Fighting the Fire Page 11

  “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had a TV.”

  “What?” He looked genuinely shocked. “We’ll talk about that another time. I want to get back to the shower confessional. You were going to say something, put me in my place, and tell me I was a dog for watching. Lay it on me, I can take it.”

  Mia bit her lip. “I was wondering if you liked what you saw?”

  His eyes flared. Obviously, it hadn’t been what he’d expected her to say.

  “That day, through the steam of the shower, with only a glimpse of your naked body. I was so hot, I thought I’d explode. You were beautiful, and it was all very—erotic.”

  She rolled onto her stomach and sighed. “Other than being frustrated, no matter what I do, or what we want, sex between us may never happen. You’ll get tired of waiting for me, not being able to have me in the way you want, and move on.”

  “Damn it, have you ever noticed how you play out a whole scenario of what you think is going to happen before it does? You always worry, thinking about the worst it could be? We flirt, we may or may not make love and then I take off? I wish you would take as much time getting to know me as you do trying to think of all the reasons I don’t want to stay with you.”

  She could tell she’d hurt him, but talking with someone openly was a new experience. Mia pulled herself off the floor and sat on the corner of the mattress. “Maybe you should leave. I obviously don’t know what to say. I’ve always been alone.”

  Cy got to his feet and yanking the blankets off the floor, he paced back and forth a few times before he finally stopped. “You think you don’t know what to say? Remember that I got smacked in the head every time I tried to talk around my dad. I have a much easier time never saying anything, and letting things run their course. If I can make things happen without ever saying a word, I think it’s easier. But that’s not what needs to be done here. We need to talk about things for this to work because we’re both so bad at it.” He came over to stand at the end of the bed. “Don’t send me off just because you thought you hurt my feelings. I have thick skin, believe me, and scars to prove it. Let me decide if you’ve hurt me.” The tone of his voice softened, “Okay?”

  Dropping the blankets at her feet, he continued. “We don’t need to sleep on the floor. These blankets will protect the mattress no matter what. Here, get up. We’ll tuck the blanket tightly around the corners, then all is safe and good.” He smiled. “Come on, let's try.”

  He adjusted the sheets pulling the large fire retardant blanket over the mattress, tucked it in securely, and then patted the top for her to lie down. She adjusted her weight and sunk down, thoroughly enjoying the softness of the mattress.

  “See, I have a few good ideas.” Cy covered her with the other blanket and laid down next to her with no intention of leaving. “I’m trying to tell you that talking about my past is no easier for me than it is for you. I’m giving you a chance to work through what you’re feeling...give me the same. As I said, I’m all about being truthful, sometimes to a fault, ask Mario.” He paused, “If it ever gets to the point where I’ve had enough and I want to leave, I’ll tell you. I want you to do the same. If you don’t want me around, give me the courtesy and tell me to my face, don’t just take off. Right now, I’m happy spending time with you, but I don’t know how to convince you of that.”

  The truth was she wanted him to stay more than anything she’d ever wanted in her life. This man had gotten under the shell she’d built around her heart.

  Cy stood and turned out the light. When he returned to the bed, he rubbed her back through the blanket.

  “I’m glad you’re here, for a few minutes I’m not afraid.” Mia pulled the blanket higher and gently laid her head on his chest.

  “I’ll do whatever I can to keep you safe.”

  “I’m finally believing that you care about me. “

  Cy pressed warm lips against the top of her head. “Let’s go to sleep, we’ve both had a hell of a day. I hadn’t planned to sleep over, but damn, I’m so tired. I don’t know if it’s safe for me to drive home. Is it okay?” Cy yawned deeply and stretched beneath her, shifting his weight against the press of her body. “I can sleep in the chair.”

  Before she could answer, Mia heard Cy’s breathing deepen and his arm twitch as he fell asleep.

  He’s here for the long haul and he’s not going anywhere.

  With the blanket tucked tight, she nestled down against his chest. She couldn’t remember anything else. Just Cy holding her until she fell asleep.

  ****

  Mia fidgeted with her long, sleek hair which was braided into a rope as she watched Orenda Little Foot. “What do you expect from me? I can’t make it come and go—turn it off and on, like a light switch!”

  “Well, you’re not trying very hard, are you?” Orenda gestured in the air which made her underarms swing back and forth in reverberation. “You gotta work with me here.”

  Mia wondered if this had been a big mistake and now that Cy had left, she felt like she was backed into a corner.

  She liked the old woman, but come on. She wasn’t a trained circus monkey. Besides, she’d always thought of herself as more -of a Barnum and Bailey sideshow freak. A hundred years ago, she could have made a living in her blue bubble, living in a cage. She hadn’t gone too far, she lived in a basement.

  “Let’s back up. I’m going to get us some nice, cold peach iced tea, and then we’ll switch gears.”

  Switching gears was good. When Orenda went out in the kitchen, she'd make a run for it out the front door. She watched the sway of the old woman’s hips as she limped with her cane through the archway. Mia eased her sandals back on her feet and slowly stood. She edged quietly toward the door. She looked up to make sure the bell didn’t ring as she quietly turned the knob. With a quick jerk, she flung open the door and ran straight into Cy’s solid chest.

  “Hey, beautiful. Where are you going in such a hurry?” Cy put his arms quickly around her back caging her to keep from dodging to the side. On top of that, he smiled that killer smile that indented dimples in his cheek and made her knees weak.

  “I...ahhh...was just coming out for some fresh air.” And then running like hell. She left that part off. But now she was busted, and her cheeks heated with the lie.

  Cy shot her a strange look. “You okay?”

  “Fantastic.” She looked back over her shoulder. “Orenda's a great old lady. Can we go?”

  “She sure is. I knew you’d like her. Has she been able to help you any?”

  “I'm cured.” She looked again over her shoulder. “Now let's get out of here.”

  Cy turned her around by the shoulders and pushed her back into the shop. “If you were Pinocchio, your nose would be a foot long.”

  “Come on, Cy,” Mia pleaded, lowering her voice. “She wants me to do things I can't.”

  “You’re whining.”

  She had to admit she was.

  Cy tipped his head toward hers, touching her forehead to his. “You’re as bull-headed as I am—and Orenda, for that matter. I know she wouldn’t ask you to do anything she didn’t think you could, or that she thought would only be for the best.”

  Orenda came back through the curtain holding a tray. “Cy. I thought I heard you out here so I put a few more cookies on the tray.”

  Cy walked over and gave Orenda a quick hug, then picked up a cookie devouring half of it in one bite. “Chocolate chip. And they’re still warm.” He closed his eyes in bliss. “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I love you, Orenda. Will you marry me? Then I could have your cookies every day.”

  The old woman laughed until she coughed. “I was married once, it didn’t work.” She shot him a grin. “Besides, I am way too much of a woman for you.” She laughed again and patted her large, round stomach. “In more ways than one.” She gestured to the table. “Sit down, both of you, I need to do your readings.” Orenda spread her tarot cards out across the table, then slowly turned over the first one.r />
  Chapter 12

  Orenda touched the back of Mia’s hand, laid it over the top of Cy’s, and pressed down. “It’s easier to get a reading this way.” The instant she touched their entwined hands, Orenda felt bursts of energy and could see things from Cy and Mia’s past — and their future. Conflicting emotions of fear, pain, and love flooded through the young couple.

  She knew Cy cared for this girl deeply, she would say that he was in love with her, but didn’t know how to show Mia. Orenda knew that Cy’s childhood was brutal.

  Then there was Mia who was fighting the battle to keep Cy’s feelings at bay. She was afraid if she let him too close, even for a moment, her powers could harm him.

  What was she going to do with these two young ones?

  Mia said, “I’ve never heard of a Tarot card reading where you hold hands.”

  Orenda clucked. her tongue. “I bet you’ve never seen a Native American Tarot card reader either. Now just be quiet and hold Cy’s hand,” she said in a scolding tone.

  Mia concentrated for a moment and then clasped her fingers with Cy’s.

  Orenda took the stack of oversized cards and then began to place them across the table in front of her. When she had nine cards displayed, she turned the first two over.

  The first card was Death. Mia’s eyes widened. “I don’t want to do this.”

  Cy’s eyes held an equally shocked look. “Maybe this isn’t a good time for this. Mia’s dealing with a lot right now.”

  “Would you two stop worrying? I swear.” Orenda pointed at the first card. “Obviously, this is Death.” She moved her finger over to the card beside it. “But when it is coupled with the moon card, it means all the bad things that have happened in your past, but it’s losing their control over you. Remember, you have the power of the moon and in the past, this has brought you fear and abandonment, but that is about to change. It doesn’t mean that you’ll die. I wouldn’t tell you that, even if I did see it.” She shook her head and clenched her lips tightly. Mia and Cy relaxed slightly into their chairs.

  The truth was, Orenda had seen people’s deaths in their immediate future. Her visions of death were always strong. But she would always ask herself the age-old question: “Would you want to know if you were going to die?” She figured the answer was no, no matter what people said. That was a line she refused to cross with her powers. Knowledge of people’s futures and destinies had to be weighed against the answers which led to the most fulfilling life for them.

  Orenda flipped the third and fourth cards. “Ace of Wands and Three of Wands. For now, your environment is calm and healing. For the first time, Mia, you feel safe and you think that you can handle what is happening around you because you’re not alone.” Mia shot Cy a glance and he squeezed her hand. Turning the fifth and sixth cards over on the right side of the table, Orenda smiled.

  “What?” Mia asked.

  “This is good. Five of cups. This is the highest level of...friendship.” It also meant romantic love, but Orenda knew the two hadn’t admitted their feelings toward each other. This knowledge would have to wait. “Mia you will find happiness and emotional security.” There, that was a vague enough explanation to hold the two of them, Orenda thought. “Cards seven and eight, strength and judgment. This shows me that you have your powers more in control than you think.”

  “Is that why my house burned down? ’Cause I have such great control?” Mia asked.

  “ I can’t believe that your powers started the fire, they would never hurt, only help.”

  “I don’t know that. My powers have taken on another level that they didn’t have before. That’s the only thing that I can guess happened at my house. I’d been talking with a girl at work about her boyfriend. -When I got home after my shift, I felt sick, like all of her problems had become my problems.” Mia shook her head. “I know, it sounds crazy. I don’t know how to explain it. I tried not to think about it, but I couldn’t. I could feel the power building inside of me. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.”

  Cy filled in what he had seen, for Orenda. “When I came into the room that night, Mia was engulfed in this shimmering, opalescent bubble. When I came closer and sat on the bed, it pulled me inside like it was trying to protect both of us.” Cy smiled and tipped his head toward Mia. “At least until I handed her off through the window. Mia tried to warn me it wasn’t safe, but I didn’t listen— as usual.”

  Mia shook her head. “I didn’t know how it started. But my powers protected me, protected us, that night.”

  “Fascinating,” Orenda said. “I’ve only heard of -people having these powers from the elders in the tribes. Was there heat inside the bubble?”

  “No,” Cy answered first. “In fact, it was the opposite. Compared to the temperature of the fire around us, there was cool air inside the sphere. Crazy.”

  Orenda turned over the last card. “The sun, the number nine card.” She looked into Mia’s eyes. “You are learning to trust others around you and finally understanding that you are not alone in this.”

  “Are you making this up?” Mia narrowed her eyes at Orenda, causing her to laugh.

  Orenda waved her hand over the cards. “It’s all right here, honey. Your life. I’m just reading it how I see it. I can’t control your destiny, but you can. You’re starting that by being here with me.” She noticed Cy move his arm over Mia’s shoulder, pulling her close.

  Yes, it is there. Marriage, children, and happiness. Their future. Soon.

  Orenda leaned back and took a deep drink of peach iced tea. She lifted out a slice of fruit bobbing in the top of the glass and popped it into her mouth. She wanted to say more. Good news was something you wanted to share, but they weren’t ready. She sat quiet, happy Mia had let her do the reading on both of them. By placing her hands on Mia and Cy’s clasped together, she was able to read them together, seeing their futures entwined as one.

  It was a good day to see the future.

  ****

  Mia wondered if she’d made the right choice by not running.

  “Cy, sit on the floor.” Orenda grasped Mia’s hand and nodded. “Good...I don’t feel the electricity, you’re still in control. You’re doing good. Sit cross-legged between Cy’s legs and lean back.”

  “Can’t I sit in the chair?” Mia glanced at Cy on the floor.

  Orenda shook her head. “You probably could, but why would you want to when you could lean back on a fine young man like this?” She paused, crossed her arms, and tapped her foot. “Your choice, I guess.”

  Mia sighed and dropped to the floor between Cy’s knees as Orenda pulled a large cushion across and stiffly settled her girth into the chair.

  “Now where was I? Oh yes, you, my dear, are going to learn how to control the powers that have been gifted to the women of your family.”

  “Some gift. You make it sound like it’s a good thing.” Mia eyed Orenda. “So what’s the plan here?”

  “Relax,” Orenda ordered.

  Mia tried to lean back into the warmth of Cy’s body but stiffened when he touched her bare arm. He whispered into her ear, “No snap, stop worrying about hurting me. Let me be here for you. Lean back and listen to what Orenda’s telling you.”

  Mia eased back slightly and Cy adjusted his weight so she could lay against his chest, taking the full weight of her.

  “Close your eyes, listen to my voice. Nothing but the sound of my voice.” Orenda’s voice was soothing and calm. “You’re beginning to relax. Starting at your feet, your hands, your fingers, they are all beginning to tingle as you relax even more. Deeper, relaxing deeper than ever before.”

  Mia felt warmth spread through her, as her fingers began to tingle, just as Orenda said. She felt Cy behind her, his breathing also deepening.

  “You are on a large cloud, everything is dropping away from you, everything but the sound of my voice. When I get to one, you will relax deeper and deeper. Three, your arms and head are heavy. Two, relaxing. You are more relaxed than you have been in
a long time. When I get to one, I will snap my fingers, putting you even deeper into a state of relaxation. One...”

  Snap.

  ****

  Mia opened her eyes. “I knew it wouldn’t work. Just give it up, it’s no use.”

  Cy stretched behind her and rubbed her shoulders with his hands. “What were you trying to do, Orenda?”

  “It was the first lesson in a bit of self-hypnosis.” The old woman reached for her cane and pulled herself off the pillow.

  “Well, it didn’t work,” Mia said, disappointed.

  “Are you sure?” Orenda said eyeing both of them. “You both went out in five minutes and you were under for, oh, I’d say twenty-five minutes. I know you don’t remember. Let’s try something, shall we? Can you pull your power out? Let’s see if it’s made a difference in how you control it.”

  “Here? I...” Mia looked back at Cy.

  “Give it a try.”

  She pushed away from Cy. “Is there water? I need a bucket of water.”

  Cy started to stand, but Orenda shook her head. “Just try it. It’ll be okay. I don’t think you’ll need the water this time. Trust me.”

  Mia nodded, her mouth held in a firm line as she stretched her long arm out before her and closed her eyes.

  Tremors ran through her as she shuddered from the electrical pulses that raced up and down her skin. The force growing closer and closer to the surface. Then, with a burst of energy, Mia opened her eyes to see the swirling orb in her palm.

  Cy’s mouth dropped open. “Wow...”

  “All right,” Orenda said. “Now get rid of it.”

  Mia’s gaze shot to her. “I can’t without water. I have to put it in water.”

  Orenda smiled. “Just try it. Concentrate on bringing it back inside of you. It’s your power, you make it do what you want. Pull it back inside.”

  Again Mia closed her eyes, concentrating. She bit her lip and pushed her fingers into a closed fist.