How do you do? Jake asked politely.
Good, thanks. Jake, nice to meet you. Keith drew up a chair and straddled it, grinning. He looked at Jake. My mom and dad are all agog over you. Tearing their hair out. They dont think theyve met your parents. They used to be sure they knew everyone around here. And theyre still convinced that youre related to Melodyserfriend Mark.
I dont believe Im related to Mark. Your parents are charming, Jake said simply.
Thank God. He was getting better.
So, you two met at school? Keith asked.
College, Melody said. Soon enough, shed get good at the lie.
Did you order drinks?
Hot chocolate with Kahlùa, Melody said.
Ill go order the same. Youre not on one of your diets, I take it? he asked Melody.
No, Im not on a diet, she said, glaring at him.
Keith grinned at Jake. Oh, wait, thats right. Melody and my mom never go on diets. They go on lifestyles.
Keith! Melody said sharply.
He shrugged.
Ill seek out the young woman who took our order, Jake said, standing and walking toward the bar.
Keith looked at Melody. You are such a liar.
What are you talking about?
Youve obviously forgotten that I came and hung around your college dorm every chance I could get, falling in love with all the older women around you. I would have met this guy. Who is he?
She stared at her brother. You didnt meet everyone.
Who is he? Keith repeated.
She hesitated. I hit him.
What?
I hit him on the road. Keith, heshes having some kind of mental block. He isnt hurt, unless I did do him some serious brain damage. I
Wait, back up. You hit him. You socked him in the jaw?
No! Melody said. I was driving and I think I hit some black ice. I hit him.
And you didnt get him to a hospital?
No, he didnt want to go. Hey, I didnt hit him hard. And I just didnt know what to do. I panicked.
You hit someone, you get them to a hospital, Keith chastised.
Buthe was, he wasnt behaving normally.
Great. All the more reason not to bring the guy to a hospital.
Buthe was in costume. Revolutionary-period clothing. He thinks he was a soldier. Hehe says the last thing he remembers is that he was being executed, hanged, in New York City. He had a sister or half sister or stepsister or someone who was a witch and said some kind of curseand he wound up on the road. Then I hit him.
Keith just stared at her for several seconds. He blinked. Oh, great. You are making no sense. He thinks he fell to earth from the past, and stillyou didnt take him to the hospital!
He didnt appear to be hurt.
You obviously gave the fellow a concussion.
I dont think so.
Hehe could be crazy.
Well, thats obvious!
Right. So this is getting better and better.
He needs our help. Somehow, he has to realize who he really is.
Since when was your degree is psychology?
I brought him home. II think his real memory will come back.
Her brother arched a brow skeptically.
Look, Keith, he must have a job as a costume interpreter or something.
In costume, huh. You think? he asked sarcastically.
She glared at him. He believes his own role right now. Quit judging me.
Im not judging you.
He needs our help.
Our help?
My help. I always helped you!
Keith stared at her amazed, then started to laugh. Okay, Ive brought home a trillion puppies and kittens. But not a crazy.
She stiffened. What about the pole-dancing stripper?
Hey, she knew where she worked.
Keith, look, hes nice, hes pleasantIm hoping that some normal time will help bring back his memory.
And you think anyone is going to have normal time at our house? Keith asked dryly.
Thats not fair, she accused him.
So. You hit him, hes in costume, thinks hes a soldier, and you bring him home to feed him and warm him up. This isnt the same as what I did.
She glared at her brother. You are not at all amusing.
No, but you are in some weird water here, sis.
Keith, stop it. Ive kind of got a problem going here.
Maybe you do, he said. His eyes were bright with amusement as he moved closer to her. What do you think hes saying to the bartender? Shes pretty cute, too.
Oh, God, I dont know! Melody stood up. She sat down. Keith, go check on him. I dont want to look like a jealous idiot. Go on, get him back over here.
Keith shrugged, grinned, and then did as she asked. He walked to the bar and set a hand on Jakes shoulder and said something to him. The pretty bartender laughed at whatever was exchanged, and added the last cup to a tray that their waitress came to take. She led the way back to the table and, much to Melodys relief, Jake and her brother followed.
Melody picked up her cup and drank, barely aware that the chocolate concoction was hot.
Sweetie, if you want to swill something, it really shouldnt be hot chocolate. Beer is best for swilling, wouldnt you say, Jake?
I suppose its a proper beverage for hefty consumption, Jake said.
He knows who you think you are, Melody said.
I know who I am. My name is Jake Mallory, Jake said.
And you were at the end of a hangmans noose? Keith said.
Jake seemed very tall and straight. That is the absolute truth, he said quietly.
And you know nothing thats happened since the American Revolution? Keith asked.
Only what your sister has been kind enough to tell me, he said sincerely.
Keith stared at Melody. Huh. He grinned suddenly. Well, I know what we should do after dinner.
What? Melody asked dubiously.
A DVD glut.
She cast her head to the side and smiled slowly. History and pop culture.
Excuse me, Jake said. A DVD glut?
Melody groaned. Her brother began a scientific explanation.
I see, Jake said.
Keith rose. Time for dinner. I came to fetch the two of you. Cant be late for Moms nouvelle cuisine.
Were having stew, I believe, Melody said.
Whatever, Keith said. Then, Stew? Oh, no. God knows what she puts in those Crock-Pots. He grimaced. She thinks she has powers.
So Melody said. Maybe she does, Jake said.
Forget it, forget it, Melody said, rising. My mother does not have powers. Please, dont go encouraging her to think that she does! Come on, lets get home.
Keith had brought his car. He encouraged Jake to ride with him, telling him that he could explain the workings of the vehicle much better than Melody might ever manage. She decided to let the two of them gothere was nothing that Keith didnt know already, so whatever Jake said to him, it wouldnt matter.
She reached the house first and Keith and Jake pulled in right behind her. Other than the fact that his hair was longeasily understandable, if he made his living as an historic interpreterJake looked as if he belonged right where he was.
So Melody said. Maybe she does, Jake said.
Forget it, forget it, Melody said, rising. My mother does not have powers. Please, dont go encouraging her to think that she does! Come on, lets get home.
Keith had brought his car. He encouraged Jake to ride with him, telling him that he could explain the workings of the vehicle much better than Melody might ever manage. She decided to let the two of them gothere was nothing that Keith didnt know already, so whatever Jake said to him, it wouldnt matter.
She reached the house first and Keith and Jake pulled in right behind her. Other than the fact that his hair was longeasily understandable, if he made his living as an historic interpreterJake looked as if he belonged right where he was.
That was good.
Oh, Lord, she was beginning to fall for his fantasy!
She shook off the thought as she headed for the house. Before she reached the door, Brutus was howling out a welcome. She entered the house quickly. One good thing about Brutusno one would ever come sneaking up on the house. Brutus was louder than the most obnoxious doorbell ever created.
Wheels for legs did not prevent the basset from having a tail that wagged so hard it was like being whacked when it hit ya.
Lovely! her mom called, coming from the kitchen. Now she looked like Stevie Nicks in an apron. Dinner is on.
Yeah? So whats in it? Eye of toad and leg of newt? Keith teased.
Oh, you! Mona protested, giving him an affection tap on the shoulder. Dont you dare go scaring our guest!
Im not scared, Jake assured her.
She does add all her own herbs, Keith warned.
Were having stew. Beef stew. And Im afraid, other than the herbs, the ingredients are store-bought, Mona said. She brightened. But I do buy only organic.
Jake looked at Melody.
She loathes the idea that food might have pesticides in it, Melody explained.
Shes quite right I guess, Jake said.
And quite expensive, George Tarleton said, joining them in the living room.
Dad, you might want to find a lint brush. Youre wearing more of Cleo than Cleo wears of herself, I think, Melody pointed out.
Oh, yes, well, excuse me, Ill find the lint brush, her father said.
Come into the dining room, sit, sit, Mona encouraged.
The dining room was probably the most traditional room in the housethe large dining table and chairs were early American, as were the buffet and china closet. The back wall offered a bay window with a built-in bench seat that looked out over the lawn, and it was enhanced by warm, deep blue cushions and handsome throw pillows. There was a fireplace in here as wellthe house boasted eightand at Christmas, more than any other time, Mona kept the fires burning. She was also a huge fan of scented candles, so the room smelled deliciously of stew and spices.
Jake paused in the doorway, breathing in. His eyes scanned the room, and she thought once again that she saw a look of pained nostalgia on his face that couldnt be feigned.
She felt her heart going out to him, and then she was irritated with herself. She just had to pick up a crazy who was completely charming, dignified and capable of somehow seducing her into his fantasy. Hed been in costumethe man was an actor, in a way. She had to keep remember ing that.
Sit, sit, Jake. I swear, theres nothing at all wrong with my cooking, my children like to torment me, Mona said. George, will you get the iced tea from the refrigerator?
Melody, Keith and Jake had taken their seats as they had been told. When Mona moved, Jake rose. She set her hands on his shoulders to stay seated when she rose to help her husband get the drinks.
What do you want to bet its green tea? Keith asked, feigning a whisper.
I heard that. Green tea is excellent for you. A billion Chinese who have far longer life spans than we do cannot be wrong, Mona said.
Green tea is lovely, Mom, Melody said, kicking her brothers shin under the table. Dont get her going, she mouthed.
I heard that, too! Mona said, sweeping back around the table with a large tureen of stew. She set it down with a flourish while her husband got the glasses. And its all right because Im so happy just to have you home for the holidaysand to have our new friend, Mr. Mallory, here, as well. She sat. Keith, dear, will you say grace, please?
Grace, Keith said softly, and grinned.
Oh, honestly, Keith, its hard to imagine that youre a student going for a Ph.D., darling, you can be so juvenile at times.
May I? Jake asked.
Well, of course! Mona said.
Jake folded his hands and closed his eyes. Thank you, Lord, for the food youve provided, for the warmth of the hearth, and the love of family and friends. May we all be home in time for Christmas. Amen.
He opened his eyes and looked at Melody. Again, there was something in them that entreated with dignity.
People didnt drop from a hangmans noose to find themselves in a street almost three hundred years later.
How very nice, Jake, thank you, Mona said. So, now, how was the ice skating?
It was nice, Mom, Melody said. She stood to help her mother; Jake stood, as well. Im just passing the plates. Please, Jake, thank you.
Hed been taught to stand when a woman stood, and it was going to keep happening. Melody made a quick job of passing the food around.
Mrs. Tarleton, I understand that you have some wonderful books on local history, Jake said.
Oh, indeed. Mona flashed a smile. Im simply fascinated by the mind-set of those who came before us. When they had the tricentennial of the Salem witchcraft trials, they printed up complete volumes of the proceedings, the court records, everything. Its fascinating reading. So sad and horrible.
What happens in the minds of menand womenis always fascinating, George said. With all the theories theyve had regarding the hysteria, I still cant imagine sane adults allowing those girls who accused their neighbors of being witchessome only because they used herbs to help cure sicknessesto cause such a tragedy.
I quite agree, Jake said. Many people were killed with no evidence that they had done anything wrong.
Do you believe in witchcraft? Melody asked.
Whether I believe or not does not matter, Jake said. Massachusetts was a British colony, and witchcraft was illegal. Could someone really curse his neighbors cow with an evil eye? Most probably not. But mixing potionseven herbal potionscould be considered witchcraft and sadly, the punishment for witchcraft could be death. But I dont believe that any of those caught up in the hysteria at Salem were practicing real witchcraft of any kind. They were just caught up in a miasma of fear. There was so much of the world that was unknown and frightening.
Indeed, George agreed.
Mona pounced on the words. Thats just it, people act out of fear or ignorance. The true Wiccans were not guilty of any evilthey were part of the pagan way that existed before Christianity began to spread. And those who brought Christianity across from Europe were willing to do what was necessary to convince others to follow them. I mean, seriously, we dont know what day Christ was born, we have settled on a day for it to be Christmas. The high holy day of All Hallows Eve coincided with a pagan practice that had long been celebrated. And Easter! The holiday and celebration are even named for Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. The old Anglo-Saxons celebrated spring and rebirth, and the Hebrews celebrated Passover, and Christians celebrate the fact that Christ rose from the dead. Heres my point, we are all one creation, however we choose to see our deities.