Bear In The Rough: Book 1: Treasure Hunt (BBW Bear Shifter Romance) (37 page)

Chapter 39

Kate Fuller sat alongside Jenny. They were drinking tea together when Matthew came into the house. Matthew ignored Kate and went over to the kitchen, stepping over some of Kate's things and poured himself a cup.

Jenny looked at her brother. 'Don't be so rude! Kate is letting us stay with her here until the ghost leaves our house. The least you can do is ask if you can have some tea and not just take it.'

Kate seemed thrilled at Jenny’s troubled house. The idea of an actual haunting happening close by gave her goose bumps. She almost picked up a fight with Jenny for not telling her earlier and kept going on about how sensitive she was to such things and her endearing abilities to feel the existing energy. Matthew was quick to remind Kate that the only thing she was sensitive to was her precious cat picture collection.

'Evil spirits are usually attracted to negative energy. Gee, I wonder which of you exudes negative energy. Mark my words, I bet it is a lady spirit annoyed with this chauvinist here. Poor girl couldn't stand him even in the hereafter.'

'Oi, Sir Lancelot, who you been upsetting?' Kate shouts from across the room.

Matthew replied with a two fingered salute and kept to his tea.

'Charming. I see his manners improved much. No surprise he's dossing here with you then.' Kate responds in a nonchalant manner.

'At least, I don't need no fake lover to pay my bills! Oh, Mr. Bra dice! I need this! Oh Mr. Bradice! I need that!' Matthew responded.

'No, I guess you got me there. You don't need a lover for that.  You've got your sister who pays all of your bills for you, don't you?'

Matthew started with his rebuttal, but Jenny cut him off, reminding him they were in Kate’s house and not theirs. Matthew attempted to get up from the chair but plunked back down. His lips moved as if they were going to say something, but he shut his mouth and drank his tea.

Chapter 40

Laura was in the back seat of Henry's car. He had Father Andrew riding next to him. They were near Jenny's house and Henry pulled the car alongside the street to park. He then turned to Laura and asked if she was sure about joining in since she wasn’t much of a friend to Matthew, at least not yet. He had a worried look on his face.

              Laura managed a smile and told him not to worry. A friend of his was a friend of hers too. That was a good enough reason. She moved over to hug him and then exited the car to walk towards Jenny, who was now standing with Matthew.

Father Andrew turned to Henry.

'This young woman, how did you meet?'

'The class I teach. We ran into each other in the halls first. I didn't even know she was my student.'

'I sense a chemistry between you two. More than that little hug let on. Just remember, you need to clear your head when you fight a spirit.' Andrew advised.

'Should I send her home? She'd cause a fuss, but she'd get over it.'

'No. No. I think she needs to be here. Before the night is over, this girl has a part to play. I can feel it.' Andrew replied.

'Father?'

'The Holy Spirit gives guidance, my child. Those who hear it do best to heed it. It is time for us to start our roles in this too. The others are waiting.'

Andrew opened the door and exited the vehicle. Henry stayed behind a moment longer before joining up with the others inside of the house.

Henry entered the house and turned to Father Andrew to introduce Jenny and Matthew. Jenny, in turn, introduced Kate and told their visitors of her help with the shelter since the strange incident at their house. Kate looked at Henry, fixed her hair with a twist of her hand and winked. Laura noticed.

'And I'm Laura.' she said.

'We've heard so much about you,' Jenny said.

'Not bloody from me. Sorry Father! I didn't mean...' Matthew interrupted himself. He knew talking too much wouldn’t do any good at that moment.

'Don't worry, Father, Matt is this charming with everyone.' Kate was quick to jump in.

'I have heard worse things in confession and thought worse when Man United is on a losing streak.' Father Andrew chuckled.

'So can we get started now? The sooner we get done the better.' Matthew said.

'I still have two more on the way. They should be here soon.' Henry replied.

'The more the merrier. I'll put more tea on.' Jenny said. 'Kate, give us a hand.'

Kate frowned and nodded. Her lips stuck out in a pout a bit too far to be natural. She followed Jenny into the kitchen as two lights beamed through the window of the hall. The unmistakable sound of a grinding gear popped out of place came from the street.

Henry announced the arrival of the “two people” he had mentioned would be joining them earlier and asked Matthew to help in moving the furniture while the rest of his team parked their car. In seconds, they had started to rearrange the sofa, chairs and tables to give his team a bit of setting up room. It only took a few moments and the tea came back finished when they were done.

'So, who wants Jasmine tea?' Kate asked. Father Andrew took a cup and so did Laura.

'I hope you know you are moving that stuff back when all is free and clear, right?' Jenny said to her brother.

'Of course, I would. Why wouldn't I do all of the work here?' Matthew was sarcastic.

'More like any of the work here.' Kate corrected.

The knock at the door broke up the fight between the two before it gathered steam. Henry went to the door and opened it. Chris and Phil stood, weighed down with gear, and waited patiently for Henry to grab a bag from each of their hands.

Henry dragged the bags inside and set everything down with Phil. Chris had already walked towards Laura while the others dropped the gear. Laura didn’t hesitate to inform him she was with Henry.

Kate walked over to Chris, introduced herself and offered him some tea. She then led him to the kitchen by his fingertips.

'Wastes no time, that one. She'd hit on anything that moves. Best be prepared, Father.' Matthew said.

The priest was focused on something else, something that caused unease to his being. Deep in thought, his eyes looked over the house, but mainly towards the ceiling. He hadn't heard the discourse.

'Why are we here, Cal? You didn't say much on the phone.' Phil eyes Henry, studying his face for clues.

'I think we have a possession on our hands.' Henry said.

'You're serious? Local or?'

'I'm not sure yet. It seems to be centered on the house or someone in it.'

'Chris! Chris! Oh not again please!'

Chris came back from the kitchen. His hair was visibly mussed. 'What did I miss?'

'Fixing your hair apparently.' Phil replied.

'And who are your friends, exactly?' Matthew quizzed Henry.

'Believe it or not, they are actually pretty good. Best in the business. Phil is my video engineer and Chris, sound.’

Kate came through the kitchen door. Her lipstick was slightly smeared. She winked at Chris who excused himself to begin his set up.

'It's okay to start rigging, right, Cal?' Phil asked.

Henry turned to Jenny. 'You don't mind, do you? They will have to go through the rooms a bit and nothing should be permanent.'

Jenny nodded in agreement and gave them the go-ahead to do what needed to be done. She was more concerned about getting her house back to what it used to be before the recent episode – peaceful.

Father Andrew also announced he was going to get himself ready as the boys had their set up done. The priest’s words were somehow more quiet than usual. His focus was not altogether with the group. He moved slowly away. Finding a nearby chair, he sat, opened a bible he had been carrying, his hands subconsciously feeling for the rosary around his neck. Matthew offered to help Phil and Chris with their set up as well.

'I guess I can make more tea.' Jenny volunteered.

'I'll help.' Laura said.

'Two sugars, please.' Phil yelled.

'One for me, Kate.' Chris was calm in his approach.

Kate stops in mid-movement, smiles briefly without turning then proceeds to the kitchen.

'I'm guessing coffee for you, Henry?' asked Laura.

Henry smiled. 'You remembered. Yes, I'll have it with....'

'Two sugars. Same as at the restaurant.' Laura cut in and went into the kitchen.

When she was out of earshot, Chris apologized to Henry for hitting on Laura earlier.

'It's fine. We...her...I mean...' Henry stuttered.

'Already got your tongue, does she? Well, about bloody time, mate. About bloody time.' Phil said as they walked upstairs.

Chapter 41

The girls were in the kitchen brewing various concoctions. Two teas, one for Phil and one for Chris, a coffee for Henry, and a small whisky tea for Jenny.

'So, how'd you meet him?' Kate asked.

'Who?'

'Brad Pitt! Who'd you think? Henry!' Kate was stating the obvious as if Laura was a bit slow.

'We're just friends really. I only moved in here recently.'

'You look at each other a lot more than just friends. Take my word for it. I have a special gift for these sorts of things.' Kate spoke with much confidence.

'Besides, he looks totally cute. Have you heard him when he gets anxious? His accent comes out a bit too.' Jenny slipped in.

'Now that you mentioned it...' Laura said and smiled.

'I knew it! Good for you, girl. Hold on to him and never let go. The good ones are hard to find these days.' Kate advised. She was beaming with smiles.

'Looks like you took no time in finding one yourself, sweetie.' Jenny said to Kate.

'What do you mean?'

'You know what I mean. How long were you and that Chris fellow in here making tea, eh?'

'Yeah, why are we making him tea now if you already made him tea before?' Laura asked.

Kate twirled a finger through her hair, 'Maybe my tea is so good he needed seconds?'

The girls laughed at the comment and started to put the finishing touches on the beverages. Laura made sure to taste a bit of Henry's coffee. She nodded her head and smiled. Jenny slipped a bit more whisky into her own tea as Kate took care of the sugars for the others.

'Should we have offered Matthew something?' Laura asked.

Kate laughed, 'the only thing Matthew needs offering is a swift kick in the bum. No offence, dear.'

Jenny shook her head. 'None taken sweetie. Believe you and me. You think you have it bad for sleeping with him that one night? I'm his sister. I can't get rid of him ever. Keeps hanging about like a bad smell.' She rolled her eyes.

'You slept with Matthew?' Laura’s jaw dropped.

'What can I say? I was young and foolish. It wasn't until the day after, I learned looks aren't everything. Let's go now. Time to move before things start getting cold.'

The ladies exited the kitchen and doled out the drinks. Henry took his coffee and thanked Laura with a smile. Laura asked how preparations were going and Henry assured her everything was going fine. He had checked on Phil and Chris; they were all ready. Henry also told her Father Andrew must have gotten all prepared as well. He felt good about what they were doing.

On hearing Henry give updates about the status quo, Father Andrew turned his attention towards him.

'Feeling good is one thing, my son, but don't let it get your guard down. It's where one falls. This is merely the calm before the storm'.

The old priest stood to address the group in a more solemn, somber mood. His eyes peered through round-rimmed spectacles, exhibiting a level of wisdom and seniority suited of a general in battle expecting surprises from any corner, place or person. Father Andrew told them that though he really hadn’t met anyone of them prior to their present meeting under the circumstances, anyone of Henry’s was definitely no stranger to him.

He took a breather, looked down briefly and then continued with his address. This time, his next words came off as a confession of some sort. He told the group he hadn’t done what Henry had called him to do in a reasonably wrong time.

Father Andrew disclosed that he had retired from active duty for poor health reasons, though not fully from the work of the Lord in general and began to tell his story.

Many years ago, when he was in better health, he was one of the few in the diocese called on to a ministry of deliverance or intervention which often went by the name of Exorcist. Though he admitted not knowing what the group understood about Exorcism, he asked them to do away with previous knowledge they had gained about the subject matter. Father Andrew seized the opportunity to share the gospel.

'Forget everything you know about it. Some may be true in part, but would you risk your life on a partial truth? How about your immortal soul? The important part of any Exorcism is this: I am a man of God. I am but His servant. Anything I do, I do through the power of God and through his blessed Son, Jesus Christ.'

'What does this mean? This means you can throw all those notions of shouting, screaming, and casting out spirits like you see on television. You can throw out all of the macho arrogance you have seen in those shows. Arrogance has no part in God's presence.' He scanned the faces of everyone in the room, seeing that they paid total attention fueled him to speak further.

'Perhaps you would better prefer the razzmatazz of a medium and a celebrity or two. I assure you, God is no respecter of a person's social status. Be ye careful what manner of spirit you are of. Christ Himself said if Satan cast out Satan, his house cannot stand. God is not divided.'

'I thank God Henry had the foresight to call me in when he did because for the last hour I have been here, I've been sensing forces at work. Forces of bad intent. Perhaps even something deeper. Before this night is over, many things shall come to pass.'

Father Andrew then asked Henry and the rest of the group to clear the room and ensure all trinkets and sharp objects were out of sight. Nothing was to be left out but placed in a box if need be. He told them they were to sit on the floor and the sofa and instructed them to unplug the television and set it aside.

Matthew and Henry went over to the television. Matthew unplugged it and put his shoulder to the side of the set. In no time, he had silently begun to question Henry about Father Andrew’s address and what had them do.

At first, Henry was unsure of how best he was to respond to Matthew’s irritable incomprehension of how serious the situation before them was. But after he had educated him that they were about to go head on with a force which was neither an ordinary manifestation of some mischievous spirit nor a haunting, but possibly an Attachment which almost never leaves, he made sure to re-emphasize that they were lucky to have Father Andrew on their side.

Out of disgust, Henry ordered him to do away with the theatrics which apparently, wasn’t solving any of their problems.

'Why don't you just shut your mouth instead of yammering on like a scared child? We get it. You are Mister rational, but only an idiot denies the truth when presented to it over and over again.'

Matthew knew at that moment; he had probably taken things too far.