Iced Raspberry Cookies and a Curse

by RaShelle Workman

  When they reached the metal grate, he brushed off his hands. “But you were right, the mayor is involved.”

  “It’s too bad,” Ana said, working to shove it open. The dang thing was too heavy, especially since she felt so nauseated.

  Nate came to her rescue, tossing the grate like it was a football, and they were able to crawl out. She lay on the ground and took a deep breath, staring up at the stars. Above, the moon was full and shone brightly, allowing Ana to see her breath. They needed to get indoors. “Let’s get to my parents’ house so we can call the sheriff.”

  Nate lay beside her, but he rolled onto his side, facing her. She rolled toward him and he held out his hands. Together they stood. Her head spun with dizziness and she put out her hands to steady herself.

  Nate took hold of her. “I’ve got you.”

  She turned into his chest and clung to him a moment. They were behind the castle town hall. A few hundred feet away was a barn. It didn’t house animals, but had been transferred into an equipment facility where the snow blowers, lawn mowers, weed eaters, and other tools used to keep up the grounds were stored.

  “Let’s go,” Nate said, holding onto her as they carefully made their way through the drifts of snow until they found the sidewalk. At the front, stood street-lights. Ana had no idea what time it was since whoever had knocked them out had also taken their phones.

  When they reached Ana’s mom and dad’s, there was a police car outside, but no one was sitting in it. She kept going, grateful the lights were on in the house. Together, they went around to the kitchen door and knocked once before entering. Her parents were seated at the kitchen table along with deputy Dan. Her mom’s eyes were red-rimmed like she’d been crying.

  “Mom,” Ana ran into her mom’s outstretched arms.

  “Oh, Ana. I was so worried,” her mom said, hugging her tightly. “She’s back. Somehow she broke the curse and Elsa is back.”

  Curse? Elsa? It was like her mom was speaking a foreign language. “What do you mean?” Ana asked.

  Her mom studied her a moment. “Nothing. We’ll talk about it later.”

  “Okay.” Ana had a feeling what her mom had to share would blow her mind and she could wait. There was already too much going on.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ana and Nate briefly spoke to her parents and the deputy. They gave him their statement before her dad drove them to the hospital. The doctor ordered tests. Nate and his hard head were fine, but Ana had a concussion. They were both required to spend the night in the hospital. It was difficult being apart from Nate, but he was in his own room.

  That night the magical opossum was back. Ana had grown accustomed to the little creature. She almost welcomed her visits. “Any moment now. I saw what you did with the knife. Your magic will return soon.”

  The next morning, before Ana could debate the latest information from her dream, her sisters came into her room to cheer her up. They had flowers and Lox handed Ana a bagel smothered in strawberry cream cheese.

  “My favorite,” she said, sinking her teeth into it.

  “Glad to know some things never change.” Lox patted Ana’s empty hand and smiled.

  “I was mad at Nate, but you didn’t need to get him beat up,” Chandi said, winking.

  Ana set the unfinished bagel on the tray beside her bed. She needed to clear the air with her sisters regarding Nate. “I know what I said before the divorce, but,” Ana paused, wondering whether to tell her sisters the truth. “I love him,” she admitted. “I was lost for a while and my heart was broken, but being with him again, I realized I never stopped loving him. He’s my soulmate, the man of my dreams, and I can’t believe I let him get away. Best of all, he’s forgiven me for being an idiot and divorcing him.” She tucked some hair behind her ears. “If he can forgive me, then I can forgive myself.” She blinked several times fighting the tears.

  Lox came around to the other side of the bed. “We know, Ace. He’s a good man. Glad you know too.” She smiled. “You’re going to live, we heard, so talk to us. Tell us what you discovered after following the clues,” she said changing the subject.

  Ana told them everything she knew, including her exciting escape with the Swiss Army Knife, but left out the kiss and the strange and maybe magical way it returned to her hands after she dropped it. “I’m so glad Nate was there with me, even though I feel terrible I got him into this mess,” she finished.

  “He’s fine. Or at least he will be once his headache goes away.” Lox patted Ana’s leg. “But what did you hear when you went into the city building?”

  “Nothing really. The mayor said, ‘You’ve got to stop this. Now. I can’t have you—' and that’s all I heard before I was distracted by Nate dropping like a sack of potatoes beside me.” At the memory, a pain shot through her heart.

  “The mayor’s voice?” Chandi sat down. “I can’t believe she’s involved with anything shady.”

  Lox snorted. “I can. ‘Politics are worse than a cold piece of dry toast.’ Remember? Dad used to say that all the time when he was the mayor.”

  “Yes, that’s true.” Chandi crossed her arms, emphasizing the pretty necklace she wore around her neck. She always made the best stuff. “Still, it doesn’t seem like something Mayor Cindy would do.”

  “Oh, and you know her so well?” Lox asked, going over to the window and parting the blinds.

  Chandi huffed. “Her daughter, Stella and I have become quite close and that’s allowed me to spend some time with Cindy too. She has a good heart.”

  “That’s nice, but I’ve seen people do a whole lot more for a lot less,” Ana said, thinking about some of the children she saw at the hospital.

  There was a knock on the door before it opened. “Hello, Ana, mind if I come in?”

  It was Sheriff Buck. “Hello.” Ana was surprised he hadn’t come by sooner, but also glad. Looking slightly flustered, Lox straightened the collar on her blue polo shirt and tucked some of her hair behind an ear. Ana covered the smile that snuck its way onto her face with her hand.

  Sheriff Buck stepped into the room. “Mind if I ask you some questions?”

  “Yes, she minds, Sheriff Buck. She’s seriously concussed and needs to relax.” Lox fluffed Ana’s covers, sending chilly air onto her legs.

  Ana dropped her arms onto the covers, trying to make Lox stop. “It’s okay, Lox. I’ll answer his questions.”

  “Fine,” she glared at the sheriff, her face turning a lovely shade of pink. “I’ve got to finish up the cookies for Stella’s wedding.” She hugged Ana. “Take care. Drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. Love you.”

  Chandi hugged Ana next. “See ya, sis. I’m gonna go help Lox.” She winked.

  Knowing Lox, she was probably on her way to talk to the mayor, which made Ana nervous. She already tried that and ended up with a concussion. Lox had more courage in her little finger than most people had in their whole bodies, but Ana didn’t want her sister to get hurt again. “Be careful.”

  Chandi gave her a thumbs up before following Lox out the door.

  “I didn’t think making cookies was all that dangerous.” Sheriff Buck moved a chair and sat in Ana’s line of sight.

  “Well, sure it is. I mean the oven can reach temperatures of over six-hundred degrees and there’s mixing and scraping involved too. It can get pretty crazy sometimes,” Ana said, only half joking.

  Sheriff Buck chuckled. “Right.” He took a small pad of paper and a pencil out of his jacket pocket. “Deputy Dan shared what you told him, but I’d like to hear what happened from you.”

  For the third time in less than twenty-four hours she gave a play by play of the events leading up to her getting bonked on the head and tied to a beam under town hall. When she finished, Sheriff Buck studied her a moment.

  “Does Nate always carry a pocketknife?”

  “Yep. It was his grandfather’s and one of the only things passed down to him.”

  “And you know this how?” His bright blue
eyes sparkled in the low hospital bedroom light. The man was obviously quick as a whip.

  “Nate and I have known each other a long time. We were married for six years. It gave us plenty of opportunities to chat.” She decided to keep their story to a minimum. The sheriff didn’t need all the details.

  “You said were. The two of you no longer together?”

  “Well yes. Sort of. But what does this have to do with the case?” She was flustered at his questioning her about Nate.

  “I’m just covering all my bases. Nate is a man I don’t know. So, this is me trying to get to know him.” He tucked the pencil and pad back in his pocket before clasping his hands together and leaning forward.

  “Nate plays for the Colorado Cowboys. He isn’t the kind of man to, to pretend to get hit on the head before falling to the ground,” Ana said with finality.

  The sheriff looked skeptical. “Really? Because I’m pretty sure there’s some iffy plays where they have to look like they get hit worse than what they did. Isn’t it possible he could’ve been faking?”

  “It doesn’t matter what he does or doesn’t do on the football field. I know Nate and he has nothing to do with this. I would bet my own life on it.”

  “Now that’s interesting. You still care for your ex?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I do,” she said, feeling snippy. The man had a way of getting on one’s nerves. “You should stop wasting time talking to me and find the mayor. She’s got your answers or can at least steer you in the right direction. If you don’t hurry, my sisters are likely to beat you to it, and I don’t want them to get hurt.”

  “You’re right.” He tilted his worn tan cowboy hat off his head a little. “I have a feeling Lox is going to be a big thorn in my side. That one loves to nose around.”

  Ana forced herself not to smile. “You’ll just have to make sure she stays out of trouble, I suppose.”

  It was his turn to smile. “I may indeed.” He stood. “Thank you for your time. Hope you’re feeling better soon.”

  “Thanks.”

  He started to leave.

  “By the way, did you find out whose car nearly ran me over? Of get any information off the plaid material I gave you?”

  “Yes and no. The car belongs to Teddy Craven’s dad. Teddy had just received his license and said he pushed on the break, but must’ve pushed the gas by mistake. He felt embarrassed and really bad, which is why he didn’t stop. I spoke with him, gave him a warning, and ordered him to take a defensive driving course. He agreed to do all of those things.” The sheriff studied her intently. “I also advised him to apologize, but apparently he hasn’t done that yet. I’ll have to speak with him again.”

  Ana was glad to know it hadn’t been something to do with the case. “I’m glad you found out and ordered him to take the defensive driving course. He could’ve killed me. And Nate too.”

  “Agreed.” He rubbed his hat on his head. “As for the plaid material, we’ve got no usable evidence and since so many people in Fable Town wear plaid, I can’t even find a place to start.”

  “I figured that was a long shot.” She closed her eyes, wishing there was more she could do.

  “Get feeling better, Ana.” The sheriff left.

  She waited several minutes before getting out of bed and heading to Nate’s room. It’d been a while since she saw him, and she missed him. She went to knock on the door, but he was talking so she paused to wait until he finished.

  “I know. I wanted to see you in Florida too. Surfing and hanging on the beach.” He paused and laughed. “I get it. Look, I have a few more months until I have to start training hard again. We can work something out.” He paused to listen.

  Ana’s heart shattered. He already had a girlfriend or at least someone he was dating. Ana’s emergency had interrupted their vacation. She felt like an idiot. She’s told him she loved him when they were under the city building, but obviously he didn’t feel the same—except he said he did.

  “I miss you too,” Nate said.

  Ana couldn’t listen to another word. Tears stung her eyes and leaked down her cheeks. Her heart hurt so much she thought she might pass out. She needed to go back to bed, breathe deeply, and relax. She made herself start walking, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Nate.

  Back in her room, she lay down in bed and still she thought about Nate and the time they spent together recently. Anger burned at the way he’d played her. She gripped her fists together. The lights above her bed flickered and snapped, sending sparks around her bed. She screamed

  Nate rushed into her room, dressed in regular clothes. “What’s wrong?”

  At the sight of him, she pursed her lips together and turned away.

  He tucked his hands into his front pockets. “Hospital gowns suit you, Ace,” he said sounding tired.

  Her cheeks reddened as she pulled the covers more tightly around her. “You’re just saying that, but thanks.” She gritted her teeth, trying to stay calm. “Listen, Nate,” she started, turning to face him.

  The doctor came in. After checking her out, he told her she could go home the next day. That news irritated her. Now that Lox was okay, and after what she overheard Nate saying, all she wanted was to get back to work, to get back to her life, and forget how much she enjoyed spending time with Nate. How much she loved him. “Get some rest,” he said and left.

  “I’ll stay with you, if you’d like.” Nate came over to the bed, took her hands in his.

  She closed her eyes, trying to force herself to be strong. She wanted him to stay, but things were better now. She didn’t need his help with the cookies and even though he wasn’t acting like he wanted to leave, she didn’t believe it. Not after what she overheard. She took a steadying breath and focused on him. “Nate, I appreciate that, but… I just want you to go.” Pain filled his eyes and she had to close hers again. She couldn’t face him as she continued. “I know you put off your vacation for me and I really appreciate that, but I’m good now. My sister’s good. So you can go.”

  He pulled his hands away and she peeked at him. Shock and hurt registered on his features.

  “I mean, you’ve been wonderful,” she said. “But I just feel so terrible for all the pain I’ve caused you and I don’t want to cause you more. You probably have someone waiting for you and I don’t want to stand in the way.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Are you…” He didn’t finish, his jaws clenched.

  “Listen, it was great having you here, and I thought I could be with you again. I did.” She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to mean the words. “But I’ve changed my mind. I can’t. It’s just… I can’t.” She looked away.

  “Ana, don’t say that. I told you, I forgive you. But I think you’re acting this way because you haven’t forgiven yourself.”

  He might be right, but she couldn’t focus on anything but the woman waiting for him in Florida. She’d been so stupid and she felt a little crazy as anger flashed through her veins. “You know what? Maybe that’s true. But it’s more than that. I don’t forgive you!” She was breathing heavily. The machines beside her that held saline started to beep erratically.

  “Ana?” He held his hands out, pleading. Shock filling every crevice of his face.

  “Go! Leave,” she shouted, pulling the pillow over her face to hide the devastating tears pushing their way out.

  “It was great seeing you, Ana,” he said quietly and left her room, but someone else came in.

  The room felt chillier.

  “Bye,” she whispered, desperate to call him back. She felt numb. Removing the pillow, she opened her eyes and saw that Lacey was in the room. It looked like something was wrong with her. “What do you want?” Ana asked, a trickle of fear winding its way down her back.

  “I-I…” Lacey took a step forward; her hands were cupped into her stomach. “Sorry, Ana. Didn’t want… Come ‘n see.” Lacey fell forward onto the bed. “She’s coming.” She slid to the floor
, her body limp.

  “Lacey. Hey, what’s wrong?” Worry filled her guts. She didn’t like the woman, but she didn’t wish any sort of harm to come to her either.

  Lacey didn’t respond.

  “Lacey!” She pressed her button to call the nurse.

  “Can I help you?” The voice came through.

  “I need help. Hurry.” Ana tried to move her and that’s when she saw all the blood. “Oh my goodness.”

  A nurse came in. “What’s going on?” she asked, glancing at Lacey.

  “She’s hurt. I don’t know what happened. Help her.”

  The nurse went into the hall and shouted for help. “Bring a gurney.” Then came back in the room.

  Several people rushed in. Within minutes, Lacey was on the gurney, her wound being dressed. “Let’s get her into an OR.” They wheeled her out and suddenly Ana’s room was empty again.

  Her heart raced. She couldn’t believe that Nate was gone and now Lacey was hurt. She felt as if she were in an episode of the Twilight Zone. She was about to call someone in because her blankets had blood on them, but a nurse came in, carrying clean sheets and a new gown.

  “Hi, Ana.” The nurse’s name was Megan. Ana had seen her around town for years. She was Lox’s age or a little older. “Sorry you had to go through that. Let’s get you into a new gown and change your bedding.”

  Her mind felt hazy. “Okay, I’m going to wash my hands first.” She went into the bathroom. As she let water run over her fingers, she noticed they were shaking, and she started to cry. She peered into the mirror, expecting to see her own reflection. Instead she saw a woman’s face. Pale like new snow, her large eyes that were the same as Ana’s too, except they were fiery with anger.

  Ana took a step back, her butt brushing against the bathroom door. “Who are you?” she asked.

  “My name is Elsa and I want out. You’re going to help me.”