Something Wicked This Way Comes Read online

  Something Wicked This Way Comes

  Sharon Coady

  Something Wicked This Way Comes

  Sharon Coady

  Copyright 2019, Sharon Coady

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Untitled

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Sharon Coady

  Untitled

  Some people are born bad.

  Others are made that way.

  I was a combination of both.

  At the age of twenty-seven, I am on my third husband. I had high hopes for this one.

  He didn't make me crazy at all.

  He made my heart happy.

  Little did I know what was coming my way, and that was when I was the most dangerous.

  Chapter One

  Winter

  I felt myself tremble as Elijah’s sister Merilyn helped me step into my wedding gown. I’d found the perfect one, a sleek, sleeveless, classic dress made of champagne-colored satin covered with chiffon that was gathered at the waist. The top was fitted with a small overwrap of lace which fell from the bodice to just past my hips before it dipped lower in the back just brushing the back of my knees. The champagne satin ribbon that tied at my waist accentuated my hourglass figure. I’d chosen a short veil in the same champagne color attached over a gorgeous pearl, rose, greenery, and satin band that circled my head.

  Merilyn worked her magic with my wavy, dark chocolate-brown hair. She’d managed to get the front pulled off my face while leaving most of it cascading in long waves down my back. When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t believe the transformation. The subtle makeup showed off my brown eyes and pouty lips without being too much. I couldn’t take my eyes off the mirror. “Wow. Thank you so much. You’ve managed to make me look exquisite.” My heart caught knowing she was the closest thing to family I had now. My mom and dad were no longer in the picture having been taken in an automobile accident when I was thirteen, and I had no brothers or sisters.

  “You always look beautiful Winter, working with you was easy. But thank you.” She hugged me. “You look like a fairy princess—if I do say so myself. You picked the perfect gown; I swear it looks like it was custom-made for you. I know my brother is going to be bowled over when he sees you.”

  She handed me my bouquet, which was made of cream and lavender roses, white lisianthus, green thistle, snowberries, dusty miller lacy leaf, white veronica, rosemary, and seeded eucalyptus. Merilyn had helped me choose every single flower to construct the perfect bouquet. Her mother had told me exactly which florist to use. “Thank you for everything you have done to help me with the wedding. I don’t think I could have ever done it myself. I am honored you all have embraced me like you have.” I stepped back not really comfortable with all the hugging and touching that his family seemed so fond of doing. I was a mixture of excitement and fear all wrapped up into one. I took a deep breath as she took my hand in another Rayne family show of affection.

  “Thank you for letting me! I don’t have a sister to do this for and no babies yet, so this is something I never thought I would get to experience.” She smiled, the same smile I saw on her brother when I looked at him, lighting her face, her blue eyes dancing. Merilyn glanced over her shoulder at a clock on the wall. “I think it’s time. Are you ready to become Mrs. Elijah Rayne?”

  I nodded once as she took my arm and escorted me down the hallway to the closed doors of the church rectory. Andrew, their father, stood waiting to walk me down the aisle. I had been blown away when he so graciously offered to do the honors. Andrew’s eyes lit up when he saw me, and I saw him wipe a tear from his weathered cheek. The music started and the doors opened as he offered me his arm. This was it. There was no going back now.

  As we started down the aisle, I glanced to the front of the church trying to will Elijah to turn around and see me. As if he could feel me looking at him he turned, his blue eyes locking with mine. The way he stared at me with a look of awe in his eyes as I walked down the aisle brought tears to my own. My heart skipped in my chest before it settled into the steady, slow beat that I could almost believe matched the rhythm of his. I had never loved anyone the way I loved Elijah. It scared the shit out of me and thrilled me at the same time. I drew slow, steady breaths and reminded myself to put one foot in front of the other as his eyes held mine. No one had ever looked at me the way he was at this moment. Could I possibly freeze time for a few seconds longer so I could cherish this moment forever?

  Andrew patted my hand and exasperated me by breaking the spell. Oh Andrew, why? Why at this very moment did you have to release me from my bubble?

  “We’re almost there, Winter,” he whispered. “I wanted to let you know you took my breath away when I saw you approach. My son is a lucky man.”

  A stab of guilt pierced my heart for the moment of anger I’d had at this sweet man for interrupting my thoughts. I smiled as I glanced up at him. “Thank you,” I whispered back. “I feel so lucky to have all of you.” This family was amazing, embracing me as if they had known me forever. Never questioning me or asking anything more about my past as if they understood I didn’t want to talk about it. I turned my attention back to my fiancé as he waited for me at the end of the aisle. I felt like it was taking me forever to get to the man who was just as ready to say I do as I was. When I finally reached him, his father kissed my cheek and placed my hand in his son’s before nodding at him.

  Elijah leaned in close and whispered, “You look beautiful, Winter. Stunning in fact.” The sweet smell of his breath laced with the licorice he loved to eat tickled my ear, and I swear, like human sunshine, the man melted my heart again and again. We stared at each other for a few heartbeats before the minister cleared his throat to gather our attention. Elijah took my hand in his, and we turned to face the smiling gentleman who was ready to perform our wedding.

  The rest of the ceremony passed by mostly in a blur. I remember reading the vows that I had carefully written over the last few months. I almost cried when I heard Elijah read his, the sweet words making me fall even more in love with him, the promises he was making only to me. Everything was happening so fast. I couldn’t help but wonder how something that had taken so many months of preparation and planning could be speeding by so quickly.

  The rehearsal and dinner last night had seemed to drag out forever. I blinked and the next thing I knew the minister was declaring us husband and wife. Elijah pulled me into his arms and kissed me as I whispered ‘I love you’ against his lips. Elijah held my arm tightly to his side as we walked down the aisle surrounded by people we knew. At the door to the chapel, he paused and kissed me tenderly.

  Imagine my surprise when I found a beautiful antique-white carriage being pulled by a stunning, black Friesian horse waiting at the curb, instead of a limo. The carriage was decora
ted in greenery and roses that matched the flowers I’d chosen for today and reminded me of the carriage at the last royal wedding in England.

  I felt like royalty standing on the top step of the church taking in the beautiful carriage. Elijah turned to me and took my face in his hands, kissing me as if it were only the two of us standing there all alone as the guests filed past us and out of the chapel. Once he released me, Elijah took my hand and led me down the steps past all our wedding guests. After helping me into the carriage, he climbed in beside me and pulled me close, then placed a blanket over our laps. My new husband had thought of everything to make this wedding memorable and wholly ours. The carriage pulled away from the church, and as we rode down the country lane to the reception hall a thought struck me: I had to be the luckiest woman on earth to find this amazing man.

  The ride to the church was breathtaking with the canopy of trees lining the streets, dressed in their vibrant autumn hues. Occasionally a leaf slowly floated to the ground as if a lazy wind carried it to the earth. I leaned against Elijah as the sway of the carriage rocked us gently, and the clip-clop of the horse’s feet beat a mesmerizing cadence on the ground. Everything about this experience was magical making me feel even more like a living, breathing fairy princess.

  I snuggled further into his arms as we rounded the last curve of the lane and cherished the last few moments of our ride as we pulled into the parking lot of the reception hall. “I don’t suppose you want to tell me where we’re going for the honeymoon yet?” I begged, pushing my bottom lip out.

  “Nope. Still a surprise.” He laughed before leaning in to kiss me again. He tucked me closer under his arm. “Don’t worry your pretty little head, princess. I would never take you anywhere I didn’t think you would love, Winter. Trust me.” He placed a kiss on my cheek.

  Elijah didn’t realize that it was making me anxious not knowing where we were going. I chuckled to myself, he hadn’t even told me what to pack. The only thing Elijah said was that if I didn’t have what I needed we would buy it for me when we arrived. As much as I appreciated his enthusiasm, I’d rather have my own things. Sometimes it irritated me just a bit that he constantly reminded me he came from money. Didn’t he understand that I wasn’t in this for his bank account?

  I pushed the thoughts away before the darkness could seep in and ruin our perfect day. I didn’t want anything to spoil this for us, especially not me and my erratic thoughts. This was something I would set aside to discuss at a later time—say after we returned from our honeymoon.

  Elijah kissed me again just before the carriage rolled to a stop. “Are you ready Mrs. Rayne?” I nodded, feeling the smile cross my lips. I loved hearing my new name roll off his tongue.

  He lifted me as if I weighed nothing, even in my heavy dress and helped me to the ground. Elijah lowered me slowly letting our bodies glide over one another and placed another kiss on my lips as my feet touched the ground.

  We strode to the door of the reception hall, and a few moments later the DJ announced our arrival. Our friends and his family stood and cheered as we strolled in hand in hand. I surveyed the crowd to see who had arrived. As I eyed the guests, I felt my usual uncertainty tugging at me. This was too good to be true, and my old habit of waiting for the other shoe to fall was right on the cusp of my mind. It was the story of my life, but maybe today would be different.

  I hadn’t wanted a big wedding, but Elijah talked me into it. This was his first, and only, he’d reminded me over and over until I finally relented. He insisted he wanted to do it big for his parents, and for us. I wondered once more if there was a dig in there somewhere. After all, even though I was only twenty-seven, this was wedding number three for me. I didn’t come from money and hadn’t married money the first two times. Both had been in the courthouse with a justice of the peace, and neither of them had ended well. I hadn’t wanted any fanfare because I’d worried that some of the people here today might have discovered my background. Or at least what was whispered around town. I personally would’ve gracefully and gratefully been married as quietly as possible. Hell, I’d have eloped, but he’d refused.

  The DJ stopped the music to announce dinner was going to be served and asked everyone to make their way to their tables. His sister had made sweet place cards so that everyone knew where to sit. The tables were covered with white linen tablecloths and again decorated with the same flowers as my bouquet. Candles reflected off the crystal and china place settings, lending an air of elegance. A table was placed front and center of the reception hall for Elijah and me. A satin sash looped and met at the center with flowers and greenery. There was even a sign reading Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Rayne. His sister, parents, and brother were seated at the first table to our right.

  Elijah had insisted on a big fanfare with the menu for today as well, that included lobster and filet mignon, seared asparagus and petite garlic butter potatoes with shaved truffles. The waiters entered the hall and served us first and then the wedding party, placing delicate china embossed with the same cream-colored rose theme carried throughout the wedding. The meal was delicious, the subtle flavors complementing each other. He had done well with his choices, impressing me once again.

  After I finished eating and all the toasts from his family were made, I excused myself to use the restroom before the cake cutting and dancing began. Unlike most brides, I didn’t have a sister or best friend to help me in the bathroom. I wasn’t comfortable enough asking Merilyn. After choosing the handicapped stall to give me ample room, I prayed that I had everything out of the way. My mind twisted on how embarrassing it would be to ruin my beautiful dress with any malfunction.

  That’s when the door opened, and two guests entered. As soon as the door thudded shut softly, they started talking about the wedding—and me. I couldn’t move. Hell, I think I was holding my breath when I heard one woman saying how much she pitied poor Elijah. I couldn’t place them from their hushed voices, but there was no mistaking the venom for me in the tone of their voices.

  “Did you hear everyone talking about how Winter is going to be the next Liz Taylor?” the softer voice of the two said. “He’s merely husband number three after all.”

  “How cute that he thinks he would be the last,” the deeper of the two voices replied. They both giggled. “I can’t believe he fell for her. Do you think he knows about her past?”

  “How could he not? Everyone is talking about it,” voice number one retorted. “I’m surprised his family is so nice to her.”

  I wanted to say something, do something to let them know I was there and had heard their nasty gossip. I was frustrated at the lies going around about me, and as much as I wanted to do something, I was frozen in place. Instead, I held it together and seethed quietly so I wouldn’t give myself away. I didn’t move, let alone breathe.

  The door opened again, and I prayed it was them leaving and not someone else coming in. The footsteps sounded like they were moving away and then the door closed before silence once more filled the bathroom. I listened for a moment before I carefully turned and flushed, holding my gown as high as possible. I moved away from the toilet and gathered myself together, washed my hands in the accompanying sink, and glanced at myself in the mirror.

  My face was red from the flush of the anger and embarrassment, and I took a few deep breaths to pull myself together before I rejoined my new husband. I would not allow those two petty gossipers to destroy our perfect day. I wasn’t going to let any of them spoil this day for my flawless husband. He had worked so hard to make our day special, and his family really did seem to like me. I couldn’t believe they were just acting like they liked me. His sister and father seemed very sincere. His sister has seemed genuinely excited to help me with planning the wedding and to make sure I looked perfect for her brother.

  I squared my shoulders, held my head high, and opened the door to make my way back to our table. Elijah raised his brow as he watched me approach him. I could tell from his expression I wasn’t doing a very
good job keeping my face from telling him something was wrong. I wasn’t going to tell him, not today, maybe not ever. He’d worked so hard to give us this exceptional day, and I was going to do my best to let him have it.

  I heard someone giggle and glanced over to see two of our female guests looking my way. I tilted my head and smiled, giving them a little nod. My heart raced wondering if it was them that I’d overheard in the restroom.

  Elijah stood and helped me into the chair, kissing my cheek before being seated. “Are you alright, Winter?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” I took his hand and smiled at him. “How could I not be? You and your family have made this a day I will never forget. Thank you so much.”

  Chapter Two

  Elijah

  Winter was quiet during the rest of the reception, which was unlike her. She’d seemed off since returning from the restroom. When I asked her if she was all right, she’d nodded and placed her hand on mine telling me she was. But her face was telling me something different. I kept squeezing her hand and kissing her temple, and she’d glance at me and grace me with a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  I’d expected her to be far less sedate, dancing with her friends and singing to the music. Hell, that’s how we’d met.