Mystical Xmas: Paranormal Romance Anthology Box Set Read online

  Hours later, she wakes up to find him at her bedside. Esme is also in the room. Savannah looks at both of them, wondering what’s going on. Esme is the first to speak. “Mr Richard Grayson Northman here, called me while you were unconscious. You passed out on the way into the ER. You must’ve whacked your head pretty good, girl. Hey, we’ve got to call your mama.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t! If my mama isn’t already on the way, you’re not calling her now! I’m fine! Really, I’m fine!” Savannah pleads with them.

  Gray takes this opportunity to speak up. “Savannah, you hit your head when you were knocked down by the cab. You need around-the-clock care for a couple more days. So, if you don’t want us to call your mother, you’ve got to put up with Esme and me. I can stay with you while Esme is at work, okay?”

  “I told you already. I feel fine! I do NOT need a babysitter!”

  “Suit yourself. I’ll step outside to call your mom while you ladies have a few minutes together,” he says.

  “No, no, no! You win!” Savannah whines. “I’ll do whatever you two say. Just don’t call mom. She’d smother me, not mother me!”

  Suddenly, they all burst out laughing. “I don’t know where THAT came from!” Savannah says while trying to catch her breath. “But Esme knows I’m right. I won’t be able to move on my own if mom thinks I’m hurt or ill.”

  “She’s right. Her mom will definitely freak out if she hears about this. Okay, Savannah. As long as you let us look out for you, it can stay our little secret,” says Esme, conspiratorially.

  “Well, since that’s the case, what say we get the patient out of here before anyone finds out she’s here. I’ll go get the car while you two get Savannah ready to go. The Doctor already cleared us to go.” With those words, Gray is out the door.

  Gray has barely gotten out the door when Esme turns to Savannah. “Girl! Where did you find this angel! It’s like he came from out of nowhere. Yet, he seemed to know all about you! And so caring!”

  “He’s the one I’ve been seeing at the mall whenever I go there. Remember, I mentioned him the other day? I really just met him, I think. But he feels familiar. It’s almost like I’ve known him all my life. And he makes me feel so safe!” Savannah sighs and closes her eyes. “I’ve been thinking of him as Gray because of his eyes. Now I find out that it’s actually his name. That’s just so amazing!”

  “Yeah,” says Esme, dreamily. “His eyes ARE really cool. They’re the most unusual shade I’ve ever seen.” Then she becomes more serious. “But even stranger is that he made us both feel so at ease around him. I never saw him until I met him here with you. I’m still not sure how he knew how to find me. But, he found me, and I was here before you had even been checked out good! Now, let’s get you sprung from this place and home!”

  Savannah is stretched out on the couch with a book, a bowl of soup, a cup of coffee, and two friends hovering over her. “UUUUUGGGGGHHHHH! Maybe I should have let you call mom! You’re going to be worse than she would be. At least she’d pretend to be busy in the kitchen!”

  “Hahaha! We can still call her, if that’s your wish,” laughs Gray, as he pulls out his cell phone.

  “Crap! Forget it! I’ll behave, if you two will let me breathe. I’m bruised, not broken!” Savannah fusses.

  She is caught, like a mouse in a trap. They have her, and they all know it! Because of the accident, her choices are limited. Either, Esme and Gray are going to “take care of” her, or her mother will be told and will hurry to Savannah’s side. Oh, merciful heavens! What a mess she’s in!

  “Savannah, I will be here in the morning before Esme leaves for work. It’s not that we don’t believe that you can take care of yourself, but with a lick like your hard head took we don’t want to take any chances. Just because you don’t have a headache now, or are not nauseated, doesn’t mean it can’t happen. We just want to be sure you’re not alone, if it does happen.” Gray smiles his most beautiful smile at her as he said this. She is totally smitten.

  “Okay, I get it! I’ll see you in the morning,” says Savannah, sleepily.

  “Alright, if you need me, I programmed my number into both your phones. Either of you can call me. For any reason. At any time.”

  “Goodnight, Savannah. Goodnight, Esme,” says Gray as he walks out the door.

  “Goodnight, Gray,” they both call after him.

  The next morning, Gray comes in with coffee and croissants for the three of them. “Oh, my! Chocolate croissants! How did you know they’re my favorite?” asks Savannah, as she licks chocolate off her bottom lip.

  Gray’s heart nearly stops when he sees that. Never has he seen anything that affects him quite like that simple gesture has. Not in his entire life. Something pulls at his heart, and elsewhere, when she licked her lip like that. “Oh, my! I am so screwed!” he thinks to himself.

  Esme has to get to work, so she quickly finishes eating. “Well, it’s time for me to leave you two alone. Are you sure that I can trust you, Savannah, to behave yourself? I know how you are. You hate being told what to do. Gray, she’ll play you! Be careful! You two have a great day.”

  “You, too, traitor!” Savannah is just a little bit ticked at her friend for ratting her out like that. She isn’t liking having to stay put for two days, especially with a babysitter!

  “Well, Savannah. What shall we do first?” asks Gray. “I know. Let’s get to know each other a little better. You tell me something about you, and I’ll tell you something about me.”

  “Sure. Right. That’s exactly how I expected to spend my day,” grumbles Savannah. “If we have to do this, you get to go first.”

  “Okay,” says Gray obligingly. “I was born on an island off the coast of South Carolina, I think.”

  “What do you mean, you think?” she asks. “Were you adopted, or something?”

  “Eventually, I was,” Gray answers. “I spent a good part of my life in the foster system. I’m told that I was left on the doorstep of a church, near Charleston. No one really knows for sure where I came from or when, exactly, I was born. Because I was found on December 20, my birthday was assigned as December 17. Everyone guessed that I was about three days old when I was found.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I am so sorry! That must have made your childhood really hard. You seem so normal!”

  “I am as normal as you,” he says.

  “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I apologize for insulting you,” she says warily.

  “Oh, you didn’t insult me. I’ve heard much worse, believe me. When you grow up in foster care, you hear everything. You’re never good enough for anyone to be your friend, unless it’s another foster kid. Real kids don’t always accept you. Many of them think you’re scum, while others are interested only in getting rid of you, however they can. I only had one home where I felt like I belonged,” states Gray.

  “Please, tell me about that one.” she asks. “I’d love to know about that wonderful place. They must have been special people, to make that the only place where you felt like you belonged.”

  “The Northmans were very special people. I was nearly thirteen when I went to live with them. They were my fourth home and a last resort. I had been in and out of trouble since I was six. In my first home, my foster dad wasn’t very nice. Not to his wife and their kids, but especially not to my foster brother and me. He used us for cheap labor and beat us if we didn’t do enough or weren’t fast enough. Charlie, my brother, and I finally had enough. One day, I think I was eight then, we just waited for him to pass out drunk. When he finally did, we took off. Living on the street is not easy for a couple of eight-year-olds, but we managed for a couple of months before we were caught stealing food from dumpsters. “

  “In my second home, my mom was a drug addict. Of course, no one knew because she hid it very well. When Child Welfare realized what was going on, I was sent away.”

  “My third home wasn’t bad, but even with the money they got for me, there was rarely enough food and clothe
s. So, once again, I was moved.”

  “In my fourth home, things really turned around for me. The Northmans didn’t have an abundance of money, but they wanted me. They had no children of their own and chose me to live with them. Mr. Northman was an only child himself, and had always wanted a big family. Besides me, he and Mrs. Northman took in two other foster children. Sandra was five years older than me. Alexandria was two years younger than her sister. When they found out about Charlie, they hunted until they found him and took him in as well. They decided that we made their family complete. They eventually adopted all four of us. I had never been happier than I was on the day that my adoption was official. Mom and Dad threw a huge party to celebrate. All the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents were there. I had never seen so many people in one place, before. The best part was, I was truly accepted by the family. Not a single one seemed to care that I wasn’t blood kin. I was simply a member of this awesome family!”

  By now, Savannah is in tears. Gray’s story has really torn her up.

  “Hey, sweetheart, are those tears for me? There’s no reason to cry. I have been happy as a part of this family.”

  She says, “I’m crying because of that, silly! You could have been placed in another bad home, or died on the streets! You are absolutely one of the luckiest ones!”

  Gray takes her in his arms and holds her close. He hasn’t felt this much at home in a long, long time. She is his new home. His question is, how to tell her. With that question in his mind, he leans down and gently kisses her forehead. She isn’t satisfied, any more than he is. She reaches up and pulls his face to hers. Their lips meet in what becomes a passionate kiss. Suddenly, she pulls away awkwardly.

  “I’m sorry, Gray. I shouldn’t have done that. I had no right,” Savannah says, uncomfortable now.

  “What are you saying? I wanted that kiss as much as you! I’m the one who should be apologizing.” Gray is the one looking uncomfortable now. “I know what we can do. Why don’t we fix lunch together? I make a mean stir-fry!”

  “That sounds like a great idea. I hadn’t realized how long we had talked. I’m starving!” she says.

  As Gray makes the stir-fry, Savannah puts together a salad. When they sit down to eat, they continue talking. Savannah is amazed at some of the things Gray tells her.

  When Savannah starts telling about herself, it is Gray’s turn to be amazed.

  Savannah is the only daughter of three children. Josh is her older brother. He and Sarah had gotten married in July, so they are spending their first Christmas together with the family. Jack, Savannah’s younger brother is about to become a dad. Lara, his wife is due in early January. The entire family is so excited about the baby.

  Savannah has never thought that she will ever get married. With THEM always around, she feels that her life is not her own.

  As her story begins to unfold, Gray’s attention is totally focused on her.

  “When I was a child, I had imaginary friends. Normal, huh? No, these were different. THEY were already at work in my head, trying to take over my thoughts. I was afraid to tell anyone why bad things happened around me. There were constantly things getting broken. When I was at the playground, other children got hurt. It was not me that was injured, but injuries always occurred whenever I was around. My friends eventually became afraid to play with me. My brothers didn’t play with girls, so I didn’t even have them.”

  Gray doesn’t say a word as he reaches over and touches her hand. His touch settles her nervousness, and allows her to continue.

  “Around the time I turned fifteen, things started to escalate. The feelings became stronger, and my … episodes for lack of a better word … began to happen more often. The accidents were no longer playground accidents. In cooking class, we constantly burned things. I dropped the class mid-semester. Cheerleaders kept falling from the top of the pyramids. I quit the squad. When members of my carpool started getting an unusual number of tickets, I started driving myself to school. When I quit being involved with all these things, other people were not in harm’s way. For some reason, Esme has stuck with me. I love her like a sister. We’ve known each other for twelve years, and have been roommates for ten of that. She’s awesome! I don’t know what I’d do if not for her. But, she doesn’t know about THEM!”

  “How have you been able to handle all this alone? Haven’t you ever just wanted to tell someone? Haven’t you ever just wanted a confidante?” asks Gray.

  “Yes, I have, but how do you tell something like that? I’m still not sure how I’m able to tell you! I just feel so comforted when I’m with you. Like yesterday, after the accident, I wasn’t afraid while you were near me,” she says shyly.

  Gray slides over to her on the couch. He pulls her close to him, and she puts her head on his shoulder. He kisses the top of her head and says, “I’m so glad I have that effect on you. I’ve discovered that I really like you, and I’d like to see you more. Would that be something you’d like as well?”

  “Oh, yes. I think that could be arranged. I really like you, too. But, aren’t you afraid THEM?” Savannah asks quietly.

  “Sweetheart, nothing about you makes me afraid. Whatever THEY are, I’m here for you.” Gray looks into her eyes as he says this. She sees the sincerity in his gaze. He takes that opportunity to kiss her again. The kiss takes her breath away. It makes her heartbeat speed up. She almost can’t remember being without him. Being with Gray has started to feel so normal, so right.

  Gray has begun to realize that she has claimed his heart. If he has his way, he is staying by her side for a long time. Besides, they have a war to win. She just doesn’t know it yet. He knows a lot more about her than she realizes. She has met him for a reason. He will have to give her that information very soon. Now is not that time. Esme is due home from work at any moment. This is not something he needed to say in front of someone who doesn’t know about her “ability”.

  As Gray grills steaks on the deck facing the beach, Savannah and Esme make roasted potatoes, sautéed zucchini and squash, and a luscious chocolate mousse. When they sit down to eat, Esme asks Gray about himself. He gives her a very short version of what he has told Savannah. She asks several questions about his time in the foster system. She has another friend who had also been raised that way, and is interested in how the two experiences compared. It seems that Gray had not been as well off as the other friend. She is glad that Gray had met the Northmans. They, apparently, loved Gray very much.

  When it is time for Gray to leave, Savannah walks with him to the door. Before he turns to leave, he holds her close. “I’ll see you in the morning, sweetheart. Sleep well.” With that, he kisses her gently and looks into her eyes again. “I am in so much trouble where you’re concerned,” he whispers into her ear.

  Savannah looks up at him, seeing the emotion on his face. “Whatever do you mean, Gray?” she says, with a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her face.

  “I am falling for you, girl. Can’t you see that?” he answers.

  “Good!” she whispers. “Because, I’m falling for you too.”

  When she says that, Gray grabs her tightly and kisses her as though they’ll never be together again. Then he turns her loose and backs away.

  “If I don’t go now, I won’t be able to leave at all tonight.” He turns and moves quickly to his car.

  “See you in the morning, Gray.” Savannah calls out. Then she whispers to herself, “I think I love you.”

  When she goes back into the house, Esme bombards her with questions. “When did this happen? Did he kiss you? How far has this gone?”

  Savannah gives her bestie an awkward smile, and says, ”Today. Yes. Only kissing.”

  Esme knows then that Savannah is in love. “I can’t believe this! Finally, you have found someone who just might be worthy of you! This is awesome! I am so happy for you!”

  “Yeah, it IS kinda hard to believe. It’s just amazing that someone like him would be interested in someone like me,” says Sav
annah.

  Esme nearly freaks out completely. “What do you mean? Someone like you? Is there something about you that I don’t know about?”

  “You know what I mean, Esme. I’ve been bad luck for nearly everyone I meet. You, and my family, may be the only exceptions. But, he is some kinda awesome, isn’t he?”

  “From what I can see, he sure is! Girl, you certainly hit the jackpot with him!” giggles Esme

  When Gray arrives the next morning, he tells the girls, “Get dressed, ladies. We’re going out to breakfast.” Esme doesn’t have to work today, so she is going later in the day to see her parents, Robert and Charlotte Jackson, who live about an hour away. Esme’s younger sister, Meagan, is bringing her new fiance’, Sam Miller, for dinner. Esme’s older sister, Alexandria Kenton, is going to be there, along with her husband, Jim. Her only brother, Bobby, will be there as well. They are planning a huge celebration and Esme wants to be there early to help her mom prepare everything for the festivities.

  After Esme leaves, Savannah and Gray decide to walk on the beach for a while. The temperature is quite pleasant, for it to be so close to Christmas. They walk toward the lighthouse that is about a mile away. As they walk, they continue their conversation from the previous day.

  When he asks her to describe the “episodes” she had told him about, Savannah says to Gray, “I would be involved in whatever was going on at the time. I would get this feeling, like a cold breeze blowing by, chilling me. When I looked around, no one else had seemed to notice. Yet, I had goose bumps all over my body. Then, I would begin to feel uneasy, panicky sometimes. On occasion, this would last for days. Usually, though, within a few hours, something would happen. On rare occasions, I would have a premonition of what was coming. Normally, I did not. There was just the feeling of danger.”

  “What kinds of things happened?” Gray asks.

  “When I was young, it was mostly playground accidents. Scraped knees, scratches, nothing really serious. Then one week, three things happened that had never occurred before. One friend fell off the swing, twisting her ankle very badly. Another fell while climbing onto the high slide, catching his leg in the steps and breaking his leg. The third one was a friend riding on the Merry-Go-Round, who fell off and broke her arm. When people started talking about these strange things, they realized something. I was the only person nearby when ALL THREE accidents happened! The other kids started to believe I gave them bad luck. They became afraid to be around me. So I had to learn to play by myself,” she states sadly.