Chapter 4

Still sitting in the center of the store, Fiona drank green tea and watched Bailey study a display of athames and other ritual supplies. He hadn’t said much since Minnie left the second time. He was still skeptical, and Fiona was trying to decide how she felt about that. Everyone else’s feelings were clear.

Ryan had stomped upstairs moments ago to collect equipment, darting venomous glances toward Bailey.

Her father and Jake had their heads together, though their focus was Bailey.

Brenna and Eva Grace were in deep discussion with Delia, none of them happy.

Trouble was brewing on all sides.

Fiona set down her tea and stood just as her father crossed to Bailey’s side.

“It’s time for you to leave,” Aiden told the younger man. “We need to finish here, and there’s nothing else for you to see.”

Fiona found she didn’t like her father giving orders. “Please don’t—”

“It’s time for Mr. Hollywood to leave,” Aiden repeated. “He has seen all he’s going to see.”

“But I asked him to come here,” Fiona pointed out.

Usually polite and courtly, Aiden was blunt. “I don’t trust him, and I want him to leave.”

Before Fiona could say anything further, Bailey put down the spiral goddess wand he was examining, his expression mild. “It’s okay, Fiona. I’ll leave. We’ll talk later.”

“I think you should just leave her alone, period.” Jake squared his shoulders, and the badge on his shirt glinted.

Brenna came across the room to stand beside her fiancé. She looked at Bailey. “Please leave.”

Fiona turned to Eva Grace for support. “This is ridiculous. It’s your shop.”

Her cousin hesitated, and Fiona’s disappointment grew. Eva Grace usually supported her.

Delia came toward Fiona, hand outstretched. “He needs to go, dear.”

Fiona’s back stiffened as she drew away from her mother. Why was everyone so intent on telling her what to do? Her gaze locked with Bailey’s. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

He gave her a slight grin before he headed out the door. A babble of voices sounded as soon as he was gone.

“Good riddance,” Ryan said from the stairway. “What a jerk. After seeing his shows, I thought he was intelligent and open-minded.” He sat a silver briefcase down. “That’s disenchanting.”

Delia put a hand on Fiona’s shoulder. “You can get rid of him tomorrow. I don’t think it’s safe for him to stay in New Mourne.”

“You act as if he’s a government agent.”

“He’s worse than that,” Brenna snapped.

“Don’t you realize what he could do to this town?” Aiden asked, making the same argument as Brenna and Eva Grace had.

“The show would be about me. Not about New Mourne,” Fiona said. “About me, as a medium, not about me as a witch or our family as a coven, or this town as a haven for the supernatural.”

“I’m afraid you’re being naïve,” Delia said. “Once he gets a glimpse of our world, he may try to reveal everything.”

“We would stop him before that happened,” Fiona protested.

“But why put yourself through that?” Brenna frowned at her. “If there’s a chance he could betray us, why risk it?”

Fiona clenched her jaw. Brenna had offered herself up to the Woman in White as a sacrifice in an attempt to save their family. She had resisted everyone’s efforts to dissuade her. For that matter, she was in love with a shifter who could become a massive white tiger in the blink of an eye. Why was she always told to play it safe when Brenna never did?

With her usual diplomacy, Eva Grace stepped between the sisters. “Let’s not do this tonight,” she suggested. “I’m sure you’re exhausted, Fiona. We’re all on edge, waiting for the demon or the Woman to come again. Bailey’s appearance in town has added a new layer of tension.”

Brenna started to protest, but a warning glance from Eva Grace shut her down. “All right,” she agreed with clear reluctance. She looked at Fiona. “Please stay away from him until we can talk again.”

Fiona made no promises, but Brenna, Jake, and her parents left without further protest. Ryan finished packing equipment and loaded Fiona’s van. She told him she wanted to walk home, and to his credit he didn’t protest before leaving her in the shop with Eva Grace.

“What a night,” she told her cousin as they made sure all candles were extinguished and the shop was ready for opening the next morning.

Eva Grace gave her a considering look. “I hope you’ll think about what everyone said to you.”

“I wish everyone would give me a little credit.”

“We do, Fiona. It’s the rest of the world we don’t trust. The world Bailey comes from.”

Fiona remained silent.

Eva Grace put some papers in her big purse and stood. “I’m just going to say one more thing. Don’t put yourself into this show or get involved with this Bailey Powers just because everyone thinks you shouldn’t.”

“That makes me sound childish.”

“No, just someone who has always done pretty much what was expected of her. I do understand the urge to rebel.”

“But you’re not a rebel. Not like Brenna.”

Eva Grace glanced around the darkened shop. “No, I was doing what I’ve always wanted. Everything was just right until Garth was killed, and we realized that we truly had to face the family curse. That’s what makes me run away now, because everything’s changed. I can see why you’re thinking of taking risks.”

Her cousin’s assessment of Fiona’s thinking was dead on. She linked arms with Eva Grace. “Does every generation think they’re going to beat it?”

“Of course they do.”

“But we’re going to, aren’t we?”

Eva Grace’s silence was not reassuring. “Let’s go home,” she said.

Fiona grabbed her backpack, cheered by the bright designer fabric. A new backpack every year was her one splurge.

They walked out the back door into the humid night air and found Bailey leaning against his car in the parking lot. He was relaxed and comfortable, his arms crossed on his chest. He looked so damn sexy waiting there in the halo from the security light.

He stepped back and opened the passenger door. “Thought you might need a lift, since Ryan left.”

“I’m taking her home,” Eva Grace said. “You agreed to leave.”

“I left the shop.”

Eva Grace flipped her hand, and Bailey’s car door slammed so hard it triggered the alarm. The horn blasted and the lights blinked wildly.

“What the hell?” Bailey fumbled for the remote a minute before the noise stopped.

“Don’t, Eva Grace,” Fiona murmured when her cousin raised her hand again. “There’s no need for this.”

“Fiona, be careful.”

“I believe all he did was offer me a ride,” Fiona said evenly. “You go on home. I can take care of myself.” She headed down the steps.

“Are you sure?”

Refusing to answer, Fiona crossed to Bailey’s side.

He watched warily as Eva Grace walked to her car, got in, and drove away. His expression made Fiona laugh.

“How did she do that to my car?” he asked.

“Do what?” Fiona asked with feigned innocence. “Didn’t your car act up earlier today?”

He looked doubtful. “This town is wonky.”

“That’s one word for it.” Fiona changed the subject. “What are you doing out here? I know you weren’t here earlier. My father and Jake would have escorted you to the county line.”

“I watched until everyone else left. I just want to talk. How about a cup of coffee at the diner?”

Fiona slipped into the door he had opened again. “Let’s go to my office. I’ve got some wonderful caramel-flavored coffee.”

“Sounds good to me.” Bailey backed the car out of the parking space and headed toward her storefront.

The town around them was quiet as he pulled in the space in front of her office. The only lights were at the Irish pub. Fiona heard the music drift out each time a patron opened the door.

Bailey said, “Where is everyone?”

“This isn’t L.A.” Fiona unlocked her office door. “Let’s go back to the break room. There are some comfortable chairs back there.”

Soon the small room filled with the aroma of caramel. Fiona poured two mugs, and she and Bailey took seats in a matching pair of old easy chairs.

Bailey said, “I really wasn’t trying to insult you back at the shop.”

“Even though I knew you wouldn’t believe what you saw, it’s still not easy when someone thinks you’re a fake.”

“If we go forward with a show, I have to know what I’m dealing with,” Bailey said. “I have a responsibility to my company.”

“Who says we’re going forward?”

“Oh, come on, Fiona. You wouldn’t have had me there tonight if you weren’t interested in working with me. You can stop pretending disinterest. I’m not sure what you’re trying to gain by doing that.”

“I’m not trying to gain anything.” She pursed her lips. “I’m truly undecided. This may not be possible given how everyone else in my life thinks it’s a bad idea.”

“It’s your life.”

She wondered what he would say if she told him about the curse and the responsibility a Connelly witch had to her coven and to this town. It wasn’t just her life. Someone like Bailey couldn’t possibly understand the complicated ties she had to her family and New Mourne.

“Tell me again why you would want to do a show about something you don’t believe in,” she said.

“My parents have wanted a ghost series for a while,” he continued. “They’ve sent me on a couple of real wild goose chases. Tonight’s the first time I’ve thought it might be a good idea. Powers That Be likes to handle unique projects, so we need a new angle. What I saw tonight makes me think we can work with you. You’re very natural in front of the camera.”

“What did you see tonight, Bailey?” Fiona watched him, wondering if he would be honest.

“There were orbs on the computer monitor, and the box of rocks moved. It was kind of spooky. Viewers love that kind of stuff.”

“You think so?” Fiona’s gaze shifted to the young girl who appeared behind Bailey. The apparition was full-bodied—a young teen with long, tawny hair and blue eyes. She wore tan shorts, sandals, and a Spice Girls T-shirt that Fiona instantly coveted.

Bailey shifted in his seat. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Fiona sighed. “Who is the girl?”

Bailey sat back in the chair, a disappointed look on his face. “I guess you’re referring to my sister, Anna. You don’t need to bring her into this.”

“So you know I can see her?”

Instead of answering, he stood and set his coffee mug on the counter. “What I know is that you’ve done your research, the same as I’ve done the research on your family. I know your grandmother is a renowned artist who works in natural stone and gemstones found in this area. I know your parents are international experts on witchcraft. I know there’s another paranormal expert, a Dr. Rodric McGuire, staying here in town and conferring with your family. And I know a number of people who were once skeptics now believe that you can talk to the dead. You’ve helped several families find closure about loved ones.”

“So you know a lot,” Fiona murmured. “Research is easy these days.”

The figure of the young girl remained beside the chair, her gaze fastened on Bailey.

He turned to Fiona again. “I’m sure you found it easy to discover that my younger sister was kidnapped from an amusement park when she was fourteen years old. She was murdered. Her body was found the next day. They never caught the killer. When the normal channels were exhausted, my parents turned to psychics and mediums. They’ve been to dozens. They were very open and public about their search for answers in every possible venue. What you may not have discovered is all of those so-called psychics and mediums were fakes.”

“I didn’t know any of this.” Fiona met Bailey’s suspicious glare with clear-eyed honesty. “All I did was call your references and look your company up on the Internet. I didn’t try to find out anything personal.” She kept her voice even and quiet. “And how do you know the mediums were fake?”

“Those con artists never connected to Anna. I always found something that gave them away. Always.”

Fiona glanced at the ghost who stood so still beside the chair. “She has tried to reach you.”

He rubbed his left bicep, just as he had at the shop. “If so, none of the so-called experts in that area were able to make it happen. That’s another thing that gave them away. If Anna had wanted to talk to me, surely they could have helped me respond.”

“It’s not always easy,” Fiona protested. “Spirits trapped between our world and the next can’t always communicate. Not every medium can reach them.”

“So I’ve been told.”

The weariness in his tone touched Fiona. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I can understand how disappointing it is to have someone so close, yet so very far away. Do you want me to try to help?”

His short laugh was raw. “No, I don’t want your help.”

The ghost beside the chair disappeared, but Fiona could still feel her presence.

“Why do you think she stays near you?” Fiona asked Bailey.

“She doesn’t,” he said, shaking his head. “Anna is dead.” He shrugged. “You need to understand. I don’t believe. Nothing you can say will make me believe.”

“All right. That’s your prerogative,” Fiona said. “I don’t try to sway anyone. Obviously your parents still believe. Would they want my help?”

Anger snapped in Bailey’s eyes. “Don’t talk to my parents about Anna.”

Fiona got to her feet. “I wouldn’t unless they asked me. You mentioned that your mother found my webcast. I thought maybe—”

“Don’t call her,” Bailey said, his voice low. “Do you hear me? Do not call her.”

An uneasy silence fell between them.

“What about your sister’s murderer?” Fiona said. “Don’t you wonder about that?”

He frowned. “The police kept the case active for years. They interviewed sex offenders and anybody that could remotely be called a suspect. There just wasn’t any tangible evidence. No fingerprints and no DNA.”

“I can see why your parents started looking elsewhere.”

Bailey moved toward the break room doorway. “Listen, I just wanted you to know where I’m coming from. I think you have something a TV audience can connect with. But if you need me to believe you’re in touch with the dead, that’s not part of the deal. You don’t have to keep trying to convince me.”

A part of Fiona wanted to tell him to stop being dense, to open himself to possibilities. The wiser half knew he would have to discover that in his own time, if he did at all.

Meanwhile, she wasn’t sure what she should do about his TV offer. “I need to think about all of this.”

“Sure. How about I work on a solid pitch for the show and we discuss it over dinner tomorrow night?”

Fiona led the way to the darkened outer office. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she promised. They stepped out onto the sidewalk. The town was even more silent than before.

Bailey looked up. “Amazing…you can see all the stars. No smog.”

Fiona smiled at him and their gazes locked. He gave a slow smile. She looked up. “I guess we take the stars for granted around here.”

“You shouldn’t. They’re beautiful. Like you.”

Her gaze lowered. He was looking at her, not the sky.

Fiona exhaled. Just as she hadn’t traveled far from New Mourne in her twenty-two years, she was decidedly inexperienced with men. She’d had her share of dates and admirers, but walking around with a head full of voices from the grave tended to keep her preoccupied. There had been no one like Bailey Powers with his potent charm and easy confidence.

He was close enough that she felt the warmth of his skin and smelled the faint citrus of his shaving lotion. She leaned in, breathed him in. His lips touched hers. Fiona’s eyes closed as he drew her closer. His lips were smooth and soft and when they opened, his tongue against hers was electric. Putting her hands on his elbows, she pressed against his hard chest.

The air around them crackled. A bright light snapped on. While Bailey jerked back, Fiona found herself face to face with her grandmother.

Sarah Connelly put a hand on Bailey’s shoulder. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk since you’re leaving.”

Bailey smiled. “I’m leaving. Goodbye, Fiona.” He crossed the sidewalk, got in his car, and drove away without looking back.

“What did you do to him?” Fiona asked Sarah.

“Get inside,” Sarah said and reached around Fiona to open the door. “We have to talk.”

They were silent until they reached the break room when Sarah demanded, “Why is that man still in New Mourne?”

“Last I heard it’s a free country. He can be wherever he likes.” Fiona felt like she’d been caught sneaking a kiss on her grandmother’s front porch.

“I won’t have this. Your mother told me what that man wants, and I demand that you tell him to leave and never come back.” Sarah’s face was set and unyielding. “Nothing good will come from any association with a man like that.”

“A man like what?” Fiona asked. “Someone who’s interested in me and not my family? Someone who recognizes my talent?”

“He doesn’t even believe in your ability. He told you so,” Sarah said with a triumphant smile.

“Were you spying on us?”

“I do what I have to do to protect the family and the coven. You know we can’t let any news of what goes on here go into the outside world. How long do you think it will be before he makes it known you’re a practicing witch? Our town will be overrun with crazy people. You know that.”

Fiona thought about recent activities in New Mourne and decided her grandmother might be a little late with her predictions. “My parents said exactly the same thing. At least try to be original with your disapproval.”

Sarah’s eyebrows rose at Fiona’s snide tone. She sat down at the table. She looked expectantly at Fiona who walked over to retrieve a cup and fill it with coffee.

“It may be strong. I made it a while ago,” Fiona said as she sat down.

Sarah waved a hand over it, and the aroma of a mocha latte wafted up. “It’s fine. We’ve had a rough time lately. We don’t need a stranger prying into town secrets to add to everything else. Tell your Mr. Powers to head his convertible back to California.”

“I don’t think so. He wants to talk to me, and I’m ready to listen. With a show in a big cable network, I could develop a following and help people around the country. Maybe even around the world.”

Sarah took a long sip of her coffee, then leaned close to Fiona’s face. “All that pretty man will do is make you love him and then leave you with two babies in your belly. Trust me. This much I know.”

Then she was gone, disappearing as fast as only a powerful witch can.