Chapter Twelve

Renee turned off her alarm, stretched, and sat up. “Gran, are you around?”

“I’m always near you, my dear. What do you need?”

Renee got up and laid out her clothes for the day. “Did you get a chance to try to talk to Lily’s ghost last night?”

“She doesn’t want to be found or to talk to anyone.” Gran floated as she paced. “I’d love to find out what happened to her child. That poor woman has suffered for so long.”

“Parker and I want to try to find out so we can give her some peace. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to begin.”

“You’ll figure it out, I’m sure.” The ghost followed her into the bathroom. “I knew I liked Parker as soon as I saw him, unlike his pushy brother. He’s got a good soul.”

“Lucas isn’t so bad, and it’s not his fault he’s a flirt. It’s a kind of side effect of his powers. Parker said he got married a couple of months ago. The brothers are supernatural beings called Green Men. I’m going to have him explain more about their origin later.” She stood and grabbed her clothes. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to shower.”

She showered and dressed and stared out the window while she brushed her hair. Parker’s truck was parked outside already. He must be as anxious as she to be together again. She pulled her hair up in a ponytail and hurried downstairs. He’d already helped himself to breakfast. If the pile on his plate indicated anything, the man could pack it away with the best of them. How on earth did he looked so good, eating so much food? Who cared? She could stare at him all day and never lose a second’s interest.

“You eat enough to feed an army,” she said. “Do all Green Men eat that much?”

“I’ll never tell.” He smiled. “We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today. Load up. We might not make it back in time for lunch.”

Dee came out of the kitchen with a tray of warm bread. “Well hello, you two. Are you back on the tree hunt today?”

“Yes, we are. I hope we’ll have more luck than we’ve had so far,” Renee said. “I wish Gran could’ve told me the tree’s location. This is ridiculous. Every oak tree is wrong, or so she says.” Renee stopped and stared at Miss Dee, her eyes opened wide. “I mean…”

Miss Dee patted her shoulder. “I know what you meant. Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” She winked. “I have quite a few secrets of my own.”

They finished up and stepped out into the sunshine. Renee took a deep breath “It’s so pretty here.”

“Wait until winter hits. You won’t think it’s so pretty then.”

“I bet I will.”

She looped her arm through his, and they started off for the north woods again. They continued the search for the elusive oak tree and hoped to catch a glimpse of Lily McGee’s ghost.

“I have a special place I want to show you, if you don’t mind,” Parker said.

“I don’t mind, as long as you’re with me. What do you want me to see?”

He smiled and took a different path than the usual ones. The trees were denser here, and the underbrush grew thick as they pushed through it. Morning fog still covered the ground where the sun had yet to poke through the thick, leafy canopy. She shivered in the cool shade, the atmosphere affecting her more than the temperature.

The air stilled, and the normal sounds of the woods quieted as well. Her steps slowed and she glanced behind them, wanting more than ever to turn back. Parker held her hand tighter and smiled. The warmth of his hand in hers forced her jumpy nerves settle down.

“Here we are.” He moved a wall of vines aside to reveal a clearing. In the center grew an uneven circle of mushrooms. “You wanted to find a fairy ring. There’s one in here. Do you still want to talk to the fairies?”

“I’m not sure. I mean, you told me fairies are real. It was different when I thought they were still a fantasy. I don’t know if I should talk to them.” She shrank back against him. “What if I say the wrong thing? What if I make them mad?”

He chuckled. “Most fairies don’t take too much offense. They know how humans can be. We can try to summon them, if you like.”

“Not right now. I guess I’m not as brave as I thought.”

He kissed her forehead. “You’re very brave. Don’t ever think you aren’t. Come on. Let’s get back to our search.”

As they left the clearing, Renee looked over her shoulder. A real fairy ring. Maybe one day she’d summon fairies, but not today. Definitely not today.

****

They returned to the B and B around two in the afternoon. Renee’s shoulders sagged as, once again, her grandmother’s oak tree remained elusive.

Parker pulled her close. “Are you okay? You seem a little down.”

“I’m fine. I don’t think we’ll ever find the tree.” She sighed. “I have a sneaky suspicion Gran isn’t trying very hard to help us.”

“Why?”

She sighed. “Gran is a matchmaker from way back. I don’t think being dead would stop her.” She brightened. “I’m glad we already like each other.”

“Me, too.” Parker waved to Dee. “Hey, Miss Dee, we’re back. Is there anything else you’d like me to pick up to finish the decorations?”

He paid more attention to Renee than what Miss Dee listed. He nodded and murmured agreement when he should, but Renee Tate occupied all of his thoughts at the moment. Her cheeks were pink from the chilly October air, her hair mussed from the breeze. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled at him and made his heart beat wildly in his chest. He knew magic worked fast when it came to matters of the heart, but this went more quickly than anything he’d heard of before.

“I have to go pick up a few things Miss Dee requested. Want another trip into town?” he asked.

“Sure. There are still stores I need to explore. Let me go put on my other jacket. Be right back.”

Parker dropped her off on Main Street and made the same arrangements as before to pick her up. He drove out to Lucas’ fields. He hoped his brother had gotten his order together. The mums he’d selected the day before were perfect and he couldn’t wait to display them.

“Hey, Parker. Your order’s ready. We got the mums potted for you this morning,” Lucas said.

Parker looked over the flowers and nodded. “They look good. Must be handy to know when I want them.”

“It helps when the plants tell me. I got here as the sun rose to make sure I had your order completed.” Lucas paused, then grinned. “How’s things with Ms. Tate?”

“As well as can be expected. Before you ask, no. We still haven’t found her grandmother’s tree yet.” He examined the mums. “We finally confessed our abilities to each other. You were right. She wasn’t surprised when I told her I could do the same thing she could.”

“I told you so. As the older brother, I’m obligated to give you the benefit of my wisdom and experience.” Lucas turned serious and lifted his face to the slight breeze. “The woods, the flowers, even the air feels different this year. I can’t sense the usual anticipation of rebirth. There’s more heaviness now than the last few decades. Do you think it’s because of your new lady friend?”

“I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Renee’s here now. The last time we felt this kind of heaviness was when Lily McGee met her end. We were only kids then, and we knew something had gone horribly wrong.” Parker also let the breeze caress his face. “I’ve sensed it, too, around Miss Dee’s place. Renee may be the catalyst we need to help Lily’s spirit.”

“At this point, anything’s possible.” Lucas looked around and lowered his voice. “Some of the wood sprites told me they’ve heard whispers of The Hunt returning to the area. They’ve even said they’ve heard the hounds baying. If it’s true…”

Parker stared at his brother, interrupting him before he could finish. “The Hunt can’t return here. Garland Falls has been given more protections after his last appearance. It hasn’t been this safe for several decades.” His heart began a staccato beat, and his breath came in short bursts. His hands turned cold and clammy, and he wiped them on his jeans. “Have you alerted Mrs. Hall?”

“Yes.” Lucas helped him place the flowers on a small cart. “After the close call we had this past spring, she and the town elders have gone out to make sure the wards and runes are reinforced. They go out at least three times a week to be sure there aren’t any problems.” He leaned on the tailgate. “The Huntsman has always been incredibly powerful. I’m worried our protections may not be enough if we can sense him already. He might get through this year.”

“Good point. His power might have grown substantially since his last appearance.” Parker loaded the mums in the back of his truck and slammed the tailgate shut. “Whatever happens, this will be the most eventful Halloween we’ve had in a long time.”

****

Renee meandered by the shop windows and checked out the wares for sale. More than ever, she knew her store would be a great addition to Main Street. People smiled and waved. Most called out hellos. This had to be the friendliest town she’d ever been in. If a storefront would come up for rent, she’d take that as a definite sign she should move here.

She stopped in front of the cookie shop. The sign over the door read “Heavenly Bites.” She inhaled the delicious aroma wafting out, tasting the buttery cookies without ever having taken a bite. Pumpkins, gourds of all colors, figures of pilgrims, and a large cornucopia filled with all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and fall leaves sat in the window.

“Oh, I have to go in there,” she murmured. “Like right now.”

Renee stepped inside and inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of vanilla, chocolate, coconut, and a lot of other delicious aromas. A petite woman with short, brown hair stood at the register. She walked up and peered in the case. “This has got to be the most appropriately named store ever. There’s so many to choose from. Got any recommendations?”

“Sure.” She stared at Renee for a few minutes. “You’d like to have a chocolate swirl, a sugar cookie with rainbow sprinkles, and a hot chocolate.”

Renee laughed. “It’s like you read my mind.”

“It’s a gift.” She stuck her hand out. “Joanna Mines.”

“Renee Tate. How do you stay so thin working here?”

Joanna put the two cookies on a plate and poured the hot chocolate in a mug. “It takes a lot of discipline and I never have time to stand still. There’s always work to be done, and the customers keep me on my toes when they come in. Are you visiting someone here in town?”

Renee paid for her food. “No. My grandmother requested in her will I spread her ashes around a certain tree at Warner’s Bed and Breakfast.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She took her order to a table by the window, and Joanna followed her. “I thought once I found the tree, I’d do what she wanted and go back home.”

“And now?”

“If I can find a store to rent and a place to live, I want to move here. It’s such a wonderful little town.”

Joanna laughed. “Garland Falls has a way of getting to a person. I was on my way to Vancouver and, as you can see, I never left.”

A tall, slim man with long, white-blond hair came out of the back. “Slacking on the job, Jo?”

“I don’t slack, and you know it. I made a new friend. Renee, this is my husband, Davin Mines. Davin, this is Renee Tate. She told me she’ll move here if a store comes up for rent before she leaves.”

“You’d be a nice addition to the town, Renee. Keep checking. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect location.”

Joanna jumped to her feet. “Oops. Here comes the afternoon crowd. You take your time, and I’ll check on you after I take care of the mob.”

Renee ate and sipped the hot chocolate. She liked Joanna and Davin. As she watched Joanna run back and forth, she understood how the woman stayed in shape. She kept up a hectic pace, as she talked and waited on everyone at the same time. At least, that’s how it looked to Renee. The whole time, her bright smile never faltered.

When she finished, she stood and waved to the couple then stepped outside. As she continued her tour of the shops, a For Rent sign appeared in a window that moments before had merchandise in it. Someone or some force appeared to know what she’d said to Joanna. Another definite sign this was the place for her.

Well, Garland Falls had ghosts and a devastatingly handsome man who claimed kinship with fairies. Why couldn’t there be a little magic here, also?