She walked us as far as the top terrace steps, pausing as I waited for Rand to take my arm through the ward. Giving her an awkward wave—she didn’t look like the hugging type—I headed down the steps, breathing a sigh of relief as I got back in my Jeep. Rand was even silent for a change as we left. We still had no idea what was going on here, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. How was I supposed to get any answers in the middle of whatever this was?
You could not have come at a better time, child. Zara’s smugness came through with her words. And the answers may surprise you.
What had we gotten ourselves into?
Chapter 15
Arriving back at the RV park, I went straight to our site. Gloria was just returning with Toby as we pulled in. Both the shifter and the dog looked completely tuckered out. Jake followed just a few steps behind, looking just as tired.
“Is everything okay?” Rand and I asked at the same time, even though I was the only one she could hear.
“Oh, absolutely! That’s the most fun I’ve had in ages! Toby was a huge hit. A couple of the other employees from the restaurant joined us at the dog park and we decided to shift and get some real exercise. We played tag for the better part of an hour!” Gloria was so enthusiastic, I could almost see her tail wagging. “I have a long shift tomorrow, but would it be alright if we did this again soon?”
What could I say to that? Toby’s tongue lolled out as he panted contentedly. He would definitely sleep well tonight. Jake’s tail thumped silently on the boardwalk.
“I think he would like that. Thank you for taking such good care of him.” Pulling a twenty out of my purse, I handed it to her.
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly! He was no trouble at all. If you need someone to watch him for you again, please call me.”
“I insist.” Tucking it into an outer pocket on her handbag, I accepted Toby’s leash from her. “I will definitely give you a call. I have a feeling we might need to take you up on your offer, sooner rather than later.”
“We?” She glanced around curiously, seeing no one else. “Oh, you mean Toby, of course.” Relief flooded her face. “A couple of the other waitresses asked me to thank you for what you did, by the way. You know, about those pervy ghosts? Not a single one of us was bothered last night!”
“Well, if they bother you again, please let me know. Their days of harassing all of you are over.”
“Thank you! Oh, I’ve gotta go. I have a hot date with a husky!” Waving, she hurried off.
Were there mixed breed shifters, I wondered? And did they date across species? That question made my brain hurt as I headed for the RV. I think I needed to spend some time with my notebook tonight and document everything that had happened today, as well as get my thoughts in order for tomorrow. Maybe being better prepared would help me keep my ‘surface’ thoughts to myself. What was her range, anyway? I held my breath, waiting for a catty response from Zara, but there was nothing. Blowing it out slowly, I decided I needed to call and recount everything to Sam. She might have some helpful insight for me and it would just be good to talk to her. This morning’s call had been far too brief.
Unlocking the door, I looked back for Rand. He still stood by the Jeep, looking out toward the water.
“You coming in?”
“I think I’m going to wander around for a bit, maybe see what the locals are up to. Holler if you need me.” Just like that he was gone.
“It’s just you and me, Toby.” Jake woofed. “Sorry, boy. Just the three of us. Let’s go get something to drink, Toby. You’ve still got at least an hour til dinner.”
As soon as Toby’s water bowl was refilled, I sat down with my notebook and my phone. With the difference in time, it was still too early to call Sam.
Jake disappeared, probably for the evening, so Toby came and lay next to my feet as I started writing everything from the day down. Other than all of the questions for my aunt, the biggest question I had was what the heck was going on at her place? Were there more than just the three people there and, if so, were they involved, too? I knew the woman reported to someone else. As hard as it was to find the place, how had they found it?
Except for the staff, I got the impression Stella was alone there—well, she had Zara, yes, but she was just a cat. Granted she was a telepathic cat, so a good early warning system, if nothing else. Hearing a faint sneeze, I looked around the room suspiciously.
“Was that you, Toby?” He lifted his head from his paws and thumped his tail a few times. “You don’t think a telepathic cat would be able to hear me from this far away, do you?” He tilted his head at me, as if considering the question. Huffing, he laid his head back down on his paws and closed his eyes. “No, you’re right. I must be hearing things.” How had my life devolved to having conversations with a dog?
After another fifteen minutes of getting nowhere with my notes, I fed Toby a little early, took him over to the resort’s dog area to do his business, and decided it was late enough to call Sam.
She picked up on the second ring. “Twice in one day. You must really miss me!”
“Of course I miss you. What did you expect, I would miss your excellent culinary skills?” I really did miss her, even though I’d been gone less than a week.
“Probably not as much as I miss your culinary skills,” she replied, laughing. “How did it go today? Did you find your aunt?”
Giving her a cliff notes version of everything that had happened today, including the telepathic cat, still took awhile. When I finally finished, there was silence on the other end of the line. I pulled my phone away to see if the call was still connected.
“Sam? You still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. You sure know how to keep life interesting, don’t you?”
“Hey, I did not ask for this insanity in my life. It hit me. Like a big fist in the face.” Thinking about that incident sent a chill through me, reminding me it was nothing to take lightly. I’d had nightmares for weeks, until I met Elmer and had a whole new set of issues to deal with. Perhaps I should be thankful for the craziness of my new life.
“I know, I know. Let’s think about this. You know there’s three inside involved for sure, and at least one on the outside. Can you get me their names? I might be able to pull some strings and have their backgrounds searched, but that’s more difficult across state lines. I’ll do what I can to help you from here. As far as the telepathic cat and the witch for an aunt goes, you’re on your own. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Sighing heavily, I rubbed my forehead. “Sam, I think I’m too old for all of this. Ghosts, shifters, cats that read my thoughts, weird things going on at the estate of an aunt I’ve never met before today—seriously, Sam, it is an estate, completely hidden by some kind of an illusion or something. The woman has got to be as rich as Oprah. What am I going to do?”
“First of all, you’re going to quit feeling sorry for yourself.” Sam’s voice brooked no argument. She quickly continued before I could interrupt. “Second, you are going to go to your aunt’s tomorrow and get the answers you need. Do not take no for an answer, period. Third, you are going to call me tomorrow, as soon as you leave her place, with the names of those people in her house. We’ll figure this out.”
“Why couldn’t Stella have at least lived in Michigan and not twelve hundred freaking miles away?” Was there an age limit on homesickness? From the way I was feeling right now, that answer had to be no. “I miss you guys.”
“We all miss you, too. Annie and Tess have both been asking about you every day. Tess is researching her family history to try to find out if she’s got any chance of ending up like you, I think. She insists she wants a hot ghost, too. I had to threaten to commit her if she started trying to concuss herself.”
I had to laugh at Sam’s exasperation. “She can gladly have my life if she wants it. I would love to be normal again.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I had to wonder if they were genuinely true. My life went from being the t
ypical cliché of an unhappy marriage to a crazy rollercoaster of . . . adventure. Maybe I just needed to accept it. Almost on cue, I heard a faint sneeze again. Crap, that cat could still hear me! Zara, get out of my head! There was no response, but I hadn’t really expected one.
Sam continued talking while I was lost in my thoughts, trying to distract me with updates on all of the goings-on back home and what else was happening in Leo, Annie, Cammie, and Tess’s lives. We bantered back and forth for a few more minutes before she had to go get ready for a date with Leo. As soon as I hung up, I knew Sam’s words had been just what I needed.
***
Rand was already waiting by the Jeep when I walked out with Toby the next day, ready to leave. You’d think the dog would hate car rides between all of the time he’d been stuck in a van with Cruella and then being in one for the better part of two days coming down here. But he and Jake both raced for the door when I asked if they wanted to go for a ride.
“Jake, too, huh?” Rand asked, barely looking at me.
Giving him a half-shrug, I put my sunglasses on and opened the rear door for the dogs to jump in. Well, Toby jumped in. Jake did the ghost thing, simply disappearing from Toby’s side and reappearing in the back seat. “They’re kind of a package deal, so yes.”
Nodding, Rand did the same thing Jake did, reappearing in the passenger seat and looking out the window, not saying anything more as I got in, got situated, and pulled out of the little designated parking spot in front of the RV. For the first few minutes of the drive he did little more than make the appropriate noises to let me know he was listening while I told him about my conversation with Sam the previous evening. When we passed alligators several times and he didn’t comment on any of them, I started to worry something was wrong and said so.
He started to speak, but stopped.
“You’re kind of freaking me out here, Rand. Did something happen last night when you were out?”
We were nearly to the exit that led to the nonexistent road that led to my aunt’s hidden estate. I reminded myself again that I was embracing my weird new life.
“I think you need to learn self-defense.” When I looked over at him, he was tense, a muscle ticked along his clenched jaw.
“Say what? Where did that come from?” Whatever was bothering him, this was not anywhere in the realm of what I would have expected him to say.
“You heard me, Roxanne. I mean it.” He sounded serious.
“You do know I flunked yoga, right? Why do you think I need to learn to defend myself?”
“Don’t miss this exit.”
I would have, for sure. Luckily, traffic was light enough that I was able to maneuver over easily.
“Yesterday, I was blocked by your aunt’s ward and you were up on the porch with two strange men with potentially bad intentions. They could have done anything to you and I wouldn't have been able to do more than watch it happen.”
This must have eaten away at him most of the day and all night. He was an Army Ranger, or had been when he was alive, and was trained to protect and serve.
“Rand, I’m fine. Nothing happened and we know how to get you past the ward now.”
“Not on my own, I can’t. If you were incapacitated, what then? What if one of them had pulled a knife? Or a gun? What if one held you, while the other hit you. Or worse.” His scowl was so dark now, I couldn’t help but shiver. Could a ghost suffer from PTSD? Was this related to something he’d experienced when he was in the service?
Carefully choosing my words, I kept my tone calm. “Then I would have dealt with it. I’m not completely helpless, you know. I have these rings, too—you’ve seen what happened when I was in trouble before.” Not that I was positive I could do it again since I didn’t even know how I’d done it before, but this wasn’t the best time to bring that up.
He didn’t respond, just turned back to looking out the window.
“Rand, maybe there’s a way around the ward. I can talk to Stella about it and see if she’ll modify it to allow you through it or something. What can it hurt? Worst case scenario, she’ll say no.”
He gave a tight nod, still not looking at me. Toby and Jake both whined, feeling the tension in the air.
“This is your turn.”
Turning onto the road he’d indicated, I took a deep breath, already knowing I would regret this later. “Okay, fine. I’ll learn. But I’m warning you right now, I’m a clutz and I’m extremely out of shape. You’ve got to let me learn at my own pace, too, none of this fitness camp, drill sergeant B.S. or I’ll quit by the end of day one, you hear?”
Surprised, he faced me again. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. I think you’re right.”
“Can I have that in writing? Because I’m pretty sure that’s something most men don’t hear often.” His whole demeanor changed. He relaxed and was himself again.
“You’re pushing it, buddy.” Slowing down, I spotted the illusion in front of the drive easily today, but it was nerve wracking driving through it, nonetheless.
“Don’t forget to put that pendant on,” he reminded me. “Just out of curiosity, how does anybody flunk yoga?”
***
The drive seemed much shorter today, since we knew more what to expect. Within minutes I was parked in front of the house, though calling it a house still seemed a bit of an understatement. Estate really did suit it much better.
Harris practically ran down the stairs to open my door. Inadvertently, I beat him to the punch, only just shutting my door as he reached me. He gave a little bow, glancing up at the house nervously.
“I will take care of your vehicle, Ms. Devraux.” He was so out of breath, I almost felt sorry for him. There was no way I could have moved down those stairs that fast and I’m sure he was a little older than me. I decided to let the name slip pass for now, since it suited my purposes.
“You mean like wash it and wax it?” I didn’t know why it was so much fun messing with him, but I couldn’t help myself. I pushed past him to the rear door, opening it for Toby. The big German Shepherd jumped out with a low warning growl, causing Harris to stumble several steps back.
“N-no, miss, I can park it in the garage. It would be out of this heat.” His eyes didn’t leave Toby. “I-If you w-would just give me your keys.”
Yeah, no. That wasn’t happening. I didn’t have much in the way of personal information loose in there. The registration and anything else with my name and address—which come to think of it, didn’t really apply anymore—was locked in the glovebox, but he would have access with the key. Rand and Jake stood off to the side, watching to see what I would do. Toby continued growling, his ears forward and alert.
“Toby, sit.” He sat obediently, ceasing his growling, but continued to watch the butler, or whatever he was, intently. I could see a trickle of sweat beading Harris’s forehead. “Nobody drives this baby but me, Harris.” I gave the Jeep a fond pat. “Thanks, though.”
Clicking the locks as I walked toward the stairs, Toby heeled so close to my leg he was almost leaning on it. He gave a couple of distrustful looks back at Harris, who followed several feet behind us.
“Good boy. I feel the same way,” I murmured, giving his head a pat.
As we neared the porch, Harris passed on the side opposite Toby, giving us both a very wide berth. Toby growled as he passed, making the man jump and scurry faster. He reached the door before we did and held it for us, standing back as far as he possibly could and still have hold of the door. Somehow I managed to keep a straight face between that and having to slow down enough for Rand to grab my arm as we passed through the wards, knowing he had hold of Jake’s ruff at the same time. We had discussed this on the way up the drive, hoping it would work. It would look mighty strange if I had to make two trips through, especially trying to keep hold of Jake. The cold where Rand held my arm briefly was rather refreshing for a change.
“It worked. Jake and I are through.” The relief in Rand’s voice matched wh
at I felt.
“Madam is waiting for you in the parlor, Ms. Devraux.”
“Thanks, Harry.” His disgusted huff followed me as I breezed past him, heading for the parlor.
This time I was able to look around the foyer as I passed through. It was elegantly furnished, with huge columned archways, crystal chandelier, and even had a chaise lounge tucked in the eave of the huge curved staircase. I only caught a glimpse of the artwork on the walls.
“Welcome, Roxanne. Please come in and sit.” My aunt greeted me warmly, sitting in the same place she’d sat yesterday. She was dressed casually in slacks and an airy blouse, Zara by her side. Zara stiffened at the sight of Jake, but Stella didn’t seem to notice. “Would you like some tea? Or perhaps lemonade?”
“Sweet tea would be wonderful, thank you.” I was quickly developing a taste for it, which didn’t bode well for my waistline.
“Harris, I’m sure you heard Roxanne. Please have sweet tea brought in for both of us.”
The butler, who had been standing at attention near the doorway, jumped at her sharp tone and promptly rushed off to the kitchen. Paulette was in for another earful.
“There we go. I must say, what a lovely dog. Will he allow me to say hello?” At my nod, she held her hand out to Toby, ignoring Zara’s haughty look.
“Of course. Toby, friend. Let’s meet Stella.” Walking over to her, I stood behind Toby slightly as he politely sniffed her hand. It probably smelled like cat.
It’s certainly better than smelling like dog! Zara’s indignation was almost funny. And what is that monstrous thing you brought with you? It looks like a bear.
Toby’s ears perked straight forward, his eyes zoning in on the cat. He cocked his head comically. Jake woofed, wagging his tail. Zara growled a warning, glaring at both dogs.
Seeing Witchy Things Page 14
