Page 4 of A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club #2)

4

Page of Pentacles

The past few days have been nothing short of pure laziness. I haven’t left my house since before Christmas Eve, and I have no regrets.

“Mom,” Ava calls up the stairs.

“Just a sec,” I yell back, running a brush through my hair one more time to work out a stubborn knot.

Ava and I have spent as much time together as possible, lounging around and continuing our movie binge. She’ll be heading back to school in just a couple days, and I’m soaking in all the time I can.

I practically jog down the stairs to find Ava at the door, bundled up and ready to go.

I lift a brow. “Going somewhere?”

She gnashes her teeth together, scrunching her nose at the same time. “Yes?”

“Is that a question?” I chuckle, placing my hands on my hips and tilting my head to the side.

“Carly, Simone, and Tarrin are all home and hanging out at Carly’s.”

“It looks like you’re joining them.” I motion toward the purple paisley overnight bag sitting by the door.

She winces. “Are you angry?”

I move down the final steps and pull her into my arms. “Of course not, baby girl. Go have fun.”

She squeezes me a little tighter. “I’ll come home tonight if you want.”

While I appreciate her attempt to make me feel better, it’s not necessary. I’m more than capable of being alone. In fact, after all the hoopla of the holidays, I could use a few solo hours.

“Stay. Have a great time.” She levels me with a look, but I won’t back down. “I don’t want you driving on the snowy roads in the dark. I’ll probably fall asleep early anyway. I’m exhausted.”

She grins. “From what exactly? Lounging?”

“Hardy har har. Get out of here, sassy.” I turn her to face the door, but she shifts back around and rises to her tiptoes to place a kiss on my cheek. “See you in the morning.”

I smile. “Maybe we can do some shopping tomorrow. Catch the sales.”

She grins. “It’s a deal.”

I watch her until she’s pulling down the road and out of view. It never gets easier watching her leave. The worry is there, and I suppose it always will be for me.

Having lost someone I love in a car accident, I’m likely to always feel a bit uncomfortable every time she gets behind the wheel. There are so many things out of our control, and I learned that firsthand in the worst way.

I blow out a breath, taking a look around the house. There’s not much that needs to be done, but I can’t sit any longer. I have to do something productive. Making my way to my office, I pull out my business plan and run down my to-do list.

Schedule a meeting with Nick’s former colleague.

Schedule Firearm Safety course (just to be safe).

Look into Watch Guard Patrol license instead.

What does that include?

Can I operate from my home?

I start at the top and work my way down the list. Over an hour later, I’ve managed to get a date on the books with Greg Eitz, Nick’s contact. We’re meeting April second at Milly’s. I’ve scheduled my safety course for the beginning of March, and I’m prepared to move forward with the Watch, Guard, Patrol unless Greg has some other suggestion that’s a better fit.

It’s three p.m., and I’m restless. Done working on my business plan for today, I make my way into the kitchen in search of a snack, only to discover my house is bare. There aren’t any leftovers, and I’m almost out of milk. I start putting together a list of all the things I need and sigh, knowing I’m not going to avoid leaving the house today.

I close the refrigerator door and stop breathing when my eyes connect with the spirit I saw on Christmas Eve. The same one Mrs. Fields had been giving a lecture to.

Except this time, she’s in my space, staring right through me with her sunken eyes. Her form blinks in and out, much like Jenna Cruz did.

I take in everything I can about the woman before she disappears for good, hoping it will help me to identify her.

Her stringy brown hair is matted to her head in places, and her dress appears as though it was run through a rinse cycle and never fully dried. Her hands are withered like a prune.

My best guess is that this spirit drowned. Or was dumped in water .

Based on the similarities to Jenna, this is another poltergeist situation, and according to Corinne’s mom, that indicates a horrible ending.

“How can I help you?” I whisper, knowing she can’t communicate with me.

She doesn’t respond, as expected. She doesn’t even move, aside from flashing in and out of existence.

I take a deep breath, but she’s already gone, leaving me a bit rattled.

I’ve gotten over the worst of my fears surrounding ghosts. Having them in and out of my life these past couple of months has helped prepare me for life as a medium. However, there’s a different energy that comes with poltergeists. It’s unsettling, to say the least.

While I’m not scared that she’ll harm me, I’m not exactly jumping at the thought of being here alone. Might as well push up my visit to town.

I grab my purse, phone, and keys and haul ass to the door. I’m much more composed than I was the first couple times Billy presented, but there’s still room for growth.

I’ll master it one day. Today is not that day.

My phone dings, and with shaky hands, I pull it from my black crossbody to find Nick’s name lighting up the screen. He’s sent a text.

Nick

SOS…are you around?

Me

Yes. Everything okay?

Nick

My sister Jackie needed a huge favor and dropped my niece off.

I’m about to ask him how I can help, but another text comes in.

Nick

She’s crying hysterically. I don’t know what to do.

Will you come over here?

Me

On my way…

I don’t bother with a coat because I could tell from his messages that the typically calm and collected Nick West is panicking. I slip on my boots and run next door. I don’t even have a chance to knock before Nick’s door swings open and the wailing sounds of a very upset infant sound somewhere toward the back of his house. A harried-looking Nick runs his hand back through his hair.

“Thank you so much, Alyssa.” He’s standing in the door, not moving.

I smirk. “Mind if I come in?”

He blinks, shaking his head and standing aside. “Shit. I’m sorry. Come in.”

I’ve never seen Nick so rattled. Not by my insistence that ghosts were feeding me information. Not from watching a séance unfold.

His niece, Zoey, is sitting on the floor, screaming at the top of her lungs. She’s holding her belly as tears pour down her face in a flood.

“What happened?” I say, looking back to Nick.

“I have no idea. One minute she was fine, and the next…this.” He motions toward the dark-haired baby, who’s the cutest thing I’ve seen despite the blotchy face.

“She’s holding her belly,” I comment. “Did something happen?”

“No. Well…not that I know of.” He rubs at his forehead, clearly out of his element here. “I mean she’s been a little off tonight. She typically likes to be a terror getting into everything, and she’s just sat here all night.”

“That’s not normal,” I say, falling to my knees next to his adorable little niece.

“Hi, Zoey,” I coo, knowing she’s not going to give two shits about anything I have to say. She’s clearly in pain. “Do you happen to have any Mylicon?”

Nick peers at me like a deer in headlights. “I don’t even know what that is.”

I lick my lips, trying to contain the smile. This is all new to him, and I can tell he’s flustered. He might be a brave and calm detective, but when it comes to children, all bets are off, apparently.

“If you do, it would likely be in a diaper bag. I’m assuming your sister left one with you?”

He nods several times, rushing toward the kitchen. He comes back moments later with a black-and-white checkered bag. I rifle through it, coming across her stash of children’s Tylenol, but there’s no Mylicon.

“Could I get you to go to the store? I have a feeling she has an upset stomach. I’ll give her some Tylenol, but she could really use the Mylicon drops.”

He looks at me like I have three heads. “Where…what aisle?”

“I’ll find what I need online and send you a picture of it. If you ask someone at the store, they’ll be able to tell you where to get it.”

“Okay. Yeah…sure. I can definitely do that.” He starts to leave, but stops, coming back to me, and holding his hand out.

I take it, and he pulls me to my feet, crushing me against his chest.

“I owe you big time,” he says into my ear, giving me the chills.

He steps back, but not before placing a kiss on my lips. “Big time,” he repeats, emphasizing big .

I smirk. “Go get the drops, and I’ll take care of her.”

He rushes off, leaving me with a bellowing infant. I make quick work of giving Zoey the infant Tylenol, allowing her to cry it out while I sing lullabies to her in the most soothing voice manageable.

It’s been several years since I’ve had a child this young, and while some things you never forget, others you do. And for good reason. Watching this tiny person clearly in pain, crying, wiggling, and squirming all over the floor is heartbreaking, and she’s not even mine.

Eventually, the medicine kicks in, and her crying calms a bit.

“Do you want to watch a movie, Zoey?” I ask, making quick work of finding a station appropriate for her age.

Some blue dog with pointed ears sings and dances, and Zoey seems to like it. While she doesn’t dance along, she does manage to stop crying. I glance at my watch, recognizing that Nick has been gone for quite a while already.

Me

Please tell me you aren’t wandering around aimlessly…

Nick

Okay…

Me

Okay?

Nick

You said not to tell you.

Me

That’s…not a good sign.

Nick

I just got someone to help.

Me

Just?

Nick

…

My chest shakes with laughter as I picture Nick’s furrowed brow, searching the aisles for Mylicon drops. If I had to guess, he’s looking in the pharmacy, and the drops are likely in the infant aisle. We’re going to have to work on his ability to ask for help.

Although he did manage to text me tonight. So that’s a good sign.

I look down to see that Zoey’s eyelashes are fluttering. She’s fighting the urge to fall asleep, which is a good sign. Poor thing has to be exhausted from all the crying. I give it a few more minutes, and finally she dozes off.

Waiting to be sure, I watch two more minutes of the cartoon before I’ve had enough. I grab the remote and scan the channels until I land on Hallmark. A Christmas show I’ve already seen is playing, which is perfect. I don’t want to get sucked into anything new, because Nick will be back soon.

I’ve been watching the prince fall for the nanny, remembering how much I enjoyed this one, when the picture freezes before the cable box resets itself. When the screen comes back on, the movie resumes a minute before the part where it last cut off. I’m listening to the same words as before, and again, the television malfunctions.

“Strange.”

The front door closes, alerting me to the fact that Nick has returned.

“I’ve got the Mylicon drops.” His footsteps falter, and he stops right inside the room. “She’s asleep?”

I glance down at Zoey, still asleep in my arms, and nod, not wanting to wake her.

“Thank god.” He throws the grocery bag on the couch, taking a seat next to me. “You’re the best.”

I smile, bringing one finger to my lips.

Nick winces, mouthing sorry .

I place her on the floor, creating a barricade around her. It won’t keep an awake one-year-old contained, but at the very least, it’ll keep her from rolling around in her sleep.

When I’m satisfied with my makeshift crib, I walk to the kitchen, which is still in the same room, but a little farther from the sleeping baby.

“Do you have her overnight?” I ask, as Nick pours himself a glass of water.

He takes a long drink, sighing after he’s drained the glass. “I don’t know. My brother-in-law is working overnight, and my sister had to take herself to the hospital.”

My eyes widen. “What happened to her?”

“She has a bad stomach bug and is likely dehydrated. So, there’s a good chance Zoey will be here overnight.”

“Oh crap,” I say, glancing toward Zoey. “I bet you she has the same stomach bug that your sister has.”

His mouth drops open, and his head snaps toward Zoey. “Do you think?”

“Yes, and if I were you, I would get some towels and a bowl because it might be a long night.”

He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know if I can watch her be sick.”

I attempt to cover my smirk. “Do you have a weak stomach?”

Nick narrows his eyes at me, lifting one eyebrow. “Nothing weak about it. I just mean, it will be horrible to watch her like that.”

My heart melts. He’s such a good uncle, and it makes me wonder if he ever wanted kids.

At forty, my baby-making days are over. Not that I physically can’t do it, but I have no interest in starting over with an infant. I can’t imagine at forty-five he’s gunning for babies, but you never know. One day I’ll ask, but there’s no sense in bringing it up now. I’d like to enjoy whatever is happening between us for as long as I can. No need to scare him away with talk of babies and the lack of them where I’m concerned.

“Why don’t you go take a shower,” I suggest, seeing that he’s still in his uniform. “I’ll stay here with her until you’re done.”

“Are you sure?”

I smile. “Positive.”

He returns my smile, shaking his head while looking at the ground. “I’m gonna take you up on that.” He motions down at his pants. “I’d barely made it in the door when Jackie called.”

“I noticed. Go ahead. I’ll be all right.”

He nods before jumping to it. I watch him until he’s all the way down the dark hallway, out of sight. A smile is plastered across my face. Nick West makes me feel things I haven’t felt in years. The beginning butterflies that tickle and make you feel lightheaded.

I’m lost in thought when the television begins to play that same tired cartoon, at least two volumes higher. I practically jump out of my skin, head darting to the floor where, thankfully, Zoey still sleeps soundly.

What the hell?

It wasn’t even on that channel. I changed it. I snatch up the remote, stopping on the first thing that isn’t full of dancing characters. It’s a true-crime channel discussing a missing-person case in California. The girl is young and beautiful. She was last seen leaving a club two years ago.

There’s something about the girl that feels…familiar. I lean forward, getting a closer look at the image of the young woman that’s locked on the screen. That’s when it hits me. She looks similar to the girl in red. They’re not the same woman, but they do have a striking resemblance.

I sit back, wanting to know more about this missing girl. The scene changes to a shot of a bay, the camera sweeping out at the dark water, the sun long gone. The narrator is discussing how the club had been close to the water, and they’d feared she’d stumbled off, drunk, and possibly drowned.

The television freezes again.

“Why? What gives?” I whisper into the silence.

“What do you mean?” Nick’s husky voice startles me, and I yelp, grabbing the front of my sweater.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to frighten you.” He chuckles.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I was talking to myself,” I explain. “Something seems to be wrong with your TV.”

I turn to look at him, and my mouth dries. He’s wearing a pair of black sweatpants, no shirt, one hand drying his hair with a white towel. I gulp as I take in every inch of him.

I have never seen a sexier sight in my life. The man is droolworthy.

“I feel so much better,” he says, throwing the towel over a chair in the kitchen. “Has she stirred?”

“Not at all. She’s out cold.”

“Joe just sent me a text. Apparently, he found someone to cover for him and met Jackie at the hospital. They gave her an IV and discharged her about ten minutes ago. He’s gonna get Jack home and settled, and then he’ll be stopping by to get Zoey.”

“That’s good news about Jackie,” I say, and he nods.

“And that they’re coming for Sleeping Beauty over there,” he says, smiling down at his niece. “Not that I don’t want her to stay here,” he quickly amends.

“I’m sure she’ll get better sleep in her own bed.” I yawn, stretching my hands over my head. “I should probably head back home.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you here for so long.”

I lift a hand. “You didn’t. I’m glad you texted.”

I stand, and he follows me to the door. He reaches out and grabs my hand, twisting me into his chest.

Leather and sandalwood wash over me, and I inhale deeply. He’s intoxicating.

Droolworthy? Intoxicating? Ava would call me cringe for using such adjectives to describe a man. And maybe I am, but both are true.

“Thank you, Lyss. I mean it. You saved me.”

My head wobbles around as I struggle to take the compliment, something I intend to work on and soon.

“I’m always happy to help.”

He pulls me in and places a lingering kiss on my lips.

His forehead leans against mine. “Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?”

“No,” I say, breathlessly.

He steps back, putting some space between us. “You do now. I have tickets to a party in Silverton. Malone gave them to me because he decided to work the night shift.” He searches my face. “Will you? Come with me?”

A smile spreads across my face. “I’d love to.”

He rocks back on his heels, head dipping slightly. “It’s overnight. We’d be…sharing a room.”

I swallow, the thought of sharing a bed with Nick both exhilarating and terrifying. I was ready to take things to the next level a few weeks ago, but the distance as of late has tempered my nerve.

“If you aren’t comfortable, we can—”

“No,” I rush out, shaking my head. “I don’t mind. I want to…” My words trail off, cheeks burning as the image of Nick lying beside me plays on a loop in my head.

“It’s a date,” he says, and his voice is gravelly.

Could he possibly be thinking about what I’m thinking about?

I guess we’ll find out soon enough.