Sex with a Hex: Magical Sisters, Book 2 Page 15

  “At first I was angry that you’d lied to me and used a woman you knew wouldn’t accept my advances, but my anger didn’t last.”

  “It sure felt like it had a minute ago.” She gave him a shy smile.

  “Yeah, well, I put on a good front when I’m hurt. But, hell, I’ve already forgiven you.” Chance brushed his lips across hers. “Meg, I know this is fast and, frankly, a little crazy, but I have to tell you.” He touched the side of her cheek with the back of his fingers, and Meg sighed. “I love you, Meg Tristan. I love every bullheaded, annoying, frustrating, sexy, sweet part of you.”

  Meg breathed in, refilling her body with much-needed strength. She’d hoped and prayed for this moment and now she wanted it to last. “I love you, too. Every stubborn, arrogant, handsome, caring part of you.”

  His laughter settled over her like a warm blanket. “As long as we’re confessing, I have to admit I was glad Sasha turned me down. If push came to shove, I would’ve found a way out of being with her.”

  “You would have? Wow, wait until I tell Hilly that she would’ve been rejected.” Meg gasped, aware of her mistake the second the words left her mouth.

  Chance turned her loose. “What do you mean? What does Hilly have to do with Sasha?”

  Meg let several possible answers—all lies—race through her head, discarding each one. She wouldn’t lie again. Besides, hadn’t she planned on telling him the whole truth? The fact that she’d wanted to ease into the topic, maybe find out if he believed in the supernatural first, was no longer an option.

  “Meg, are you going to answer me?”

  She could see the struggle to believe her on his face. If she didn’t tell him the truth, he’d know and would never trust her again. But would he recognize the truth when he heard it? She glanced at Mrs. Dannigan, who appeared alert as ever, listening in on their conversation.

  “Chance, I have something more to tell you. But I’d rather not tell you around your mother. Can we please go to another room?”

  “Not on your life. Anything you have to tell me you can say in front of her.” The ire in his expression softened, sadness overtaking his eyes. Leaning toward her, he whispered, “Whatever you say will remain between us. My mother suffered a stroke a few years ago. Since then, her movement has improved, but her speech has never recovered. She couldn’t tell anyone even if she wanted to.”

  The news about Chance’s mother almost floored Meg. Trying not to convey pity, she studied the older woman. Although Mrs. Dannigan may have lost her speech, her stiff spine and the regal lift of her head conveyed dignity.

  “I’m so sorry, Chance. I didn’t know.”

  “But you see now that you can speak freely. So go ahead. Tell me about Sasha and Hilly. Tell me whatever it is you need to tell me.”

  Meg had tried different speeches on the way over to Golden Retreat, but none of them had sounded right. How did you tell the man you loved that you were a witch and your sister was a shape-shifter? Realizing she’d never come up with the perfect words to say, Meg took a leap of faith that Chance’s love would make him believe.

  “I’m a witch.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chance blinked, then blinked again as though trying to see her more clearly. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” Over his initial surprise, he fought to keep the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth from winning the battle.

  Oh, crap. This is going to be harder than I thought. Meg gathered her resolve. “I know this is hard to come to terms with, but it’s true.”

  Maybe if she tried telling him in a different way. She thrust out her hand for a handshake. “Hi, I’m Meg Tristan and I’m a card-carrying, spell-brewing witch. Have Crock-Pot, will conjure. Okay, so maybe we witches don’t actually have cards, but some of us have Facebook pages, if that counts. Would you care to like my page?”

  The smile lost the war to his frown. “I don’t think this is the right time for a lame joke, Meg. Tell me about Sasha and your sister.”

  “Sasha was my sister.” Yet another abrupt confession. Would she ever find the best way to tell him?

  “You mean you have three sisters?”

  “Nope. Just the two, and believe me those two are enough.” She wasn’t happy that he didn’t laugh along with her. “But seriously, Hilly was Sasha. She was in…disguise. Sort of.”

  “I don’t get it. No amount of makeup or wigs could make Hilly look like Sasha.”

  “You’re right. But when you’re a shape-shifter, you don’t need that other stuff.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her, intensifying the glare. “I don’t have time for this nonsense, Meg. I forgave you for the trick. Why make things bad between us again?”

  She was losing him and knew he wouldn’t give her another chance. “I’m not. I’m trying to be honest with you. If we have any hope of a long-term relationship, then we have to lay our cards on the table. And my cards include my being a witch and my sister a shape-shifter. Oh, and by the way, Allie used to be a succubus, but she underwent a transformation and now she’s all human.”

  She crossed her arms, trying to physically restrain her growing frustration. “That’s the truth, believe it or not.” Please, believe it. For both our sakes, please believe.

  “Oh, my God, you’re serious, aren’t you? Meg, I’m sorry, but that’s the biggest load of sh—”

  The clanking of knitting needles on the tile floor had them gaping at his mother. Her eyes were wild and the thin line of her lips looked like Chance’s, but it was the way she waved her hands in the air that worried Meg. Chance hastened toward her, but Mrs. Dannigan thrust out her palm and shook her head.

  “I think your mother’s trying to tell you something. In no uncertain terms, either.”

  Chance sat beside his mother to take her hands and force them to her lap. She still shook her head, then opened her mouth to speak words that couldn’t come out. “Mom, what is it? Are you hurting? Are you in trouble?”

  Again, she shook her head. Breaking free of him, she pointed at Meg, shook her finger at Chance, then pointed again at Meg.

  The older woman wanted him to listen to her. Meg smiled, forever grateful for his mother’s insistence. “She wants you to hear me out. Am I right, Mrs. Dannigan?”

  At once, his mother lowered her hands and nodded.

  “Are you trying to say you believe her wild story?”

  To Meg’s disappointment, Mrs. Dannigan shook her head. Damn, I thought she was on my side.

  His mother tilted her head at Meg and made a motion as though she were writing. “Oh! She wants to write her thoughts down, Chance. Grab the pad and pencil on the side table.”

  Once she had the writing materials, Mrs. Dannigan scribbled her message. Although her stroke had left her speechless, it hadn’t left her unable to communicate. The message, written in childlike block letters made her message very clear. She held up the pad and pointed at Meg.

  Prove it.

  Meg stared at the words. “Now why didn’t I think of that?”

  “Mother, this is ridiculous. Hey!” Chance yanked back the hand his mother had whacked with the pencil. “Okay, Mom, take it easy.”

  Turning to Meg, he gave her the opportunity she needed. “Go ahead before my mother hits me again. Although I think it’s a waste of time to even acknowledge your silly claim, I’ll do as my mother wants. Prove you’re telling the truth.”

  “Sure. Fine, I will. I mean, I can prove I’m a witch, but I can’t prove Hilly’s a shape-shifter. Not without her being here.”

  “Show me you’re a real witch and I’ll take the other on faith.”

  “Deal.” Meg scanned the small room, searching for a way to prove her abilities. Should she levitate the vase of flowers on the side table? Or maybe transform the bedpan into a squirrel? Both would go a long way to proving her assertion, but she wanted to do a spell that wouldn’t leave any doubts in Chance’s mind. She looked at the expectant face of Mrs. Dannigan and knew what she had to do.

 
Taking a seat on the other side of Mrs. Dannigan, she placed a hand on the old woman’s shoulder, praying she’d go along with her plan. “Mrs. Dannigan, would you like to speak to your son?”

  Chance’s frown matched his mother’s, displaying a definite family resemblance. “Meg, how can you be so cruel? My mother hasn’t said one word to anyone since her stroke.”

  Bullheaded wasn’t the only adjective that fit Chance. He was also close-minded. At least as far as witchcraft was concerned. “I would never do anything to hurt your mother. So what do you say, Mrs. Dannigan? Want to give it a try?”

  His mother’s bewildered yet hopeful expression almost broke Meg’s heart. Then she smiled and nodded.

  “Good.” Keeping her hand on the woman’s shoulder, Meg offered her other hand and Mrs. Dannigan took it. “Close your eyes and think about what you want to say. I can’t promise you’ll have much time, so make sure you say what you really want to say. When the connection’s gone, it’s gone for good. I won’t be able to perform this spell ever again.”

  “Why not?”

  Chance’s look of guarded optimism brightened Meg’s heart. Did he already believe? Or was he simply grasping at anything, even magic, to help his mother?

  “Doing this kind of spell where I connect with another person takes a lot of energy out of me. Once I’ve done it, I won’t have the strength to do it again. I’m not sure why. It’s just one of the many mysteries of magic.” Meg wished she could offer him more, but even witches had their limitations. “Are you ready?”

  Mrs. Dannigan nodded again. Then, without warning, she squeezed Meg’s hand.

  Please, let this work. “Let’s do this. Mrs. Dannigan, close your eyes and think the words you want to say to Chance. Chance, stay quiet and listen.”

  Shutting her eyes, Meg concentrated and silently chanted the spell she’d often read but never thought she’d use. Once said, she repeated the spell twice more, then let her mind go blank. A swelling of emotion tumbled inside her, sending chills through her as it whirled and ebbed, growing weaker, then stronger. Her body shook, her ears rang, heralding the pain. An unidentifiable aroma assaulted her, and a sharp pain zipped from the front of her head to the rear. She gasped, but held on to Mrs. Dannigan’s hand. No matter how awful the ache became, she’d hold on.

  The cold soon became unbearable, shaking her body and making her teeth chatter. But still she hung on. Her body tensed and straightened as the storm inside her transformed into a ball of fire in her stomach. She moaned and heard Chance speak, but he sounded like he was a thousand miles away. Letting the power spill from her, her strength died and Meg slumped beside the old woman.

  “Chance?” His mother inhaled sharply as though stunned to hear her own voice. A delighted smile filled her face and sparkled in her eyes.

  “Mother? Oh, my God, Mom. You’re talking.” Chance took his mother’s hand in both of his, careful not to break the hold Meg had on her left hand.

  “My precious son. I love you, son. I’m so proud of you.”

  “I can’t… This is amazing. I hear your voice, Mom, I hear you.” Tears sprang to his eyes, but he couldn’t, wouldn’t let go of her hand to wipe them away. If he somehow broke the connection and lost the precious gift Meg was giving to them, he’d never forgive himself.

  “Listen to me, son. Meg said we don’t have a lot of time.” His mother’s smile weakened, but remained.

  “I know, Mom, I know. Please. Keep talking.” He never wanted her to stop.

  “Chance, I want you to be happy. But you have to see happiness, and when you find it, don’t let it get away.” The lines in her face deepened with the effort to reach him with her words.

  “I don’t understand.” Of course he was happy she could speak again. Was that what she meant?

  “Poppycock, son. You do see it, but you’re letting your stubbornness get in the way. Meg is your happiness. I can see the love she has for you. And I see the love you have for her, too.”

  He glanced at Meg who, although lying against the cushions of the loveseat, still gripped his mother’s hand firmly in hers. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “Don’t be a fool, Chance Dannigan. Of course you do. You know you love the girl. So stop putting up roadblocks. Promise me, son. Promise me you’ll accept her love and give her yours.”

  A tear slid into the corner of his smile. “You always did know best, Mom.”

  She nodded, her eyes welling with unshed tears. “And I always knew when I needed to kick you in the butt, too.”

  Chance chuckled, leaning forward to place a kiss on his mother’s cheek. “Yes, you did.”

  “Then promise me, Chance.”

  “I promise.”

  Meg’s eyelashes fluttered and she moaned. Chance held his breath, worried for Meg, but not ready to never hear his mother’s voice again.

  “Son, remember another thing.”

  “Sure, Mom. Anything.”

  “Remember how much I love you and remember how very proud—” His mother gasped, her mouth open, her jaws working. But she could no longer speak. The tears she’d managed to keep in check rolled freely down her cheeks. She pulled her hand from Meg’s, then covered Chance’s.

  “Mom, no! Please don’t stop.” Chance’s voice broke, but he wouldn’t give up hope. “Keep trying, Mom. For me. Keep trying.”

  His mother shook her head sadly, then reached out to touch his cheek. Where her voice now failed her, the love that shone in her eyes spoke volumes.

  Meg groaned, opened her eyes and pushed her body into a sitting position. Her face was white and her hair lacked the luster it had only minutes earlier, but her eyes still shone with eagerness. “Did it work? Did she speak?”

  Chance struggled to tell her, but his voice was gone with the emotion choking his throat. Instead, he could only bow his head.

  “Are you all right, Chance?”

  The woman who had given so much of herself so he could hear his mother’s voice one last time wanted to know if he was all right. Chance lifted his head and saw the woman he’d fallen in love with. She was stubborn, irritating and more, but she was also feisty, loving and more woman than he had ever hoped to find.

  “I’m fine. God, Meg, I can’t thank you enough. But are you all right?”

  Meg shrugged. “Did you speak, Mrs. Dannigan? Did the spell work?”

  His mother placed a palm on Meg’s cheek, regarded her for a few moments, then pulled her into a hug.

  Surprise, then joy swept over Meg’s features until, at last, she enveloped his mother in her arms. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “Did you hear anything she said?”

  Meg kept one arm around his mother as they leaned back, both of them showing signs of exhaustion. “Not a word. I kind of went to another place. Almost like sleeping but without the feeling of being refreshed when I woke up. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that you and your mom were able to talk.”

  “She told me that I love you.”

  “She did? You already told me you love me.”

  “True, and I meant it. But when you started talking about being a witch, I have to admit I had doubts again. My mom cleared away all my doubts in her usual no-nonsense kind of way.”

  Meg regarded them and gave his mother a squeeze. “Good for her and good for me. So you believe me now? About me being a witch?”

  Chance released his mother’s hands and stood, reaching out for Meg. She took his hands and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Slipping his arms around her, he brought her against him, intent on never letting her go.

  “I have no doubts about anything now. You’re a witch and your sister is a shape-shifter.” Had he just said those words? A few minutes ago he would’ve bet everything he owned that he’d never say anything so outlandish. But the truth had to be acknowledged. “I’ll need some time to let it sink in, but I believe you.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “But most of all, I have no doubts that I love you. The only
question that remains is whether you still love me after I doubted you. Can you still love me, Meg Tristan? Do you still love me?”

  Meg tossed back her hair and gave him a hard look, arching one eyebrow. “Hmm, let me see. Do I love the man who annoys the hell out of me? Do I love the man who has to be shown that everything is real instead of simply believing? Do I love the man who treats his mother like the queen she is? Yes, Chance Dannigan, I can and I do.”

  “Then I guess the only thing left to do is to tell your sisters. What do you say? Want to grab a pastry at your bakery?”

  The ringing of his phone, however, jumped ahead of Meg’s answer. “Dr. Dannigan speaking.” His grin, the one he was sure would never go away now that he and Meg were together died. “I understand. How far apart are the contractions?” He sought out Meg’s eyes. “No, don’t bother calling her. I’ll give her the information. Tell her I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “Is there an emergency?”

  He hated having to release Meg and step away. But she wasn’t going far. Not if he could help it. Taking her hand, he told his mother goodbye, promising to return soon, then tugged Meg toward the door.

  “Where’s the fire, Chance?”

  He hurried her out the front door of the facility. “No fire. Just a certain Halloran baby wanting to come into the world.”

  “Stars and moon, why didn’t you say so? You’d better get a move on, Doc!”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Are you planning on getting up today, Dr. Dannigan?”

  Chance peeked open one eye and took in Meg’s half-dressed body. “Are you asking me to get it up? Because if you are, I’m ready to give you my answer.”

  Meg rolled her eyes, narrowly jumping out of reach as he tried to grab her. She would’ve loved to jump back into bed with her handsome live-in lover. But he needed to work for what he wanted, right? “God, can you get any cheesier? I asked you if you were planning on getting out of bed. Not how high up Little Doc is.”

  “Urgh. I hate when you refer to my cock as ‘Little Doc’.”