Discovering (Lily Dale #4)(68)

About her baby being alive? Is that what she means?

David Slayton doesn’t wait for an answer. His eyes snap open.

“She has an important message for you, and your father, too.”

Calla draws a deep breath and sits upright in the chair. “What is it?”

“She says . . . she was true to him. Even though it may appear otherwise. She was true to him until the end. She wants to remind you that caring about someone new doesn’t mean you automatically stop caring about someone else you once loved.”

Calla recognizes the exact words that popped into her head weeks ago, when she was wondering how she could have lingering feelings for Kevin now that she’s involved with Jacy.

That really was a message from Mom.

“And your mother thinks that your father is making good choices now,”David goes on. “Does that make sense to you?”

“Yes.”Calla exhales in relief. “It does. I’ll tell him.”

Another long pause.

And then, “She’s glad you’re aware of your guides. They’ve always been a part of you, but you didn’t know it. Keep listening to them. Keep watching them. They’re there to help you.”

“Do you mean . . . Aiyana?”

“And others who will become known to you. Your mother wants you to know that you’ll have different guides at different times in your life, to enlighten you as you need it.”

Thinking of the phantom nurse in the hospital, Calla smiles faintly, then asks, “Is my mother one of my guides?”

“She’s with you. Always.”

“Mom, please . . . please, I need to see you.”Tears stream down Calla’s cheeks.

“Feel her.”

David Slayton’s hands are radiating energy.

“I can feel her,”she whispers.

But I want to see her. Just once. Just one last time. Please . . .

She clenches David’s hands like a lifeline.

Focus.

Tune in.

She isn’t sure whether the voice she’s hearing is her own, or his, or even her mother’s; doesn’t know whether the words are only in her head or being spoken aloud.

Tune in.

Tune in.

With every ounce of her being, Calla concentrates on opening herself to her mother’s energy, feeding off David’s.

Please. . . .

A blurry human shape begins to materialize before her.

“Mom,”Calla breathes, as familiar features, so strikingly similar to her own, gain clarity.

Mom.

She’s here.

Her mother’s hazel eyes gaze lovingly at her.

Her mother’s lips curve in a joyful smile.

Her mother’s graceful hand reaches toward her, and Calla feels the whisper of her gentle touch against her cheek.

Bathed in the glow of maternal love, she memorizes the moment, memorizes the feel of her mother’s hand and the expression on her mother’s face, knowing it will have to last her a lifetime.

I love you.

Her mother’s voice fills Calla’s head.

I’m with you.

Don’t ever forget.

“I won’t,”she promises. “I won’t ever forget.”

“She’s pulling back,”David announces, but he doesn’t have to say it.

Calla can feel it. Her mother’s energy is gone.

“Thank you,”she tells David Slayton. “Thank you so much. I’ve been searching for her everywhere.”

He nods, looking satisfied.

Then he asks, “Do you remember what I told you when we met?”

“You told me to keep my wits about me. You said I was in danger. You were right.”

“Not that. Do you remember what else I said?”

She does.

Slowly, she says, “You told me that I was gifted.”

“Not just gifted. You have tremendous power in your ability—power that’s unusual in one so young. You need to learn to use your mediumship for the greater good. It’s not always an easy thing to do, even for an adult.”

“How am I supposed to figure things out?”

“With the help of others who have been where you are right now.”

“Like Patsy Metcalf? I’m taking her class in Beginning Mediumship so that I can—”

“No,”he cuts in impatiently, “that’s not what I meant. It’s a start, but it isn’t enough.”

“You mean my grandmother?”

“Odelia is descended from a long line of powerful mediums— each generation stronger than the next. What does that mean to you?”

Unsure how to answer, Calla falls helplessly silent.

“You need a mentor whose ability is greater than your own.”

He walks to the doorway, then turns back, his eyes boring into hers, watching her as if weighing a decision.

Then he gives a firm nod. “I’ll help you.”

Shocked, she can’t even respond. This is a man who doesn’t give his own son the time of day. Why would he want to help her?

“You and I will discuss this further. For now, good night.”

With that, he’s gone.

Calla sighs and leans back in the chair, spent.

She can scarcely believe what happened here tonight.