Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Read online

  Annamarie and Magdalena

  By Marianne Spitzer

  © December 2012

  Annamarie and Magdalena by Marianne Spitzer

  Copyright 2012 by Marianne Spitzer

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations or organizations are purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the consent of the author.

  Acknowledgements

  There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience while I disappeared into my writing world. Last, but by no means least, I wish to thank my wonderful editor, Beth, from bzhercules.com for helping me turn this book into a much better read.

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  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

  Next from Marianne Spitzer

  Chapter One – New Start

  Annamarie walked out of the woods, leaving the pines and horror behind her. She emerged in the meadow and strolled back to the house. Her life had changed more dramatically than she could have imagined. Married a little over six weeks, she was pregnant and a widow. She’d been a widow for only a few minutes and the choice had been hers. If Daniel had kept his promises, if he hadn’t called her a “bitch” again, if he hadn’t been so cruel and hurt her arms when he grabbed her, if he only loved her as deeply as she loved him, she never would have pushed him off the bluff. Tears formed in her eyes again, but they weren’t tears for Daniel. They were tears for herself and the baby.

  She hadn’t planned on pushing Daniel off the bluff. She had been there to help him rid the madman from their lives. He was dead at the bottom of the bluff along with Daniel. If Daniel had acted the way he did on their mini-honeymoon, he would be alive. If was an incredibly large word. She wondered what would happen next.

  Annamarie entered the back door of the house, knowing her first call would be to George, inquiring if he’d seen Daniel. Then she would call her mom, and tell her Daniel had taken off again. She wouldn’t report him missing until morning. The sheriff would investigate immediately since he was still searching for the madman who aided Ben’s killer. He would find him at the bottom of the bluff near Daniel.

  * * *

  “Don’t worry. Daniel’s only up to his old tricks. He’ll be home by morning.” George hung up on her before she could say another word.

  Her mother understood her concern and tried to comfort her.

  * * *

  Annamarie knew she’d have to share her baby news soon, but not until after the funeral. She’d fake a fainting spell when informed of Daniel’s death. She’d be taken to the hospital. Dr. Norse would confirm her pregnancy, but keep her secret until the funeral was over. He’d also tell her family she was too fragile to plan a funeral. Three deaths in ten days and now Daniel’s death would be more than anyone could handle, especially when Annamarie was close to all of them. No one would blame her if she left the funeral plans to her in-laws. Maureen would try to make all the decisions anyway. Annamarie didn’t want to go to another funeral, even if it was Daniel’s. She’d had enough and needed peace and quiet for her and the baby. She knew her plan would work out perfectly.

  Annamarie made a cup of tea, sat in the overstuffed leather chair, and closed her eyes.

  * * *

  Sleeping deeply, she didn’t remember her dream.

  Annamarie was walking near the pines. The firelight in the woods drew her closer until she saw Magdalena standing in the clearing. She reached up to touch Annamarie’s cheek and said, “No one will ever know what happened here. I will guide Daniel’s spirit away from you and the baby. Sleep well in safety, my little one. Love will protect you.”

  Annamarie slept curled up in Grandpa’s leather chair until sunrise and the mourning dove’s cooing woke her.

  * * *

  She reached for her empty teacup and saw it was placed upside down on the saucer. I never do that, she thought. Daniel was the one who would place his coffee cup upside down to signal a waitress that he didn’t want more coffee. Was this a message from Daniel or did she do it in her sleep? No, she decided it had to be Daniel, but she also knew Magdalena would keep her safe.

  She stood and screamed, “Leave me alone! You’re dead. You’ll never hurt me again. If you try, Magdalena will take care of me and you’ll be sorry.”

  Her voice echoed in the large, empty house. She stood defiantly with her hands on her hips when she heard all the teacups in the china cabinet rattle.

  “Stop! Leave! Never come back!” she yelled into the empty air.

  Annamarie breathed in a sigh of relief when the house remained quiet. She didn’t notice the large dark area spreading above her on the ceiling. Her first indication that something was wrong was the odor of rotting pine tree sap. She looked up and tried to run. She couldn’t move. She watched in horror as a thin stream of sap ran from the ceiling into a puddle at her feet and began to encircle her until she was entwined. She felt she was trapped in a spring. Able to move again, she fought against the rubbery material. There was no way to loosen its grip on her. Fear tightened in her chest. Her pregnancy nausea forced bile into her throat, but the twines of sap kept her from getting to the bathroom. The room began to darken and she could feel cold air fill the room.

  She felt hot breath near her ear and heard Daniel’s voice. “You’ll never be rid of me. You’re my wife. The baby’s mine. Don’t forget.”

  The sap disappeared and Annamarie was free. The sunlight returned and the room was warm. She fell back onto the chair, trying to catch her breath and to settle her stomach. She resisted the urge to throw the teacup across the room.

  It was shortly after six. Annamarie composed herself, leaving Daniel to Magdalena. She didn’t understand how Daniel could do this to her, but Magdalena would surely put an end to it.

  She knew it would be a busy day. She needed to eat breakfast, but she also had to call the sheriff to report Daniel missing. She decided breakfast was the most important thing for her and the baby. Then she needed to shower and wash all the clothes she wore yesterday.

  It would take approximately an hour. Calling the sheriff at seven would be perfect. She would call her parents again. She knew her mom would rush over. Her mom would call Mr. Hanson and tell him Annamarie wouldn’t be in to work. Her mom would also call Maureen to ask about Daniel. This was going to work out well, but breakfast first.

  Annamarie was in the mood for her favorite breakfast, refrigerator biscuits with strawberry preserves. Annamarie filled the washer with her dirty clothes and some of Daniel’s clothes. She baked the biscuits and enjoyed her breakfast with a glass of cold milk for the baby. She went upstairs to take a quick shower.

  She needed to appear dressed and ready for work. She chose a peach-colored, lightweight, short sleeve dress with an A-line skirt. It was what she wou
ld wear to the office in August. It was going to be hot and she wanted to be comfortable when she did her fainting act, especially if they took her to the hospital.

  * * *

  Working up a little emotion, she dialed the sheriff’s number. She was in luck; Greta answered. Greta worked part time for Sheriff Richardson and was the sweetest woman on earth. Hearing her voice brought the memories of last night flooding back and real tears to Annamarie’s eyes.

  “Greta, this is Annamarie Logan. Daniel went to look for that strange man last night. He never came home.”

  By the time Greta told the sheriff, one would have thought Timmus Woods was part of a national emergency.

  The sheriff grabbed the phone. “Annamarie, tell me what’s going on.”

  Between gulps of air and tears, Annamarie replied, “Daniel spoke to Nancy last evening. I heard him mention that the strange man was seen in town. Then Daniel left without a word.”

  The sheriff was aware that Nancy had left Greta’s with her bags. She had been in safekeeping after Garret’s death. Something made her leave. Maybe it was Daniel Logan.

  “Yes, sheriff, Daniel’s Jeep and my car are still in the garage. He didn’t leave in a car. He went out the back door, and walked toward the meadow behind the house.”

  Annamarie did everything except draw a map for the sheriff to follow to find Daniel’s body.

  “Sit down and wait; I’m on my way.”

  Annamarie called her mom, and began to cry when she heard her voice. Her mom would be there soon. Annamarie wondered who would arrive first. She sat back in the overstuffed leather chair and looked at the beautiful parlor.

  * * *

  She had inherited seventy-five percent of the huge house two weeks ago from Grandpa Logan. Daniel inherited the other twenty-five percent from his grandfather, but she was Daniel’s closest relative. Even without a will, the house would be hers. Daniel’s parents might try to fight her, but Mr. Townsend, her lawyer, told Annamarie that she would always own the Logan house.

  Michael Logan had been the richest and most influential man in Timmus Woods, and even in death, his instructions would be followed. His death from a heart attack two weeks ago shattered her heart, especially coming so close behind the death of Ben, Daniel’s best friend.

  One man responsible for Ben’s death sat in a prison cell sentenced to life, the other lay at the bottom of the bluff, close to Daniel. Both received justice for killing Ben Hanson.

  * * *

  The knock at the door brought Annamarie back to reality. She opened it, and her mom pushed past the sheriff to be the first one in the house. She took Annamarie by the hand and made her sit next to her on the sofa. The sheriff and the new borrowed deputy who was taking Steve’s place temporarily, walked in next. Steve followed them.

  “Steve, I thought you were still on leave from duty? I’m glad to see you.”

  Steve was still recovering emotionally from the incident that occurred the night of Grandpa’s memorial service, when he shot Garret, thinking he was an intruder at the Logan house.

  “I’m here for you and to answer the phone, if any calls come in. Technically, I’m not on duty, but when the sheriff called and asked if I could help because Daniel was missing, of course I said ‘yes.’”

  Annamarie explained to the sheriff everything she knew once more, and he and the borrowed deputy went out back.

  Another knock at the front door and Steve answered. It was Elaine.

  “Elaine?”

  “Your mom called and told me Mr. Daniel was missing and I might be needed, so here I am. I’m going to make coffee for everyone and a cup of tea for you, Annamarie.”

  Elaine had been Grandpa’s part-time housekeeper and wanted to stay on when Annamarie and Daniel inherited the house. Annamarie would need her more than ever now.

  Paula, Annamarie’s mom, thought she should call George and Maureen. She went into the study to make the call.

  Paula returned and asked Annamarie, “Is Maureen upset with you? She barely listened to me and complained Daniel was off partying again. Then she hung up.”

  “I’m sure it’s about the porcelain birds, Mom. When Maureen didn’t inherit the house, she stole the birds Grandpa had given Daniel’s grandmother. George returned the birds and forced Maureen to apologize. She hasn’t spoken a kind word to us since.” She fanned herself with her hands, hoping to cool her cheeks.

  Annamarie was getting more and more nervous and worried. Paula thought it was due to the stress of wondering where Daniel was. Her mom was only half right. Annamarie knew where he was, but she was wondering when they would find him. Her answer came about an hour later.

  Annamarie heard the sheriff enter the back door and rose to meet him when he entered the parlor.

  “We found the body of the stranger who has been lurking around town and most likely helped kill Ben. It’s the same man who frightened Nancy at Ray’s. Nancy’s nowhere to be found.”

  “Then Daniel must be with Nancy. I hope he’s not hurt. You have to find him.”

  “Please, sit down, Annamarie.”

  “I don’t want to sit down. I want you to find Daniel!”

  She crossed her arms and tapped her foot as she stared at the sheriff.

  The sheriff walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, “Annamarie, we know where Daniel is. I’m sorry, but he’s also dead.”

  Right on cue, Annamarie closed her eyes and sank to the floor.

  The sheriff tried to pick her up, but she moaned. Her mother was at her side in an instant.

  “Someone call Dr. Norse.”

  “No, she needs to go to the hospital, look at how pale she is,” Paula insisted.

  Way to go, Mom, Annamarie thought, her eyes still closed.

  * * *

  The sheriff told Steve, “Drive Annamarie and her mom to the hospital. Come back after you drop them off.”

  Steve and Paula helped her to her feet. Annamarie insisted she could walk on her own.

  Annamarie kept her eyes closed on the way to the hospital. Paula, sitting in the back seat, kept her hand on her shoulder and asked every two minutes, “Annamarie, are you okay?”

  She answered, “Yes, Mom,” each time.

  When they arrived at the hospital, Steve jumped out of the car, “Nobody moves.”

  He was back in a minute with a wheelchair.

  Annamarie frowned at Steve and the wheelchair.

  “You fainted. If I don’t take good care of you, Deb will be angry.”

  By the time Steve pushed her into the emergency room check-in area, Paula had told the nurse about the tragedy and Annamarie fainting. She insisted Dr. Norse see her immediately. The nurse agreed and took Annamarie to an exam room. Dr. Norse would see her right away.

  Annamarie asked her mom to sit and wait. She wanted to do this alone.

  Shaking her head, Paula found a chair and picked up a magazine. She remembered this was a work day and she should call James Hanson and inform him that Annamarie wouldn’t be at work. It would be a difficult call.

  The sheriff was thinking the same thing while he drove toward George and Maureen Logan’s house. When Annamarie fainted, the sheriff’s first concern was her. Now he had to tell Daniel’s parents their son was dead.

  Annamarie’s mom called the Hanson Dairy and James answered the phone.

  “Good morning, this is Paula Schneider. I’m calling for Annamarie.”

  “What’s going on, Paula?”

  “Annamarie’s ill, but I also have some terrible news.” Her body rocked back and forth while she listened to James.

  “Oh no, what’s wrong?”

  “Daniel didn’t come home last night. The sheriff said they found his body somewhere in the pines this morning.”

  “Oh my Lord, this can’t be happening, Paula. Not after Ben and then Garret. How can all three be gone?”

  “I don’t know. The sheriff is investigating. I’m sure we’ll know something soon.”

  “We’re
still on half-time at the dairy and I’m sure my wife can do the office work until Annamarie is feeling better.”

  “I’m concerned about her. She’s still grieving for Ben, Daniel’s grandfather, and now Daniel. I’m not sure when she’ll be able to work.” Paula rubbed her forehead with her hand.

  “I think we’ll be able to handle it, and if we can’t, I can get someone from the temp agency to fill in the way I did before she came to work for me. The important thing now is Annamarie. She should take enough time off to recover.” He stood and gazed out the window, trying to gather his thoughts.

  * * *

  The nurse helped Annamarie undress and get into one of the “lovely” paper gowns they kept in the emergency room. She made Annamarie lie down on the table in case she felt faint and told her Dr. Norse would be right in.

  * * *

  The sheriff knocked on the Logan’s front door. Maureen answered and was about to shut the door in the sheriff’s face when he asked for George.

  “Fine, wait here.”

  George came to the door and invited the sheriff in. Sheriff Richardson said he would like to speak to both him and Maureen. George asked the sheriff to sit in the living room while he spoke to Maureen. When George and Maureen returned, the sheriff was pacing up and down.

  “What’s going on?”

  “You might want to sit down.”

  “Tell me what Daniel did this time. We have to get to work.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have bad news. Last night Daniel left to meet someone and didn’t come home. We found his body in the pines this morning.”

  “Oh my God,” sobbed Maureen, collapsing onto the sofa.

  George turned pale, but remained on his feet. “What the hell happened?”

  “We’re not sure. We’re investigating. I’ll let you know when I learn anything.”

  George thanked him. The sheriff left and headed back to the pines to continue his investigation.

  * * *

  Dr. Norse entered the exam room. “Good morning, Annamarie, I’m terribly sorry to hear about Daniel, but right now I need to find out why you fainted. It might have been shock or something more. Your mom said you have been looking pale lately.”