mad at me? They were your memories, and I didn't ask you first. I'm sorry. I had
no right to them.”
“Of course, I'm not mad. Actually, I'm glad you were brave enough to follow
your instincts. I just wish I had been able to the same when you drank yours.”
Again, Cole kissed me. His touch was soothing, and I didn’t want to leave the comfort of his arms. Holding me tighter, he ran his fingers through my hair.
Sensible as always, Cole broke away as our kisses grew more passionate.
Letting out a long breath, he said, "It’s getting harder and harder to be a gentleman."
"Then, don't." I slipped my hand into his.
“Soon, you will be my wife, and then all bets are off. Today is not that day."
Cole affectionately squeezed my hand. "I guess it's time to go back and face another parent. We need to find out if that’s Elliott and why he’s really here. Do
you think he is your father?”
Exhaling, I knew I couldn’t hide from all of the questions – his, or mine. I needed to admit to Cole what I was feeling. “I'm not sure what I think. I want to
believe he’s my father, but everything is so complicated right now. Why show up
now? How could he have stayed away for so long? Was he here to distract us while Eliza took Meg? Could they be working together?”
Feeling frantic, my words flew out at a rapid pace. “I'm worried the spell won’t be effective. If Elliott read it, he might be able to counter it? Maybe we should use another? I wonder if your mother has one around here. Perhaps,
something that will work better.”
“Calm down, Mara.” Cole led me to the red chair and motioned towards it.
“Sit a minute so that you can regain your composure.”
He went to a cabinet and pulled out several bottles. Then, he shook the
contents into a small piece of cloth. Cole tied the fabric before handing me his
creation. “Take this and slowly inhale. You need to calm yourself.”
I took a long breath, allowing the fragrant lavender and peppermint to fill my
senses. After a few minutes, I set the pouch down. “Where did you learn how to
make this?” I questioned. “Did your mother teach you? I thought you were never
here.”
Cole picked up the herbs and held them out to me. “Mara, stop, take in the
scents, and release your worries. My mother made these pouches when I was
sick or scared. She had herbs in our pantry, just like Gram. Of course, nothing like what she has here.”
I settled back and allowed myself to soak up the soothing treatment. Slowly,
my mind stopped racing. After a few minutes, I was relaxed enough to start making sense.
“I'm not sure what that was all about, but I'm collected now,” I apologized.
“Good.” Cole smoothed my hair out of my face and kissed my cheek. “Now,
we can try to find a new spell to use on Elliott, and all of your questions will be
answered. I promise.”
As we looked through the bookcases, I began to worry again. We found
nothing magical. Most of the books were just stories about the Goddess or plants
and herbs.
“I watched my mother write in a journal when I was little. I wonder if it's around here.” Cole patted the walls of another cupboard, looking for a hiding place.
With renewed focus, we searched every cabinet and bookcase, looking for
the missing notebook.
