“Hallie invited half the Montgomerys and all the Taggerts to come to her house. At least it seems like that many.” Even Jamie thought he sounded sulky.
Todd put the keys in his pocket and sat on a chair in the shade. “I’ll stay here with you. In case—”
“In case what?!” Jamie said. “In case I need something? In case a plane goes overhead and I freak out at the noise and land face down in the pool?”
Todd had had a couple of years to get used to his brother’s mood changes: smiling one second, enraged the next. He was unperturbed, but then he knew that the girl was Jamie’s problem.
“The old me would have gone after her.”
Todd looked at the sun glistening off the pool water. “I’m not sure about this, but I don’t think this girl would have given the old you the time of day.”
“What does that mean? That she prefers half men?”
Todd was keeping his own temper down, but it wasn’t easy. “Is that why she kicked you out of the house last night? Because you’re a wounded soldier?”
“Of course not! Hallie’s not like that.” Jamie took a breath. “Jilly wasn’t feeling well, so Hallie suggested she stay there with her, in the quiet. It was good advice. Kit used Hallie’s car to drive me out here.”
“What happened at the dinner last night? Anything bad?”
“No,” Jamie said. “It was all good. Uncle Kit and Hallie seem to have formed some sort of alliance over the Tea Ladies. Hallie described her dream and Uncle Kit told about seeing them and I told of seeing one of them.”
“You didn’t tell me that you saw a ghost.” Todd’s voice was sharp. It wasn’t easy for him to keep his opinions to himself. This girl Hallie seemed to be pulling his brother away from him. It was as though the twin bond was being stretched so far that it just might break. War hadn’t snapped it apart, but this pretty girl from Boston might cut the tie.
The problem was that Todd didn’t trust her. He knew his brother was falling for her, but Todd didn’t think she felt the same way about him. She liked him and she hadn’t been repulsed by the sight of Jamie’s wounds, so that was in her favor. But he didn’t sense any real depth of feeling coming from her.
Earlier this morning Todd had called Uncle Kit and asked what the hell had so angered his brother. “He’s back to where he was months ago. What happened?!”
“I think it’s just a case of the green-eyed monster,” Kit said. “At dinner Hallie mentioned that she’d had a call from a guy named Braden and that he was coming to visit. I wouldn’t have thought anything about it, but young Jamie’s face swelled up so red he looked like some poisonous fish. He really should work on controlling his emotions.”
Todd thought so too, but he wasn’t going to side with anyone against his brother.
“Do you know who this Braden is?” Kit asked.
“Vaguely,” Todd said. As a law enforcement agent, he wasn’t going to tell what he knew about anything. “I’ll see you later today.” After he hung up, Todd thought about what he did know about Braden Westbrook. When Todd had visited his mother, she’d gone on and on about how she so very much wanted her son to marry Hallie.
“Everyone complains about mothers-in-law,” Mrs. Westbrook said, “but no one thinks what we mothers have to put up with. I’m scared my son will marry someone like…like Shelly.”
“What does Hallie think of your son?”
“She thinks no one knows, but Ruby—that’s Hallie’s late stepmother—and I used to agree that if Braden said, ‘Hallie, jump into that volcano for me,’ she wouldn’t hesitate. That’s the kind of mother I want for my grandchildren. Do you know what I mean?”
“I do, yes,” Todd said.
He hadn’t told his brother of the conversation, but he certainly remembered it.
His worry was that Hallie was very good at her job and that to her, Jamie was just her client. She cared about him and would do anything she could to help him heal, but it ended there. On the day she’d seen how deeply injured Jamie had been, she’d mainly been concerned that he’d insulted her profession.
Todd feared that when Jamie’s knee had healed and he could walk again, Hallie would consider her job done. She’d kiss him on the cheek, tell him goodbye, and look to the next patient. Add that to what Jamie had already been through and Todd wasn’t sure his brother would ever recover.
“Stop thinking so hard and leave,” Jamie said. “Go enjoy yourself. I’ll be fine here. Actually, I’d like some down time. I’ll sit in the sun and let it heal me.”
Todd looked at his brother. “You want me to go to the house and report back to you, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” Jamie said and gave a bit of a smile.
Todd stood up. “I’ll take one of the cars Plymouth said we could use, but I’ll leave the Range Rover for you. Keys are in the kitchen.”
“I won’t be there,” Jamie said. “I don’t want to ruin everyone’s good time.”
“You won’t,” Todd said, but he knew it was no use arguing. “Just so you know, though, if Raine makes a play for her, she’s on her own. I won’t tackle him even for my brother.”
Jamie gave a bit of a laugh, then waved his brother away.
Chapter Fifteen
Hallie awoke with a sense of panic. She hadn’t gone to Jamie at two A.M.! She was halfway out of bed before she remembered that he’d left with Uncle Kit after the dinner.
It was still early so Hallie lay back in bed, snuggled with her pillow, and thought about the dinner. It had turned into an evening of the Tea Ladies, as each one told all that he or she had experienced.
Jilly was a wonderful audience. She expressed shock or delight at everything that was revealed.
Hallie described her dream and showed the drawings that had been behind the big cupboard. “Have you ever heard of anything like that?!” she asked.
“Actually,” Jilly said, “Toby and Graydon…” She trailed off. “No, nothing.”
Jamie told of seeing the beautiful young ghost and of hearing “Juliana has died,” but he didn’t say that it had been Hallie who’d whispered it. That led to Jamie and Hallie telling Caleb’s story of why the young women were ghosts.
“I’d like to read the documents that tell the story,” Hallie said.
“I doubt there are any,” Jilly said.
The other three looked at her in interest, but she just smiled. “Kit said something about a box you found.”
Hallie got up and pulled the old wooden box off the shelf and set it down in the middle of the table. “I didn’t open it. Jamie was—” She broke off. There was no need to mention Jamie’s panic attack.
But to Jamie, they were family. “She didn’t have time to open it because I was coming apart and crawling across the floor in panic,” he said. “Same ol’, same ol’.”
Kit and Jilly gave him a look of sympathy—and that bothered Hallie.
“The oddest thing about Jamie’s attacks is that hugging and kissing are the only things that soothe him. I’m beginning to wonder if they’re real.”
Hallie was still standing and for a moment the three of them looked at her in shock. Kit was the first to laugh and Jilly followed. Jamie picked up her hand and kissed the palm.
After that, anything left of his bad mood was gone.
At dessert, Kit showed the card that had been inside the envelope with his name on it. FIND THEM was beautifully handwritten on it.
They passed the card around, but no one had any idea what it meant. “Find who?” Hallie asked.
“Who are you missing?” Jamie asked, but Kit said nothing.
The box was full of recipes, and they seemed to cover centuries and the world.
“Look!” Hallie said to Jamie as she held up a yellowed card. “This is for those cookies you like so much.” Her statement led them to talk about the wonderful teas Edith left for them.
“They’re very high calorie,” Hallie said, “but we eat them anyway.”
“Doesn’t look like it’s hu
rting you,” Jamie said. “That dress used to be tight.”
“I know. I think it’s all the work on your naked cousins. Digging into Raine’s muscles probably used a couple thousand calories.”
Jamie groaned. “See what I have to put up with?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Hallie saw Kit and Jilly smile at each other.
All in all, it had been a lovely evening—and Jamie had agreed with the idea of his dear aunt Jilly staying the night. Kit said he’d drive Jamie to a house where he could spend the night.
“I’ll see you tomorrow for the wedding,” Hallie said as they parted at the door.
“Yeah,” Jamie said hesitantly. “Maybe.” Before she could ask what he meant, he turned to Kit. “We better go.”
Kit took Hallie’s car and drove Jamie away, and Jilly stayed behind. Hallie took one look at her and sent her upstairs to bed.
“But I should help clean up.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Hallie said and stood there waiting as she went upstairs.
When Jilly was out of sight, Hallie returned to the tea room and began to put things away. The house was eerily quiet and she couldn’t help wishing Jamie was there. He’d make jokes and the chores would be easier.
She was halfway finished when she sat down on the couch and put her head in her hands. It had been a long day! Seeing Jamie’s scars, running away from him, and feeling so very angry, then…then feeling his lips on hers, his naked body against hers. Later, being together on the couch, legs entwined, the storm outside, the fire inside. She remembered his attack and how helpless she’d felt, but at the same time he’d made her feel needed.
She looked around the room. The fire was dead, most of the candles were out, and the plates on the table were empty.
Why had Jamie been so angry about Braden? Surely, Jamie knew that here and now was temporary. It was all a fantasy. The romance of the old house with its beautiful ghosts, the gorgeous young men wandering about, the scrumptious meals that seemed to appear out of nowhere…None of it was real.
She couldn’t help thinking that it was like her life with her grandparents. It had been happy and fun and carefree. But it had all ended in a single day.
She had no doubt that when Jamie’s knee healed he’d leave too.
Getting up, she paused at the table. She was too tired to do any more. She’d clean it in the morning. She blew out the few remaining candles and went upstairs. Ten minutes later, she was sound asleep.
Now it was morning and she wished she could stay in bed, but she heard water running and knew Jilly was up. She should see if she was all right.
Hallie quickly dressed and went through the sitting room. The bedroom was open and Jilly was just climbing back into the bed.
“I agree,” Hallie said and Jilly nodded to the other side. Hallie went around to the far side and stretched out on top of the covers by Jilly.
“I think this is the first morning that having another baby has felt real to me,” Jilly said.
“You didn’t plan it?”
“I’m forty-three. No, I didn’t.”
Turning their heads, they looked at each other and smiled.
“You’re making me remember my daughter,” Jilly said. “She’s at college now and has little need for her mother. And you?”
“I don’t remember my mother, but I had a young, energetic grandmother and that was enough. Will Ken be happy when you tell him?”
“Ecstatic. He and his first wife, Victoria, have only one child. Have you met either of them?”
“No. I just seem to meet tall, beautiful men who take their clothes off at the first sight of me.”
Jilly laughed. “Except for Jamie.”
Hallie groaned. “Getting his clothes off was an ordeal! I wanted to strangle Todd. Why does he dislike me so much?”
“He’s just protective of his brother. When Jamie told him he was going to serve a tour in Afghanistan, Todd nearly went crazy. He was terrified of losing Jamie.”
“But isn’t Todd in a profession where he gets shot at?”
“If you’re asking me to explain male logic,” Jilly said, “I can’t do it. Todd’s wanted to be a policeman or a sheriff since he was a kid. Every Halloween he wore the same costume. When he was little, Cale bought him the whole set of Mayberry videotapes. He watched them and Jamie watched cartoons.”
“Not videos of being a soldier?”
“No,” Jilly said, “and I think that’s part of why Todd was so upset. He’s a very orderly young man. He doesn’t like surprises.” She looked at Hallie. “Are you ready for today?”
“I guess so. I haven’t thought about it. Jamie and I have been so wrapped up in the ghosts that we’ve barely talked about his cousin’s wedding. It seems like a lot of work to set up TVs so they can stream it. I guess the bride and groom hired professionals to do the video.”
Jilly lifted on her elbows to look at Hallie. “You don’t know, do you? No one has told you?”
“I guess not, since I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Jilly lay back down. “If they weren’t so big, I think I’d paddle my nephews. Where should I begin? During World War II, J.T. Montgomery married Princess Aria of Lanconia and they became king and queen. When their son was forty, they turned the throne over to him.”
Hallie was watching Jilly in shock as she was beginning to see where this story was going.
“Graydon Montgomery, the groom, is J.T.’s grandson.”
“Oh,” Hallie said. “Oh.”
“Exactly,” Jilly answered. “It is a royal wedding. Graydon will be the next king of Lanconia and Toby will be the queen. And no one told you of this?”
“Not so much as a hint.”
“I can understand. To them, Graydon was just one of the kids in the summers. The family switches back and forth from Maine to Colorado. Mostly we just leave the doors open and keep food out and the kids run wild. A bit chaotic, I guess.”
“It sounds heavenly,” Hallie said, her mind still on the big wedding. “I invited Adam and the rest of them over to see the wedding here. How many do you think will show up?”
Jilly took a moment before answering. “They’ll be respectful of Jamie so there won’t be too many.”
“Just the big guys who can physically deal with him if…if something happens?”
“Yes,” Jilly said. She was looking at Hallie’s frown. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”
“No wonder Jamie snaps at his cousins,” Hallie said. “He must know why it’s only big, strong, healthy young men who hang around him. And the two little ones who can be taken away so they don’t see. I guess that’s why the men showed up the morning the kids climbed in the bed with us.” She closed her eyes.
“You were in bed with Jamie?” Jilly asked.
Hallie waved her hand. “Not like that. I was a leftover from his nightmares.” She was thinking about what she’d just learned.
“Hallie, I don’t mean to turn motherly on you, but if you and Jamie do become sexually active, you need to be sure to use protection.”
“He has an STD?”
“No, that’s not possible. The hospital checked everything about him and since then there haven’t been any…Sorry to give out confidences. No, the problem is that we Taggerts seem to be extraordinarily fertile. I’m a living example. Cale swears her youngest two came because she and my brother shared a spoon. It’s none of my business, but sometimes in the heat of a moment people can be overcome and forget things.”
Hallie let out a sigh. “Right. Towels fall to the floor and there’s all that warm, golden skin.”
“I do understand,” Jilly said. “A man steps out of a shower and he has a face full of whiskers and suddenly you’re glad you just washed the bathroom rug because it’s up against your back.”
“What is it about men’s muscles that have a direct connection to a woman’s knees? Flex a bicep; bend a knee.”
“Ken can look at me over a cup of coffee an
d I’m on my back. It’s as though my mind takes a holiday.”
“I figure it’s procreation,” Hallie said.
“If we women didn’t enjoy how men look and all we could do was listen to them, no babies would ever get made,” Jilly said.
Hallie laughed. “I think you’re right.”
Jilly said, “Not to be nosy, but have any towels fallen around you?”
“Uh…” Hallie began.
“Is anybody here?” came a male voice from downstairs. “We have food.”
“And beer,” came another voice.
Hallie sat up on the bed. “Take your time getting dressed. I’ll deal with the men.”
“Your face just lit up,” Jilly said. “Who are you hoping to see downstairs?”
Hallie started to answer truthfully, but then said, “Max,” and ran from the room. She went to her own bathroom and put on makeup that she hoped would look like she wasn’t wearing any. She reached for her curling iron but didn’t pick it up. Instead, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. “Pulled back flat,” as Jamie called it.
Raine was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs and smiling up at her. What a sight to wake up to! Men’s muscles and women’s knees, she thought. “Good morning,” she said.
He put his hands about her waist and swung her down the last two steps. “Good morning. Aunt Cale talked to your cousin, Leland, and he’s going to come to Aunt Jilly’s wedding.”
“That’s wonderful,” Hallie said. “Please thank her for me.”
Adam stepped around Raine. “These were baked last night. Tell me what you think.” He held out a cookie to her, but when she tried to take it, he moved it away. She bit while he was holding it.
Ian came from behind her. “Try this.” He held up a glass for her to drink out of. It was a fruity white wine.
“Delicious!”
“Hallie!” screamed Max and Cory as they ran at her at full speed.
Raine grabbed a collar of each child and only released them when they stopped running.