In Love by Christmas: A Paranormal Romance (38 page)

52

Merry Christmas

L
eroy awakened, relaxing
in bed lazily, until he remembered that he and Ashley were getting married in Las Vegas later that day. His father was coming with his new wife. It was Christmas.

He swung his legs to the floor and sat up. Ashley was sleeping in the other bed in his room. His eyes widened. He grabbed his clothes and ran to the bathroom to put them on.

When he was dressed, he stood over her as she slept. He was swept away by her beauty and innocence. But she shouldn’t be where she was.

“Ash. Ash. Wake up.” He jiggled her shoulder a bit. “Wake up! You have to leave.”

She raised her head sleepily and looked at him. “What are you doing in my bedroom?”

“It’s my bedroom, can’t you see?”

“Oh … I sleep walked. I do that.”

A knock on the door. “Ashley and Leroy, you must come out. Dr. Schierman needs you.”

Leroy slipped out, blushing.

“Don’t worry about me,” Mrs. Naughton said. “I’ve seen everything in this house.”

“We didn’t do anything. I swear.” Leroy raised his hands, protesting innocence.

“I know. Now, you’re going to do something.”

Mrs. Naughton suggested that he dress for dinner later that day. The village women had made him a surprise. Leroy found out there was a village behind the house, way out in the forest. Short, powerful men in muted green tunics inhabited it. They worked all over the estate, George Yeoman being their leader. They were Vanessa’s ancestral people. He hadn’t seen any women, but assumed they were there.

He knew the women existed when he saw the shirt. It was black cotton. Hundreds of ribbons in all colors streamed from its yokes and shoulders. It was the wedding shirt worn by his People! The women in the village had made a ribbon shirt for him.

He blinked hard, holding back his feelings. Maybe they’d be able to get married without incident. Will Duane wouldn’t show up with a machete and gang of thugs. They’d eat dinner, and then fly to Las Vegas.

He walked into the entrance hall to find Dr. Schierman with her eyes closed and arms raised over her head. She was saying something in a language he didn’t know, but he could understand it. That was one of his powers.

“O walls of the entrance hall, you will be quiet and still today. We are having a party. You will not scare people. Walls of the living and dining rooms, you will be still. Quiet.” She turned to the door. “Oh, walls and carvings outside, today you will be like dead stone. You will not move or upset anyone. All of you walls will make your carvings into pretty things, sweet things that will not frighten people.” A pause. “It’s just for today. You can go back tomorrow.”

The crone opened her eyes and turned to him. “Hello, Leroy. Things will start moving now. I need to go out and handle the dogs so they don’t kill anyone. And there’s a delivery outside for you.”

“Me?”

People began to arrive, but only people close to the Schierman family and him. Will had brought a whole bunch of his People home from the Meeting the week before. Carl Redman and Roxy Crow Moon. They’d married, that was a surprise. Carl was as big and tattooed as ever, beaming. Bud Creeman and Bert walked into the entrance hall. Bert was holding a baby, but he could see she was bulging again. More people, more wonderful couples. Finally, Doug and Janice.

Leroy was practically bowled over when the big front door opened and the next guest, or guests, arrived.

“Hi, son! Good to see you.” His father hugged him as hard as one of the Yosemite grizzlies would have. “I’d like you to meet Susie.”

She was about five foot five, with grey hair cut chin length. Looked like a rider; athletic and strong. Like she’d be more at home in riding britches and boots than the dress she was wearing. “How do you do, Leroy? I’ve heard so much about you. We’ll have to ride together one day.”

“Um. That would be nice.” Maybe.

“Susie! How wonderful to see you,” Dr. Schierman appeared and saved him. “It’s been so long. The meeting of the Hunt Board in Maryland.” To Leroy, she said, “We’ve known each other for years. Since before I got this,” she indicated her terribly damaged neck. “Susie is Mrs. Fox Hunting America, informally, of course.”

Suzie smiled, lighting the area around her. She put her arm through his dad’s, glowing with happiness. Maybe she was OK.

“I’d still be riding with you, except it might make me a quadriplegic,” Vanessa said. Turning to Leroy she said, “Go to my study, dear. Someone wants to see you. Mrs. Naughton will show you the way.”

“Grandfather!” Leroy’s jaw fell open. He couldn’t close it. His feet wobbled beneath him. “I thought you were dead.”

“So did I, my son, but I wasn’t allowed to stay where I was. I had to come back
here
.” He sounded like being alive was a curse. “I have more work to do, helping people. Starting with you. What troubles you, my son?”

His grandpa held him as he told the horrible stories of rescuing Cass only to have her be swallowed by something worse. Of how it was to hold Cass when she was hemorrhaging. He hadn’t thought of that since he’d seen Ashley, but a glimpse of his Grandpa, and it was all back. Leroy thought he was going to be sick.

He was sick. Grandfather healed him as they sat. The trauma didn’t just affect Cass; it affected everyone who knew about it, but it affected those who were closest to her most. Her soul mate, most of all.

Leroy shivered, feeling everything he hadn’t acknowledged since that terrible night. “How could they do that to her? How could anyone do that?”

“My son, women are raped to death every day. We just don’t see it. Rape is torture and terrorism and a weapon of war. It always has been. You know what happened to our women when the Europeans came. We did the same thing to their wives and daughters whenever we could.

“You said, ‘How could they do it?’ They can because their goodness is covered by evil. In our lineage, we call the devil on Earth Enzo Donatore. In other places, the evil one has a different face. That’s what happened to Cass. None of it was her fault. Once she entered Donatore’s castle, she was doomed. She died on that plane, didn’t she?”

Leroy nodded. His ribcage convulsed as he sobbed. “She died in my arms. Her blood was all over me. They killed her.”

“And Dr. Schierman brought her back.”

“How did she do it?”

“I don’t know, my son. She has powerful magic. European magic that I don’t know. Vanessa told me that she’s back, as Ashley, the pure and innocent child.” Leroy sobbed harder. “Which is your other problem, isn’t it? She’s thirteen years old, almost fourteen, and she’s your soul mate. You’ve touched each other and you’re both burning.

“Can you wait four years until she grows up?”

Leroy shook his head. “I’ll die. I’ll have to go off somewhere and not see her. But even then, I’ll die. Help me, Grandfather.” He gave the shaman a rundown of what Ashley had said about not being a little girl.

“That’s true: she isn’t a little girl. She’s the reincarnation of Cass. Cass before she was ruined. Cass gets another chance through Ashley.”

“Can she feel Cass?”

“No, but Cass can feel you. She’s in love with you too.”

“How do you know?”

“She’s your soul mate. I know your soul.” Grandfather heaved a sigh. “An unusual case, but workable. The hardest part will be convincing Will Duane what we’re going to do is all right.”

“What are we going to do?”

“You’re going to marry Ashley in a few minutes. Her father is going to give her away and be happy. Then we’ll have a big party. But right this moment, I’m going to tell you how to love Ashley so that you don’t hurt her and she remains intact until she is eighteen. And you both are fulfilled.”

“I’m here, Vanessa.” Will stood in the front doorway, feeling twice as bedraggled as he looked. He peered into the living room. “You’ve got a big party.”

“Yes, tonight is a night to celebrate. Come in my office, dear. We need to have a fast powwow.”

Will walked toward her office, dreading passing the creepy carved paneling in the hall. He snuck a peak as he walked by. A carved tableau of bunnies and Easter eggs covered one panel. Rudolf, Santa and the sleigh flew across the next. A Christmas scene with a Holy Family and shepherds grinning like maniacs filled the third. The baby Jesus bounced up and down in his manger in ecstasy. The new carvings were worse than the flapping bats.

Will opened the door, prepared for another lambasting. A tiny figure sat across the room.

“Grandfather! I thought you were dead!” Will cried.

“Everyone keeps saying that. I was dead, and now I’m not. I’m
here
.” Grandfather sat in an overstuffed chair on the other side of the room. “I’ll never be able to get out of this chair. You’ll have to pull me out.” He frowned.

“What’s the matter, Joseph?” Vanessa said, entering after Will.

“I’ve been teaching my grandson how to do what can’t be done.”

“Did you do it?”

“Of course.”

“Wait a second! How do you know Grandfather, Vanessa?” Vanessa and Grandfather were obviously relaxed around each other. Familiar, even. Will’s jaw had no muscles capable of keeping it closed.

“We’ve known each other since the 1930s. We were graduate students together in Berkeley. Physics and divinity. Perfect combination,” she said, archly.

“Except we fought so much.” His brow furrowed.

“We discussed issues passionately, Joseph. We did not
fight.
He really is opinionated, Will. Worse than you, but more correct in his thoughts. Let’s get down to business. Will, you haven’t seen Ashley since she arrived here?”

“No. You wouldn’t let me on the estate.” He shot a glance at her, but didn’t try to make eye contact. Who knows what she might say? He jerked around. “You said
Ashley
?”

“Yes, Will. She’s Ashley. Thirteen years old and untouched. Except by her parents. She had a severe alcoholic for a mother and a debauched, achievement–obsessed womanizer for a father. That’s quite a load for any kid. She didn’t need to be captured by the devil to have problems.”

“How did you do it?”

“What I did is my business. I will never tell. Never ask me again.” A hiss sizzled around the room. Some of the little forest animals carved on the wall looked fierce for a moment.

“When do I get to see her?”

“We have a few things to discuss. You know that Leroy is her soul mate?” Will nodded. “That didn’t go away just because Cass died and was reborn as Ashley. Ashley loves him as much as Cass did. They’ve touched; they’re pining for each other. I don’t think either of them will last the night. We’ll find Ashley in Leroy’s bed and the deed will be done.”

“He can’t do that. That’s statutory rape. It’s illegal.”

“Will, in many states, people Ashley’s age can marry with a court order and parental approval. In Nevada, for instance. Ashley said that she and Leroy wanted to go to Las Vegas after dinner. I told her she didn’t have to.

“In California, she would have to see a counselor, appear before a judge, and have one parent present when she applied for a marriage license. But she
can
marry, here and now. I have a certified copy of Ashley’s birth certificate. It says she’s thirty-two. And her finger prints. I obtained a marriage license from the County Clerk this morning …”

“How could you do that if she’s thirteen? The Clerk would see it immediately.” Will’s collar felt like a noose.

“The clerk hasn’t seen Ashley, Will. Just me and Hannah Herhman.”

“Hannah Herhman?”

“Yes, she helped me get the birth certificate and Ashley’s fingerprints from your records. If you fire her for doing that, Will, I’ll hire her in a heartbeat.”

“How could you get a Clerk out here? It’s Christmas Day?”

Vanessa chuckled, “Will, dear, what’s the use of having influence if you don’t use it?”

Will tugged at the noose circling his throat. Sweat appeared on his forehead. He was so confused. “She’s a little girl, Vanessa. I remember her before she went to Spain. A darling child.”

“You’ll find her more mature, Will. Dying and being reborn will do that. However, she’s as tall as a grown woman …” Vanessa ran through all the points Ashley had written on her computer about why she wasn’t a little girl. “So, you’ll see it’s not so cut and dry.”

“There’s more than that, Will and Vanessa,” Grandfather said. “Enzo Donatore knows she’s here. George Yeoman saw tracks that could only come from a demon in human form, and so did I. They have only three toes on their feet. Enzo will know about her rebirth. Say she leaves this property and he gets her again. That’s not an unreasonable proposition. We know what will happen. But what if her husband, a powerful spirit warrior, was with her? He could keep Donatore and his monsters away.”

“Can he?”

“He can now. He’s in love with her. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. She’ll be safe with Leroy wherever she goes.”

“OK. We’re done with all this. Let’s have a wedding.” Vanessa led them into the living room.

53

Merry, Merry Christmas

Lights twinkled, logs
crackled, and candles flickered. The tree was so enormous that it touched the ceiling, two and a half stories above. Every branch, every twig, bore an ornament. Pungent evergreen garlands perfumed the hall. A mistletoe plant the size of a small car hung from the ceiling in the front of the room. Scents of turkey and gravy, mulled cider, and pumpkin pie filled the air. People were laughing and chatting; some were old friends; others had met for the first time.

An altar was set up in front of the Christmas tree: buffalo skull, eagle feathers, and more stuff. Leroy stood on its left in his wildly festive ribbon shirt. Carl Redman got up and joined him. “Couldn’t let you do this alone, buddy.”

All the Native Americans filled rows of chairs on the left side, including Leroy Sr. and his new wife. That was the husband’s side.

The Duane side was more sparsely populated. The executives who had gone to the Meeting were there with their wives. Some moved over from the Indian side when they saw how meager Will’s troops were. Hannah Hehrman came, without her mercenaries.

Will walked across the hall from Vanessa’s study. A lovely young woman stood at the entrance to the living room. Tall and elegant, her dark hair was swept up on her head, with little ringlets hanging down. Her perfect carriage, the way she stood and moved a hand to adjust her skirt, said she was a lady of distinction. What he could see of her, a bit of her shoulder and neck and her upper arm, was so pale, so fair. His breath caught. She wore a wedding dress.

The skirt of her dress touched the floor and a long train flowed behind it. Layers of white silk organza created a breathtaking confection. The dress wasn’t just white. Embroidered holly sprigs in red and green bordered the frock’s edges and were scattered over the gown. She held a bouquet of gardenias, lilies, and holly in her right hand. Tendrils of white flowers reached the floor. A few wisps of white formed her veil. She wore it tossed back, away from her face.

He saw all that in an instant. The young lady turned toward him, letting the light fall on her pale skin and shining, dark blue eyes. She was elegant and patrician, everything he’d wanted his daughter to be. He jumped when he recognized her.

It was
Ashley
, all grown up.

“Ashley!” he cried, dashing across the foyer toward her.

She turned, saw who he was, and stepped backward. Her skin grew paler. She put one hand to her mouth, eyes widening impossibly. “
Daddy
! What
happened
to you?” She retreated further. “You’re so
old
. How did you get so
old
?”

“No, no. It’s all right, Ashley. I’m fine.” He walked toward her, holding out his hands.

“You’re
not
fine. Where’s Mommy? I’m getting married. Mommy would be here for my wedding.” Her eyes blazed, but tears streaked her cheeks. “Mommy would come;
nothing
could keep her away.” She held her hands out to repel him. “I don’t want
you. I want my mommy! Where is she? What did you do to her?”

People stood up and started to leave the room. This was a family moment not meant for sharing.

“Something has happened. She was going to Spain from June to August. It’s
December
. She wouldn’t stay without telling me. Something
terrible
happened. No one is telling me. Where is
Mommy
?” Tears burst from her. Ashley did nothing about them; she was mindless of the fact she was made up for her wedding.

“Ashley, your mother divorced me. I don’t know where she is.”

“You’re divorced?!
Oh, no! You can’t be
divorced.”
The word stretched out, becoming a wail, the wail of a child mortally wounded. “
Mommy. I want Mommy.”

Will didn’t have the faintest idea what to do. And then Leroy was there. Leroy wrapped himself around her, pulling her into his warm body, holding her to his heart. He kept her there and whispered, just loud enough for Will to hear.

“Darlin’, something did happen. I’ll tell you all about it bye and bye. We were gettin’ married, Ashley. Do you want to do that? Do you want to marry me?”

She pulled back and looked at him with streaked cheeks. “Yes. I love you. I want to marry you.”

“Come on, darlin’. Let’s do it.” He took her hand and walked her down the aisle. She didn’t give her father a parting glance.

That was how Will Duane gave away his little girl.