In Love by Christmas: A Paranormal Romance Read Free Page A

time. But he moved to Leroy’s beat. Leroy’s drumming was exciting, and that seemed to portend something changing in a good way.
     
    Grandfather took the photo album Leroy had been examining, flipping a page. The shaman touched Will’s hand. Energy flowed between them, joining them.
    “Do you think Leroy can help Cass?”
    The old man looked at the photo of Cass on the horse. “If anyone can. They are soul mates.”
    “He’ll be able to save her, won’t he?”
    Grandfather shrugged and indicated the other side of the compound with his head. Elizabeth Bright Eagle chattered away with Larry Wolf and the other doctors. “Elizabeth is your soul mate. Both of you know it. But look at what she is doing. If they’re sane, he’ll be able to save her, but you never know.”
    Will saw Elizabeth pull out a chair and sit between Larry and an intern. She’d moved the place card with her name on it from his table over to Larry Wolf’s.
    Grandfather touched his hand again, “I know less as I get older, Will Duane. Leroy and your Cass, who knows?”

2
    A Messed-up Young Woman
    W ill had watched Leroy as he studied the images of Cass in the scrapbook. The young man’s brows pulled together as he concentrated. The pages flipped: Cass smiling. Cass at a dance in a fancy dress at a ball. Cass riding a horse. Leroy’s chest rose and fell with the photos as he turned the pages. He was captivated.
    He’s in love with her already, Will thought. He would never play games with Cass as others had. He wouldn’t hurt her, either. Not physically or mentally or in any way.
    Will heaved a sigh. Leroy was in big trouble.
     
    After dinner, when they were making arrangements to go to New York, Will realized he needed to say something before letting the young man go off in total ignorance. He motioned to him. “Leroy, could you come with me into the Cass ? I need to show you something.”
    Will got up from the banquet table and together they headed for the RV.
    Leroy regarded the luxurious motor home, eyes widening.
    “It’s just fancy and expensive, Leroy. It won’t bite,” Will said.
    He took him into the main cabin. “Take a seat, I’ll be right back.” Will went into his bedroom and brought out a thinner scrapbook than the one he’d shown at the table. He held it as though it were about to burst into flames.
    “This is the real Cass, Leroy. I saved these pictures so I wouldn’t forget who she is. I want you to find Cass and bring her back alive, but I don’t want you hurt in the process. Take a look.”
    She was in a club, strobe lights cutting swaths in the darkness. Cass had her blouse off. Two men were sucking her tits, with more in the background waiting. Her head was tilted back. Her lips were parted and her eyes half closed in an expression of ecstasy.
    “I’ve had investigators follow her at various times. They took the pictures, but some were sent to me anonymously. Cass or her friends were fooling … no, fucking with me. She does it to hurt me.
    “I was a terrible father, Leroy. I didn’t hurt her or abuse her sexually. I neglected her from the time she was born. And her mother too. Kathryn—Cass’s mother and my former wife—got mixed up with Enzo Donatore. He has spies and slaves everywhere. They got my wife and daughter.
    “I’m sure my daughter is worse than anyone you’ve seen. I don’t know if you’ve had experience with mentally ill people, but some illnesses can be harmful to others. No, vicious and murderous toward others. That’s Cass, Leroy.
    “I want you to find her with all my heart. But I think a mental hospital is what she needs, not a husband. After a long time, maybe she could make someone a wife. But not you.”
    “Why not?”
    “You’re too good. She’ll destroy you, and she’ll do it deliberately. Keep looking at the pictures. They’re my reality check.”
    Leroy worked his way through the album, pulling away from it, eyes narrowing. Will studied him. He sat forward,