Murder in the meditation, p.2
Murder in the Meditation, page 2
Mysterious Morty was still trying to tell me something.
2
Three days later, it was the start of the weekend. The Psychic Fair was set up outside since the forecast looked good. It wasn’t supposed to rain until late Sunday night after the fireworks display, so the mayor chose to host the event in Mini Central Park instead of the convention center. All the psychics had tents set up around the park grounds, and our resident swans, Fred and Ginger, kept guard over their pond. The park looked more like a mystical village, with new age music filtering through the speakers and the scent of various essential oils and sage permeating the air. People wandered about from tent to tent receiving readings, as well as frequenting food trucks and venders who were selling fair trinkets and t-shirts. Another event that was good for Divinity’s economy.
“There you are.” My best friend Joanne Burnham-West thrust a mini version of her fiery-tempered, redheaded self into my arms, his fisted hands and kicking feet flailing in every direction. “Here. Take your godson. He misses you.”
Jackhammer Jeremiah stopped moving and stared up at me wide-eyed, then his face scrunched up like he was about to wail. I started bouncing him on my hip, which re-activated the flailing hands and feet once more. “I have two godson’s you know.” I winced, knowing I was going to have several baby sized bruises down my whole side tomorrow.
“Yeah, but if you can handle this one, then you can handle anything. Consider it a crash course in motherhood.” Jo took a long drink from her water bottle, looking frazzled and sleep deprived, but happy.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah’s twin, Calm Collin, was a perfect replica of his dark-haired, gentle-giant father. He lay peacefully asleep on his big daddy’s broad shoulder. Cole was so large we’d all dubbed him Sasquatch, and Jo was a statuesque Amazon. Their babies were off the chart already when it came to their size, and my arms began to ache holding my big, squirming, purple-faced bundle.
“Here, let me take him.” Mitch took Jeremiah into his arms, and the boy settled instantly. My husband had been uncomfortable around babies in the past, but he’d quickly adapted to his role as godfather far better than I had as godmother.
Mitch wasn’t as big as Cole, but he was still a large man, making me a little worried over how big our kids might be. My stomach flipped over the thought of having a baby. I was the one who had decided I wanted a family, and it had taken a lot of convincing to get Mitch on board. Now that he had embraced the idea of fatherhood, I knew he would be wonderful at it. He was already proving that with the twins.
I was the one who had doubts. I was terrified I would be a horrible mother. No matter what I did, the twins were not comfortable with me. Not very reassuring in the least. My only consolation was that we were newlyweds. We had plenty of time before we had to worry about starting a family.
Zoe, a smaller, softer auburn-haired, pale gray-eyed version of Jo, joined us with her new fiancé, Sean O’Malley. Sean was a former ladies’ man. None of us had ever thought the blond-haired, blue-eyed outrageous flirt would ever settle down. One look at Zoe and he was a changed man.
“Hey, boss, the wine order is wrong again today,” Sean said. “You might want to check with Rich tomorrow to see what happened.”
Sean worked for Jo at her bar, Smokey Jo’s Tavern, taking on more responsibility since Jo got married and had the twins. Her husband, Cole, helped out when they needed him, but he had his own construction company to operate. The running of the tavern came down to Jo and Sean pretty much, and she was thinking of making him an equal partner.
“Thanks, Sean,” Jo responded. “He might even be here tonight. I know the vendors are serving his wine at the fair.”
Rich Hastings owned a small Finger Lakes winery. He was friends with Zoe’s ex-boyfriend, Mark Silverman, who was a large animal vet here in Divinity. Zoe and Mark broke up on good terms years ago when she moved away. Jo had told me after Zoe had moved back, Mark thought they would pick up the pieces and start over, but that never happened. Sean won Zoe’s heart fair and square, and Mark was left disappointed and broken hearted.
Apparently, he’d never gotten over her.
So, when Mark asked Jo for a favor, she didn’t have the heart to say no. She told me she had always liked the guy. She agreed to give Rich a try as her wine distributor, but Sean had caught him messing up two orders already, and she had a business to run. I didn’t see Rich lasting long if he didn’t get his act together.
“I’ll be back, lass.” Sean’s dimples sank deep as he grinned and let go of Zoe’s hand.
“How are the wedding plans going?” I asked Zoe as Sean wandered over to the men to catch up.
“Not very well.” Her face looked pale.
“I’m sure it will be great. You’re a wedding planner.” I reached out and rubbed her arm. “A very good one at that.”
“Sure, I always know what to do for other people.” She shrugged. “But making decisions for myself is so stressful. Sean’s no help. He just keeps saying whatever you want is good for me, love.”
“It’ll be okay,” Jo chimed in as she joined us. “Look at what I went through. My wedding almost didn’t happen with Cole backing out ‘for my own good,’ and then look at Sunny with her cold feet. You were the strong one for us both, reassuring us every step of the way until we got our happy endings. Now it’s our turn to be there for you.”
“Yup, exactly what Jo said.” I nodded and shivered over the thought of what had almost happened. “I’m so happy now, and to think I almost called off my wedding because I thought there were negative signs. Scary how nerves can affect us when it comes to big decisions like marriage.” And babies.
“I don’t know why I’m letting everything get to me. That’s not usually like me.” Zoe wiped away a tear. “I love Sean, so why can’t I plan my own wedding?”
“It’s because it’s your wedding, which makes it that much bigger of a deal.” Jo gave her a quick hug. “Let’s take your mind off your worries and go have some fun.”
“Okay, and thank you both. Fun is exactly what I need.” Zoe shook out her hands. “I can’t take anything else going wrong.”
We snagged our men and walked around for an hour, sampling food and drinks and meeting all the psychics. It felt good not to have to work, but I was very interested in joining this organization. Everyone in town who was interested in getting a reading from me had already been to my sanctuary. I was just happy to meet like-minded people I could talk shop with, those who truly understood me. There were definitely a few fakes present, but overall, the rest of the psychics were the real deal.
I looked up ahead and saw a familiar looking man arguing with a woman. I nudged Jo. “Hey, isn’t that Rich?” I pointed.
Jo shaded her eyes with her hand and squinted. “Yeah, that sure looks like him, but what is he doing with her?” She studied him closer.
“Oh, blimey. This is not what I need right now,” Sean muttered under his breath, but I heard.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“His ex is here, that’s what’s wrong,” Mitch chimed in as he walked beside us, still holding Jeremiah who was also now sleeping in his obviously-more-capable-than-mine big, strong arms.
“What ex?” Zoe’s forehead puckered with worry lines as she searched the crowd of people.
“You can’t expect to be in Divinity and not run into one of Sean’s exes.” Cole leaned in from behind us.
“Yeah, but she’s not just any ex.” Jo sounded grim.
“What does that mean?” Zoe’s worry frown turned into a scowl.
Biff, Cole’s huge Great Dane, even let out a loud whoof.
“Looks like we’re about to find out,” I said, a feeling of doom settling over me like a dark cloud of negative energy, crackling across the back of my neck.
Rich had stormed off before Jo could talk to him, and the blond goddess he’d been arguing with walked in our direction, her pale green eyes trained on Sean. She was probably the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Zoe let out a little gasp, and Sean took her hand in his.
“Well, if it isn’t Sean O’Malley.” Her gaze traveled the length of him as she tucked a strand of her thick long hair behind her ear. “I was wondering when I would run into you. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen each other, darling. How’ve you been?”
“Engaged.” Sean lifted Zoe’s hand so her impressive engagement ring was clearly visible. “You?”
The goddess blinked, her lips parting momentarily until she regained her wits. She settled her gaze on Zoe, her eyelids closing a fraction as she looked her over. Zoe straightened her spine and stood there stiffly.
The woman held out her hand. “I’m Audra Grimshaw. I’m one of the psychics here.” Her eyes were filled with devilish delight as she added, “I’m also Sean’s ex-fiancé. I can only hope your engagement lasts longer than mine did.”
Zoe’s gaze cut to Sean’s, and he closed his eyes briefly before glaring at Audra. It was clear he hadn’t told his current fiancé he’d been engaged before. Not very smart. Sean was one of my best friends, and he hadn’t told me either. He also hadn’t told me he’d dated a woman who was psychic. I’d thought I was the first psychic in Divinity. I looked at Jo with raised eyebrows. She gave me a look that said I’ll fill you in later.
“Zoe Burnham.” Zoe ignored Audra’s hand. “Your engagement didn’t last because clearly you weren’t the right woman for Sean.” Zoe looked as if she’d grown a few inches as she added, “Make no mistake. I am.” She might be a little softer than her cousin Jo, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t just as fierce when she needed to be.
Audra’s face hardened a little as she dropped her outstretched empty palm. She inhaled a breath and opened her mouth as if she were about to say something more.
Sean put his arm around Zoe. “Can’t say it was good seeing you, Audra. We’re done here.”
“On the contrary, my darling, we’ve only just begun.” She turned around and walked away, hips swaying seductively with every step she took.
Zoe stepped out from under Sean’s arm and away from him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me you were engaged before? And to a psychic? That was so embarrassing. I feel like a fool.”
“It was a long time ago. She wasn’t even a practicing psychic back then.” His gaze cut to mine apologetically before sweeping back to Zoe’s pleadingly. “We were young and stupid. She cheated on me, so I broke things off and vowed never to be vulnerable again. She moved away, and I was fine for years until you came along.” He reached for her, but she stepped back again. “Don’t you see how much more my proposal to you means because of that? I never planned to get engaged again, but you’re everything to me, love.”
“You still should have told me.” Zoe walked away, and Sean started to follow. She whipped her head over her shoulder. “Don’t. I need some time alone.”
Sean heaved a heavy sigh as he watched her turn around and leave without once looking back.
“She’s right. You should have told her.” Jo patted his back. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her.” Jo hurried after Zoe.
I gave Sean a sympathetic look, glanced at Mitch apologetically, and then tried to catch up to Jo. I wasn’t about to miss out on what was happening, and of course, be there to help Zoe.
For once the drama involved someone other than me.
What seemed like forever later of searching for Zoe and Jo, I gave up. They must have turned down another row, and I had ended up in the back of the fair near the woods. A feeling of being watched made goosebumps pop up on my arms, and my scalp prickle like needles in a pin cushion. A crow squawked, and I jumped. Scolding myself, I turned around and decided to make my way back to safer territory with people I knew and trusted.
“Congratulations.”
I jerked to a stop, startled out of my thoughts. A little old woman with long gray hair in a bun and a scarf wrapped around her head smiled at me from beneath her tent. Blowing out a relieved beath, I took a few steps toward her, wondering how she knew I was a newlywed. Then I chuckled. Duh, this was a Psychic Fair, after all.
“Thank you,” I replied. I had thought I’d met all the psychics, but I’d somehow missed her tent. It was on the edge of the park near the woods. “I’m Sunshine Stone, but you can call me Sunny.”
“I know who you are, dearie.” She took my hand in both of hers, and a warm, comfortable feeling swept through my veins like a familiar elixir. Her knowing gaze met mine, and she studied me closer. “Your ability is strong, but you haven’t quite figured out how to read your visions, have you?”
“I’m getting there, but you’re right. My visions always come true, but it sometimes takes me a bit to figure out what the visions are trying to tell me.”
“Reading your visions is a skill that takes time.” She looked me in the eye, her lavender gaze all-knowing and intense. “Talk to your grandmother. She’ll help you.”
My eyebrows drew together. “Granny Gert? But how…?”
“She too has the gift.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Wait.” My mouth fell open, and my eyes sprang wide. “My Grandmother Gertrude is psychic?” That would certainly explain a lot over the years, but why wouldn’t she tell me? She knew how hard it had been with my parents being disappointed in me and getting others to believe in my gift. I was a little hurt and confused as to why she wouldn’t want to help me.
“She’s not a practicing psychic, but yes, she was born with the gift,” the woman named Helga—according to her sign Helga’s Hideaway—said. “I’m sure she might be a bit rusty because people our age didn’t tell others back then. I refused to let that stop me.” She rubbed her hand over mine and closed her eyes momentarily, then opened them with a smile. “You will pass the gift onto your child.”
“Oh, boy.” My heart flipped. “My husband won’t want to hear that.”
“He’ll come around in time.” She patted my hand with her wrinkled arthritic one. “You’ll see.”
“Well, it was great meeting you, but I should really get back to my party. I don’t want them to worry about me.” I let go of her hand, a little freaked out over our conversation. “And thank you for the congrats on my wedding.” I started to leave.
“I didn’t say congratulations because of your wedding.”
My feet stopped moving, and I scratched my head as I looked back at her. “Then why the congrats?”
“For the baby you’re carrying.”
Crazy Lady say what? I thought as my hands dropped to my flat stomach which had turned over as if in protest. “But I’m not….”
“Yes, my dear, you are.”
“But how?”
She arched a gray eyebrow high.
“I mean, I know how. I am married, after all, but just married. It’s only been two months.”
“Exactly.”
“A honeymoon baby?” No, I couldn’t be pregnant, could I?
I thought about the symptoms I’d been having. I was so tired and sick but only in the morning, then starving the rest of the day. I hadn’t gone to see Doc Wilcox yet like I’d promised Mitch I would because I’d been too busy.
“Stranger things have happened.” The woman cackled.
“A baby.” I swallowed hard. “And it’s psychic?”
“I didn’t say this child.”
I gaped. “You mean I’m having more than one child?”
“Time will tell, my dear. I’ve said enough.” She flipped over an hour glass and disappeared behind the curtain in her tent, leaving me reeling from the impact of her words.
3
“What did Doc Wilcox say?” Mitch asked as he sat in the chair across from me at Smokey Jo’s Tavern the next day. I didn’t say anything last night because I’d wanted to be sure. When I woke up sick again this morning, Mitch insisted I cancel my readings and go see the doctor.
For once, I agreed.
“Well, I don’t have the summer flu,” I replied vaguely, still unsure how to tell him since I hadn’t even wrapped my head around the idea yet. I’d asked him to meet me for lunch since he was working, and the police department was nearby.
His face paled, and he took my hands in his own. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together.”
“I certainly hope so.” I laughed, strumming my fingers on his hand. Seventies folk music filtered through the sound system, and I tried to focus on that so I would stay centered and not have a panic attack.
“They’ve come a long way with modern medicine.” He stilled my fingers, holding them gently in his big hands.
“Oh, trust me. I’m no martyr. I will be asking for all the drugs they’ll give me.” I willed the acid churning in my stomach to go away, taking deep breaths like I did when I meditated. “The thought of being in pain terrifies me,” I admitted, wishing I could leave and go meditate now.
“Sunny, you’re scaring me.” A muscle in his jaw bulged as he paused a beat before asking, “Do you have a tumor growing inside you?”
I barked out a laugh, earning a few curious looks from the restaurant’s patrons. “Oh, what’s growing inside me is much bigger than a tumor.” I shivered, hysteria bubbling just beneath the surface.
“Just tell me.” He squeezed my hands. “I can take it.”
“I don’t have a tumor inside me.” My gaze met his and locked. “I have a baby inside me. A baby that’s probably going to be almost the size of the Sasquatch cubs.”
His eyes widened and lips parted. “Y-You’re pregnant?”
Hearing the word spoken out loud had my heart pumping as fast as Jackhammer Jeremiah’s tiny feet. “Yes, and It’s going to be huge, and what if it’s two, and what if it’s grumpy, and what if it’s psychic and can hear my thoughts and knows I’ll be terrible at this, and, and, and…it’s all your fault!” I burst into tears.
