Lingering Touch: The Summer Park Psychics, Book 3 (20 page)

Chapter Thirty

Finn stretched out in his bed. After one of Daphne’s amazing meals, then a hot shower with Jazz and…follow-up activities, he felt like a new man. No, not new. He felt like himself. For the first time in months.

Jazz was curled up against his side. They might have fallen asleep a little, which meant they were running behind for meeting up with Garrett and Rachel for a late dinner at Elsa’s house. Garrett had called and asked for the switch in location. Apparently his house had been damaged while dealing with Michael.

Jazz had suggested they reschedule for the next day so that Dad could rest, but once it had been established beyond any doubt that Rachel was Siobhan, there was no stopping him. Finn didn’t blame his dad for wanting to make up for lost time. It wasn’t like he could sleep knowing his daughter was alive and well and thirty minutes away.

The door to Finn’s bedroom opened and Dad practically ran in. He clapped his hands together a couple of times.

“Come on, let’s go!”

“Dad! Give us a break, man.”

Finn covered his eyes with his elbow. He was excited to meet Rachel too, but also exhausted. It had been a hell of a day.

Jazz pushed herself up on her elbows, staring blearily at Dad. She rolled over and pulled the sheets up higher, then laughed.

“This is where I came in,” she said.

Right. The first time she and Dad met, he had barged into the room, thinking Finn was alone. Instead, Jazz had been by herself in Finn’s bed.

Having a history with someone filled his chest with warmth. Especially since it had led them to this moment—this family.

“I’ll be waiting for you downstairs in the bar. Five minutes,” Dad said. He pulled the door shut, then yelled, “Five minutes, or I go without you!”

“Come on!” Finn let out an exasperated breath.

Jazz laughed and leaned against his chest. “We better get ready.”

They jumped out of bed and dressed. Daphne had loaned Jazz a set of clothes that fit reasonably well. In four and a half minutes, they were all standing in the bar, ready to go.

Well, he and Jazz were standing. Dad was sitting down, one arm resting on the table next to his hat.

“Dad? You okay?”

Daphne was the first to realize something was wrong. She ran over to Dad and knelt at his side, pressing her fingertips to his neck. Finn and Jazz joined her in seconds.

“Dad!” Finn’s heart was pounding.

Please, God, don’t let Dad’s heart give out. Not now.

It was too cruel. To be so close to reconnecting with his daughter and never get a chance to meet her.

Jazz’s hands were shaking violently as she pulled out her phone. “I’ll call an ambulance.”

Finn took in the look on Daphne’s face, the blue tinge to his dad’s lips, and knew there wasn’t time. Dad’s eyes were clenched shut and his breathing was labored. He was fighting. If only Finn could do something to help him.

Something Michael had said popped into Finn’s mind. Of all the people to be thinking about right then…

“You didn’t even scratch the surface of your powers.”

He remembered how Michael had siphoned off that poor ghost’s energy and used it to heal himself—heal Finn’s body. Finn knew his powers went both ways. He could read people, and he could control them. If he could heal himself, maybe he could heal other people as well. He was too desperate not to try.

Finn rested his left hand on Dad’s chest, just above his heart, and willed some of his energy into him. Healing energy. He remembered how it had felt fighting Michael in the swamp—their energies clashing as they tried to end each other. This time, he visualized his energy entering Dad’s body and wrapping around his heart, strengthening it.

The damned feedback started up, just like every time Finn and his dad’s powers interacted. Finn tried to focus through the static. He could feel the jerky movements of each beat of his dad’s heart, the muscle’s struggle to get blood to flow. Finn saw the veins opening up, the blood pushing through, getting to where it needed to be.

His breath rushed out of him as he felt the connection synch up. His entire existence became that one organ—Dad’s heart. He heard each beat clearly in his ears, the sounds of the room muting around him.

Golden light flowed from his hand into his dad, illuminating his heart, clearing it out. The beats became stronger, the light-imbued blood traveling throughout Dad’s body, healing him not just there, but everywhere.

Finn felt his dad’s joints become less creaky, his bones more firm, his muscle tissue becoming more elastic. Finn wanted to laugh. It was such a rush, like he was a conduit between Dad and…something else. Something so much bigger than anything Finn had ever connected to before.

He felt someone grip his wrist, pulling his hand away and breaking the connection. It was Dad. His grip was so strong, Finn could hardly believe it.

“Enough, son. Enough.”

Jazz was the first to recover. “What the hell was that?”

Finn laughed. He knew his dad was going to be fine. Better than fine. Better than he’d been in years.

No imagination, my ass.

Finn could heal people. He could heal everyone he loved.

As soon as he had enough energy to stand up. That was going to be a minute.

Dad, Daphne, and Jazz helped Finn into a chair. They all stood around, staring at him with wide eyes. Finn felt a laugh bubble up in him. He couldn’t stop it.

“Finn,” Jazz said. “What
the hell
was that?”

“A taste of Heaven.” He grabbed Dad’s hand and squeezed it. “How are you feeling, Dad?”

“I think you know,” Dad said. “I saw everything through our connection. Everything you did.”

“We saw something too,” Daphne said.

Both men looked at her. That was a surprise.

“Your hands glowed,” Jazz said. “While you healed him. That is what you were doing, right?”

Jazz was scowling at him. How could she be mad? She loved Dad as much as Finn did.

“What?” he said.

“There’s always a price, Finn. Scales that need to be balanced.”

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll deal—”

Her glare increased. He stopped himself from using her old catchphrase.

“She’s right,” Dad said. “You can’t take a risk like that again. Not until we understand this new aspect of your power better.”

“I’m not going to go running around healing papercuts and headaches,” Finn said. “But if someone I love is at death’s door, you can bet your ass I’m going to make that bastard step off.”

Finn’s fatigue was already lessening. He didn’t feel that bad. A dull ache lurked between his eyes, and his hands were still tingling. He was more bothered by the stares of everyone around him.

“I keep telling you, I refuse to think that Fate is some neurotic asshole fixated on
balanced scales
and making people miserable. Maybe Fate is looking out for us, and the only reason we went through all that shit was for us to be right here, right now—the best versions of ourselves to handle choices like the one I just made.”

Jazz was staring at him. Dad and Daphne just smiled.

“If we hadn’t been through all this, I wouldn’t have known how to save Dad just now. You and I wouldn’t be together. Hell, neither would Garrett and Rachel. And we wouldn’t know about her and she’d be stuck with her shitty-assed family.” He shook his head. “What happened sucked. Royally. But I can’t say I’d change a damned thing.”

He pushed himself to his feet, glad when his legs felt strong beneath him. “Speaking of which, I have a twin sister to meet. You guys coming along or what?”

Dad and Daphne exchanged a glance. She nodded slightly, then wrapped her arms around his neck. She hugged them both all the time, but not like this. Dad buried his face in her neck. That was new too. And about freaking time.

Jazz found Finn’s hand and interlaced their fingers. He looked down at her to find her beaming. Finn was even gladder he’d been able to save his dad. There was too much the lucky guy had to live for.

Another laugh escaped Finn. “Should we leave you kids alone?”

Dad turned to him. “Shut up.”

Jazz laughed. Daphne gave him a shy smile.

Dad ran the back of his fingers along Daphne’s cheek, then said, “You sure you can handle the bar on your own?”

“Of course. But are you sure you’re all right?”

Dad smiled. “Never better.”

Then he kissed her.

Finn felt his eyebrows shoot up his forehead. Jazz leaned into him, her grip on his hand tightening. The kiss went on for longer than Finn expected. He glanced down at Jazz again, and she elbowed him in the ribs.

When they broke off the kiss, Daphne said, “Go and spend some time with your daughter.”

She hugged his dad again, then came over and hugged Finn as well. “Take good care of him, okay?”

“Always,” Finn said.

Daphne surprised him by hugging Jazz too. Which wasn’t half as surprising as Jazz hugging her back. A real, full-on hug—not a polite pat on the back.

It was like they were a family again. An even bigger one, now that Daphne and Dad were together. And it was going to keep growing as soon as they figured out how to tell Rachel the truth.

“See you all soon,” Daphne said.

“Yeah.” Jazz cleared her throat and glanced at Finn. She scowled at him when he grinned. She was just as moved by the whole thing as he was.

When they were on the sidewalk, Finn said, “So, you and Daphne, huh?”

“Yeah, me and Daphne.” Dad glared at him.

Jazz laughed and they both turned to her. She shook her head.

“Sorry. Just, when I met Daphne, I was afraid she and Finn were… Never mind.”

Dad snorted. “Like he stood a chance next to me.”

Finn led them to his sleek black muscle car. The darkened windows made it perfect for surveillance. The lack of rust spots helped quite a bit as well, given the neighborhoods he often parked in.

“Wow,” Jazz said. “Maybe I won’t miss the old car as much as I thought.”

Finn grinned at her, opening the passenger’s door and pushing the seat forward so she could climb in the back.

“Are you sure you’re up for driving?”

“Yeah. I feel fine. Great, even.”

She gave him a skeptical look. “Prove it.”

“How? You want me to do some pushups or something?”

“Kiss me.”

He heard Dad chuckle. Finn looked around the street. It wasn’t too busy, but there were a few people walking around. And it was broad daylight.

“Now? Here?”

“Yeah. Unless you’re not up for it.”

“But there are people around.”

Things had changed between them, but she’d drilled this into him so much he hesitated. No public displays of affection. Ever.

She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Kiss me and I’ll be able to tell if you’re okay.”

He’d have to stop smiling first. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to.

She pulled him closer, helping him along.

He brushed her lips softly at first, then deepened the kiss. He put his hands on the small of her back, pressing their bodies together. His tongue delved into her mouth, his lips caressing hers. She melted against him.

After a while—Finn wasn’t sure how long—Dad cleared his throat. Reluctantly, Finn pulled away.

Jazz’s eyes smoldered. Her lips pulled into a grin.

“Yeah. You’re fine.”

“Sheesh.” Dad was holding the door. He gestured impatiently for her to get in. “If you guys are done showing off, let’s go.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Elsa lived about thirty minutes outside the city. Finn made it in twenty.

Jazz was grateful for the time to collect herself after the scare with Tommy. Being in the back gave her some privacy to deal with it.

Scare
wasn’t really a strong enough word.
Terror
was better.

Michael had almost taken away everyone she loved. If Fate had taken away Tommy after she’d just reconnected with him… Jazz wasn’t sure what she would have done. Not returned to her belief in her curse, though. She was done with that. Especially after Finn’s speech earlier.

Finn had explained about Michael using Finn’s powers to heal himself. If they hadn’t been through their ordeal, Finn wouldn’t have learned about his new power. He wouldn’t have been able to save Tommy.

“Everything happens for a reason,”
Finn had said.

And
“Fate isn’t a dick.”

Jazz let out a slow breath and smiled.

Finn’s hands had glowed with a beautiful golden light. She’d watched it flow into Tommy’s body. The color had returned to Tommy’s face, his lips had turned pink again, and his breathing eased. He even sat up straighter.

She was a little worried about Finn, but he’d given her yet another amazing gift—hope. Hope that the universe wasn’t out to get her. Hope that maybe it wanted her to be happy.

She knew she would experience sadness and hardships in the future, but didn’t think she would take it personally anymore. She was still going to call Chloe as soon as possible to get her take on it all. In the meantime, Jazz enjoyed the silence.

Tommy and Finn seemed content to drive without conversation. It was a nice change from answering questions and filling Tommy and Daphne in on everything that had happened. Well, almost everything. They left out some of the scarier details for Tommy’s sake. Thank God, after what had happened at the bar.

Jazz wondered how Tommy would hold up to meeting Rachel. His daughter was a handful, even as an adult. Now that Jazz thought about it, Rachel was a lot like Tommy. They both had outgoing, friendly natures.

Jazz had never met someone as energetic, outgoing, and cheerful as Rachel. She was the antithesis of Jazz’s best friend, Elsa, who was reserved, shy, and…well, a huge control freak. But Jazz would never say that out loud.

The two women balanced Jazz’s life. Now she had Finn and Tommy back—plus Daphne. And Garrett and Rachel were finally together. Jazz’s heart felt over-full. She saw Elsa’s drive appear and pulled herself together.

Nobody said anything until they were standing at the front door of Elsa’s mansion. Tommy turned to them and said, “How do I look?”

He looked pale. Frightened. Excited. A little overwhelmed. He was holding his fedora so tight the brim was bending.

Finn gripped Tommy’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “You look great, Dad.”

The door opened. Elsa stood there, smiling broadly. Jazz had never seen Elsa smile like that.

Emotions Jazz wasn’t ready to deal with started rushing to the surface. She stepped forward and grabbed Elsa, pulling her into a crushing hug.

“Dad, this is Elsa Sinclair,” Finn said.

“I know.”

Tommy sounded a little irritated. He probably thought Finn was afraid Tommy would think Elsa was Rachel or something. Jazz felt Tommy step closer.

“I’ve read all your books,” Tommy said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Elsa laughed, wrapping one arm around Jazz and shaking Tommy’s hand with the other. “And you.”

Jazz finally let go. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes, then murmured, “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Elsa bit her lower lip for a moment, obviously fighting back tears of her own. Then she said, “I’m glad you are too.”

And that was it. End of moment. Jazz was sure they’d be having more in-depth conversations about…a lot of things. Their relationship would change, but she was sure it would be stronger for it. And so would they.

“Please come in.” Elsa shifted to the side so they could all enter the foyer. She closed the door and locked it when they were all inside. It would probably be a while before any of them really felt safe.

Jazz took a deep breath. She hadn’t realized the big step she was about to take. Introducing Finn to her friends—as her life partner.

“This is Finn,” Jazz said.

Elsa smiled at Finn and shook his hand too. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Finn was beaming. “You too.” Under his breath, he added, “You have no idea.”

Jazz scowled at him. Then she wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her other hand on his stomach.

Elsa’s eyes about popped out of her head. Her jaw dropped and she stammered a few strange sounds. Then an even bigger grin spread over her face. Her brown eyes shimmered as if she was about to cry.

Jazz sighed. “Keep it together, Elsa.”

“I’m a romance novelist,” Elsa said. “You can’t expect me to not have a reaction when my best friend introduces me to her boyfriend for the first time after all our years together.”

“Finn’s more than a boyfriend,” Jazz said.

Elsa actually made a choking sound. Jazz rolled her eyes.

“Oh, come on!”

“It’s okay,” Elsa said. “I’m okay.”

It was definitely time to change the topic. “Where is everybody?”

“On the patio,” Elsa said. “Can you show them the way? I’m helping Winston in the kitchen.”

Jazz’s stomach sank. “He’s not letting you cook, is he?”

After the bombshell Jazz had dropped—introducing Elsa to Finn—Elsa was certain to be even more distracted than usual. She had tried to make food for them both a couple of times when they were roommates in college. The results were revolting.

Elsa had a tendency to grab the wrong item, like putting cayenne pepper in oatmeal instead of cinnamon. The worst was when she thought she was using honey but had grabbed amber-colored dish soap instead. Jazz shuddered at the memory.

“I’m just bringing him what he needs and carrying things.” Elsa glared at her.

“Yes, but you didn’t give him any of the ingredients, did you?”

Elsa let out a little huff of breath. “It’s just
sandwiches
.”

“I’ve had your
sandwiches
.” Jazz made sarcastic air quotes.

“He smelled everything to make sure it was right. Now
if you’ll excuse me
.”

Jazz and Elsa had been friends for so long, they had their own secret language hidden in regular conversation. Elsa had effectively told Jazz to eff-off. It was an added treat that Jazz was the only one Elsa was comfortable enough to let loose with that way.

Jazz grinned. “Sure.”

Elsa stalked away.

“What was that all about?” Tommy said.

“I’ll explain later. Come on.”

Jazz led them to the patio through the solarium that Elsa had converted into her art studio. The windows that made up the walls and ceiling had steamed up, but still let the last of the evening’s sunlight into the room. More filtered in from the double doors that opened onto the stone tile sun and walkways surrounded by plants that hugged Elsa’s house. Laughter and conversation floated toward them.

Garrett was sitting in a chair next to the patio table, with its big umbrella coming out of the middle. Dante was lying on the sun lounger. Half of his face was covered in bandages and he was wearing pajamas. He started to sit forward when they walked outside, but Garrett put a hand on Dante’s chest to keep him in his chair.

“You know the deal,” Garrett said. “You can rest in the sun lounger or go back to your room.”

Dante sighed, then leaned back. “I suppose I can forgo formalities for once.”

“And no alliteration.” Garrett looked at Jazz and her group. “Dante’s been driving us nuts with it. It’s only funny for the first five minutes.”

“I do believe it comes round again.” Dante grinned.

Garrett laughed.

“Wow,” Tommy said. “You’re Dante Lucerne?”

“I am. Have we met?”

“No, I just…” Tommy glanced at Finn. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Finn stepped forward and offered his hand. It must be such a relief for him to not be afraid to touch people anymore. He grasped Dante’s hand and shook it gently.

“Finn Connelly. This is my dad, Thomas.”

Tommy stepped forward and shook Dante’s hand as well. “Call me Tommy.”

“I am very pleased to meet you,” Dante said.

Tommy was beaming. No wonder. He loved reading historical fiction of any kind. Meeting someone who had actually lived in a different era must have him over the moon.

“If you guys can keep an eye on Dante here,” Garrett said, “I’m going to go check on my other patient.”

“Other patient?” Tommy asked.

Jazz’s stomach clenched. She thought everybody was okay. Winston must be fine if he was working in the kitchen. They had seen everyone except Rachel.

“Is Rachel all right?” Jazz said. “She sounded fine when we talked to you guys on the phone.”

“She got cut up pretty bad, but she’s going to be okay.”

Jazz let out a breath. Garrett passed close to them as he walked toward the house. He put his hand on Finn’s shoulder.

“Are you kidding me, man?” Finn shook his head. “After everything we just went through?”

Finn grabbed Garrett and pulled him into a hug, clapping his back and then just holding on.

“Garrett, check out my makeshift wheelchair.” Rachel’s bright voice rang out behind them. “Elsa said I can use this old broom as a paddle.”

Finn stepped away from Garrett, turning to face Rachel who was…pushing herself onto the patio using a broom, just like she’d said. She was sitting in a wheeled office chair, holding her feet off the ground. Jazz would have laughed at the spectacle if Rachel’s feet weren’t wrapped in bandages. There were more on her arms.

Garrett headed over to Rachel and put his hands on the back of her chair. “That’s a pretty slick system, but on this rough stone, I think I’ll feel better pushing you.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your bromantic moment,” she said.

Tommy let out a laugh. Finn was just staring. Jazz realized she was as well. She couldn’t help it, seeing the two together for the first time.

They had the same hair, eyes, and smile. Even their builds were similar—both tall and athletic. Well, when Rachel was standing, anyway.

Garrett wheeled Rachel closer. She patted his hand when they paused in front of Finn.

“You must be Finn,” she said.

“Uh…yeah.”

Rachel reached for his hand and he let her take it. Jazz stepped forward a moment too late.

“I’m so happy to…meet…” She broke off, eyebrows furrowing. “Wait. I know you. You’ve been looking for me. I felt you trying to reach me.”

Shit. Jazz should have kept them from touching. Who knew how their powers would interact?

She and Finn and Tommy had already decided not to tell Rachel about their relationship until things had settled down. They didn’t want to give Rachel any more to deal with than she already had.

So much for that idea.

Rachel’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open for a moment. She snapped it shut and shook her head.

“I’ve been dreaming about you for months. I don’t understand.”

“I can explain,” Finn said. He tried to pull his hand away, but she wouldn’t let him.

“You all have been through a lot today.” Tommy stepped forward. “Maybe we should have waited till tomorrow.”

“To tell me that Finn is my brother?” Rachel said.

Garrett laughed. “Have you been dipping into Dante’s pain meds?”

“I’m serious.” She grabbed Garrett’s hand as well, keeping her hold on Finn’s.

Garrett’s brow furrowed as his gaze became unfocused, then his face relaxed and a huge smile spread across it. “Well, I’ll be.”

“What the hell was that?” Finn said.

“Empathic bond,” Garrett said. “It lets me feel whatever she’s feeling, including the connection between you two.”

Damn, that would be useful. Jazz sort of wished she and Finn had something like that going on. It would certainly cut back on their miscommunications.

Then again, that level of intimacy was not something she was comfortable with. She was pretty sure he’d feel the same. They’d have to muddle through their relationship the old-fashioned way, and just start talking more.

“Well, I can feel enough of what you guys have going on to really want my hand back,” Finn said. “Dude, she’s my sister.”

“And that makes you my brother.” Garrett grabbed Finn in a huge hug, pinning his arms to his sides and lifting him off the ground. He laughed the whole time.

Finn let out an exasperated grunt. “God, this is embarrassing. Put me down.”

Garrett did, but then ruffled Finn’s hair.

“Stop it.” Finn ran his fingers through his hair and looked over at Jazz.

She just smiled. “I’ve got nothing for you. I think this whole thing is disgustingly adorable.”

Tommy spoke up in a gentle voice. “Are you two married then?”

“No, sir.” Garrett returned to Rachel’s side, resting his hand on her shoulder. “But at this point, the wedding feels like a formality.”

“A really
big
formality,” Rachel said. “With a huge venue, and a jazz band, and… Wait a minute, we’re getting off track.”

Jazz laughed as Elsa and Winston walked out onto the patio carrying trays loaded with food, paper cups, and pitchers of iced tea and lemonade. She didn’t want to leave Tommy’s side, and was grateful when Finn stepped forward to help carry everything to the table.

“It isn’t fancy,” Elsa said, “but since I was helping out, we figured we should keep it simple.” She pulled up a chair next to Dante and held his hand. “What did I miss?”

“I do not know where to begin,” Dante said.

Winston let out a
hmph
. He angled his head toward the others as he sat in a chair close by.

“Let me help you out there.” In his thick cockney accent, he said, “Rachel and Garrett are finally engaged and she wants a big wedding. She and the muscled one who likes to strut are siblings somehow, and their psychic mumbo-jumbo makes them able to read each others’ minds or something.”

Winston leaned back with a sigh. The silence stretched on for a moment, then he added, “Oh, and Garrett and Rachel have an empathic bond. I miss anything?”