“Will he thaw out soon?”
“Oh sure, in about twenty minutes. I don’t like using the memory erasing spell. It can cause side effects if I’m not careful. For me, not for the cop. They can fling off into my body then I’m stuck with them.”
I fell in love with Caldron Falls the moment we drove down the picturesque main street. Its two story buildings of brick, wood, and glass stood shoulder to shoulder, the proud last stand of the prototypical American Main Street. Ancient elm and maple trees shaded the obligatory ice cream shop, a hardware store, a beautiful corner bookstore, and other little shops that invited the curious to browse. The street was actually a town square, a shady little park with a bronze statue of some obscure explorer decked out in furs and buckskin. A faithful Native American companion, with a finger pointed out into the hazy distant wilderness, offered his guide services in perpetuity.
“Wow. Just wow. I love this place already.” I slowed to a crawl. “Look! Over there. It’s a little movie theater. It’s so cute and quaint, I’m getting the shivers. Jesus! I can practically picture an old T-bird convertible cruising around the corner, boys in crew cuts and girls in ponytails piled inside, the radio blaring out Johnny B. Goode or…oh, I know you know what I mean. It’s a beautiful step back in time. To a time of innocence that’s been lost.”
“Oh yeah, because we all know how nice it would be to go back in time, the witchcraft trials, civil war, Jim Crow laws, rampant misogyny, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, the great depression. Christ, please spare me the trip to memory lane. Been there, done that, got the nostalgic PTSD souvenir,” Ezzy moaned.
“And ranidaphobia, don’t forget that one,” Barney added.
“Barney, some people will always have frog phobia. And I know you’re right, Ezzy, but please don’t be a buzzkill. This is a little fantasy of mine.”
“Okay, okay. Enjoy your fantasy while it lasts, Kelly. Let’s pull over, stretch our legs, and maybe rest here for a few minutes. Barney, you can hang out in the fountain behind Davey Crocket or whoever the hell that is. I’ll keep you hidden. We need to call Gisele to let her know we’ve arrived.”
We agreed with Ezzy, taking a break in the park. The Chihuahuas needed it the most. I don’t think the cat cared at all. The dogs joined Barney with a splashy romp in the shallow fountain. There was one thing, or several of one things, I noticed in this town that didn’t quite fit in. I saw more than enough trucks with the name Catania superimposed on a waving Italian flag. The logo was everywhere. “Catania. Catania.”
“What’s that?” Ezzy asked.
“The name on that logo.” I pointed at a semi-truck. “Those trucks are everywhere. I recognize the name, but I can’t remember where I saw it before.”
“While you put your brain cells to work trying to remember, I’m going to call Gisele.”
Chapter Eighteen
Beware the Undercurrent
“This does not look like the majestic log home I imagined. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even look like a house at all. It’s a…”
“A mill,” Ezzy finished my sentence. “It’s an old mill that’s been renovated into a big house.”
“I guess you’re right. It may even be a bed and breakfast,” I added.
“I know one thing for sure. The mill pond will come in handy in about one minute.” Barney stripped off his leather attire and flapped over to the calm pond. Primeval willows, so huge they were a permanent landmark, grew along the edges. They stretched their boughs nearly to the middle of the pond, with leafy tendrils sipping tastes of the cold dark water. It was a relaxing place to look at and at the same time, the dark water in the lonely shadows seemed foreboding. Any horror movie worth its B rating would surely include a frightening woman rising out of the pond at any moment, turning our hearts into convulsing bowls of jelly.
Barney stood on the edge and dipped a webbed foot into the water. “Hey! They don’t have alligators or anything like that up here, do they?”
“No, but I’d stay away from the water wheel and the dam.”
Ezzy pointed to a very old stone dam designed to hold back a creek that oozed out of the swampy dark woods beyond the pond. The only water allowed to continue downstream passed through a narrow chute where a large wooden water wheel made big lazy turns. After the water did its never-ending work, it was unceremoniously dropped into a series of little waterfalls and finally plunged into a bubbling pool a few hundred yards down and away from the mill.
“Caldron Falls.” I heard Gisele’s deep accent and glanced around. She stood near the corner of the building, motioning for us to come over. She had taken Ezzy’s fashion advice and was wearing Gertie’s creation, the turquoise sarong. “Barney, isn’t it?”
“Yes. The one and only,” Barney replied.
“Barney, dear. I wouldn’t go swimming in there. It’s nearly dark, and I’ve heard there’s a treacherous undercurrent caused by water that flows through relief gates in the dam.”
“Wow, who would have guessed such a peaceful pond could be so dangerous underneath.” I was speaking to Gemma who circled around me. I took one under each arm and followed Ezzy around to the front of the mill.
“I saw you both admiring the falls. I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of letting your little dogs into the fenced yard. It’s perfectly safe for them and there’s plenty of fresh water for them.”
The fenced playground was located at the end of the mill, where I observed my little tan dogs happily darting from one obstacle to the next. “That’s perfect. Thank you, Gisele. They love places like that. They can stay out until it gets dark.”
Barney had taken Gisele’s advice and joined us as we went inside. The large open rooms were rustic, yet elegant. The walls were whitewashed plaster that had been intentionally removed in places in order to showcase the hand-fitted stone walls of the original mill. A wrought iron chandelier hung from the dark timbers crisscrossing overhead. I loved the place.
“Have a seat, everyone.” Gisele waved her hand over a long wooden banquet table. “Welcome to Caldron Falls.”
“I’d have thought the falls would be right smack dab in the center of town, not out here on the farthest fringe of town.” Ezzy seemed disappointed about our isolation. “But never mind the waterfalls, I was hoping we would have a place to stay right in town.”
“Think about it, Ezzy. Considering what we are here for, this place is perfect. We need some distance. We’re the newcomers from Illinois. Remember how that cop treated us? I’m pretty sure the whole town has already formed prejudices about outsiders like us, just like he did. And we don’t want nosey neighbors keeping tabs on the coming and going of our clients.”
“Those are some good points, Kelly, and that’s precisely why I chose this location. Now, a quick rundown on the property here. It’s an old grist mill from the mid-1800s. Almost the entire building has been remodeled so it can be used as a family residence. You can stay in whatever bedroom you like. I have a room on the first floor that I’m using as a bedroom and a place to write. I won’t be here that often, anyway. I only ask that you stay out of the mill room. The water wheel is still connected to the very old gears that drive the mill stones. It’s not a safe place and none of us have a reason to go in there.”
“Hold on there, Gisele. I thought the plan was for you to coordinate this TV show. Now, what are you saying? You’re going to just throw this all on our shoulders and bail? I don’t think so, sweetheart.” Barney, always ready to speak his mind, voiced his concerns.
“Oh, don’t get too worried. You just need to carry on your normal business as Karma, Inc. I’ll refer the clients to you. But I have many things to stay on top of in Chicago, as well as to secure a contract for the broadcast of this reality show. You can always call me if I’m not around. Does that help, Barney?”
“Well…I guess it’s okay with me if it’s okay with the rest of you,” he barked.
“Fine by me.” I nodded to Ezzy.
“Same. No
problem. So let’s get down to some details on our client base. We’re familiar with the kind of issues just about anyone would want our services for. Tell us about any issues that could be specific to the good citizens of Caldron Falls.”
“There is one man in town who is the major employer, Jimmy Catania. His cheese factory dominates the economic activity.”
“Ah ha. I saw the trucks with his logo everywhere. That name sounds familiar, and I still can’t place it.”
“He’s large and in charge. He pushes people out of the way, and he’s not shy about it. He’s corrupt and rumors abound when his name becomes the topic for conversation. Do not tangle with him. If you have a client asking for Karma to hit Mr. Catania, tell them to leave. The way I look at it, if we don’t bother him, he’ll have no reason to bother us.”
“No problem. Anything else?” I asked.
“The only difference for Karma Inc. will be the preexisting connections these clients have with each other and how one magical event might affect the entire community. Let’s face it. Caldron Falls is a small town. One visit by Karma will create a ripple effect and that is precisely the sort of controlled chaos that will make for ideal reality TV. Just go with whatever clients come your way and let the chips fall where they will. Until then, make yourselves comfortable and get set for business. Visit the shops in town, go out to eat, get a feel for Caldron Falls. Your first clients will be contacting you five days from now. Here is a copy of the ad that went out in the paper.” Gisele handed me a flyer.
I read the bold lettered words. “Enjoy the best of what life has to offer, let magic deal with the rest. Coming soon to Caldron Falls, Karma Inc. We use magic to bring balance and justice to your life.”
“Let me take a look at that, please.” Ezzy didn’t wait for an answer, she snatched it from my hand. “Why does it only have your phone number on here? Don’t you think it should have mine or Kelly’s? After all, you’ve said you’ll be gone a lot.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve prescreened your first five clients and those are the ones who have your number. They’ll contact you soon. Just don’t say anything about it being recorded for a reality TV show. Not yet. I don’t want that exciting information causing these people to act any more strangely than they already do.”
That was the end of our surprisingly short meeting with Gisele.
She said her goodbyes and left to take care of some vague and apparently endless list of chores.
I brought my Chihuahua mini-pack inside and spent some time getting them comfortable in their new surroundings. Gemma was already perched on the main staircase. As I walked through the old mill, I felt quite relaxed. The calming sounds of bubbling water in the background, the casual décor, and spacious yet warm rooms offered the ultimate serene atmosphere.
I joined Ezzy and Barney in what some homeowners call a sunken living room. Personally, I don’t like the description. Those words make it seem like the place is slowly being sucked into a giant sinkhole. All it means is the room is lower than the others. Surprise! Steps to get into your living room, seriously. Perhaps the concept grew out of an idea to create a residential sobriety test.
A magnificent fireplace with a flagstone hearth created the room’s centerpiece. The entire wall was made of stacked rectangular stones in various neutral tones. It looked just like the face of a cliff that had always been there. Ezzy sprawled across a thick, white, sheepskin rug while Barney laid back in his newfound bath, a brass oval coal bucket filled with water. The two were talking and laughing. It was a strange sight to see.
I caught them by surprise when I intruded on their banter. “So, what do you guys think about Gisele? It’s not that I mind working with the clients without her, I just wish we could have had some input when it comes to screening the applicants. I’m not sure I like the loss of control over that part of our business.”
Ezzy stretched like a cat. “It’s fine by me. She’s a weird one. The jury is still out on if she has something up her sleeve.”
“I agree. At first I smelled a con job, but now I’m leaning towards the thought that she might be sincere.”
“Me, too, Barney. Me, too.” I looked at the rock wall, imagining how my nephews would be rock climbing and making GI Joes orchestrate their assault. “I really like this place, so far. I can’t wait for Gertie and Randy to see it. Though I’m not sure how Gertie is going to feel about the reality TV bit.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll call them in the morning.”
A loud booming noise arose from the mill’s machinery under the house. The booms kept a slow steady beat. “What the hell is that?” I yelled.
“The mill’s gears or whatever Gisele said was down there.” Right after Ezzy offered her answer, the noises stopped. “Let’s hope it isn’t going to be a regular occurrence here.”
Chapter Nineteen
Meet Gabe
I puffed over the cup nestled in my hands and watched the steam dissipate into the chilly morning air. “Funny. One state north and it feels like I’m in Northern Ontario.” Gemma nudged my leg, wrapping her furry tail around my ankle as she strolled past.
“Meow.” Apparently Gemma enjoyed June in Wisconsin’s north woods.
“Oh, I’m not complaining. The air feels so clean. It’s crisp, fresh.” Gemma hopped up on the stone wall, slowly tiptoeing to the corner—a naturally perfect perch. Now, she could enjoy the same view I had from the old stone porch. The terrain sloped down and away and when I looked straight ahead, I was looking through the sun dappled tops of maple trees. “So this is what a squirrel sees.” The morning sun was filtered by the leafy branches that covered the forest floor in a shimmering blanket of green and gold.
Something moved. In the corner of my eye, I was certain a shape moved between the trees along the edge of the pond. Gemma’s tail twitched, her ears rotated like tiny radar antennas. That’s how I knew someone, or something, was down there.
Then he came out into the open. My hands were still cupped around the warm mug, and I had just blown another cloud of steam away. My lips froze in mid puff. My heart skipped a beat, maybe two. I blinked once, twice, three times to make sure my eyes weren’t playing a trick on me. I’ve never in my life seen a man so—I hate to use the word hot, but I didn’t know how else to describe him. All others failed horribly in comparison to him. Isn’t that the way it goes? Hot, gorgeous, sex on legs walks by when you’re least expecting it, when you’re absolutely not even remotely ready for it.
In my case, I looked like I had just rolled out of a lonely bed. Which of course was the case. I’m pretty sure my lips were still frozen in their pursed position when I glanced down at my faded pink sweat pants, my fuzzy Chihuahua slippers, and my oversized yellow sweater with bold letters that read, “I’m Possible.” I didn’t even want to think about what my hair looked like. My gut instinct told me to run back inside, but the man was way too hot to not feast my eyes on. Besides, I was in the nearly perfect hunting spot. He was busy looking along the shore of the pond and would never look up toward me. His truck was parked on the side of the road next to the mill, and I assumed he would head for it.
“Shit. Oh shit,” I whispered. He changed directions, heading directly for the porch. I couldn’t take the chance of letting him see me like this. I spun around, realizing I had already strolled several yards from the door. No matter what I did, he was sure to notice me. I took a quick peek at my reflection in the window. “It looks like I’ve been wrestling a bear. Christ!”
Thankfully, Ezzy had taught me a quick spell for situations like this. It was a temporary illusion that would make it appear that you were wearing different clothes. It was the only thing that came to my still caffeine starved brain. “How’d that spell go? Damn it. Gemma, here kitty, kitty.” Gemma sauntered over to me and sat at my feet, quietly waiting for instruction. “Gertie said you can help with spells. Can you?”
“Meow, meow.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. I need to remember the spell for tem
porarily changing your appearance. There is a variant for different clothes. You know the one I’m talking about?”
“Meow.” Gemma stood up, then sat on her hind legs in a prairie dog’s stance. Her paws moved up and down and then in little circles.
“Whoa! Hold on there. I didn’t want you to cast some frickin’ spell on me. I just wanted to remember how Ezzy’s quick makeover went. But never mind it now.” Gemma’s eyes were closed. She was lost in some Zen cat state, completely unaware I was speaking to her.
“Hello!” A sexy male voice called. So much for my clandestine vantage point. He spotted me.
“Aw shit.”
“What’s that? Sorry, I couldn’t hear over the sound of the water. But good morning!” Such a cute smile. I hadn’t even thought about sex, much less meeting a man. Now I was overwhelmed with little sparkling thoughts of possibilities.
“Good morning! Would you like some coffee?” I couldn’t believe my mouth. Would you like some coffee? And I’m looking like this? Like I’ve spent the night picking through trash under a highway overpass? Jesus…
The hunk nodded and walked up the stairs. He wore a traditional uniform consisting of a gray button down shirt and dark pants. A black utility belt wrapped snuggly around his lean waist. Mmmm, there is nothing like a good looking man in a uniform. It was my weakness.
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