Whisper Cape by Susan Griscom Page B

Saturday morning? A bit scary, don’t you think? Those things usually don’t happen around here.”
    “Yeah, I heard about it. Young women shouldn’t be out by themselves no matter where they live.”
    “You’re right, of course,” she agreed. “What about you, Ed? I don’t see you bringing any women home.”
    “Me?” He laughed and Addie watched his stomach jiggle. “My courtin’ days are long gone. Nobody’s gonna be interested in a scrawny little old guy like me.”
    “You’re not old and you’re not scrawny.” Much . “I’m sure there’s a very nice woman out there just waiting for someone like you.”
    “That’ll be the day. Well, I think she’s fixed,” he said as he shimmied his way out from under the sink.
    “You’re done? Wow, you’re quick, a regular miracle worker. Thanks.”
    He averted his crimson face from hers as he picked up his tools, placing them meticulously in their respective slots on his belt.
    “Well, I’ll be off then. Appreciate you letting me know about this right away. Better to nip these things in the bud before they escalate to bigger problems.”
    “Yeah, no problem,” she said, walking him to the door. “I appreciate you coming up so fast.”
    “You take care, now.”
    With Ed finished with the leak under the sink and out of her hair, Addie grabbed another cup of coffee, took out her laptop, and began her search. A dozen different sites popped up for paranormal ability; people possessing psychic powers, telekinetic and telepathic experiences, and people claiming to have clairvoyant abilities, but not one of them was remotely close to what was happening to her. She scrolled down the page, clicking on another article and paused.
    “Wait a minute, wait a freaking minute. What’s this?” She tapped her fingers on the side of her cup as she read the article about a girl who could emit electrical sparks from her fingertips strong enough to knock people down.
    After reading the whole article, she found there was nothing to substantiate the girl’s claim. “It’s nothing but a hoax. Well, shit.” Every article she read proved to be much the same. Frustrated, she gave up her search and went back to experimenting with her ability again.
    Placing another slice of bread in the sink, Addie concentrated on heat and fire again, only to be disappointed. After about an hour and several slices of burnt bread in the trash, she finally managed to toast a piece without burning it. “Well, now, this is more like it. I think I’m getting the hang of this, whatever this is.” Feeling rejuvenated, she decided it was time to head off to the cliffs.
     
    ***
     
    Darcy kept telling herself she didn’t care what Jared thought. Back in her own apartment, she drew a hot bubble bath. The scent of lavender and ginger filled the small room and she tried not to think about Jared as she leaned back in the tub and closed her eyes. But, it was impossible not to see his face. Why after all these months did visions of him have to start popping into her head again? As a couple, they were over. He made his choice when he slept with that slut, Hannah. So what if he didn’t remember anything about it. So what if he was drunk beyond standing. Come on, did he really expect her to believe him? He had begged and pleaded with her to forgive him, but all she could picture in her head was the two of them, naked and tangled in bed. And yet ... Face it, Darcy; you know the man can still make your knees go limp .
    In spite of everything, she never stopped loving him and was glad Addie respected her feelings even though Darcy never told her how she really felt about him. Her passion for Jared was becoming a problem. Was it love or hate? Darcy wasn’t sure anymore. Better to continue playing the field and try to forget him. Maybe someday she’d find the perfect man who could make her legs wobble the way Jared could.
     
    ***
     
    The sun peeked out from behind the clouds as Addie steered into the tiny