Читать книгу A Place Called Paradise - Honey Perkel - Страница 15

Lulu needed a secluded place to do her morning and evening meditations. At her home in Cincinnati, the place of choice was a small upstairs bedroom. She’d furnished it with deep, comfortable sofas, soft lighting, her collection of incense, Indian meditative books, and bags of chocolate within easy reach. A large portrait of Spirit hung on the wall beside that of her Guru. It was all she needed to get into the Zone of self-awareness.

But now in Seaside, Lulu was determined to do this meditation thing right. She needed to be clear for the job ahead. No distractions. No noise. No glimpses of candy sitting on the table to lure her. Lulu had to concentrate, say her mantra on the Chakra beads slowly and carefully to bring peace to her mind. And the only room where she could be alone without a view into the kitchen or sound from outside was the small, white-tiled bathroom. Here she could sit and strengthen her resolve. The guru Master would be proud.

Spirit followed her into the bathroom and jumped up onto the edge of the tub. Taking a seat on the “throne”, Lulu stretched her neck and shoulders in an attempt to relax and placed her hands in her lap. She took a long, slow breath, trying to conjure up peaceful images. She slipped a finger through the loop of her chakra bead, cradling the bead in her hand. Then closing her eyes, she began to chant aloud.

“I am. I am. I am.”

She whispered. “I am. I am. I am.”

She held her breath and waited. Lulu was finding it difficult to concentrate. Thoughts of Halley Bee Rice were creeping into her mind. What a strange kid. Was it true that the girl didn’t sleep at night? That she didn’t know about that freak summer storm? That she had the Gift? And what was the deal with all that purple?

Lulu attempted to shake it off. She was certain that in time she would know much more about the girl. Until then, Halley would remain a mystery.

She slipped her finger through another loop and tried once more to concentrate. Again her mind began to wander. Lulu thought of her lunch with Bernard. It blew her mind that she had actually sat across from him. Sharing a conversation like two functioning, breathing, living people! She hadn’t seen the apparition for nearly five years. Not since her trip to South America with a tour group visiting the Inca ruins. She’d discovered him countless times on their excavations — standing in the glaring sun, staring at her. She’d asked around and was told who he was.

Since those days in Peru, Lulu had been aware of Bernard’s activities. She’d read about him on the internet, in newspapers, and copies of Occult Digest. She’d seen him interviewed in shadow, on Meet The Press and CNN. Throughout her travels studying the paranormal, his name had repeatedly come up. So she was surprised when he called and summoned her to Oregon. Working with him would be ... well, she couldn’t come up with a word.

Halley Bee said that Bernard had asked others to come on this mission — that they would destroy the bad guy together. But who were the others? Were they already here in town?

Finally, Lulu’s thoughts turned to Ben. Handsome, Irish-speaking Ben. She was so drawn to him. His looks. His mannerisms. There was something different about him. And maybe knowing that having a romantic relationship with the man was out of the question, was part of the lure. She could get close, let him in as a friend, and not be afraid of getting hurt. She didn’t have to prove anything to Ben, since he wouldn’t look at her anyway. She didn’t have to succumb to any of his advances. Lulu could just be herself.

Without warning, a flashing image of her mother came into view. Her body lying in the family’s driveway covered with blood. The murder. The pain. Lulu’s mind stopped. Her eyes snapped open.

Spirit was still sitting on the edge of the bathtub, staring at her.

“Well, help me out here,” Lulu said to the cat. “Don’t just glare at me!”

Lulu gave a slight shrug. She wasn’t getting anywhere with this meditation. Rising from her seat, she hastened to the kitchen in search of a bag of chocolate.