Chapter Twenty-Four

Evie opened her eyes, disoriented and groggy, as Nick pulled the keys from the ignition. He braced one arm on the steering wheel and faced her.

“It’s raining and you’re exhausted. I can have Remy come out if you want to stay in here.”

The grim lines bracketing his mouth fired up her brain cells quicker than a double shot of espresso. “Did something happen? Is it Grace?” The questions tumbled from her lips in a mad rush of panic.

“No. Shh…” He reached for her hands and held them firmly yet gently. “There’s no news as far as I know. But I need to talk to Remy, find out if he’s got those recordings from the hotel, and I was thinking you might prefer to stay in here out of the rain, but I don’t want to leave you out here alone. I can give Remy a call and have him come out. This will only take a minute.”

She stifled a yawn. It was crazy how exhausted she felt. Every bone and muscle in her body was mush.

“We’ll go in. I need to move, and I don’t want to pull Remy away from work just so I don’t get a little wet. I’m fine.” Heck, maybe the rain would help clear the fog blanketing her since the visit to New Orleans.

She fumbled trying to unbuckle her seat belt. Fine might have been an exaggeration. Frustration made it more difficult until Nick leaned over and brushed her hands aside.

“Are you sure…”

“Don’t. I’m fine,” she interrupted before he could finish, hating how pathetically weak she must look to him. It seemed like ever since this man stepped into her life it was one thing after the other. It wasn’t his fault, but damn, this was not who she was, and there was no way she would let him think it was.

Without another word, he exited the vehicle and came around to the passenger side and opened the door. With no umbrella to shield them, they hurried inside. A quick scan of the room told her Remy wasn’t there.

“If you’re lookin’ for Remy, he’s in the back with Doc Davis,” Leroy hollered.

Nick nodded in acknowledgment as he hustled her to the back room. He knocked briefly to announce their entrance before opening the door. A computer had been set up on the table, and the two men stood in the corner by the coffeemaker. Spotting them, Remy immediately headed in their direction, worry clouding his deep brown eyes as he studied her. She must look worse than she felt. Of course, he didn’t look much better. In fact, he looked like he could use about twenty-four hours of sleep himself.

“How you holding up, cher?” He gave her a quick hug. “Nick told me what happened with the Cormeauxs. Was Madam Delphine able to help you?”

“She managed to work some of her magic. Hopefully, with a bit of time, everything will return to normal. Or normal for me, anyway.”

She couldn’t resist a quick glance at Nick to see how he was digesting the news. Madam Delphine had given him the details earlier, but Evie had been so out of it she couldn’t really tell what his reaction had been. Though, if his expression had been as blank as it was now, it wouldn’t have mattered how alert she’d been; she still wouldn’t have any idea.

“She needs sleep,” Nick interjected. His tone left her with no doubt he was determined to make that happen.

Remy nodded. “Then that’s what she’s gonna get, right?” He gave her one of his fiercest I’m-bigger-and-stronger stares. “There’s nothing more you can do tonight anyway.”

The doctor came up behind Remy. “I can prescribe a mild sedative, if you think that will help?”

Evie was already shaking her head.

“You won’t be any good to Grace if you’re dead on your feet. I can give you just a mild sedative that can help ease your anxiety, so you can sleep,” he pushed.

“No, I really think I’ll be fine without it.” She backed up a step, feeling a bit cornered.

“Now, Evie…”

Nick stepped forward, placing his hand on her back protectively. “Thank you, but I don’t think that will be necessary.” His voice was pleasant but firm. “She’s operating on fumes. All she needs is a bed, and she’ll be set.”

For a split second, the serious expression the doctor always wore hardened as he stared at Nick. But it was there and gone so quickly, she couldn’t be sure of what she’d seen.

“You have my number should you change your mind, Evangeline. Only you know what’s best for you, my dear.”

He turned back to Remy. “I think I’ve told you all that I can, and you have my report. But if any more questions come up, please feel free to call. I’d also appreciate it if you would let me know if you receive any word on Grace Lamont. As you know, she’s a patient of mine.”

Evie got the impression Nick had crossed the line and stepped on the doctor’s toes by pushing his advice aside. It didn’t help that Nick was an outsider. The Davis family had never been particularly fond of outsiders.

Nick led her over to the table and forced her to sit. Her exhaustion must be written all over her, or maybe her eyes had actually drifted closed for a minute or two.

“This will only take a minute or two, and you’ll be headed home,” he promised.

She wanted to protest, the need to do more to find Grace filling her. But there seemed to be an out-of-order sign posted where her mind and body used to be. Placing her elbow on the table, she rested her chin in the palm of her hand.

The door closed, indicating the doctor’s departure. Too tired to move, she peeked out of one eye to see Remy joining them at the table.

“Did you talk to the manager at the Sheraton yet?” Nick jumped right to the point.

“Yeah, I did. At first, he gave me the runaround about the guests and their privacy. But he changed his tune right quick when I brought up how it would look to the public if the hotel refused to cooperate after two women have been murdered and another two missing.”

“Let me guess, he couldn’t turn them over fast enough with that hanging over his head?”

“You got that right. After some reassurance that the only thing the tapes would be used for was this investigation and that we would guarantee the privacy of the other guests as much as humanly possible, he turned them over, and an officer just delivered them. In fact, I was just about to start going through them when Graham arrived.”

Evie lifted her head and managed to open her eyes halfway. The backs of her eyelids felt gritty, irritating her eyes. But she was positive if they gave her some coffee, she could stay awake for a couple hours and help.

“Is there coffee? I need coffee.” Damn, was that her voice slurring like she’d downed a six-pack in an hour?

“Coffee’s the last thing you need right now.”

Nick placed a hand on her shoulder as though he were afraid she’d go get the coffee herself, a joke considering without coffee she’d be lucky if she could keep herself from sliding off the chair and onto the floor before too long.

“What she needs is a bed, and by the looks of it, so do you.”

Remy slid a hand through hair that looked as though he’d done the same thing about a dozen times in the past hour. “I’m good. Those tapes need to be gone through now. The clock is ticking, and I’m praying we’ll find something that’ll help.”

“I do. I also know an alert mind is also of the essence, which is why I think you should be the one to take Evie home.”

“That’s ridiculous; I have a job to do. I know you’ll protect Evie.”

“Your eyes are bloodshot, and you look as exhausted as Evie. You try and view the tapes when you’re this tired and your liable to miss something important. You’re going to be no good to anyone if you don’t get some rest,” Nick countered.

Evie peered up at him though her lashes. The look on his face sent her stomach plummeting. He showed no signs of relenting as he stared at Remy. But it was the lack of emotion in his eyes that brought everything into clarity.

“I’ll stay and go through the footage, and if I come across anything suspicious, I’ll call you.” Nick didn’t budge.

Remy was already shaking his head. “Won’t work. If the killer is someone from around here, you’re not gonna recognize him.”

“What I’ll be looking for on the tapes are the women. I want to see what they’re doing, who they’re with. See if anyone suspicious is in any of the footage with them. Besides, I saw Leroy out there, and he didn’t look too busy to me. He can go through them with me just in case there’s a familiar face. Go with her. It just makes the most sense at this point. And after what Madam Delphine said, some distance between us might be a good thing.”

His words slammed into her and sent her heart stuttering into a painful rhythm. The word “distance” rang in her ears.

The hard-set lines of his face as he stared back at her impassively told her this was about more than just Remy’s need for sleep. The distance he thought would be a good thing grew like a wide, gaping hole. After his initial reaction that morning over their mental connection and what he’d revealed about what happened surrounding his sister’s kidnapping, she didn’t hold out a lot of hope he’d be able to come to grips with their connection. Who could blame him? The psychic had done a number on his whole family.

…

She lowered her head until her forehead rested in the palm of her hand, hiding her face from him. She wished she could say she was sorry she’d fallen in love with him. But she wasn’t. She was just sorry it was going to hurt like the devil when she had to let him go. Because, as sure as hurricane season would come, she would never love, never connect, with anyone the way she had this man.

Time to find your backbone, girl.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and stiffening her spine, slowly stood up. “Nick’s right, Remy. When’s the last time you slept? For God’s sake, you look dead on your feet. I doubt you’re even thinkin’ clearly at this point. Your eyes are so bloodshot, I’d be surprised if you could pick anything up off that video tonight anyway. At least give him a chance.” She placed her hand on Remy’s arm, unsure if it was to convince him or steady herself. “Just come with me and get a few hours’ sleep, and then you can come back.”

Remy hesitated.

God, he could be stubborn. “Isn’t the most important thing finding Grace?”

Hopefully, they’d discover a clue or lead on the tapes. But right now, it seemed her and Remy were more of a hindrance than anything, and the only way Evie could help was by healing and getting her powers back. Thankfully, she knew now her gifts would heal, even if not her heart.

Remy looked from her to Nick and nodded. “A couple hours’ sleep would be good.”

Hoping like hell her expression gave nothing away of her inner turmoil, she made eye contact with Nick. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to do otherwise.

He met her gaze with a long, steady look. “Everything is going to be fine, Evie. Trust me,” Nick said softly.

She gave a quick nod. “Good-bye, Nick.”

…

Evie closed her eyes as soon as her butt landed on the seat, trying not to flinch when Remy slammed his door shut. Lying down in the backseat of Remy’s official vehicle was out of the question. He thought she was just being stubborn. Wrong.

Who wanted to lay down where who knew how many criminals and drunks had been?

But sitting in the front left her open to Remy’s questions, which was why she was currently playing possum. Talking was the last thing she wanted to do. She let out a small sigh of relief once he started the engine and began to drive in silence.

Devastation rose with every mile. She’d warned herself he’d walk away eventually. Had even been honest with herself, admitting it could end no other way considering his reaction to their connection. Finding out about what his family had gone through put the final nail in the coffin. Evie couldn’t change who she was. She’d tried to prepare herself for this outcome. But you couldn’t prepare for this kind of pain. She’d lost people she loved, but losing Nick would rip holes in heart that wouldn’t heal. No, he wasn’t like Paul, but he’d leave just the same. What was wrong with her that she couldn’t be loved for who she was?

The drive home seemed to take forever.

Finally, they made it home. She stirred as he brought the car to a halt. No way she’d let Remy carry her inside, and if he thought she was still sleeping, he would, regardless of how exhausted he was himself.

It didn’t stop him from coming around to open her door, though. A shiver of apprehension shook her when she stepped from the car and noticed the way Remy scrutinized the surrounding darkness.

“Come on.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get you inside.”

Their footsteps echoed along the old planks as they made their way down the dock. Crickets chirped, frogs croaked, and tiny spotlights flickered as lightning bugs danced through the night. It hit her without warning, and she turned back to look at the house on the hill. This was more than home. This place was her sanctuary. A sanctuary she couldn’t let go.

Wild Oaks was her home.