners of my mouth as I wiped my forehead. “I thought I was going to die out there.”

  Galen gripped the sides of my face and forced me to lock gazes with him. “I will never let that happen. You should’ve known I would come for you.”

  “How was I supposed to know that?”

  “Because I said so.” Galen handed me a second bottle of water. “Drink that. I’ll get you to the hospital as soon as possible.”

  “What about Booker?”

  “He’s alive.”

  That wasn’t nearly enough reassurance. “Is he going to stay alive?”

  Galen didn’t immediately answer. Aurora, who was slipping into a tank top and knit shorts, took it upon herself to do it for him.

  “He’s Booker,” Aurora supplied. “He’ll survive.”

  I had no idea what to make of that, so I opted to let it go for the time being. “What happens now?”

  “Now I handle Ned,” Galen replied, his fingers gentle as they rubbed my shoulders. “I’ll take care of Ned and then we’ll get you to the hospital. Everything will be fine after that.”

  “Ned said he had a gun,” I offered.

  “He did say that,” Aurora added. “He was under the deck for a long time. That’s what allowed us to get away.”

  “Did Ned see you?” Galen asked Aurora.

  “Yeah. He didn’t look happy about it.”

  “That’s because he knows it’s over,” Galen said. “He’s figured out that there’s no way for him to get out of this alive.”

  Alive? Wait … . “Are you going to kill him?”

  Galen quirked an eyebrow as he shifted his gaze to me. “Should I let him live after what he’s done?”

  “No. Yes. I … aren’t you supposed to arrest him?”

  “Island justice,” Galen replied. “Ned’s about to get a heaping dose of it.”

  “So you’ll kill him?”

  “He killed May,” Galen argued. “He tried to kill you. He left Booker for dead. That’s on top of what he did to Bonnie. Why would I let him live?”

  “What about a trial?”

  “A trial?” Galen challenged. “He’s clearly guilty. It’s not as if there’s any question about it.”

  I’d never heard a sheriff talk like that before and was understandably thrown. “Still … shouldn’t you at least try?”

  Galen’s expression softened as he held my gaze. “I understand that this is new for you, but I’m definitely going to kill him. He’s earned it. I don’t see why we have to waste money on a trial for a guy like him.”

  “He’s right, Hadley,” Aurora interjected. “Ned has proved himself to be an abysmal man. He shouldn’t live. He can’t offer anything to society.”

  I couldn’t argue with that, yet I couldn’t allow Galen to become a murderer because of me. “Galen … .”

  “Hadley, don’t get worked up about this,” Galen ordered, shifting his eyes to the water as the roaring sounds of the boat engine grew closer. “I’ve got this. I promise.”

  He stole my breath when he pressed a quick kiss to my mouth. It was barely a touching of lips, something more friendly than passionate, yet he managed to convey a mountain of emotions with the simple act.

  “What did you just do?” I exploded. “You can’t kiss me in the middle of a life-or-death situation.”

  Despite the circumstances, Galen smirked. “I believe I just did.”

  “Yeah, but … no!”

  “Why not?”

  “Because that’s not how a first kiss is supposed to go,” I complained. “There’s supposed to be mood music … and flowers … and a pretty dress.”

  “I didn’t realize that.” Galen shifted so he was in front of me and could watch the water. “I’ll know better for next time.”

  “There is no next time for a first kiss.”

  “Ah. Well, I’ll have to figure out something else then.” Galen grabbed Aurora’s arm and directed her to the spot next to me. “Stay over here please.”

  I opened my mouth, another complaint about Galen’s timing on my lips, but I realized Ned was climbing out of the boat and my relationship annoyance would have to wait. He clutched something in his hand. I couldn’t be sure at this distance, but it looked to be a gun. Fear returned swiftly … and with a vengeance.

  “I changed my mind,” I whispered. “You can kill him.”

  “Shh.” Galen patted my shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. I promise. Just … stay here.”

  I wanted to believe him, so I did as he asked.

  Galen drew his weapon from the holster on his hip and fixed Ned with a dark look as the older man struggled up the beach. “That’s far enough, Ned.”

  Ned jolted at the voice. He clearly hadn’t realized Galen had joined the party. He must have missed him as Galen crouched next to me in the shade. “What are you doing here?”

  “I believe it’s called providing law and order.”

  Ned snorted. “Whatever she told you … well … it’s a lie. The girl is clearly delusional.”

  “What about what Booker told me?” Galen challenged.

  “I have no idea what Booker could’ve possibly told you.”

  “That you stabbed him and kidnapped Hadley.”

  “Then he’s deranged.”

  “He left the knife on the boat,” I offered, waving in tha
t direction. “He had it the entire time we were talking.”

  “I’ve got this, Hadley.” Galen’s tone was cool, dangerous. “Ned, you don’t have a lot of options here. Hadley keeps waffling on whether or not she wants me to kill you. I’m leaning toward doing it, quite frankly, but I think she’s been through enough for one day.

  “If you drop the gun and surrender, I’ll take you into custody and make sure you get a trial,” he continued. “If you don’t, I’ll shoot you dead where you stand.”

  “You have no evidence to take me into custody,” Ned scoffed.

  “I have enough evidence to charge you with Booker’s attempted murder, Hadley’s kidnapping and May’s murder,” Galen argued. “I’ll fill in the rest after you’re in custody. I doubt it will be difficult.”

  “And you think I’ll just allow that?” Ned’s eyes flashed with derangement. “I have a plan. I’m sticking to the plan. I won’t allow you to derail the plan.”

  “You did that yourself when you took Hadley from her home,” Galen snapped. “You should’ve known I would come after you, that I would rip you apart simply for touching her. Now drop that weapon or … .”

  A gunshot echoed, causing me to jerk my shoulders. I knew Galen didn’t fire his weapon because his hand never moved. Galen was moving fast toward the beach, though, and it was evident he was fine.

  When I shifted my eyes to the right, to a stand of trees that I hadn’t been paying close attention to, I found Wesley stepping through the dense underbrush. He dropped the gun he was carrying at his feet and held up his hands as Galen knelt next to Ned and felt for a pulse.

  “He’s dead,” Galen announced.

  “I’m not sorry,” Wesley said. “He killed my wife.”

  Galen stared at him a moment. “I know. I’ll still have to take you in for questioning.”

  “I don’t care.” Wesley shifted his eyes to me. “Is she okay?”

  “Go see for yourself,” Galen said. “Leave the gun behind, if you don’t mind. I need to confiscate it for evidence.”

  “I’m fine with that.” Wesley forced a smile as he moved in my direction. “You’ve had a busy few days, huh?” He didn’t look upset in the least about ending Ned’s life. I guess I couldn’t blame him.

  “I’ve had better weeks.”

  29

  Twenty-Nine

  I was just settling down with May’s Book of Shadows and a glass of iced tea when someone knocked on the door. I’d spent the better part of the previous day answering questions, filling out paperwork and promising Wesley that I didn’t hold his vengeful ways against him. In truth, I understood why he did what he did. He might not have been married to May any longer, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t the love of his life.

  I sighed as I shifted the book to the couch and shuffled to the door, widening my eyes when I found Galen waiting on the other side. I hadn’t seen him all day – not that I was bitter or anything – and I wasn’t sure when our paths would cross again.

  “What’s up?”

  As far as greetings go, it wasn’t my best. Still, I didn’t want to appear too pleased or eager to see him.

  “It’s a nice night for a walk, huh?” Galen smiled as I pursed my lips, extending a colorful flower that I couldn’t quite put a name to. “I brought you this.”

  I accepted the flower, unsure what to make of the gesture. “Why?”

  “Because I screwed up the other thing and I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t listening to you.”

  That was a good answer. Still … . “So you dropped by to give me a flower?”

  “I dropped by to give you a flower and take you on a walk,” Galen clarified, gesturing to the front porch. “I’m multi-tasking.”

  “Oh, well, hmm.” I ran a hand through my hair to smooth it. The humidity had done a number on it – again – but there wasn’t much I could do to fix it. “Are you sure you want to take a walk? You can come in and have some iced tea if you want to get out of the heat.”

  “I think that’s a nice option for another night, but I definitely think we should take a walk tonight,” Galen replied. “I think it will be good for you to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air … and we have a few things to talk about.”

  I didn’t bother hiding my groan. “Oh, geez. I hate it when you say stuff like that.”

  “I know. Why do you think I do it?”

  “Just let me put the flower in some water.” I was buying time, hoping to slap a bit of makeup on when Galen wasn’t looking, but he didn’t give me the option.

  “Don’t worry about the flower.” Galen plucked it from my hand and rested it on the small table to my right. “There’s more where that came from.”

  “But … .”

  Galen shook his head, cutting me off. “Come on.” He extended his hand. “Let’s walk.”

  I stared at his outstretched hand for a moment, very aware that I was making an important decision if I took it. I’d managed to live a life in limbo for a full week, but now the real world beckoned and things were about to change.

  I blew out a sigh as I slipped my hand in his, grabbing my keys from the table and closing the door behind me as I followed. I didn’t really have a choice. I knew that. I couldn’t walk away, so it was necessary to look ahead.

  I fell into step with Galen as he led me down the driveway. He seemed to have a clear destination in mind, so I let him choose the way. I was relieved when he turned away from the busy downtown area, the bar lights twinkling in the night sky, and instead headed down a residential street.

  “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  We lapsed into silence, a few shared moments that should’ve been comfortable. I couldn’t bear the long stretches of quiet, though, so I ruined the moment. “How is Booker? I stopped by the hospital to see him this morning, but the intake nurse said he was already gone, and I don’t know where he lives.”

  “I saw him this afternoon,” Galen replied. “He’s moving a bit slow, but he’ll be okay.”

  “How can he be out of the hospital so fast after what happened?” I challenged. “Shouldn’t he be under observation or something?”

  “He is under observation.”

  “Who is observing him?”

  “Someone he trusts.” Galen flashed me a warning look before turning down another street. “I didn’t plan this walk so we could spend the evening talking about Booker. I promise you he’s okay. In a few days he’ll be as good as new. I’m sure he’ll be around to see you then.”

  I didn’t fail to notice that he was leaving out the most important thing, like how Booker could be okay so quickly, but I decided to leave that for another time. “What about Wesley? Are you going to charge him?”

  “No.”

  “Not with anything?”

  “He thought you were in danger,” Galen said. “He was trying to protect the last member of his family.”

  I ran the previous day through my head. I was quite a distance from Ned when Wesley fired, and Galen stood between us at the time. “I wasn’t in imminent danger.”

  “Close enough.” Galen squeezed my hand. “Do you want Wesley to go to jail?”

  “No.”

  “Then let it go.”

  “Fine.” I blew out a sigh. “So that’s it? Everything is done and closed up?”

  “We went through Ned’s house,” Galen said. “We found some of his plans in his office. He’s apparently been trying to buy up island property for years.”

  “To get on the DDA?”

  “So it seems.”

  “I clearly need to know more about this DDA,” I muttered.

  “We can talk about that another night,” Galen said. “It’s a boring story.”

  Somehow I had my doubts. “Okay, but … I’m going to hold you to that. I have a lot of questions.”

  “Oh, I have no doubt.”

  “One of them revolves around the shifter on the road the other night. Do you know who that is?”


  “No, and with Ned dead, I’m not sure I’ll ever find out. I’m willing to hazard a guess that Ned hired whoever it was to either frighten or kill you. I’m searching through Ned’s financial records, but I can’t find a payment. He probably used cash. I seem to be at a dead end on that one.”

  “So … it’s done.”

  “It’s done,” Galen confirmed as he opted for another turn. It was only then that I realized he was leading me toward the cemetery.

  “Wait.” I slowed my pace. “You’re not going to feed me to the zombies, are you?”

  Galen’s expression was a picture of patience even as his lips curved. “Why would I want to do that?”

  “You said I’m a pain in the butt.”

  “You are.”

  “So maybe you don’t want to deal with me,” I suggested. “Maybe you think it will be easier if I’m a zombie and you can lock me in the cemetery.”

  “It might be easier, but I doubt very much it will be as entertaining.” Galen tugged on my hand. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”

  He didn’t sound angry or even frustrated. Still, I scuffed my flip-flops against the concrete as I followed. “I really don’t want to be zombie food.”

  “You’re not going to be zombie food,” Galen promised. “In fact, once we’re done here, I have every intention of taking you to a nice dinner on the beach.”

  That was news to me. “You do? I’m not really dressed for the occasion.”

  “This is an island. You don’t need to dress for an occasion.”

  “Okay, but … what if I want seafood or something?” I challenged. “Can we go to a restaurant that serves good seafood if I’m dressed like a bum?”

  Galen took a moment to look over my outfit. I wore simple cut-offs and a T-shirt – although both were clean – and I was clearly underdressed for a night out. “You look cute.”

  Instead of taking me to the cemetery’s front gate, he led me along the long wall and toward the back of the plot. I followed, understandably curious, and when we rounded the final corner I found he’d set up a blanket and picnic basket on the ground.