The Spirit Tree (28 page)

“Why are you borrowing trouble?”

“I’m not. I just need you to be prepared for whatever happens.” He stood and handed my phone to me. “Do what you need to do with Aaron, but don’t do it to save my feelings.”

“Thanks.” I smiled, grateful that Bryson saw past the next five minutes when I couldn’t. “I need to talk to him face-to-face.”

“I’ll give you some time. You need to eat, and there’s nothing in the fridge.”

“Thanks, Bryson.”

An hour later, my doorbell rang. Aaron stood on my doorstep, concerned. “Hey, Tessa.”

“Hi. Thanks for coming over.”

He walked inside and looked around. “Where’s Bryson?”

“He went to get some groceries.”

“Are you feeling better?”

After a restless night of crying and too little sleep, my image could have scared a buzzard off roadkill. “A little, I guess. We need to talk.”

“I know.” He sat beside me on the couch. “Let me say something first.”

I nodded, though I didn’t want to let him speak first. I worried that he’d say something sweet and I’d lose my nerve.

“I know you and Bryson have a bond. I get it—you share a secret.”

“We do, but there’s more to it—”

“Let me finish.”

“I’ve been acting like a jackass since I woke up in the hospital. When they told me how close to death I was, it scared me. Then Bryson told me he saved my life, and I was blown away. He’s a good guy, but so am I. I have feelings for you, Tessa. I don’t want to lose you.”

His confession hurt worse than I thought it would. They both had feelings for me, and I for them, but I realized my feelings for Bryson were different. I wondered if I’d feel so drawn to him if we weren’t both Nunnehi, but I couldn’t change what I was any more than I could change the color of my eyes. “You’re an amazing man, Aaron.”

“But?” He leaned forward and set his elbows on his knees.

“But we can’t be together. I have no right to ask, but I would love to remain friends. I understand if that’s not enough for you.”

He hung his head. “Do you love him?”

“Yes. You’re right, we share a bond that’s difficult to understand.”

“I won’t say I’m thrilled about it, but if he makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.”

“He does.”

Aaron turned to me. “Friends?”

I smiled, feeling the tension leaving my body. “Friends.”

“Do you want me to hang around, or should I go?”

I yawned and settled into the couch. “I’m okay, if you need to go.”

“I’ll stay until Bryson comes back. You were pretty upset at the station.”

“Knowing those kids lost their mother, and almost lost their father, if he is their father.” I drew my knees to my chest.

“Blood doesn’t make someone a father.”

“Or a mother.” I had two mothers, though most of the time I felt like I had none.

Bryson came through the door with two armfuls of groceries. “Hey, sorry I didn’t knock. My hands are full.”

Aaron and I stood and each took a couple of bags. As I put the food away, Aaron and Bryson walked to the door. I thought they would go downstairs for more groceries. Aaron clamped his hand on Bryson’s shoulder, speaking low. Bryson patted Aaron’s back and smiled

“Have a good one, Tessa.” Aaron waved as he left.

Bryson came into the kitchen. “Are you okay?”

“I’m exhausted.”

“Hungry?” He took my hand and pulled me to him.

“Starving.”

“Sit down and put your feet up while I cook some breakfast.”

I plopped on the couch and grabbed the remote. “What did Aaron say to you?”

“He told me I’d have to deal with him and Samuels if I hurt you.”

“Nice.” I flipped through the channels and stopped on the morning news.

“Nothing to worry about. I don’t intend to hurt you.”

“Oh, crap.” I leaned forward as video footage of the press conference played on the television. “Bryson, oh God. We’re on the national news.”

“I’d better call Hailey.” I grabbed my phone and walked toward the bedroom.

Bryson nodded. “Do you know what you’re going to do?”

“What can I do? She’s going to tell me there’s no job.”

“You don’t know that, Tessa. Talk to her.”

“I do know that. Now that the story about me being a psychic has hit the national news, she’ll have to fire me. My credibility as a therapist is gone.” I’d spent the previous few hours searching the Internet for cases of mental-health-therapist licenses being suspended for unfavorable media coverage. Most of the cases involved the therapist committing a crime, but I was certain my career was over.

“Baby, she’s your best friend. Call her back and we’ll crawl into bed for the entire day if you want.”

“I need ice cream and sappy movies.”

“We have ice cream and cable. I’m sure it can be arranged.” Bryson grinned.

I wanted to throw something at him. How could he act so casual when I was about to lose my job? “Fine. Give me five and come rescue me.”

Bryson kissed my cheek. “I’ll be in the living room.”

Out of respect for Hailey and her family, I knew I should decline their job offer, but I needed a paycheck. My meager savings account needed life support, and without an income, I couldn’t pay next month’s rent.

“Hi, Hailey.” I hung my head and braced myself for the worse.

“Tessa, are you okay? I’ve been trying to reach you for days.”

“I’ve been better, but I think I’m on an upswing.”

“I still can’t believe you helped find the missing kids. You’re a hero. I’m so proud of you.” Hailey’s tone didn’t match her words. Tension or apprehension dulled her voice.

“How are you feeling? Has the morning sickness passed?”

“Ugh, no. I’m puking morning, noon, and night, but my doctor thinks it’s normal.” She laughed, sounding more like herself.

“Hailey, listen, I’ve been thinking. I don’t think I should take the job in your dad’s practice. I mean, I really appreciate the offer, but I loved working with the police.” I wiped away my tears. As much as I needed the job, I couldn’t force my best friend to fire me.

“Really? Oh, that’s awesome. Dad’s worried that all of the media coverage would spill over into the office.” Hailey confirmed my fears.

“I figured.”

“So what are you going to do? Have they offered you a position at the police station?”

I smiled to myself, hoping it would leak into my voice. “Not yet, but after finding the Rivera kids and freeing an innocent man, I’m sure they’ll find something for me to do. Worst-case scenario, I’ll move back with Mae and go back to school. Most forensic experts hold doctorates.”

“Other than moving back home, that sounds great. How are Bryson and Aaron?”

“Aaron’s back to work, and Bryson is still sleeping on my couch.” I headed for the bathroom.

“Couch? I’m impressed with your willpower. If I didn’t have Scott, I’d be all over that.”

“I’m trying to be an adult. You know, make good choices and all.”

“Right. Well, I don’t see a bad choice between Aaron and Bryson—just different degrees of yum.”

“Oh no, that’s not what I mean. Aaron and I are friends. He’s great and all, but he’s not the one for me.”

“Is Bryson?”

“I think so.” I frowned at my reflection. My face bore the proof of yet another day of crying fits and very little sleep.

“That’s awesome, Tessa. Scott and I approve. We should get together soon. Double date?”

“Sounds good, Hailey. I need to get a shower. Can I call you later?” I leaned closer to the mirror to inspect my bloodshot eyes.

“Sure, but first promise me you won’t overanalyze your relationship with Bryson and dump him before we have a chance to get to know him better?”

“I’ll try. Bye, Hailey.”

“See you soon, and Tessa, sex isn’t always about distracting yourself from something. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself permission to feel something.” Hailey disconnected before I could reply.

I stepped into the shower and let the water wash away the remnants of the night before. I wondered about Hailey’s last comment. She’d encouraged me to hop in the sack with Bryson. Normally, she lectured me about getting too attached and getting naked too soon.

“Tessa?” Bryson knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“How’d it go with Hailey?”

I peeked from behind the shower curtain. “I let her off the hook once I was sure she wanted to rescind the offer. It was the right thing to do.”

“I agree.”

I stood under the water, trying to decide if I should invite him to join me.

Bryson asked, “What will you do now?”

“I don’t know. I’d like to work in criminal justice. Maybe I’ll talk to Aaron and Samuels about a job. Maybe go back for my doctorate.”

“You could take Charlie’s position. The tribe pays a stipend, and the patrons bring gifts.”

“I don’t think I can pay my rent with venison and trinkets, Bryson.”

He chuckled and pulled the curtain to the side. “Most people give cash, Tessa.”

I resisted the instinct to cover my pink parts, and held my hand out. “Come here.”

“I’m overdressed.”

“So?” I turned my back and raised my face up to the water.

Bryon stepped in behind me and ran his hands over my back. I moved to the side to share the water. I’d invited him in, but with him here, my courage faded into uncertainty. He soaped my sponge and motioned for me to turn. Bryson moved my hair over my shoulder and ran the soapy sponge over my back.

“Come to the mountains with me,” he whispered.

“I could use a vacation.”

“Not a vacation, Tessa.”

I turned and met his eyes. “You want me to live with you?”

“I do.”

“I can’t leave Mae and Dottie.” Was this it?

“Then I’ll stay in Florida with you, if you’ll have me.”

“I can’t ask you to move here for me.” I rinsed my back and reached for a towel.

Bryson grabbed my hand and pulled me against his chest. “You aren’t. I’m offering. Do you want me to stay?”

“Yes.” I tilted my face toward his, and he leaned in to kiss me. He cupped my face as he explored my mouth, drawing me in until I wrapped myself around his body.

Bryson moved his hands down my sides to my hips, and lower still. I rolled my hips forward, desperate for him. He turned my back to the wall and dipped his head to my chest, circling my nipple with his tongue. I curled my fingers in his hair, holding on to him for support.

The doorbell rang. Bryson glanced at me, his mouth still fastened to my breast.

“Ignore it.” I tugged his hair.

On the third ring, Bryson stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. I dried myself and slipped into my singed robe. Voices rose in the front room. Oh God, was that Darlene?

“Bryson, will you give us a minute,” I said as I walked into the room.

“Of course.” He turned and went into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

Darlene grinned at me, quite proud of herself. “Am I interrupting something?”

“Please sit.” I refused to defend myself, or what I may or may not have done in the shower.

Darlene sank into a chair. “I knew you were lying to me when you said there was nothing going on.”

“Why are you here?”

“I’ve been calling, and you haven’t returned my calls.” She looked around the room and back to me. “We need to get to work on the psychic business. We can use Dottie’s house. I think we—”

“Did you ever love me?” I’d always wanted to ask but had never had the guts.

“Of course I loved you. Now, as I was saying . . .”

“Why did you leave me with Mae all those times?”

“Tessa, honey, I was a baby myself when I had you. I didn’t know how to raise a child.”

She continued to talk about capitalizing on my publicity. I imagined being a teen mother, poor, with no education. I tried to see the logic in bouncing in and out of a child’s life, but couldn’t. I wasn’t her daughter, but she didn’t know that. “Do you want to know what I think?”

“Yes. Dammit, Tessa, why do you think I’ve been trying to reach you?”

“I think you’re jealous and always have been. You’re jealous that I made something of myself, that Mae, Dottie, and Charlie love me, and I think you’re angry that I’m not like you.”

Darlene laughed, but her eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”

I nodded.

“I loved you. Hell, I still do, even if you’re an ungrateful little bitch. I did the best I could by you. If I were such a monster, why would I leave you with Mae? I knew she could do a better job of mothering you than I could. I wanted the best for you, and I wasn’t it.” She turned her head as tears spilled to her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Momma. I just can’t understand why you’re so hateful to me. Why did you call the news station? Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused?”

“Trouble? What trouble? I told the truth. You saved those kids with your God-given gifts.”

“People either don’t believe or are afraid of anything different than themselves. This was a high-profile case. When the reports said a psychic was involved it raised red flags.” I waved my hand. “It doesn’t matter. I lost my job and will probably lose my counseling license.”

“Which is why we need to open a psychic shop.” Darlene punctuated each word with a pause.

“I can’t open a psychic shop.”

“Why not?”

Bryson walked into the room and sat beside me. “Because she’s not the psychic. I am.”

Darlene’s eyebrows crawled into her forehead. “You are?”

“Yes, ma’am, and I can’t go into business with you. I don’t believe in profiting from my God-given gifts.” Bryson stood and offered her his hand. “I hate to be rude, but Tessa and I have an appointment.”

I stood as Darlene took Bryson’s hand. Her cheeks flushed, and for once in her life, she didn’t argue. “Thanks for settling that, Bryson.”

“No problem.” He smiled and ushered her toward the door.

I stepped forward and hugged her. “I love you, Momma. Thanks for answering my questions. I hope one day we can be close.”

Darlene pulled back and looked at me. Her lower lip trembled as she nodded. “I’d like that, too, Tessa. I really would.”

“I would expect this from the girl. She’s green as a leaf in spring, but you, Bryson? Do you know what you’ve done?” Buck Oldham could have chewed iron and spit nails.