The Gypsy Ribbon

by Shannon MacLeod

  Quickly, she turned over the last card, the Outcome. “The Four of Wands” she breathed in a sigh of relief. “All’s well that ends well.” She stopped again, realizing that this was another card she had seen from that first reading, and that time it had indicated Lily and Ian’s wedding.

  “I wish Lily was here to look at this,” she sighed. Jumping up from the couch, she rummaged through her bookcase until she found a composition notebook. She made a diagram of the reading then taped the torn out page to the front of her refrigerator. As an afterthought, she scrawled the date in the corner.

  After grabbing a soda Beth picked up her deck with the intent of putting it away. You didn’t pull a clarifier card to give you the big picture, she reminded herself. She selected one last card from the center of the deck–the King of Wands. Scratching her head in further confusion, she notated the additional card on the taped sheet.

  She sprawled out on the couch, popped the tab on the can of diet soda and turned on the TV, nearly missing the beep telling her she had a text message.

  Thinking of you

  Beth gave herself a quick hug of excitement before she sent a message back.

  Thinking of you too. How are you?

  Ok. Did Meg call you?

  Yes but don’t know what it was about

  After a moment, her phone rang. She hoped he could hear the smile in her voice. “Hiya, Irish.”

  “Hi yourself, beautiful gypsy,” James said. “You don’t know anyone who would be looking for you? Meg was pretty creeped out by the guy. She was convinced he was lying.”

  “She’s very intuitive; I’m inclined to listen if that’s the impression she got. I did a Tarot reading and it was interesting.” She wished she hadn’t said it as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

  James made an excited noise. “What did it say?” he asked.

  “A lot of it I didn’t understand,” she offered lamely.

  Undaunted, he continued to press, repeating his question. “What did it say?”

  All of her words came out in a rush. “It said that I was being spied on, it was about you and that whoever it is will expose our secrets and try to…her breath caught as she tried not to say it out loud….keep us from hanging out, you know, together.”

  “Break us up, you mean. I can say it, even if you won’t.”

  She gasped and stammered, “I don’t…well, you know… I wasn’t sure…”

  James interrupted her before she could sail further into denial. “Yes, you are but you won’t admit it, not even to yourself,” he asserted. “It’s all right, I’m a patient man. Not really, but for you I will be.” Chuckling at her sputtering, he changed the subject. “We’re still on for Wednesday, right? I’ll text you to let you know what time.”

  “That…sounds good,” Beth agreed.

  The voices around him grew louder, calling his name. He sighed. “I have to go, can we talk later tonight?”

  Beth nodded, then realized that he couldn’t see her and said aloud, “Yes. I’ll let you know when I log on.”

  His next words made her entire body go warm and fuzzy. “I miss you, sweetheart,” he said.

  Before she could stop them, the words tumbled out of her rebellious mouth. “I miss you too.”

  There was silence for a long moment. “That’s my girl,” he said softly, and the line went dead.

  * * * *

  Late Wednesday morning, Beth spread the light cotton blanket on the ground, and proceeded to unpack the picnic lunch. “I made the potato salad from your recipe, Auntie El,” she said, opening the plastic container. “I need to talk to you about this whole James Kelly thing.” She continued to dig through the cooler bag. “I mean, I really like him. I do. He scares the crap out of me, but it seems like he likes me too. I don’t know what to do.”

  Beth pulled out a sandwich and a bag of corn chips, tearing the bag open with her teeth. “He’s very sweet, and he’s so funny,” Beth continued without missing a beat, popping a chip into her mouth. “If I were able to order the perfect man from Amazon, it would be him. He’s everything I could want, but it’s almost like he’s too good to be true. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up any minute now.”

  Leaning back against the granite monument, she took a bite of her bologna sandwich and sighed. “Every time I see pictures of him, he’s surrounded by gorgeous women. You know, the ones you think are airbrushed until you see them in person and you get all depressed ‘cause they’re not? Why would he want to spend time with me when he’s got girls like that hanging around?” Beth punctuated her argument by waving the bag of chips. “I mean, why settle for Hamburger Helper when you could have filet mignon every night?”

  She picked up a plastic fork then helped herself to a big bite of the salad. “Still not as good as yours…I think I overdid it on the celery seed. Anyway,” she continued, “he’s going to an awful lot of trouble if he’s just playing me, don’t you think?”

  Beth finished her sandwich in silence then looked down at her watch. “Gotta go. I’ll talk you again soon, Auntie El.” She quickly repacked the cooler bag and hopped up to fold the blanket and tuck it under her arm. She paused and thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s time I gave him a chance,” she said, blowing a kiss to the air. “Thanks for listening.”

  Turning, she made her way through the row of headstones and headed back to the cemetery parking lot.

  ****

  On Wednesday afternoon, dressed for his evening out and anxious to go, James prowled around his room as he waited for his co-conspirator. At exactly 3pm, there was a sharp knock on the door. “Are you ready?” Spider asked, slipping in and closing the door behind him.

  James nodded and grinned. “I was born ready, Kev.”

  Spider rolled his eyes and laughed. Reaching into his jeans pocket, he pulled out a folded envelope and handed it to James. “That’s your boarding pass, your flight leaves in an hour and fifteen. You’ll be arriving back at quarter to midnight tonight. I’ll be there to meet you. There’s an hour time difference, remember that. You’ll need to be at the Tampa airport checked in by quarter to eleven.” He looked out quickly out the peephole before opening the door. “Come on,” he waved. “There’s too many people downstairs in the lobby, so we’re taking the scenic route.”

  They took the elevator down to the fourth floor, cut through two empty banquet rooms then hurried down the last flights in the employee stairwell, ending up at an empty loading dock near the back of the hotel. A lone taxi sat waiting. With a quick hop down Spider jerked the cab door open for him. James piled in and looked up at his friend. “Thank you,” he said, giving him a heartfelt smile.

  The roadie grinned back then said sternly, “You be extra careful, y’hear? Keep your head down and I’ll see you tonight. Give your girl an extra kiss for me.”

  James grinned. “I’ll make it two.”

  * * * *

  As fast as modern transportation would allow but not nearly fast enough to suit him, James was knocking on the door of Beth’s apartment. When she flung it open, he stepped inside and swept her up into his arms, spinning her around in his exuberance. “Put me down before you hurt yourself,” she squealed.

  “Not a chance,” he laughed. With that declaration, he kissed her as if his very life depended on it.

  Beth’s mind neatly clicked off as soon as his lips touched hers. Although she tried to hold herself aloof from his kiss, she found that not only was she not able to, she wanted more of it. Can’t do this, she told herself over and over. Her body wailed like a rebellious toddler when she began to wrest some semblance of control from her newly awakened–and apparently wanton–self.

  The fog started to clear and she placed a hand on his chest to steady herself. He pulled back to study her, brushing a wayward curl from her eyes with a gentle finger. “You are so beautiful, my sweet gypsy lass,” he murmured before kissing her again, this time soft and unhurried.

  Beth felt herself starting to go under again and knew he
r knees were not going to hold up under another onslaught. “I just…uh…need to grab my…uh….thing…purse. Are we, uh…ready to go?” she said, darting toward the bedroom.

  “Yes, straight to bed with you for at least a week. Maybe two,” he said softly.

  Did he really just go there? “Sorry, didn’t catch that. What?” Beth called out, torn between wishing he wouldn’t repeat it and desperately hoping he would.

  * * * *

  “Ready when you are, my darlin’,” he called back, grinning at his own private joke. His gaze swept over her when she returned, taking in her newest acquisition, a light gauzy dress with a scooped neckline that…a sudden memory jogged him back to the present. “But first, I have a surprise for you,” James said. “Close your eyes.” When she did, he reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a velvet box. Holding it out in front of her, he said, “Open.”

  She took the case and snapped the lid open. Her eyes flew wide and then knit together in confusion. “What is this?” she asked warily.

  He smiled. “It’s for you,” he said, pulling out the brilliant diamond and garnet necklace. “Turn around, let me help you.” When she didn’t move, he turned her gently toward the mirror hanging close to her front door. He slipped his hands under her hair and gave an inner sigh of pleasure at the velvety warmth of the skin underneath. Chain fastened around her neck, the delicate pendant fell to dangle just short of the cleft that peeked out over the neckline of the dress.

  Beth was speechless. With tentative, trembling fingers she reached up to touch the unexpected present. Her gaze met his in the mirror. “What’s it for?” she asked, her voice quiet.

  “It’s for you,” he repeated slowly. She looked down at it and back up at him, the confusion evident on her face. He grinned. “It’s a gift, Beth. I saw it and thought of you, thought how lovely it would look on you, and I wanted you to have it.” He slid his finger down the chain to the pendant and gave her a teasing smile. “The garnets are for the fire in your hair and the diamonds are for the sparkle in your eyes, but standing here before you I can see they both pale in comparison to the genuine articles.”

  She looked stricken. “But I don’t have anything for you,” she said in a broken whisper.

  What the…James blinked in amazement several times before the enormity of the situation became clear to him. “Sweetheart,” he said, “you aren’t supposed to have a gift for me whenever I surprise you with one. If you don’t mind my saying…you’re a wee bit new at this whole courtin’ thing, aren’t you?”

  He knew the instant the concept finally sank in. Her face softened and a brilliant smile reflected back at him in the mirror, making him want to shower her in more gifts just to keep that smile coming in his direction. His blood quickened in time to his pounding heartbeat, but he steeled his rebellious body to keep a tight rein on the raging lust he had so far successfully held at bay.

  She gazed up at him through moist eyes then rose on tiptoe to give him a soft, sweet kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, it is beautiful.” She was silent a moment before adding faintly, “No one’s ever given me anything like this before.”

  Something fierce grabbed hold of his heart and twisted it at those quiet words. That’s something we’ll be remedying immediately, he thought, beaming down at her. “The pleasure is all mine, love,” he said, offering his arm. “Shall we?”

  James was quite pleased with himself, content to only hold her hand on the ride to the upscale steakhouse. She offered him shy smiles as they made small talk. While he nodded in all the right places, it was hard to concentrate. His body hummed with unspent male energy, but he found himself relishing the building anticipation.

  The limousine glided under the high canopy in front of the restaurant. As he stepped out and offered his hand to Beth, images flew fast past his inner eye. Meg…photos…fries? It made no sense and he shook his head to clear the strange visual. Before they went inside, she tugged at his sleeve and pointed towards the western skyline. “Look, you can see the Castle standards from here.”

  He captured and squeezed her hand affectionately, then changed his mind and wrapped both arms around her. “That’s funny,” he said softly, “all I can see is you.” He lowered his head to hers, and gave her a slow, hungry kiss.

  “Behave yourself, Irish,” she admonished. With a shared smile, they joined hands and walked inside the restaurant.

  * * * *

  “This is the longest bloody light in Brandon,” Dan grumbled. Stuck at the stoplight he happened to glance over at an entwined couple in the restaurant parking lot. “Those two there need to get a room.” He looked closer. “Looks a bit like Beth from the back, don’t it,” he remarked.

  Meg sat up so abruptly she nearly spilled the chili cheese fries balanced precariously on her lap. “That is Beth, and that’s…that’s James with her,” she said in disbelief. “Now what in the hell is he doing here…what are they…but when…oh,” she said, when understanding started to sink in. Dan eased the big Suburban forward when the light changed, but Meg tapped him impatiently on the arm. “What are you doing? Turn around, go back,” she ordered.

  Dan shook his head. “If you didn’t know he was here, there’s a reason why. He’s a grown man now, so let him tell you about it,” he said. Before she could protest, he added, “This is obviously a secret rendezvous, sweetheart. Let them have their privacy. It’s very romantic, don’t you think?” He reached across the truck to take her hand. She relented and allowed his big, warm hand to envelope hers.

  “Well, all right,” she smiled grudgingly, “but he best tell me all about it soon.”

  * * * *

  James and Beth sat with their hands clasped across the table, talking and enjoying each other’s company after a leisurely dinner. “So how long have you been reading the cards?” he asked.

  “Years,” she smiled. “I got my first deck when I was maybe eleven or twelve and taught myself. I really enjoy it.”

  “Maybe you could read them for me sometime?” he asked with a hopeful smile.

  She brightened. “I’d be happy to,” she said, batting her eyes playfully. “So…how long have you been precognitive?”

  “Gesundheit,” he muttered, feigning sudden interest in the floral centerpiece. “You know, I’ve never noticed the flowers here…”

  Not fooled for a moment, Beth swiftly brought that to his attention. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Your whole family came with a little something extra in the DNA and none of you will admit to it,” she said, waggling a finger at him in mock accusation.

  Giving up the pretence of ignorance, he laughed. “It’s just that most people are disturbed by things they can’t understand. There’s a lot of strangeness in my family.” He captured her hand and massaged it between his thumb and fingers. “I’ve always been…that…as far back as I can remember. It’s not always a good thing,” he added quickly, “if I can’t change what I see, so then what’s the good of having it? I can’t really control it either; I never know when it’s going to pop up.”

  She tilted her head and gave him a sharp look. “What do you mean, change what you see?”

  He sipped his wine and gave her an example. “I saw something that was going to happen once. I tried to warn Ian, but he…here’s what happened. When I was about thirteen, I caught Ian and Dan sneaking out to go to a hooley–that’s a party–and I made Ian take me with him. It was a full on circus all right. College girls down from Trinity, a live band and enough poteen to float a battleship. Well, anyway…it got raided, and the cops came and loaded us all in the wagon for jail. When the guard said my old man was coming to get us, I knew we were both going to get a lashing for sneaking out.”

  His eyes flickered with anguish at the memory. “I saw that Ian was going to tell Da it was his fault I was there and he was going to take both beatings so that I didn’t have to.” James shook his head sadly. “I begged him not to but he wouldn’t listen. All I could do was just sit and cry, knowing what
was coming.”

  Talking a big gulp of wine for fortification, he continued to talk. “And that’s exactly what happened. I always felt it was my fault because Ian was protecting me, even when I didn’t deserve it. He always has, you know, looked out for me.”

  He blew out a heavy breath then shook himself comically. “I have no idea why I’m blathering on, that certainly wasn’t a story for a night like this.” Giving her a warm smile, he reached up to gently brush a thumb over her cheek “Let’s talk about you, sweetheart. Shall we discuss why you won’t believe that I find you wildly attractive and find myself thinking about you all the time?”

  Beth had no doubts she flushed crimson to the roots of her hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mumbled, reaching for her wine and knocking the glass over in her clumsiness.

  He neatly caught it before it spilled a drop. “Ah, but you do,” he said silkily, setting her glass upright again. “There’s another fine example of not being able to control my sight, as Ma calls it. I didn’t see you coming at all. I’m like a moth drawn to your vibrant flame, my dear,” he said, capturing her hand and kissing it with a grand flourish.

  Beth smiled, but he saw that it didn’t reach all the way up to her eyes. He pressed again. “I know you don’t believe me, sweetheart, but you should,” he insisted. “Why can’t you? What’s holding you back? I can feel the emotion coming off you in waves, and it fair sets my skin to tingling, but then your beautiful lips tell me the complete opposite of what I know in my heart to be true. I want to know, and I mean right this minute. What do I need to do to convince you that I’m serious?”

  Beth seized on that word with the ferocity of a terrier. “Serious about what?” she demanded. “Just what is it you feel you need to convince me of?”

  James studied her as he carefully considered his words. “Beth, I…” and he stopped. Furrowing his brow, he tried again. “I’ve not been happy now for a long time, and I can’t even begin to tell you…” he paused to take a breath and give her hand a gentle squeeze. “I can’t tell you how lonely it is being on the road for so long. It lost its luster for me years ago.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully before continuing. “What you see on the tabloids is carefully orchestrated to keep up our ‘rock hard, play hard’ image. Truth is, I only go out when I have to. I’m not interested in having a relationship with any of those women that hang around the band just because it’s a band. I had a conversation with someone a few months ago, and I told him that I wanted to…find a real woman who…”