Kali Willows BUNDLE (Shadowed Desires Series) (23 page)

***

Vannah sat on the hard limestone floor, watching her sister toss and turn on Cameron’s sofa. Fear raced in her heart, and her own skin was moist from the humid night air.

Cameron carried in a tray and placed it on the wicker table beside them. “Here’s some water, a cold cloth, and a thermometer.”

“Thermometer?”

“She’s burning up, but she’s gonna be fine.” He kneeled beside Vannah and eased the device into Stacia’s mouth.

Vannah watched with her lips pressed tight and panic rushing though her as he retrieved the beeping stick and examined it.

“A hundred and two; we have to get her cooled down.” He held up the small towel. “Sponge her with this while I run a bath.”

“Bath?”

As he passed her the damp cloth, warmth from his fingers against her palm jarred her heart and sent a rabble of butterflies dancing in her stomach.

***

An hour later, Stacia was sitting up on the white wicker couch, puffy red cushions under and tucked all around her. She held a glass of lemonade and Vannah’s hand.

“You had me scared.”

“I’m sorry, kiddo.” She put the glass to her pale lips and sipped.

“So, how’s our patient?” Cameron entered carrying a plate of crackers and cheese.

“Better, thank you, I’m sorry I ruined the tour.”

“Nonsense, that was almost the last place. Besides, Samuel was there to finish up. Most of them were locals and have seen everything already anyway.”

“Samuel?”

“Yeah, he’s my older brother and business partner in the Haunted Ghost Walk. We take turns leading the tours and he does most of the business stuff. He calls me ‘the talent.’” Cameron smirked a little.

“Thank you for helping my sister.”

“It was my pleasure, madam.” With smiling eyes, he gave a little nod and winked.

Vannah cringed—there was that word again.

“So, Stacia, how long have you known?” He placed his palm over her flat belly.

Stacia gasped. “How did you know?”

He smiled and pulled his hand away.

“Know what?” Vannah demanded.

“About a week. I haven’t told anyone except my husband, not even—” She met Vannah’s probing stare and shrugged.

“Know
what?
”

Stacia smiled as she rubbed her palms over her tummy. “Honey, how do you feel about being called Aunt Vannah?”

“What? I thought you couldn’t after the last….”

“I know. It’s a miracle.” Stacia was glowing. She stared at Cameron. “How did you know?”

“I—uh—heard it from uh—a friend.” He glanced over his shoulder at the empty, arched doorway.

Stacia’s voice lowered. “Who?”

“Well—I guess there’s no avoiding it.” He sighed, “Mark.”

“What?” Vannah jumped up. “What the hell are you two doing?”

“I get that response from a lot of people,” he lamented with a grimace.

“What do you mean?” Stacia’s calm voice infuriated Vannah.

“I’m a psychic, or clairvoyant, medium, whatever you want to call it. I can see and hear the dead.” Moving to the maroon armchair by the window, he sat on the edge of the seat facing Vannah. He kept his eyes fixed on hers.

“Psychic?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yeah, I get that response a lot, too.”

“Mark is here?” Stacia twisted her head to look in the darkened corners of the room.

“What the hell? Is this some perverse way to get me to move on? It’s sick. Stop it, right now!” Vannah backed toward the door.

“Savannah Grace Teale.” Cameron stood up and moved toward her.

“What did you call me?” She froze. The fragrance of roses returned, along with the shivers down her scalp and spine.

“I know you don’t want to believe me, but I’m asking, no, I’m begging you, please just sit down and hear me out.”

“Vannah, no one ever called you by your full name, except….” Stacia’s voice trembled.

“Please. Just five minutes and I swear to God, I’ll never bother you again.”

Compelled by his pleading voice, Vannah walked over to the wicker couch and sat beside Stacia.

“Thank you.” He took a seat on the brown leather ottoman facing them.

His stare fixed on her, filled with empathy and remorse.

“Vannah, this gift—ability of mine, I’ve had my whole life, and I can’t just turn it off at will. Mark has been communicating with us, non-stop, all night long.”

“Us?” Her anger and confusion were matched now.

“He’s been trying to get your attention, but, he says you’re just as stubborn now as you always were.”

“That sounds like Mark.” Stacia’s nervous laugh fell into silence.

“What are you talking about?” Her throat grew thick, making speech difficult.

“The smell of roses, the tap on your shoulder, the whisper in your ear. He said he even moved your wallet tonight to get your attention. When you got spooked at the cemetery, that incident at the mausoleum? That was Mark, the cold air, the moving shadow, the electrical problems with your gadgets—all him.”

“I
lost
my wallet.” She side-stepped the rest of his inarguable points. The suggestion that he knew what happened to her at the mausoleum shot searing heat through her cheeks and her pulsing veins.

“Check your bag—it’s there now.” He nodded to the tote by her feet.

“This is ridiculous.”

“Vannah, check it.” Stacia nodded with encouragement.

Vannah huffed and picked up her bag, rifling through it then paused when her heart jumped up to her throat. She pulled out the missing wallet.

“I’m not faking this. He needed to tell you something.”

“What?” Half hopeful, she waited.

“He said, your date…tomorrow…he wants you to go through with it. Madame Evangeline knew what she was doing when she matched you. It’s time to let him go. He wants you to start living again.”

“Wow.” She shook her head. Sitting back, she stared up at the domed ceiling.

“What, honey?” Stacia squeezed her wrist.

“Wow, you guys are good.”

“What?”

“How long have you been planning this, Stacia? What did you do, hire an actor?” Vannah pulled her hand away, glaring at Cameron.

“I did no such thing.” Stacia reached again for her but she resisted, avoiding any contact.

“Sure, like you didn’t steal my wallet earlier and put it back just now? Like you didn’t tap me on the shoulder earlier? You didn’t put me up to this whole date business?”

“Vannah?”

“No, you crossed the line.”

“There’s something else.” Cameron stood and walked toward her.

“Okay, Cameron, if that’s even your real name, what else does
Mark
have to say?”

“He says you’ve been carrying a guilty secret since that night.”

A shockwave of mixed fear, rage, and anguish rushed over her all at once, setting every atom of her body ablaze.

“Shut up. Not another word.” She got up, clutching her bag to her chest.

“Okay, no more words, but I want you to do something for me.” He stepped closer to her, peering at her face.

“Oh you do, huh? What’s that?”

“I want you to take out your camera and other gadgets. I want you to record and take readings. When you go back to the Castillo Hotel, take time to review the data. Decide for yourself if this is real or not.”

“Vannah?” Stacia called to her.

Vannah gaped at her calm sister in disbelief.

“Do it. For your own peace of mind—I dare you.” Stacia knew how to push her buttons. A challenge to her skepticism was enough to boil her blood.

Vannah reached into her bag and whipped out her camera. She turned it on, expecting a dead battery, but the indicator noted a full charge. Pressing the record button, she scanned the room. Cameron nodded toward the open windows and Vannah aimed it there, too. A gust of arctic air rushed through her shaking body.

A tap on her shoulder sent her reeling around, but no one stood behind her. An inaudible muffle in her ear erupted again as she spun back, facing them, “Stacia, let’s go.” She spoke low and firm, trying to keep her voice even and hold back the cries of anguish that festered deep inside.

Stacia preceded her out of the room.

***

“Um, that went well.” Cameron heaved a sigh as the apparition brushed past him.

“I didn’t think she would be so difficult to convince with everything you shared.”

“Somehow Mark, I don’t imagine this is a big surprise to you? She strikes me as an obstinate, opinionated woman who sticks to her guns.”

“You’ve got that right. Spectacular, isn’t she?” Cameron could feel Mark’s lingering passion for her.

“To tell the truth, she’s a pain in the ass. Stubborn, unreasonable—” He paused.

“And?” The playful specter egged him on.

“Magnificent.”

The vivid image of her deep brown almond shaped eyes pierced through his vision.

“All right Mark, knock it off. I get the point.”

Cameron stood in the empty doorway, the spirit gone again.

“As if she were going to come back after that.”

***

“So, how long before you talk to me?” Stacia called through the hotel room door. “Please don’t leave a pregnant woman in distress. Open up.”

Vannah turned the lock and pulled the door open, staring at the floor.

“Did you sleep at all? You look like shit.” Stacia meandered into the room.

“Thanks a lot.” She dawdled over to the bed and plopped her disheveled self down.

“So, what’s the verdict, ghost hunter? Is he a fraud?” Stacia stood in front of her with a taunt in her tone.

“Stacia?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m only gonna ask you once, and I want the truth, no matter what.”

Kneeling in front of her, she took Vannah’s hands into hers. “What is it honey? You know I’ve never lied to you, I won’t start now, I promise.”

“Did you set this up? Cameron, I mean—did you tell him those things? Did you take my wallet and put it back?”

“Of course not. I would never hurt you like that. Did you review the images from last night?”

Vannah hung her head and exhaled. “Yes, I did.”

“And?”

“Readings like I’ve never seen since I got the stupid thing.”

“Then it was really Mark?”

“Maybe—I don’t know—unless you’re playing me, there’s no other explanation.”

“I’m not. Will you go back and talk to Cameron?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why? You still don’t believe him?”

“I think I do. But after my behavior last night, I’m too embarrassed. I was awful to him.”

“I’m sure he understands how difficult this was for you.”

“Maybe before we leave. I don’t know.”

“Will you still go through with your date tonight? I’m sure Madame Evangeline would understand if you backed out, given the circumstances.”

“No. It’s time. Even if I don’t enjoy myself, it’s a first step, one I’ve avoided for too long.”

“That’s my girl.” Stacia stood up pulling Vannah with her, and hugged her tight.

“Well, maybe I should try and nap or something. I’m exhausted.” Vannah’s deflated anger came as a relief.

“Where are you meeting? Never mind. Have fun and call my room if you need me.”

Stacia headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m kinda craving those fried green tomatoes they serve around here, and maybe some pickles, ice cream…. Who knows? I’m starving.” Stacia’s complexion glowed.

“How long has Charlie known about the baby?”

Stacia stopped holding the door handle with the most blissful look Vannah had ever seen on her face. “We took the test together right before I left to meet you.”

“I’m happy for you both Stacia, it’s been a difficult time for you.”

“It’s been a long wait for happiness for you, too, kiddo. Just remember something for me, okay?”

“What’s that?”

“Life is too short to waste on regrets. You’re being given a golden opportunity here to move on with your life. Use it well.”

“I’ll do my best, Stacia. Thank you.”

“I love ya, kiddo.”

“I love you too, but you’re still a pain in my ass.” One side of Vannah’s mouth retreated as she shot her a half reprimanding look.

***

Vannah paused in front of the oak-trimmed penthouse door and slowed her breathing. Her nerves were wreaking havoc on her stomach and her chest. Holding her breath, she knocked on the door of Room 1213.

The clicking sound of the turning lock caused a stir in her stomach. The door creaked open, and a woody scent of musk enveloped her senses. Vannah clutched the frame to stay upright when she saw who opened it.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Won’t you come in, madam?”

“Stop calling me madam.” She brushed past him.

Locking the door, he turned with a sheepish grin.

“Did you know it was me?” She dropped her bag on the royal blue and white Scalamandre silk chaise and sat down beside it.

“Not exactly—well, aside from the ghost telling me, it wasn’t hard to guess. I doubt there’s too many dates set up here in Savannah tonight by Eve.”

“I don’t think I can do this—not with you.” She shook her head and clasped her clammy hand over her face.

The hot little red dress with the spaghetti straps and low cleavage was a most definite regret now. So was the sexy, black, lacy lingerie underneath.

“Yeah, I get that response a lot, too.” He chuckled and settled on the cobalt chair across from her.

“You do?” She shot him a questioning glance.

“Yeah, it’s amazing how ghosts can mess with your love life or make it non-existent. Most often I can’t get through the first course in a restaurant without some spirit jumping in for a message or two.”

“So—this isn’t the first time this has happened to you?” Careful with her revealing hemline, Vannah crossed her feet at the ankles and kept her legs pressed together, folding her fingers and draping them over her clenched knees.

“Nope, that’s why I agreed to 1Night Stand.”

“What do you mean you agreed?”

“Well, big brother Samuel thought I needed a break from the failed dating scene.”

An awkward silence filled the room.