“Can you wait four years until she grows up?”
Leroy shook his head. “I’ll die. I’ll have to go off somewhere and not see her. But even then, I’ll die. Help me, Grandfather.” He gave the shaman a rundown of what Ashley had said about not being a little girl.
“That’s true: she isn’t a little girl. She’s the reincarnation of Cass. Cass before she was ruined. Cass gets another chance through Ashley.”
“Can she feel Cass?”
“No, but Cass can feel you. She’s in love with you too.”
“How do you know?”
“She’s your soul mate. I know your soul.” Grandfather heaved a sigh. “An unusual case, but workable. The hardest part will be convincing Will Duane what we’re going to do is all right.”
“What are we going to do?”
“You’re going to marry Ashley in a few minutes. Her father is going to give her away and be happy. Then we’ll have a big party. But right this moment, I’m going to tell you how to love Ashley so that you don’t hurt her and she remains intact until she is eighteen. And you both are fulfilled.”
“I’m here, Vanessa.” Will stood in the front doorway, feeling twice as bedraggled as he looked. He peered into the living room. “You’ve got a big party.”
“Yes, tonight is a night to celebrate. Come in my office, dear. We need to have a fast powwow.”
Will walked toward her office, dreading passing the creepy carved paneling in the hall. He snuck a peak as he walked by. A carved tableau of bunnies and Easter eggs covered one panel. Rudolf, Santa and the sleigh flew across the next. A Christmas scene with a Holy Family and shepherds grinning like maniacs filled the third. The baby Jesus bounced up and down in his manger in ecstasy. The new carvings were worse than the flapping bats.
Will opened the door, prepared for another lambasting. A tiny figure sat across the room.
“Grandfather! I thought you were dead!” Will cried.
“Everyone keeps saying that. I was dead, and now I’m not. I’m here.” Grandfather sat in an overstuffed chair on the other side of the room. “I’ll never be able to get out of this chair. You’ll have to pull me out.” He frowned.
“What’s the matter, Joseph?” Vanessa said, entering after Will.
“I’ve been teaching my grandson how to do what can’t be done.”
“Did you do it?”
“Of course.”
“Wait a second! How do you know Grandfather, Vanessa?” Vanessa and Grandfather were obviously relaxed around each other. Familiar, even. Will’s jaw had no muscles capable of keeping it closed.
“We’ve known each other since the 1930s. We were graduate students together in Berkeley. Physics and divinity. Perfect combination,” she said, archly.
“Except we fought so much.” His brow furrowed.
“We discussed issues passionately, Joseph. We did not fight. He really is opinionated, Will. Worse than you, but more correct in his thoughts. Let’s get down to business. Will, you haven’t seen Ashley since she arrived here?”
“No. You wouldn’t let me on the estate.” He shot a glance at her, but didn’t try to make eye contact. Who knows what she might say? He jerked around. “You said Ashley?”
“Yes, Will. She’s Ashley. Thirteen years old and untouched. Except by her parents. She had a severe alcoholic for a mother and a debauched, achievement–obsessed womanizer for a father. That’s quite a load for any kid. She didn’t need to be captured by the devil to have problems.”
“How did you do it?”
“What I did is my business. I will never tell. Never ask me again.” A hiss sizzled around the room. Some of the little forest animals carved on the wall looked fierce for a moment.
“When do I get to see her?”
“We have a few things to discuss. You know that Leroy is her soul mate?” Will nodded. “That didn’t go away just because Cass died and was reborn as Ashley. Ashley loves him as much as Cass did. They’ve touched; they’re pining for each other. I don’t think either of them will last the night. We’ll find Ashley in Leroy’s bed and the deed will be done.”
“He can’t do that. That’s statutory rape. It’s illegal.”
“Will, in many states, people Ashley’s age can marry with a court order and parental approval. In Nevada, for instance. Ashley said that she and Leroy wanted to go to Las Vegas after dinner. I told her she didn’t have to.
“In California, she would have to see a counselor, appear before a judge, and have one parent present when she applied for a marriage license. But she can marry, here and now. I have a certified copy of Ashley’s birth certificate. It says she’s thirty-two. And her finger prints. I obtained a marriage license from the County Clerk this morning …”
“How could you do that if she’s thirteen? The Clerk would see it immediately.” Will’s collar felt like a noose.
“The clerk hasn’t seen Ashley, Will. Just me and Hannah Herhman.”
“Hannah Herhman?”
“Yes, she helped me get the birth certificate and Ashley’s fingerprints from your records. If you fire her for doing that, Will, I’ll hire her in a heartbeat.”
“How could you get a Clerk out here? It’s Christmas Day?”
Vanessa chuckled, “Will, dear, what’s the use of having influence if you don’t use it?”
Will tugged at the noose circling his throat. Sweat appeared on his forehead. He was so confused. “She’s a little girl, Vanessa. I remember her before she went to Spain. A darling child.”
“You’ll find her more mature, Will. Dying and being reborn will do that. However, she’s as tall as a grown woman …” Vanessa ran through all the points Ashley had written on her computer about why she wasn’t a little girl. “So, you’ll see it’s not so cut and dry.”
“There’s more than that, Will and Vanessa,” Grandfather said. “Enzo Donatore knows she’s here. George Yeoman saw tracks that could only come from a demon in human form, and so did I. They have only three toes on their feet. Enzo will know about her rebirth. Say she leaves this property and he gets her again. That’s not an unreasonable proposition. We know what will happen. But what if her husband, a powerful spirit warrior, was with her? He could keep Donatore and his monsters away.”
“Can he?”
“He can now. He’s in love with her. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. She’ll be safe with Leroy wherever she goes.”
“OK. We’re done with all this. Let’s have a wedding.” Vanessa led them into the living room.
53
Merry, Merry Christmas
Lights twinkled, logs crackled, and candles flickered. The tree was so enormous that it touched the ceiling, two and a half stories above. Every branch, every twig, bore an ornament. Pungent evergreen garlands perfumed the hall. A mistletoe plant the size of a small car hung from the ceiling in the front of the room. Scents of turkey and gravy, mulled cider, and pumpkin pie filled the air. People were laughing and chatting; some were old friends; others had met for the first time.
An altar was set up in front of the Christmas tree: buffalo skull, eagle feathers, and more stuff. Leroy stood on its left in his wildly festive ribbon shirt. Carl Redman got up and joined him. “Couldn’t let you do this alone, buddy.”
All the Native Americans filled rows of chairs on the left side, including Leroy Sr. and his new wife. That was the husband’s side.
The Duane side was more sparsely populated. The executives who had gone to the Meeting were there with their wives. Some moved over from the Indian side when they saw how meager Will’s troops were. Hannah Hehrman came, without her mercenaries.
Will walked across the hall from Vanessa’s study. A lovely young woman stood at the entrance to the living room. Tall and elegant, her dark hair was swept up on her head, with little ringlets hanging down. Her perfect carriage, the way she stood and moved a hand to adjust her skirt, said she was a lady of distinction. What he could see of her, a bit of her shoulder and neck and her upper a
rm, was so pale, so fair. His breath caught. She wore a wedding dress.
The skirt of her dress touched the floor and a long train flowed behind it. Layers of white silk organza created a breathtaking confection. The dress wasn’t just white. Embroidered holly sprigs in red and green bordered the frock’s edges and were scattered over the gown. She held a bouquet of gardenias, lilies, and holly in her right hand. Tendrils of white flowers reached the floor. A few wisps of white formed her veil. She wore it tossed back, away from her face.
He saw all that in an instant. The young lady turned toward him, letting the light fall on her pale skin and shining, dark blue eyes. She was elegant and patrician, everything he’d wanted his daughter to be. He jumped when he recognized her.
It was Ashley, all grown up.
“Ashley!” he cried, dashing across the foyer toward her.
She turned, saw who he was, and stepped backward. Her skin grew paler. She put one hand to her mouth, eyes widening impossibly. “Daddy! What happened to you?” She retreated further. “You’re so old. How did you get so old?”
“No, no. It’s all right, Ashley. I’m fine.” He walked toward her, holding out his hands.
“You’re not fine. Where’s Mommy? I’m getting married. Mommy would be here for my wedding.” Her eyes blazed, but tears streaked her cheeks. “Mommy would come; nothing could keep her away.” She held her hands out to repel him. “I don’t want you. I want my mommy! Where is she? What did you do to her?”
People stood up and started to leave the room. This was a family moment not meant for sharing.
“Something has happened. She was going to Spain from June to August. It’s December. She wouldn’t stay without telling me. Something terrible happened. No one is telling me. Where is Mommy?” Tears burst from her. Ashley did nothing about them; she was mindless of the fact she was made up for her wedding.
“Ashley, your mother divorced me. I don’t know where she is.”
“You’re divorced?! Oh, no! You can’t be divorced.” The word stretched out, becoming a wail, the wail of a child mortally wounded. “Mommy. I want Mommy.”
Will didn’t have the faintest idea what to do. And then Leroy was there. Leroy wrapped himself around her, pulling her into his warm body, holding her to his heart. He kept her there and whispered, just loud enough for Will to hear.
“Darlin’, something did happen. I’ll tell you all about it bye and bye. We were gettin’ married, Ashley. Do you want to do that? Do you want to marry me?”
She pulled back and looked at him with streaked cheeks. “Yes. I love you. I want to marry you.”
“Come on, darlin’. Let’s do it.” He took her hand and walked her down the aisle. She didn’t give her father a parting glance.
That was how Will Duane gave away his little girl.
54
Married for Ever
Will stood in the back of the room, watching. Grandfather with his feathers and sage, his pipe and his glory filled the room and everyone in it. The three of them stood in front of the Christmas tree, the shaman chanting and reading Scriptures. Such a strange juxtaposition, but so brilliant and true.
He had his daughter back. His little girl, ruined so young, was whole again. She was marrying a wonderful man. Will could feel Leroy’s soul when he held Ashley. He was healing her. He would heal her whenever she needed it. He would protect her from anything. She’d be safe from Donatore with Leroy.
At the end of the ceremony, after “I pronounce you man and wife,” Leroy pulled away from Ashley and faced her.
“I will always love you,
“My moon and my stars.
“You’re the breath that sustains me,
“The truth in my arms.
“I will never leave you.
Will didn’t realize he was singing for a moment. Leroy had a huge, deep voice that rumbled in his chest. His words sounded like talking, but they weren’t. Leroy was singing to his wife.
“I’m yours for this lifetime,
“I’m yours long past that.
“I’ll keep you in love,
“I will keep you from strife.
“I will always love you,
“My beautiful wife.
“I love you, Ashley. I’ve loved you since I was born.” He bent over and kissed her. Golden sparkles spiraled around them. There was a crack! like an electric discharge.
Will couldn’t stand it. Leroy’s voice fractured his soul. Everything he’d held back was loosened. His throat worked like he was choking to death. His ribs heaved in and out. He could not stay there. People could not see him like that. He glanced toward the Christmas tree. Leroy and Ashley glowed like beacons before it. She was back, and she didn’t love him.
He bolted, running from the living room through the kitchen. The air was full of steam and smells of delicious food. Serving dishes piled with delicacies covered the counters. A bunch of those little village people stood around.
Vanessa had a gazebo out in back. Will made for it and locked the door. Barely aware of what he was doing, he turned to the rear of the gazebo and threw himself face down on the floor. His head was pointed toward a wilting geranium. He stretched his hands toward it.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” The sound of Ashley’s cry pierced everything. If she had made that noise earlier, would it have made a difference? Would he have stopped doing what he did to save his daughter’s pain? And his wife’s?
Would they have been a good family, Kathryn and he still married, and Ashley never needing to go through what she did? Would hearing her cry earlier have saved them?
He wouldn’t have heard it. He was lost in himself. Lost in his endless stream of women. Lost in being the ‘best of the best.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I was stupid. No, I was a shit. I was a bad man. I was a fornicator.” He spoke to something that was there, around him and in him. “I wrecked my family. Kathryn could have gotten better, if I’d been home. I know that. Please forgive me.”
He was panting, gasping for breath. “Ashley’s back. I don’t deserve her to be back. I don’t deserve anything. I did nothing to fix things. I sent her to that horrible place where she died. Ashley died. Cass died.
“And it’s my fault.” Will lay there for quite a while, arms stretched toward the flowerpot. He grew still.
Something was talking to him. I forgive you, my child.
That was it. He was forgiven. Something touched him, a delicate touch like being stroked by a feather. It caressed the top of his head. His eyes closed, but he wasn’t asleep. He dropped into something. Something he’d found at the Meeting, something he’d always known. The home of forgiveness, the home of peace, the home of joy and plenty and love. Softly suspended, it came to him, what he loved above all. He was forgiven and his dear one was there.
55
Soul Mates
“Dr. Schierman wants y’ to live here for as long as y’ want,” George Yeoman, leader of the village, drove them across the lawn in a cart. They stopped at a log cabin at the outskirts of the woods. “She built the cabins for the families of the patients in the hospital. Sure ‘n’ her own kiddies are there, but she brings in other patients too. They need to see their families, an’ sure enough work things out together.
“But they’re empty now, ‘cept for this one, which is the biggest.” George opened the door and they entered a wooden masterpiece. Rows of stacked logs made the walls. Huge beams projected inward from their tops, creating a soaring triangle of wood, the very high ceiling. “It’s not empty now, as ye’ll be livin’ here.”
“It’s like being inside a nut,” Ashley marveled, raising her chin to examine the latticework of logs and their warm, light brown color.
“Yeah, it’s that. We put some clothes in th’ closets an’ food in the kitchen. You’ll be staying here a while. Fer yer honeymoon, of course.” George blushed. “An’ y’ need to get settled as to what y’ want to do next. This is yer home. Ah’ll be biddin’ ye g’night.”
“Oh, look.” Ashley and Leroy explored their abode. “Come here.” She stood in the bedroom. It had the log walls of the cabin, but an amazing canopy bed filled much of the space. It was metal, wrought vines rising and intertwining from each corner, growing upward with leaves and blossoms so well made that they seemed to be real. A tiny sculptured hummingbird was attached to a blossom by its beak. The corners grew high and formed an arch over the center. A wedding bower. White silken draperies hung from the framework.
“It’s so romantic. And look at the flowers everywhere. They smell wonderful.” Ashley marveled at the vases of flowers. Grammie had done this, Grammie and her people. All the flowers were white. Roses, lilies, giant stars that exploded from purple centers, little bells that drooped. “It’s so beautiful.”
Leroy’s eyes stung. He’d wanted this for so long.
“I guess we should go to bed now,” Ashley said, looking determined. “We don’t have to do anything. Even though I want to, and I’m not a little girl, I think we should wait until I get older.”
“So do I.”
“I saw a night gown in the bedroom closet. Maybe they have something for you to wear in the bathroom.” She closed the closet door. She loved Leroy so much, but when the possibility of sex came close, Ashley wasn’t sure she wanted it.
The nightgown was a pale blue silk with a flowing skirt. It was pretty, but not low cut. It had a fine robe of the same material, a kimono. She put both of them on and sat on the side of the bed. “You can come in now.”
Leroy walked out of the bathroom and she whooped with laughter. “Oh my! What are those?”
He laughed too. He was wearing an enormous pair of flannel pajamas, bright red, printed with zany reindeer in white. Leroy said, “They glow in the dark too.”
In Love by Christmas: A Paranormal Romance Page 34
