Fatal Charm (20 page)

“Actually the guest room is bigger—not that it matters.” I tensed but kept my voice polite. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here.”

“What you really mean is that you hope I’ll go to hell,” she retorted. “Don’t pretend to like me.”

I stopped midstair, my hand tightening on the polished wood railing. “I don’t know you well enough to like or dislike you.”

“You hate me, admit it. I saw your expression when I showed up. You wanted to slam the door in my face.”

“I was surprised. How did you find me here?”

“What makes you think I’m here because of you?”

“Why else?”

“I got my reasons, and they aren’t out of sisterly love,” she said sarcastically. “All that stuff I said about us being friends was crap.”

“Then why even say it?” I demanded, getting angry.

“Can’t disappoint dear grandma, can we?”

“She’s my grandmother, not yours, and she would prefer honesty to lies. I should have told her we were half-sisters.”

“And spill Daddy’s shameful secret?” she sneered.

“Whatever.” I refused to rise to her bait and led her into the guest room. I gestured to a chestnut dresser. “There are empty drawers you can use. If you need extra clothes, you can borrow some of mine.”

“Keep your nasty castoffs.” She stuck a pointed finger at my face. “You’re not any better than me.”

“I never said I was.”

“But you implied it. Don’t think I’m naïve; I know how it is with princesses like you. Handed everything since you were born, never having to work or go without nice things. We share a father—and that’s all we’re ever gonna share.”

Her hostility rocked me. It never occurred to me that she might resent me as much as I resented her—maybe even more. In a way I was relieved because we were being honest.

“Fine,” I told her. “Then let’s agree not to be friends.”

“Agreed.”

I started to leave the room, but paused and shot her a questioning look. “I don’t get it. If you hate me so much, why even come here?”

Her lips pursed defiantly. “I can go wherever I want.”

“Does Dad know you’re here?”

“No. And don’t you go tattling to him.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“You better not or you’ll regret it.”

“Is that a threat?”

“What do you think? Just get out of my room.” She shoved me out in the hall and slammed the door.

I climbed the atic stairs to my bedroom, which I’d found comfort in since I was a little girl, and thought back to Jade’s closed door. The slam still rang in my ears.

Jade may only be my half-sister, but she was a full bitch.

During the night, I awoke from a weird dream where I was drowning in a pool of tomato soup and trying to escape by climbing up a slimy strand of red yarn that turned into a snake and wrapped around my neck. Gasping for air, I felt disoriented and startled to be dry in my own bed. I glanced over at my glowing unicorn night-light and breathed easier, calmed.

Still, there was a pit of anxiety in my stomach. An odd feeling of not remembering something important. And I tried to figure out what had woken me. An unusual noise, music. Yeah, like someone playing a musical instrument.

Then I heard it again. A short burst of rap music. But it stopped abruptly and made me wonder if I’d imagined it—until it blared again. Not a musical instrument, but a cell phone. Since it wasn’t my ring tone or Nona’s, that only left one person.

I jumped out of bed, tossing on a robe, then put my ear to the floor. I could hear a murmur from below. Jade must have been on her cell phone.

Pressing my ear against the floor, I eavesdropped. Spying on my half-sister was beginning to be a bad habit. But I had no shame and was proud of it.

Jade’s voice was low at first and I could only make out a few scattered words, “How could you? … finds out … have to … dead.” The last word gave me chills as I remembered my nightmare. But I assured myself it meant nothing. Jade’s mother was alive; my father had been positive.

I waited there, crouched down and getting a cramp in my neck from straining to listen. I didn’t hear anything for a few minutes then Jade cried out “No! When?”

There was a long pause before she asked in a trembling voice, “But I can’t … don’t understand … there’s no … what am I going to do?”

Then only silence. I guessed that Jade’s caller was answering. I closed my eyes and tried to visualize who this person was, but all I got was a feeling of an older woman; someone close to Jade.

When Jade said “bye,” her voice quaked with fear.

And I felt afraid, too, although I had no idea why.

The end of the conversation was my cue to get back in bed. Within seconds I was slipping under my warm blankets and waiting for my heart to slow. It was hard to relax into sleep with my mind buzzing with questions about Jade.

Who had called her so late at night? This was more evidence that she was hiding something. Had she come here out of curiosity or did she have a darker reason? Logically I knew she hadn’t just showed up on a bitchy whim. But my psychic radar wasn’t picking up any answers.

Worry slithered up my spine and I wondered why Jade had sounded so scared.

Did it have anything to do with me?

* * *

It was still dark outside when my alarm buzzed.

Groggily, I fumbled for my bedside lamp and snapped it on. For a moment, my head swam with confusion. Then I saw my backpack on the floor by my desk and realized the reason for the early morning wake-up buzz. The Hoof Beats in Moonlight camping trip started today.

The good thing was I would be out of Jade’s toxic reach.

The bad news was it was almost five in the morning and I hadn’t finished packing. I had to hurry because Dominic insisted we leave by six. He wanted to reach the stables early enough to choose a good horse. His exact words had been, “I don’t want to get stuck on an old nag.” The small, gentle horses were reserved for the kids, but expert riders would be allowed more spirited mounts.

Yawning, I stumbled out of bed, showered, and dressed. Then I consulted Josh’s trip list and started pulling clothes from my drawers. I needed three sets of warm clothes, waterproof gloves, a flashlight, and other supplies. When I had checked off everything on the list, I had a feeling I was forgetting something. I double-checked my backpack (not the one I used for school, but a rugged outdoor pack Nona had found for me). Then I grabbed the heavy pack and left my room.

Jade’s door was closed.

I paused in the hall for a moment, mentally replaying the partial conversation I’d overhead. Had Jade really said “dead”? Or maybe she’d said “Dad.” That made more sense. She’d probably been talking to her mother—nothing mysterious about that. Maybe Crystal was mad because Jade was visiting me, which could ruin their sweet (and profitable) situation with Dad if my mother found out. Dad had been generously doling out money for years to his secret family. Why risk making him mad?

My father’s demeanor was usually relaxed—unless someone pushed him too far. Then watch out. His flash flood fury swept fast, taking down anyone in its path. I’d incurred this anger when I’d sent Dad off to Crystal’s home and insisted she’d been murdered. I’d been wrong; he’d been embarrassed. Dad still wasn’t speaking to me, which hurt, although I knew he’d get over it eventually.

If Crystal was angry at Jade for coming here and Jade was afraid of making Dad mad, that almost explained everything—except why Jade was here.

Not my problem. Adios, secrets and lies and drama. I was getting out of here and wouldn’t have to deal with Jade anymore. By the time I returned, Jade would be gone. Good riddance.

Dominic was waiting by his truck when I stepped outside. It was a chilly, damp morning with darkness trapped under overcast skies. There was no hint of rain, though, which was encouraging.

“I’ll take that,” Dominic offered, reaching for my backpack and sleeping bag.

“Thanks.”

I climbed into the truck while he stowed my belongings in the back, then we set off for Manzanita Stables. We’d been driving for almost an hour when I realized what I’d forgotten.

I smacked my forehead with my palm. “I’m an idiot!”

Dominic turned down the radio. “What did you say?”

“My purse! I was so busy checking off everything I had to bring, I forgot my purse because it wasn’t on the list. I don’t have my ID, money, or my cell phone.”

“Should I turn back?” he offered.

I bit my lip, angry with myself. Here Nona was improving her memory and I seemed to be losing mine. How could I be so careless? My purse had been sitting right on my desk, in plain sight and impossible to miss. Yet I’d left it behind. And we’d already driven too far to return home. That wouldn’t be fair to Dominic. If he got stuck riding an “old nag,” it would be my fault.

“No need to go back.” I shrugged. “I can live without my purse for a few days.”

“You sure?”

“Our food is provided, so I won’t need any money. I don’t need my license because you’re driving. And I can borrow someone’s cell phone if I need one.”

“There won’t be a good signal in the hills anyway,” Dominic added. “I’m leaving mine in the truck.” So he kept driving.

Manzanita Stables was a sprawling ranch with over fifty acres of stalls, pastures, and out-buildings. Frost sparkled from bushes and trees, shining like crystals in the early sunrise. As I stepped out of the truck, I inhaled fresh air mixed with manure and hay smells. Not a smell most people enjoyed, but it reminded me of Nona’s barn.

Dominic parked in a gravel lot near the staging area where we’d gather to start the ride. Josh had given me a small map showing me the trail route, which would start at the ranch and wind up hills into the wilderness, eventually circling back to the ranch.

We stepped out of the truck. I looked around for other cars but saw none.

“I told you we didn’t have to get here so early,” I teased Dominic. “I’ll bet even the horses are sleeping.”

“They don’t need much sleep.”

“I do,” I said with a yawn.

“Sleep all you want tonight under the stars. Want to share my tent?” he asked with a devilish grin.

“You’re so bad.” I hit his arm playfully. “I’ll be bunking with the girls.”

“As long as it’s far from your ex.”

I chuckled. “Jealous?”

“Should I be?” he challenged.

“No, but I’d like to know I’m appreciated.”

“I’ll show you appreciation.”

He pulled me close and would have kissed me right there in the parking lot if a middle-aged woman wearing a plaid quilted jacket and tawny boots hadn’t shown up.

“Are you here for the Moonlight campout?” She ran her hand through her short black hair and stepped through a white gate surrounding the front grassy yard of a two-story yellow house. She had a rumpled look and wore no makeup, as if she’d just woken up.

“Yes.” Dominic nodded. “We’re a bit early.”

“Much better than being late and holding up the entire group—which happens too often. I’m Francesca Stodder. My husband and I run this spread.” We exchanged introductions and shook hands. She added, apologetically, that they were running late this morning. “A new foal got sick and we’ve been up with the little guy all night.”

“Is he going to be okay?” Dominic asked, instantly concerned.

“Yes. The vet just left and the foal is resting. We’ll have to watch him for a while, but he’s a sturdy little fellow. He’ll make it.” She smiled for the first time, which made her look much younger than I’d originally assumed. “Thanks for asking.”

“Dominic knows lots about horses,” I told her. “He’s studying to be a farrier.”

“I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Dominic said with a shrug.

“Been riding long?”

Dominic nodded. “Long enough. Horses and I understand each other.”

“Then I’ll make sure Simon gets you a spirited horse, either Skye or Lightning.” Mrs. Stodder glanced over her shoulder at the yellow house. “I better hurry back and get things going. Go on over to the stables and check out the horses until the rest of your group arrives.”

Dominic didn’t hesitate, hurrying off so I had to run to keep up with him. I didn’t care which horse I was assigned. I’d learned long ago that you were either a horse person or you weren’t. And I wasn’t. Sure, I enjoyed riding and was comfortable riding any trained horse. But I could go months without riding and not miss it. Dominic, on the other hand, had a passion for horses.

It didn’t take long for Dominic to find an appaloosa named Lightning. He also hit it off with Simon, the tall, forty-something ranch hand Mrs. Stodder had mentioned. Simon had rubbery, weathered skin and was thin except for a middle paunch. He rubbed his goatee as he and Dominic discussed topics like temperaments of different horse breeds, the latest vaccinations, and training techniques.

Not interested, I wandered from stall to stall, petting horses. A friendly Palomino whinnied at me and once I started to scratch behind her ears, she didn’t want me to stop. I was a sucker for a pushy mare and asked Simon if she could be assigned to me. Simon nodded, adding that her name was Goldie, short for Golden Nugget.

Soon others from our group arrived.

The three “Ts,” Tiana, Tiffany, and Tanya, were mentors and best friends. Tiana explained how they signed up for a worthwhile activity each year as a way to have fun together and do something good for the community. They styled their hair alike in French braids and wore shocking pink cowboy boots with rhinestones. Despite their appalling taste in boots, I immediately liked them.

Cars started arriving, spilling out young campers. Several were siblings, like Evie and her brother Joshua, and Mikayla and her sister Rayanna. Alicia, Vonda, and Tabi looked around ten years old, and they all jumped excitedly, asking a zillion questions about the horses. As more kids gathered, it was hard to remember all their names.

But I recognized Lindsay right away from Josh’s description and was delighted we were going to be partners. Her black curls bounced as she showed me her scrapbook of horse pictures and a photo of herself from a few years ago on a carnival pony. I laughed when she made a horse’s whinny sound, falling immediately in love with this fun little girl. I really owed Josh big-time for matching us up.

The other kids were great—well, except for Rocky, who wore baggy, ripped jeans and swaggered with a “gangsta” attitude. He was the oldest kid, about twelve, I’d guess, and nothing was good enough for him. He complained that the air stunk, the stables were too dusty, and the horses were boring.

While Simon, with some help from Dominic, matched the kids with horses and showed them where to stow their gear, I kept watching the road for Josh. What was keeping him? I knew he liked to sleep in late, but when it came to his commitments, he was always early. So why the delay?

I turned back to help with the kids. I was assuring Rocky that no one had ever died from the odor of manure when another car pulled up.