Page 67 of Shades of Mercy
Mercy glanced at Jag, but he wasn’t any help. He was inspecting a rain spot on the ceiling. “I wouldn’t say I’m a skeptic…”
“Or a believer?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It’s okay, honey. Not everyone is open-minded to the universe. Like that one.” She stuck her thumb in Jag’s direction. “He’s about as closed off as they come.” She winked and smoothed a hand over her perfectly coiffed hair.
“I can hear you talking about me,” he said, still gazing up at the ceiling.
“Well, darling, we weren’t exactly whispering,” Isla said. “Come, Mercy, to the kitchen and let's leave our dear sweet Jag to help an old lady. I haven’t had a girl chat in such a long time.”
Mercy sat down at the retro metal table while Isla flounced about the large, vintage-style kitchen. The muumuu floated like a cloud around her delicate frame.
“I need to take the pie out.” Once the pie was on the counter, the room was filled with a delightful scent.
“That smells delicious,” Mercy said.
“It’s my favorite. Would you like a slice, dear? Jag won’t know.” She smiled mischievously.
“I’d love a slice.”
“I was lucky to have found the love of my life,” Isla said after serving the slices of pie. “We shared fifty years of both blissful and crazy years. I’m sure you saw that pathetic-looking greenhouse out there. Abby called it her she-cave where she could work magic.”
“I’m sure you miss her.”
She shrugged a thin shoulder. “She was getting cantankerous in her old age. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the old bat. We used to have some great times together, but in the end, she’d lost the fight to Parkinson’s. My love, my sweet love, was fading so fast.” A sadness crawled across her seasoned features. “The cancer got her in the end.”
“I saw a picture hanging on the wall? Was it you and Abby? You were both wearing costumes.”
“That photo was taken twenty years ago. She and I always hosted elaborate annual Halloween parties, inviting the entire town and having a great deal of fun. Abby would always say we spent too much money for just one night of fun, but it was worth every wonderful memory. Those are the only things I have left in my old age.” She laid a knarled hand against her chest.
“And you stopped having the parties?”
“I did once Abby started getting sicker. Things just weren’t as fun anymore. I bet you didn’t know that she was the town’s first female mayor. She held the position for fifteen years and did so much for our community.” Pride was evident in her stonewashed grey eyes.
“I didn’t know, but that’s a long tenure as mayor.”
Isla dropped back into her chair, as if to examine Mercy. “I know you don’t believe, my dear, but the spirits are demanding that I tell you something.”
“They are?”
“I don’t know what it means but I’m supposed to tell you that all will be okay in the end. However, I’m seeing that someone close isn’t who they say they are. I see fire.”
Mercy narrowed her gaze. “I don’t understand,” she said.
Her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know, dear. That’s all I can see. You’re very protective of yourself.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Did Isla see how Mercy struggled with trust?
“I’m sorry. This makes you a little uncomfortable. I’m surprised my bridge club keeps me around. I’m not good at reading cues, I guess. I’ve always just followed the urge when I feel it. But one last thing. Your instincts are spot on. Allow them to guide you.” Isla stood. “Care for another slice of pie?”
“It was delicious, but if I have another, I’ll burst.” She took her plate to the sink and gazed out the window overlooking the backyard. Jag was pouring gas into a tractor. Her heart filled with warmth. Isla’s words,Let your instincts guide youseemed to spiral inside Mercy’s mind.
Yet, what were her instincts telling her?
She had no clue.
“He’s such an honorable man,” Isla said. “I don’t think people value honor and respect for each other as much these days.”
