Ever After

by Odessa Gillespie Black

  “How endearing,” I said. “A yard guy, who could be a lawyer but chooses to spend all his time in the woods. Sounds sane to me.”

  “So what’s your story?” He flashed a thousand watt smile he should have shown more often.

  “My story?” The forest birthed us onto a lane covered with trees.

  “Yeah, what’s your deal?”

  I swallowed. What was my deal? My life story was about as exciting as watching the life cycle of the fly on Animal Planet.

  “Twenty-two year old, psych major. Until I met you, I thought mentally troubled people would be less work to be around than my family.

  My mother was the only one with any sense. I didn’t know why she bothered. “They’re my blood, but if I had to actually live in the home with them daily, I’d be on the other side of the straight jacket myself. They’re the perfect example of why some mothers eat their young.”

  “Where are you from?” His voice was detached. From time to time, his eyes darted to the left.

  “Whispering Pines, North Carolina. It’s a lot like Mayberry. You don’t have to lock your doors, and everyone knows everyone. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. Rumors travel faster than my sister.”

  “So you do have a sister?”

  “What is this? Twenty questions?”

  “Just passing the time. It’s a long walk.”

  “I’m doing all the talking. What about you?” I tripped over a small branch.

  “What about me?”

  “Don’t you have family?”

  “I don’t talk about them.”

  “Figures.” I was just supposed spill all when the most I would probably get from him was his name? Why not talk his head off? My feet hurt, and it’d be a distraction. “I may as well be an only child as far as my other siblings are concerned. They drain Mama dry. I’m invisible unless someone needs clean socks and or a button sewn back on. Now that I have my own apartment near the college, a day doesn’t go by that my jobless brother, Tripp, doesn’t call me to ask me how to work the dryer, since Mama works all the time. And my sister, Arlene. She’s a whole ‘nother story.”

  Cole smirked. “Nice accent. Arrrlene.”

  “It’s southern, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not the only one who’s not from around here. You sound like a bad actor,” I said.

  His accent was Northern mixed with, I don’t know, British and Australian or something. But more American than anything. I’d never tell him, but I liked it.

  “I traveled a lot as a child. Parents?”

  “Do you need to know where I was on the night of the eighteenth? I’m surprised you’re not blinding me with a hot lamp.” I trod on with a nice view of his back.

  “Talking about yourself seems to come so naturally. I figured you wouldn’t mind telling me about them, too.”

  He set fire to my blood and not in a good way. What a piece of work.

  “My father was disabled in a factory accident, but if you ask me, the only thing disabling him is cheap beer. He lies around all day, burning holes in a recliner that outdates me. Mama works from sunup to sundown, trying to keep clothes on our backs. My sister is a stripper, though she told Mama she did volunteer work down at the hospital on night shift. I can still hear Mama’s voice in my head. ‘Why, honey, I’m just so glad you’re spreading yourself throughout the community. It’s generous that you would put that much of yourself out there for another person. I just wish you could get paid for it.’” I laughed.

  Cole grinned for the first time. In a pleasant way.

  I could see why he was upset with me, I guess. It had been ridiculous to wander where I wasn’t familiar. And anyone in their right mind would have been protective of their dead loved one’s belongings. And now, he would probably get chewed out when we got back home, due to some lawyer nitpicking every little thing he and his uncle did for the next month, whatever that was about.

  “I’m not in this for the money. I really came to please my mother. She wouldn’t hush till I came to clear up this misunderstanding.”

  He stopped and turned to me. What now?

  Cole stepped closer, his eyes dark and serious in the filtered moonlight. Clouds were rolling in.

  “If that is true, and you do end up staying here any length of time, it would probably be in your best interest to remember some ground rules. If I warn you away from something, I have good reason.” He sounded much wiser than his age. His dark green eyes mesmerized me. They twitched, and his hard features softened for a fraction of a second.

  “You said rules as in plural. Are there more?”

  “I’ll inform you when I come up with more.” Cole shuddered as his dark pupils locked onto something inside me. His voice was strangely hollow. Silence. He regarded me thoughtfully, the anger slipping from his face. His chest rose and fell faster.

  The sounds of the night disappeared, my heartbeat replacing them.

  Cole’s features hardened again, his face pinched in anguish. He took a step closer. Through a clenched jaw, he said, “You’re beautiful.”

  The statement sounded like he’d added it to a list of reasons not to like me.

  What did you say to that?

  What did you say to anything this guy said?

  “Um.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry?”

  Cole stepped in closer, only inches between us. His heart beat loud enough to hear. Or maybe that was mine. With a wild look, he surveyed my face, letting the back of his fingers brush my cheek. His hand slid down my arm. He took my hand and flipped it over to inspect the bandage. His dark gaze raked back up my face, and he leaned in. “How are we going to explain this? I should have found a way to keep you from falling. He already thinks the sun rises and sets in the crack of your—never mind. If that gets infected, I’ll be banished from the house for the remainder of your stay.”

  Wow. I really thought that would go somewhere different. I wagged my head, steamy heat filling my cheeks. I wasn’t so good at reading guys, apparently. “He can’t blame you for something that’s not your fault. I was being careless. You couldn’t have known I would take a tumble down that bank.”

  Cole stepped back, ignoring our previous closeness. He nodded toward the road. “Come on. We’re almost there. Can’t say I’m looking forward to this little reunion.”

  “I’ll explain what happened. Surely, he won’t be too mad.”

  “You don’t know my uncle. And on that note, you also don’t know how people can turn into vultures when someone dies. Be careful who you associate with after the will is read. You’ll have money, and not being too hard on the eyes will make you an easy target. I don’t have all day, every day to devote to you, but if anybody gives you trouble, let me know. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry about the trailer park remark. It was a little out of line.” Without further hesitation, he led me down the lane.

  I followed silently.

  We walked for what seemed like miles, but I floated the whole way.

  “The gate is just ahead.”

  Probably miles ahead. His legs wouldn’t feel it, but when I sobered from the flattery, my legs would be spongy.

  “Tomorrow, when you decide to go on some more of your little treks, don’t go into the apple orchards or the catacombs under the house, at least not without an escort,” Cole said in his renewed aggravated tone. “Given your clumsy nature, you’re liable to trip on a twig and break something.”

  This place had catacombs? Instant intrigue. “You can’t tell a ‘troublemaking girl’ like me about something that mysterious and expect me to stay away. That’ll be the first thing I venture into.”

  “How did I know?” He raked a hand through his hair.

  “Why are there passages?”

  “Mr. Rollins put them under the house in case the Northern soldiers tried any more of their shenanigans.”

  We walked on a bit.

  The fence was exactly like the other half I’d drive
n by from the other direction in the daylight. Tonight it was a little more menacing with Frasier firs thickly lining it from the inside.

  “What’s the need for all this fence?”

  “Privacy. Gypsies used to come through this area, and Mr. Rollins didn’t like them squatting on his land. Said they made a big mess and never cleaned things up when they left.” Cole sniffed with distaste.

  “You sound like you knew him.”

  Cole tensed. “May as well have. I’ve heard all the stories.”

  “I’ve only been here a few hours, and I’ve heard some myself. Why do you think people died on the fourth floor?”

  “They didn’t die on the fourth floor.” Cole’s expression hardened to stone. His jaw worked as he walked. Faster. “They fell and died in the flower bed.”

  “You didn’t actually witness a death, did you?”

  “Do you always ask so many questions?” His jaw worked harder.

  “Only when I feel someone’s not being truthful.”

  “Another rule. When it’s not your truth to know, keep your nose out of it. Now could you hurry? This isn’t a leisurely stroll. I might work for you, but I am off the clock right now, and this is my time you’re wasting. Some of us have to eat, you know.”

  “Do you have to be so mean?”

  “Yes. It keeps unwanted attention at bay.”

  “Seems to me you’re masking a semi-decent personality with a masculine I-don’t-need-anyone front. That has to be lonely.”

  “Just the way I like it. We’ll cut through and go in the back way.” He nodded toward a long stretch of fence. He pushed three vine-covered bars inward, causing an awful metal on metal moan. A hidden gate. Cole disappeared through overgrown foliage, leaving me behind.

  I followed and jumped at the rattle and clash of the gate slamming, with me barely through it.

  “You have to slam it to get it shut,” he explained with a sexy flick of his brow. Inside the fence, this remote corner of the property was lamp lit, spotlighting Cole’s wicked grin.

  That was it. I hated him.

  “You could have waited till I was through.” I could have slapped him.

  “I told you to hurry.” He walked on, not waiting for me.

  I hadn’t seen the back of the house from the pasture. It had to be the house from my dream on the plane. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t recognized the pond.

  How had I dreamed of the pond, the house, and this ridiculously rude guy, never having been here?

  I wobbled, unable to breathe.

  In dream-like slow motion, Cole turned. His hands fell limp at his sides, and his mouth hung open. When he saw my face, the shock left him.

  My legs became heavier, and my head could have floated off into the stars.

  Cole had been steps away but was beside me in seconds.

  “What did you just—are you okay?” He gripped my forearms, steadying me.

  “Low iron.” He’d make fun of me if I told him.

  Did the woman in the bottom of the pond want the house?

  Over my shoulder, the dark path to the pond beckoned me back to the dream. The dank water choked me. The sludge suctioned my feet. And those hands, ugh, those horrible detached hands.

  Cole shook his head slowly, still holding my arms.

  “Another rule. Do not, under any circumstances, go any farther than the rose maze without an escort.” The breeze stilled. No crickets chirped. Cole’s eyes glazed over. An electric current sizzled under his palms. He jerked back. “If you have fainting spells or whatever, then the last thing we need is you lost in the wilderness. Women have a place, and it’s not meddling all over in the dark. You won’t find any money buried anywhere outside, I can assure you.”

  Cole did an about face and left me.

  “You have serious issues.”

  Cole stopped, yet kept his back to me. “You have no idea.”

  * * * *

  We reached the back steps of the house, where Thomas charged us from the rear entrance.

  “I see you two have formally met.” He glared at Cole, but when he saw my makeshift-bandaged hand, he shot Cole an accusing look. “Another injury?”

  Another?

  “It was an accident. I assure you.” Cole’s tone was sharp.

  Thomas was angry. Too angry.

  “I wasn’t paying attention and fell down that ravine behind the rose maze. If it hadn’t been for Cole, I’d have probably broken my neck.” Thomas checked me over.

  Cole stalked across the patio.

  Thomas ushered me inside.

  The ballroom sounded lively. There was no one to be found anywhere else. Loud laughing and music filtered down the hall.

  Once in the light of the grand entrance, Thomas got a good look at my dirty face and less than acceptable appearance.

  “This is unacceptable. How could you let this happen?” he said to Cole, then turned to me. “I am so sorry, Miss Knowles. If there’s anything I can do to make this up to you…”

  “You could start with calling animal control. There’s a big, black cat lurking around out there. What’s for dinner?” Rubbing his stomach, Cole looked to the kitchen.

  Food? Seriously?

  “I’m surprised you haven’t had dinner yet, as long as you were gone.” Thomas’s voice was hard.

  “I was sort of interrupted,” Cole said, flashing me a smirk. “Mary Poppins there took a little fall, and she’s right. If I hadn’t been there, she’d have probably ended up fish food in the bottom of the pond, cat or no cat. I think she’s new to walking.”

  Thomas shook his head and took my other arm.

  I stared down at the dirty blood on the strips of white cotton. Some looked brown and dried, some looked fresh.

  “Let’s get you bandaged up and worry about dinner later. Do you think it needs medical attention?” Thomas gingerly took the piece of Cole’s shirt off the wound.

  “It’s a superficial laceration. The rock only breached the dermis. The wound has already closed. It looks worse than it is.” Cole passed us.

  Almost-lawyer, business consultant, over-zealous yard care manager, raving lunatic. Covered in dirt and looking like a homeless person, he did not fit the doctor persona.

  “Thank you, Dr. Kinsley, for that fine evaluation.”

  “Anytime, Dr. Phil.” He disappeared through the door.

  He could be such an—ugh!

  After I cleaned up, and Cole did whatever people with multiple personality disorder do in their down time, Thomas insisted we all sit together in the dining room. He sat at an empty place setting, staring between Cole and me.

  “I hope you’ll excuse me for not eating. My appetite was spoiled when you didn’t come back from your walk, Miss Knowles. I thought the worst.”

  “You’re perfectly fine. I’m sorry I worried you.”

  “I’m just glad you made it back in one piece. I should have never left you alone.” He flashed Cole a curious glare. “Other than the mishap, I hope you took good care of Miss Knowles.”

  Cole’s mouth was gorged, so he didn’t answer.

  “And hopefully you remembered your manners,” Thomas said.

  “Other than inviting me to skinny dip in that nasty pond, I was virtually unoffended. He needs to learn how to deliver a line. He’ll never get a date that way.”

  Cole made a garbled choking noise but finally found air to speak.

  “I did not,” he said through half-chewed food. His glare could have sliced metal.

  “He didn’t really, but he isn’t the best welcoming party I’ve ever encountered.” I smirked at Cole. Served him right for the trailer park remark.

  “Well, that dreadful hole should be filled.” Thomas looked at Cole with deep set meaning.

  Cole rattled his fork in his plate like a two year old. “It’s so far back on the property, other than the occasional idiot who isn’t watching where they’re going, it’s yet to bother any
one.”

  First trailer park. Now idiot. That was okay. I’d fix him.

  Thomas’s head swiveled back and forth between us as I stood from my place setting.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’m quite tired.” I turned a pointed glare at Cole. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind finishing up the tour tomorrow morning, would you? Uncle Thomas barely made it to the rose maze this evening without gasping for air, it was so hot.”

  Cole flashed a Please-Save-Me look to his uncle.

  I slid my chair in and clapped my hands happily. “Then it’s settled. See you bright and early.”

  Cole’s face paled. He dropped his fork.

  Thomas’s uncomfortable gaze was locked on the wood grain pattern of the table.

  I wiggled my fingers good night.

  * * * *

  When I reached the parlor door, the recovered long, black, and gold casket was centered between two windows on the far side of the room. Since I’d been delivered to the property earlier this evening, I’d been yanked so fast back and forth between strange occurrences, I’d forgotten the real reason I was here.

  A dead woman.

  A puff of gray hair poked from the top of the casket. Standing at the threshold, I bowed my head.

  Visiting her body up close would too be weird. Maybe after I saw paintings and pictures. She had taken time to get to know me, so why not do a little investigating of my own.

  “I think we have a problem,” Thomas said. His voice trembled with worry.

  “You think?” That had been Cole. His voice was so smooth. And the accent was unmistakable.

  “You like her.” Thomas’s voice was grave.

  My lungs solidified.

  “Not a snowball’s chance in that. I can handle myself. I’ve done it for years, though I appreciate your concern.” Cole’s plate and silverware clattered. His footsteps moved nearer.

  “I’m just trying to keep you in line. She obviously gets under your skin.”

  “I’m only doing my job. I kept her from falling down an embankment. That’s it. And, as you can see, she isn’t impressed with me in the slightest.”

  I leaned against the cold stone wall, pressing my hands flat.

  “And a cat. She was almost eaten by a cat? She could have been killed.”