Awakening (The Magic of the Black Forest Book 2) (35 page)

“Go to sleep, Natalia, have only sweet dreams.”

Chapter 17

The next morning, Seager and I were outside playing ball when Dave and Bill pulled up. “Hey guys, how are you?” I walked up and stopped abruptly in front of them.

“I’m good. Where’s Brad?” Dave’s eyes were darting around looking for him, surprised that he wasn’t with me. We hardly ever spent any time apart. If we did, it was because he was out with Dave.

“I’m not sure, but his note said he’d be back soon. That was about three hours ago.” I tried not to sound nervous.

Using the information to his advantage Bill barked, “He didn’t say where he went?”

“No.” But it wasn’t hard to guess. I’ve been trying not to think about it all morning. The more the time passed, the harder it was getting to think logically. I mean why would he spend this much time with her?

“Everything is going to be fine, Nat. We’ll take a ride over to Margaret’s house and see if he’s there.” Dave started to walk to his truck but Bill didn’t follow. “Come on, Bill, you’re with me.”

“I think someone should wait with her, at least until you return.” Bill said solemnly while staring down at me.

Great… just great!! “No, Bill, you’re going with Dave.” I turned to Dave, rolled my eyes with disgust. “If you find him at her house, tell him I said not to bother coming home. And don’t bring him back here. I mean it. But, if you find him anywhere else, tell him I love him and I’m waiting.” I smiled at Dave then turned back to Bill. “Remember, no Bradley and no Dave means
no
Bill.”

I can’t believe Bradley, he hasn’t even called. He’s fine, I told myself, he’s not with her. I just needed to think positive. My intuition was trying to tell me that he was with her but I was hoping that it was wrong.

“Be safe. Hey, Dave, if you do get back before me, I’m just going into town for some flowers to plant.”

I ran into the house and wrote a note telling Bradley that I’d be back soon then wrote down the time. Laughing I sealed my signature with a kiss.

The nursery was about twenty minutes away. The ride was beautiful if you’re the passenger, so naturally Seager enjoyed the view. Rural ground surrounds the road making for a relaxing ride even with all the stress. I thought about the flowers I wanted to buy. I like any kind as long as they’re red, orange and yellow. I really don’t know the difference between perennials or annuals, shade or direct sun or the names of the flowers. I looked around until I saw what I liked, bought it then planted it wherever the instructions told me to. That simple.

I wanted to see color everywhere so I purchased a variety of colors. I was going to plant them out front and on the sides of the house, along the porch. I also picked up several bags of potting soil and some wood chips. Today was supposed to be in the seventies, perfect weather to be outside doing yard work. I almost forgot to get myself gardening tools. Luckily some guy made a few witty comments about how full my cart had been.

“The only things you’re missing are the tools.”

I felt my face blush as I laughed and got out of line. He was kind enough to assist, even helping me load everything in my truck. The entire time Seager kept a close eye on me through the open window. It wasn’t until he offered me his number that I realized he wasn’t just being a gentleman. I expressed that I’m happily married and thanked him for helping me out. Sometimes I’m oblivious to that sort of thing. I thanked him again, got in my truck and left.

“Good boy, Seager.”

“For a second there I thought you were going to bring him home to help unload the truck,”
he replied sarcastically.

“Ha, Ha! Wise guy.”

When I pulled into the driveway, Bradley still hadn’t returned home. I got another bad vibe but dismissed it. I know where he’s at, I could feel it. There’s nothing I can do about it right now. I’d rather enjoy my time gardening. Later there would be plenty of time to be upset and worried.

Putting on my gloves I got busy right away. I loved playing in the dirt.

“Boy, Seager, I really got carried away.” I had more than enough flowers. I spent hours playing in the dirt and planting flowers, only stopping to eat lunch.

About three o’clock I heard someone coming up the drive. I didn’t get up to greet our guests. Kneeling down low gave me the advantage, I could see them but they couldn’t see me. When I saw it had been Dave without Bradley my heart sank. He had a frown on his face and I heard him tell Bill not to mention that they saw Bradley.

Anger and jealously consumed me. I stabbed at a root trying to break it. Not paying attention, I whacked myself in the head with a spade. Blood started to run down my face. That wasn’t even the bad part.

The bad part happened when Bill came out of nowhere and started to attack me. Instantly I protected myself and just in the nick of time. I covered my face with my arm and he bit me. I screamed and started kicking. Luckily Dave was there, he threw Bill off of me. He stood over me in a protective stance, ready to kill to protect me. The two of them snarled and growled at each other while I summoned some poultice and quickly healed all my wounds. Immediately, I got up and jumped into my truck, followed by Seager. The second he sat beside me, I took off. I didn’t know where I was going, nor did I care. That’s when I realized I didn’t have my gems on, I forgot. I thought about turning around to get them but I was too upset, too fed up.

I’d been driving just over an hour when I finally stopped at a gas station just off of Route 80. I had been so blinded by hurt and anger that I hadn’t realized how far I’d gotten or how I even got here.

My cellphone rang. Before answering it I checked the number, it was Colleen.

“Hey, Colleen, what’s up?”

“Where are you, Nat? Are you alright?”

“I’d rather not say, and yes, I’m fine.”

Worriedly Colleen said, “Dave said Bill bit you.”

“No he didn’t. He tried though.” I didn’t care about what Bill had done. This is about what Bradley had done and the fact that he hadn’t been there when Bill attacked me. “Did you hear about Brad?”

“I know, Nat. He was foolish to go over there. I don’t know what he was thinking. Dave said that there’s nothing for us to worry about though.” Great, I knew Bradley went there even though Dave didn’t confirm it.

“So he’s still there…”

“No, Jess said he left hours ago. Brad will be there any minute so you can go home now.”

“I’m not going back, Colleen. He spent the morning with Margaret. It doesn’t matter why, it just matters that he did. He shouldn’t have gone over there in the first place and should have never attempted to hide it from me.” That’s when I got a vision of them kissing. Upset by the horrible image I could barely finish our conversation.

“Colleen, I’ll call you in a few days. Please tell Bradley to get his stuff out of my house.” Not wanting her to be caught in the middle I recanted with, “Forget I said that.”

“Thank the good lord!” She interrupted. “He loves you. Once you two are together everything will be okay.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m not going home. I just put a goodbye note on the kitchen table. I’ll use my magic to get my clothes and other belongings later. I already have the important stuff.”

“You’re being a little irrational aren’t you, Nat?”

“No. He kissed her. I saw it. His arms were wrapped around her. It doesn’t matter. I have to go. I’ll check in just so you know I’m okay. Bye, Colleen, love you.” Then I hung up.

Less than twenty minutes later Bradley started calling me. I didn’t answer. I drove for what felt like hours before pulling into a Best Western to spend the night. Thankfully, dogs were allowed.

The only things I requested from the house were my Book of Shadows, the gems and a few pictures. I put the pictures on the nightstand. The gems were securely around my neck and the Book in the room with me. I created a shield to protect us. I cried all night, holding on to my picture of Bradley and me. It’s my favorite, the one taken at Jess and Colleen’s wedding, where Bradley playfully bit my neck. Thinking of everything I’ve lost, I eventually cried myself to sleep.

In the morning I got in the shower and put on some clean clothes. It’s times like these that my magic was beneficial. Cleaning my clothes was a piece of cake.

Putting my Book and other personal items in a satchel, we headed out to get some food. Depending where we’re at, we may even stay another night. I don’t want to keep running. It’s probably best to stop and try to think things through.

Maybe I’ll call him later. That thought reminded me that I shut the ringer off on my phone last night. Wow. There were twenty-three missed calls. They were from Bradley, Colleen and Jess. There were several text messages, mostly from Bradley. They read pretty much the same, call me, call me/love you, love you and finally… I’m sorry. That one made my chest ache. This time it wasn’t a bad vibe. I was aching for him, to be near him. It had been too many hours. The aching dulled and was replaced with pain when I remembered them kissing.

I replied to Colleen and Jesse’s text messages and told them I wasn’t listening to the voicemails. It only took about a minute for them to reply and for Bradley to start calling. He’s very persistent, calling and calling.
Ring, ring, ring…

We had some breakfast and were enjoying the weather in an open field by the hotel. The grass was high and Seager loved it, running all around with his nose in overdrive from all the new, yet familiar odors.

It’s when we got back in the room that I couldn’t take it anymore. He just kept calling. Angrily I answered the phone, yelling, “What!”

“Natalia, where are you?” He sounded relieved and apologetic. Too late.

“None of your business. What do you want?” It was definitely going to be difficult; I could hear his pain and wanted to comfort him.

“I want you to come home. I’m sorry. It’s not what you think.”

“Two questions, Bradley. Did you go to her place and did you kiss her?” I heard him sigh regrettably. “Well?” I asked when he didn’t respond. My chest began to ache and I realized this was going to be bad.

“Please don’t hang up on me. Yes and yes.”

I felt the pain spread violently from my heart to my toes and fingers. My eyes spilled over with tears. Using a tone so low that I could barely hear myself I whispered, “You shouldn’t have gone there in the first place. First, you try to mislead me. Then you betray me.”

“I didn’t betray you, Natalia.”

“You kissed her, had your arms wrapped around her…
you
were kissing her. I saw it. How could you do this to us? You ruined it all. Goodbye, Brad.” I hung up and spent the remainder of the day crying and ignoring the endless calls.

My eyes were so puffy it looked like someone used me as their personal punching bag. I felt like it too. So for dinner we had pizza delivered. Tomorrow I would have to find a new place to stay before Brad found us. I also needed to pick up some food for Seager. But tonight, I knew I was going to spend it crying.

***

It was windy, like there was a storm on the horizon. Seager had me taking him out every hour throughout the night. He complained that he wasn’t feeling well. I didn’t doubt it with all the junk food I fed him. It hadn’t been until after one in the morning when I climbed into bed. Feeling tired and alone I patted the empty space beside me gesturing for Seager to follow. I snuggled with him the moment he joined me.

“I hope you feel better. Good night.” I rubbed his ears like I do every time he snuggles with me, even when I’m sleeping. If he’s near me I have to pet him.

For some strange reason tonight I felt safer than last night. My dreams peaceful, so peaceful it felt like I was home. The thought of home and the realization that I wasn’t alone woke me up. I lay there frozen with Bradley’s arms were wrapped around me. How did he find me?

I tried to wiggle out but he held me tighter. He knew I was awake. I could tell by his breathing and touch. Well I don’t want to touch, talk or see him. If I’m going to be stuck here I might as well get some sleep. Tomorrow I’ll hit him on the head and disappear. That’s when I remembered the new trick I learned. Tomorrow, the first chance I get, I’m grabbing Seager and disappearing.

A low raspy growl rose from behind me, “Natalia, don’t I deserve a chance to explain?” The image filled my head again. As the pain filled my chest he felt it too. “I am so sorry, Natalia. I don’t know what happened but the moment I did I left.”

“After all those hours you finally left. Not that it’ll make a difference, but why did you go over in the first place.”

“Since Jess ate all the food in our fridge I decided to go to the grocery store. While there I got what I thought was a frantic call from Margaret. She claimed that Bill had just left, that he attacked her.” He paused. I didn’t have to see him to know he knew he messed up. “I’m sorry I went over.”

“I know you went over to be
her
knight in shining armor. Please continue.” With my shield up, doing my best to hide my emotions and my tone cold as ice, he may just leave.

“I was just trying to do the right thing. She smashed up herself and her place to make it appear as though there was a fight. I was telling her everything was going to be okay when she wrapped my arms around her and kissed me. I didn’t kiss her. I shoved her off of me. I love
you
, Natalia.”