Magical Love

by Stephy Smith

  “How could you know? I haven’t talked about that night with anyone but Sam. He was there and knows my grief.” Aisley raised her hand to her face. Her other hand rest on the swell of her stomach.

  “But you still hate the gaje.”

  “The ones who did this, yes. As for the others, I just don’t trust them. I may have a strong dislike for them. Hate is a powerful word, Greta. If it hadn’t been for Sam and his family, I may have let it consume me. Our lives are too short without letting evil dictate how we live.”

  “Then why is Thad treating me like I’m the one responsible for—” Greta’s words were cut off by Aisley’s finger pressed across her lips.

  “There are a lot of things on his mind right now. He is hurt, confused, and I’m sure he feels he has failed, not only his father but you also. Give him his space, Greta. He will sort things out in his own time.” Aisley wrapped her arm around Greta’s shoulder and pulled her into a hug.

  “How did—why would he think he failed me? He did all he could to find the people responsible.” Even the forbidden mind invasion, Greta thought.

  “Because he loves you. Now, we should get some sleep. The sun will be rising soon.”

  When Greta was younger, she remembered how carefree Aisley and Sierra had been every morning when they left the camp to watch the sunrise. There were a few times when she and Cleo had followed them to Caddo Lake and watched from afar. The rising sun made the water appear to shimmer like liquid gold. The two girls, who were two years older, had never denied Greta or Cleo the chance to go with them. They just hadn’t asked.

  “Aisley? I followed you and Sierra to the lake one morning.”

  “You followed us to the lake on more than one morning.” Aisley’s soft giggle filled the vardo.

  “When you first saw Sam, you thought he was a gaje. Would you have still married him if he would have been?”

  “I’m not sure I would have given him the chance to invade my beliefs. I cannot say. I was so happy I wasn’t tested on what I would have done. Good night, Greta.”

  Greta lay awake for a long while. Aisley shifted several times. Finally mental and emotional exhaustion reigned over Greta.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The sun barely peeked through the window. Thad rubbed his eyes with fisted hands. He tumbled out of bed and slipped into his clothes. He clenched his eyes in pain and leaned against the doorframe. Drawing in a deep breath, he walked out the door and followed the path to the lake. Greta had stayed with Aisley, and he knew that’s where he would find them.

  Thad made no attempt to keep his steps light. The girls needed to know he was approaching and had nothing to fear. When Aisley looked up, he nodded her way. “I’m going to leave you two alone. Talk to one another. Things will right themselves if you have faith in each other.” She touched Greta’s shoulder and smiled at Thad as she slowly walked back toward camp.

  “How is your father?” The sorrow in Greta’s voice was undeniable.

  “He’s immersed in the attention everyone is giving him.” A long silence rent the area.

  “Pretty view, don’t you think?” Greta stared out across the water.

  “I don’t know what came over me last night. I’m sorry I pushed you away.” He pressed his hand upon hers. She hadn’t looked his way. Was she still hurt over his treatment of her?

  “Thad, Aisley and I had a long talk after you left.” Greta stood and moved next to a thick cypress tree. Thad followed and stopped close to her. He was unable to restrain the sweet agony that craved the hot need to be near her. He wedged her between his body and the tree. She curled her fingers around his arm. Scanning her beautiful face, he moved closer.

  Brushing his lips across hers, she parted her lips and invited his tongue to explore the inner softness of her cheeks. Their tongues danced as their bodies had around the fire. She lifted her arms around his neck and pulled him tighter as if she were as hungry as he was. The need to cling to her as if they were being ripped apart encased him. He wouldn’t consider letting her go even if it meant he would never have this feeling again. When he was with her, everything inside of him blossomed with a new heat that soared as the blood rushed through his veins. Her soft skin, warm and tender, brought forth a bounty of life surging out of control.

  She was his. Cleo Little nor Robert Ray could take her away from him. The thought alone sent bone-jarring chills racing down his spine. Thad would fight them until the end of time. He broke the kiss but didn’t move. He struggled, trying to tamp down the inferno blazing deep within his inner self. She reached up and skimmed his jaw with her soft hand. The warm energy from her touch brought forth passion, rising to heated desire.

  Greta graced him with an understanding smile. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Burning her image of beauty into his soul, he let the moan rumbling in his chest build. When he glanced back down, he wiped away the single tear sliding down her cheek.

  “I am so sorry I let you down.” Thad tried to pull back, but she caught him around the waist.

  “You didn’t let me down. Why would you think you did?”

  “I didn’t catch them. I want to hurt those two for what they have done.”

  “You did what you had to do. Thad, no one will blame you.” The sweetness of berries floated from her hair.

  “Sam promised he would bring word of their whereabouts. Would you like to join me when he returns?” Thad cupped her face in his hand. Greta gave him a nod.

  “I hear horses approaching now. Do you think it could be him?”

  “Walk with me, and we’ll find out.” He reached out to her with his palm skyward, and she curled her small hand into his. The act alone seduced him into silence. Birds flittered from one tree to another. Rustling from the boughs overhead swayed the moss-laden branches fanning the path.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Greta stiffened. She pulled in a deep breath and then let it out. Her pulse pounded in her neck, and heat rose up her neck and settled on her cheeks. The welcomed smell of freshly cut wood tickled her nose. Perspiration peppered her brow.

  She couldn’t look Thad in the eyes when he walked up the path to her and Aisley. The thought of her losing her faith in his love weighed heavy on her heart. She never should have doubted him. He never gave her a reason not to believe him. How many times had he told her how much she meant to him? Aisley was right. She should listen to him, to his confessions when he spoke from his heart.

  The old Shuvihani warned them about planting negative seeds. Once they started to grow, the doubts ate at the soul like a worm bores into an ear of corn. Greta didn’t want her relationship with Thad to perish because of her instability. Her heart needed to stay pure with positive thoughts, free from the devastation and misery Cleo and her cronies bestowed upon them.

  Would she ever be able to release her from the doubt she so selfishly planted? An inkling of fear pierced her thoughts. She had to be strong for Thad. To encourage him that their love was stronger than the stress Cleo put them under. Greta clasped hold of the amulet hanging around her neck. Pulsating heat warmed the palm of her hand. White light ran through her body. Greta closed her eyes and let the energy flow through her.

  The pounding in her ears was deafening. Each time she gazed upon Thad caused more intense love, passion, and desire to take over her. She held her breath until he came to sit beside her. His nearness unsettled her. The words she had carefully chosen for her apology were no longer known to her mind. A weakness in her knees threatened them to collapse under pressure as she strolled to the tree.

  The aroma of wood and sweat mingled with the fresh morning air. He had followed her. As she glanced at his frame towering above her, she gasped. Dark circled half moons had formed under his eyes. Coarse whisker stubble shadowed his chin. His mussed hair lost its shine. The moan tore at her when he raised his arms to pin her against the tree. He was in pain, and it was all her fault. Her heart plummeted to the depths of her stomach. If she lost him because of her doubt, her li
fe would hold nothing of value. His love for her and hers for him had to conquer all tragedy and conflicts now and in the future.

  The talk with Aisley made her understand that she would always be the forefront of Thad’s actions, even at times when he ignored her and pushed her aside. She glanced up at him. He lowered his lips onto hers. Emotionally drained and full of renewed hope, she leaned into him. Bathing in the power of his embrace warmed her to the bones. Never again would she allow her mind to play evil tricks to make her think he didn’t care.

  His lips were soft upon hers. She parted hers to afford his minty tongue to explore and caress the inside of her mouth. Sweet tortures of desire shattered her soul. An undeniable surge of passion heated her to the core. He was hers and always would be. Each kiss he sprinkled over her cheeks and down her neck sent a path of his love burning through her. His heart pulsed against her chest, pounding its way to hers until they seemed to beat as one.

  Another moan rumbled in his chest, filled with desire and etched with pain. She wanted to push him away but was helpless to do so. Her ragged breath quivered as she asked, “Does your shoulder still give you great pain?”

  “Not so much when I have you in my grasp.” She knew it was a lie, even though his words were sweet.

  “I’m to blame, you know. For you and your father’s injuries. I should never have doubted you care for me.” She whispered into his ear as he nibbled on her neck.

  Thad pulled back and gazed at her. Sorrow presented a dull sheen in his dark brown eyes. “I shouldn’t have left that impression. Please know my heart is so full of love for you that sometimes my mind fails to think.” A warming tingle worked its way into a satisfying shudder as he cupped her face in the palm of his hand and ran his thumb across her cheek.

  “We’ll make it through this, Thad.” She patted his arm. The emotional storm raging inside her subsided a little. What could Cleo possibly gain, other than gold, out of all her troubles? She would never be able to win the love of Thad. Greta tried to shake the thought from her mind.

  “Yes. And I promise to always love and respect you. I will make Cleo and her gaje lover pay for the torment she has put upon you and my family.” His eyes darkened. The hatred in his words sent a shiver down Greta’s spine. The sound of horse’s hooves echoed down the lane leading to the caravan. Greta’s heart leapt when Thad offered his hand to lead her down the path.

  Willingly she accepted the warmth, along with the string of excitement when she placed her hand in his. She said a small prayer of thanks for the comfort he brought into her life and the blessing of his promise to always love only her. Greta bit back the giddiness welling in her brain. If only she could believe everything would work out, she would feel better. Thad may have taken the bullet, but that didn’t suppress the fact she was the one being targeted.

  They strolled into camp as Sam Grey and the others reined their horses to a stop. The clan gathered around them. Wide eyes fixed on the men, mumbles and questions penetrated the air. A couple of the younger boys tended to the horses as women handed Sam and his crew cups of water for their parched throats.

  Greta knew what Sam was going to say. After all, Thad, Doriya, and she had done the forbidden and purposely entered the minds of Cleo and Robert Ray.

  Thad pulled Greta through the throng. They stood next to Sam. “Cleo and Robert Ray are holed up in the livery. The citizens of Linden saw them go in, but no one has seen them come out. The people in town seem to think the pair got married. They are concerned about the man bringing a gypsy wife to Linden. They don’t trust Cleo,” Sam said and then turned to Aisley and pulled her into his embrace.

  “They should also be concerned he has the ability to kill for greed.” Thad’s words were harsh.

  “I spoke to some of the men I do business with. They know of Robert Ray. None spoke highly of him. This is not the first time he has done something this underhanded. Cleo is not his first gypsy conquest.” Sam turned his attention to Thad.

  “Cleo will kill that man when she finds out. Unless…she already knows.” Greta glanced up at Thad. “But why me?”

  “No one knows. Have you noticed if she treats you different?” Aisley asked.

  “Yes. The same way she’s treating everyone. Cleo has always been moody. Lately, I suppose she has been angrier than usual, but it hasn’t always been directed at me.” Greta shook her head.

  “When did it start?” Thad placed his hands on Greta’s shoulders and turned her toward him.

  “Around the time when Papa announced you were my intended—”

  “Thad, has she ever made you think she is in love with you?” Aisley’s words cut Greta’s off.

  “Cleo flirts with all the men. Her mother and I warned her many times that one day she would regret what she is doing,” Mr. Little said as he stepped to the side of Sam.

  “Have you told her who her intended is?” Sam glared at Mr. Little.

  “Yes. But she shows no interest in him. She disappears at all hours. Half the time her chores go undone. She hasn’t shown up for her lesson’s either. I’m sorry she has done these horrible things. She knows better.” Mr. Little ducked his head.

  Greta felt sorry for the man. The pain and grief his daughter thrust on him was etched clearly on his face. She walked to him and gave him a hug. “Mr. Little, this is not your fault, nor is it the fault of the clan. We each have our own destiny that we must follow.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Doriya pulled Greta and Thad aside. She glanced from right to left and then leaned in close to them. “Come to my vardo tonight as the dance starts. We need to have a meeting. This is urgent.”

  Greta nodded. Doriya pushed on Greta’s back. Thad grabbed hold of her hand and led her away from the Shuvihani. “I wonder what the problem is.” Thad’s sultry voice sent goose bumps racing down Greta’s arms.

  “If it causes concern for Doriya, my intuition tells me we are not going to like it.” Greta tried to still her pounding heart. Thad leaned in close. His lips on her cheek warmed her skin where he kissed her. The amulet around her neck heated.

  “I must finish a cabinet. I will see you at Doriya’s.” Thad walked in front of the vardos. Greta watched until he disappeared behind the tall wooden stand holding his carpentry tools. She listened as a hammer thumped against the wood. She turned and strolled to her parents’ vardo to fetch her basket to gather berries.

  Aisley waited for her at the edge of the camp. “I wasn’t sure you would want to work today, Aisley. You must be nearing your time.”

  “I’m ready to get it over with. I think I will be pregnant the rest of my life. I miss seeing my feet.” Aisley’s angelic voice matched her silver aura. The glow of pregnancy was the most beautiful thing Greta had seen. She dreamed of the day she would carry Thad’s child.

  “How do you feel? It looks as though the baby has shifted.” Greta gazed at Aisley. “Did Sam finish the tent? Doriya would like to camp just outside of it, so she can baptize the child as soon as it comes into this world.”

  “Yesterday he finished it. I hate the thought of having to stay there until I am clean again. Doriya blessed it and has demanded all evil stay away from me and the babe.”

  “That’s good.” Greta turned her thoughts back to the secret meeting. Anything that upset the woman had to be serious. She’d never called a meeting of this nature. Did something bad happen to another clansmen, or was this the never-ending shenanigans of Cleo? With Doriya working on a plan, Cleo’s evilness would soon come to an end.

  Aisley was smiling at Greta. Her eyebrows rose above her twinkling brown eyes.

  “You seem to be a little preoccupied, Greta. Is there something I can do to help?”

  “Oh no. I was just trying to picture who the child would look like. Will it have its mother’s hair, nose, and eyes? And have its father’s bushy eyebrows and a nicely trimmed beard?” Greta watched the smile spread across Aisley’s face.

  “You do know how to paint a picture. Don’t talk of
bushy brows and beards just yet. I don’t think it would go well on a daughter.” To that Greta laughed.

  The cousins moved leisurely down the path in silence. They stopped at the full bushes and picked the ripest berries. Aisley ate more than she had in her basket, even with Greta tossing in a handful every time they stopped at a bush.

  “These berries have more flavor than the ones near Black Cypress.” Aisley shoved more berries into her mouth.

  “You weren’t pregnant at Black Cypress. From what Mama says, when she was expecting, everything tasted twice as good or twice as nasty. There was nothing that tasted the same as it did before.”

  “Everything I touch turns into a delicious meal. I bet the leaves on the trees would be good.”

  “How is Sierra holding up? It’s awful she couldn’t keep her wedding plans. Sean should be back soon.” Greta tried to keep positive thoughts of her brother. He had been contracted to help build a ship in Houston. Sean had traveled alone and thought he would be back in time to marry Sierra. Greta shivered. What if the meeting had something to do with Sean’s failure to return to the clan on time?

  “Other than worrying herself sick, she’s holding up the best she can. She’s afraid something has happened to Sean. I wouldn’t be surprised if the job took longer than anyone allowed.” Aisley tucked her arm in the bent elbow of Greta and started back to the camp.

  “I think I would have picked up a thought from him if he were in trouble. Is there any gossip I need to hear?” Greta kept her gaze straight ahead.

  “Not that I’m aware of. The typical thing, like Jenny’s in love with Eli and Colleen’s in love with Tomas. Of course, you already know Garland is in love with Sophie.”

  Greta came to an abrupt halt. She pulled back on Aisley’s arm. “Jenny and Eli? I knew about Colleen and Tomas, Thad told me. However, no one has mentioned Jenny and Eli. That is a match made of dreams.”