Like a Charm (22 page)

The hand rested on my shoulder. “No dear, it wasn't your fault. You couldn't have done anything different. My daughter took matters into her own hands that day. Nothing you could have said would have made a difference.”

I explained to Todd what she said. He laid the gun on the library counter.

“Tell my son I want him to get help. He's going to want to go after that man. He needs to understand that justice will be done. I won't have both of my children destroyed because of that evil. Tell him I'm with him always.”

When I said the last words to him, the tears fell from his eyes and he crumbled to the floor. “I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry.”

I scooted across to him, my legs still too weak to stand. “It's okay.” He was hunched over, but I put my arms around him the best I could. He sobbed.

Someone banged on the door and I jerked up.

“Kira. Are you in there?”

It was Caleb.

“Open this damn door or I swear I'll knock it down. The sheriff's here and we know someone is in there with you. Let us in.”

Todd waved a hand. “Let them in. I deserve to go to jail.”

“You scared me to death with that gun, but you don't deserve to go jail. I'm not sure what I would have done if I'd been in your shoes. But you have to promise to do what your mom said and get some help.”

He nodded, the tears still flowing. I grabbed the door handle and pulled myself up. Picking my keys up off the floor, I opened the door and said, “Don't worry, sir, I have some Batman comics. Everything is okay.”

A
s soon as the lock clicked Caleb shoved through the door. In an instant he took in Todd on the floor, my tear-stained face, and the gun on the counter.

“What the hell's going on?” Caleb pulled me to his chest and then pushed me away, looking for injuries.

Before I could answer, the sheriff rushed past him to Todd. “You're under arrest…” As he Mirandized Todd he put the cuffs on him. The man on the floor didn't resist and stood solemnly when the sheriff pulled him up.

“What are you arresting him for?”

“Assault with a deadly weapon.” The police officer waved toward the gun on the counter.

“He didn't assault me.” My voice was still a little on the nervous side. I coughed. “We were talking. You can't arrest a man for just talking.” If I had to, I'd pull the lawyer card.

“Are you telling me this man wasn't holding you against your will?”

I looked Todd straight in the eyes. “Like I said, we were talking. I'm not going to press charges, so you might as well lose the cuffs.” I shrugged. “But I do think it'd be a good idea to have Sam check him out.” I turned to Melinda's brother. “Todd, that's the local doctor here in town. He's also a dear friend. Someone you can trust. You've been through a lot and I think it'd be a good idea.”

The sheriff kept the cuffs on. “This gun registered?”

“Yes, sir,” Todd said.

“Well, I'll be holding on to it for the time being.” The sheriff looked at me. “Are you sure about this?”

I nodded.

“I'll take you over to the hospital, we'll figure this out from there.”

Todd stopped as the sheriff led him out. “Thank you for telling me the truth. I'm sorry.”

I touched his arm. “It's okay.”

 

T
wo cups of tea and an hour later, I had explained everything to Caleb. Well, except the parts concerning the dead people.

“That's quite a story.” He sat next to me on the sofa in my living room. The night's events had left me cold. In his arms, I'd finally defrosted.

“So how did you guys know something was wrong?” I snuggled closer to him.

“The coven. Sheriff's one of the members. One of the witches said she saw trouble at the library in her crystals. I was across the street at Lulu's waiting for some takeout. I saw the squad car pull up. When he told me what was going on, I—hell, I didn't know what to think.”

He continued, “You should press charges. The guy held you at gunpoint. He could have killed you.” Caleb's voice dipped. “I can't even think what I'd have done if he hurt you.”

I shook my head. “If you'd been there, you would understand. He's not a bad man; he's just lost so much this last year. His mother died and then Melinda. A person can only take so much.”

“Yes, Kira, but that doesn't mean he gets to take his grief out on you. He could have killed you.”

“No. I don't believe it would have come to that.”

“You're too damn compassionate,” Caleb grunted.

I laughed. “The librarian thing must really be seeping in. No one ever calls lawyers compassionate.”

“Well, the story about your friend explains a lot. I could never figure out why you seemed so distant sometimes. One minute we'd be in the middle of a conversation and the next you'd be in Neverland staring out into space.”

I wondered what he'd think if I told him the real truth about those moments. What would happen if I told him everything about the magical library, and the dead people?

But I couldn't do it. Not right then. I'd have to tell him the truth at some point, but my mind and body couldn't handle any more trauma. I'd been through too much already.

I sighed.

“Hey, you should get some rest. How about I run back to Lulu's for that takeout and then we'll get you to bed?” He winked. “And don't be trying to pull any funny stuff. You need your rest.”

I laughed. “Food actually sounds good.”

He stood and then bent down to kiss my cheek. “Do you have any idea how much I love you? I—If something had happened to you, I don't know what I would have done.”

I reached up and squeezed his hand, my heart full of the same emotion. “I love you too.” It was the first time I'd said it back to him.

He stared at me a minute and then kissed me hard. “Okay. I'll be back in five minutes. Don't do anything crazy like talk down a madman while I'm gone.”

I laughed again. “I promise.”

 

S
am called later, around midnight, and said Todd had agreed to admit himself into a psychiatric program in a Fort Worth hospital. The sheriff and Sam were taking him there.

“I want you in my office first thing tomorrow morning, considering everything you've been through the last two months,” Sam ordered.

I didn't have the energy to argue. “Okay.” I was wrapped in the quilt in the corner of the couch. I couldn't seem to get warm. “Is Todd going to be okay?”

“Yes. Eventually. I talked to him for a long time. I can see why you didn't want to press charges. This program he's going into has grief recovery as part of it. He also has some issues from his time in Iraq to deal with. A lot of those men and women are having a tough time assimilating back into their regular routines. But he's going somewhere that will give him some real help.”

“I'm glad. I just feel so damn sorry for him.”

“Yeah. Oh. I just remembered something. I heard you were drinking margaritas the other night with Margie and that new witch. You shouldn't be mixing alcohol with the antibiotics you've been taking.”

I didn't say anything. I'd bop Margie on the head and institute a new rule for the girls: what happened at Kira's stayed at Kira's.

“You stopped the antibiotics?” Sam asked.

I sighed. “I'm so much better.” Except for being beyond exhausted.

“Kira, your body fought off a major infection. You don't just stop because you feel better. No more booze, and get back on those pills.”

“Yes, sir.”

He laughed. “You've been through another major shock. Don't forget, eight thirty tomorrow morning in my office. If you aren't here I'll make Caleb drag you. I hear he was pretty worried about you.”

I smiled. “Yeah.”

Caleb walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his hips. Every nerve in my body shot to attention.

“He's a good guy.”

“I'm glad you finally figured that out. The sheriff's ready to go. I'll see you tomorrow.”

I clicked the off button and held up the phone. “Sam says I have to come see him tomorrow morning.”

“I wish he would come tonight. You are so pale.” He sat on the back of the sofa and rubbed his fingers on my cheek. So sweet and tender.

“He wants me to go back on the antibiotics.”

Caleb moved away to the kitchen cabinets and pulled down the three bottles of pills there. “Which ones are the antibiotics?”

I shook my head. “I can get them.”

He waved a hand. “You stay where you are.”

I kind of liked him taking care of me. “I can't remember the name, but it's the big fat white ones that start with an A.”

He brought me a glass of water with the pill. “Drink up.”

I did what he asked. “In case I forget, thank you for taking care of me.” I winked at him.

He took the glass out of my hand. “I plan on taking care of you for a very long time, Kira. I know I said it before, but you scared the hell out of me. I can't lose you.”

Scooping me up off the couch, he turned and sat down, depositing me on his lap.

His warm hands reached inside the quilt to hug me. “You're still freezing.”

I leaned against his chest. “I can't seem to get warm.”

“You're in shock. I'm taking you to the hospital.” He started to get up.

“No!” I cried. “Please. I just need you, Caleb.” I looked up at him. “I just need you.”

He moved me off his lap and I worried he would make me go to the hospital. Then he scooped me up again, quilt and all, and made his way to the bedroom. “Come on, baby, let's get you warm.”

A
bout four the next morning I heard voices arguing downstairs. Caleb had me in his death grip, but I was able to slither out of his hold without waking him.

Grabbing my robe and fluffy dog slippers, I made my way downstairs.

The library was full of the dead and they bickered back and forth.

“Do you guys have to do this now? Haven't I been through enough? I mean, seriously. What's so important that you have to wake me up at this ungodly hour?”

Terry was at the forefront holding Rascal, who wore a pink bow in his hair. I wondered how the pooch felt about that. “Honey, I'm glad that man didn't do anything awful. I couldn't get here in time and I just feel so bad.”

He dabbed a tissue against his eyes.

“I'm fine and I'm not sure what you could have done to help. Things were pretty weird as it was.” I didn't need a six foot six drag queen dressed as Jackie O adding to that complicated situation.

“But I have a feeling that's not why you are here. So spill it.”

Terry gave a dramatic sigh. “Some of us believe you should know the truth about what's going on with Mrs. Canard.”

Mr. Greenblatt stepped in front of the drag queen. “Gosh darnit, woman, or whatever the hell you are, I told you, you can't say anything. It's against the rules.”

“Wait.” I held up a hand. “Mrs. Canard is dead and she's moved on. What could be wrong?”

“She's…stuck,” Terry spit out—with difficulty, because Mr. Greenblatt covered his mouth with his large hand. “You can't sway her one way or another. It has to be her decision. Mabel wouldn't want you interfering with the way things are supposed to be.”

Terry placed Rascal on the floor, and his hands went to his hips. “Mabel can't do much of anything right now. And I'm Kira's guide. I'm supposed to help her make informed decisions, and I can
do
whatever is necessary to help her.”

I pulled myself up onto the front desk. The granite was cold even with the protection of my robe. “Guys? Where is Mrs. Canard?”

“She's in processing,” Terry answered.

“Didn't one of you say she was in processing weeks ago? Does it really take that long?”

Terry shrugged.

“I'm the librarian. You have to tell me. You can't lie.” My hand flew to my mouth.

“She read the book,” Terry said smartly.

Not that part.
I didn't know how I knew that.

“Until you decide for sure if you're staying, she can't move on to the next level,” Terry said, his hips swaying as he walked toward me. For a guy in stilettos, he did a good job. “She's stuck in the in-between place. If you decide to stay, she moves up. If not, she becomes one of us.”

Now I wished I had read more of the book. “Spirits who haunt the earth?”

He laughed. “No. We aren't haunting. We just come here for the reading materials.” He paused. “And for answers.”

“Why can't you move to the next level?”

Mr. Greenblatt gave me a strange look. “We don't have the power. None of us are librarians.”

More confused than ever, I grabbed my head. “So if I decide to take the job in New York, not only do you lose your library, but she's stuck in the in-between for eternity.”

Terry nodded. “No, she can't ascend. She'll be like the rest of us, but she won't be able to access her powers anymore.”

I sighed again. “Ascend to where?”

Terry harrumphed. “It's in the book.”

“Kira?” Caleb stood by one of the reading tables, wrapped in the quilt from the bed. “Honey, who are you talking to?”

I looked up at the ceiling. “Myself?”

He moved toward me. “Babe, are you hallucinating?” He put a hand to my forehead, feeling for fever.

I rolled my eyes. “I wish.” I so didn't want to do this right now. If I told him the truth there was a decent chance I'd never see him again after tonight. He'd write me off as looney tunes, and I wouldn't blame him.

“Maybe you'd better have a seat.” I motioned toward one of the reading chairs.

“I'm fine where I am. What's going on?”

I threw up my hands. “It's not like I asked for this.”

Taking a deep breath, I told him. “I see dead people.”

He was silent for a full minute. “So you are hallucinating. I'm calling Sam.”

I growled. “No! Trust me. No one thinks this whole thing is more crazy than I do.”

“Kira, I know you
think
you see dead people, but you're in shock, baby. It's okay. We can get you help.” His patronizing tone sent me over the edge.

“Ahhhggg. I'm not crazy!” I screamed the words.

His eyes flashed and I saw the worry in them.

“This library is special. It's—I can't possibly explain this. I'm a—crap. I'm special.”

He looked past me to the phone and I could read his thoughts.

“Sam's on his way back from Dallas. I'm meeting with him this morning. That will be soon enough for you to find out if I'm crazy.” I jumped off the desk. “I know it's asking a lot, but I thought, maybe, you'd believe me.” I stormed past him.

“Young lady.” The voice was a woman's, and authoritative enough that it stopped me in my tracks. I turned to see an African American woman in a large, colorful caftan.

“Tell him Momma Grace is here.”

I shook my head.

“Tell him.”

She had a mean look about her and was more than a little scary. I did what she asked. “Momma Grace says to tell you she's here.” I didn't face him.

Silence.

“You tell that boy that I'll tan his hide if he doesn't listen to you.”

I gave a sad laugh. “She says she'll tan your hide if you don't listen to me.”

I heard one of the chairs move behind me. “How do you know about Momma Grace?”

“I don't know about her, Caleb! She's standing right there.” I pointed near the Christmas tree. “She's wearing a black and orange caftan, and her hair's up in a colorful wrap.”

“Momma Grace?” He sounded like a little boy, his voice a little choked. He turned to face the tree. “Ask her where she put my slingshot.”

“Tell him it's in the box marked ‘doll dresses' in his sister Marcy's storage unit. I knew he'd never look there.”

I relayed the message.

Caleb fell back against the table and sat down. “It really is her.”

“You tell him I love him, and that he found himself one hell of a girl, and you ain't crazy.” She faded away.

I told him what she said.

He chuckled softly.

“So I take it you know Momma Grace well?”

Caleb nodded. “She was our nanny when we were kids. We loved her to death, but she scared the hell out of us.”

“She's gone now.”

He blew out a breath. “So do you see them everywhere?”

“No, not yet. I've been hearing them for more than a month. There's a book upstairs that explains it, but I haven't had the courage to read it. They were down here this morning because they're worried, rightfully so, that I'm not staying. If I leave, the library and its contents go up for auction.”

“I don't understand. Why can't you just hire another librarian to run the place?”

I bit my lip. “It's against the rules. Like I explained before, I've been given, um, powers. Not just anyone can work here.”

He was quiet, letting me get it all out.

“I'm torn. I've grown to love it here, and I like running the library. But it's a big responsibility, and from the little I read of the book, it's a much bigger job than I ever imagined.”

He stood and took me in his arms. “So this is the big secret?”

“What do you mean?”

He laughed softly. “I'm a journalist, I knew you had a secret. I was just waiting for you to tell me. I thought maybe you'd given a baby up for adoption or had killed someone. When I found out about your friend who died, I thought maybe that was it.”

I shook my head. “Geez. You do think a lot of me.”

He squeezed me. “I just knew it was big, and I didn't want to pry. Which, I might add, is not easy for the journalist in me. So what are you going to do?”

I shook my head. “I don't know. When Mr. Grayson was here he offered me the job of my dreams in New York. It would be a whole new start for me and the benefits are beyond fab. But I found out tonight that Mrs. Canard is trapped in la la land somewhere. If I decide not to do this she can't move on like she's supposed to.

“I keep asking, why me? But for someone who is supposed to have all the answers, I just don't.”

Caleb kissed my head. “The whole thing is freakin' weird. I'm having a hard time comprehending that there really is life after death. This is huge.”

“Believe me, I know.”

He guided me up the stairs to the loft.

“There's one thing I want you to know,” he said as he started the coffeepot. There was no use in either of us trying to go back to bed. “Wherever you go, I go.”

I'd been getting the milk out of the fridge for cereal. “What?”

“If you move to New York, I'm coming right behind you.” He leaned back against the counter. “I'm not going to be away from you anymore. I finally found you, and I'm not letting go.”

I bit back a smile. It was so macho and possessive, but I kind of liked it. “I thought you wanted to move here.”

“Duh. Because you're here.”

I yanked on his arm, and he wrapped himself around me again. “You're stuck with me, Kira Smythe. No matter what happens, I'm here for the long haul.”

I kissed him. “Me too,” I whispered against his lips. I leaned my head against his chest. “Now if I can figure out what to do with the rest of my life, we'll both know what to do next.”