Page 12

12

After taking a few days to recover from her ordeal, Noel finally got out of the house and headed to the inn. She had a few things to check on, but mostly she wanted to talk to Bianca. There were some amends to make there. The money that Henry and Clara had taken out of the safe had been found in the glove compartment of her SUV and would soon be going right back where it belonged.

It was a sunny spring morning when Noel walked into the inn. The light was streaming through the front windows, and it looked just as peaceful and charming as ever. It was only when she saw Bianca flinch at the sight of her that Noel was reminded this wasn’t just any normal visit.

Tears stung Noel’s eyes as she walked over to the desk, but she kept her distance from Bianca. She could tell she made the other woman nervous. Of course she did. Even though Drew had already told Bianca what had actually been going on that night, it was clear that her manager was still struggling in the aftermath.

“I’m so sorry, Bianca,” Noel started, her voice cracking. “I hope you know I would never treat you the way?—”

Bianca launched herself at Noel, hugging her so tightly Noel was having trouble breathing. But she wrapped her arms around her friend and held on tight.

“I knew something was seriously wrong,” Bianca said between her tears. “That person who came in here was nothing like the woman I’ve come to love like a sister. I’m so glad you’re back.”

“Oh, thank the goddess. I was so worried that ghost had messed this up for both of us.” Noel pulled back and gave Bianca a shaky smile. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. Not just as the manager of this place, but as my friend.”

“You’re not going to lose me,” she said. “You know I love it here. I was just so worried about you and Drew and the girls.”

“We’re fine. Or at least the girls and I are fine. Drew is having trouble letting any of us out of his sight, but I suspect he’ll get past it soon enough.”

The two women held onto each other for a long while as they got caught up on the business of running the inn, and when they were done, Noel said, “You are coming to Drew’s birthday party on Sunday, right? We’ve moved it to my dad’s.”

“If we can find someone to man the desk, I wouldn’t miss it,” Bianca said.

“Already got that covered. The new maintenance guy said he’d handle it.” Noel glanced up just in time to see the man in question walk in. He was tall, lean, and muscular with thick black curls and bright blue eyes. Striking was the only way to describe him.

“Mateo, hey,” Noel said, reaching out to give him a quick hug. “Bianca, this is Mateo. He used to work here for a little while right after I purchased the inn, so he knows his way around. He’ll be handling any and all maintenance and upgrades to the inn. He can also chip in when we need someone to fill in for a few hours.”

Bianca blinked twice, looking thunderstruck.

“Mateo, this is Bianca. She’s our inn manager. As I mentioned before, I mostly just oversee things and run events these days.”

Mateo held his hand out to Bianca, who finally seemed to get ahold of herself as she did the same and said, “Nice to meet you.”

“I look forward to working with you, Bianca.” Then he gave her a mock tip of his hat and disappeared into the kitchen.

Bianca turned to Noel and said, “Tell me you hired him just for me.”

Noel threw her head back and laughed. “He’s all yours as long as he keeps the windows and roof from leaking.”

“I bet he’s a multitasker,” she said in a seductive voice, making both women cackle.

Noel’s next visit wasn’t nearly as rewarding. The small white cottage that sat in the middle of the redwoods looked rundown and like no one had lived there for ages. Not unlike the farmhouse that she and Drew had purchased before the renovations. She wasn’t even sure if the owner was in, but she bit down on her bottom lip and knocked anyway.

A few moments later, a man she hardly recognized opened the door and gave her a very faint whisper of a smile. “Noel. This is a surprise.” His voice was full of rasp, like he’d been a thirty-five-year smoker, though he couldn’t have been more than forty himself. “Come in.”

She stepped into the rustic, yet neat, cabin and looked around. There was a serviceable sectional that made up the entirety of the living room but zero pictures or art on the walls. It was void of both life and color. She glanced back at him, still reeling about how much he’d changed since Harlow and Cash had exorcised the spirit from his body.

As it turned out, the man who’d taken over Henry’s identity five years ago was really named Gus Causey, and he’d been a notoriously powerful magic-wielding gangster back in his day. He’d told Clara that he’d expelled his host from his body, but he hadn’t. He didn’t contain that much power. According to Harlow, almost no spirits did. So Noel was never really in danger of completely losing her physical form, but if she hadn’t found a way to fight back, she could have lost herself to Clara.

“How are you doing?” Noel asked him.

“As good as can be expected, I guess,” he said, leaning against the counter and rubbing his shoulder. “Healer Whipple worked miracles on my shoulder. I didn’t even need stitches. But it still aches, like a phantom pain. She said it would go away in a few weeks.”

“That’s good. Real good,” Noel said, grateful he hadn’t been hurt worse.

He pressed his lips together in a thin line and then said, “What can I do for you today?”

“It’s not what you can do for me, really” she said, feeling anxious. “More like what we can do for each other.”

He frowned. “I’m not sure I’m following.”

She swallowed hard and studied the tall man’s angular face. It was weird. His bone structure and physical appearance were exactly the same as when the spirit had been possessing him, but now that Gus was gone, there was zero trace of the arrogant restaurant manager, the domineering force who dared anyone to cross him. Instead, all she saw was a tired, easygoing man in his ripped jeans, white T-shirt, and flannel button-down.

Noel ran a hand through her hair, trying to calm her nerves. “I came by because I wanted to see if you’ll have coffee with me next week. Well, with me and Imogen, Harlow’s sister.”

He raised his eyebrows, clearly confused. “I guess, but why?”

She let out a nervous laugh and then finally just said, “Listen, I know I’m coming across as a bit of a weirdo, but Harlow was telling me that after people are subjected to a possession, it can really affect them in ways that no one else can understand. Imogen was possessed once, and it nearly ruined her life. A lot longer than just one night like me. We decided to try a biweekly coffee meeting, just to talk, maybe share experiences… or not. Just be there for each other, and I wanted to see if you’re interested.”

“A recovering possession support group?” he asked, looking cynical.

“Yeah,” she said with a small chuckle. “I guess it’s exactly like that.”

He chewed on the side of his cheek, and when he started to shake his head, Noel grabbed his hand and said, “I know it’s still very fresh, and I don’t want to pressure you. I just want you to know there are people here in Keating Hollow who care. I’m one of them.”

Henry stared down at her for what seemed like an eternity and then finally nodded. “Okay, I’ll try it. Give me the details and I’ll try to make it.”

Instantly, Noel felt a weight lifted off her shoulders, and she didn’t quite know why. Maybe it was because he’d lived with a spirit taking over his entire life for so long, and not one person noticed. But Noel wasn’t going to let that happen again. Not in Keating Hollow. Not in the town that she’d always thought looked after their own.

“Incantation Café. I’ll text you the date and time,” she said and then hesitated for just a second before she asked, “Do you think I could give you a hug?”

He let out a short huff of laughter. “I never thought you were much of a hugger.”

“You know what? I wasn’t, but it appears this week I am. So what do you say?”

Henry answered by holding his arms out, and Noel walked right into his embrace, careful not to jostle his injured shoulder, and then poured every ounce of friendship she could muster into the hug.

Henry’s breathing turned shallow, and she heard an audible hitch just before she felt his silent sob. And she knew then that, no matter what happened in the future, she’d always find a way to be there for him. They were linked now. And even though the circumstances that had brought them there had been horrific, she felt in her soul that this man would be the bestie she’d never had before.

When they finally pulled apart, Henry wiped at his eyes and let out a shaky laugh. “I didn’t mean to fall apart like that.”

“But isn’t that exactly what I came here for?” she asked, smiling softly. “To offer support?”

He gave her a wry smile. “Yeah, I guess so.”

As he walked her to the door, he said, “Don’t forget to thank that husband of yours. If it wasn’t for him insisting that Harlow and Cash check to make sure I wasn’t possessed anymore, I’m fairly certain I’d be sitting in a jail cell right now.”

“I will. He’s a good one, isn’t he?”

“Maybe the best.” He gave her one last hug before saying, “If he has a brother, send him my way.”

Noel let out a cackle of laughter and said, “He doesn’t, but never fear. We’ll find you someone worthy. Just give me time.”