“Okay, little one, you’re about to get your first lesson in witch warfare.”
Presley circled her finger, lifting the bear up out of the little boy’s hands. Sadie flicked her finger, forcing it back. The little boy watched as the bear jumped out of his hand and then back.
Sadie had never known a witch to be this powerful at such a young age. Presley, finger posed, caused the bear to rise from the table again.
Someone was going to see what was happening. Lucy might even see what was happening, and until she had the matter under control, Sadie couldn’t have anyone knowing about Presley and her powers.
“Okay, little one, this is going to hurt you and make your hand tingle, but it’s for your own good.”
Sadie snapped her fingers, causing the bear to fall back to the table. Presley began crying and kicking her legs on the back of the high chair just as Lucy returned.
“What’s happened,” said Lucy, hugging her.
“I heard her mumble something about a teddy,” said Sadie, looking at Presley and shaking her head.
“Your teddy’s back at the hotel,” said Lucy, trying to calm a sobbing Presley who now had everyone’s attention. “I’ve never seen her like this before.” “Maybe she’s coming down with something.”
Sadie sat down and took another sip of tea. How was she going to deal with this situation? Presley would need training to do good with her skills, instead of bad things like take other children’s toys. To do that she’d need to go to the Other Realm. That meant Sadie would have to sit down with Brad and Lucy and tell them everything.
Chapter Five
“Ms. Sutton…I mean, Sadie.”
Sadie turned and headed back to the reception desk where Hayley was holding a piece of paper out to her.
She just wanted to get back to her room and collect her thoughts. Today had been one of the worst of her life. The whole business with Presley had been her fault. And after their lunch, Sadie had just wanted to go to the Other Realm and hide for a while. She’d gotten out of afternoon shopping with Lucy by saying she had a headache, but tonight they’d invited her to dinner at the hotel where the family was staying.
“Is everything okay?” asked Hayley.
“Yes, yes, just a sudden headache.”
“Would you like me to bring you up some tea?”
“That would be wonderful.”
“Someone from your head office called and said to tell you that your supervisor will be stopping by next week.”
Sadie gulped. That would be Nadine from the Department of Love. If she knew about Sadie’s disaster, she’d been finished.
Sadie turned to head up to her room.
“I’ll bring that tea right up,” Hayley called after her.
Sadie went to her room and sat on the bed. She pulled out the Christmas card and looked at the photo again. Such a lovely family and her impulsiveness that night when she’d taken baby Presley to the Other Realm had ruined everything for them.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Sadie smiled as Hayley carried in a tray bearing a tea pot, floral cup and saucer, and a plate of cookies. She placed them on the bedside table.
“So what have you been up to?” asked Sadie, pouring herself a cup of tea.
“I signed up for some business classes at the local community college. And I’m going to buy a Christmas tree tonight. The local fire department’s selling them to raise money for a food bank.”
“Really, the fire department?”
Maybe today wasn’t such a disaster after all. Sadie recalled that Cole had told her he worked as a volunteer fireman. Yes, these two could be a match made in heaven. Maybe with a little of that, and a little of this, it could be by sheer coincidence that Cole would be working the tree lot tonight and the two of them would meet.
“You look happy all of a sudden,” said Haley.
“It must be these delightful cookies,” said Sadie, taking a second bite.
****
“I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t an emergency.”
Cole’s hand gripped the phone. Him manning the Christmas tree lot. Didn’t everyone know by now that he’d been shopping for a tree when he’d gotten the call that night? Why had Fred, the fire chief, called him of all people?
“Glen’s suddenly came down with a sore throat and feels like shit. I can’t expect him to be out in the cold for any length of time. I’d do it, but we have to visit my mother-in-law in the hospital. She had her hip replacement surgery yesterday.”
Sweat broke out on his forehead. He’d do anything to help these guys and the department so he couldn’t bring himself to say no, even if it was going to be sheer agony for him. Maybe he’d take a book along to read and wouldn’t think about where he was, or look at any of the trees.
“Okay, what time do I need to be there?” asked Cole.
“Six and you can close at nine.”
Cole knew Eileen was taking the kids out shopping so he didn’t have to worry about finding someone to supervise them at the last minute.
“Thanks for doing this, Cole. I really appreciate it,” said Fred.
“Sure, anytime.”
He pressed the end call button. Maybe this would make or break him. He looked out of the window and noticed it had started snowing. The temperature gauge on the fence said it was hovering near the freezing mark. Heading upstairs, he wondered if he should put on his thermal underwear. And taking along a thermos of something warm to drink would probably be a good idea, too.
He sat on the bed, glancing across at the photo of him and Amanda that rested on his bedside nightstand. He took a deep breath, hoping he’d make it through the night.
****
Sadie took a deep breath before knocking on the door of Brad and Lucy’s hotel room. She couldn’t face them over dinner, so she’d slyly told them she had a gift certificate to one of the top restaurants in Casper and wanted them to go while she babysat Presley. Brad had accepted straight away, saying it had been months since he and Lucy had been out on a ‘date’.
The whole thing was perfect. Brad and Lucy could enjoy themselves, and Sadie could spend some time alone with Presley to evaluate the situation more.
Brad opened the door to her.
“Perfect timing, because we’re just about ready. Come in and make yourself comfortable,” he said.
Sadie walked into the room and saw Lucy wearing a pretty floral dress and putting on her earrings.
“Sadie,” said Presley, pointing at her.
She was already dressed in her PJs and was jumping up and down on the bed.
“Hey, hey, sit down nicely or Sadie will make you go to bed early,” said Brad.
Presley sat down and grinned at her father.
“She’s had her bath, and she’s eaten, so don’t let her talk you into giving her more,” said Lucy. “Let her watch TV for a bit, and she won’t go to sleep without her teddy and you reading her a story. Her books are over on the table there.”
“I’d choose the shortest one possible,” whispered Brad. “And don’t try and cut out parts because it’s uncanny but she knows when you do it.”
Sadie smiled. “I know we’re going to have a fun evening together, so off you both go and have a wonderful time,” she said, handing them the gift certificate.
Lucy leaned over and kissed Presley. Brad did the same, but made an exaggerated smooching sound which made Presley giggle.
Both Presley and Sadie blew them a kiss as they went out of the door.
“Okay Presley, let’s find something to watch, and then we have some work to do.”
“Toons,” she said.
Sadie guessed she meant cartoons.
“Okay, let’s see if we can find one.”
Sadie flicked through the channels and found one about a dog and cat.
“Kitty, kitty,” said Presley.
Sadie sat on the bed and Presley scooted up beside her. Sadie wrapped her arm around the girl�
�s shoulders.
“Now I know all about your powers, but you have to learn to channel them into good things for other people. Tonight we’re going to work together and do some magic for two people who are about to meet for the first time.”
Presley twirled her finger.
“Wait until I’ve given you permission to do that. Just think maybe one day you’ll take over Perfect Pairing for me.”
Sadie brushed Presley’s hair out of her eyes. Wouldn’t that be something if it actually happened? When Sadie was ready to retire, Presley would step in and pair couples just like her parents.
“Okay now, close your eyes tight,” said Sadie, holding Presley’s hand. “Their names are Cole and Haley.”
Sadie felt Presley’s hand squeezing hers tighter as Sadie raised their hands in the air.
****
Cole clapped his hands together. Despite wearing gloves, his hands felt like two blocks of ice. They’d been busy for the first hour, but then it had slowed down to just a handful of people who had wanted to browse more than buy. For the last fifteen minutes there’d been not one customer, which wasn’t a good thing for him because the memories of that night were trying to invade his thoughts.
Pulling out the book he’d brought along, he was determined not to let his mind wander to the past. He settled down in the chair in the warming hut and turned up the heater one more notch. He read the first few lines more than once, trying his best to get into the story and not his own head. Maybe the radio would have been better company than the book. He had to give the story another try. He tapped his foot as he read, putting his hands over his ears as if shielding bad thoughts from getting into his brain via that route. That wasn’t any good either and his hands were getting colder.
Hearing a car pulling up, Cole glanced up and peeked out of the door he’d left slightly ajar. A young woman wearing a bright red pea coat was walking toward the lot. Besides the vivid color of her outer wear, he noticed her red hair sticking out from the fur-lined hood. Little Red Riding Hood. He smiled, wondering why he’d thought of that. She stopped and looked at a few of the smaller trees and then headed toward the hut. He glanced down, willing himself to get back to his book, but his curiosity had been put on alert. He watched as she got closer. She was pretty. Not just pretty, but gorgeous in fact.
He swallowed, realizing that he’d not only taken a really taken a good look at another woman since Amanda had passed, but his brain had also registered that she was cute.
Cole watched in total fascination now as she weaved in and out of the trees, pulling on few branches as she inspected them. She walked out of sight. He stood and walked to the door, wondering how he could possibly be checking out a member of the opposite sex when he’d vowed never to look at another woman in that way ever again. He’d made a silent promise to Amanda. And promises were meant to be kept. He leaned against the door jamb, at first not seeing the young woman, but then she turned the corner and stopped suddenly, now looking back at him.
Cole was sure his heart had skipped a beat. He needed to sit down, but he couldn’t because his feet wouldn’t move. Maybe he was on the verge of a panic attack. He’d had a few shortly after Amanda’s funeral, but hadn’t told anyone in case they made him see a shrink. However, this time, the rapid heartbeat felt very different. He was scared but in a different sort of way, like he was about to do everything he’d vowed not to.
She walked closer to him. Then all of a sudden, she must have stepped on some ice, because down she went, butt first on the ground. Luckily his feet could move again and he ran toward her.
Cole saw her just sitting on the snow and wondered if she was hurt, but then he heard her laughing. She sat there, legs sprawled apart, giggling. He had to laugh too, not because she’d fallen, but because she sounded happy and it was almost infectious. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed like this. His facial muscles hardly recalled what it felt like.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” She laughed again. “It’s my own fault for trying to be fashionable in these shoes.”
He glanced at them. Black pumps that looked great on her, but she was right, they weren’t the ideal footwear for shopping for a tree on icy ground.
“You need some help getting up?” He held out his hand to her.
“Thank you that would be great.”
She took it and although they were both wearing gloves he could feel the outline of her hand as she pulled herself up to her feet.
“Thank you,” she said. They looked into one another’s eyes, almost like two people who had met before and were reconnecting.
“Sure you’re all right, nothing broken?” he asked.
“No, just a wet coat, and probably a sore butt tomorrow.”
She turned around and he noticed some wet snow still clung to her.
Without thinking he smacked it off her coat, touching her butt in the process.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…I mean I wasn’t trying to…”
This time they both laughed at the same time.
“I’m Cole True.”
He took off his glove and offered her his hand again.
She pulled off hers and stuck her hand into his.
“Hayley Ward. Nice to meet you.”
Despite the cold, her hand was warm, soft, and how come he wanted to continue holding it?
“So you’re looking for a tree?” he asked.
They finally let go of one another’s hands.
“Yes, thought I’d get one up and decorated while I’m in the mood.”
“Any particular size you’re thinking about?”
“One of the taller ones. It’s for the reception area. I own the Rustic Inn. It’s the B and B on the edge of town.”
He hadn’t heard of it, but the name sounded quaint. “You run it with your husband?”
Why did I ask her that?
She shook her head. “It’s just me.”
He noticed she was shivering and that the back of her coat was still wet.
“You want to come into the hut and warm up before you continue looking around the tree lot?”
She clapped her hands together and then blew into them. “Could I?”
“Sure, follow me.”
He led her into the hut and turned the heater up another notch to get the heat kicking around.
“So are you a fireman?” she asked.
“Volunteer. My real job’s working on a ranch.”
“That’s great, I mean volunteering to help the fire department.”
He didn’t want to tell her how that came about. In fact, right now it was the farthest thing from his mind.
“Can I offer you some hot chocolate?”
He lifted up the thermos he’d brought with him.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely, plenty to go around.”
He found another cup sitting by the window and poured some into it for her.
“Sorry I don’t have any marshmallows,” he said handing it over.
“Oh, I love those.”
Amanda had too.
“Maybe when you’re warmed up I can find you the perfect tree out there,” said Cole, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. He looked over the cup at her. She even had a few freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“That would be great. Not that I have many guests booked who will see it.”
“Business is slow?” asked Cole.
“Afraid so.”
“Do you have a business card, because I could put one up on the notice board at the fire station?”
“In fact, I do.”
She dug through her purse and pulled out a couple of them. He took them and saw an outline of the inn with her name, telephone number, and e-mail address beside it.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“And if you and your wife ever want to stay I’d be happy to offer you a discount.”
“I’m a widower.”
“I’m sorry,
I shouldn’t have…”
He raised his hand. “Not your fault. You want some more hot chocolate?”
“Thanks, but no. In fact, I should get the tree picked out before your lot closes.”
“Okay, let’s go see what we can find for you.”
****
Hayley watched as he brushed his hand along the branches of the trees. A ranch hand and a fireman. He looked the part on both accounts. Tall, broad shouldered, and yes, handsome too. His wavy brown hair curled slightly underneath his hat.
“This one looks to be the best one for its size,” he said. His voice jarred her. Until he’d spoken, she hadn’t realized she was staring with her mouth slightly open.
She looked up at the tree in question. In fact, she had to strain her neck to see the top. She certainly couldn’t strap that to the roof of her car. It had to be at least seven feet tall, but it was beautiful. The most perfect tree she’d ever seen.
“I love it, but I’m not sure how I can get something that size home.”
“I have a flatbed truck. I can do it for you.”
“Are you sure? I’d pay for your gas and your time, too.”
He shook his head. “I’d rather you give a donation to the fireman’s fund.”
“I can certainly do that.”
“Okay, if you give me directions to your inn, and once I close up this place, I can drop it off for you.”
Hayley smiled. She liked the idea that she’d be seeing him again and so soon after they’d met.
****
Cole turned up the heater in the truck as he headed north. Rustic Inn sounded nice. It sounded romantic, too. Just what the hell made me think of that adjective?
Tapping his fingers on the wheel to keep in time with the music, and also to keep them warm, he thought about Hayley and her cute roar of laughter when she’d fallen on the snow. He laughed out loud, too. Second time he’d done that tonight. What a surprise that his face and its muscles remembered how to get in that position. He rubbed the side of his jaw, already feeling it ache from the unfamiliarity.
He glanced in the rearview mirror. It was dark inside the truck, but he could see his face well enough. Smiling suited him. And now he found himself singing along with the radio as he turned onto the road where the inn was located. It was uphill and a little icy, so he put the truck into a lower gear so it grabbed the road. The inn sat up on the top, looking down at him. Snow adorned its roofline and porch, making it look like something on a Christmas card.
Promises to Keep Page 3
