Spirit [New Crescent 2] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (31 page)

Reggie looked at them with suspicion but said nothing. She waited.

Constance said, “I’m sorry Regina. It’s my fault you did not inherit your gift on your fourteenth birthday. I needed it.”

“What?” Reggie was bewildered.

Ernestine explained. “My dear, Constance held your power. She needed it to keep Vincent inactive for so many years. She knew the time would come when she’d have to contact you and share her burden.” Ernestine gave Constance a disapproving glance. “She’s stubborn and unpredictable, but she’s still a Guardian. And tonight, she passes that mantle on to you, where it belongs. Together, we’ll decide what must be done with Vincent’s books, but we must destroy all contents in the bottles carefully. I’m sorry if you thought we were pushing you away and keeping things from you, but you had to stay away from the bottles for your own safety. Your power was in its most fragile stage.”

Gillian took up the rest of the explanation. “Reggie, the power you felt in the library yesterday will be with you always. You just have to learn how to use it. Constance will be here for you. She’s a Guardian. She can crossover to this world at will.”

Reggie’s emotions overwhelmed her. How was it possible that she could be gifted with so much? She wanted to cry, but laughed instead. “You mean she’s gonna be annoying me for the rest of my life? Can’t they make an ointment for that?”

They laughed, and Constance said, “I will help you hone your abilities, and I will see your children grow to be a great hope for this world.”

The three women and the ghost formed a circle. The wind caressed them as they joined their power. Thunder was heard in the distance.

They married at Bennett House or, rather, McCann House, as it was newly christened. They tried to have a small gathering but realized their wedding was something they wanted to share, so they threw open the doors and invited everyone. The entire town of New Crescent celebrated the event and filled the house.

Reggie’s favorite disk jockey donated his services for the night. Peter looked at Reggie with a bittersweet smile, and she dragged him out to the dance floor. He closed his eyes and reveled in the experience. Before the song ended, he rushed over to attend to his duties as DJ. The music started again. Travis and Gillian took the floor, but he didn’t take her in his arms. Instead, he knelt in front of her and said, “I love you Gillian. Will you marry me?”

The room was silent. Peter paused the music. The wedding guests all waited in suspended animation. Gillian grabbed him by the scruf of the neck and hauled him to his feet. “Oh no you don’t. This is Reggie and Chase’s day. You’re not going to steal their thunder. You can do better than that. Now dance with me like you mean it.” She looked over her shoulder and addressed the crowd. “Whoever put their money on today, you’re out of luck.” Their audience laughed and began daning again.

Eating her second piece of wedding cake, Reggie turned to her husband and said, “Chase. When are we going to tell them about the baby?”

He shrugged. “Why bother? They probably knew before we did.”

They smiled and waved at Ernestine and Gillian, who looked at them with a secret knowledge in their eyes. Reggie could swear she caught a glimpse of Constance standing beside them. With her baby held tight in her arms, she too was smiling.

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Mary Lou George lives within driving distance of Toronto. She’s worked in the design studio of a major art museum for over twenty years. The creative atmosphere there has helped to keep her imagination fertile and her humor well exercised. In her personal life, she’s surrounded by family, friends and an animal or two or three. It’s no surprise that her stories include four legged characters. She comes from a long line of earth mothers who’ve always believed there’s a little bit of magic in each of us and that working hard for the happy ending is always worth the effort.

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