An Ordinary Fairy (34 page)

Noah glared at her.

Stubborn little…

“Tell me about steam heat,” he gritted out.

They moved to the door and began discussing the nuances of steam heat, trying to be loud and casual. Bright light flooded out into the atrium when Noah opened the door. “Let me turn my flashlight on,” he said. Willow snapped off the light and turned on her flashlight, too. They climbed down the front stairs to the third floor while discussing cleaning boilers, checking radiators and so on. Noah played the idiot on the subject when in fact he knew all about it from growing up in a steam-heated home.

This better work.

They reached the third floor, turned one hundred eighty degrees and walked along the balcony to the next flight of stairs. Noah watched the back wall of the first floor.

All dark. Hope it stays that way.

Willow’s tension mounted as they continued … or perhaps it was his.

Descending the stairs left their backs turned to the kitchen. Noah’s anxiety mounted as they continued their inane discussion. They reached the second floor balcony and turned, which gave them a clear view of the first floor service area. Darkness prevailed, the only sound their voices and the creaking of the stairs.

Maybe I’ll shine my flashlight towards the kitchen, just to see.

“Shadow’s here,” Willow whispered between sentences.

They turned their backs to the kitchen again and descended the stairs to the first floor. Somehow, Noah kept talking despite the buzzing in his brain. At the same time they reached the first floor, Shadow began to bark outside, a “what-are-you-doing-around-my-house” bark.

Good boy!

I never thought—I hope he doesn’t hurt you!

Noah spoke quietly. “Willow, I want you to disappear and turn on the atrium lights.” Willow winked and a few seconds later light flooded the open space. Noah turned his flashlight toward the south wall but could see nothing through any of the open doors.

“I think he’s gone,” Noah said. From his left side he heard Willow’s voice.

“I’m going to follow and see who it was.” Noah heard her shuffling off her sweatshirt. It appeared in midair and dropped to the floor.

“Willow,” he said and then hesitated.

I don’t want you to go. What if he…

“Please be careful. Stay invisible.”

“Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll watch myself.” A warm hand touched his cheek for a moment. A rush of air and a loud buzz followed as Willow zoomed to the widow’s walk. He looked up in time to see the door to the outside walk swing open. He picked up her sweatshirt.

Noah went out the front door and down the porch stairs. He called Shadow in the usual way. The heavily panting dog appeared from the back of the house.

“Good boy, Shadow!” He rubbed the dog’s head in reward. Together they walked to the back of the house and onto the porch. Noah was wary but soon satisfied himself the intruder had left. Sweeping the flashlight beam slowly, he inspected the shutters on the kitchen windows, the most obvious place for a breakin. On the second pass, he found a shutter with one-inch diameter holes drilled through to the lock hardware. Brown putty plugged the holes. He held the flashlight close but could see no fingerprints in the soft goo. Next, he dropped his flashlight beam and found another clue: a small amount of wood shavings on the porch floor.

Looks like he used a brace and bit. Completely silent.

Low-pitched buzzing high above the house announced Willow’s return. Noah called to her and she reappeared and plummeted to earth, making his stomach lurch. She hit the ground running and jumped up on the porch.

“It was Jones,” she gasped out. “He turned his flashlight on when he was out of sight of the house so it was easy to follow him. He parked at the Jones family cemetery.” She paused to catch her breath.

“You’re sure it was him?”

Willow nodded. “Yes. I got a good look at him. Besides, I recognized his stench.”

Noah raised his eyebrows. “Really? You can do that, too?”

“No, just kidding.”

Noah showed her the damaged shutter. “It’s too dark to fix it now. We’ll take care of it first thing tomorrow.”

“Okay. I’ll bar the door and then let’s go to the cottage. I need a drink.”

When they reached the cottage, Willow went straight to the water crock and drew herself a tumbler. Noah gazed at her thoughtfully as she guzzled.

Jones can roam at will, and we can’t stop him.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“I’m not letting you stay out here alone tonight with Jones on the loose. I want you to pack a bag with some stuff for overnight. I’ll take you to Louie’s. I’m sure he and Catherine would be happy to put you up until we get this sorted out.” Noah spoke forcefully, expecting a protest from his feisty fairy. Instead, she considered this for a few seconds and then spoke in what he thought of as her little voice, the one she used during quiet moments together.

“Okay.”

Really?

She set her glass in the sink and ran upstairs to the loft. He heard her rummage through drawers and the closet. She came down with a canvas bag, went into the bathroom briefly and returned to the main room. “Ready.”

They left without further discussion and locked the door and the gate. Willow left Shadow outdoors with instructions to remain near the cottage.

The threatening dark pressed on Noah as they walked swiftly to the truck. He dug in his pocket for his keys. Empty. He searched all his pockets, pants and coat, but no keys.

“What did I do with my keys?”

Willow watched him check all his pockets a second time.

“I must have left them somewhere at the cottage.” Willow shrugged and took his hand.

They walked back to the cottage. When they reached the door, Noah clicked on his flashlight. Willow put a hand in her pocket. Her expression became quizzical, then bewildered. “What—” she said. She pulled out the cottage keys—and Noah’s keys. He felt embarrassment flood out of her.

“How did you end up with my keys?”

Willow stammered “I don’t … I mean…” A confusion of feelings cascaded from Willow, more than Noah could keep sorted out.

“It’s okay, sweetie, I probably hung them on the peg with yours and you picked them up. Let’s go.”

Willow was quiet as they returned to the truck. They climbed in and bumped along the dark lane to the county road.

Noah followed Willow’s directions to the Miller’s home. He pulled up to the house, killed the engine, and turned toward Willow.

“Why didn’t you argue with me about staying here tonight?” he asked.

Willow smiled. “Two reasons. First, contrary to popular opinion, I don’t like to argue with you. This Willow is turning over a new leaf.”

“Very punny.”

“Thanks. And second, I could tell by your mood that if I argued you’d kick my cute little butt clear across the woods.”

“Hmm. Wrong on both counts. Actually all three, since you gave me three reasons.”

“I did not.”

“See, you’re still arguing.” Noah climbed out lest he end up with a sore shoulder, and hurried to the porch, Willow close behind. She walked past him with a pasted-on frown and knocked on the door.

Within a few seconds, the porch light came on and the door opened. Louie appeared shocked to see them, though Noah wasn’t sure at first if the old man saw him.

“Ms. Brown? What’s wrong?”

“I need a favor, Louie. Can we come in?”

“Of course, of course.” Louie was clearly pleased to see her. He ushered them in as Catherine entered the room, wrapped in a nightgown and robe. They all spoke their greetings before Noah broached the subject.

“I hoped maybe you folks would be kind enough to let Willow stay here tonight. We’ve run into a problem at the property and I don’t want her there by herself.”

Willow seemed pleased that Noah had taken charge.

At least this time.

“Well, of course we will,” Catherine said. “Louie, take her bag.”

Louie took the bag but made no move to leave the room. “What sort of problem?” he asked.

“An intruder,” Noah said. “We were at the Big House and heard someone downstairs on the first floor, but we spooked him and he took off. I’m leery of leaving Willow there alone.”

Louie nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t want her out there by herself either. We’ll take good care of her.”

“Come with me, dear,” Catherine said to Willow. “We’ll put you up in the spare bedroom.” She took Willow’s bag from Louie and the two women disappeared down a hallway.

“By intruder,” Louie said quietly, “ya mean Chester Jones, don’t ya?”

“We don’t know that for a fact,” Noah said. He changed the subject, asking about the boys at Henning’s. Louie brought him up to date on all the old men’s gossip.

“We been missing you in the mornings,” he said. “Suppose you’re keeping busy, what with helpin’ Ms. Brown and all.” Louie eyed him like a wary father of a teenage daughter.

“Yes, we’ve both been staying busy. And I have pictures to shoot, so I’ve been trying to get an early start whenever I can.”

Willow and Catherine returned and spared Noah from further probing. “Folks, thanks again for taking Willow in,” he said. “I’d better go and let you have some peace. Willow, I’ll pick you up about eight.” He turned toward the door.

“Noah, wait,” Willow said. She crossed the room, pulled his face down and kissed him. “Good night, Cowboy.”

From where he stood, Noah saw a wide range of emotions on Louie’s face. Surprise, amusement, envy, and then sorrow flashed across his features. Noah returned his eyes to Willow. “Come outside for a minute.”

He said goodnight to Louie and Catherine, and then led Willow out to the porch. Once the door was closed, Noah turned to her. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to speak, her face pensive.

“Willow, what I said in your parents’ room … maybe the magic made me say it. I don’t know. I don’t care. Either way, I meant every word.”

Willow’s worried look melted into a smile.

Noah turned away and walked to the truck.

Noah flipped on the light and closed the door to Number 13. He sighed and dropped his keys on the table, and then walked to the desk. Willow’s crinkled image stared at him patiently.

“I know I can’t make you love me.” He smiled.

I don’t think anyone could make you do anything.

Did I speak too soon? Were you not ready to hear “I love you?”

My heart says you love me. Why are you so afraid? What’s your secret? What’s your story?

“What’s your
whole
story?”

He kissed his fingertips and pressed them to the photo.

“Good night, my love.”

Willow came to his dreams again. He woke in the dark with her presence around him; perhaps she dreamed of him. A sweet feeling, as when they shared the most mundane moments: walking in the woods, sharing a bowl of soup, washing her hair.

As he lay in bed, he could feel Willow’s heart: not its patient beating, but its longing for solace.

I will be yours.

Seventeen

L
ouie was standing on the front porch smoking a cigarette when Noah arrived the next morning. He waved, threw his cigarette into the yard, and then opened the door long enough to speak to someone inside. Willow appeared, carrying her canvas bag. She wore jeans and a red flannel shirt with her blue high tops. She gave Louie an enthusiastic hug, which seemed to shock him. He hesitantly hugged her back.

Noah smiled.

What’s the matter, Louie? Afraid you might break something?

Willow shouldered her bag and bounded down the stairs. Louie’s eyes followed her to the truck, and then he waved to Noah again and went into the house. Willow had just made Louie’s day perfect.

Willow climbed in and slid across the seat to the middle. Before speaking, she pulled Noah’s face down and kissed him. She pressed her cheek against his and held it there for several seconds before she released him and sat back.

“Good morning to you, too,” Noah said with a laugh. He put the truck in gear and pulled away. “How was your visit?”

“Fine. First time I wore pajamas in a long time. I usually go—what’s that word Wicca uses for nude—skyclad? Their tub was really small.”

“Did they feed you breakfast?”

“Yes, a huge one, even without the sausage. They’re good people. I’ve been remiss not getting to know people, or staying in touch with the ones I already knew.” She paused. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I hit Henning’s to catch up with the boys.”

“So, what’s up for today? Do you need to work?”

“I’m afraid so. But first, I want to go back to the Big House after we drop your stuff at the cottage. I came up with a brilliant idea in the shower this morning. We’ve been trying to find evidence we could use against Jones, other than illegally obtained evidence. I think I have a solution.”