The Monstrous Seven (A Hannah Hickok Witchy Mystery Book 4) Read online

  “That’s kind of a jump without proof,” Cooper argued.

  “Is it?” Boone obviously felt differently. “You said that Hannah inserted herself between you and Trent to protect you. You were angry at her for putting herself in danger, but in reality the anger manifested in Trent’s direction. You were still polite when you asked her to go on the porch. You didn’t snap at her or anything.”

  “She didn’t deserve to be snapped at.”

  Boone cracked a smile. “Of course not. She’s perfect. You’re not getting what I’m saying. Whatever happened was pointed at men. It was an effort to get men to kill each other.”

  “And I didn’t get a full dose because I was in the barn and much farther away from the action,” Tyler noted.

  “Or it could be because you’re gay,” Boone added, immediately holding up his hands when Tyler pinned him with a dark look. “I’m not suggesting you’re not macho like this one.” He jerked his thumb in Cooper’s direction. “It wasn’t your girlfriend being talked about in a sexual manner, though. Cooper’s dander was up because of Hannah. He was being territorial ... and so were the other two men.”

  “That kind of makes sense,” Tyler said finally. “What about Justin, though? He was there and didn’t act out of sorts.”

  “He’s much younger, though,” Cooper pointed out. “Both Rob and Trent were in their thirties, and from what you’ve described, they were both alphas. Cooper is most definitely an alpha.”

  “Are you saying that makes me a beta?” Tyler’s annoyance was on full display. “I’m totally not a beta.”

  “You’re not,” Hannah reassured him, reaching across the table so she could squeeze his hand. “You’re totally macho. You’re a chest-thumper of the highest order.”

  Tyler snickered as Cooper rolled his eyes.

  “I don’t thump my chest,” Cooper muttered, although he was relieved to see that Hannah had perked up some since the initial incident. “I think Hannah is right, though. Whatever happened out there wasn’t two guys killing each other for no good reason. They were pushed.”

  “What does that mean for us, though?” Hannah queried. “I can’t imagine that a man being killed with a prop gun on Casper Creek property is going to go over well. We’re going to be sued ... and it’s not going to be good. I could lose the town, couldn’t I?”

  Cooper opened his mouth to argue with the suggestion but ultimately snapped it shut. She wasn’t wrong. Even if it could be proven a magical entity had set things into motion, they still had to deal with the real-world justice system. “I don’t know what you want to hear,” he said finally.

  “I’ll take the truth.”

  “The truth is that this isn’t going to be easy,” Boone volunteered. “We’re going to have to tear apart the ammunition storage area to see if there are other live rounds here. If there aren’t, it’s possible we could blame the company that provides the prop materials but ... it’s not going to be easy. That’s on top of the fact that Justin is the one who probably loaded the gun and he should’ve been able to tell the difference between the rounds.”

  “How would they be different?” Hannah asked. “I mean ... I don’t know much about weaponry like this.”

  “A live round would be heavier,” Cooper explained. “Even if he was distracted, he should’ve been able to tell.”

  “Unless the man somehow made it so the round was real,” Hannah supplied. “I mean, if he can control emotions, isn’t it possible that he can switch out ammunition without actually touching the gun?”

  “I honestly don’t see how,” Cooper replied after a beat. “I know that’s not what you want to hear, for multiple reasons, but that seems like a stretch.”

  “Except that the odds of this bullet taking out a random guy in the middle of the street are slim,” Boone noted. “I mean ... the re-enactors don’t really point the weapons at each other. If there was one live bullet and it actually killed someone, the odds of that have to be astronomical.”

  “That’s true.” Cooper dragged a restless hand through his hair. “I don’t know how we’re going to prove any of this.”

  “I don’t either, but we’re going to have to try,” Boone said. “The future of Casper Creek relies on what we’re able to come up with. That means we have to start digging ... and the ammunition storage room is going to be our first stop. If we’re lucky, the coroner will come up with something helpful, too, but that will be tomorrow at the earliest.”

  “So let’s head to the ammunition room.” Cooper pushed himself to a standing position and shifted his eyes to Hannah. “You can come if you want, although it might be better if you take a bit of downtime. I’ll bring dinner up to you in a few hours and fill you in. You should rest, maybe take a bath or something.”

  Hannah thought it was her duty to go with him, but the pleading look in Cooper’s eyes told her that she would be more hindrance than help. “A bath sounds great, although I should collect Jinx first.”

  “I’ll collect Jinx when I’m done,” Cooper countered, referring to her oversized black lab. “Last time I saw him, he was happily chasing the goats in the paddock. If he stays there another two hours or so, he’ll be tired out. That’s probably best for all of us.”

  Hannah nodded. “Okay. I’ll go upstairs.”

  Cooper stood with her, taking the opportunity to pull her close. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered so only she could hear. “I promise we’ll figure this out.”

  Hannah could only hope that was true.

  4

  Four

  Hannah showered, changed into comfortable yoga pants and a shirt, and then maniacally cleaned her apartment above the saloon because she didn’t know what else to do with her time. She was afraid that she would sit at the window and watch the events happening on Main Street for hours on end if she didn’t busy herself ... so that’s what she did.

  By the time Cooper climbed the stairs to join her several hours later, the apartment was sparkling, to the point where Jinx reared back and lifted his nose in surprise when Cooper let him in the apartment.

  “Lemon fresh, huh?” Cooper noted on a grimace as Jinx pranced around and started sniffing things. “I didn’t realize you were going to spend the entire afternoon cleaning.”

  Hannah frowned at him. “I needed something to do.”

  “I ... see that. Er, I smell that.”

  Her frown only deepened. “It’s not that bad.”

  “Baby, it’s bad enough that I’m going to open a few windows to get some fresh air in here.” Cooper dropped the takeout bags on the kitchen table and strode to the front window to push it open. “I don’t want you passing out from the fumes.”

  Hannah watched him, frustration bubbling up. “I’m fine.”

  “I’ve decided that I don’t like it when you say that.” Cooper moved to another window and unlatched it so he could yank it open. “You use that word when you want to avoid things. ‘I’m fine. I feel fine. Why wouldn’t I be fine?’ You throw all those things out there when you want to avoid a direct question.”

  Hannah wrinkled her nose. “I’m pretty sure that’s not true.”

  “Oh, but it is.” Cooper stopped in the middle of the room so he could study her. She’d showered and her hair was still damp. Her face was devoid of makeup, which was exactly how he liked it. She was beautiful, distractingly so, and he preferred it when she didn’t bother with makeup enhancement. The yoga pants she’d selected were a charcoal color, but he was particularly fond of them because they made her legs look as if they went on for miles.

  “What?” Hannah said after a beat, tugging on her shirt self-consciously. “Do I have something on me or something?”

  He let loose a sigh. “You’re beautiful, Hannah.” He moved to her, his fingers gentle as they brushed her hair away from her face. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine” was on the tip of her tongue and then she remembered what he said. “I’m ... doing a lot of thinking,” she said final
ly. “It’s hard for me to wrap my head around.”

  “What is?” He led her to the couch, momentarily ignoring the food he’d brought. It would keep. She had a microwave to heat it up if need be.

  “I don’t want to lose this place.” Her voice was small. “You know, when I inherited Casper Creek, all I knew was that I needed a place to live because I’d lost everything. I thought it was a fortuitous turn of events.

  “Then I came here and met everyone, met you,” she continued, her fingers shaking in his hand. “What happens if I lose this place?”

  “You’re not going to lose Casper Creek,” he replied automatically, earning a stern glare from her. “You’re not,” he repeated, refusing to back down. “We’re going to figure this out.”

  “And what if we don’t?” Hannah was pragmatic by nature, especially when it came to things like this. “A man was shot on this property with a gun that wasn’t supposed to be loaded. His family is most certainly going to sue. When that happens ... the insurance might pay out, or it might not if they can find a loophole. I won’t be able to run this place without insurance and after a claim like that we’ll become uninsurable.” She chewed on her bottom lip as she glanced around at the apartment. “I never felt like I truly had a home until now. I don’t want to lose it.”

  “You’re not going to lose it,” Cooper insisted. “It’s not going to happen.”

  “You can’t know that.”

  “I do know that. Listen ... no, listen.” He was firm as he held her gaze. “You love this place because it’s made you see possibilities. It’s made you dream. That’s a good thing. Don’t give up on the dream yet.”

  “I’m not giving up. I just ... I’m afraid.”

  “I know, and that’s perfectly normal.” He tugged her to him, wrapping his arms around her and resting his cheek on her forehead. She belonged with him. He believed that to his very soul. She fit in his arms ... and his heart. He understood why she was upset, though. Honestly, he was right there with her. He was afraid of what was to come ... but he refused to let the dream they’d begun to build die without a fight.

  “Hey.” He pulled back so he could study her face. “We need to wait before we freak out. The coroner could find something that will completely exonerate us.”

  “What are the odds of that?”

  “Not great,” he admitted. “That doesn’t mean we won’t figure this out. I know it seems daunting. I’m going to be right by your side, though. This is something we’re going to do together and I have no intention of going anywhere.”

  “Okay, but let’s say the worst does happen.” She licked her lips and raised her chin, almost defiant in the way that she challenged him. “What happens to us if this place closes?”

  That’s when he realized what was truly bothering her. “Are you asking if we’re going to suddenly split up because there is no Casper Creek?”

  “I ... guess.” She was reluctant to admit her fears, but they were right on the surface and she couldn’t look away.

  “Hannah, I have no intention of letting you go. I just got you. If the unthinkable happens and you somehow lose Casper Creek — which I don’t believe is going to happen — then we’ll sit down and decide what we want to do together.”

  It was the answer she was looking for and still ... . “I don’t exactly have a lot of marketable skills. I didn’t even finish my degree, even though I was ridiculously close. I’m a moron.”

  “Hey!” He extended a warning finger, turning stern. “You’re talking about my favorite person in the world, and you’re not saying nice things. You’re not a moron. You might’ve made a moronic choice back in the day, but you’re the smartest person I know.”

  Hannah made a face, amused despite herself. “I think you’re just saying that but I’ll take it. The truth is, I made the absolute worst possible decision when I quit school ... and I did it for a man who didn’t even care about me. I’m a freaking cautionary tale and I hate myself for it.”

  Cooper frowned. He didn’t like hearing stories about her ex-fiancé. The guy sounded like a real turd and he abhorred the idea of Hannah being emotionally mistreated. Now wasn’t the time to let her wallow, though. “We’ll figure it out. All I know is that I’m absolutely not going to lose you. I mean ... unless you don’t want to keep me. Then I guess I’m not going to have much choice in the matter.”

  Hannah’s frown was pronounced. “Of course I want to keep you. What a ridiculous thing to say. You’re the thing I want most in this world.” Jinx picked that moment to yip, as if he understood what she said and was offended. “Well, you and Jinx,” she corrected quickly. “I want both of you.”

  He smiled at her reaction and, although he was unlikely to admit it to anyone but her, went warm all over at the words. They were exactly what he wanted to hear. “Then we’ll figure it out together, okay? I don’t want you freaking out about this. We don’t even know what we’re dealing with at this point.”

  Hannah searched his gaze for hints he was trying to placate her and then blew out a sigh. All she found was sincerity shining back. “I’m sorry. I just ... I really like my life for the first time in a long time. I don’t want to lose it.”

  “You’re not going to. We’re going to figure it out. I promise.” He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss at the same moment her stomach ruthlessly growled, making him laugh. “Right after we get some food into you. I think we’re both hungry.”

  “I’m starving,” Hannah admitted, turning to the bags on the table. “What did you get?”

  “Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”

  She laughed. “Comfort food.”

  “Yeah. I figured we could both use it. After that, we’ll climb into bed and do some brainstorming, huh? Maybe there’s an answer out there we haven’t yet thought of.”

  The situation was serious, but Hannah couldn’t hide her amusement. “Is that what we’re calling it now? Brainstorming, I mean.”

  “Actually, I thought we would do some actual brainstorming on what we’re dealing with,” Cooper argued. “I mean ... your grandmother left a bunch of research books.” He gestured toward the old tomes, which were carefully organized on a bevy of shelves.

  “Oh.” Realization dawned on Hannah. “You actually want to brainstorm.”

  “At least for an hour or so. Then we can do other things. I just ... want to see if we can find information about the man you saw. I can’t help but think that would benefit us a great deal over the long haul if we could.”

  Hannah happened to agree. “Food first and then brainstorming.”

  “And then we’ll get back to that other thing your gutter mind is so desperate for,” he added, enjoying the way her cheeks pinked up.

  “Oh, I’m never going to live this down, am I? You’re going to remind me of this until we’re old and gray.”

  He grinned. He liked the growing “old and gray” part. “Pretty much.”

  “I guess I can live with it.”

  “Me, too. We’ll live with it together.”

  HANNAH WOKE WRAPPED IN COOPER’S arms. He’d spooned up behind her right before they drifted off, and they woke in the exact position. Neither of them had moved, and that filled her with great comfort ... even though they’d found nothing in the books to propel them further on their mystery.

  “Morning.” Cooper stretched his legs as he pressed a kiss to the sensitive spot behind her ear. He loved waking with her. She was ridiculously warm and snuggly in the morning, and while he never thought he would be the type of guy who would care about such things, his favorite part of the day was waking up with her because of that very reason.

  “Morning.” Hannah stretched her arms over her head and rolled so she was facing him. She smiled as she took in his morning stubble and tousled hair. “How did you sleep?”

  “Like a log. I think that’s supposed to be my line, though.” He ran his index finger down her cheek, marveling at the softness of her skin. “How did you sleep?”

  “
Fine.”

  He frowned.

  “I slept hard,” she reassured him when she realized what she’d said. “I was out really quickly.”

  “But it wasn’t a good sleep,” he surmised.

  She hesitated. “It wasn’t a bad sleep. I just had a few dreams.”

  He frowned. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. There was very little he could do about dreams, though. “Well ... that sucks.” He gave her a kiss and debated what to do next. “You know the town can’t open today, right? I already sent out word last night. Technically it’s still a crime scene.”

  “I figured. Do you have plans for your day?”

  He knew what she was trying to ask without actually saying the words. She didn’t want to come across as needy, but she was afraid to be alone in the town. Only she and Tyler lived there full time, and if there was some sort of monster running around — even if he had a human face — she wouldn’t want to be alone.

  “I do have plans for the day,” he confirmed.

  “Oh.” Her disappointment was palpable. “Are you going to be with Boone?”

  He thought about messing with her, but it seemed cruel under the circumstances. “No, I’m going to be with you. I thought we would go through a few more of those books, maybe luck out and get a visit from Abigail or something. She might be able to help us.”

  “Oh.” Pleasure washed over Hannah as she rested her hand on the spot above his heart. “You’re going to stay with me.” It was a statement more than a question.

  “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”

  “We have horses here,” she pointed out.

  “They’re not wild, though. Tyler picks the gentlest ponies he can find for the town.”

  “Fair enough.” She rested her cheek on his chest and enjoyed the way he held her tight. “Sometimes I wish we could stay like this for the rest of our lives. That’s probably not very pragmatic, is it?”

  “No, but that’s what Sundays are for.” He pressed a hard kiss against her forehead. “We have actual work to do today, though.” As if on cue, his phone dinged on the nightstand. “And here comes the day calling now,” he muttered as he rolled to collect his phone, keeping one arm around Hannah so she didn’t escape and start the day before he was ready. There was always a chance that the text was meaningless ... although it wasn’t.