“That’s a bummer,” I said. “But I’m sure they’ll find someone else.”
“Yes, it is a bummer,” she said, looking me directly in the eyes. “And it would make me feel so much better if I knew the person buying my house was also interested in taking over my tea business.”
“Helen, like I said, I can’t buy your house,” I said. “Even if I wanted to, I’m just not in any position to become a homeowner.”
She clutched at my arm. “It’s more profitable than you might think,” she said. “Especially if you have a knack for healing. I have all the paperwork. My recipes and client files, plus tons and tons of books on herbs and flowers. I’ll leave all of it for you.”
A knack for healing. My mouth went dry. It was just a coincidence she chose that word, I told myself. It didn’t mean anything.
“It’s not that,” I said. “I’m flattered you would trust your customers to me. I just can’t buy it.”
“But, why?” she pressed. “We can talk about the money ...”
‘The money isn’t the only problem,” I said, trying to gently disengage my arm from her grip. “Even if I were considering it ... I really can’t.”
“Can you at least think about it?”
I worked my arm loose and stood up. “I can’t. In fact, I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened. “Tomorrow? But you can’t.”
“I have to. I have no choice.”
Helen was clearly agitated, her hands fluttering around her like broken birds. “This is not how it’s supposed to work,” she muttered. “This isn’t supposed to happen.”
“I know this is a disappointment, but ...”
“No!” Her head shot up. “You don’t understand. You must be the one to buy the house. It must be you.”
I stepped back, shocked at how forceful she was being. “Helen, I’m sorry,” I said. “But ...”
“What about the dreams?” She hissed. “I know you dreamed about the house. I know the house was calling you. Summoning you. What do you think is going to happen if you leave?”
My mouth dropped open. For a moment, I could only stand there, too startled to do or say anything.
How did she know about the dreams? I hadn’t told anyone.
But, even more importantly, did she have a point about leaving?
It hadn’t occurred to me what would happen if I left. I just assumed everything would go on as before. Sure, maybe the dreams would change. Maybe they would be full of grief or anger. Maybe they would even turn into nightmares.
But what if I really WAS summoned?
What happens when you turn your back on a summons?
“You don’t understand,” I said, glancing behind me to make sure Nancy, or any other hotel guest, wasn’t behind me. I lowered my voice. “I’m in terrible danger here. Everyone I know is in terrible danger. I can’t stay.”
Her watery blue eyes were fixed on mine. “The town will protect you.”
“The town can’t do anything.”
“It will protect you,” she insisted. “I know you think Alan ...”
I reared back like she had slapped me. How did she know Alan’s name? I knew I hadn’t said it to her. How did she know?
“You think Alan can hurt you, but he can’t. Not here. You’re safe here. You’re protected. BUT, if you leave ...” she shook her head sadly. “Who knows what will happen.”
“I have to go,” I said. I was completely freaked out by the conversation. “Look, I’ll think about it. I promise. But right now, I have to go.”
“Things are never as they seem,” she said. “Remember that.”
Could this get any freakier? I started to back up, wishing I was anywhere else. Even back in New York with Alan breathing down my neck.
At least that would have some sense of normality.
“I will. I promise.” I quickly turned, everything inside me wanting to run but forcing myself to walk, when I heard her call my name. Reluctantly, I turned back to her.
She was holding the paper bag. “Don’t forget your tea.”
I forced a smile on my face as I quickly strode back, grabbed the tea, and made my escape.
All I wanted to do was get into my car and drive as fast as I could out of Redemption.
And then spend the rest of my life forgetting I had ever even heard of it.
Chapter 17
“Finally, you’re here,” Jonathan called out. “I was starting to wonder.”
He came out of the garage to meet me as I walked up the long driveway, wiping his hands on a grease-stained towel. His jeans were stained with grease as well, and he even had a streak on his cheek, as if he had pushed his hair out of his eyes. He seemed a little more tired than usual, but it didn’t matter. He was still hot.
My heart took a slow, painful flip in my chest as he approached. In a few minutes, I’d never see him again. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but I knew it was for the best.
I couldn’t bear to watch him approach, so I paused, shading my eyes from the noon sun, searching for my car. “Does that mean it’s done?”
“Of course it’s done,” he said. “Did you doubt me?”
I forced a smile. What I was doubting was whether Redemption wanted me to go.
It hadn’t been a great night. I had slept very little, tossing and turning as my brain ping ponged between worrying about Alan showing up and imagining all the different ways Redemption might keep me from leaving.
The moment the first rays of sun had touched the sky, I got out of bed. I wished I could pack everything up and take off right then and there, but I forced myself to wait. Annabelle was expecting my call in the afternoon. I had to wait until then. If I tried to do it earlier, she might get suspicious, and who knows what she would do then.
Instead, I spent the morning pacing around the room, checking and rechecking that I had packed everything, and tracing my route on the map over and over to make sure I wouldn’t get lost.
Needless to say, all that checking and double-checking had left me feeling restless and anxious. I was sure there was something I was forgetting, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what it was.
“So, what were you wondering about?” I asked Jonathan as we made our way to the office.
He shrugged. “I just figured you’d be here bright and early. Ready to get a head start on the road.”
His voice seemed wistful and a little sad, which made me feel even worse, if that was possible. I told myself I was being ridiculous. There was no future here no matter what, and there was definitely no sense in getting emotional. My mind was made up.
“Actually, I had to wait for my sister to be by the phone,” I said as Jonathan pulled open the door and gestured for me to walk ahead of him. “She’s going to pay.”
He raised his eyebrows but didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he went behind the desk and fished around behind it for the bill. “So, here’s what we did. Let me know if you have any questions.” He slid it across the counter to me.
I glanced at it and had to look twice at the amount. “Wow,” I breathed.
“Yeah, it was quite an intense job,” he said. “Do you want me to walk you through it?”
I shook my head. “No, although you may have to with Annabelle. I can give you her number.”
He took the bill back and dug around for a pen. I recited the number, and he jotted it down. I noticed how neat his printing was, which surprised me for some reason.
“Where’s the car? I can check it out while you call her,” I said.
He reached over behind him where several sets of keys dangled, removed mine, and handed it to me. I reached for them, expecting him to let go, but he held on. I glanced up at him, a question in my eyes.
“Don’t go,” he said softly.
“I have to,” I said, giv
ing my keys a gentle tug. He didn’t budge.
“You don’t have to,” he said.
“Trust me, I do.”
“Why? What’s the worst that could happen?”
“He finds me,” I said simply.
“So the answer is to keep running?”
“It is for now,” I said, yanking on my keys a bit harder.
“That isn’t an answer.”
“I don’t have much choice.”
“So, what if you run and he still finds you? Then what?”
I took a breath and stopped fighting him for my keys. Instead, I looked straight into his eyes. “You don’t understand. He knows where I am,” I said.
“So what?”
“‘So what’? It’s only a matter of time before he shows up.”
“Then let him,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be better if he found you here then if you were in a place where you knew no one? Here you have friends, people to support you.”
I was already shaking my head. “It’s too dangerous.”
His expression was somber, almost pitying. “You know he’s eventually going to find you, right? It’s only a matter of time. Running won’t solve anything.”
“You don’t know that.”
He gave me another look that quite clearly said, “Don’t be naive.”
“He may just give up,” I insisted. “Find another wife.”
“You really think so? Just like that? You don’t think his ego will play into all of this?”
I blew the air out of my cheeks. “Okay, fine. I stay here and he finds me. Then what? I let him kill me?”
“You fight,” Jonathan said simply. “ Standard predator behavior. You run; you encourage him to chase you. You fight back? That’s what will get him to think twice.”
“I just ... I just don’t know,” I said, studying the counter as I bit my lip. “I don’t want to be responsible for what he may do.”
“Hey. You’re not responsible. None of this is your fault,” Jonathan said, shaking the keys to get me to look up. “He’s the one in the wrong. Not you. Got it?”
I nodded. “I know, but ...”
“No ‘buts,’” he said. “This isn’t your fault.” He reached over with his other hand and lifted my chin, so my eyes met his. “Got it?”
“I got it.”
His eyes were so dark, so intense. I could feel the chemistry between us, the heat starting to simmer deep in his eyes. He sucked in his breath, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me, but then he released my chin and my keys and leaned back. “I guess I better call your sister,” he said. His voice was casual, but I could hear the unsteadiness of his breath.
“Yeah, I better go check out the car. See what you did to it,” I said, backing out of the office. My cheeks were hot, and I felt flustered and out of sorts. Man, I couldn’t get out of this town fast enough.
My car was parked under the shade in the parking lot. It appeared to be quite shiny, which I didn’t understand until I got closer and realized Jonathan must have washed it for me.
I opened the door and slipped inside. My intention was to give it a quick test drive to make sure all was well before I went back to the hotel to load up my bags. But instead, I just sat there. I thought about what it would be like hitting the road, the long days of driving on an unknown highway, stopping in unfamiliar hotels and eating at unfamiliar restaurants.
No one would know me. No one would have any idea who “that strange girl” was. No one would help if I had car trouble, or if I needed a job. Nor would anyone have any idea where I was. It’s not like I could ever call Annabelle again. As soon as she realized I wasn’t returning to New York, she would be pissed. I wasn’t sure if she would even accept my calls again. As for the rest of my family, Marguerite would be too focused on her pregnancy to want to deal with me, and none of us kids had a particularly close relationship with our parents. Annabelle had acted as a surrogate mother to me growing up. I had drifted away from my friends, mostly because of Alan, but the fact remained that I had pushed them away.
Annabelle was it. And if she didn’t want to hear from me, I was on my own.
Was I sure this was really what I wanted to do? Completely cut myself off from all my friends and family and drive from town to town?
How long could I keep that up?
Even more importantly, was that a life I really wanted to live? Alone. Constantly on the move. Perpetually looking over my shoulder. Never being able to settle down anywhere for longer than a few weeks here and there to take on a job for a little money, and never long enough to make any friends or feel a part of a community?
Is that what I wanted?
No, it wasn’t. But I didn’t see what choice I had.
I banged my head against the steering wheel, fighting back the urge to howl in frustration. If I stayed here, Annabelle would still be angry with me. But at least I would have a few friends and feel like I was a part of something.
Was it worth the risk?
In that moment, I honestly didn’t know. All I knew was I didn’t like either of my choices. I didn’t want to run, but I was terrified to stay.
How did I end up here? How could this possibly be my life?
“Charlie!” Jonathan was calling for me from the little office, waving his arms. “Your sister wants to speak to you.”
Of course she does, I thought resentfully. Probably wanted to ask about my route and remind me to call her so she could track my progress. After the stunt she pulled putting Alan on the phone, I really didn’t want to talk to her.
On the other hand, this would probably be the last time in a long time, if ever, that I would be able to, so I figured I might as well take advantage of it. Not to mention, if I didn’t, it would raise her suspicions.
“Charlie?”
“Coming,” I called out with a sigh. I unfolded myself out of the car and headed for the office.
Jonathan had a concerned look on his face. He covered the receiver with his hand. “I think something happened,” he whispered. “She’s pretty upset. I think she’s been crying.”
My eyes widened. Annabelle, crying? Oh no. It couldn’t be good.
My earlier reservations gone, I snatched up the phone. “Annabelle? Is everything okay?”
“He’s dead!”
“What? Who? Brad?” One of the boys? I couldn’t even force myself to say the last one; I didn’t know if I could bear it if something happened to one of my nephews. My stomach was twisted in knots, and my heart was in my throat. I thought I might be sick.
“No.” She let out a wail. “Alan.”
I couldn’t have heard her right. “Did you say ‘Alan’? Alan is dead??”
Her sobbing was the only response.
Alan, dead?
I stood there, the phone limp in my hand, as a variety of complicated emotions rushed through me. Guilt, sadness, regret. And … relief. Definitely relief. And guilt for feeling relief. I leaned against the counter, feeling like I couldn’t hold myself up as wave after wave of emotion crashed through me.
Was my nightmare actually over?
“Annabelle, what happened?”
“He ... he...” She sucked in her breath, hiccupping. “He was going to meet you.”
“Meet me? Where?” I could feel the echoes of fear twine their way through the sea of emotions.
I was right. He was coming.
“At the Palisades.”
“At the what?” What was Annabelle even talking about? Has she lost her mind? My sister had always been high-strung; even growing up, she worried constantly about everything and anything. Had she finally snapped? Why on earth would Alan be looking for me at the Palisades? “Are you talking about the New Jersey Palisades?”
“It was going to be a surprise,” she hiccupped again.
“A s
urprise for Alan, you mean,” I said. “You know I’m not anywhere near the Palisades.”
“I was going to tell you to stop by there on your way home.”
“Stop by the Palisades? Driving home from Wisconsin?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Annabelle said it as if it were the equivalent of stopping at the store for a gallon of milk on my home from work. “What are you even talking about?”
Annabelle took a deep, shaky breath to calm herself. “You have no idea how upset Alan has been,” she said. “He’s been wanting to talk to you in person. I kept assuring him you’d be home soon, but he was just so worried. After you and he talked two nights ago, he told me he wanted to surprise you. Meet you somewhere away from New York. Somewhere romantic. He thought that might warm you up to him … get you to listen to reason. I thought ...” she sniffed. “I thought it was a good idea, too. And I remembered how much we loved going to the Palisades as children. He loved the idea.”
My mouth was hanging open as I listened. While it was true that we had some fun times there as children, it had been years since any of us had been there. Nana used to take us when our parents were spending time in Europe over the summer.
“How were you planning to get me there?”
“I was going to tell you to stop by that really cool baby store. Do you remember it? Marguerite loved shopping there.”
Even as a child, Marguerite had been baby crazy, which is why her struggle to get pregnant had always struck me as a cruel joke. “Marguerite loved shopping at all sorts of baby stores. What made that one so special?”
“It had those lovely, handmade wooden cribs with matching rocking chairs. Do you remember? Marguerite loved them, and I thought they would look wonderful in her nursery.”
I was having trouble wrapping my head around the conversation. “Annabelle, that was years ago. Like a decade ago. How do we know that store is still around? Or that it’s even selling those things?”
“Oh, it’s still there,” she said confidently. “It took some calling around, but I found it. And yes, they still have the rocking chairs and cribs. So, I was going to ask you to stop there on your way home and pick one out.”
The Summoning: A gripping psychological thriller (Secrets of Redemption Book 4) Page 15
