“We can do lunch instead if you prefer.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
Butch shrugged. “I can rearrange my schedule if needed.”
A grin teased Leilani’s mouth, causing that faint dimple to appear. “Okay, you’re on. Let me check with Jinx what her schedule is and then I’ll text you.”
“Sounds good.” Butch turned to leave, then returned his attention to Leilani. “In case you didn’t know it, you make a really pretty mermaid.”
She smiled. “So I’ve been told. But thanks.”
Ignoring the surge of jealousy rushing through him, Butch nodded and walked into his apartment. He knew Leilani was right. Sitting in the shadows waiting for something to happen wasn’t going to help anyone. There’d been no sign of the person who’d left a strangled kitten on Leilani’s doorstep since the police looked around the evening he and Jinx had gone to the performance. Maybe they’d just wanted to scare Jinx, and seeing that she hadn’t left, maybe they’d given up. The cynical side of him laughed. He knew the person was lying low, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. His thoughts turned icy as scenario after terrible scenario played themselves out in his mind. Butch forced himself to walk into his apartment and lock the door. He took a shaky breath. “Get it together, Butch,” he muttered. Going to bed agitated would exasperate his PTSD, making his nightmares worse. He considered walking out to his car to repack his imaginary suitcase, but decided against it. He didn’t want to go back into the cold. Instead he walked into the little kitchenette of his apartment and put a pot on the stove. He filled it with water before turning the burner on. As he waited for the water to boil, he pulled out an old camp mug and set a tea bag inside. Some lavender tea should help him relax and hopefully keep the monsters in his mind at bay.
DESPITE THE LATENESS of the hour, and her own exhaustion, Leilani decided to make some hot cocoa before going to bed. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess and her heart ached for the two people who had come into her life so unexpectedly.
“What are you doing?”
Leilani nearly jumped out of her skin as she turned to see Jinx in the doorway. “Good grief! Don’t you make any noise when you walk?”
Jinx shrugged. “I try not to.”
As her heart rate returned to normal, Leilani said, “I’m making cocoa. Would you like some?”
Shaking her head, Jinx replied, “I don’t normally eat late.”
“Fair enough.”
“Butch was outside again.”
Leilani sighed. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“He’s worried about us and wants to make sure we’re safe.”
Jinx snorted. “Doesn’t he realize that’s going to cause bigger problems? Guys like Clint don’t give up just because some idiot is standing outside an apartment all night.”
Leilani glared at the young woman. “Butch isn’t an idiot. I agree there are better ways to go about things, but he’s doing the best he knows how. That’s got to count for something.”
“Not really.” Jinx looked at Leilani for a long while before saying, “I know you’re used to a world where even when bad things happen, somehow everything turns out all right in the end. Prince Charming or whoever comes to save the day. That’s not reality. If Butch really wanted to help us, he’d stay in his apartment at night. Sitting out there where Clint is going to see him isn’t intimidating anyone. Clint knows how to be patient. He’ll wait until he senses Butch thinks we’re safe, until a night when Butch doesn’t stand outside waiting for him.”
Leilani didn’t reply as she poured the cocoa into a mug. She took a long, slow sip, trying to put her thoughts into words. “Jinx, I know you and Butch think I’ve lived a charmed life, and perhaps in some ways I have. But I’m not nearly as naïve as you think. Yes, I generally see the good in people and I believe that things will normally turn out right in the end. Not because some fabled prince shows up to make everything right, but because I work hard to make things right in the best way I can. I rely on God to rescue me when I can’t make it happen myself. And sometimes He tells me to keep pushing through. I’ve felt alone, like I’ve been given more than I can handle. At times, I’ve felt He’s abandoned me. But I’ve come to understand that He’s always there. But for me to grow, He can’t just step in and make it all a bed of roses. Coming here hasn’t been easy. I’ve had my struggles in life. I just choose to focus on the positive and what I can do to make things better. That’s what faith is all about. It’s not about expecting bad things to never happen. It’s about pushing through and holding on when they do.”
For a long moment, they stood in silence. “I guess,” Jinx said. “I’ll just let you enjoy your cocoa.”
“Jinx?” Leilani put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay not to understand.”
“I know. I just wish I did understand. You’re a lot braver than I am.”
“Keep your chin up,” Leilani said with a smile. “It’ll come to you.”
Chapter 16
Jinx arrived home after work exhausted. That morning, Leilani had told her about the date Butch suggested. Not wanting to interfere with her friend’s plans, Jinx insisted they go ahead and have a dinner date. “I’ll be fine on my own for an evening,” she’d insisted. Now that she walked into the apartment by herself, she hoped she was right. She walked into the kitchen and saw a note on the counter.
I thought you might be tired of having leftovers plain, so I mixed up some pork and cabbage and bought a package of crescent rolls for you to make Leftover Dumplings. Just put a spoonful of the pork mixture in the center of a triangle, fold up the edges and bake at whatever temperature the package says. I left my phone for you in the pooka. Butch’s number is in there if you need anything. See you later tonight!
Leilani
Smiling, Jinx pulled out the ingredients and followed Leilani’s directions. After making as many dumplings as she could, Jinx put the loaded pan into the oven. She set the timer and then walked out into the living room. Leilani’s jars of sand beckoned to her. She looked over the half-finished piece Leilani had started a few days previously. Colored grains of sand blended together into a beautiful landscape in the shape of a whale. Even though Leilani had shown her how she made her artwork, Jinx still stood in awe that her friend could take so many tiny pieces and make one, breathtaking picture.
A sound outside the apartment made her jump. Her heart racing, Jinx slowly backed toward the kitchen. She reached into the drawer of odds and ends Leilani called her pooka. Thinking of the word brought the merest hint of a smile to her lips as she grabbed Leilani’s phone. She touched the call icon which brought up Butch’s name and number. “Relax, Jinx, it’s probably just a cat or something,” she told herself. Unable to convince her mind everything was fine, she put the phone in her pocket.
The savory scent of the dumplings gave her some comfort, though the silence pressed down on her mind. Taking a cleansing breath, Jinx walked to the little CD player Leilani kept on the kitchen counter. She looked through the small stack of cases. Her nose wrinkled slightly at the lack of selections. Ocean sounds, whale songs, and Beach Boys were her only options. “Beach Boys Christmas it is then,” she said aloud, her voice sounding too loud in the small space. As “Little Saint Nick” filled the room, the tension in her shoulders lessened. She remembered Aaron giving her his cell phone number. “Maybe just hearing a friendly voice will help too.” Jinx walked into her room and got the slip of paper with Aaron’s number on it. She dialed the number, trying to tamp down the butterflies wreaking havoc on her nerves.
“Hello?”
Jinx hesitated a moment before saying, “Hi, um, Aaron?”
“Yes, this is Aaron. Who is this?”
Worried he wouldn’t remember seeing her, she replied, “It’s Jinx, I saw you in the mall the other day...”
“Oh, yeah, hi. Your voice sounds so different over the phone. Is this your new number?”
Jinx released her breath and smiled, “No
, this is a friend’s phone. I don’t get paid until next Friday. I was just,” she paused. Did she really want to admit that she was calling because a tiny noise had startled her?
“Hey no worries. What are you up to tonight?”
She told him about her day at work, his voice soothing her. “What about you?” Jinx asked as she went to the fruit basket on the counter and pulled out an apple to slice before getting a knife out of the drawer. She listened as he told her about his classes and then frowned. The line had gone dead unexpectedly. “Weird,” she said, worry gnawing at her. “But, maybe that happens sometimes.” Realizing she needed a cutting board, Jinx set the apple down and leaned over to get one out of the lower cupboards. As she rose again, she gave a startled squeal.
“Hello, Jinx.”
The cutting board crashed to the floor.
LEILANI WOBBLED ON the skates. “Butch, I really don’t think this is a good idea,” she said, looking at the pond full of skaters. “I’ve never done this before.”
“Then it’s a great idea,” Butch said. “I can teach you all you need to know. Besides, as graceful as you are, I’m sure you’ll pick it up in no time.”
A pleased blush stole over her cheeks as she gave a short laugh. “I don’t know about that.”
Butch took her hands in his, sending a wave of warmth through her. “Trust me.”
“You I trust,” Leilani replied with a wry grin. “It’s me I’m worried about.”
His laughter sent a thrill up her spine. Still holding her hands, Butch said, “Come on, one foot and then the other.”
Leilani tested the ice, wobbling again.
“Relax.” Butch pulled her closer to him. “I won’t let you fall. Try again.”
Timid at first, Leilani began a slow circle around the pond, Butch holding her hands and giving her encouragement. She smiled as her confidence grew. Eventually, almost reluctantly, Butch let her hands go and she began skating on her own. “Wow!” she breathed.
“Not so bad after all, is it?” he asked.
“Not bad at all,” Leilani replied. They skated across the pond a few times and she watched more experienced skaters make loops and spins she could never hope to do. A grin teased her lips as Butch looped around her in a graceful arc. “You’ve been holding back, Mr. Walker. You’re quite graceful.”
“Certain things just aren’t discussed,” he said with a smile. He sighed. “I used to love skating. Went all the time.”
“Why don’t you now?”
A frown replaced his smile. “Not all of us get to live out our dreams, Leilani. These scars aren’t just ugly to look at, they hurt. The cold makes them hurt more. Skating isn’t all that enjoyable when you’re in pain five minutes after you get started.”
“Then why did you bring me ice skating?” Leilani asked, touching his arm. “We could have done something indoors.”
Butch gave her a sheepish smile. “I figured you’d enjoy this more than watching The Longest Day at my apartment.”
Despite herself, Leilani giggled. “While it might not have been my first choice in movies, I don’t mind watching them. My oldest brother is a history buff, though he focuses more on the Pacific islands. I’ve seen quite a few old war films.”
“Oh really?” Butch said. “I have Midway, if you’d like to see that tonight.”
She smiled. “That is a good one. But, I probably should be getting home relatively soon. I’m sure Jinx is starting to feel anxious as is. I promised her I wouldn’t be out too late.”
Butch nodded. “And watching old movies probably doesn’t appeal to our young friend.”
“Probably not,” Leilani admitted.
The wind picked up suddenly as they paused near a concession stand. “I’m going to get us some cocoa. Is there anything else you’d like?” Butch asked.
“No, just cocoa will be fine.”
Butch nodded and skated to the end of the line.
Leilani shivered as a feeling of foreboding washed over her. An ambulance raced past the pond, lights flashing and sirens wailing. Please don’t turn left, Leilani pleaded as she watched the ambulance head toward the intersection. Icy dread filled her as it turned exactly where she’d told it not to go. “Jinx,” she whispered.
Chapter 17
Butch wanted to tell Leilani to relax as they hurried to the apartment complex. Every time he went to say, “I’m sure everything’s fine,” the words caught in his throat. He didn’t believe everything was fine. An ambulance was pulling away as they arrived. The door to her apartment stood open as police officers came in and out. He’d barely stopped the engine of his car before Leilani jumped out and sprinted for the complex.
“Jinx? Jinx?”
“Leilani, wait!” Butch called. He caught up to her as she stopped outside her apartment, her eyes wide. Looking past her into the apartment, Butch’s heart twisted. He could smell something that might have been burnt bread. Broken jars of sand were scattered across the living room. Torn canvases littered the floor. He put his arms around Leilani. “Babe, are you okay?”
She straightened her shoulders. The pain in her eyes hardened as she stepped into the apartment. Turning to the officer nearest the door, she asked, “What happened here?”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you need to...”
“This is my apartment, you can call and ask the landlord,” Leilani retorted, holding herself straight as Butch imagined an avenging queen might. “I want to know what happened, now if you please.”
She even sounds like an avenging queen, Butch thought as Darla Good turned from where she was working. She frowned as she saw him. “Why is it the first person I see when there’s trouble is you?” she demanded.
Before Butch could reply, Leilani said, “I need to know what happened to Jinx. Now.”
“Has Jinx been threatened by anyone recently?” Darla asked, looking back at the report an officer handed her.
“What?”
Darla looked up. “We got called about a noise complaint from one of your neighbors. She heard a lot of shouting, and crashing and banging around, so she called us. Good thing too. Jinx would have died if we hadn’t arrived when we did.”
Leilani blanched. “What happened?”
“Based on the injuries and the mess, I think whoever came here used whatever was nearest them as a weapon. She looked pretty bad when they took her out.”
“Will she be okay?”
“She should be,” Darla said gently. “Jinx is tough. If I were to hazard a guess, this is probably the same person who left the strangled kitten on your doorstep last week.”
“Left...” The color drained from Leilani’s face.
Butch put a gentle hand on Leilani’s shoulder. “I thought it best you didn’t know that detail.”
“Has Jinx ever given any names to people she knew when she was on the streets? Any at all?” Darla asked. “Every detail could be crucial to catching this guy.”
“She mentions a man named Clint,” Leilani said quietly.
“Have you ever seen him?”
“I think, once.”
“Could you describe him?”
Leilani nodded.
“Jinx is at St. Joe,” Darla said. “Why don’t you come down to the station and give us as much information as you can? I’ll have a few officers talk to your neighbors and see what they can find out. Then you can go to the hospital. I’m sure visiting hours are over, but there’s a chapel there, and a waiting room.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Life is going to get more complicated for you until we catch the person responsible for this.” Darla looked Leilani over. “Do you have somewhere you can stay tonight?”
“I’ll figure something out.”
Butch could hear the numbness settling in Leilani’s voice. He recognized the defeat in the slump of her shoulders, and took her hand. “I’ll take you to the station,” he said gently.
“I can get there.”
“Leilani, loo
k at me,” he said, trying to keep his tone gentle. “Look at me.” The sheer vulnerability on her face as she looked up at him hit Butch like a kick to the gut. “Don’t try to do this on your own. I get it, you’re a strong, independent woman, but please, let me help you. Please.”
Tears shone in her eyes. “Why would someone do this?”
Wrapping her in an embrace he hoped would chase any fears away, he let her cry into his jacket. He whispered, “I don’t know, babe. People are cruel.” He placed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “But we’ll find him. And we’ll make him pay. I promise.”
As she stopped shaking, Leilani pulled back slightly. “Sorry, about your shirt.”
Butch glanced down at the tear stains. He shrugged. “It’ll wash.”
She smiled slightly. “Yeah.”
“Let’s get you down to the station to give your report, okay? Then we’ll go to the hospital to check on how Jinx is doing.”
“Okay.”
Butch led her down to his car. He held her door open before going to his own seat. Though he normally preferred silence in the car, he turned the radio on. An instrumental Christmas piece played. He glanced at Leilani. Her eyes stared out the window, though he knew she wasn’t focusing on anything outside. He took her hand. “It’s gonna be okay. That’s what you’re always telling Jinx and I. Things will work out.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t know that they will, not this time,” Leilani whispered.
“Hey now,” Butch said, his voice gruff with emotion. “You can’t let go of your faith now.”
“Hours of work have been ruined and need to be redone. Hundreds of dollars of materials need to be replaced. My home has been violated. The landlord is probably going to make me pay for the damage to the apartment.” She sighed and looked out the window again. “I don’t have much left to hold on to.”
“You’ve got me,” Butch replied, surprised by his own fervor. “I’m not going to disappear on you. And you’ve got Jinx. She needs you now, more than ever. And most of all she needs your enthusiasm and positivity.”
A Mermaid Under The Mistletoe Page 7
