by January Bain
Ace’s expression darkened. “Stay right here. Don’t move. I’ll be right back soon as I lock this perp safely in my cruiser.”
I slumped back to the floor, overwhelmed.
I lay there, listening to the sounds of the RV. Nice and quiet with a single clock ticking the heartbeats away over the compact refrigerator. Nice. I could lie there all day and…
I woke up being cradled in a strong pair of arms. My nostrils flared with the now familiar scent of our almost-new Mountie. The fragrance of leather and man wafted off Ace in spades. I took a deep satisfying breath, filled with contentment, the pain in my arm receding. Yeah, but how soon until I was ready to tear a strip off him again? My relationship with him confused me. Was it even a relationship? We haven’t even been on a proper date yet!
“Twice in one day. We must stop meeting like this, Sheriff.”
Ace looked down at me. He shook his head, his expression grim. He tucked me into the passenger side of his SUV before answering. “I’m taking you straight to the hospital. You need to have that arm looked at. And perhaps an MRI of that stubborn head of yours, see if the doctor can’t locate some common sense.”
“Yeah, well at least now you’ve got all the murderers locked up, thanks to yours truly,” I countered. What, ten seconds of bliss followed by anther annoying outburst? New record.
“I am not the annoying one here, Miss McCall—”
“Take me to jail already.” A voice interrupted from the back cage of the police vehicle. Presumably Eve’s. No stuttering. Real small-town stuff, a victim and perp traveling together. Not that I’d ever been a victim, at least not any more since I’d grown up and could defend myself, thank you very much.
“Eve?” he asked, giving me a quizzical look.
“Yeah, Felicity goes by two names,” I said. “And how did you know that? Something you’re not telling me, because I won’t put up with your not being honest with me! Just spit it out already.”
“I’m not holding anything back. If I want you to know something, have no fear, I’ll just come out and say it.” He closed the passenger door and went around the front of the cruiser and got in the driver’s side. “Anything that can be done if this thing becomes more of a problem?”
I shrugged, gingerly cradling my arm. “Sorry, no spells in the Northern Lights Grimoire for releasing thought sharing. At least I don’t think so. Of course, never experienced it with a human being before.” I leaned back against the seat.
I chanced a glance at him after a few moments of complete silence. He was nonplused by my comment, but I could see the twitch was back under his eye as he stared straight ahead at the road.
In short order we made the hospital, and leaving Felicity/Eve in the backseat of the cruiser, Ace escorted me inside.
“Miss McCall needs to see a doctor right away,” he barked at Stacey. I laid a hand on his arm, rock-hard muscles cording and bunching through his uniform shirt under my touch.
“It’s okay, I’m going to be fine, Ace.” I tried soothing him, recognizing I was somewhat responsible for his current state of being.
I addressed Stacey. “I think my arm’s broken. I may need an X-ray. Is Dr. Tanner on duty? He’s our family doctor.”
“Of course, Charm. Just have a seat and I’ll give him a call.” She frowned at the Mountie hovering at my side and picked up the house phone.
I led the way over to a line-up of plastic orange chairs facing the desk and sat myself down.
“It’s okay if you go and see to Felicity now. I’m in good hands.”
Ace looked undecided, an expression that endeared him in the moment. “By the way, thanks for showing up when you did. You get my message?”
“I was already headed to the camp, so I was close behind you. No mental telepathy to blame for that one. I just know you. Can’t keep yourself from charging ahead, no matter what the cost. I’ve decided to find it charming.”
“Oh, yeah.” I gave him a smile. I could live with that diagnosis.
“Charm McCall,” Stacey called out. “Dr. Tanner will see you now.”
“That’s my cue. And don’t leave here. I’ll take that woman to the detachment and be right back. You hear me?” He leaned in close, took my chin in one hand, tilted my head back and planted a sweet, lingering kiss on my lips. A tingling sensation zinged its way right to my center before he stepped back. Oh my.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” I gave a lazy salute with my good hand and watched him stride away. That darn halo of his was getting brighter. If he kept this up, I’d be blind soon. But at least I had forgotten my sore arm for a few precious seconds.
I made my way slowly to Dr. Tanner’s examining room, wincing from the pain that jarred with every step I took. I needed more kisses—they seemed the best medicine at the moment.
“Charm, strange to see you here. What on earth happened?” Doc Tanner looked up from behind his desk where he was writing notes on a chart. He observed me holding my arm propped up against my chest. His craggy, still handsome face creased into a network of wrinkles. He loved the outdoors and had come to live in Snowy Lake over thirty years ago for the hunting and fishing. Everyone was glad to have his competent help, and the fact that he was dedicated to our town didn’t hurt. The only time I actually ever saw him was at town events. I never got hurt or sick. Until today.
“I got hit with a baseball bat.” I made a rueful face.
“Accidentally?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, it looked kind of deliberate.”
“Who on earth would do that to you?” He was scandalized, by the expression on his rugged face.
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, really. But I think it’s broken.”
“Best let me take a look at it. Have a seat.” He got up and came over, carefully taking my arm and gently feeling along its length. “It’s badly swollen, so a break is a real possibility. We’ll get this X-rayed right away. Don’t worry, we’ll have you fixed up in no time.”
“Where’s my sister? Charm? Where are you?” A loud series of voices erupted from outside the examining room. The door burst open, and there stood Tulip, Star, Granny Toogood, Auntie T.J. and my best friend Emma. Behind them I could see a sea of Northern Lights Coven members’ faces.
“We heard at the café what happened! That you were attacked.”
“My goodness, are you okay, sweeting?” My beloved granny’s voice made the tears well up. I shook them off.
“I’m fine. Or will be, once we get this sucker X-rayed.” I held up my wounded wing, trying not to wince.
“Was it that wicked Felicity Higgins that hit you? I’ll bet it was—we saw her in the back of Constable Collins’ cruiser,” Star asked, her expression taking on the proverbial loaded for bear demeanor.
“Well, yeah, I think the poor woman’s a bit off, if you know what I mean. Possibly the result of a terrible childhood. She was calling herself Eve and not stuttering, a sign of a split personality.” I sensed if I didn’t calm this crew down, the burning of Ace in effigy on the front lawn of the detachment might not be anything in the historical record of our town compared to what these strong women were capable of if they thought one of theirs was treated poorly.
Tulip crossed her arms over her chest, not buying it. “Well, we all did, the three of us—had a terrible beginning to our lives before Granny took us in. Didn’t make us grow up to hit people with baseball bats. Howard Smith’s dead and I’d bet it’s because of her.” Her eyes rounded, her fear obvious.
“People react differently to the same kind of events, sweetings. That poor woman needs our sympathy more than anything. Charm’s right. I’m proud of you for what you did today. Now this Felicity will get help, and not hurt anyone else,” Granny Toogood said, nodding thoughtfully.
“Charm, I should warn you—” Tulip began before being interrupted by Doc Tanner’s hand being upraised.
“Enough, ladies, I need to get Charm to the lab for her X-ray.”
“Please don’t rile up the
crew with all of this,” I begged my family.
“They’re pretty riled up already—a lynching not out of the realm of possibility—but I’ll see what I can do,” Emma said, with her usual calm take-charge demeanor, rather prized in the current situation.
“Thanks,” I said then allowed Doc Tanner to escort me from the crowded exam room into the corridor.
“Charm! Are you okay?” a chorus of voices erupted and Doc gave them another raised hand.
“Ladies, ladies, that’s what I’m trying to find out. I suggest you all take a seat or go about your usual business while I go about finding answers.”
The chorus died down to a low rumble.
In the lab that contained the X-ray machine, we went about getting the test done. I laid my arm carefully on the area Doc indicated, then waited while the machine did its thing.
“There, now, let’s take a look.”
I slid down off the stool and followed Doc Tanner to the visual display on the monitor.
“Hmm, yes, there’s a definite break in the radius. Fortunately, a clean break that should heal well. But we will have to immobilize it in a cast.”
I could see the image clear as day on screen. Weird to see the inside of my own body projected there. Not nearly as detailed as the 3-D images I had full access to when dealing with others. Perhaps my view was more aligned with an MRI? I’d have to do some research.
I groaned at his words. “How long will the cast be on?” About the last thing I needed was to be out of commission for an extended period of time.
“A few weeks at least. Depends on how you heal.” He talked as he worked, setting up the items he needed to secure my arm. “I heard you helped the two poison victims. Any truth to that?”
I bit my lip. “I was there and I did help a bit.”
“What did you do?”
And so I explained, as best I could, while he set my arm and applied a clean white cast.
“You know, I believe you, Charm. I’ve seen miracles in my thirty years of doctoring. Things that medicine can’t entirely account for. Most doctors don’t talk about it, but it does happen. People’s tumors shrinking unexpectedly, people coming around from flatlining that suggest that there is a continuation of the soul. A lot of talk about seeing a bright light where their relatives waited for them. Out of body experiences. A sense of something larger than themselves that embraces them with love and understanding. Who knows?” He shrugged, giving me a small smile. “But you are one remarkable young woman if you can help people in such a profound way. Just don’t be taking away all my business now, eh.” He gave a chuckle.
“No way I’m stepping on your toes, Doc. I’m just supplemental, at most.” I shrugged, praying it stayed that way.
“You were interfering with a police investigation is how you got this broken arm, if I have my facts straight?”
My hackles rose. “If I hadn’t, the murderer would still be on the loose.”
“True, true. But you shouldn’t put yourself at risk. Your family’s counting on you.”
He had a point, but the interfering comment kept me from saying it out loud.
“So, no cost to you then, this business with the helping the two poisoned men?” he pressed.
I shrugged. “A little. It’s kind of exhausting.”
He nodded sagely. “Of course. Just be careful, Charm. You’ve never been to see me before except for inoculations. It doesn’t bode well.”
I found myself nodding, even while knowing I would do all I could to help others. “I’ll be careful, Doc.”
“Okay, all done.” He handed me a small sample and a prescription. “For pain. Don’t exceed the recommended dosage. And come and see me if anything feels off. Okay?”
The waiting room had quieted down, I was grateful to discover when I exited the lab. My family and a few friends huddled in one area, their expressions heartwarmingly concerned. Granny Toogood caught sight of me first. “Sweeting, how are you doing? We’re taking you home right now. You need to rest.”
I nodded, finding myself choked up again. She gave me a hug, careful to avoid my broken left arm.
“Yeah, we’re going to cover for you for the next few weeks while you heal. We’re just making up a schedule now,” Tulip spoke up, looking up from typing furiously on her compact laptop. Lots of nods accompanied her words. A few tears escaped this time. I rubbed them away furiously.
“It’s going to be fine, Charm.” Emma jumped up from one of the plastic orange chairs and stepped closer. Everyone crowded around for a group hug. I swallowed hard. Best part of living in a small-town family—instant support.
“Okay, okay. Enough already. Let’s get Charm back to the café.” Trust Star to get a grip first.
“Of course, Star can’t be included past next week,” Tulip said, giving a significant look.
I swung my head around to stare at Star. “Why’s that?”
“Not now, Tulip, for goddess’ sake.” Star’s face flushed pink under her tan.
“What is it, Star?” I asked pointedly. “What’s going on?”
“She’s been hired for a big role in a film in LA that starts in the spring. Isn’t that marvelous?” Emma said, her eyes bright with excitement.
My worst fears were confirmed. I swore I needed to scrape my jaw up off the tiled hospital floor. “When were you going to tell me this?”
Star looked guilty as Hades. “Ah, well, soon.”
I gritted my teeth together to prevent myself saying anything I couldn’t come back from, then managed a few curt words. “Just take me home.”
Back at the café, I kept my thoughts to myself, climbing up the endless stairs, one by one, to my apartment after telling everyone I needed to lie down. Propped up against the headboard of my bed, my sore arm positioned on a bed of pillows, I fell into a mental slump. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t fair. Breaking up our family like this? For what, a role in a darn movie?
What to do? Goddess, but this arm needed fixing. Angry, I laid my hand over the cast, but its thick whiteness obscured everything underneath. Darn it, I should have tried sooner, before the cast was applied. I had been afraid to try in case I healed the bone or bones in the wrong position. I mean, who knew how this worked? The thought just made me angrier, and I wanted to break the cumbersome thing off. If only I had a saw handy…
A light knock at the door drew my attention. Tulip poked her head around. “Can I come in?”
I shrugged. “Why not? Not like there’s anything to be done, right?” I knew I was pouting, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.
“I’m sorry I blurted it out like that. I should have known how you’d react. But, sis, it’s Star’s big break. We can’t interfere. It wouldn’t be right.” She came closer and sat on the side of the bed.
I let out a deep breath, picking at the top of my coverlet. “Yeah, I know, but it still sucks.” I had a sudden memory. “What were you meaning at the hospital? Something you wanted to tell me?”
She rolled her eyes and looked away, biting her lower lip. “Maybe now’s not the time.”
“No, I want to hear it, whatever it is. Please.”
She let out a sigh. “You’re not going to like it,” she warned.
“What else is new? Just say it already”
“Well, you know the cat’s out of the bag about your healing abilities?”
I nodded.
“And now everyone knows it’s tied to your finding your true soul mate—the one you’re supposed to be with, thanks to that girl Jennifer Morgan—or you lose the gift, right?”
I nodded, gritting my teeth. “According to Granny and the legend, yeah.”
“Well, there’s a plot against you and Constable Collins to keep you two apart. No one wants you to lose your healing gift.”
“What? That’s crazy!” My anger spilled over in a new direction. How dare they!
“I just thought you should know, in case weird stuff begins to happen.”
My mind seized on
the information. No way were they going to get away with any shenanigans concerning me and Ace, I’d see to that. Talk about self-serving, egotistical, hypocritical…
I gave Tulip a sweet smile, slitting my eyes, as I came up with the perfect plan. “Thanks for sharing, sis. You can leave it with me.”
Her eyes widened with concern. “Ah—why aren’t you mad? What are you going to do about it?”
“No worries. And please tell the bride and groom I’ll be bringing a plus one to the wedding on Saturday. Constable Ace Collins in the flesh.” And what perfect man flesh, all handsome and hot as Hades. And I’d show the town what a steamy romance looked like.
“Charm, do you think that’s wise?”
“I need to rest now.” I shooed her away with a wave of my hand. And even though I couldn’t see anything inside the loathsome cast, I sent all my happy, healing vibes into it before falling dead asleep.
Morning came too early. A knock at the door and Granny opened it, carrying a tray. “Are you awake, sweeting?”
“Mmm, yes, ma’am.”
She smiled and came closer. “I brought you some breakfast. You need help eating or washing? Something for the pain?”
“No, it’s doing a lot better, thanks. I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” I sat up straighter.
“Good.” She set the tray down on my lap. “I’ve put a bell on the tray. Just dingle if you need something, okay? I’ll leave you to eat in peace.”
“Sure, thanks.”
She gave me a kiss on the cheek and exited, closing the door softly behind her.
I ate with gusto down to the last bite of the fluffy scrambled eggs, warm fresh croissants and steaming hot coffee. Satiated, I lay back and sent more healing thoughts into my left arm. It tingled a bit, then felt warmer and much better. Hmm, maybe there was hope yet for this cast coming off sooner than expected? The pain was almost gone and I didn’t need any medicine. I just wished I could see inside the darn cast. Of course, an itch broke out and I wanted to tear it off to get at it. But itching meant it was healing, right?
