“I’m sorry.” I held up my hands in capitulation. “I thought everyone on the island knew.”
“The locals know. The tourists don’t. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
The restaurant was mostly empty, so I didn’t think there was danger of his secret spilling. Now wasn’t the time for that argument, though. “So ... what do you know about tiki masks?”
The shift clearly threw him for a loop. “Excuse me?”
“Tiki masks,” I repeated, as if it was the most normal topic in the world. “What do you know about them?”
“I know that they’re creepy decorations if you get drunk enough.”
“They have meaning, though.” I wasn’t sure of much, but I was certain about that. “There are different types of masks for different things.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” He leaned back in his seat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Why are you asking about tiki masks?”
I told him what had happened during the last twenty-four hours, leaving nothing out. That included Aisling, because she had too big of a personality to be ignored. “So, as you can see, I need to know what the tiki masks mean. They’re obviously important to whatever ritual this guy has going.”
“Uh-huh.” Booker scrubbed the sides of his face. “Wow. Everything with you has to go to a weird place. I don’t understand that.”
Oh, if he wanted to play it that way, I could take it to an even weirder place. “Do you have wings? I mean ... cupids must have wings, right?”
His scowl was back. “Fine. You’re totally normal. I was wrong when I said otherwise. Happy?”
“I’m happier. I wouldn’t say I’m happy. Galen says we need to have a long talk tonight, and I just know he’s going to blame me for opening the reaper’s house when I had nothing to do with it. That was all Aisling.”
“Oh, geez!” He slapped his hand over his eyes. “I miss the days when all I had to do when near a woman is let her rub herself all over me. Those were fun times.”
Now it was my turn to scowl. “I thought you didn’t want to talk about that.”
“I don’t.”
“So let’s talk about what I told you. I need information on those tiki masks.”
“They’re decorations, Hadley,” he snapped, exasperation evident. “The original tiki culture was different, I’m sure, but now the masks are for decorations and nothing else. No one here participates in tiki culture.”
“How can you be certain?”
“I ... .” He trailed off and moved his jaw. “You’re right. I can’t be sure.”
I wanted to crow. “Do you mind saying that again into my phone recorder so I can keep it for posterity?”
“Don’t push it.” He sipped his iced tea and got comfortable. “All I know about tiki masks is that they mean different things to different people. Some are for strength, some protection ... I think there’s some earth, air, fire and water stuff thrown in for good measure. I’m pretty sure tiki legends originated in Polynesian cultures. I might be wrong on that, but it feels right.”
It did feel right. “Well, I need to learn about these masks. Do you guys have a library here?”
“Of course we do.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s that small building with the glass ceiling by the beach.”
Hmm. I knew which building he was talking about and I was understandably surprised. “That doesn’t look like a library. Besides that, it has a sign proclaiming the best coffee on or off the island is sold inside. What kind of library sells coffee?”
“The smart kind. Tourists like souvenirs and drinks. The library is more than one thing. That’s how the folks on the library board make money to keep that building. Do you have any idea how many business owners have tried to lease that property?”
“I would think it would be perfect for a restaurant.”
“And the DDA wants a library, so we still have a library.”
“Yeah. I want to meet these DDA folks everyone keeps going on about,” I offered. “I think they sound ... neat.”
“Then you haven’t been listening. They’re not neat. They’re ... something else.” He shook his head. “As for the masks, they might have some information there. I think you’d be better off researching online, though. The internet is more than just filthy porn these days.”
I wanted to smack myself. Duh. Why didn’t I think of the internet? I was definitely off my game. “Oh, well, I guess I can go that route. I thought maybe the library would have specialized books or something.”
“All that information is available on the internet.”
“Then I’ll look.”
We lapsed into uncomfortable silence. I was about to ask more questions about Booker’s cupid leanings when he decided to take control of the conversation himself. “Tell me about the reaper. She sounds fun. What does she look like?”
I shot him a warning look. “She’s here on her honeymoon.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean anything where I’m concerned.”
“Well, it means something to me.” I meant it. “They’re very much in love ... and she’s pregnant.”
Booker made a face. “Well, even I wouldn’t cross that line. She still sounds interesting. I can’t say I ever spent much time around Adam. He was weird. But I’ve been interested in reapers for years. Very few paranormals have jobs associated with their birthright. The reapers are kind of secretive.”
That was the opposite of the conclusion I’d reached. “Aisling talks a mile a minute and she likes to mouth off.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s a woman thing, not a reaper thing.”
“Ha, ha.”
“I still wouldn’t mind talking to her,” Booker said. “You said she was from Michigan? I heard through the grapevine that they’ve had a wraith problem up there the last few years. I’d like to learn more about that, because we don’t tend to get wraiths on the island.”
“What’s a wraith?”
“A displaced soul who stays behind and sucks the souls of others to survive. They can live forever that way, but it’s more of a half-life than anything.”
I thought of May. “Do you think May is in danger of becoming a wraith?”
The question caught Booker off guard. “Why would you think that?”
“Because Aisling mentioned that souls shouldn’t be left in this world, that they should move on to the next because otherwise they go crazy. I don’t want May to lose her mind. I’m just getting to know her. I don’t want her to leave yet either.”
“I think May is well aware of what she’s doing.” Booker looked around and chose his words carefully. “She wouldn’t have stayed if she didn’t think she could handle it.”
“I think she stayed for me, to see if I would come.”
“That’s what I think. But she wouldn’t have risked her soul for it. She simply would’ve waited for you on the other side if that were the case. You could always ask her.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I slowly got to my feet. “Listen, I know you’re embarrassed about the whole cupid thing, but you don’t need to be. I’m fine with it. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. You can come around again, if you want.”
“Are you saying you miss me?”
He looked a little too smug. “I’m saying you can come around again. I promise not to ask questions unless you’re ready to answer them.”
“I suppose I could answer questions ... later. I don’t want to answer them yet.”
“Then just come around,” I suggested. “We’ll have a barbecue or something. Not tonight, because we’re supposed to meet Aisling and Griffin for dinner and hear what her father has to say about our predicament, but we’ll set something up for later in the week.”
“Then I shall be there.” He tipped an invisible hat. “By the way, I wasn’t hiding from you. I was just ... .”
“I know.” I offered him a half wave. “You were giving me some space. I don’t need it any
longer. I really think I’m starting to get the hang of this witch thing.”
“Famous last words.”
“We’ll see. I think everything will work out the way it should be.”
MY CONTENTED FEELING about the way my world was shifting didn’t last long. In fact, it lasted only until I pulled into the driveway and found Wesley standing on the front lawn yelling at the house.
“I’ve had it up to here with you!” He bellowed, holding his hand about a foot over his head. “Right up to here. I’ve had it! I hope you’re happy.”
May’s voice drifted from inside the house. “The happiest day of my life was when I divorced you.”
“Right back at you!” Wesley realized after the fact that I was watching him and he adjusted his frame and tone accordingly. “Good afternoon, granddaughter.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help myself. “Good afternoon. What’s going on with you and May?”
“Your grandmother is a pain in the ass. Pardon my French, but she truly is. There are times I just want to ... .” He broke off and mimed strangling an invisible person.
“I think someone already did that to her.” I pocketed my golf cart keys and stood. “Speaking of that, I have a question for you. Now might not be the time, but I’m worried and it’s something I can’t push out of my head despite what you told me yesterday.”
Wesley sobered, perhaps sensing trouble. “What’s wrong? You haven’t got a killer after you again, have you? If so, I’ll start locking you in the house, girl.”
I chuckled, amused. I wasn’t used to having a grandparent watch out for me. It was kind of nice ... and altogether annoying. “Not last time I checked, but there is a killer running loose. Whoever it is has only taken out men so far, so I think I’m safe, but you should be on the lookout.”
“I’m not worried about some killer. I’m too old and cranky to go out that way.”
“Yeah, well ... about May. I met a reaper yesterday and she said something that has me worried. She said that souls can’t stay behind without going crazy. May isn’t going to go crazy, is she?”
“Your grandmother has always been crazy.”
I shot him a stern look. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, and you don’t have to worry.” He softened his voice. “Your grandmother was a powerful witch. Her soul is warded. Do you know what that means?”
I’d read about wards in one of May’s books, but I couldn’t remember exactly what I’d learned. “So ... she’s safe?”
“She’s safe,” he confirmed, patting my shoulder. “She knew what she was doing when she stayed behind.”
“Because of me. That’s why she did it, right?”
“Not only because of you. She stayed because of me, too.”
“All you’ve done is fight since you were reunited.”
“That’s how we communicate. Both of us like it.”
“Then why didn’t you stay married?”
“We were unique individuals who wanted to live a certain way. I know it’s hard for you to understand — and that I’ve been taking over the lighthouse a little more than I should — but things will settle. Despite the fighting, we’re not unhappy. In truth, I wish she were still alive so she could throw things when she gets angry.”
“I’ll bet she’ll be able to throw things soon. She’s been working on it.”
“Good. I like my women feisty.” He took me by surprise when he pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Now, I’m out of here for the rest of the day. When your grandmother starts complaining that she’s bored — and she will because that’s what she does — I want you to remind her she kicked me out. This one is on her.”
“I’ll remind her.”
“Good. As for you, stop fretting. You’re too much of a worrier. Things will work out the way they should. I promise you that.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it, at least for now.”
“That’s fine, but you’ll figure it out on your own soon enough. The world isn’t exactly how you thought it was before you got here, Hadley. That doesn’t mean it’s not something better.”
His words bolstered my spirits. “Thanks for that. I needed to hear it.”
“Don’t mention it.”
10
Ten
Galen arrived shortly before six. He looked to have showered, his hair wet, and a new pair of khaki shorts and shirt setting off his brown legs and broad shoulders. He smiled when I walked out of the lighthouse, taking in the simple dress and sandals I chose, and leaned against his truck as he folded his arms over his chest.
“You look nice.”
“I was just about to say the same about you,” I offered as I walked in his direction. “You clean up well.”
“Ha, ha.” He tapped my chin to lift it and gave me a long kiss. “You smell good. What is that?” He pressed his face close to my neck and inhaled, causing goosebumps to break out across my skin. “Coconut. I love the smell of coconut.”
“I do, too.” I lifted my eyes and searched his face. “We don’t have to go out for dinner. We could stay here and eat soup. Wesley left.”
A look of regret crossed Galen’s face and caused my heart to plummet. “We have to meet Aisling and Griffin.”
“Oh, right.” I shook my head, mortified I’d been so forceful. “Of course we do.”
He snagged my hand before I could move too far away. “There’s a whole lot of night in front of us, though. I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to work something out.”
“Oh, yeah? What makes you think I’m going to ask you twice?”
“I favor my odds.” He pulled me flush to him and offered up a scorching kiss before pulling back, somewhat ruefully. “We should get going before I completely lose my head and take you up on that offer.”
“Oh, that offer is off the table.”
He gave me a playful swat as he walked me to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door. “We’ll just see about that.”
THE DRIVE TO THE RESTAURANT was short. We could’ve walked, but because Galen was the sheriff there was every chance he might need his vehicle if another body was discovered before the end of the night. For his sake — as well as my own — I hoped that wouldn’t happen.
Galen signaled the hostess as we entered. She was a pretty brunette, all long legs and gaping cleavage, and the look she shot Galen as she gathered menus and gestured for us to follow bordered on salacious.
“A friend of yours?” I asked dryly as we followed.
Galen squeezed my hand. “I’m the sheriff. I’m notorious amongst the locals.”
“Right.”
The hostess led us to a table on the beach. It was near a huge bonfire. I’d never quite seen a setup like this at another restaurant.
“What’s with all the open space?” I asked as Galen pulled out my chair for me to sit. “Is something going to happen on the beach?”
“They dance later,” Galen replied simply. “It’s an interesting show that I thought you would find riveting. The food is also great.” He sat in the chair next to me and focused on the hostess, who was still hovering. “There is another couple joining us. She has long black hair with white streaks and he has brown hair and dark eyes. If you can lead them out to us as soon as they get here I would appreciate it, Jen.”
The woman nodded. “Of course. I hope you have a pleasant evening, Sheriff Blackwood.”
He gripped my hand tighter on top of the table and smiled. “That’s the plan.”
I waited until she was gone to speak. “You have fans all over this island, don’t you? I mean ... women just throw themselves at you.”
“I hardly think she was throwing herself at me.”
“If you’d given her an opening that would’ve been the next step. She didn’t care that I was here at all. You might not be a cupid, but you have your own mojo in that department.”
“Cupid?” Galen narrowed his eyes. “Should I take that to mean you saw Booker today?”
�
��I did.” There was no sense in lying. “He’s still embarrassed I know what he is. I don’t get why he’s so worked up. I think it’s kind of cute. And it’s not as if he walks around in a giant diaper or anything.”
“You don’t know what he does in his private time.” Galen ran a hand through his hair. “As for Booker ... our relationship isn’t always easy.”
“Because he stole all your girlfriends when you were growing up?”
“Hey, I stole plenty of his girlfriends, too. That’s not the issue.”
“So ... what is the issue?”
“We’re simply competitive,” Galen replied. “We can’t help it. We’re both built that way. For the most part, I trust him. He seems to like you and I doubt he would move on you unless you offered an opening.”
“Do you think I would offer an opening?”
“No. It’s just ... I’m totally better looking than him.”
He growled the last part of the statement and made me smile. “You totally are,” I agreed. “I think you might be the best-looking man ever born.”
“I know you’re only saying that to placate me, but I’ll take it.” He gripped my fingers for a long beat and stared into my eyes. “In case I haven’t told you, you look really pretty tonight.”
“You have told me, but it’s always nice to hear.”
We lapsed into silence as we perused the menu, which was large and varied. I was on the second page of offerings when I heard a noise to my left and looked up. Jen the hostess was showing Griffin and Aisling to the table, and she seemed as happy to see Griffin as she was to see Galen.
“Right this way.” Jen practically bubbled over as she beamed at Griffin. “The rest of your party is already seated.”
I slid Galen a sidelong look. “It seems she’s hot for a lot of people.”
“She’s a siren.” Galen’s grin reflected amusement. “That means she’s attracted to everyone. She can only sleep with someone under the right circumstances, though.”
“A siren?” I searched my memory. “Like a mermaid?”
Freaky Deaky Tiki Page 9
