“If you’re trying to make me jealous, you shouldn’t use a guy with his reputation. It’s not really believable.”
I stared at the egotistical dirt bag standing close by. Why had I thought we were friends, if not more? The thought that I’d actually slept with him had me gagging. I swallowed back my revulsion. It was time to set things straight. “It’s not always about you, Greg.”
He gave me a strange, unbelieving look. “Are you saying you really are seeing that man? You do know the kind of person he is?”
I smiled. “Yes, and I know exactly the kind of person he is. He’s gentle, caring, honest…all those things you’ll never be.”
Greg was sputtering when I saw Aunt Octavia coming my way. Her stride looked stronger than usual, and she was almost glowing.
“Whoa doggies! That was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“Did you just get back?” I asked.
“Yep. They brought me back this morning.”
“You went on a trip?” Greg asked.
“Oh yeah. A really special one.” Aunt Octavia grinned.
Greg stuck out his hand. “I’m—”
“Deceitful and manipulative,” she said before he could say his name.
His mouth dropped open. For a moment he stared at the little woman, then I saw him physically pull himself together. “Where do you get off saying that to me?”
Aunt Octavia lifted one eyebrow. “You seriously need to get over yourself.”
I bit my lip to keep from smiling, but all amusement was thrown out of me when Greg put his arm around my shoulders.
“Your niece and I are seeing each other.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’m pretty sure he can take you.” Aunt Octavia nodded toward Mac, who was glaring at Greg.
Greg straightened his back and looked down his nose. “I work for the FBI.”
“No you don’t.” Aunt Octavia straightened her own back and glared up at Greg. I figured she could take him. “You’re a civilian consultant.”
“For the FBI.”
“So?”
Greg glared at Aunt Octavia, them me, then turned and huffed off.
“He’s all wrong for you,” Aunt Octavia said.
“No kidding.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “How come the spirits were that specific with Greg, when they’re always so vague for the rest of us?”
She chuckled. “Because it wasn’t the spirits who told me about him. I spoke with Steve earlier.”
“So fill me in.”
“Your buddy Haven’s real name is Heather Rose, and she has two convictions for smuggling exotic animals. She jumped parole to come here.”
The pieces began to slide into place. “She was helping Kate.”
“Yep. Luckily she never got a look at a Bigfoot. She’s in jail for parole violation.”
“What will happen with Kate Stone? She did see Nootau.”
“We have people who deal with things like that.”
I didn’t want to know what that meant. “Who attacked the film crew?”
“Nootau, his buddy Machk, and a couple of teenage human guys they hired.”
Tingles ran through my stomach. “Because they were afraid they were in danger.”
“Yes.”
“The faeries knew about them.”
Aunt Octavia took my hand in hers. “You were right, Maddie.”
It was a bittersweet confirmation. “I would like to have been wrong.”
“I know.” She squeezed my hand, then turned it over. “The shifting is clearing. Soon your path will be clear.”
“Any hints?”
She only smiled up at me, sparkles of mischief in her eyes. “That’s up to you.”
She turned and walked away, leaving me with only a few of my questions answered. Clear path, huh? It sure as heck didn’t seem clear to me. All I knew was that the big adventure was over. It was time to get back to our regularly scheduled lives. Crap.
When the crew finally broke for lunch, I hurried to Mac, only to have to wait while he took care of a few details. Then he turned to me, his smile big and welcoming. “Hello, beautiful.”
“You look tired.”
He nodded. “It’s a little crazy around here.”
“You need a new assistant.”
He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then tugged me gently to one side. “I was thinking more about a partner. You know, an equal. Maybe a beautiful woman with whom I could share everything.”
My breath caught in my throat. “That sounds intriguing.”
“Know anybody who might be interested?”
I allowed the smile to pull at my lips. “How about a woman who loves you?”
His grin outweighed any I’d ever seen. He pulled me close and kissed me until we were both gasping for breath. “Oh, Maddie.”
“So,” I said when I could breathe again. “How soon do you need this partner?”
“As soon as possible.”
“I don’t have a clue about making documentaries.”
He shrugged. “You’ll learn.”
“I’ll need to work out a notice at Capitol Spy Weekly, sublet my apartment in DC, and probably a million other little details.”
“It’ll all work out.” He put his hands on the sides of my face and tipped it up. “We have to have the wedding here in Ugly Creek.”
“Wedding?” I whispered.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes, oh yes!” I threw myself at him, and we laughed and kissed like a couple of crazy teenagers.
“When you two come up for air, you might want to let Ace know I’m staying with you.”
Mac scooped Gizmo up and I scratched his cute little head. “I’ll get right on that, boss.”
“Great, now that we’ve got that straight.” He laid his head against Mac’s arm and promptly went to sleep.
Maybe I was wrong; maybe the adventure was just beginning.
A word about the author...
Cheryel Hutton talks to dragons. Thing is, they talk to her too, telling her stories of other dragons, of witches, werewolves, bigfoot creatures, fairies, leprechauns, and vampires—and people, of course. Some of the stories are light and funny, but some are darker and scary. Then there are the stories of evil humans—and they are the scariest stories of all. The dragon’s stories all have one theme: Love can overcome everything. Like Cheryel, dragons are romantics at heart and believe in happy endings.
Cheryel has two previous releases from The Wild Rose Press, Keepers of Legend and The Ugly Truth.
Cheryel, her family, and her two dachshunds, all of whom have their own stories, live in Tennessee, but there are places in the far corners of the South where the impossible tends to come to life. Cheryel loves to visit them. You can visit her at www.cheryelhutton.com
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Secrets of Ugly Creek Page 11
