Protecting His Windflower (A Spirit Hunters Series Novel Book 1) by Temperance Dawn (best black authors .txt) 📕

“You’re a wonderful cook. And I love your gardens. They’re beautiful.” Emily stood at the kitchen window while staring out of the bay window facing the front of the house.

“Thank you. Feel free to go out anytime. It should be a nice day today. The fog pack has pulled back already. It may be chilly, but the sun is out.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll do some work out there. I’m used to the chill. I’m from Seattle. I’m definitely going to soak up some sunshine.”

“Seattle?” Janet asked her. “Clay and I have been up there a few times. It is beautiful. What brought you down this way?”

Emily took a sip of her coffee and placed the mug on the counter in front of her. “I don’t really know. It’s hard to explain. I woke up one day and felt like I needed a change. I got on the internet and started looking for rentals in San Francisco. I didn’t know why San Francisco called to me, but it did, and I fixated on it. I came across the flat, and it was listed for an amazing price. It was very spontaneous. I’m normally not that impulsive with decisions. But it felt right.”

Janet sat at the barstool across from her at the kitchen island after finishing up the bacon. She padded the stool next to her, inviting Emily to sit. “You trust your instincts. That’s good. Obviously, you’re here for a reason. I’m a believer in fate. Everything happens for a reason. I know you’re going through some difficult times. Clay has filled me in when Liam has called him. I’ve been there. Let me tell you, it gets worse before it gets better. I think you’re here because you and Liam need each other. It’s obvious there is a connection between the two of you. You guys will figure it all out when the time is right.”

Emily wasn’t expecting such an in-depth conversation with her new boyfriend’s mother so soon. She felt at ease and comfortable talking to Janet. Something she wasn’t used to but welcomed the experience.

“Janet, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” Emily turned to face her. Janet’s ocean blue eyes were just as intense as Liam’s. Warm and welcoming.

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“Liam told me about the house in Sacramento.”

Janet nodded, “I expected he would. What would you like to know?”

“How did you deal with it all? The anxiety? The fear? Not knowing what would happen from one moment to the next? I’ve been dealing with something my entire life, but it’s never been this extreme. I’ve always been able to ignore it. But, this time is so different. I’m scared it’s trying to break up Liam and me.”

Janet set her own coffee cup down and reached for Emily’s hand. She held her in a firm but comforting grip. “Never give it the satisfaction that you’ve given up. You said it’s been with you your entire life. Let it know that now it needs to leave. It doesn’t have control over you. You and Liam are meant to be together. Just like Clay and I. The love we had for each other and our family, that’s what held me together. I wasn’t going to let any damn ghost ruin my family, and neither was Clay. Know that you’re not alone in this, either.”

“Thank you, Janet. You know, I’ve never had a family. You’ve made me feel so welcome, and I just want to say Thank You. For accepting me.”

“Of course, honey,” Janet stood and threw her arms around Emily. “You know what you remind me of, Emily?”

Emily shook her head.

“An Anemone.”

“I’m sorry?”

Janet smiled warmly and sat back down. Emily sat with her, eager to hear what she was about to say. “An Anemone. It’s the Greek word for a Windflower. They are delicate but strong. They sway in the wind, but they keep standing tall. When a rainstorm moves in, they close up to protect themselves and open back up again in the sun. And the wind will pick the petals off the flowers and carry them away. I believe the cosmic winds plucked you up and led you here to Liam. You keep standing tall and strong. You’ll get through this. Both of you will pull through. You’ll see. You’re not going to let some psycho spirit run you down. If you need anything, you just call. Promise me.”

“That’s right.” Both women turned their heads to see Liam’s dad standing in the kitchen with them. He strode over to Janet and put his arm around her waist.

“How was your run, honey?” Janet asked as Clay placed a sweet kiss on his wife.

“Great. That’s right, Emily. You call if there is ever anything that you need.”

“I will,” Emily promised.

“Something smells delicious,” he told Janet while pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“I made a Frittata.”

Clay’s eyes widened as his brows rose. “I’m digging in before those boys wake up.” Clay grabbed three plates from the cupboard.

“Oh, I made plenty, Clay. Don’t worry.”

Emily watched as Clay dished up three healthy servings of the frittata and handed her a plate. “You’re not alone in this, Emily. You’re important to Liam. He cares for you. Trust him. He and the boys have been doing their jobs for a long time. They’ve seen a lot, and they know what they’re doing. They won’t stop until they get to the bottom of what is going on.”

Janet walked over to her husband and said, “You know, you’re the only girl Liam has ever brought home?”

Shocked, Emily lowered her head, slightly embarrassed. “Uh. No. I didn’t know that.”

“It’s true. Even in High School, he never brought a girl home. Oh, he went on plenty of dates, but never did he bring anyone home for us to meet. You, my dear, are one special girl.”

Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes then, and she couldn’t help them from spilling over. Clay walked around the island