Beautiful Curses: Book One (10 page)

The table was set and the soup simmering nicely. Being busy helped Jo ease her anguish and gave her the space she needed. Spencer and Beth had returned from their walk and were relaxing in front of the roaring fire. Luke was still in his bedroom and Tobias went for a shower to get rid of the onion fumes. He’d peeled and chopped loads of them.

James strolled into the kitchen and smiled at her. “How's it all going? You seem pretty confident cooking for so many.”

Jo mentally took a deep breath. He was a good friend. It was her problem, not his. She focussed on the pot of soup rather than looking at him. “Yeah, I help Peter sometimes. Sarah works late and Ella’s never around much these days.”

James made a low tutting sound and Jo turned to look at him. He seemed to be thinking about something. Then he picked up a piece of carrot and took a bite. In between chews he asked, “So, what do you think of Tobias?”

“Um …” Jo didn’t expect that question. “He’s certainly skilled. I’ve never seen anyone chop onions so fast.” She smiled half-heartedly, still unsure why he was asking.

“You both seem to be getting on. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything this afternoon.” James stared down at his feet, with a smug grin.

Jo frowned. “What do you mean,
interrupting
?”

James looked up at her and waggled his eyebrows.

Oh! No! Could this holiday get any worse?

She shook her head fiercely. “Don’t even go there. You know I only fancy, eighteenth century gentlemen that drink port and play cards.” She waved the spoon at him. “Find me one of those and you can match-make all you like.”

“I don’t want you to rule anything, or anyone out. An opportunity may present itself and you should take it,” James said, not entering into his usual banter.

Jo sighed and opened the lid on the soup. The steam swirled around her as she stirred, warming her cheeks and moistening her hair. She ran her fingers through it and brushed her hair away from her face.

“You should wear your hair like that. It suits you,” James stated his eyes sparkling as he examined her.

“What’s with you tonight? First you want to match me up and now you're giving me beauty advice. You’re full of surprises.”

“Who's full of surprises?” Spencer asked, walking into the kitchen.

Jo wanted to hug her brother for great timing. Discussing a relationship with Tobias was not a conversation she wanted to have with anyone, let alone James. “Never mind. Spencer tell me what you think,” Jo said offering him a spoonful of soup.

Spencer tasted it, and then lifted her up giving her a side splitting hug, knocking the breath out of her. “Girl, you sure can build fires and cook. I think we might find you a husband after all.”

Jo hit him on the back. “Well we've got no chance of finding you a wife. You can’t do either of those things. Beth needs to find a real man.”

Spencer put her down, and frowned. “I can so build a fire. I have the scout badge to prove it.” He grinned as he backed out the door quickly. “And as for cooking, well that’s what women are for. And I found me a goodun’.”

Jo held up the wooden spoon, aiming it at his head and he ducked out the door giving her a scout salute, while James followed behind laughing.

Beth, Spencer and Luke were busy in the kitchen cleaning, leaving Jo with James and Tobias at the table. Remembering the conversation she overheard earlier, she decided to make a fast exit, when Tobias looked at her. “Jo, I was wondering if I could borrow that book you told me about.”

“Sure, come with me and I’ll find it for you.”

James sat immersed in a game of patience, and didn’t look up when they got up from the table, although Jo thought she saw his lips twitch in a half smile.

Tobias followed her into her room and she emptied her backpack onto the bed.

“Wow, that’s a lot of books for three days,” Tobias commented, as he surveyed the twenty plus books that were now scattered across her duvet. “Do you intend to read them all?”

“No, I’ve read most of them already.” She shrugged. “I can’t leave home without them. I never know what mood I’ll be in, so I bring a selection.”

He pointed to her t-shirt. “That quote. It took me a while to work out where I’d heard it before.”

Jo looked down. Her t-shirt had a picture of a stopwatch with the inscription:
In a minute there will be time for decisions, and revisions that a minute will reverse.
It was one of her favourites. Like her own personal anthem. Especially after everything she had witnessed.

“TS Elliot’s right?"Tobias asked sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling.

Jo nodded. “It’s a running joke between myself and Spencer. Each year he buys me a poet tee as he calls them. This was the first one he bought me.”

“He must be good at picking quotes you like.”

“Yeah, well I love the classics so that makes it easy. He also checks out my reading list each year.”

Tobias smiled at her again, and Jo swallowed, then turned toward her bed. “I’d better find that book.”

Being alone with him for any length of time, probably wasn’t a good idea, she had no intention of fuelling James’s matchmaking plans.

Jo picked out her copy of Catcher in the Rye and handed it to Tobias. “I can’t believe you've never read it.”

“Looks like it’s been read a few times,” he said examining the well worn pages.

She smirked. “Only a few, hopefully you’ll enjoy it.” Tobias chuckled and tucked the book under his arm while Jo glanced toward the door, feeling uneasy again.

“Well, I’ll leave you to get sorted and go and check on the fire. Cheers for the book.” Tobias heaved himself off the bed.

“No problem, and if you don’t like it I have loads of others,” Jo said spreading her hands over her book covered bed.

Tobias grinned as he walked back into the lounge, closing the door behind him. Jo heard muffled voices as he spoke to James, but this time she put her ear buds in, and turned the sound as high as she could tolerate. She had no intention of over hearing any more conversations. Over the past few weeks it had caused her far too much angst and she didn’t want to be privy to anymore secrets.

Gabriella walked through the hall and made her way to the kitchen. She was hungry and wanted one of those homemade biscuits Sarah had baked. She wondered where Sarah was... After finding the biscuit tin and grabbing a couple, she made her way back down the hall to Sarah's study. “Sarah, I'm home, are you in there?” she called out.

“Yes. But I have a client here,” Sarah yelled sharply.

Gabriella hadn't noticed another car outside.
Odd.
Sarah's clients were generally wealthy and drove fancy cars. She always liked to check them out.

“Would you like me to make a pot of tea? I can bring it ...”

“No! Um ... I mean no thanks, dear. We've just had one.”

Gabriella frowned at Sarah’s tone, but got the hint and headed back to the kitchen. She turned on the kettle and stood waiting for it to boil, admiring her ring flashing brightly on her newly manicured hand. She loved having all that power at her finger tips. It always made her giddy, knowing just how much control she had over everyone. Although, over the past few weeks it hadn't proved to be as useful as she'd hoped. But at least Spencer wasn't angry and wasn't suspicious of her actual motives.

She hadn't bothered to enlighten her friends about Spencer and Beth. They wouldn't last long enough to be considered good gossip anyway. And even if, from some warped twist of fate, they did, she would simply say Spencer had cheated on his model girlfriend, to have a summer fling with Beth. A much more convincing story than the one he suggested.

Gabriella hadn't spoken to Mason for a few days. He'd messed with the plan and she was still annoyed with him. Beth was supposed to think Mason had seen the photo by accident, not that she'd showed it to all her friends on purpose. He was a terrible liar, but for some unfathomable reason, he liked Beth, and was constantly talking about her, so he'd been an easy target to use and control. Which would have worked out nicely, had he not opened his big mouth to Spencer.

Now her plans for Spencer and Beth were on hold. She knew without doubt there would be another opportunity to ruin them. The long distance would make it that much easier to cause conflict.

But for now, she had other things on her mind. She planned to stay home over the New Year. With everyone out of the house, it gave her the privacy she needed to write the letter, she'd been waiting to write for years. Gabriella had arranged for Denise to drop her home and pick her up later. She knew Sarah would be working and wouldn't care what she was doing. Denise's cousin had helped with the most difficult part, finding
Her
. He was knowledgeable about hacking into illegal sights and had found the information she wanted. Now she had a postal address.

The kettle whistled disturbing the quiet in the house. She could barely hear Sarah in her study. After grabbing another biscuit and collecting her hot cup of tea she decided to go upstairs and begin.

Upon reaching her bedroom, she closed and locked her door, then sat down and opened the file on her computer staring at the few words on the page...

Dear Rowellyn,

I've wanted to contact you for many years. I have many questions...

I would like to meet you.

I heard what you said, and saw what you did that night, seven years ago.

I want to know more. I want to know about my ring and its powers. I've never told anyone about you and what I witnessed. I don't want anyone to know... Its' our secret.

I don't know if this letter will ever find you...

It was the most difficult thing she had ever written but she needed answers, and with Rowellyn’s help, she had every intention of getting them.

With the clock ticking down to midnight, Jo went to join James, Tobias and Luke who were in the lounge playing cards. They all seemed in good spirits after downing a few beers and a bottle of champagne. Jo never thought much of New Year's Eve, believing it to be the most overrated celebration of the year. She preferred New Year’s Day when you could wake up late and make silly, unachievable resolutions for the year ahead.

Grabbing a cushion she took a prime position in front of the fire. Beth and Spencer had already escaped to her and Beth's room for some alone time. The countdown finally came on the television and after a huge build up it ended in ten seconds with fireworks lighting up the screen. Pictures flashed to show celebrations from around the world, some countries already waking up to the New Year and beginning the clean up.

“Another year and huge hangovers for some,” Luke said happily. “I’m going hiking tomorrow, so I’m off to bed. Happy New Year everyone.” He waved and left the room.

Jo wished she could snuggle down in bed, but wanted to give Beth and Spencer more time. The television started playing some old western film. Nothing she wanted to watch, but Jo had brought one of her favourite books out with her.

“I might stay up a bit longer and read. Aren’t you both going to bed?” she asked James and Tobias, making it sound more like a suggestion than a question.

Tobias stretched his arms in the air and then rubbed his eyes. “I think I will. I don’t think I can stay awake after being up so early this morning. Good night and Happy New Year.” He stood, stretching, then slapped James on the back before stepping toward Jo. She looked up at him, wondering what he was doing, when he quickly bent down and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

“We Scots are a bold lot. Couldn't let New Year pass without kissing a pretty lass.” He grinned.

Jo blinked, not sure what to say. That was the first time she’d ever been kissed on the lips by anyone. Let alone a boy. “Um … Happy New Year to you to,” she replied softly, still a bit bewildered at what had just happened.

Tobias widened his grin as he saluted and strode from the room, shutting the door to the boy's bedroom behind him.

Jo looked at the closed door for a moment, a sudden urge to touch her lips, but refrained, chancing a glance at James, who of course wore a smug expression.
Great!
That’s all she needed. After that stunt, she knew James must be itching to tease her.

“What about you, James? Aren’t you tired after such a long day?”

James winked at her as he shuffled the pack of cards. “No. I’m wide awake. I might stay up a bit longer.”

Jo swallowed and nodded, then looked to her bedroom door, wishing Spencer would appear.

“You seem eager for me to go to bed," James said, getting her attention back by patting the sofa. "You can come and sit beside me." He started laughing. "I promise not to kiss you.”

Of course he wouldn’t leave that alone.

“Actually, I like being close to the fire, keeps me away from annoying people,” Jo grumbled as she rolled onto her side, facing away from James.

She opened her book and tried to concentrate on the first page, when a small ball of foil hit her in the head, followed relentlessly by about twenty more. Jo fobbed them off as long as she could until a big one hit her on the nose. “Ouch James! Can’t you find something better to do? I thought you were three years older than me, not ten years younger.”

“I’m bored. I need entertainment, and since you refuse to provide me with any, I need to entertain myself. This is very entertaining,” James said, continuing to make balls out of chocolate wrapper foil and throw them at her.

Jo huffed as she batted the last one away. Putting her book down, she got off the floor and took a seat on the sofa next to him. “Alright, now you have my full attention. How may I entertain you?”

James grinned and Jo rolled her eyes, realising how bad that had sounded.

James poked her shoulder. “Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse. I know how Tobias would answer ...” He puckered his lips and she shoved him. “But for myself, what bout a magic trick, Tinkerbelle.” He grinned.

Oh, my. Just him calling her Tinkerbelle, gave Jo’s heart a jolt. She shook her head and caressed the purple stone in her ring, thinking that her actual magic trick would blow his mind, not something he was quite ready for.

She decided to play another game instead. It seemed only fair. She looked up at the ceiling as she reached behind her back to grab a large cushion from the sofa. Not giving James any warning, she belted him over the head as hard as she could. He attempted to use his arm as a shield, but she was too fast as she continued to hit him. When she drew breath, James didn't hesitate in his retaliation as he bombard her back, and they started an all out pillow war. Jo continued to fob him off, knowing her best move, and when James hit right where she wanted him to, she grabbed her eye, doubling over and whining with fake pain.

“I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” James asked while catching his breath, his hand on her back, leaving his defences down.

Jo continued to hold her left eye while she reached behind her back grabbing the largest cushion. Quickly releasing her eye she smashed him over the head as hard as she could.

James tried to fend it off, but wobbled unsteadily, caught his foot in the sofa and fell on the floor with a loud thump.

“Game over. I win!” Jo shouted, raising her hands in triumph and then squealed, as James grabbed both her legs pulling her down onto the floor next to him.

Having the wind knocked out of her, it took her a moment to catch her breath. Turning to say something smart to James, she suddenly realised how close they were sitting. Their noses nearly touching as they both panted hard. Her cheeks warmed, her whole body tingling as James’s musk cologne filled her senses and sent the butterflies in her stomach into a wild frenzy. James gazed into her eyes, parted his lips and leant in closer. She stopped breathing as his breath brushed her face and she closed her eyes waiting to feel his lips on hers ….

A sharp creaking sound made her jump and she opened her eyes, to see James quickly twist his head. She followed his movement and saw Spencer appear as he closed their bedroom door. He stood with his hands on his hips, looking around at the cushions and bits of foil spread everywhere.

“Hey you two, are you starting World War Three? That’s not a very nice resolution for the New Year!”

Early the next morning Jo stood at the sink, rinsing a cup. Her mind filled with James and that almost kiss from last night. She hadn’t been able to sleep and gave up when the clock clicked over to six. Shaking her head for the umpteenth time, she tried to work out what had happened between them.

The fact that he’s been dating an old girlfriend—that he doesn’t tell her about—then he starts trying to match her up with Tobias, and then he tried to kiss her didn’t make much sense. Who wouldn’t get mixed messages from all that. It must have been the beer and champagne clouding his brain. There was no other plausible explanation. She just hoped things wouldn’t be weird between them. She really wanted to keep him as a friend.

Looking out the window at the frosty ground and thick mist, she continued to puzzle over it when the creak of floorboards made her jump. She turned quickly and sucked in a quiet breath. James stood in the doorway wearing an old woollen jumper and wrinkled jeans. His hair was messed up and his eyes were red. Appears she wasn’t the only one who didn’t get much sleep. He looked at her not saying a word and Jo’s heart went into overdrive, pounding in her chest and ears.

She had absolutely no clue what to say to him, but somehow fought the urge to run away. “Sorry. Um ... morning,” she stuttered. “Er ... Tobias. He ... um ... went for a walk ... I didn’t expect it to be ... I thought he'd come back,” she rambled on like a bumbling idiot.

“Right… Um … sorry,” he replied, while he folded his arms and gazed down at the floor.

Jo had never seen James lost for words. That was her M.O.

Sighing quietly, she tried to think of something clever to say to fill the awkward silence.

“So, it looks a bit
bleak
today.”

Definitely not clever, or interesting. Good one, Jo!

James nodded and then scratched his temple, looking more and more uncomfortable.

“Would you like a cup of tea? The kettles just boiled and it’s ancient, so it takes ages.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Okay, we have dialogue.
Progress!

Jo bit her lip as she turned back toward the sink, wondering how long this weirdness was going to last. Could be a very long New Year’s day. She bent low and stuck her head in the small cupboard to retrieve the new packet of teabags from their box of supplies.
Finding them, she went to stand up, but missed the overhand of the bench and banged the back of her head.

Ouch!
She groaned and held her head as the throbbing pain stabbed her skull.

Stupid bench!

Feeling like even more of an idiot, she glanced at the doorway, but James wasn’t standing there anymore.

“Are you all right?” he asked from beside her, as put his arm around her shoulders and gently rubbed her head. Turning to tell him she was okay, her voice caught in her throat. His face and those beautiful lips were once again, dangerously close, and Jo could hear his shallow, quick breath. He lightly rubbed over her hair, making her swallow as he gazed into her eyes. Jo’s stomach fluttered as he leant in, pressing his lips to hers. Jo closed her eyes. His lips were soft and oh so nice, and Jo really wanted to live with them pressed against hers forever, but for some reason her idiotic brain told her to pull away.

Opening her eyes, she diverted her gaze and muttered, “Um … I think Tobias will be back soon … I’ll make your tea.”

James slowly removed his arm from around her shoulder. “Jo,” he breathed, sending those wonderful tingles down her spine

She still couldn’t look at him. She didn't want to see any regrets. So she turned back toward the sink and started fussing with the cups.

“Are you upset with me?” James asked again, speaking louder.

She bit her lower lip. “No … um, confused maybe.”

James sighed deeply and took a step back. “Right. I’ll ... um ... go and check on the fire.”

Jo waited until she heard him in the other room, before slumping her head onto her arms, nearly hitting her head on the stupid bench again. She decided maybe she needed another blow to knock some sense into her.

Last night, she’d persuaded herself there was no chance of anything developing between them. Convinced James only acted on the spur of the moment, intoxicated by the celebrations of the night
. But now what?
There was no champagne this morning. She could still feel his lips on hers, his hand caressing her hair.

Rubbing the purple stone on her ring, she contemplated reliving that moment again and again. The first time she’d ever really seriously thought about using her ring after she’d discovered what it did it all those years ago. Jo shook her head, remembering how dangerous meddling with such things might be.

She checked the clock, realising she’d been stalling for about ten minutes. Looking up from the bench, she watched the steam rising from the two cups. The tea had well and truly brewed. Tobias hadn’t returned and nobody else had appeared. She wasn't sure if she could face James, but what choice did she have. She’d have to face him sooner or later.