Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Lou George

  “I’ll get the bill, and I’ll tip with outrageous abandon. How’s that?”

  She laughed. “You’re so cute when you’re spending money.”

  Chapter 18

  Chase was quiet on the drive back to Bennett House. Reggie didn’t mind. She enjoyed the silence. But she grew concerned when they walked into the house, and he still stayed mute. Chase wasn’t one to waste words, but this was odd even for him, given what they’d been through together.

  Concerned that she’d done something wrong, she started to ask him. She didn’t get a word out because he said, “It’s been a long day. We’re both tired. Good night, Reggie.” He turned and walked into the living room. Pita waited a second, looked at her with disdain, and followed him.

  Reggie ascended the grand staircase trying to puzzle out why Chase had behaved so coldly. Did he regret last night? She sure didn’t. He’d seemed pretty pleased with the situation when they’d breakfasted. In fact, he’d seemed fine throughout dinner. Their record for clear communication was not good. Damn him. She’d been looking forward to spending the night in his arms and letting nature take its course.

  Getting ready for bed, Reggie reviewed their dinner conversation. Nothing in it would have driven him away, not that she could see. Slipping between the sheets of the enormous bed, Reggie turned and looked at the empty space beside her and felt lonely for the first time in her life. Tomorrow. She’d give him the night to get over his mysterious sulk, but come morning, she’d confront him and demand an explanation.

  * * * *

  Downstairs on the couch, Chase stared up at the ceiling. He’d abandoned the hope of sleep. It was no use. She’d hit a soft spot when she’d made that comment about him spending money. He knew she’d been joking, but in that one sentence, she’d pierced his balloon. He knew what it was like to sweat for every penny. She did not. In a way, Reggie took money for granted. She never spoke about it because it was never a concern for her. Her family’s fortune was intact, and so was their reputation. Chase still struggled with the taint his stepfather had left on his family name. Robert Adams had owed everyone in town. He’d stolen from some and conned others. He had used his wife’s good name to gain the trust of the people of New Crescent and had left Chase to make it right. He’d felt he owed it to his ancestors. Over the years they’d amassed a fortune and he’d let it slip through his fingers, taking it for granted.

  Working like a madman, Chase had made amends with every single one of Adams’s victims, but it had taken time. During that time, his self-confidence had taken a severe blow. It was hard to get it back no matter how hard he worked or how much money he made.

  Last night with Reggie had been like a dream. It had felt so right. They’d fit together perfectly, like interlocking pieces created solely for one another. Now lying in the dark, he felt a deep despair. Would he ever make it right with her? He sighed. Pita meowed and slapped at him like he’d stepped on his tail.

  Surprised, Chase sat up and looked about the dark living room. Pita crouched nearby, hissing at something he could not see. The room felt colder than it should. He sniffed. It was extremely faint, but Chase had a keen sense of smell, and he recognized the odor. Somehow, that thing in the library had slithered out in the darkness and was playing with his tormented thoughts. It would have been so easy. He’d felt drained to begin with. All that thing had to do was help him along. A strategic nudge in the right direction, and Chase could have slipped into a full fledged pit of despair.

  He shook his head to clear it of Vincent’s insidious manipulations. He laughed. “Nice try. But now I know your tricks. I won’t be fooled again.”

  He stood and walked to the staircase with speed. He took the stairs two at time, hurrying to get to Reggie. Nonchalantly, Pita curled up on the warm spot he’d left behind on the couch.

  * * * *

  The soft sound of knocking surprised Reggie, but since she knew it could be no one but Chase, she welcomed it with anticipation. She didn’t have to tell him to come in because he was already there. He moved to the bed with a grace Reggie envied. God, she loved to watch him move. He didn’t say a word, and neither did she. He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned his head down. Apology, passion, and reverence were in his kiss. Luckily he’d never been one much for night clothes. He dispatched his pajama bottoms in one smooth motion.

  It thrilled her to see that he was hard and ready. He didn’t waste time, and for that, she was grateful. He paused only long enough to make sure she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He entered her in one sure thrust. She cried out with pleasure. He took the last of her cry with his kiss then groaned a reply. Their lovemaking this time was fast and hard and thoroughly thrilling. His voice joined hers when they found release. It had never been so easy.

  When Chase rolled off of her, she immediately missed his weight. He pulled her close to him and sighed when she wrapped a long leg over his hip. They held each other for a long time simply enjoying the sensation of moist skin against skin.

  Reggie looked up at him with a question in her eyes. When she started to speak, he put a finger to her lips, then replaced the finger with his mouth. He started all over again. This time, he stopped to enjoy the view along the way. Reggie felt like she was being worshipped and longed to return the favor, but he wouldn’t let her. He needed her too much. She laughed out loud this time when she felt that wonderful pressure then release. He looked at her, puzzled for a split second, and then joined her.

  He looked up at the ceiling and addressed no one in particular. “She laughs. I think I’m insulted.”

  She looked up at the same spot on the ceiling and said, “Who are we taking to?”

  She started to laugh again, and Chase pounced. Straddling her, he trapped both her hands in one of his. “So you think this is funny huh? Well, I’ll show you funny.”

  Damned if he didn’t start tickling her. She fought back. The room was filled with their shared laughter.

  Exhausted, she finally dropped down beside him on the bed. He slid her closer to him and spooned behind her.

  “I’m sorry about earlier tonight.” He was out of breath.

  She was gentle. “Care to explain it?”

  “Do I have to?” Over her shoulder, he looked down at her like a seven year old trying to get out of going to the dentist.

  She surprised both of them by saying, “Not tonight.”

  He sighed. “Thanks. I think I had some help with my black mood.”

  She turned in his arms and looked up at him in inquiry. She rested a hand and her chin on his chest and said, “Now, this time, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to explain.”

  “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. I started to feel an overwhelming sadness. I know what you meant when you described it as getting the hope sucked out of you. At first I let it get to me and I did some weapons-grade brooding. Thankfully, Pita chose that moment to smack me across the face. I snapped out of it. Vincent had paid me a visit. The entire room was unnaturally cold, and I recognized the foul stench.”

  “Oh my God, he is getting stronger. If he can move freely about the house, I’m afraid it might be too late to stop him.”

  Chase shook his head. “I don’t think so.” She looked confused, and he explained. “You see, I learned something from my late-night visitor. I was able to shake him off pretty easily once I realized what was happening. He’d like us to think he’s all powerful. I think he took advantage of my distance from you and gambled that I’d be too wrapped up in myself to notice his role in it all.” Chase kissed the top of her head. “I was actually able to laugh at him. He retreated immediately, as if he’d been burned. Venturing out of the library, away from his energy supply, weakened him, and he had to slither back to his hole.”

  “Well that’s a vivid image. I’d like to believe you’re right,” she said hesitantly.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m reluctant to get too cocky about our successes. It was pr
etty devious, what he did tonight. He played upon the distance you put between us.”

  With regret, Chase nodded. “It looks like. That thing is an opportunist. I was just being stupid, Reggie. I let my past seep in. You were at college. You weren’t here much in the years after my mother’s death.” Absently, he stroked her short hair. “Did you know she died right in front of me?”

  She shook her head, but didn’t say anything. She let him talk.

  “It was like she was hanging on just long enough to get it all off her chest. She and my father had a wonderful marriage, but when he died so young she grew lonely and let herself fall in love with the wrong man. My stepfather was a monster. I never liked him much, but I’d had no idea just how abusive he was. I was oblivious…wrapped up in my own life. My mother and Jade hid it from me. They were afraid of what I might do if I’d known and rightly so I guess. I’d have killed him.” Reggie could see the truth of it in his eyes as he went on in a low but steady voice. “He never struck my mother anywhere I could see. He used Jade to help control her as well. My mom knew that as long as he was hurting her, he’d lay off Jade.” Chase ground his teeth. The whole sordid mess was obviously difficult to relive.

  “On her death bed, my mother actually apologized to me if you can imagine. She was in so much pain. The morphine they gave her made her sick, so she refused all but the smallest of doses. She wouldn’t let go until I promised not to take action against Adams. Finally, I agreed, just to ease her suffering.”

  “I’m so sorry, Chase, I had no idea. No one told me.” Reggie had tears in her eyes.

  “I didn’t tell you. The fewer people who knew, the better. Adams had so many shady deals and debts when he left that it was all I could do to make amends. The people of this town are miraculous. No one blamed me. They were all prepared to forget it all, but I couldn’t let them. I had to make good.”

  “And you did. That’s admirable Chase. It wasn’t your job to pay for what your step father did.”

  “Strictly speaking no, I guess, but I had to do something. For so long, I’d been blind to what was happening around me. I also did it for Jade’s sake.”

  “I know you tried to get custody of her.”

  He nodded. “Yes, but legally I didn’t have a leg to stand on, so I did the only thing I could think of to help her. I cleaned up her father’s mess. Jade is not my blood sister. She’s more than that to me. She’s the sister of my soul.”

  Tears fell freely from Reggie’s eyes as she treated him to a watery smile. “She’s lucky.”

  “No, I’m the one who’s lucky. She’s an angel.” He nuzzled Reggie’s neck, and she shivered in reaction. Was it possible to want him again?

  He interrupted her musings, saying, “Tonight, I was stupid and filled with self-pity. You see, in the past, I haven’t been much of a regular at Luigi’s. I couldn’t afford it before.”

  It dawned on her, and she blushed, feeling horrible. “And I made that stupid crack about money. I’m so sorry.”

  With a crooked finger, he tilted her head up. “You have nothing to apologize for. It was just a joke, and I reacted like an idiot. I think the whole thing with Vincent in the library affected me more than I’d realized. Please don’t apologize.”

  She could tell he was serious. “Okay, I won’t. I’ll just do this instead.” She dipped under the covers. When her mouth took over, he groaned.

  * * * *

  Outside in the garden, Constance smiled. They were where they needed to be. It was so difficult to talk to them without giving orders. She’d always been a little autocratic and more than a little impatient. She needed their help as much as they needed hers, but they had to exercise free will. If they were to succeed, her interference was forbidden. That didn’t stop Constance from giving them a nudge in the right direction here and there. If they had genuinely resisted, she’d never have been able to push them. No, she’d just sped things up a little. If she hadn’t, Chase would still be tongue tied and Reggie frustrated. What was going on up there in that big bedroom was much better. They gained strength in each other.

  Chase had proved formidable tonight. She was proud of her descendant. He was a good man who deserved happiness. She understood his pain. He’d lost the women in his life who had meant the most. He still blamed himself. Not unlike the guilt Constance carried with her beyond the grave.

  With raw hatred, she looked in the direction of the library. He was in there licking his wounds. Constance hoped defeat tasted bitter, and she willed him to choke on it.

  * * * *

  He raged. He knew his anger would dissipate his strength so he struggled to make it submit to his will. It wasn’t easy. His fury was like a wild thing fighting for its very existence. He’d almost tricked the man, almost fed at the rich trough of his impressive strength. A potent stronghold resided within the man, Vincent could smell it. If only he could tap it. The woman too had power within her. The source of her power was the one thing that he truly feared. He had to recover from the day’s debacle. He called to the child.

  Chapter 19

  Her three-inch heels made a satisfying clack, clack, clack as she walked down the hospital hallway. She loved that sound. It made her feel sexy and feminine, and that was always good. She was dressed in cashmere, her favorite fabric. Enjoying its softness, Reggie ran a hand up and down her arm. She’d dressed with care in a pink sweater and skirt. Sam had always liked her in pink, so today she wore it for him. It was a tremendous relief to get the call this morning from the nurse. He’d regained consciousness and was decidedly ill tempered. He’d begun to balk at his forced inactivity less than an hour after he’d come to. Reggie smiled. Sam was a man of action. He just wasn’t built for confinement.

  She smiled when she heard Travis Sinclair’s voice. She should have known he’d be here. Chase was going to visit in the afternoon.

  Reggie peeked her head around the door and said, “Are you decent?” She looked at Travis. “I don’t mean you. You’re never decent.” She approached the bed. Bending at the waist, she kissed Sam’s cheek. He smiled at her. His crooked grin was the only thing asymmetrical about Sam. Otherwise, he was so handsome that he didn’t look real. Reggie could remember that smile when it had two missing front teeth, and still Sam Daniels had been the best-looking boy in town. It was hard to see him hurting.

  “Ah, the sisterly kiss on the cheek. Is that what they mean by the kiss of death?” Sam said. He was sitting up, but he looked so pale it reminded Reggie of what might have happened. He could have been killed. Before she lost it and started to bawl, she called on her ever-reliable sense of humor.

  In an exaggerated Southern drawl, she said, “Well, honey child, I do declare you are a sight for sore eyes.” She struck a pose and smiled brightly.

  “So are you, Reg. Thanks for coming, and in pink too. You certainly know the way to a man’s heart.”

  Reggie started to tear up. Before she had the chance to blubber, Sam opened his arms, and she moved into them hugging him fiercely. Sam and Travis let her cry until she was done. Travis ran a hand through his hair as Sam patiently soothed her. He was a big man, and she was a whole lot of woman. There wasn’t much room on that narrow bed, but somehow, they managed it.

  As soon as she straightened, she turned to Travis and hugged him too. She sniffed, took a very deep breath, and started speaking as if she’d never shed a tear.

  “What the hell happened?” Her voice was sharp. Tears were forgotten.

  Travis smiled. “I was just asking the same thing when you breezed in all pink and particular.”

  “Well?” She pinned Sam with a steady look.

  Sam shook his head. “Damn it, I wish I knew. I wanted to check out the house, find out what all the fuss was about. Neither of you were there, so I poked around on my own. I had no idea I’d wandered so close to the Big Bad until it was too late.” He closed his eyes and leaned back. “I don’t remember much else until I woke up here.”

  “Are you in a lot of pain?�
�� Reggie asked.

  He grimaced and admitted that he was experiencing some pain.

  Reggie slapped his chest with the back of her hand. “Good. You deserve it, scaring us all like you did. If you had died, I would have killed you.”

  “She would have had to stand in line, Trust Fund,” Travis said. “What did the doctors say about your leg?”

  “Apparently, I should heal nicely. The surgery went well. I’m going to need physiotherapy once the cast comes off.” Sam shrugged.

  “Have your parents contacted you?” Reggie asked tentatively.

  “Yes, Satan and Cruella called me,” Sam said rolling his eyes.

  She smiled. Now she knew he’d be okay. He was insulting his father and mother again. Sam loved his parents, but he didn’t like them.

  “I told them I was fine. You know their genuine concern has the life expectancy of a Spinal Tap drummer.” He shifted in the bed.

  Travis said. “Hmm, hospital sheets. They must chafe like sand paper after your fine linens.”

  Sam said, “Now that you mention it…”

  “You’re soft, Trust Fund.”

  “That may be so, and for the record, only where it doesn’t count, but I think I should inform you that Gillian told me that you like honeysuckle in your bubble bath.”

  Travis looked sheepish. “I think it smells pretty.”

  “You’re such a girl,” Sam said.

  “I guess this really puts a crimp in your share of the work on our haunted house for Halloween. Figures you’d find some way to get out of the real work. This was pretty drastic though, even for you,” Travis said.

  Reggie sighed deeply, enjoying their usual banter. The only thing missing was Chase. She loved these two men like brothers. When she was with them she felt invincible. They could handle anything as long as they did it together. Her romantic feelings for Chase weren’t going to change that. She wouldn’t let it. Knowing that gave Reggie comfort, and she joined the conversation with enthusiasm.