Page 2 of A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club #2)

2

High Priestess

The cocoa is done and distributed, and I’m about to take a seat when there’s a knock on my door.

My heart beats erratically, and my fingers tap the side of my leg. I know without a doubt that it’s Nick, but I’m unsettled. Between Corinne and her Krampus stunt, and then the talk of a woman being outside in the dark, it feels more like Halloween than Christmas.

I take one quick second to compose myself before swinging the door open to a scene that instantly relaxes me while simultaneously stealing my breath.

Nick West stands under the dim front porch light, hands in his pockets, as the snow falls around him. One side of his mouth lifts when he sees me. Cold air rushes through the opening, but I barely register the chill, because I’m warm all over.

“Can I come in?”

I purse my lips and narrow my eyes. “I suppose.”

He grins, knowing I’m only kidding. My heart races with the realization that he’s happy to see me. It’s evident in his smile. The way his eyes are fixed on me.

As he brushes past me, he places a chaste kiss on my cheek. His icy lips instantly cool my flushed skin, and a heavy sigh escapes me. He chuckles as his fingers ghost across my own, causing me to quiver.

I close the door and turn in time to see the six-foot-four man cross his arms and shiver. “It’s a cold one tonight,” he remarks, and I have to smother a smile.

Small talk is not Nick’s thing, and right now he looks all sorts of nervous.

“Can I take your coat?” I ask, hand extended.

He bobs his head, removing the black, fleece-lined jacket, white logo on the breast of the coat upright. As soon as it’s draped over my arm, his shoulders shake as his hands rub together.

“Come away from the door and get warm,” I suggest, pulling him toward the center of the house with my free hand. I drop his coat on the kitchen table before ushering him to the great room.

“Hey, Mr. West,” Ava calls, hanging over the back of the couch, waving a single hand through the air.

He waves back. “Hi, Ava.” He smiles warmly. “You know, you can call me Nick.”

Her teeth press together in a smile that would look deranged on anyone but her.

“Would you like something to eat? Drink?” Ava asks, and I make a face that suggests she can be quiet now and allow me to take the reins. “I’m just going to watch this,” she says, motioning over her shoulder and smirking before turning back toward the TV. They’re on to yet another Christmas-inspired romance.

Nick turns to me, grinning. “Is this what you ladies have been up to all night?”

I shrug. “More or less.” I glance at the screen in time to see a woman stranded in a snowstorm, and it’s not hard to deduce that the hero is about to arrive.

“Would you like something to eat?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“Thank you, but no. I ate at the station. Captain had food delivered.”

“That was nice of him,” I say, feeling the awkwardness of small talk in front of my friends and Ava.

They may be facing forward, but I know without a doubt their ears are homed in on everything happening behind them.

“Do you wanna go somewhere private? To discuss Mrs. Fields?” I quickly add, not wanting Ava to think I’m suggesting something else entirely.

She’s old enough to know my relationship with Nick isn’t simply platonic. We had a conversation when she got home for break about the status of my feelings for Nick. I explained that it was new, and might not amount to anything, but we were attempting to go on a date at some point.

To my relief, she was supportive. She even seemed a bit giddy about it.

“Sure,” he says, and we make our way to the front room. “I like the new furniture.”

I glance around the room that’s recently received a major upgrade. Gone are the gaudy hand-me-down floral couch and outdated chairs. With fresh paint and new curtains, the room is quickly becoming a favorite morning spot for me. It’s where I like to sit and enjoy my coffee.

“Thank you. Me too,” I say.

He takes a seat, with a groan.

“Long day?” I chuckle.

He grunts. “Long month.” He sighs and then continues, “I knew this case was going to be a bi—” He stops mid-sentence, face flushing. “Tough.”

“It’s been a real bitch, hasn’t it?” I chuckle, knowing that’s what he wanted to say. “I’m not easily offended by language.”

His chin dips, and a smile curves his lips up on both sides. “It has. A real bitch.” He shakes his head, chest shuddering. “Anyway, I knew it would be rough with all the moving pieces and players, but it’s turned into a nightmare.”

“Is it something you can talk about or…”

I leave my words hanging, looking for him to steer where this conversation goes. I don’t want to pry, because I know he can’t share everything. Considering my relationship to the suspect’s near-ex-wife, he likely feels the need to watch what he says. He can trust me, but this is still new.

“It’s boring stuff. Just a lot of red tape. Richard is an idiot, but his attorney is not. They’re going to do whatever they can to have his plea deal reversed.”

I sit up straight. “Can they do that?”

He inhales deeply. “Unfortunately, in this case, yes. Due to the timing of everything happening over the holidays, the judge hasn’t sentenced him.” Nick shifts, appearing uncomfortable. “Between you and me, I think Judge McKnight is dirty. He’s purposely stalled sentencing. He’s had more than enough time, and his reasons for not doing it are all bullshit.”

My eyes bulge, surprised Nick would admit that. To openly criticize the judge could be really bad for Nick. This is a small town, and accusations like that are often met with harsh reprimands. If not worse.

He trusts me .

Nick leans forward. “Alyssa, please keep everything I just said between me and you. I don’t want it getting out to…”

“Anyone,” I say, and he nods.

“And…well…It’s the holidays. I don’t think we need to ruin Nina’s.”

He’s right. Knowing there is any chance that Richard could get off would devastate her.

“I won’t say a word.” I blow out a breath. “What happened with Mrs. Fields?”

He huffs a laugh. “She gave me an earful the entire way. I’m expected to investigate. Pronto.”

I chuckle. “She was convinced a woman was out there.”

“Oh…she told me all about the woman. She was scandalized by her choice in dress.” He grins and I roll my eyes.

“It’s Christmas. Lots of people dress up for the occasion,” I say, picking at lint on my pajama pants. “Not me, but some do.” I laugh.

“Personally, I like this look better.” He grins, and my stomach dips.

I rush on with questions about Mrs. Fields to fill the silence. “Was anyone at her house?”

“Tom met us at the door.”

“Her son?”

“Yeah.” He rubs at his chin. “He’s in town for the holiday. Her daughter, Sandy, is too, but she was asleep.”

“How the heck did she manage to sneak outside? She was out there for at least five minutes,” I say, worried that it could happen again.

“Tom was taking a shower. When he got out and realized she was gone, he was about to come searching for her.” He shakes his head. “He said she’s been hypervigilant because of the recent thefts in the area.”

There has been some recent activity in the neighborhood. Mostly little things. Missing Christmas décor and yard ornaments. Nothing as scary as break-ins. Not that I like the thought of someone nosing around my house in the dark, taking my things.

“What did she plan to do in her nightgown?” I ask, lifting my brows skyward.

His shoulders shake when he laughs. “That’s a great question, one that you’ll have to ask her come tomorrow.”

I peer toward the picture window, out into the dark night. “Do you think she saw someone?” I ask, looking at Nick once more.

He runs a hand back through his hair. “Doubtful. She wasn’t wearing her glasses, and the woman’s eyes are terrible.” He shakes his head. “Thankfully, I don’t have to be the bad guy who reprimands her about how unsafe it is to take matters into her own hands. That’ll be Thomas’s job tomorrow.”

I whistle. “Yeah, not a good idea for her to be chasing after suspected criminals.”

He nods, rubbing at his scruffy chin.

“You seem to know them all pretty well,” I say, curious.

He clears his throat, looking away. “Char is—was—my fiancé’s aunt. It’s how I ended up with my house.”

My mouth opens and then shuts. I’m not sure what to say.

“Well, I’d better get going,” Nick says, standing up and stretching. “I just wanted to stop back by because I told you I would.”

Instantly, my mood sours. He’s been here for a whole ten minutes. I know he’s had a long day, but I was hoping for a bit more time with him. It sounds selfish even to my own ears, but we’ve yet to have our first date, and I’m already insecure where he’s concerned.

“Is everything okay, Nick?” The words are out of my mouth before I can think twice about them. “It’s just…since the night I cancelled our date, you’ve been a bit MIA.” His features harden, and I rush on. “I know you’ve been busy. I’m not trying to push or sound needy. I only want to ensure you’re…good.” I blow a piece of hair out of my eyes. “I’ve been nervous that you’re angry with me about sending you away that night. When Nina showed up.”

Nick stands, making his way toward me, hand extended to help me out of the chair. When I’m on my two feet, he pulls me in so we’re chest to chest, our breaths mingling in the small space. “I’m not angry. I get your reasoning.” He looks down at me, eyes roaming over my face. “I promise I’m not avoiding you or our date. This has everything to do with work and nothing to do with you and me.”

He places his fingertips under my chin, lifting my head so that we’re staring into each other’s eyes. My entire body is alive. My chest rises and falls, my heart beating out of my chest.

“We will have that date. I can promise you that.”

His lips descend on mine, and I sigh into the kiss, feeling equal parts exhilaration and relief. I didn’t realize how badly I needed this moment with Nick. Craved it. Him.

My mouth parts, allowing his tongue to sweep across mine in a dance that feels familiar. Perfect.

It ends far too quickly. When he pulls away, I sway on my feet, lightheaded and gooey. Air rushes from my chest, a lightness I haven’t felt in a week washing over me with that kiss.

I didn’t think it would feel like this at forty. Like that first kiss as a teen, on a hot summer night, in the back of a pickup truck, down by the river.

It’s a silly scene I concocted in my head due to the many hours of reading inappropriate books in my youth. Definitely not based on experience. Not that it matters.

This is so much better than I could’ve imagined.

There’s nothing awkward about us like this. At our age, we’re both confident and more than skilled in the art of kissing. My mind wanders down a path that’s not exactly PG, and my face warms to inferno levels.

Nick smirks. “Everything okay?”

I blink several times, the images I had playing on a loop disappearing, leaving me a bit off-kilter. “All good,” I croak.

“After the holiday, we’ll have that date. Okay?” He doesn’t break eye contact with me. “I want more time with you.”

I can’t get words out; I’m too caught up in the moment. I do manage a slight head nod, all while blinking uncontrollably.

He grins. “I need to get some sleep,” he says, barely containing a yawn.

I hand his jacket over, and he slips it on, making his way toward the door before he even has both arms in.

“If you’re not doing anything tomorrow night, you’re welcome to join Ava and I for dinner,” I say. “It won’t be anything too fancy, but I am cooking.”

He turns back around, smiling down at me, placing a hand on my cheek. “I wish I could. My mom might skin me alive if I’m not at family dinner.”

I’m disappointed, but completely understand. This is new. We’re not at the point of family introductions or forgoing our usual holiday plans to be together. That day will hopefully come, but I get that we’re not there yet.

I open the door, and Nick steps out onto the porch step. “Merry Christmas, Lyss.”

I lift onto my tiptoes, placing a kiss on his lips, out in the open for anyone looking to see. “Merry Christmas, Nick.”

Movement just over his shoulder catches my attention, and my breath hitches. I blink a few times, but the figure doesn’t disappear. A young woman, wearing a sparkly red dress with no coat, stands perfectly still, directly across the road from my house. Her long dark hair blows in the breeze, but otherwise, she doesn’t move an inch.

Mrs. Fields was right.

The specter flashes in and out, signaling she’s not just any ghost, but a poltergeist.

The woman is dead, and whatever happened to her was terrible.

Nick’s eyes narrow in on me, and he looks over his shoulder.

“Everything okay?”

I inhale and look away from the woman, back to Nick, forcing a smile.

“Yeah. Fine.”

One eyebrow lifts minutely, alerting me to the fact that Nick isn’t buying my lie, but what am I going to say? There’s a dead woman you can’t see standing behind you? She was likely murdered and wants me to solve her case?

Yes, Alyssa. You actually can say that to him.

I can, but I won’t. Not tonight. Not on Christmas Eve, when he’s tired and so am I. There will be plenty of time for me to open myself to whoever this angry spirit is.

“Good night, Nick.”

He offers one last smile before heading off toward his house. I watch him until he’s out of sight. When I glance back across the road, the woman is gone, and I can’t shake the creepy feeling crawling over my body from her presence.

Mrs. Fields can see ghosts too. Interesting.

Except she didn’t seem to recognize that the woman is dead.

I’ve learned that these sightings don’t occur for everyone. Not unless the gift is nurtured. For me, the ability sprung up out of nowhere, unwanted. Thankfully, I discovered rather quickly that they just need my help.

I only hope this particular ghost doesn’t decide to wake me in the middle of the night. Poltergeists are something else entirely. She’ll haunt me until I solve her murder. She wouldn’t be simply slinging insults and driving me up the wall—something I’ve learned I can handle.

The thought of Billy surprisingly calms me, and I smile. In the end, the pesky ghost wasn’t so bad. He grew on me like a fungus. One that was easily removed once the issues were clear.

Merry Christmas, Billy. Wherever you are .

I sigh, closing the door on this night and ghosts.