Chapter Two

Tara snuggled deep into the mound of pillows piled beneath her back to keep her torso elevated.  She was released from the hospital that morning and it was wonderful to be home.  Her mother’s sister, Eva, gripped a bed tray as she entered the room.  She’d traveled from South Carolina as soon as she learned of the accident. Tara’s stomach responded with a loud rumble to the aroma of the homemade chicken soup and freshly baked rolls on the tray Eva balanced with care. She giggled as she watched her aunt struggle with the heavily laden tray.

“You’re spilling my salvation,” Tara teased.  “You never were good with carrying trays. It’s no wonder they fired you from that waitress job.”

“Pick on me and I’ll send you back to the hospital,” Eva teased back. Her big doe-like eyes twinkled with delight. 

“No, anything but that,” Tara feigned despair. 

Eva gently placed the bed tray across her niece’s lap and then busied herself by patting more fluff into her pillows to provide more support for her back.  Tara watched her fondly as she bustled about the room opening windows, shifting draperies, and picking up loose clothing. 

“I felt a little breeze in my room last night, even though the windows were closed.  It’s warm now, but I think you should tend to it before the winter months come,” Eva said.  She reached forward and patted Tara’s knee, “We’ll focus on that when you’re well again.  I need to go fix dinner. Dennis is like a bear if he doesn’t have a full belly.”

 Tara knew Dennis would be anything but a bear if there was no dinner, but feeling needed like that seemed to comfort her childless aunt; so, she said nothing. A successful writer, Eva often imposed the traits of her characters onto her companions.  The siblings lovingly tolerated Eva’s eccentricities -that apparently ran on both sides of the family in one form or another.

“How’s your novel coming?” Tara asked quietly between spoonfuls of the delicious soup. “What’s it about? I can’t remember.”

“The novel’s coming along fine,” Eva replied proudly. “In fact, it’s almost done. You can’t remember what it’s about because I didn’t tell you, but nice try.”

Tara heaved an impatient sigh and dove into her fare with exaggerated gusto.  She hated secrets.  Eva consistently refused to divulge the theme of her novels until they were in print. Her way of making it up to her niece and nephew was to present them with autographed first editions. Tara couldn’t understand where Eva came from with her superstitions. Just once she’d like to be able to know the plot before the world did.

“If you need anything before I get back, I placed a small bell on the night stand. It’s cute, right?”  Eva chuckled as she finished loading her arms with laundry and headed for the door. 

Her chuckling shifted to sweet singing as she made her way down the once majestic stairway with her bundle.

Tara was dipping the last of the rolls as a sponge to absorb the remains of the chicken broth when she felt that all too familiar cold on the right side of her body.  When she turned toward the window she caught a flash in the corner of her eye. She sat still, barely breathing. The same man who appeared the day before her accident was standing at the foot of her bed.  He stood completely still, watching her; simply watching her.

“Who are you?” Tara said, breaking the silence.

The old man stood silent and motionless.

“What do you want?” she persisted.  “Where did you come from?”

The harshness of Tara’s whisper hinted at the panic she felt as the man continued to stare.  Who was he?  How did he get into her room? Was he a thief, a rapist, a murderer? She scrambled for the little bell on the night stand and swung it wildly. When she checked to see the man’s response, he was gone.

“What’s the matter?” Eva asked as she rushed breathlessly into the room.

The way the bell rang, she wasn’t sure what to expect when she entered.  The sight of her niece’s pale, frightened expression stopped her in her tracks.  She followed Tara’s stare and saw the curtains flowing even though the windows were closed. She could see nothing except that her niece’s room needed weather proofing like the rest of the house.

“I… I thought I saw someone,” Tara stammered.

“Where?” Eva asked as she walked around the room looking behind fabrics, into closets, and under the bed.  “There’s no one here and the hall was empty.”

“It must be the medicine,” Tara moaned.

“Get some rest,” Eva said as she patted Tara’s hand and tucked the covers around her.

Seeing her niece so obviously distraught, Eva made a mental note to remind her nephew to see that the entire house was weatherproofed in time for winter, before moving to Tara’s side and wrapping her in her arms.

        

****

Dennis approached his aunt from behind and placed his hands on her shoulders as she quietly rocked in the rocking chair on the patio.  They remained as if suspended in time, neither one willing to speak and break the silence that permeated the air while they reveled in the beauty of the fiery orange ball that majestically inched its way behind the trees.

Dennis often marveled at such wonders of nature.  When he was a small child, he’d sit in Eva’s lap and study the stars. Eva used to point out the constellations and sometimes tell stories about the gods and goddesses associated with them. 

“Are you up for some wine,” Dennis asked as he rested his cheek against her cheek.

She nodded.

“I’ll get it,” he said as he placed a quick kiss on her cheek. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you tell me all about the stars.”

“Oh?” Eva laughed and lovingly patted her nephew’s hands. “You’re so good to me.”  She rose and made her way into the house where the wine rack rested in the corner of the dining room.  “Let’s see what kind of stock my dear brother-in-law maintains.”

Dennis followed her.

“I said I’d get it. You can’t sit still, can you?” he said with a teasing sigh.

She grinned sheepishly and shrugged while she continued to select a bottle of wine from the portable bar.  The selection was limited, but good.

While her aunt and brother enjoyed a quiet evening of star watching and wine, Tara fell into a deep sleep; taking with her that disturbed feeling that clung tight since the man appeared in her room. 

She tossed uncomfortably as she relived the experience of falling into the well. For the first time since the accident, she recalled the way she was able to communicate with her mare.  She relived the piercing pain of re-entering her body and bolted up in bed, trembling as she gasped for air.  

The room was abnormally dark, and she could barely see her hand in front of her.  Eva, thinking Tara needed as much undisturbed rest as possible, took great pains to tightly secure the drapes over the windows to prevent any evening air from coming in through the cracks and help muffle outside noises. 

A glowing ball slowly manifested in the corner of the room.  Tara covered her mouth while she watched a robed figure step regally out of the ball.  It reminded her of the science fiction movies where people traveled through space and slowly re-materialize.  The figure glowed in such a way that she expected to feel heat radiating from him and was surprised when she didn’t.  Suspecting she was still dreaming, she rubbed her eyes and squeezed them shut in hopes that when she opened them he’d be gone.  He wasn’t.  Try as she may, she was unable to see the face of her mysterious apparition.  It was tucked far too deep in the wells of the hood of a rich, blue-grey cloak.

“Hello?” she whispered.

“Greetings. May the grace and peace of the Eternal One be upon you,” he said in a tone that caused a soothing calm throughout her entire body. 

Then he was gone.  

Tara stared while the light faded, and the room went dark again. She made a mental note to check the side effects of the medication she took and drifted peacefully off to sleep.

Her body felt weightless.  The dark room around her gradually receded and she was floating amidst wisps of clouds.  She felt a tug on her shoulders, as if someone was pulling her down.  She resisted, briefly, before giving way the motion.  As she drifted downward, her surroundings grew more visible.  Beautiful lakes of an indescribable bluish-green glistened while reflecting the shapes and colors from the leaves on the trees.   On the water’s edge, stood a cloaked man.  His cloak glistened with fine strands of gold and silver.  They added to, instead of masked, the base color of blue-grey. When he moved, he created a magnificent sight.   

The grip on Tara’s shoulders loosened and she found herself in a field of flowers of all shapes and colors.  Beds of roses without their thorns, coupled with lilacs, lilies, and every flower imaginable stretched into nothingness. Oblivious to whether it was their season or not, they simply coexisted in this massive field that seemed to go on forever.  As the flowers gently brushed her bare calves, happiness exceeding anything she’d ever felt before radiated through her. She could remain there forever.

The figure in the cloak stood motionless while she worked her way across the field of radiant colors until she would be able to reach out and touch him, should the desire to do so strike her. This time his face was clearly visible.  It was a gentle face; clean and free of facial hair and milky soft in appearance. It bore no wrinkles from age, worry, or anger. His eyes were the deepest blue-green she could remember seeing. They reminded her of the water they stood next to.  

He smiled softly, “Greetings. You are most welcome.”

His twinkling eyes watched patiently while she drank in the sight of him.

 “Who are you?” she asked when she finally found her tongue.

“I have been with you since before this embodiment and I shall be with you while you walk this planet and thereafter.  We are bonded.”  He said in words that were a gentle soothing song to her ears.  “I am Liam.” 

As she absorbed the words that floated gently and clearly through her head, Tara realized that Liam’s mouth hadn’t moved. 

“I have been watching closely,” Liam continued. “Since you will need assistance soon, I chose to remind you that I am here.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she murmured.

She marveled at her lack of fear. She actually felt safe and secure.  She shook her head. Should she be so complaisant about this?  Should she be reveling in this wondrous relaxation when she had no idea who this Liam character was? What did he mean when he said that they were bonded?  

She knit her brows together and tension returned. Liam gave a little smile and gently swept his hand close past her face. She felt a slight pressure, but not his touch.  Once again joy mixed with peace and tranquility swept over her.

“I am your guardian in spirit,” Liam explained.  “It is my task to work with you while you are in this growth process. I am honored to assist you in expanding your knowledge of the earth plane, as well as the spiritual plane.” 

His voice stayed smooth and gentle.

“I’m not sure I understand,” she stammered.

She found it difficult to harness the thoughts and form them into sentences.

“In time, you will become strong in your understanding and you will be able to share with others what you have learned,” he said. “In the beginning, you will feel tired from our meetings. I assure you this is temporary, and you should not be alarmed. No harm will come to you here. You are loved and protected. You may call on my guidance at any time, for I am always near.”    

Again, Tara felt the pull on her body.  It was like someone was steering her through space. The beautiful surroundings faded and once more she found herself enveloped in a cloud. She hovered there for a moment before opening her eyes and finding herself snuggled safely in her bed.  

Her eyes snapped open and she cautiously checked out her surroundings.  Dust speckled streams of morning sun peeked through the cracks of the fabric barrier Eva created the night before.  Faint singing of the birds filtered through the glass barrier, bringing a smile to her lips.  She stretched in a cat-like manner and rolled over.  She wasn’t quite ready to give up that feeling of euphoria and come back to reality.

****

The trio lived in harmony for the next two weeks while Tara steadily regained her health.  Eva and Dennis dove into some much-needed house repairs. Eva worked diligently each day, while Dennis drove in from the city on the weekends to do what he could.  They repaired a large hole in the paddock -where Eva insisted Sugar remain- and finished the paint job that Tara started on the porch. 

Tara had a slow and methodical way of working.  Eva, on the other hand, was swift and to the point. She completed an easy two months’ worth of work for Tara in two weeks.

Eva didn’t hear Tara walking up behind her as she eased herself cautiously into the wicker rocker on the patio to enjoy yet another magnificent sunset.  Her muscles ached, and her movement was noticeably rigid.  

“You’re hurting,” Tara said softly.  

“You started me!”  Eva exclaimed as she covered her heart with her hand. “I’m sore, but I enjoyed putting around.”  She let her body sink deeper into the rocker. “I think I’ll go home. You’re pretty well recovered and I’m behind on my manuscript.”

Tara positioned herself on the cool flagstone patio at Eva’s feet and laid her head in her aunt’s lap. She always hated to see her aunt leave.

“I was too sick to even enjoy your stay,” she whined. “Can’t you stick around a little longer, so we can do a few fun things together? Please?”

“I wish I could, but I took off in such a rush that I left a lot of loose ends. My publisher’s asking for the final chapters.”  Eva stroked Tara’s soft locks while she stared absently across the shadowy fields at Sugar, who grazed peacefully. “You’ll be fine now,” she continued.  “I’ll be back before you know it. I still plan on making my regular visit. Don’t think this is a substitute.” 

Tara giggled and snuggled her cheek deeper into Eva’s lap, like she did when she was a little girl. They stayed -each deep in thought- until the cool fog of the evening forced them to move inside for warmth. 

Eva took a long look around at the interior of the charming antique house. It would be quite a beauty once it was restored. She could almost feel the life and hear the laughter of the years gone by.  There where marks on the woodwork leading into the laundry room where the growth of children from early years was monitored. The slight curve of the stairway leading up to the second-floor added grace and elegance, while the intricately carved banister boasted style and charm. 

It was an unusual country house to be found in the north. It had the style and charm of a southern plantation home. She wasn’t aware of such structures on northern farms and estates.  It seemed far too grand, even in its run-down condition. She felt as if the wonderful house smiled with gratitude at the work she and Dennis completed. Yes, she’d be back, and would be happy to come.

The next morning, Eva was packed and saying farewell. Tara reluctantly waved as Dennis chauffeured her aunt off in his Jeep Cherokee. Tiny puffs of dust rose from beneath the Jeep’s wheels while it disappeared down the drive.

She found the intense silence left behind unnerving. An eerie feeling that came over her as she observed the stillness.  Seeking the refuge of companionship, she headed toward her pacing mare, who was clearly not appreciative of the repair work done to contain her in the paddock.  

The pungent aroma of the horse’s body mingled with the scent of grass and a hint of manure.  Tara inhaled deeply, taking in as much of the familiar smells as she could while reveling in the comfort she immediately received for her unsettled nerves. She wanted to erase the gap of time that elapsed between herself and Sugar while recovering from her fall.   

Sugar turned her nose deep into her mistress’s side. The mild pressure to Tara’s ribs brought a twinge of pain and she flinched.  

‘I see you are not yet recovered.’  Sugar’s thoughts penetrated their way into Tara’s head.

 “Not quite, but it’s much better” she replied before realizing she’d received a telepathic message from her horse.

It sent her bolting backward and stumbled to the ground.

Confusion enveloped her as she scrambled toward the fence.  Her breathing labored, and the threat of hyperventilating hovered. The mare watched Tara’s reaction briefly before returning her focus to luscious rich pasture that awaited her.

Regaining a semblance of composure, the startled young woman rose shakily and made her way back to her mare.

“Did you do what I thought you did?” she asked warily.

Sugar steadfastly graze and reveled in the juiciness of the rich green grass as if deliberately ignoring Tara’s question.

“Sugar!”  Tara demanded.  

Tara was sure Sugar was demonstrating her dissatisfaction at being disturbed, when the mare turned her rump toward her, urinated, and walked away.  

Confused and exasperated, Tara returned to the house to lie down until Dennis returned. She’d experienced a firm pressure in the middle of her forehead while communicating with Sugar that transformed into a full-blown headache. Perhaps this was just a hallucination of some type.  After all, she’d suffered a terrible shock when she fell, and she wasn’t quite recovered. Maybe she just overdid things, and this was a result of it.   Once again, she made a mental note to check into her medication.

Tara stopped at the top of the steps leading up to the broad wraparound porch and watched the peacefully grazing mare. There was something familiar about the pressure she felt while communicating with Sugar, but she couldn’t quite place it.  The brief memory of a glowing robed man came and left just as quickly.    

Making her way toward her bedroom, she decided it would be best not to mention her dream or her telepathic hallucinations to Dennis.  Some things where better left alone.