The Yin to His Yang Page 12

  “Of course,” the investor said. “As long as your answer will be yes.”

  After he hung up, Griffin glanced next door. One of the cars that had been parked in front of Stevie’s place was gone. Catching her alone might be nearly impossible with Cledith there. But he didn’t want to show up empty-handed, so he grabbed a pair of scissors and made a detour the far corner of Aunt Dorothea’s backyard.

  Minutes later he rang Stevie’s doorbell.

  When she answered, her gaze dropped to the pink roses in his hand. “For me?” She ushered him inside.

  “For your grandmother, actually.”

  Stevie’s smile broadened. “Look who’s here, Grandma.”

  Cledith was sitting on the sofa holding a teacup. “Hello, Griffin.”

  He handed her the flowers and her face lit up. “How sweet.” She winked at Stevie. “This one’s a keeper, child. If I was fifty years younger, I’d snatch him up in a heartbeat.”

  Etta came into the room. “Me too.”

  “Why don’t I put those in a vase for you, Grandma.” Stevie took the bouquet. “Want to help me?” she asked Griffin.”

  He followed her into the kitchen. “I was hoping we could talk.”

  Stevie arranged the roses. “Me too. My grandmother and Etta are trying to convince me to take a trip to Florida with them. They want to check out a spiritualist camp there where Etta’s granddaughter lives.”

  “Is that anything like summer camp?”

  She laughed. “Not exactly. Honestly, I think Etta just wants company for the drive.”

  “When are you going?” He prayed it wasn’t right away.

  “I haven’t agreed to it yet, but maybe tomorrow.” She set the vase on the table.

  He closed the distance between them. “I have to tell you something.”

  “What is it?”

  “The investor offered me more money, a lot more.”

  Her smile slipped as she backed away from him and sat on the bench seat. “You should probably accept it, huh?”

  “I think I should.”

  She clasped her hands on top of the table. “So you’ll be going back to New York soon?”

  “I’m not so sure.” He sat down. “I could take some of the proceeds and buy a house here in Nocturne Falls, become an investor myself. What if I could find another house here for you to rent? I could build you an even bigger enclosure for your cats.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t understand. Where would you live?”

  “I haven’t exactly worked that out yet.”

  Cledith screamed from the other room. Griffin and Stevie ran in and found her standing over Etta, who was lying on the floor, eyes wide open.

  “What happened?” Stevie cried.

  “I don’t know,” her grandmother said. “She got up and started mumbling something about a spirit. Next thing I knew she was flat on the floor.”

  Griffin crouched down and felt the woman’s wrist. Her pulse was regular and strong. “Etta, can you hear me?”

  “Not Etta,” she said.

  Stevie and her grandmother gasped in unison.

  “Who are you?” Cledith asked Etta. To Griffin and Stevie, she said, “Etta is sensitive to spirit energy.”

  Griffin backed away from her. “Maybe she just hit her head.”

  “A spirit is borrowing her body, son.” Cledith gripped the arm of the couch. “I’ve seen this happen to her before.”

  “Who are you?” Stevie asked Etta.

  “Leo,” came the response in a voice deeper than Etta’s.

  Griffin wasn’t ready to accept that a ghost had commandeered the elderly woman’s body. “How can we be sure?” he asked no one in particular.

  Stevie crouched on the floor next to the old woman. “Why are you here, Leo?”

  “I was here before you arrived.” A wry smile lifted the corners of Etta’s lips. “I love you. I won’t let anyone else have you.”

  Stevie gulped and backed away from Etta. Wide-eyed, she looked from Griffin to her grandmother, and back again. “My friend Jordan told me that one of the rescue cats felt a presence. She said he mentioned something about a Leo. I assumed she’d meant the zodiac sign, not a man’s name.”

  Griffin eased Stevie away from Etta. “Leo?”

  “Yes?” Etta answered.

  “What is that you want?” he asked.

  “I want Stevie to myself.” Etta pointed to Griffin. “And for you to leave her alone.”

  Cledith touched Stevie’s shoulder. “I’m sure it’s him who’s caused all the mischief around here that you told me about.”

  Stevie nodded. “What do we do?”

  Before Cledith could answer, Etta gasped. Then she blinked several times and pressed her hand to her chest. “Cledith?”

  Griffin helped Etta sit up.

  “Is that you, Etta?” Cledith asked her.

  “Yes,” she answered. “I’m back.”

  After they’d filled in Etta on what had transpired, she suggested calling her granddaughter. “Bree has handled situations like this before.”

  Griffin rubbed the bridge of his nose. With a lovesick ghost around, there was no telling what could happen. All he knew for sure was that he had to stay close in order to protect Stevie.

  “I’m so sorry about this.” Stevie wiped ash from Griffin’s face in the living room of Miss Percival’s house. They’d learned about Leo just last night, and the ghost had lashed out twice today at the man that the ghost perceived as his rival—locking Griffin out of her house this morning when he’d showed up with bagels and lox for the women, and then again a few minutes ago when Griffin had been cleaning the fireplace here. Leo had somehow dropped a ton of ash down on Griffin.

  “It’s not your fault.” Griffin pressed a sooty kiss to Stevie’s cheek. “I can hardly blame the old ghost for falling for you.”

  “My cousin will be arriving this afternoon,” she said. “Hopefully Bree will be able to get through to Leo and convince him to quit messing with you.”

  “I’m more concerned about Leo hurting you,” he said.

  She couldn’t resist giving him another kiss. Having someone want to protect her felt pretty amazing since she’d always been the one to take care of others—her mother, her brother, and even the few boyfriends she’d had. “If Leo had wanted to hurt me, he’d have already done it. Seems as if he’s been gunning for you.”

  A car’s horn pulled her attention away. She hurried to the window and teased back the curtain in time to see an old VW van turn into the driveway. “That must be Bree now.”

  “What’s the plan?” Griffin joined Stevie at the window.

  She thought about the phone conversation she’d had with her cousin the night before. “As soon as it gets dark, Bree will lead a séance. If she can get Leo to show up, she’ll try to talk him into leaving you alone.”

  “I’ll tell him that he can’t have you.” He drew her into his arms. “You’re spoken for now.”

  “And so are you.” She couldn’t remember ever being happier. Even though she’d probably have to move at some point, she knew in her heart that Griffin had her back. And that wherever she finally landed, she’d make sure that her cats were well taken care of. “Let’s go and greet Bree. I haven’t seen her in years.”

  A little while later she introduced her cousin to Griffin.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Bree told him. “I hope I’ll be able to help you both out.”

  “Neither of us have ever participated in a séance,” Stevie told Bree. “Anything we should know?”

  Bree cinched her long black hair into a side ponytail. “Let’s see.” She counted the people in the room. “With my grandmother and yours, we have five people. I’d rather that we were six. It’s just better if the total number of guests is divisible by three.”

  Stevie nodded. She understood about magical numbers. “I have a friend who can communicate with animals, and she�
��s very sensitive.”

  “Perfect,” Bree said. “Why don’t you invite her.”

  While Bree enlisted Griffin’s help to set up the séance table, Stevie phoned Jordan.

  “Sounds like fun,” Jordan said.

  “It would be if Griffin and I didn’t have so much at stake.”

  “True. I’ll be over after I drop off Truffle at the house where I’m dog sitting this week.”

  “Thanks, Jordan.” She went to the kitchen to check on the preparations. Bree had covered the kitchen table with a black cloth and had three pillar candles in the center.

  Griffin set a plate with grapes and some bread near the candles. “Bree’s in your bedroom. She said she likes to meditate before conducting a séance.”

  “Makes sense.” When he offered his hand, she took it, drawing comfort from his touch. “I sure hope this works.”

  “Me too.”

  Her grandmother and Etta came in through the back door just as the doorbell rang.

  “That’s my friend, Jordan,” she told the others. “Excuse me.” She went to the living room and let in Jordan. “You’re a lifesaver. Thanks for joining us on such short notice.”

  Jordan pulled her into a hug. “I’m always down for helping a friend in need. When I was kidnapped a few months ago, I had lots of time to think. I resolved to be a better sister to Mallory and a better friend to those I care about.” She picked up Namaste from the sofa. “She likes your boyfriend.”

  Stevie beamed. “Nice to know that she has good taste.” Hearing her bedroom door open, she took Jordan to the kitchen.

  Bree came into the room and lit the candles. “Welcome. Would everyone please take a seat at the table?” She shut off the overhead light.

  Stevie sat next to Griffin after the others took their places. He nodded reassuringly at her.

  Bree took a seat. “Let’s all join hands.”

  The group did as she asked.

  “Now clear your mind. Take a few deep breaths, in and out, in and out.”

  Stevie relaxed as best she could.

  “Close your eyes if you want,” Bree said. After a few seconds, she spoke louder and with authority. “Ancestors, we bid you protect us from all harm on any level. Hail and welcome.” She touched the plate of food. “We bring you gifts from life into death, and we ask that Leo, departed soul, join our table.”

  Stevie opened her eyes and scanned the room, but didn’t see or feel anything unusual.

  “Commune with us, Leo,” Bree said. “Come into our fold.” She waited a few beats before repeating her request. “Leo, please commune with us. We seek to understand, and mean you no harm.”

  The candles created fluid shadows, but one of those shadows grew bigger and darker. Stevie gulped.

  Etta sat up taller than her normally arthritic posture allowed. “Why have you summoned me?” a voice deeper than Etta’s asked.

  “Please tell us who you are,” Bree said.

  “Leo,” Etta said.

  “Thank you for joining us, Leo.” Bree tightened her grip on Stevie’s right hand. “We beseech you to stop interfering in Stevie’s life. Griffin is a good man who doesn’t deserve your ire.”

  Silence met the medium’s request.

  “Leo,” Bree continued. “Are you still with us?”

  “I love Stevie,” Leo said through Etta. “Why should I relinquish her?”

  “You never had her heart. Would you want her to be sad for her entire earthly life? You had your own time on the earthly plane. Please allow her the same, and take your place among those who have passed on to the spirit world. Return to your place in the universe, there to rest and remain.”

  Stevie held her breath, but the spirit didn’t speak.

  A minute or two passed before Etta huffed loudly. Then her head fell forward.

  “He’s left.” Bree inhaled. “Thank you spirits, ancestors and friends for joining our table, and protecting us. We bid you farewell. So mote it be.”

  Stevie’s shoulders felt lighter. “So mote it be.”

  Bree blew out the candles. “You can all let go. The spirits have departed.”

  “Well?” Griffin asked.

  Bree shrugged. “We’ll know soon.”

  “Shh,” Jordan said. “Mittens has a message.”

  “Who’s Mittens?” Griffin whispered to Stevie.

  “One of the rescue cats.” She faced her cousin. “What’s the message.”

  Jordan closed her eyes. “He doesn’t feel the energy anymore. Leo’s gone.”

  “Thank the goddess,” Grandma said.

  Bree stood up. “We should all have something to eat, to ground all the energy.”

  “I have just the thing.” Stevie brought over the lavender tea bread she’d baked that morning.

  The mood lightened as they talked, ate, and cleaned up from the séance.

  “I can’t thank you enough for coming here on such short notice,” Griffin told Bree. “Only a week ago, I never believed in anything I couldn’t see with my own eyes. It’s like the world is a whole different place.” He lifted Stevie’s hand and kissed it. “It’s a much better place now.”

  “You guys are adorable together.” Bree put her arm around Stevie’s shoulder. “You’ve got to come to Freedom Moon. The camp is growing by leaps and bounds. And we’re desperate for a meditation teacher.”

  Stevie smiled at Griffin. “We’ll have to do a road trip soon.”

  He nodded. “Considering I’m about to be homeless and maybe jobless soon, why not?”

  “Jobless?” Stevie asked.

  “Do you think I’m leaving you alone here? I’m not going back to New York, except to pack up my apartment.”

  “What do you do?” Etta asked.

  “I’m a general contractor, but I’ve been working as a code enforcement officer,” he said.

  Bree widened her eyes. “He’s a contractor?”

  Stevie nodded. “Why?”

  “They’re looking for licensed contractors to head up several of the building projects going on at Freedom Moon.” Bree took Stevie’s arm. “You guys totally need to pay us a visit down in Florida.”

  Stevie wished she could. “I can’t leave the cats alone. There aren’t a lot of people I can count on to handle the rescue, even for a few days.”

  “I’ll do it,” Jordan said. “I’ve been having conversations with several of them since after the séance. We’re already old friends.”

  “Just do it, child.” Stevie’s grandmother threw her a wink. “Follow your heart, and the rest will fall in line.”

  Griffin gasped.

  “What?” Stevie asked him.

  “That’s the exact same advice I got yesterday.”

  “From whom?”

  His face lit up with a smile. “From Aunt Dorothea. She wanted me to know that magic is the key. Our magic.”

  “Our magic,” Stevie repeated. “I like the sound of that. And I’d like to hear all about your conversation with your aunt’s spirit, Mr. Everything-has-a-rational-explanation.”

  “Yeah, well she didn’t exactly appear to me, but she gave me the message.”

  Her grandmother elbowed Etta. “How much do you want to bet that Griffin ends up being part of the family?”

  Stevie’s face burned with embarrassment as the women all laughed. “Grandma!”

  Griffin waggled his eyebrows at her grandmother. “I’ll take that wager. Just don’t bet against us.” He reeled Stevie in for a kiss, and she suspected that they’d both just won forever.

  Epilogue

  Three months later…

  The instant Griffin entered the cabin, he inhaled the aromas of garlic, basil, and oregano. Stevie had her back to him, stirring a pot on the stove.

  Home.

  For now, this was Stevie’s place, but someday soon, he’d live here with her. Warmth radiated through him. They’d agreed to take their time in getting to know each other,
but love had had other plans for them.

  Stevie looked over her shoulder and gave him a smile that made his whole day. “How was work?”

  He closed the distance between them and kissed the back of her neck. “Great. The permits came through today, so we'll be starting work next week on Phase II of the Freedom Moon Commerce Center.”

  She set down a wooden spoon then faced him wearing that gorgeous smile. “I can’t wait for the new meditation studio to be done.”

  Drawing her against him, he nuzzled her earlobe.

  “Tsk, tsk.” Cledith tapped her cane on the wood floor. “Granny in the house. Cool it, lovebirds.”

  Stevie laughed. “I forgot to tell you that Grandma was joining us for dinner.”

  He backed away from his girlfriend and waved to her grandmother. “Nice to see you, Cledith. I hope you and Etta are staying out of trouble this week.”

  Taking a seat on the rocker, she huffed. “Without the two of us that senior center wouldn’t be half as much fun. I don’t what they did before we moved in.”

  Stevie served up three bowls of pasta. “Bree says they’re naming the new wing for you—Frick and Frack.”

  Chuckling, Griffin carried the plates to the table while Stevie tossed the salad.

  “I rescued a calico cat today,” Stevie said. “Dinner’s ready, Grandma.”

  Cledith made her way to the dining area. “You might have to expand the screened porch you built for the rescue cats here, Griffin. Stevie’s had two new visitors this week alone.”

  “Indeed,” he said. “Speaking of visitors…”

  Stevie stabbed a grape tomato with her fork. “Yeah?”

  “I accepted my mother’s friend request from Facebook.”

  Stevie’s eyes lit up. “Really?” She set down her fork and leaned across the table to give him a quick kiss. “I’m so glad.”

  “We sent a few messages back and forth. Then she called me, and we spoke for almost an hour.” He replayed the conversation they’d had. “She’d like to come down this summer for a couple weeks.”

  She cheered. “That’s awesome.”

  “I think so. We haven’t seen each other for more than twenty years. But she sounds as if she really wants to get to know me. And you, too.”