Chapter 8
Damn if Jed Nash didn’t make it hard for a woman to keep her mind on work. Mik watched him ride up from the southern pasture. Now there was a man who could sit a horse. The two moved as one, in perfect harmony.
Her pulse spiked a bit as she watched his approach. If she was a woman given to flights of romantic fantasy, it’d be an easy matter to imagine him as a gunslinger from the old west, or a marshal returning from the capture of a bad guy.
His hat rode low on his forehead, shadowing his eyes so that attention was drawn to the lines of his face and the stubble of beard that shadowed his skin. And his body. Good lord, his body. Mik couldn’t look at those strong arms, firm chest or muscular legs encased in worn denim without getting the female equivalent of a hard on.
“Hey there, beauty,” he said with a smile as he reined his mount to a stop beside her.
“Hey.”
“You got that look about you, Mik.”
“Look? What look?”
“The kind that makes a man want to take a long slow ride.”
She grinned up at him. “Not my fault the sight of you on a horse gives a gal girl-wood.”
“Girl-wood?” He squirmed slightly in the saddle. “Woman you’re a witch.”
“Takes one to know one,” she said with a laugh. “Ellen said some fella from the breeders association had been calling for you. Something about wanting to breed his mare with one of your stallions.”
“Yeah, I forgot. Guess I better give him a call. What you up to?”
Mik jerked her thumb toward the corral. “Training.”
“Jake or the mare?”
“A little of both.”
“Want to do dinner?”
“Do or do?”
“Well, I plan on doing my share of biting.”
“You’re on, handsome.”
“Meet you at the lake house.”
“I’ll be there.” Mik watched him ride away then blew out her breath. That man should come with a warning label—‘Warning, highly addictive.’
With a smile, Mik climbed onto the fence rail and watched as Jake worked with the mare. He might be the original party boy and give the impression that there wasn’t much beneath his Stetson but a great head of hair, but the truth was he was one smart fellow.
And he caught on fast. They’d been working with the mare, Gilly, for two weeks and he’d caught onto her technique within days. Watching him now, she’d never know he’d been doing it for only a short time.
Mik smiled and closed her eyes, tilting her face up to the sun and letting the breeze cool her skin. Life on the Rocky River Ranch was better than she’d ever imagined. She had work that paid well, was surrounded by competent and friendly people, and felt like she was part of a team.
And then there was Jed. Just thinking of him brought a flush to her skin. He was everything she’d dreamed of in a man and more. She’d never imagined she’d find someone who could not only accept her for her special abilities, but someone who was not at all afraid of what she was because he was a bird of the same feather with abilities of his own.
Her cell phone buzzed, and she pulled it free of the belt clip and looked at the caller ID. It was her sister. A smile rose on her face as she lifted the phone to her ear.
“Teddy! What’s up girl?”
“Mik, hey. I’m almost ready for the grand opening but decided I had to take time to unpack my own stuff, so I’ve been working on the house this week. Which, by the way, you still haven’t come to see.”
“I’ll get there. I promise. Just trying to settle into things on the ranch.”
“How’s it going?”
“Going good. But that’s not why you called. What’s up?”
“Well…I found something in a box of Mom and Dad’s things.”
“What?”
“One of those padded envelopes. Addressed to you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. I don’t know how it got there but it’s definitely Mom’s handwriting.”
Mik felt something tingle in her mind, a sensation that wasn’t pleasant. Her spider sense was picking up something. But what? Anxiety over something left to her by her parents? That was silly. They’d loved her. They wouldn’t leave her anything that would make her uncomfortable.
“Mik?”
“Yeah. I’m here.”
“So, what do you want me to do with it? Mail it to you?”
At that moment, Jake wandered over. “Hold on, Teddy.” Mik lowered the phone and looked at Jake. “You done?”
“I got Sam to take Gilly in and rub her down. I’ve got to run over to Monroe and talk to our attorney about a little matter.”
Mik saw an opportunity and jumped on it. “Mind some company?”
At the frown that started on Jake’s face, she clarified. “My sister lives in Monroe and I need to run by her place. If you’d drop me, I could visit while you’re doing the attorney thing. And I’ll buy you dinner at the Grille after.”
Jake grinned. “You mean you’d ditch dinner with Jed for a burger with me, sugar?”
Mik laughed. “I wouldn’t call it ditching.”
“You’re on. Meet me at the main house in half an hour. I’m gonna go grab a quick shower.”
“Thanks, Jake.” Mik raised the phone, sliding off the fence as she spoke. “Teddy? Jake’s gonna drop me by your place. He’s got something to do in town and it’ll give me a chance to see your house and pick up the package. That okay?”
“Sure. You know the address?”
“Text it to me. Jake’ll know where it is.”
“Okay, great. See you after a while.”
Mik was already on her way to the lake house, planning on taking a shower and changing before they left. She dialed Jed’s cell phone. Two rings later, he answered.
“Hey, my beauty.”
“Hey, yourself,” she said with a smile. “Listen, Jake said he had to go to Monroe to see an attorney, and I want to go over to my sister’s place, so I thought I’d catch a ride with him. We were going to stop by the Grill on the way back and grab something to eat. Want to meet us there?”
“Yes and no.”
“Okay, that’s clear as mud.”
Jed chuckled. “Yes, I’d love to grab a burger, but no on meeting you there. I think I probably should go along with Jake to see Melvin.”
“Okay, great. I’m going to get a quick shower and will meet you at the main house.”
“Shower?”
“Yeah,” she said around a grin.
“I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Mik laughed as the call ended. Knowing Jed’s idea of a communal shower, they’d be lucky if they made it to Monroe at all.
*****
“Girl you look like the cat that just ate the canary,” Teddy said with a grin when Mik released her from the hug. “So?”
Mik shrugged, not quite ready to get into a discussion over what had her smiling these days. “Wow, this is a great place, Teddy.”
“I know! I love it!” Teddy whirled around, hugging herself and grinning widely.
Mik smiled at the sight. It was good to see Teddy so excited. She’d had her share of hard knocks the last few years and Mik was glad she had a chance to make a fresh start.
The house was lovely. An old home in the historic section, it was small and quaint. The lower level housed an old-fashioned sitting room in the front of the house. Across the hall was a formal dining room and behind it the kitchen. There was a half bath in what appeared to have once been a cloak closet.
Upstairs were two bedrooms separated by a bathroom. The bedroom in the front of the house boasted of a small balcony that overlooked the tree-lined street.
Teddy had already added her touches. A small sculpture of a fairy perched on a crystal ball, a spray of flowers, chimes that tinkled in the slight breeze of an open window and colorful throws that begged one to wrap up and snuggle down on the deeply cushioned sofa.
“Oh, and it’s just two blocks from my store! Oh, Mik, wait until you see the store. It’s…it’s wonderful. I’m so excited and…”
The delight faded from her face to be replaced by a look of anxiety. “Mik are you sure you’re okay with this? I mean, I know the farm was important to you. And I know the only reason you agreed to sell was so Alex and I could have the money we needed to start over. But still, to give up your share to us means you got nothing and…and, well, selfishly I’m really grateful, but I want you to be happy too.”
Mik had never been able to stand the sight of either of her sisters being upset. The tears that threatened to spill free from Teddy’s eyes were enough to have her rushing over to throw her arms around her youngest sister.
“Honey, don’t you worry. I’m fine. And nothing could make me happier than to see you this excited.”
Teddy pulled away to search Mik’s eyes. Had she been just another ordinary woman Mik wouldn’t have a second thought. But Teddy wasn’t ordinary. She had special abilities of her own. She was empathic and had psychometric abilities. By holding or touching an object, she gained insight and information about the person who owned the object.
It was her empathic skills that were about to come into play right now. Mik knew it was only a matter of moments before Teddy discovered that Mik’s life had taken an unexpected turn.
“Mikayla Morgan! You’re in love!”
Mik gulped, felt the blood rush out of her head and suddenly felt dizzy. Not until the words erupted from Teddy’s mouth had she realized the enormity of her feelings for Jed. What she felt for him wasn’t just lust, or excitement at discovering a man who wouldn’t shun her for what she was. Teddy was right. She was in love.
“Mik?”
Mik held up her hands, palm out, and stepped back. “Just give me a sec.”
“You didn’t know! Oh my god, Mik! How could you be in love and not know? Oh, my god. Tell me. Who is he? How long have you known him? Where did you meet him? What’s his—“
“Whoa!” Mik held up her hands in a time out position. “Slow down.”
“Sorry, it’s just such a shock. And I want to know everything.”
“Then you better have a six-pack of cold ones in the ‘fridge.”
Teddy squealed and ran from the room. Mik chuckled and followed her. Suddenly she was excited to tell Teddy all about Jed. It’d been a long time since good things had happened for their family. Giving a silent thanks to whatever force had steered them in the direction they’d taken, she plopped down at Teddy’s kitchen table and accepted a beer.
Before she knew it, the six-pack was gone, and someone was knocking on Teddy’s front door. “That’s them.”
“Them?”
“Jed and Jake.”
“Well invite them in. I can’t wait to see this guy!”
Mik grinned and hurried to answer the door.
“Hey, beauty,” Jed said with a sexy grin.
“Hey, handsome.”
“Hey, what about me?” Jake asked from behind Jed.
“Sorry. Hey there good-lookin’.” Mik laughed and stepped back. “Come on it. I want you to meet my sister.”
Almost in unison, Jed and Jake whipped off their hats. Mik looked over her shoulder as Teddy entered the room. “Guys, this is my sister, Teddy Morgan. Teddy, this is Jed and Jake Nash.”
Teddy’s eyes widened then a smile appeared on her face. “Well, you weren’t lying, Mik.”
“Excuse me?” Jed looked at Mik.
“She said you were pure sin in jeans.”
Jed’s eyes widened fractionally but only for a split second then he gave Teddy a sexy smile and stepped up to her. “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Morgan.”
“Call me Teddy.”
“My pleasure. I’m Jed.”
“Nice to meet you Jed. Hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
Jed looked over at Mik and grinned. “Nope. Not at all.”
Mik chuckled, and then grunted as Jake gave her a pinch on the side. “Oh, sorry. Teddy, meet Jake.”
“I don’t suppose she had anything to say about me,” Jake gave Teddy a smile that Mik was willing to bet warmed her in places men didn’t have.
“Well, come to think of it she did say something about you being hot as an Arizona sidewalk in August.”
Jake grinned. “Thank you. My ego is repaired. Funny thing, though, Mik didn’t say a thing about having a sister beautiful enough to make a man go weak in the knees.”
Teddy took the hand he offered. “Hmmm, imagine that.”
Mik rolled her eyes and sidled over to stand beside Jed. Jake was looking at Teddy like she was the only sweet roll on the plate, and if Mik wasn’t mistaken Teddy had that look that said Jake looked as good as an all-day-lollipop.
“You two sure don’t look anything alike,” Jake said. “Mik looks like some Indian princess and you…you look like something from a fairy tale.”
Mik wouldn’t have disagreed. Teddy was beautiful. A few inches taller than Mik, she was like a willow, slim and graceful with a cascade of blond waves and curls that fell to mid-back. Eyes the color of new leaves in spring set in a face that defined delicate femininity.
The ironic part was that Teddy was not the delicate flower she appeared to be. Something that came as a shock to people once they got to know her. And unless Mik was way off base, getting to know Teddy was uppermost in Jake’s mind.
“So,” Mik broke into the eye-lock Teddy and Jake had going. “We were going to go for burgers at the Grill in Waxhaw, Teddy. Want to join us?”
“Ummm, yes, I believe I do.”
“Then let’s saddle up.”
Teddy groaned. “Please, no horse lingo. Besides, there’s no point in me riding with you. You’d just have to bring me back. Why don’t I follow you?”
“Works for me. Jed? Jake?”
“Fine by me,” Jed agreed.
“Why don’t I ride with Teddy?” Jake asked. “That way if we get separated she won’t get lost.”
“What a gentleman, “ Mik teased, earning a snort from Jed. “Okay. Oh hey, hold on. We just killed a six-pack. Teddy you shouldn’t drive.”
“I’ll drive,” Jake cut in quickly then added to Teddy. “If you trust me to drive your car that is.”
“Sure,” Teddy said with a smile. “Just give me five minutes to change.”
“I’ll wait on the porch.” Mik turned and headed for the door with Jed one step behind her.
Once they were outside, he moved in close to her. “You do know that he’s going to make a move on her, right?”
“Yep.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Nope.”
A puzzled look came on his face then a frown. Mik chuckled and hugged him. “Don’t worry about Teddy. She can handle herself and she didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. She’ll be fine. Besides, it’s her life. Not up to me to tell her what to do.”
“Nice philosophy, but not always easy to do when you see them screwing up.”
“Screwing up is just part of growing up,” Mik said, almost to herself as she thought about all the mistakes she’d made. “Besides, Jake’s liable to find out that she’s not a pushover. There’s steel hiding beneath that soft skin and a brain that’s sharp as a tack underneath all that blond hair.”
Jed smiled. “Wouldn’t that be something?”
“What?”
“For Jake to meet one he couldn’t use his ability on?”
Mik’s smile brightened. “I think he’s in for one hell of a surprise if he tries to rely on that. Teddy has abilities of her own.”
“Oh? Just what kind of ability does Teddy have?”
“She’s empathic to a degree. And…she’s a psychometrist.”
“A What?”
“Psychometry. Able to get information from objects about their owners.”
“No shit?”
“No shit. Give her something that belonged to someone she can tap into their energy and tell you all about them.”
Jed opened his mouth to respond but at that moment, Teddy walked out onto the porch. “Mik, here’s that envelope. Sorry, I almost forgot. Jake’s taking a bathroom break and I’m going to dash upstairs and change clothes. I promise I’ll be fast.”
A wave of nausea swept through Mik as her hand closed on the envelope. The last thing she wanted to do was see its contents.
“You okay?” Jed asked.
“Yeah, fine. I’m just not sure I want to open this right now. It’s something from my parents.”
“You want me to give you some space?”
“No.” Having Jed beside her made her feel stronger. “I’m fine. Just being silly, I guess.”
She ripped open the envelope and up-ended it. A small box and a folded sheet of paper slid out. Mik unfolded the paper and read aloud.
Mikayla, Your dad and I debated giving this to you every year since you came to us. It was the only thing we were given that belonged to your mother and we were supposed to give it to you on your 16th birthday. But something kept us from doing as we promised and for that, we apologize. We don’t know what this signifies; only that it’s supposed to be something that was passed down in your biological mother’s family for generations.
Forgive us if we made a mistake in not giving this to you. I suppose we just wanted to keep you all to ourselves and not share any part of you with the woman that gave you up.
We love you, baby.
Mom and Dad Mik blinked back tears and slid the letter back into the envelope, placing it on a chair on the porch. Then she opened the box and plucked out the silver coin nestled inside.
And pain ripped through her strong enough to prevent the scream that rose in her throat. A split second later, darkness claimed her.
*****
Jed saw her throat constrict and her eyes roll back in her head. His heart jumped, feeling for all the world like it was trying to lodge in his throat. When Mik started to fall, he caught her, swept her up in his arms and hurried into the house.
“Jake! Call 911!”
Jake emerged from the hallway at a dead run at about the same moment Teddy bounded down the stairs.
“Oh, shit!” Jake grabbed his cell phone.
“No, wait!” Teddy put her hand on his arm for a moment until he nodded then hurried over to the sofa where Jed was placing Mik.
He moved to allow Teddy to sit beside Mik but kept hold of Mik’s hand, kneeling by the couch.
Teddy put her hands on either side of Mik’s face and closed her eyes. It seemed like hours ticked by even though Jed knew it was no more than a minute. Mik’s eyes fluttered then opened.
Teddy released Mik’s face and sat back. Mik blinked a couple of times then looked from Teddy to Jed, to Jake who was standing behind Jed.
“Honey, are you okay?” Jed asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
“What happened?”
Mik was trying to get her mind wrapped around an answer to that question. She pushed herself into a sitting position and leaned her head back against the couch. “That…coin. It’s evil.”
“What coin?” Teddy asked.
Jed stood and went to the porch. The coin lay on the wood, the box beside it. He bent to pick it up but before his fingers could touch it, nausea bubbled in his stomach and his vision blurred.
“Jake!”
Jake hurried out and Jed pointed to the coin. “Can you pick that up?”
“You suddenly get old and down in the back?” Jake jested and bent over.
Before his hand reached the coin, he staggered. Jed grabbed him and when Jake straightened, his face was pale. “What the hell’s going on?”
“Teddy?” Jed called.
“Yeah?”
“Could you come out here?”
A moment later Teddy joined them on the patio, followed by Mik. “Can you pick up that coin?”
“Well of course I can.” Teddy bent over, but before she could pick up the coin, Mik brushed by the men, grabbed Teddy around the waist and hauled her back.
“Don’t touch that thing!”
“Mikayla!”
“I mean it, Teddy. Do not touch it.”
“Well, we can’t just leave it lying there.”
“Get me a spatula from the kitchen.”
“Mik, this is silly. It’s just a—“
“Do it!”
Teddy locked eyes with Mik for a split second then turned and marched inside.
Jed and Jake looked at each other and then at Mik. “Somebody want to tell me what the hell’s going on?” Jake asked. “And why that coin made me feel like I’d just been split out of a tornado?”
“Here,” Teddy held out a plastic spatula as she returned.
Mik took it and scooped up the coin, dumping it back into the box that’d housed it.
“Is this what was in the envelope?” Teddy asked. “That’s odd. Why would mom and dad leave you a silver dollar? And what’s the big deal about touching it?”
Mik shook her head. “I don’t know how they came to have this or why but do know that it’s evil.”
“Then let me hold it and find out why.”
“No!” Mik slammed the box closed. “No,” she repeated a bit more gently. “We’ll deal with this later. We’ll need Alex.”
“Who’s Alex?” Jed asked.
“Our sister.”
“Why do you need her?”
“Alex is a medium.”
“You’re not talking about her size, I take it?”
“Nope. She can…well, she can talk to the dead.”
“The dead?”
“Yeah.”
“Quite the family you have there, Mik.”
“Ain’t it just?” She looked up at Jed. “Do you have a safety deposit box by chance? A place we can put this where it will be…insulated from everyone?”
“Yeah, but the bank is closed.”
“You can leave it here,” Teddy offered.
Mik turned to her sister. “But can I trust you not to touch it?”
“Mik, it’s not going to hurt—“
“I’ll need your word, Teddy.”
“Fine. I won’t touch it.”
“Swear it.”
“I swear.”
“On Mom’s grave.”
“Damn, Mik. Fine, on Mom’s grave I swear I won’t touch it. Bring it inside. I have a little personal safe in the bedroom closet. We’ll put it there until you decide what to do with it.”
Mik nodded and followed Teddy inside, leaving the men standing on the porch. “What the hell?” Jake asked. “Do you think she’s right? I mean, how can a silver dollar be evil?”
“Beats the shit out of me but you felt it.”
“This is freaky.”
Jed nodded. It certainly was. Not only had the coin affected Mik but him and Jake. He was curious if it would’ve had the same effect on Teddy but understood Mik protecting her sister from possible harm.
The question was, as Jake asked, how could something like a silver dollar be evil, and if it was then why had Mik’s parents left it to her?