"Today there was an incident that is causing great physical harm to a young woman." Sophie paused, unclear how to phrase a question that required more than an answer of yes or no. Knowing there really wasn't any other way to state her question, she decided to simply ask, and hope the answer was the one she wanted.

"Karen is in the hospital." Sophie sneaked a look at Toots, who gave her a slight nod, indicating she should continue. "Is she going to survive?"

All eyes focused on the gla.s.s and their fingertips. A few seconds pa.s.sed. Nothing happened. Sophie waited another minute, which seemed like ten, then repeated her question. She'd learned that many times the spirit guide or guardian angel didn't always answer right away, and often one had to search for another form of communication. Repet.i.tion was supposed to work, too. She spoke out loud again. "Is Karen going to survive?"

Again, they focused on the gla.s.s in the center of the table. Suddenly the temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Unsure how to proceed, as this was a new experience for her, Sophie asked another question. "Is there a supernatural presence in the room with us? Another presence besides my spirit guide?" Sophie had yet to learn the name of her spirit guide. This wasn't unusual, since she was just now learning ways to tune in to her spirit guide. She was unsure if her guide was male or female.

The candles flickered, then smoldered. Silvery gray wisps of smoke billowed from the extinguished wicks. Several intakes of breath, then silence. Taking a deep breath, Sophie tried again. "If this is my spirit guide, would you please move the gla.s.s to the right?"

Straining to see in the darkness, they all focused on the gla.s.s. Still nothing.

Sophie was just about to give up when the room suddenly filled with an eerie, bluish light. "Shhh," she said to the others. The light swirled around; then it took the form of what appeared to be a woman dressed in clothing from another century. Glistening gold sparks shot out from the figure, allowing one to see the features of a woman. Her long hair, a golden brown, framed her face. Her eyes were an intense shade of blue, almost like a fluorescent blue that glowed as though a light shone through them. Her lips were rose red, her skin pale.

They stared at the figure, but no one spoke. Sophie focused her gaze on the woman figure, hoping to memorize every detail. As she stared at the apparition, she instantly knew who she was.

"You are my spirit guide," Sophie said.

The woman figure smiled and nodded, then spoke. "I am Joy."

Feeling creeped-out, but fascinated, Sophie swallowed, her throat as dry as the desert. "Joy. That's . . . a beautiful name."

Again, Joy, the spirit guide, smiled at her.

Unsure how to proceed, but needing answers, Sophie spoke. Her voice was raspy; her throat was so dry. "Will Karen survive?"

The spirit guide, Joy, smiled, and then nodded in the affirmative. Before Sophie had a chance to ask about her new abilities, the bluish haze disappeared, and Joy with it.

The candles lit up; the temperature returned to normal. No one moved or said a word. Again, they were witness to an event-and if they were to tell anyone else about it, that person would almost certainly dispute the truth of what had been described. But they knew what they had seen, and that was all that mattered.

Chapter 15.

When Sophie entered the ICU, she was expecting to see an unresponsive woman hooked up to all kinds of life-support machines. Instead, she saw a smiling Karen sipping from a plastic cup, which the nurse held for her.

Shock kept her lingering in the doorway. She blinked a few times, just to make sure she was really seeing Karen. This certainly was not the girl lurking at death's door as she had been earlier, that very morning. She needed to make sure she was not experiencing another clairsentience vision.

No, this was real.

Sophie tapped on the door frame to let Karen know she had a visitor.

Karen and the nurse turned. When Karen saw her, she smiled. "Sophie, what a surprise. I didn't think anyone would come."

Sophie felt a rush of pity for the young woman. "Well, think again. You've got a houseful of old women who are sending good vibes and prayers for your complete and speedy recovery. From what I can see, they're being answered."

Several monitors were attached to various parts of Karen's body. Beeps and gushes of air from the machines provided unnatural background noises, but Sophie was used to it. When Bernice had her heart surgery, she'd been connected to all kinds of machines. The noise became secondary after the initial shock. The nurse, a pet.i.te woman in her midthirties, with friendly eyes, bustled around the room. "Karen is our miracle patient. Dr. Waterman, her surgeon, says her case will go down in the books."

The surgery was textbook, according to Phil, who'd been notified by Dr. Waterman as soon as Karen was in the recovery room. They were able to make a small incision above her eyebrow and clamp off the offending blood vessel in order to do the coiling procedure. Phil was told she would make a full recovery. As soon as they heard the news, Sophie insisted Goebel take her to the hospital, once Karen was out of recovery and allowed to receive visitors.

Sophie grinned, knowing this to be a fact, but she was not going to say so in front of the nurse. "That's the best news I've heard all day."

"I'll leave you two alone for a few minutes," the nurse said, then hustled out of the room.

As soon as she left, Sophie moved to stand by Karen's bedside. Taking her hand, she said, "There is something I need to share with you. I don't want to upset you, but given that you're in the kind of business that you're in, I hope you're open to what I have to tell you."

Karen closed her eyes, then opened them. "After what I've been through today, it would have to be catastrophic to upset me."

Sophie couldn't imagine anything more "catastrophic" than a brain aneurysm. "I think there was a reason you were sent to Charleston to film me and Goebel." There, it was out; now she would give Karen a minute to absorb her words.

Karen gave up a halfhearted laugh. "And what would that be?"

"I know reality shows are all the rage these days. Add the psychic element, you're sure to gain an audience." She held up her hand. "Of course, you know this, or you wouldn't be here." Sophie took a deep breath. She didn't want to just spit out what she'd experienced, but really, she thought, there wasn't any other way. "After you were brought to the hospital, I had a seance of sorts." She paused, waiting for Karen's reaction. When she saw she had Karen's undivided attention, she continued to speak. "I wasn't completely honest with you this morning. I really don't have Ida do my makeup every day. All morning I had an odd feeling, unlike any I'd experienced. I couldn't place what it was, but I felt as though something bad was about to happen."

"You're psychic. Isn't this normal?"

Sophie took Karen's hand. "Not this. This was different. It frightened me because I couldn't chalk it up to a psychic prediction."

"So what do you think you were experiencing?" Karen asked her.

"This sounds strange, but I believe my spirit guide was trying to warn me." That sparked her attention.

"About?"

"You. This," Sophie said, nodding at the bandage on Karen's head.

"Nonsense. You couldn't have prevented this, Sophie. I've been suffering with terrible headaches for weeks. I should've gone to the doctor, but I was too busy working. The doctor told me I was lucky. I realize that now. My health has to come first."

"I'm glad you feel this way. I felt I needed to try to make contact with this guardian angel or spirit guide. Personally, I believe them to be one and the same. I held a seance, not the traditional speaking-to-the-dead kind, but I knew I had to try to make a connection to the negative feelings I'd had since your arrival. This is going to sound insane to you, but it is what it is. My spirit guide told me you would be just fine." There, she'd said it! Suddenly she felt light and joyful.

Joyful!

Sophie had to acknowledge the connection to her spirit guide's name and the feeling attached to it just now.

It dawned on her that this was her spirit guide at work. Though Sophie herself was never in danger, she had unknowingly been given the responsibility of protecting Karen. It wasn't coincidence that she'd traveled all the way to Charleston to film a reality show. Nor was it coincidence that Dr. Phil Becker had been there. Sophie didn't recall Toots's mentioning anything to her about inviting Phil over while they were filming. No, this was divine intervention. Just to make sure, she planned to question Toots as soon as she returned.

Karen didn't say anything; she just nodded.

"You think this is a crock, right?" Sophie asked.

"No. I think you're one hundred percent right."

Surprised, Sophie had expected Karen to laugh at her spirit guide theory. "Why?" she had to ask.

Karen took a deep breath. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but since I'm crediting you for saving my life, I'm going to anyway. When the network called and asked if you and Mr. Blevins wanted to film a reality special, they only called because their first choice, John Edward, had to cancel."

"See? Then that proves I'm right about all of this," Sophie said. Then she asked, "So, were you really going to air this special with me and Goebel?"

"Oh yes. It was and is the real deal. The network wanted that other psychic, but you were definitely their second choice. So, yes, they would've aired this. Eli is very capable of taking over for me. I'm not sure what the network wants to do at this point, so don't count yourselves out just yet."

Sophie knew that John Edward's schedule wasn't compatible with the network's because she had to protect Karen. It was as simple as that, if one believed in the spirit world.

The nurse stepped back into the room. "I'm sorry, but she's only allowed visitors for fifteen minutes until we move her out of ICU."

"That's fine. I think we've discussed enough, and I don't want to tire her out too much," Sophie said. She squeezed Karen's hand. "I'll be in touch."

"Thanks, Sophie. I owe you one."

Sophie offered a halfhearted wave, then stepped out of the room. Goebel was downstairs in the lobby, waiting for her.

s.h.i.t happens, she thought as she stepped inside the elevator. s.h.i.t always happens.

Chapter 16.

"Then close the deal. Tell them I'll pay cash if it helps to move this along," Toots said to Henry Whitmore. "I want that property."

After viewing a handful of possible buildings for her new business venture, The Canine and Feline Cafe, Toots had finally found the perfect building with the perfect location. She'd spent the past three days doing nothing but viewing property. The minute she saw the building and the land on Byron Road, she knew it was the piece of property she'd been searching for. It was exactly what she had in mind. After seeing the property, Abby and Chris agreed. Now all she had to do was to get the Realtor to push the closing date up as fast as humanly possible.

With the Clay Plantation virtually set up for a variety of animals, a handful of newly hired personnel ready to start their new jobs, three top-notch veterinarians ready at a moment's notice, Toots wanted the cafe up and running so the animals would have a place to go, once they were rehabilitated. Phil had contacted Dr. Carnes, and she promised to make a trip to Charleston for the cafe's grand opening.

Toots gave herself six weeks max to finish the project.

Toots hung up the phone, checked her "s.h.i.t-to-do" list, and made one more phone call to her personal Realtor. "Alice, lower the price on 'the purple plantation.' I don't care how low you go, either. Just take the offer when he calls. Yes, I promise not to hold you responsible for the loss. He will be calling you within a week. Make sure we get this handled." She checked that off her list. More than ever, Toots wanted Sophie and Goebel to have what she nicknamed "the purple plantation" house. They were the love match of the century, and she didn't want to be too far from either of them. Goebel had become the brother she had never had.

Phil. She had to call him. It'd been two days since they last spoke. He'd called numerous times since, but she had avoided his phone calls. Not wanting to, but knowing it was the right thing to do, she dialed his number. He answered on the first ring.

"Toots! I was about to get in my car and drive over there. Where have you been? I've been worried to death about you," Phil said in one long breath.

It was kinda nice to have someone care about her that much. She would miss Phil, but she had her list, and this was the last call she had to make today. She might as well do it and get it over with. But after hearing Phil's voice, the concern he showed, she wasn't prepared to drop the ball yet.

"I've been trying to buy a piece of property for the cafe, taking care of Bernice, or trying to. Then, of course, Abby and Chris have needed my help with the dog project." She stopped. All she was doing was making childish excuses. She either told Phil about her past, or she did not. She opted to tell the truth.

"Phil, there is something I've been meaning to share with you, but I never seem to find the right time." This was not going to be easy; and for a second, she thought laying one's spouse to rest was a much easier task. Except for John and Garland-their events had been a great loss. Leland's event had been more of a relief than a time of sadness. She'd gone home, catered to those mourners who required it, grabbed her much-loved stack of tabloids, a bottle of wine, and gotten pleasantly drunk while reading in her Jacuzzi tub. She'd mourned for ten days, and moved on. And now, almost five years later, that part of her life was nothing more than a distant memory.

"Tell me now. I have all the time in the world. Today is the first official day of my retirement. I'm glad you called. I wanted to take you to dinner and celebrate. Sophie's psychic abilities must be rubbing off on you."

s.h.i.t, p.i.s.s, d.a.m.n! Now was not the time!

Not wanting to rain on his retirement parade-not to mention that she missed him like crazy-Toots again put off telling Phil what she'd wanted to for almost a month.

"That's wonderful! I would love to go out to celebrate with you," Toots said, and found that she was being totally honest and truly wanted to share this milestone with Phil.

"How about I pick you up at seven? Will that give you enough time to get ready?"

"I'll be waiting on the front porch," she said, a grin stretching so wide it made her face hurt.

Upstairs, she took a quick shower, applied her much-loved cream from Seasons, Ida's growing line of cosmetics, and twisted her hair up in a chignon. Then she added blush, smudged a bit of eyeliner on her lids, added a coat of mascara, and her new favorite black honey lipstick. She rubbed her lips together, then kissed a tissue to remove the excess lip gloss. Looking in the mirror, she realized that she didn't look her age anymore! d.a.m.n, but Ida was changing her life in a good way. Still, no way in h.e.l.l would she tell her so, at least not now.

In her closet, she found a pale green sheath dress she'd bought on sale at a little boutique in California. The dress fit perfectly, clinging in all the right places without being tight. She hated it when women crammed themselves into dresses two sizes too small. Green being one of the colors that went with her auburn hair, she located a pair of pale green strapless heels that matched the dress perfectly. d.a.m.n, when you're good, you're good, she thought as she slipped on the shoes. She saw green of every shade in her closet. It truly was her color, though Sophie looked fabulous in the dark forest greens she wore.

She spun around in front of the mirror. Seeing that this was as good as it got, she hurried downstairs to take care of the pooches before leaving. Mavis and Wade were in Charlotte, attending a convention for the owners of funeral parlors, so she'd volunteered to care for Coco, since Frankie was really her dog now. He spent more time with her than with Phil; but lately that was her own doing, for she'd not bothered to answer his calls. Briefly she had a thought: What if Phil took Frankie away from her when she broke it off with him? She'd become so attached to the little wiener dog that she had started letting him sleep at the foot of her bed.

The dogs were lounging under the kitchen table, their favorite place when the kitchen was empty. Bernice was at Robert's, no doubt searching for recipes. Sophie and Goebel had been called out on their first big psychic investigation job. It was for a young couple who had just purchased an older home and thought it was haunted. Ida had returned to Wilmington to record another segment for The Home Shopping Club, and was due back later in the evening. She'd send her a text message letting her know she had the house to herself, at least for a while.

Toots found the poached chicken, which Mavis had prepared for the dogs, in the refrigerator, along with instructions on how long to heat it in the microwave. "You two are treated like children," Toots commented as she placed the bowl of chicken in the microwave for ten seconds-Just to take the chill off, the note read. She laughed. They were all madly in love, except for Ida, and their careers had blossomed and taken them all places they would never have imagined in a million years. Life was good, except for the lie she carried with her.

Toots scooped the warm chicken into separate bowls for the dogs; then she rinsed and refilled their water bowls. When they were finished, she opened the back door in the kitchen. Both dogs raced out so fast, Toots thought they might actually take off and fly away.

"Three minutes, you two," she said, closing the screen. She'd let them sniff, do their business, then give them their nightly treat. By then, it would be time for Phil to pick her up.

Ten minutes later, with the dogs settled for the evening, Toots stepped out onto the veranda. Pleasantly warm, the humidity zilch, Toots thought it was a totally perfect evening. Her night-blooming jasmine scented the warm evening air; the azaleas were in full bloom, their array of colors a burst of brilliance against the deep green shrubbery. She gazed down the winding path, still in awe of the majestic oak trees that bowed over the road leading to the house. This was home. She inhaled the fresh scent of newly mowed gra.s.s, courtesy of Goebel, who had developed a new pa.s.sion for gardening. Just wait until they get "the purple plantation," she thought. There were so many wildflowers, shrubbery that dated back to when the house was built, and the giant angel oak trees. He would have plenty to keep him busy. Toots couldn't wait to view his handiwork. Of course, all of this wouldn't take place if he didn't buy the house. h.e.l.l, she thought about giving it to them for a wedding gift, even though they hadn't really set a date. They simply said they were engaged, and for now that was enough.

Headlights coming down the drive brought her back to the present. She followed the lights around the curve; and when the car came into view, she realized she'd made a mistake. It was not Phil. While she did not know much about cars, she knew enough to know the purplish red sports car that stopped in front of the house was a cla.s.sic. A man, someone she didn't recognize, got out of the car, waiting while the convertible top closed. Another set of headlights directed her away from the sports car. Phil's reliable silver Mercedes crept down the drive. He stopped far enough away from the car so there could be no question of his car even coming close to this sw.a.n.ky ride.

Dressed in charcoal gray slacks, with a silvery blue shirt, Phil reeked of s.e.xy, Toots thought as she watched him walk over to the veranda. His brown hair looked wet from his shower, and she thought about that time so long ago on their first date when they'd showered at Diamond Head. The night Abby had been abducted. She'd been in such a hurry to leave, she remembered baring it all in front of Phil as she'd hurriedly dressed. He hadn't seen her nude since. Maybe now was the time, she thought as she felt a familiar pull in the pit of her belly. Abby was right. She still had desires, and right now, Phil Becker was her total focus.

He kissed her cheek, and she inhaled the clean scent of Dial soap and his spicy aftershave. She closed her eyes for just a second, savoring the moment. "I have a guest, and I have no clue who he is," she said, nodding to the man who was now removing luggage from the pa.s.senger side.

"You really don't know who he is?" Phil asked, his voice a bit stiff.

Toots shook her head. "I guess I should find out, huh?"

With Phil at her side, she walked down the steps and down the drive to the flashy car, which she saw was a Porsche 911, an older model. A cla.s.sic, she guessed. The man was bent over, searching inside one of the open pieces of luggage, when Toots spoke. "Excuse me?"

"Tootsie?" The man stared at her, apparently baffled.

Toots felt her heart skip a beat. "Daniel Alan?"

He immediately wrapped Toots in a bear hug. He squeezed her so tightly, it took her breath away. She kissed him on both cheeks, pulled his face away so she could get a good look at him, and then kissed him a second time.

"The one and only," he said.

"This is the surprise of the year. I can't believe you're actually here. You don't look like yourself. . . ." Toots paused, afraid she might've insulted him. "I mean, you look fantastic-just not the Daniel I'm used to seeing."

Taller than she remembered, and certainly thinner than he'd ever been, she raked her gaze up and down, then back to his face. Glossy black hair, now speckled with gray, twinkling cobalt eyes. Daniel Alan is hot, she thought as she smiled at him.

"It's been a long time," he said, as if it explained the physical changes.

Phil cleared his throat. "Toots?"