Previously:

• Duncan woke up from his coma again unable to remember who attacked him but knew it wasn’t Pearl.
• Pearl received a series of terrifying phone calls while alone at the farm; she soon realized who was making them—Bridget Walsh.
• Damien had a nightmare that he bit Pearl as a werewolf.
• Bridget broke into the farm and held Pearl at knife-point.

Halloween Night
The Lawrence Farm, 11:00 p.m.

Bridget Walsh and Pearl Tyler were outside of the empty stable. Bridget held a knife to Pearl’s back, a maddening gleam in her big brown eyes. Just moments before, she had entered into the farmhouse through the open basement window of Pearl’s bedroom and ambushed Pearl, after making scary and threatening phone calls to her.

“Open the door Pearl,” Bridget barked, pressing the knife harder against her back.

Pearl did as she was told. Secretly, she wanted to try and overpower her, but she knew if she did, Bridget would have no hesitations in using her knife and she couldn’t risk losing her baby. Her unborn daughter was all she was thinking of right now.

Bridget shoved Pearl inside and the older woman fought to keep her balance. Bridget closed the doors and leered at Pearl, who struggled to keep calm.

“This is where it all ends,” Bridget ominously told her enemy. “This is where you burn.”

“You’re going to set this stable on fire with me inside,” Pearl deduced. “You’re sick. You won’t get away with this. Quinn’s seen you threaten me himself. And there’s another who knows all about you too. His name is Damien Collins. He met you in Bigelow. They’ll both know it was you.”

Bridget’s face seethed with rage. “So, you only don’t have Quinn, you have Damien nipping at your heels too like some needy little terrier! He told me he was in a relationship—was it with you Pearl? And you call me a whore.”

“If I tried to explain, it would take weeks,” Pearl said, trying hard to keep her voice from cracking. “Look, you can have Quinn. I asked him to find someone else. You know I don’t care if you two get together. You don’t have to kill me and my baby!”

“That’s right. I will have Quinn but as long as you’re around he won’t get over you. This is the only way. You have to die Pearl.” Bridget waved the knife in Pearl’s face. Then she walked to a pile of hay off to the side. Pearl watched helplessly as Bridget uncovered the hay to reveal a gas can.

Bridget walked back to Pearl. “Now you’re going to get back in that corner and I’m going to set this place on fire. I hope you’ve enjoyed your time on earth, you hag. Because now I’m really going to enjoy mine—with Quinn.”

Pearl thought about trying to run for a brief second. There’s a door that leads out to the other side. You could make it. You have to fight for your daughter.

She decided to take the chance. “All right, I’m going into the corner.” She turned around and began to head towards the back. Bridget followed closely. Suddenly, Pearl whipped around and knocked into Bridget hard. The blonde fell to the floor and Pearl started to run. But just as she made it to the door, she felt a sharp and painful tug on her hair which made her cry out. She tried desperately to escape Bridget’s vice grip, but due to her pregnancy she got tired easily. Bridget pushed her, and Pearl caught herself against the door. She slid down to the ground, sobbing.

Bridget let out a peal of chilling laughter. “Your little attempt to escape was entertaining but did you really think you could outrun me? I’m smaller and not carrying a brat in my stomach.”

Pearl looked through tears to see Bridget open the gas can and walk back and forth, pouring out the flammable liquid. She threw the can on the floor and pulled out a pack of matches out of the left pocket of her purple leather jacket. With a malicious smile she removed a match and struck it and tossed it on the ground. Orange flames shot up instantly. Pearl crawled into the corner trying to avoid the fire.

“Goodbye Pearl,” Bridget said with calm menace. Then she ran the other way and out the stable door.

Pearl started to cry again. “God, someone please help me,” she said through her tears.

**************************

Quinn stood by the living room window gazing out into the night, a look of worry on his face. He had been trying to call Pearl Tyler several times and each time the phone was busy. He tried her cell phone but the voicemail kept coming on. Something is wrong, he thought dreadfully to himself.

Just then, his brother Jude came through the front door. “Hi Quinn, I’m back,” he said. He didn’t get a response. “Hey Quinn, I’m home!” he yelled brightly.

Quinn turned around. “Hi,” he weakly replied.

“What’s wrong?” Jude asked.

“I’m worried about Pearl,” he answered tightly. She’s not answering the phone at the Lawrences’ or her cell phone. “I hope nothing’s happened with the baby.”

“Maybe you should go over there and find out what’s going on,” Jude told him. “It may be nothing, but better safe than sorry.”

“You’re right. I’m going there now to check up on her. Hopefully she’s just asleep and not hearing the phone.” Quinn walked to the coat hanger by the front door and slipped on his black leather jacket. He reached for his car keys inside his right pocket. “I’ll call you later” he said to his brother.

Jude nodded. “I’ll be here.”

Quinn left, his stomach tangled up in knots. He had no idea the danger he was about to encounter.

***********************

Bigelow Community Hall

A large group of people were inside, drinking hot chocolate and munching on Halloween goodies. Gene and Iva Lawrence were sitting at the table, taking the festivities in.

“Isn’t it great to see people have fun?” Iva asked her husband.

Gene nodded in approval. “I was never much into Halloween but I have to say this is a lot of fun. It reminds me of when I was kid in the fall.”

Seconds later, Micah Johnson came rushing from outside. “Gene, Iva, Sadie’s outside and she’s not feeling well. You’d better come.”

The couple immediately got up from their seats and followed him through the big double doors to the front of the building, where Sadie Todd was sitting on a bench. She was breathing heavy and she was pale. Iva and Gene sat on each side of her, with Iva taking her hand.

“Sadie honey, what’s wrong? Micah said you aren’t feeling well.”

“I don’t know what happened Auntie. Micah and I were sitting on this bench talking when all of a sudden, I started coughing and choking and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My lungs were burning.”

“Do you think it’s a psychic reaction to something that happened at the very same time?” Iva asked her niece.

“It must be. I was perfect up until that moment,” Sadie replied.

Micah knelt down in front of her. “Put it out of your mind Sadie. Just relax—“ Then he felt a burning sensation travel all over his body and he stopped talking.

“Micah, what’s going on? Are you having a vision?” Sadie asked, getting apprehensive.

“Fire,” Micah said. “A huge fire. Flames everywhere…lots of smoke.”

Sadie’s eyes widened. It was as if a light bulb suddenly switched on over her head. “That’s it! That’s why I was choking and coughing. There’s a fire raging somewhere and someone’s trapped. I was feeling what they were feeling.”

Micah’s vision finally passed and he let out a deep breath. “Wow…that was intense. I could feel the heat.”

Gene got off the bench. “I just had a premonition myself. I think I need to go back inside and call Pearl and make sure she’s okay.”

“You don’t think Pearl is the one caught in a fire?” Iva asked, growing worried.

“I don’t know, but we should check on her to make sure things are okay back at the farm,” Gene told her reassuringly.

The Lawrence Farm, 30 minutes later

Pearl watched helplessly as the flames slowly inched closer and closer. The smoke was getting thick and she could feel her throat get warm and scratchy.

You’ve got to find a way to get out of here, she frantically thought to herself. Maybe you can try and open the door. She managed to get up and she pushed the door but it wouldn’t budge. Oh God, Bridget locked it shut. She’s trapped you in here, in this raging inferno and you can’t escape.

She slid back down to the ground and tried to keep calm. “I’m not going to let us die little girl. Maybe someone has seen the fire and they’ve called 911. We’re going to make it out of here alive. Mummy will make sure of that, I promise you.” She rubbed her stomach.

She scooted as far back into the corner as she could go. Tears were forming in her eyes. She turned her head and she saw it—a small hole that had rotted through the wood. She look around again and saw a small pick near her feet. She grabbed it. “Maybe I can cut a space out for us to crawl through.” She started stabbing away but after a few minutes, she got tired. “You have to keep doing it Pearl,” she encouraged herself.

The smoke was getting thicker and she started to cough. It was getting harder to breathe. Pearl attempted another round of stabbing away at the door but a few moments into it, the pick slipped and the sharp edge nicked the side of her hand. She cried out and dropped the pick. She lay back on the ground and the tears flowed out of her like rain pouring into a storm drain.

“We can’t die here!” she sobbed. “We need to live so we can tell everyone what Bridget did! She’s not going to get away with murdering an innocent little baby!”

She began to cough again and a pressure started to build in her chest. “No,” she moaned. “I have to fight through this!”

Her hand reached for the pick again. She struggled to sit up but it was difficult. “No, you’d better lay still and save your energy. You’ll only make the coughing worse.”

After a few seconds of lying on the ground, she looked into the searing orange flames that danced around her. She thought she saw a white shape walking through them.  You’re seeing things, she told herself.

But the white shape got closer and the image got clearer. It was a young woman with long red hair and a pretty, sweet face wearing a flowing white dress. It wasn’t Megan Manning. This was someone different, someone Pearl had never seen.

To her astonishment, the figure managed to get through the fire unharmed. She knelt down beside Pearl and smiled. “You’re not going to die Pearl,” she said, her voice echoing and peaceful. “You and your daughter will live. But you need to be strong. You’re a fighter. You will always be a fighter.”

Pearl was dumbfounded. “Who are you?” was the only thing she could say.

The young woman smiled again. “We’re going to meet someday. But for right now, all you need to know is that you’re going to get out of here. Just stay calm. I’ll see you soon Pearl. Goodbye.” She started to fade away.

“Wait, don’t leave,” Pearl murmured. But the image was gone just as quickly as it appeared. Pearl didn’t know who she was but she felt a sense of security and comfort and it made her feel good.

Then, she heard a loud ripping sound. Pearl turned her head to see the doors of the stable being torn off their hinges like pieces of paper being ripped in half. And then she saw Quinn Nightshade standing there huffing and puffing with a look of fierceness on his face. Relief flooded her body. “Quinn!” she hollered.

Quinn rushed to her and scooped her up into his arms. He carried her out of the stable and safely away into the cool night. Just as soon as he got her outside to safety, the stable began to collapse. Wooden boards that were mounted on the ceiling came crashing down to the ground. Smoke and fire poured angrily out of the ruined building.

Quinn brought Pearl around to the front of the farmhouse and laid her on the ground. She began to cough some more and then rapidly inhaled fresh autumn air. Then she spoke. “Quinn, if you hadn’t come…my baby and I would have burned to death.”

“Shh, don’t talk sweetheart. I’ve called 911 and they should be on their way.” He leaned down and tenderly kissed her, holding her tight and rocking her. “I knew something was wrong when you weren’t answering both the house and cell phones. How could something like this happen?”

“It was Bridget. She forced me into the stable and set it on fire. She already had the gas can,” Pearl darkly explained.

Quinn couldn’t believe it. “What???”

“She wanted me and my baby dead because I was in the way of her being with you. That’s how much she hates me. She broke into the farm and held a knife on me. There was nothing I could do.” Pearl began to cry again.

A furious glare spread on Quinn’s face. “That bitch is going to pay, I swear. She isn’t going to get away with this, I promise.”

“We’ll tell the firefighters that when they get here,” Pearl said, wiping her tears away.

The two heard sirens approaching. “They’re here,” Quinn remarked. He kissed her again. “I love you so much. If anything had happened to you…I don’t know what I would have done.”

“It’s okay Quinn. I’m here and I’m alive.” Pearl looked up and smiled at him.

He gave her another kiss just as the fire and paramedics pulled up. Pearl and Quinn watched the men in the heavy yellow suits rush to the fire carrying the long hoses. Meanwhile the paramedic team descended on Pearl and began to work on her. Quinn moved out of the way so they could check her vital signs and give her oxygen. Damn you Bridget, you had better watch out. If I find you, I will kill you, he silently threatened.

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lewiston

Duncan Tyler was asleep but it wasn’t a restful slumber. The images of his attack swirled around in his mind. He saw the pipe, he saw it come down…but the face of his assailant was still unclear.

He tossed and turned and grunted and groaned. He was opening the door to his hotel room. But the face was blacked out, like in a news broadcast where they hid a person’s identity. Why couldn’t he remember? Was it because he didn’t want to remember?

The person came in, dressed in black from head to toe. He saw the flash of the pipe. He screamed no. But the blows kept coming and coming and coming. It wouldn’t stop. She wouldn’t stop…

“Mr. Tyler, is everything okay?”

Duncan awoke with a start. He saw her standing above him.

“You’re not going to finish me off!” he screamed. He lunged and reached for her throat.

“Mr. Tyler no!” the nurse screamed. “You’re having a bad dream!”

Suddenly, the door to his room burst open. Doctor Gail Warren ran in, followed by Duncan’s parents, Sheldon and Amelia Tyler. “Mr. Tyler, what are you doing?” Doctor Warren exclaimed.

Duncan put his hands down. “She’s the one who tried to kill me!” he yelled, motioning to the nurse, who was still shaken.

“Mr. Tyler, that’s Amy. She’s a nurse checking on you. She’s not trying to hurt you.” Doctor Warren sat on the bed. “Everything is okay now.”

Duncan violently shook his head. “No it’s not. She’s still out there!”

“Who’s out there honey?” Amelia asked.

“Bridget Walsh. She’s the one that did it. She’s the one that attacked me,” Duncan replied. He heaved a sigh of relief. “I finally remember now. It was Bridget.”

The road near Haven Lake

Bridget Walsh sat inside her rental car, silently seething. Her vehicle had stalled due to a dead battery and nobody had come along that she could flag down to help her jump it. Goddamn backwater town, she cursed to herself.

Her plan was to leave town and then return weeks later, playing innocent. Then she would ease herself back into Quinn’s life—and his bed. He’ll get over Pearl, she thought. He’s not a man that can go without so long.

Suddenly her mind flashed to Duncan Tyler, her ex-lover. She went back to that stormy night she hit him repeatedly with a pipe she had brought with her from home. She found it in the parking lot of her workplace. Those idiot men always leaving stuff behind for someone else to find. At least I put it to good use. I got my revenge on Duncan for leaving me. Now he’ll be a vegetable for life. With him out of commission and Pearl burnt to a crisp, I can get on with my life. People think I’m some dumb little tramp…but they soon learn not to cross me.

The headlights of a car pulling off to the side of the road jolted Bridget from her evil reflections. She looked up and saw a tall man with short blond hair get out of a dark colored sports car. He walked towards her car and tapped on the driver side window. She opened the door.

“Hey, can you help me? My battery died and I’m in desperate need of a jump,” she pleaded.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you with that,” he said.

Bridget’s face fell. “I need to get out of here. I’m heading to the airport so I can head back home.”

“What’s the matter, don’t you like Haven?” the stranger inquired.

Bridget snorted. “This nothing little place? Hardly. I don’t see how anyone can live in this speck.” She got out and stretched. “It certainly doesn’t live up to its name.”

The man smiled. “My sons live here and they have for years. Maybe you’ve met them. Quinn and Jude are their names.”

Bridget arched her eyebrows.  So, I’m talking to Quinn’s father. Hmm, he looks really young to have a son that old. Well,  I can’t dwell on that now.  I can tell him what a jerk Quinn is and how he screwed me over—literally.

She grinned, a little too deviously. “As a matter of fact, I did meet Quinn. Actually I did more than meet him…I slept with him.”

Christoph Nightshade frowned. “You’re joking.”

“I don’t joke about things like that. I slept with him last night—and he treated me like common trash. I don’t appreciate that at all, so you can tell Quinn that Bridget Walsh told him to rot in hell and I hope he has a miserable life.”

Christoph pursed his lips. “There had to be a reason why Quinn acted the way he did. Maybe he realized he made a mistake.”

Bridget fumed. “I am not a mistake! How dare you talk to me that way! She pulled her knife out of her jacket pocket and thrust it in Christoph’s face. “I’ve dealt with one loser tonight, I can deal with another.” She jerked her head towards his car. “Since you’re in Haven already, you won’t mind if I take your car now do you? I’m sure Quinn can give you rides if you need them.”

Christoph stood still, cool as a cucumber. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

Bridget laughed. “I’m not scared of you. I’m not scared of anyone.”

“We’ll see.” Christoph moved closer, stealthy as a panther. Bridget raised the knife, prepared to attack. But to her horror, he pushed her back with one hand and she went flying into the grass. The knife shot out of her hand onto the ground. Christoph retrieved it. Bridget slowly got up, recovering from the sudden and powerful attack. Pain raced through her body. She clutched her head and groaned.  She lifted her head and stared at Christoph. She tried to look tough but her composure had been broken—and he knew it.

Christoph held up the knife. With the flick of his hand, he bent down the metal weapon and then threw it back on the ground. Bridget could only gape in shock. “You’re crazy,” she half-whispered.

“Oh my dear, when you’re a creature such as I, sometimes that can’t be helped.” Christoph opened his mouth and hissed, revealing his long sharp fangs. Bridget was in utter disbelief. “My God…this can’t be happening—this can’t be happening!” she cried.

She started to run for the lake. She had to get away from this madman. She couldn’t believe what she had just seen.

Suddenly, she was knocked to the ground with a thud. She screamed and struggled to get away but Christoph’s vampire powers were no match for the tiny blonde. He easily got the upper hand and pulled her over. He knelt on top of her, a bloodthirsty gaze on his handsome face.

“Well, now you know what I really am…and now you also know what Quinn really is. I’m sure he didn’t tell you while you two were together.” He grinned eerily at her. “It’s a shame really. You are a lovely looking girl. But you’ve insulted my son. I don’t take kindly to that.”

“Get off me you freak!” Bridget yelled. She began to struggle but he pinned her down roughly with his hands.

“Don’t worry I will—but not until after I’ve fed,” Christoph told her with a chill in his voice. “I get so hungry sometimes.”

“No!” Bridget hollered. But her cries to stop were ignored as Christoph sunk his fangs into the side of her neck. She went limp and as the life drained out of her, she could only think that maybe death would be better than facing life in prison for attempting to murder both Pearl and Duncan.

Christoph finished feeding and gazed at her lifeless body. He wiped his blood-covered mouth with his hand and rubbed it on the grass. “Looks like I have one more corpse to get rid of before I see my sons. I honestly don’t know what Quinn would have ever seen in you. I’m sure he’ll find someone more suitable…and less psychotic.”

He picked up her body and headed for the woods.

The Lawrence Farm

Pearl was now on a stretcher. She was getting ready to be loaded into the ambulance to be taken to St. Mary’s. A portable oxygen tank lay beside her and she was breathing clean air through tubes placed over her ears and into her nostrils. She could feel the baby move every now and then and she was immensely relieved.

Quinn was right by her side. “I’m going to follow the ambulance to the hospital. I’m going to stay with you all night so don’t try and get rid of me angel.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

“I won’t, I promise. If it wasn’t for you, my baby and I would be dead. I have to say this—you’re my knight in shining armor. Or, black leather.” Pearl chuckled.

Quinn kissed her again, this time softly on the lips, then placed a hand on her stomach. A few seconds later, he felt the baby kick. “I think she’s warming up to me.”

Pearl smiled. “I think she knows you saved her Mummy.”

One of the paramedics approached Pearl. “Okay Mrs. Tyler, we’re ready to take you to the hospital.” He looked at Quinn. “Is your husband riding with us?”

“No, I’m following in my car,” Quinn answered, not correcting him. Pearl gave him a knowing look but didn’t say anything.

The paramedic nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”

He and his colleagues picked up the stretcher and Pearl was safely loaded into the ambulance.

Quinn glanced over in the direction of the stable, which was now reduced to a pile of burnt wood and ashes. He narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to get yours Bridget. Count on it.”

He turned around and walked to his Corvette. He opened the door and saw a red Dodge minivan pull up. Now he had to tell Gene and Iva what happened.

The Lawrences, Sadie and Micah got out of the van. Quinn saw the looks of terror on their faces. He headed in their direction.

“Quinn…My God…what the hell happened?” Gene demanded. “We couldn’t get Pearl on the phone and we just saw the ambulance.”

“Pearl was trapped inside the stable. It was set on fire. I got her out,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Set on fire? By whom?” Iva asked, her voice shaking with fear.

“Did Pearl tell you about Bridget Walsh?” Quinn asked her.

“Yes. She’s the woman that her ex-husband cheated on her with.” Iva’s eyes widened in horror. “You mean, she set our stable on fire?”

Quinn nodded. “She came here to get revenge on Pearl. While you were gone, she somehow got into your house and forced her into the stable and set it on fire. I came here because I knew something was wrong. Pearl wasn’t answering the phone. That’s when I saw the flames and the smoke and rushed over. She was on the ground by the door. Bridget had bolted both of them shut.”

“If it wasn’t for you, Pearl and her baby would be dead. You’re a hero,” Sadie gratefully told him.

Quinn couldn’t help but smile. “I’m not so bad after all, am I?” Then he frowned a little. “That’s what you do when you love someone. You risk your own life to save them.”

He gazed quickly at the ground than back up at the Lawrences and Micah. “I’d better get going. I’m heading to the hospital to be with Pearl.” Before they could reply, he quickly hopped into his car and sped away.

“I guess he really has changed,” Sadie remarked as she watched him leave.

Iva however, wasn’t that convinced. “I’m going to call Damien and let him know what’s happened. He loves her too and needs to be there with her as well.”

“If we had only known the image of the fire I saw and the feelings Sadie had were happening here, maybe we could have done something and Pearl wouldn’t be on her way to the hospital. Maybe we would have caught this Bridget. I wonder if the police were told about her,” Micah sadly surmised.

Gene put a comforting arm around him. “Well, let’s go call them and find out. Then we’ll survey the damage to the stable. The insurance should take care of it. We can’t beat ourselves up about what happened. We just need to be relieved Pearl and that little lass she’s going to be having soon are safe and healthy.”

The four of them started for the farmhouse, still trying to make sense of it all, each hoping things would get back to normal very soon. Meanwhile, smoke still rose from the decimated stable, and into the onyx October sky, a disquieting signal to the end of a once calm Halloween night.

Coming up:

• A sneak peek of Season Four!

• Pearl received a visit from the Collins family, who shocked her by asking her to marry Damien.
• Damien arrived later and proposed to Pearl who told him it was way too soon for marriage.
• Damien asked Pearl to think his proposal over.
• Christoph vowed no one would stop him from reuniting with Quinn and Jude.
• Duncan awoke from his coma a second time.

Halloween Night
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lewiston

Dr. Gail Warren and Nurse Sarah Callahan were tending to Duncan Tyler, who had again come out of his coma. He was sitting up in bed and drinking a cup of water.

Once he was finished, he began to talk. “I’m sorry to say that I can’t recall who attacked me. All I’m able to see is a blurry black shape.”

Doctor Warren sat down on the edge of the bed. “Your mother told the detectives who are investigating your assault that it was your ex-wife who hit you.”

Duncan was taken aback. “Pearl? You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no way that she would hurt me like that. She was angry about our divorce but she’s too good and sweet a person to ever do something that brutal. Not to mention, she’s pregnant. She wouldn’t risk our unborn baby’s life to commit such a heinous crime.”

“Well, you can sort it out with your mother when she and your father get here. I contacted them a few minutes ago and they’re on their way,” Doctor Warren said.

****************************
The Lawrence Farm 

Pearl Tyler was lying on the sofa, watching Dracula with Christopher Lee. She had to chuckle, now that she met a real-life vampire, the movie versions seemed pretty boring.

The phone rang on the table by the easy chair rang and Pearl got up to answer it. “Hello, Lawrence residence.”

“Trick or treat,” spoke Quinn Nightshade’s smooth voice.

Pearl laughed. “Sorry, but you’re a little old to be trick-or-treating tonight.”

“I’m never too old for a treat, especially if you’re the treat in question,” he answered silkily.

“Don’t you ever get tired of being randy?” Pearl playfully asked.

“Not when it comes to you,” he said. “So, are you alone?”

“Yes, just me and the horror movies on the telly,” she replied.

“Want me to come over and keep you company?” he asked her.

“No, I want to enjoy an evening by myself, if that’s okay.” Especially after the surprise Damien and his family pulled on me earlier, she thought wearily.  “Besides, you’re taking me out tomorrow, remember?”

“I can’t wait…just you and me and nature. It’s supposed to be another nice day too, so wear something pretty,” Quinn cheerfully responded.

“I’ll see what I can stretch over my belly,” Pearl said, laughing again. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Have a good night.”

“I will…I’ll be thinking of you,” he told her, his voice getting husky.

“Pleasant dreams then…bye Quinn.” Pearl hung up the phone, but picked the cordless receiver back up and took with her to the sofa in case someone else would call.

As she predicted, the phone rang about twenty seconds later. “Hello, Lawrence residence.”

There was silence on the other end. “Hello,” Pearl spoke again.

More silence…and then a creepy metallic sounding voice, as if someone were using an electronic mechanism to disguise it. “I hope your Halloween is good so far—because it’s about to get very nasty.”

Pearl was taken aback a little. “Look, I’m not in the mood for games tonight. Go bother someone else.” She was about to click the talk button off when the voice spoke again.

“I’m not joking! You’re going to burn bitch…burn good!”

This time Pearl got angry. “I don’t know who you are, but I’m not going to listen to this disgusting filth anymore, and if you call here again I’ll ring the police. Got that?” She quickly hung up on the eerie caller and slammed the phone down on the coffee table. She began to shake a little. God, what a psycho, she bitterly said to herself.

Pearl lie back on the couch and tried to get back into the movie but the phone call had made her jittery. You’re okay, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just some nutter’s idea of a sick Halloween prank, she silently reassured.

Her reassurance was short-lived as the phone rang again. Pearl didn’t answer. The Lawrences had an answering machine; she decided to see if the caller would leave a message. After four rings, the pleasant voice of Iva Lawrence chimed in. “Hello, you’ve reached the Lawrence family—Iva, Gene and Sadie. Please leave a message after the beep and we’ll return your call as soon as possible. Have a nice day.” The beep sounded and sure enough, the metallic voice of Pearl’s tormenter was heard.

“I know you’re there. You bloody well pick up!” it screamed. Pearl sat on the sofa, rigid as a statue. “Dammit, pick up the phone!” the voice yelled again.

Pearl clicked the talk button and composed herself. “Getting your jollies tonight, are we?” she spat.

“You’ll be getting yours soon enough bitch,” the voice cryptically droned. “Things are about to get very, very hot.” Then the caller laughed demonically.

Pearl struggled to stay calm. “I don’t know what you want or why you’re doing this, but if you don’t stop I will call the police and have you traced. Don’t think I’m kidding.”

There was silence for a few seconds. Then the voice spoke again.

“Call the police. It won’t do you any good. You’ll be dead before the night is over.”

Pearl almost dropped the phone and she started to tremble. “You’re not just some Halloween trickster are you? You know who I am and I think I know who you are. I don’t know how you got this number Bridget, but you’ve threatened me and I’m calling the police. You’re sick…very sick. You won’t get away with this.” Her stomach lurched and she felt like she was going to vomit.

“That’s what you think Pearl.” The voice was no longer electronic. It was Bridget Walsh’s voice, as clear as day. “You think because you’re carrying the golden child you’re going to be spared. I could care less about you and your brat.”

“You’re insane. You would hurt an innocent baby, just to get revenge because you got dumped? People get rejected all the time, Bridget. Deal with it! But don’t you dare go after my baby!” Pearl exclaimed

“You just watch your back bitch. I’m on my way,” Bridget growled. Then with a click she was gone.

Still shaking, Pearl dialed 911. Seconds later, a dispatcher came on the phone. “911, what’s your location?”

“Um, I don’t know the exact road name, but I’m on Route 26 in Haven out at the Lawrence Farm. I’ve been getting threatening phone calls tonight…she said she was going to kill me. Please come…I need help,” Pearl nearly cried, on the verge of tears.

“Okay Ma’am, calm down. Who said she was going to kill you?” the dispatcher answered gently but firmly.

“Bridget Walsh. If you don’t send someone here quick…I’m pregnant,” Pearl replied, trembling with fear. “She said she’s going to kill me and my baby.”

“Ma’am, we’re going to send a police car out but it may take a while. They’ve been very busy tonight,” the dispatcher told her. “Is there somewhere you can go?”

By this time Pearl was nearly in hysterics. “I can’t drive my car…I’m on doctors’ orders because of my pregnancy…please can’t you do anything?”

“I’ll notify the police and they’ll come as quickly as possible…in the meantime, is there someone you can call?” the dispatcher responded reassuringly.

“Yes,” Pearl said, between sobs.

“Okay. Make sure all the doors and windows are locked and call someone to come over and stay with you until the police arrive,” the dispatcher instructed.

Pearl nodded. “Yes, I’ll make sure of that and I’ll call someone. Thank you.” She hung up the phone. She slowly stood up, phone in hand and crept towards the kitchen. She looked around and made sure it was secure. Placing the phone down on the counter, she grabbed a butcher knife out of a block that was on the counter and held it close to her chest. She picked the phone back up with her free hand and crept back into the living room. The TV was still on. Pearl sat down on the sofa, apprehension flooding her entire body. She stared at the phone. She needed to call either Quinn or Damien. She shouldn’t be alone. She knew Bridget would make good on her threat.

Suddenly she heard a noise coming from the back of the house which made her almost jump out of her skin. She quickly got off the sofa, still clutching the knife and the phone. She had to get down to the basement, where she knew she would be the safest. She would call Quinn from there. She headed into the kitchen—and came face to face with Bridget.

Pearl screamed and a grin of pure evil covered the blonde’s face.  She pulled a switchblade knife out of the pocket of her blue jeans.

“Drop that knife Pearl, or I’ll plunge mine right into your stomach,” she threatened. Pearl hesitated for a bit, which angered Bridget. “I said drop it now!”

Pearl did as she was told and the knife fell to the floor with a clang. “Put the phone on the counter,” Bridget ordered. Pearl complied.

She wiggled the knife menacingly in front of Pearl, who instinctively put her hands in front of her swollen stomach. “Why are you doing this? Killing me and my baby isn’t going to solve anything. They find me dead and everybody will know it was you. I called 911 and gave your name. You’re as good as caught!”

“You underestimate me,” Bridget taunted. “I’ve taken care of everything.” She raised the knife again. “You and I are going out to the stables. Start walking.”

*****************************

 The Collins home

Damien had gone to bed early after telling his family Pearl had turned down his proposal. But he was in a restless sleep, thrashing around like a fish out of water. He started dreaming…

The sky was black and the moon was full and bright. He stalked through the forest, violently pushing away branches. Low and menacing growls escaped from his jaws. He was on the hunt and he knew exactly the type of prey he was searching for.

He had seen her strolling through the woods. The minute he spotted her he knew he had to have her. He had claimed her as his and nothing was going to stop him from getting her.

He continued almost for another mile—and then he saw her. She was wearing a long white nightgown with short puffy sleeves. Her long hair softly swirled in the breeze. He was overcome with desire. He had to have her now.

 He let her know he was there. She turned around and upon seeing him she screamed in terror and took off running. He was on her heels. He was too fast for her and he grabbed and pulled her down to the ground. He was on top of her, pawing at her nightgown. The fabric tore easily.

 She covered her breasts with her hands and started to cry. “No Damien! Please don’t hurt me!”

 He didn’t want to. But he knew what he had to do if she was going to be with him forever. He opened his mouth, bared his long fangs that were dripping with drool and roughly pulled her right arm towards him. He bit down on her flesh and she screamed again as the blood poured out like a red stream.

 She looked up at him with a tear-stained face. “Why?” she moaned. Then she closed her eyes and started to cry.

I’m sorry, he said silently. But it was the only way you could be mine, and now you are for eternity. I love you Pearl…

Damien woke up with a start. He sat up in bed and furiously ran his hands through his dark hair. He was covered in sweat and shaking. It was only a nightmare. But what if it was something more? Was his subconscious revealing what he really wanted to do, so he could keep her for good?

“No,” he told himself defiantly. “You don’t want to hurt Pearl. You don’t want to turn her into a werewolf. Get it out of your mind.”

He got out of bed and opened a window. Cool air instantly flowed into the room. He took a deep breath and inhaled the fresh night air. Then he went back to bed, closed his eyes, and soon sleep overtook him.

 St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Duncan was back asleep, but it was a conscious sleep. In a waiting room down the hall, Doctor Warren and his parents, Amelia and Sheldon Tyler, were talking.

“Duncan doesn’t know who attacked him but he is adamant it was not his ex-wife. There is a chance he could ultimately remember and there is a chance he may never remember. But we’ve got to have patience and you need to keep him in a stress-free environment as much as possible. I wouldn’t even mention Pearl’s name unless he does it first,” Doctor Warren advised.

“Don’t worry Doctor, Pearl is but a memory now best forgotten,” Amelia assured her.

“Good.” She smiled at the couple. “Well, I must get back to my rounds. Sarah will make sure he’s comfortable and taken care of. She’s become quite fond of Duncan. Have a good night Mr. and Mrs. Tyler.” With a nod, she left them alone in the waiting room.

After she left, Sheldon turned to look at his wife. “Now that he’s awake, we can work on getting him out of here as soon as possible and back home with us. We all need to forget about Pearl, forget about Bridget and try and start living a normal life again.”

What the two didn’t know was that Pearl and Bridget weren’t quite out of their lives yet and things were not going to return to normal anytime soon…

Coming up—it’s the season finale!

• Bridget continues her murderous plot of revenge against Pearl…will the mother-to-be survive the evil wrath of a woman scorned?
• Micah and Sadie have visions  and feelings of a deadly fire.
• Christoph finally arrives in Haven and the vampire’s lust for blood claims another hapless victim.
• Duncan remembers who tried to kill him!

Previously:

• Pearl agreed to go on an outing with Quinn to visit his hideaway.
• Rhiannon tried to comfort Damien over his unrequited love for Pearl.
• Iva and Micah visited Jude and told them about their visions of Christoph.
• Christoph Nightshade arrived in Maine and paid a horrifying visit to Josephine at the mental hospital.
• Bridget started making deadly plans for Pearl.

Halloween Night, the Lawrence Farm

“Pearl, are you sure you don’t want to come with us tonight?” Sadie Todd asked as she was putting on her black cape. “You don’t have to do the walking tour. You just can stay in the hall and drink hot chocolate.” She, along with her Uncle Gene, Aunt Iva and friend Micah Johnson were heading into Bigelow to celebrate Halloween by going on a tour of haunted spots.

“No, I really should stay here and get some rest. You all go and have fun. Besides, they’re showing a horror movie marathon on TV. I’ll be sure to get my scares,” Pearl Tyler replied good-naturedly.

Sadie moved closer to Pearl. “Quinn isn’t coming over is he?” she asked in a conspiratorial tone.

“No, but you never know with him,” she answered, nearly whispering.

“Come on Sadie, we need to get going,” Gene said.

“Have a good time you all. Happy Halloween,” Pearl told them.

“Take care Pearl. We’ll be back around 1:30.” Iva gave her a small hug.

“Bye.” Pearl waved them off and once they were gone, she sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. The Wolfman was playing and she immediately thought of Damien Collins. I should give him a call, she thought silently.

Just then the doorbell rang. Pearl sighed, turned off the TV and got up to answer it. It was probably Quinn Nightshade, trying to sneak in another night with her despite him being with her all morning. But to her utter surprise, Caleb, Rhiannon and Astrid Collins were on the front porch.

“Hello Caleb, Rhiannon, Astrid…what a nice surprise. What brings you over this time of night?” Pearl asked cheerfully as the three entered the living room.

“We wanted to talk to you Pearl,” Caleb responded urgently.

“Of course. Please sit down. Can I get you anything?” Pearl said.

“No thank you. This is really important,” Rhiannon told her.

Pearl realized Damien wasn’t with them. “Damien didn’t want to come? I was going to call him.”

“He’ll be along shortly,” Astrid explained.

Pearl took a seat in an easy chair. “So, tell me what’s going on.” She smiled at the three Collinses.

“Rhiannon and I had to do some major comforting to Damien today. He’s been very upset,” Caleb began, looking straight at Pearl.

She looked down at her swollen stomach. “It’s about me.”

“He’s torn up about you spending so much time with Quinn,” Rhiannon said. “Nothing Caleb or Astrid and I can say or do will console him.”

Pearl glanced back up. “I know he doesn’t like me being with Quinn but I can’t help it. He comes over and I can’t turn him away. I know you and Iva and Gene and Sadie don’t want me being around him, but you don’t understand…I’ve developed feelings for him.”

“Are you in love with him?” Astrid wanted to know.

Pearl shook her head. “It’s not love, but I care about him very much. He’s changed since we first met. I’m not afraid of him anymore. I’ve tried to tell Damien this but it upsets him too much so I change the subject. I don’t want to hurt him. I care about him as well. I’ll always be grateful to him for rescuing me and taking care of me.”

“Then show him how much you care about him,” Caleb pleaded.

“What else can I do?” Pearl asked.

The three were silent for a bit. Then Rhiannon spoke. “Marry him.”

*****************************

The large white house finally came into sight and he pulled into the driveway. He noticed the silver van that his father drove to the farm and parked beside it. He got out of his pickup truck and stood there for a few minutes, enveloping the cool night air. Then he began to make his way towards the front porch.

*******************************

“He loves you so much Pearl. You’re all he thinks about and talks about. He only wants to protect you and keep you safe,” Rhiannon insisted. “He also cares about your unborn child as well.”

Pearl stood up and turned away from her visitors, looking at the window curtains. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes,” Caleb told her.

Pearl turned back around, a look of frustration on her face. “Do you realize what you’re asking me to do? I’ve only known your son for just almost two weeks and now you want me to become his wife? I just got out of a marriage—the last thing I need is another one, especially to someone that is…well…not even fully human.”

“If you’re afraid because you would be joining a family of werewolves, don’t be. You know Damien wouldn’t hurt you. None of us would,” Astrid reassured her. “We care about you.”

“What about my baby?” Pearl reminded them, on the verge of tears.

“You know we wouldn’t hurt that precious little girl,” Rhiannon said.

“It’s more than just marrying into your family. There’s also the fact that one day, you or Damien would ask me to become what you are…I don’t want to. I want to stay human.” Pearl started to cry.

Rhiannon jumped up from the sofa to comfort her. As she took her into her arms, there was a knock at the door. “Damien,” Astrid murmured.

“I’ll let him in,” Caleb told his daughter, rushing to the door. He opened it up and Damien quickly came inside. He saw his mother holding Pearl and instantly got worried.

“What’s going on Dad?”

Rhiannon and Pearl broke away upon hearing his voice. Pearl gazed at him through tear-stained eyes. Damien immediately went to her. “Pearl,” he softly said. He took her into his arms and held her tightly. “Please don’t cry.”

Pearl eased herself out his embrace and rubbed her eyes. “I can’t do this Damien…I can’t marry you. I know you love me and you want to protect me but it’s way too soon.”

“Come on, let’s go somewhere and talk in private.” He tenderly took her hand and looked at his parents and sister. “I’m going to take her into the den. I’ll handle this now.”

Caleb nodded. “Okay son. We’re going to go back home.” He glanced over at Pearl. “Please don’t be angry with us. We just want Damien to be happy. You don’t know how lonely he is.”

“I understand,” Pearl replied, regaining her composure. “I’m not angry, just in shock.”

Rhiannon approached her son. “I love you,” she said.

“I love you too Mum. I’ll be okay.”

“I’ll see you later.” She went back to Caleb and Astrid and they all left the house. Damien and Pearl were alone. “Damien, this is insanity,” she said firmly. “I can’t marry you.”

His response was to take her back into his arms again and kiss her. Pearl allowed the kiss. Once he was done, he smiled at her. “I’m going to go through with this proposal. I have to tell you how I feel.”

He started leading her out of the living room and into the den.

Harmony Memorial Park

Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” was playing on the car CD as Christoph Nightshade sat inside his BMW. He gazed out into the dark night. The park was empty and without the sounds of children playing and others walking around or enjoying the outdoors, the entire area took on an eerie vibe.

Christoph took his wallet out of his pants pocket and pulled out a picture. It was his two sons, Jude and Quinn, who were sitting side by side and smiling at the camera against a white background. Quinn was three and Jude was only a year old. He smiled sadly as he stroked the photo, taken during much happier times, with his index finger. We can have those happy times again, he said to the photo. We have so much catching up to do.

He placed the picture down in a cup holder and started up the car. He wanted to get to Haven as quickly as possible. Thanks to the recently deceased private investigator Del Hammond, he found out where Quinn and Jude had been living all these years. When their mother Josephine was placed into the mental hospital, Jude had the deed of the house transferred to him. He was always the responsible one and despite being the younger brother, he was the one who looked after Quinn. He became the father figure. But that was no more. Christoph was back and now he would be taking care of his sons. He had lost too many years without them, and nobody was going to get in his way of being with them again, even if it meant blood had to be shed.

The Lawrence Farm

Damien and Pearl were sitting on the sofa in the den. Pearl watched as he took out the blue velvet box from his pants pocket and opened it up, revealing the diamond ring. She bit her lip in an attempt to keep from crying again as he picked up the ring held it between his fingers.

“I’ve been agonizing over this for days now, trying to find the right words to say,” he began. “But all I can say is that I love you and want to take care of you. I don’t want to lose you. I know we’ve only just met and I know you think this is way too fast but I know this is right.” He peered into her green eyes deeply. “Marry me Pearl.”

She shook her head rapidly. “I can’t and you know that.”

Damien sighed and put the ring away. Pearl cupped his chin and brought him back to face her. “I’m not planning to stay in Haven Damien. As soon as I have my daughter I’ll be leaving. I don’t want to set you up for heartbreak.”

“What about Quinn? Does he know this?” Damien asked, his voice dripping with acid.

“He knows. I’ve made it clear to him as well.” Pearl looked down at her stomach then back at Damien. “You need to stop this rivalry with Quinn. It’s not healthy.”

“I don’t like him with you Pearl!” he exclaimed. “He’s dangerous.”

“Not anymore,” Pearl said. “He’s changed. But you’re too blind with hate to see that.”

“He has you fooled. He’s only pretending to be sweet so he can get what he wants. Once he has you he’s not going to give you space. He’ll try to possess you, just like he did with Megan,” Damien argued.

“I don’t believe that. He realizes I’m not like Megan and I never will be.” Pearl got off the sofa. “I don’t want to talk about Quinn anymore.”

Damien got up and wrapped his arms around Pearl, gently kissing her neck. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I love you and I hate knowing you’ve been spending so much time with him.” He turned her around and gazed at her. “Look, I apologize for springing this on you so sudden, and even if you’ve turned me down, I still want to you think about my proposal. A lot can change in three months.”

“You know I care about you Damien. You know how grateful I am that you came to my rescue in the woods. I always want you to remember that,” Pearl told him. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Well, I guess this means I should be going,” he said with a defeatist tone. “I’m still going to hold out hope for us though.” He kissed her warmly. “I love you Red.”

“I know. Take care Damien and I’ll talk to you later, okay?” Pearl smiled at him.

He nodded and left the den. Pearl followed him into the living room and onto the front porch. He turned around and she waved him goodbye. He walked to his truck and got in and Pearl went back into the house. She shut the door, leaned up against it and took a huge breath. I wonder if this night can get any crazier, she asked herself.

Meanwhile Damien sat in his truck in the driveway. He should have expected Pearl to turn him down but her rejection still hurt. I’m not giving up, no matter what, he told himself firmly. He started the truck and pulled away from the farm, heading for home.

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lewiston

 Nurse Sarah Callahan stood over Duncan Tyler as he lay in his bed. It was a quiet evening on the ward and she decided to pop in his room and check on him. There was no movement unlike earlier.

“I hope you wake up for good sometime,” she softly told him. “Someone is out there who’s nearly gotten away with murder.”

She left the room to go back to the nurses’ station. Then a few moments later, Duncan started to twitch again like before. After a bit of jerky movement, his blue eyes snapped open and he slowly began to sit up. He adjusted his eyes to the light above his bed. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. He kept trying until he was able to croak out a word. “Nurse.”

He said it a second time and then a third, his voice getting stronger. Finally, he yelled at the top of his lungs.

“I’m awake! Nurse…I’m awake!”

Coming up:

• Duncan is unable to remember who attacked him but tells Doctor Warren he knows it wasn’t Pearl.
• Pearl receives terrifying phone calls while alone at the farm.
• Damien has a nightmare that he attacks and bites Pearl while as a werewolf.
• Bridget breaks into the farm and holds Pearl at knife-point!

Previously:

• Bridget boasted to Pearl about her night of passion with Quinn.
• Quinn told Bridget there would be nothing else between them and she vowed revenge.
• Iva and Micah had visions of a mysterious man but they didn’t know it was Christoph Nightshade.

Sunday, October 31^st, early afternoon

The Lawrence Farm

Pearl Tyler walked up the basement stairs that led into the kitchen. She had gone to her bedroom to get dressed. Her red hair was up in a bun and she wore a white short-sleeved peasant blouse, which hung loose over a denim skirt with an elastic waist that stretched comfortably over her stomach, and white sneakers.  It wouldn’t be too long before she had to purchase some more maternity clothes.

She entered the kitchen and saw Quinn Nightshade was sitting at the table. Pearl closed the door and leaned against it, crossing her arms over her chest. “You sir, should get going. Iva, Gene, Sadie and Micah are going to be home soon and I don’t want another argument breaking out. Lord knows I’ve heard enough this morning with Bridget.”

He frowned at her. “I don’t want to leave you and besides, they have no say in what we do together.”

“Well Quinn, they do because it’s Gene and Iva’s house and they hate you,” Pearl replied matter-of-factly.

“You don’t hate me and that’s all that matters.” Quinn stood up and went to her, placing his arms around her, burying his face in her neck and nuzzling it.

“No, I can’t hate you, even though everybody else in town wants me to. They need to know you’ve changed.” Pearl released herself from Quinn and smiled at him. “Now come on, it’s time you should get home. Your brother is probably worrying about you.” She cocked her head and grinned. “Does he know you had a houseguest last night?”

Quinn groaned. “Oh shit—he’s probably going to rake me over the coals for that bloody mistake, and we’ve been getting along so well lately.”

“Not as long as you tell him I’m okay with it.”

Quinn placed his hands softly on Pearl’s shoulders. “Do you remember me telling you about that house with the waterfall I stayed at a couple of nights ago?” Pearl nodded and he smiled at her. “I want to take you there so we can spend some real time together alone, without interruptions.”

A look of uncertainty crossed her face and he tried to reassure her. “I’m not taking you there to put the make on you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“The thought did cross my mind,” Pearl dryly told him.

“Well, don’t worry about any unwanted advances sweetheart. Your doctor wants you to rest and relax and this place is just what the doctor ordered.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Will you go with me?”

Pearl thought it over for a few seconds. “Okay, you win. When do you want to make this journey?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up after breakfast.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I’m glad you can trust being alone with me outside of the farm.”

“If I can’t trust you, who can I trust?” Pearl gave his hair a playful tousle. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Quinn kissed her again. “I’ll call you later. I love you.”

“I know.” Pearl watched him leave the kitchen and seconds later she heard the front door shut. Well, so much for getting some space. My plan for him to find someone else sure fell flat. I wonder what Bridget is doing right now, she thought to herself.

Bridget Walsh was inside the diner, sitting at a counter and slowly sipping a glass of water with lemon. She was waiting on her lunch order, a grilled chicken salad—as well of thinking about how she was going get revenge on Pearl for ruining her next budding romance. It was bad enough that Duncan ended their relationship to reunite with her but being pushed aside by Quinn for Pearl was too much. She was pregnant damaged goods and she couldn’t believe he would want a woman with so much baggage.

Her devious thoughts were interrupted by the waitress bringing her the salad. “Here you go miss. Enjoy.”

“Thank you,” Bridget said and picked up her knife and fork. Suddenly, a fire whistle pierced the calm afternoon air.

“That’s the second siren today,” the waitress said, shaking her head. “We’ve had too many fires around here lately. Well, I’ll be back in a bit to check on you.” As she left, Bridget replayed her words—and a sinister plan began to form in her mind…

The Collins home

“Damien, you were silent during lunch. Are you still fretting about Pearl?” Rhiannon asked her son as they sat outside on the back porch.

“I’m always fretting about her Mum. I know she’s been with Quinn and I hate it. I can’t stand the thought of her being alone with him so much. God only knows what he tries to do to her.” He glared out at the woods that surrounded the house.

“Damien, do you really feel that Quinn is such a danger to Pearl now? Obviously he isn’t if she allows him to see her. I think you might be blowing things out of proportion,” Rhiannon pointed out.

He snapped his head back to face her. “How can you say that Mum? Don’t forget what he almost did to her in the stable at the Lawrence’s. That was only nearly two weeks ago! I don’t buy for one second that he’s changed. He pounced on Megan like some sex-starved pervert and he’s doing the same thing to Pearl. He’s not in love. He’s just trying to get her into bed, and the fact that she’s pregnant makes it even more sickening.”

“And you don’t think your plan to propose marriage to Pearl is any less unusual?” Rhiannon gently countered. “She’s not going to say yes Damien. I think you just need to give up on this quest and just be friends. If Pearl is enjoying Quinn’s company you need to accept it. She’s an adult and can choose who she wants in her life.”

“I’m just trying to protect her Mum!” Damien exclaimed in frustration. Then tears formed in his eyes and he looked at Rhiannon in sorrow. “I’m afraid I’m losing her…losing her to Quinn…and I can’t accept that.” He turned his head and more tears flowed. Rhiannon put a loving and motherly arm around him, furiously wondering how she could both comfort him and yet at the same time, try to instill reality into him.

Moments later, Caleb Collins was on the porch. Seeing the scene between his son and wife, he became worried. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Damien is still upset over this situation with Pearl and her reluctance to keep Quinn away. He’s afraid he’s going to lose her for good,” Rhiannon solemnly answered. “Oh Caleb, I don’t know what to do.”

Caleb pursed his lips together and put his hands on his hips. “Well, I do,” he announced.

Bigelow, Maine, sundown

A black BMW sports car sat in a nearly empty parking lot near a bus depot. Inside, a tall and distinguished handsome man with dark blond hair sat in the driver’s seat. He was dressed in a short black leather jacket with a black button down shirt underneath it, and black dress slacks. In the passenger seat was a shorter, chunky man with curly dark hair, and weary brown eyes. He was wearing a brown tweed jacket, white button down shirt and rumpled khaki pants. He wore oversized glasses.

“I want to thank you for your detective work,” the blond man said. “If it wasn’t for you, I would have never found out that Josie was in an insane asylum.”

“Considering you were the one that put her there in the first place,” the dark-haired man retorted.

Christoph Nightshade’s blue eyes sparked with anger. “I didn’t pay you good money for your personal opinions Hammond. I hired you to find Josie and that’s it.”

“I can’t help but feel sorry for Ms. Grant. I’m sure it wasn’t easy living with and sleeping with a vampire,” Del Hammond spat back, not intimidated. “You know, I still can’t believe freaks like you actually exist. If I knew I was going to work for a modern day Dracula I would have quit the business and bought a ranch somewhere in Texas.”

Christoph smiled creepily. “I have to hand it to you Hammond. Most people don’t have the nerve—or the stupidity—to speak to me in the manner you are now.”

“You don’t know the types I deal with in my line of work Mr. Nightshade. I’ve dealt with gangbangers, cheating spouses, wannabe Tony Sopranos—a vampire really isn’t that much different. It’s just that your money is cleaner. It’s not every day I get someone that comes from an honest-to-God blueblood family.”

“My family may come from blue blood Hammond, but right now the only blood I want is red.” Without warning, Christoph grabbed the private detective and roughly shoved him against the door. He opened his mouth and bared his sharp fangs. Hammond was no match for the vampire’s supernatural strength, and he screamed as he felt the long pointy teeth puncture the left side of his neck. The intense pain didn’t last long, and soon blackness overtook him as Christoph fed.

Once he was done, Christoph moved Hammond’s body back to the seat. He took a handkerchief out his pocket and wiped the smeared blood from his mouth. He placed it back in his pocket and smiled smugly, satiated.

“Now it’s time to find a suitable grave for you,” he said to the corpse beside him. “I’m sure nobody will miss you. But I have more important things to tend to…such as paying my ex-lover a visit in Harmony Hills…and seeing my sons. You have no idea how long I’ve waited to be reunited with them again. Josie thought she could keep me away from them forever. Well, forever is now.”

He started the car and sped out of the parking lot.

The Nightshade home, a few minutes later

Jude was making dinner when he heard the doorbell ring. He went to answer it and was surprised to see Iva Lawrence standing there, with a young black man he didn’t recognize.

“Hello Iva,” Jude said, with some tightness in his voice.

“Hello Jude,” she replied, not missing his tone. She knew he was not happy with her resurrecting Megan Manning to keep his brother away from Pearl. “I’m here because I have something important to tell you—and Quinn. Is he here?”

“No he isn’t. But if it involves badgering him over Pearl, I’m sure he isn’t interested in hearing it, and neither am I. Quite frankly, I’m tired of your magic meddling.”

“Maybe this isn’t a good time,” Micah Johnson spoke up.

“No, he has to hear this and I don’t care how mad he is at me.” Iva started at Jude with a sober expression. “It concerns your father.”

Jude was startled to say the least. “My God—have you seen him?”

“Only in visions.” Iva motioned to Micah. “This is Micah Johnson. He’s been staying with us. He’s psychic as well and has had visions of your father. We believe he’s on his way to Haven to find you and Quinn.”

“Please come in.” Jude shut the door behind Iva and Micah. “Have a seat.”

“Thank you.” Iva and Micah sat on the sofa while Jude sat down in an easy chair. “So,” Jude began, “you both have had visions of my father?”

Iva nodded. “It happened this morning as we were heading into church. I didn’t recognize who he was at first, only that he seemed so familiar. But when the visions came again this afternoon, I saw flashes of you and Quinn and I realized who he was.”

“I saw an older woman in my vision this afternoon…she’s your mother,” Micah said.

“My mother is in a mental hospital in Harmony thanks to my father. He destroyed her. She psychologically blocked both Quinn and I out of our minds. A couple of days ago however, her memories of us resurfaced and she is convinced that Christoph is returning, fulfilling some promise to find Quinn and I and take us away for good.”

Jude looked past Iva and Micah out into space. “Now you two come here and basically confirm it. What am I going to do? I don’t want to see my father ever again. He ruined this family. He turned Quinn against our mother—he wants nothing to do with her. I swear, if he does come back, I’ll kill him.”

“I think we better go Micah. We’ve said enough. This doesn’t concern us anymore.” Iva stood up and looked at Jude. “Please take care of yourself. Despite what I may think of your brother, I’ve always liked you Jude. You’re a good person.”

Jude just nodded. “Goodbye Iva.” He looked at Micah. “It was nice to meet you.”

“Thank you,” Micah replied. He followed Iva to the front door and the two let themselves out. Once they were out of the home Iva glanced at Micah. “There’s a lot you don’t know about Jude and Quinn and it would take weeks to explain it to you.”

Micah smiled weakly at her. “Their father is a vampire and Jude refuses to bring that side out of him.”

Iva’s eyes widened. “You’re really good at this psychic stuff.”

He chuckled. “It doesn’t faze me Iva. My grandmother is a voodoo priestess. I’ve heard tales that my great-grandparents amassed an army of zombies to protect them from racists. Vampires aren’t that shocking.”

********************************

Harmony Hills Mental Hospital, later that evening

Josephine Grant lay still in her bed, clutching a crucifix. She could hear footsteps coming down the hall. They were slow, methodical and deliberate and it scared her. It wasn’t a doctor or a nurse coming to check on her. She knew who was about to pay her a visit.

The door opened and she sat up, holding the crucifix even tighter. A tall figure entered the room. She recognized him immediately. It was Christoph Nightshade.

“I knew you’d come back,” she said, trying to control the shaking in her voice. She held up the crucifix. “Stay away.”

Christoph only smiled as he grabbed the crucifix out of her hand and threw it down on the floor. “You’ve lost your faith Josie,” he told her, smirking. “You know what happens when you lose your faith. You have no power over me.”

“But I did Christoph. I’ve had power over you for years, until recently. I kept Jude and Quinn away from you. I kept them safe. They want nothing to do with you. How does it feel to know your children hate you?” She looked at him with pure disgust.

Christoph inched even closer. “Look at you Josie. You’re old and weak and sick. I offered you eternal life and youth and you refused me. Instead, you tried to destroy me and took my flesh and blood away from me. Now you’re locked up in this nuthouse with no hope of getting out, while I’m free to reclaim my sons. I will turn them into full vampires and the three of us will rule the night.”

Josephine reached for the call button but Christoph laughed. “That won’t do you any good. I hypnotized the staff. They won’t come to your aid.”

Petrified with fear, Josephine could only watch her former flame kneel in front of her and taunt her. He took her hand and squeezed it painfully. She was unable to cry out.

“I could end your miserable life right now Josie, but being stuck here is worse than death.” He opened his mouth to reveal his fangs. Josie closed her eyes, hoping and praying Christoph would go away and this was all a nightmare.

“I’m leaving now my dear. I wish you pleasant dreams,” he said. He then laughed evilly and pressed his lips to hers. Josephine could feel the bile rising in her throat. What did I ever see in this monster? she thought to herself.

Christoph left her room and after a few minutes, she let out a scream that would have woken up all the dead in Maine.

Coming up:

• The Collins family pays Pearl a visit and makes a very surprising request of her.
• Christoph reminisces about his sons while inching ever closer to Haven.
• Duncan awakes from his a coma again.

• Quinn visited Pearl and attempted to make love with her again but she stopped him.
• Pearl admitted her feelings for Quinn are growing but implored him to find someone that could give him the intimacy he desired. He later found that someone—in Bridget Walsh—and the two had sex.
• Damien waffled back and forth between proposing to Pearl.

October 31^st, Halloween morning, 8 am

The Nightshade home

Bridget Walsh stood over Quinn Nightshade, watching him sleep. A wide gleeful grin escaped from her lips. You certainly need your rest, after last night lover. And after I visit Pearl and rub it in her ugly face that we had incredible sex, I’ll come back and we can continue our little love affair.

 She bent down and gently kissed him on the forehead and then left the room, still smiling. After she was out of the house, Quinn began to awaken. He sat up, stretched, and rubbed his eyes. Once his sight had adjusted to the sunlight streaming through the windows, he looked over beside him in the bed. He saw rumpled sheets and everything came flooding back to him, images of his intense lovemaking with Bridget flashing through his mind. A look of horror covered his face.

“My God—what have I done?” he said dreadfully to himself. “I’ve got to get to Pearl and confess everything—before Bridget does and ruins all I’ve worked hard for. I’m not losing Pearl, no matter what.”  He jumped out of bed, ran to the closet and hurriedly got dressed.

The Lawrence Farm

Pearl Tyler sat in a rocking chair on the front porch of the farmhouse, enjoying the mild October morning. Gene, Iva, and Sadie left for church, with Micah Johnson accompanying them. She was alone again, but she didn’t mind it. It would give her time to think about what she was going to do now that she told Quinn to give up pursuing her.

Seconds later, she saw a tan Ford Focus pulling into the driveway. Puzzled, she wondered whose car it was. Maybe the driver was using the driveway to pull in and then turn the other way to go back on the road. But the car stopped. Then, to her shock, she saw Bridget Walsh step out.  So, she knows where I’ve been staying, and now she’s going to come and start another argument. She can rant and rave all she wants, but I’m having none of it, Pearl silently said.

Pearl watched as Bridget briskly walked towards the farmhouse. She continued to sit, but mentally braced herself for another row.

Bridget was now on the porch steps with a smirk on her lips. “Good morning Pearl,” she purred.

“Good morning,” Pearl casually answered, secretly wondering what her rival was up to. “I see you’ve found my temporary home.”

“Yes.” Bridget moved closer. “Not only have I found where you’ve been hiding out since you left Lancaster, I’ve also discovered you’ve attracted an admirer.”

“I know you met Quinn last night. He told me.” Pearl rocked back and forth in her chair. “You didn’t leave much of an impression on him.”

Bridget let out a devious peal of laughter. “Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. I left more than just an impression on Quinn—and he left a lot on me. Or I should really say, in me.” She smirked again.

“Bridget, I really don’t feel like playing these silly games with you. Say what you want to say and then go,” Pearl replied, growing irritated.

Bridget got even closer. She grinned widely. “I did it again Pearl. I’ve stolen yet another man out of your pathetic little grip. I slept with Quinn last night.”

Pearl didn’t believe it. “You’re lying. Quinn told me you came on to him but he refused you.”

“I met him again at this lake down the road, and this time, he didn’t refuse me. I went with him back to his house and we made love all night. It was incredible. So you can forget about ever having a relationship with him because I’ve made sure he’s forgotten all about you.” Bridget grinned again.

Pearl was unmoved, which surprised Bridget. “Quinn is a man that craves intimacy and companionship. He’s been lonely for a long time. Of course he would ultimately give into someone who throws herself at him like some hard-up nymphomaniac.”

“You’re just jealous because I gave him what you couldn’t,” Bridget haughtily retorted. “Look at you! You’re knocked up, fat and hideous. Why would he turn down a young, fit woman to stay with someone like you?”

“Typical childish response, insult my appearance. When are you going to grow up and stop acting like you’re in junior high?” Pearl calmly shot back. “For your information, I asked Quinn to find someone else. I told him I couldn’t be intimate with him. I didn’t think he would move on so fast, but he did. It doesn’t concern me in the slightest.” A knowing look spread across her face. “If you’re looking for me to break down into hysterics, I have to say you’re not going to get what you want. Enjoy your fling with Quinn. I’m only going to be here for a few more months anyway until my daughter is born.”

“It’s not going to be just a fling this time. I’m playing for keeps and I’m going to win,” Bridget challenged.

“And it only took you a few hours of slap and tickle to decide you’re going to try and turn a one-night-stand into a full-blown relationship. Good luck Bridget, you’re going to need it,” Pearl remarked matter-of-factly. I wonder if Quinn even told her he was part vampire. That may change things a bit, she amusingly said to herself.

“I won’t need luck. All I need is this body.” Bridget waved her hand up and down in front of herself proudly. “That’s all Quinn needs too. I still can’t believe he thought he was in love with you. He’s way too good-looking for a disgusting hag like you.”

“Okay, that’s enough. I won’t have you talk to Pearl like that,” a male voice barked from behind Bridget, who suddenly turned around to see Quinn standing there, hands on his hips, eyes narrowed with anger.

“Hi lover,” Bridget cooed, going over to stand next to him. “Miss me already?”

Quinn pulled away from her like he’d been burned. “Get away from me. I want nothing to do with you,” he spat in revulsion.”

Bigelow Community Church

Iva Lawrence was following her husband and niece from the parking lot into the church when the icy jolt hit her. She stopped dead in her tracks. Micah Johnson, who was behind Iva, also felt a sensation, but his was warm. Then the visions entered their minds. Iva saw a handsome, tall middle-aged man with dark blond hair, dressed all in black, with a smug look on his face. Although she had never seen him, there was something familiar about him. Very familiar….

Micah’s vision showed the same man, but instead of a smug expression he had a sorrowful one. Micah could sense danger within him however. He was someone you wouldn’t want to cross…

As quickly as the visions began, they stopped. Iva and Micah returned to normal and both turned to look at each other. Gene and Sadie also turned to see what was going on.

“Everything okay you two?” Sadie asked with concern. She went to Micah and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, while Gene attended to Iva.

“I think we each had a joint vision,” Iva explained, her voice a little shaky. “I saw a man, looking very pompous. He was dressed all in black, with short dark blond hair.”

“I saw the same man, only he didn’t look pompous, but sad,” Micah added.

“He looked so familiar though, even though I’m sure I’ve never seen him before in my life,” Iva said.

“He’s a complete stranger to me as well. But he must have some connection to us, or maybe Haven?” Micah wondered aloud.

“I don’t know, but we’ll talk about it later. Let’s get into church before the service starts,” Gene told everyone. As they headed for the entrance, the vision of the man was quickly forgotten. What Iva and Micah didn’t know however, was the man they both saw was none other than Christoph Nightshade…

The Lawrence Farm

Bridget was in shock at Quinn’s reaction to her. “Get away from you? You don’t mean that.”

Quinn glared icily at her. “You just couldn’t wait to come over here and gloat could you?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t? You and Pearl are history. She needs to know that,” Bridget replied, feeling hurt by Quinn’s harshness.

“Pearl and I are not history. We never were.” Quinn looked at Pearl tenderly. “She knows I love her more than anything in this world and she knows you were just a temporary distraction. What we had last night was nothing.”

Pearl stood up, starting to feel like a third wheel. “I think I’m going to go inside while you two hash this out.”

Quinn grabbed her arm. “No Pearl, I want you to stay and hear what I have to say.”

She shook her head. “This is none of my business. This is between you and Bridget and you two need to sort it out.”

Quinn gazed pleadingly at Pearl. “I want you to stay. This concerns you in a very big way. I want you to hear what I have to say. Please sweetheart.”

Pearl was uncomfortable but stood where she was. She watched as Quinn turned his attention back to Bridget. She couldn’t help but notice the look of steel on his face.

“You coming here to throw our one night-stand in Pearl’s face is about to backfire on you little girl. If you think what happened between us last night is going to turn into something more, you’re dead wrong. I love Pearl. She is the only woman for me.” Quinn walked behind Pearl and placed both hands on her shoulders. It was a warning. Back off.

Bridget ignored the warning. “You’re just doing this for show baby. You loved every minute of last night and you don’t want to admit to Pearl that she’s nothing to you now, and that I am. We’re good together. We were good together last night and we can continue to be good from now on. She held her arms out like she was making a sale. “Look at me Quinn. You couldn’t resist me. You grabbed me and kissed me and told me how much you wanted to make love to me. Don’t be daft lover. There’s no need to come back to that,” she said, pointing deridingly at Pearl.

Quinn tore from Pearl’s side and charged Bridget. Sheer fury covered his face and just for a moment, Pearl grew frightened. She had seen that look before, during their first encounter in the stable when Damien Collins had tried to rescue her from him. She had forgotten how dangerous and unstable he could get when someone tried to cross him.

“I’m warning you, you whorish piece of trash, don’t you ever talk about Pearl like that again or you will live to regret it,” Quinn threatened, his voice calm but chilling. “You make me sick to my stomach. I regret ever sleeping with you in the first place. It was nothing. You are nothing. Now get lost. I never want to see you ever again.” He stared her down with extreme ferociousness.

Bridget was shaken to the core. It was like Duncan Tyler all over again. The dismissive tone of voice, the hateful words, the threats—the declarations of love towards Pearl. Her sorrow rapidly turned to ire.

“I’m not going to have you treat me like this Quinn!  I’m not some toy you use for your own pleasure and toss away when you no longer want it. You’re not going to ignore me that easily, bet on it!”

She then shot a murderous glance at Pearl. “This is all your fault Pearl and I promise you’ll get what’s coming to you when you least expect it! Don’t expect to sleep easy.”  With those ominous last words, she turned around sharply and left, stalking away to her car. Pearl and Quinn watched her tear out of the driveway. Once she was gone, Quinn gently pulled Pearl to face him.

“Christ, I’m so sorry Pearl. Please forgive me.”

“For what Quinn? You did nothing wrong.”

He was in disbelief at her attitude. “Nothing wrong? I slept with Bridget, your sworn enemy, the woman that broke up your marriage, and you’re not angry? I betrayed you.”

Pearl shook her head. “Why should I be angry? I told you to seek someone else and you did, even though it was Bridget. There’s nothing to betray. We’re not really together.” She smiled wanly at him. “In fact, it was probably exactly what you needed.”

Quinn was incredulous. “You can’t be serious.”

“Yes I am.” She gazed at him intently. You know what all of this has done to you? It’s made you human. I like that side of you. It’s a side that needs to be brought out more often.”

Quinn responded by putting his arms around her and planting a loving kiss on her lips. “I love you so much Pearl. But I wish you would yell at me, slap me—anything to make me feel better about what I’ve done.”

“I’m not going to do that, although you do realize you’re the second man now that’s claimed to love me and slept with Bridget?” She looked at him pointedly.

Quinn’s face fell and Pearl laughed softly. “Come on, let’s go inside. I bet you haven’t eaten yet. I’ll fix you breakfast.” She tugged at his arm and led him inside the house.

*******************************

Bridget sat on her bed, seething with rage. She was sick and tired of being treated like garbage and she was going to do something about it.

If only she could get Quinn away from Pearl for good, she knew he would change his mind about her and they would have more passionate nights together.

Bridget stood up with a determined look on her face. She walked over to the mirror that hung on the wall above a small table by the television set. An evil smile played on her pouty lips as she admired her reflection.

“Oh Pearl, you have no idea what’s going to hit you,” she murmured in a creepy sing-song voice.

Willa’s Family Restaurant

The place was steady with customers getting Sunday breakfast. Iva, Gene Sadie and Micah were occupying a booth in the back of the restaurant. They were awaiting their meals and talking about the visions that Iva and Micah had experienced earlier that morning.

“I still can’t get over how familiar he looked to me,” Iva said. “It’s really weird.”

“Whoever this man is, he’s close by. He has business in your town,” Micah predicted. “Something—or someone—is pulling him towards Haven.”

Little did they all know Micah’s words would soon ring true…

Pearl and Quinn were sitting on the porch swing. While Pearl was looking out at the empty road, Quinn was looking at Pearl. She had one hand on her stomach and was affectionately rubbing it. He thought she looked exceptionally beautiful in her lilac robe and bare feet.

A mild breeze swept through, gently ruffling Pearl’s long red hair. A few strands covered her face. Quinn removed them and began to stroke her cheek. She turned towards him and he leaned in and kissed her. Once he was finished, he placed her hand over hers on her stomach.  “I wish we could stay this way forever,” he said blissfully. Then his face turned serious. “I can wait for you Pearl. Don’t ever doubt that. I’m not going to let my little moment of weakness destroy us.”

The two continued to sit with not a care in the world, unaware that at the same time, a woman scorned was plotting against them.

Coming up:

• Iva and Micah have more visions of Christoph and they discover who he is and that he’s on his way to Haven; they head to the Nightshade home to tell Jude, who already knows.
• Christoph pays Josephine a terrifying visit and says he is back to reunite with his sons.
•  Bridget plans a deadly night for Pearl.
•  Pearl agrees to an outing with Quinn.
•  Damien fears he is losing Pearl to Quinn.

• Bridget met Quinn and when she learned about he and Pearl, the two got into a heated argument.
• Duncan awoke but quickly lapsed back into his coma.
• Josephine told Jude she believed Christoph is returning despite her son’s assurances he wasn’t.

The Nightshade Home

Six-thirty in the evening

Quinn Nightshade stood in front of his bedroom mirror, buttoning his light blue long-sleeved shirt and tucking it into his blue jeans.  He had come home, quickly put the groceries up and changed clothes. He was going to see Pearl Tyler and he wanted to look good for her. His brother Jude had left a message on his cell phone saying he was going to spend the night at the mental hospital with their mother, so he could be free to spend the evening with her.

He grabbed a comb and ran it through his short brown hair. As he smoothed down his sideburns, he flashed back to his argument with Bridget Walsh. He couldn’t believe she had the nerve to come to Haven and go after Pearl. What a pathetic, childish sorry excuse for a woman, he thought acidly to himself. No wonder Duncan Tyler dumped her and tried to get back with Pearl. She was sexy though. If Pearl wasn’t in the picture, I would have made her my next conquest, but I would have to be extremely desperate, and thanks to Pearl, I’m not. She’s a terrific woman and I’m not going to lose her, no matter what.

He finished fixing his hair and set the comb back down on the dresser. He smiled at himself in the mirror, satisfied with his appearance. He quickly walked out of the room, turning off the light, eagerly anticipating his upcoming time with Pearl.

The Lawrence Farm, Pearl’s bedroom, five minutes later

Pearl sat at her vanity table, brushing her long red hair. She had taken a quick shower after dinner and was awaiting Quinn Nightshade’s arrival.

Her body was tingly from head to toe and despite trying to fight off the tingles, she couldn’t. Quinn was beginning to grow on her. She looked down at her swollen stomach and patted it. “Your mother is acting and feeling like a giddy teenager all over again and I really need to quit. I have to be rational. You’re going to be coming in three months and I can’t be constantly making out with Quinn like some randy high-school student. It just doesn’t look right with you poking out of my tummy.”

She chuckled and glanced towards the main window, which she had left open. “He’s probably going to be entering through that window any moment now. I’ll try and be as calm as I can, but sometimes it can be very hard. When you get older, you’ll know what I’m talking about,” she told her unborn daughter. “I haven’t had a lot of experience with romance. One serious boyfriend my senior year of high school, another while going to community college…and then the one that became my husband and your father. But Quinn is extremely different. Not only is he part vampire, which I still can’t wrap my head around, he’s the most passionate and dramatic man I’ve ever met. It’s like I’m in some over-the-top romance novel.”

The baby kicked softly and Pearl chuckled again. “Well, you can definitely hear me so I  don’t have to worry about your ears.”

Suddenly there was a knock at the window. Pearl stood up, smoothed down her lilac colored silk night gown, and started towards it when she saw Quinn climb through. The tingles returned, traveling through her body like a fast-moving stream.

He saw her and he developed tingles of his own. He couldn’t say anything. He just gazed at her, falling even more in love.

“Good evening Quinn. It’s good to see you,” Pearl said, trying to stay nonchalant.

Quinn’s response was anything but. He rushed to her and threw his arms around her, holding her tightly. “I love you so much Pearl,” he whispered. Before Pearl could reply, he covered her mouth with his in a torrid kiss.

The Collins Home

Astrid Collins found her brother Damien in the kitchen, sitting at the table. He was holding the diamond ring he bought for Pearl and staring at it intensely.

“Damien, put that ring away and come into the living room with me. They’re showing An American Werewolf in London on the telly.”

“I’ve seen that movie about sixty times,” Damien dismissively said.

“So you’d rather just sit here alone and stare at that ring?” Astrid mocked.

“No, what I need to do is go see Pearl and slip this ring on her finger before Quinn really gets his hooks into her,” he told her with a pointed look.

“Then why haven’t you done it?” Astrid asked, joining him at the table. “Are you afraid she’ll freak out and say no? I mean, you haven’t known her that long and I wouldn’t say you even have a real actual relationship with her. Most people don’t get engaged after almost two weeks of meeting.”

“I’m not most people,” Damien gently argued.

“You can say that again,” Astrid teased.

Damien sighed. “I’m just trying to figure out the right way to propose. I can’t just go to her and say, Pearl, please marry me. I would come off as really desperate.”

Astrid laughed. “You are desperate. Don’t deny it.”

“Gee, thanks for your support sis,” Damien said, but with a smile on his face. “Seriously, I have to plan this proposal. I want this to be really special. It’s not just for her but for her baby girl. That’s two lives I would be responsible for.”

“I can see you as a daddy, giving piggyback rides, playing on the floor, letting her brush your fur during full moons…” Astrid started to laugh again.

Damien shook his head. “You’re a regular comedian, you know that sis?” He stood up, walked over to Astrid and playfully yanked her out of her chair. “Come on. Let’s watch that movie for the sixty-first time.”

The Lawrence Farm

Pearl broke away from Quinn’s embrace, ending his powerful and passionate kisses. “That was one hell of a greeting.” She took a deep breath and looked at him. “I still can’t believe this is happening. I’ve never met a man like you.”

Quinn reached for her again, a dreamy gaze on his handsome face. He gently took her right hand and softly kissed her knuckles. “Tonight is going to be our night my dear…just you and me.”

A chilly breeze blew into the room. Pearl again broke away from Quinn and headed to the window to close the open panes. She thought about what Quinn just said and she started to feel a little apprehensive. She knew he wanted to make love. She told him no the other day, but could she tell him no tonight?

Quinn placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage them. He pressed his face against her cheek, nuzzling her skin. “What are you thinking about sweetheart?” he asked.

“You,” Pearl answered quietly, without mentioning her uncertainty at what might happen between them.

Quinn turned her around and he smiled at her. “Good. You’re all I’m thinking about right now too.” He looked down at the floor and then back at Pearl. “There is something I have to tell you. I ran into Bridget Walsh earlier this evening.”

Some of the color drained from Pearl’s face. “Oh no. What happened?”

“She made advances to me while I was putting my groceries away, of all times. I told her to find another man because I wasn’t interested.” He looked away again before continuing. “I mentioned your name and that I was in love with you, which made her angry.”

“She threatened to come after me, didn’t she?” Pearl wanted to know.

Quinn nodded. “I told her if she did she would have to answer to me. Oh Pearl, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. She’s the one playing silly childish games. Whatever happens, you aren’t responsible.” Pearl glanced down at Quinn’s chest. “I should have expected it really.”

“Let’s not talk about Bridget anymore.” He touched her chin and brought her face back up to meet his. “The only thing I want to do tonight is love you.” He wrapped his arms around her and before she knew it, he scooped her up, carrying her towards the bed  …

The Little Harmony Inn

Bridget Walsh stood in front of the bathroom mirror in her motel room, brushing her blonde hair. She had taken a shower and changed into a low-cut yellow short-sleeved cotton dress which hugged her petite curves. She was replaying the encounter between her and the man she met in the grocery store parking lot. She couldn’t believe he was involved with Pearl. He was fashionable. He was sexy in a very unusual way. He drove a Corvette. This was a man that was tailor made for her. Why did he want to be with Pearl, of all women?

And despite their harsh words to each other, Bridget had felt sparks. It was the same feeling she got the first time she met Duncan. And with Duncan unavailable now, perhaps this intriguing stranger could give her what he couldn’t.

She smirked at her reflection. “I’m going to find out who this man is—and I’m going to make sure he forgets all about Pearl. I stole one man away from that hag…I know I can do it again.”

With a final flounce of her hair, she slinked out of the bathroom, put on her purple leather jacket, grabbed her car keys, and was on her way to Haven.

Pearl was sitting on her bed, staring up at Quinn, who stood above her with a look on his face that could only be described as pure lust. Her stomach began to flutter, as if it was filled with a million butterflies. You can’t do this, she told herself. You have to stay rational. Her head was telling her no, but her heart was crying out yes.

Quinn slowly and deliberately removed his black leather jacket, letting it fall to the floor. He then unbuttoned his shirt the same way. He took it off and it joined the jacket. He bent down. His face was mere inches from Pearl’s.

“This is going to be a night neither one of us will ever forget,” he said to her huskily. He kissed her hungrily, taking her into his arms. His mouth moved from hers down to her neck and he pulled down the straps of her nightgown. His right hand traveled down to her left thigh and she could feel the silky material of her gown rise up. His touch was warm and sensual. But before he could reach any higher, she felt the baby kick hard. With a little gasp, she pushed his hand away. “No,” she said with a trembling voice.

Quinn stopped and shook his head vehemently. “Don’t stop this Pearl. Not now. I love you. I need you.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t let this continue. The baby kicked.” She was on the verge of tears.

“Pearl please—“ Quinn began before she cut him off.

“No, we can’t do this Quinn. Don’t you see? I’m so confused.” Pearl looked down at her stomach. “This is all happening so fast. I can’t think straight anymore.”

“You don’t have to be confused. You just have to know that I love you and I want to be with you.” Quinn leaned in to kiss her but she turned away.

“You want to be with me physically. I can’t give you what you want Quinn. I think you need to find someone else.” Pearl gave him a pleading, sad gaze. “I’m not the woman for you.”

“I don’t want anyone else. I want you,” Quinn replied. He pulled off her the bed and into an embrace. “I’ll wait for you.”

“You won’t last that long Quinn. You’re a man that needs intimacy. I won’t be angry if you get that from another woman.” Pearl locked her eyes with his. “You are part human Quinn. You try and suppress that side of you but you can’t. It’s not natural and you’re only going to end up hurting yourself.”

“What’s going to hurt me is not being with you,” Quinn argued. “After Megan died, I didn’t think I could find anyone else. But now I have and I’m not giving you up. We don’t have to make love tonight. I’ll stay here and hold you until dawn.”

This time Pearl shook her head. “You can’t deny the fact that you want to make love. That’s what you came here for. You didn’t come to just cuddle. You’ve wanted this since the first time you saw me in the stable. Admit it.”

Quinn sighed and let go of Pearl. “You’re right. But I can still wait.”

Pearl shook her head again. “Don’t wait for me Quinn. You deserve to be happy. You aren’t going to be happy waiting for me to figure things out.” She returned to the bed and sat down. “I don’t love you Quinn but I do care about you very much. My feelings for you have gotten stronger. I enjoy your company. I just can’t give you the kind of company you’re looking for. Now, if you truly love me, you will leave me and find someone else. Please Quinn…do this for me. I want you to.”

Quinn stood there speechless for a bit, trying to let Pearl’s words sink in. She admitted she wanted to be with him, and yet she wanted him to cheat on her to prove his love.

Finally, he spoke. “You told me you’ve never met a man like me…well, I’ve never met a woman like you. You’re extremely special, you know that?”

He knelt down in front of her. “I’ll leave you now Pearl. But don’t think this breakup of ours is going to last. I love you and we will be together someday. Just you wait.” He moved forward and gave her a long, deep, soft kiss. “You’re not going to get rid of me that easily.”

He went to retrieve his jacket and shirt. Pearl watched him dress. He turned to her and blew her a kiss. “Don’t forget about me.”

“You know I won’t,” Pearl answered, her voice almost a whisper. “Goodbye Quinn.”

Quinn went to the window and unopened it. He let the cool autumn breeze envelop his body for a moment. Then he turned around and looked longingly at Pearl. She stood up, wrapping her arms around her shoulders, wondering what he was going to do. Would he come back to her and plead with her to change her mind? Part of her wanted him to do that.

He didn’t. He blew her another kiss. “I love you,” he said. Then he was out the window and gone into the night. Pearl closed the window and leaned against it, her heart feeling like it weighed a ton. She rubbed her stomach with her left hand and sighed. “Why can’t life be easy? Why does it have to be so painful?”

Haven Lake, an hour later

Quinn stood on the edge of the lake, peering into the water blackened by the night sky, but all he could see was Pearl. He missed her and he wanted so badly to return to her.

He picked up a white stone that lay next to his foot. He tossed it into the water and watched it disappear into the bottom of the lake.

A few moments passed. He was so deep into his thoughts of Pearl he didn’t see or hear the tan Ford Focus pull onto the grass next to his Corvette. Bridget Walsh got out of her car and headed straight for Quinn.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she said.

Quinn whirled around. He saw Bridget and narrowed his eyes. “What the hell are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” she told him. “After we met in the parking lot, I’ve been feeling this electricity all night. I had to find you.”

She moved closer towards him. “You shouldn’t be here alone in this place. What happened? Did Pearl get cold feet?” She chuckled.

“What happens between Pearl and I is none of your business. I suggest you go back to wherever you came from and give up your immature plans to hurt Pearl. She’s done nothing to you.”

“Pearl can’t give you what you need—or what you want. I can,” Bridget insisted. She reached up with her left hand and stroked Quinn’s sideburns seductively. Before he knew it, she was kissing him.

Quinn immediately pushed her away and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket. “Don’t touch me. Leave me alone.”

Bridget was unmoved. “I can make you feel good. But first, I’d like to know your name, since you know mine. Tell me.” She rubbed the sleeve of his jacket with her index finger.

“No,” Quinn replied, but his voice was weak and trembling.

Bridget kissed him again. “That’s okay, you don’t have to tell me right now. We can make love first.”

“You’re insane,” Quinn retorted, trying to stay firm. “This is all part of your sick little game. Go away.” But he could hear Pearl’s voice echoing in his brain.  Don’t wait for me Quinn. You deserve to be happy. You aren’t going to be happy waiting for me to figure things out.

He shut his eyes. No Quinn. Stay strong, he said to himself. Don’t give in, especially to this witch who wants to hurt the very one you love.

 Pearl’s voice continued to play in his head.  I don’t love you Quinn but I do care about you very much. My feelings for you have gotten stronger. I enjoy your company. I just can’t give you the kind of company you’re looking for. Now, if you truly love me, you will leave me and find someone else. Please Quinn…do this for me. I want you to…

He opened his eyes back up. Bridget was still standing there, but she had unzipped her jacket to reveal her low-cut dress which showed off her cleavage. He couldn’t help but stare.

“I know you like what you see. You want to touch me, don’t you? You want to make love with me, because Pearl won’t.” She smiled seductively. “Pearl doesn’t love you. She hasn’t been here that long to love you. And I don’t need love. I’m perfectly happy with just sex.  No strings attached.” She pulled the front of her dress down even lower. “What do you say, handsome stranger?”

Quinn didn’t reply. He pushed past her and walked to his car, his entire body quivering with a combination of disgust and arousal. He put his hand on the car door and once again, Pearl’s voice spoke to him. You’re a man that needs intimacy. I won’t be angry if you get that from another woman. You are part human Quinn. You try and suppress that side of you but you can’t. It’s not natural and you’re only going to end up hurting yourself…

Bridget was now by his side. Quinn glanced at her. The wind was blowing her blonde hair around, forming a golden halo around her face. The tops of her breasts were sneaking out of her dress, teasing him, enticing him. And he could stand it no longer. He grabbed Bridget roughly and pushed her against the car door, kissing her mouth forcefully. She responded just as forcefully in turn, locking her arms around his back. He stopped the kiss to catch his breath.

“My name is Quinn,” he told her, still breathing heavily.

Bridget ran her hands up and down his chest. “Well Quinn, I think it’s time you took me to your place, isn’t it?”

Later that night

Josephine Grant watched her son Jude, asleep in a cot next to her bed, like a mama hawk watching her offspring. Now that she remembered her son, there was no way in hell she was going to allow Christoph to come back and sink his claws into him. He may not believe he was returning, but deep down she knew it. It was almost like a sixth sense. She made him leave once, and she knew she could do it again—even if it meant ending his life for good.

***************************

Quinn Nightshade was furiously making love to Bridget Walsh. For him, it was a release of pent-up emotions that had been raging inside him for weeks. She was beautiful, warm, soft and willing to please him. And maybe now that she was getting want she craved, she would leave Pearl alone and he could go back to her.

For Bridget, this tryst was the ultimate revenge. She had managed to lure a second man away from Pearl and into bed with her. Once Pearl learned she had slept with yet another man that claimed to love her, she would crumble, and Bridget would be there to witness her downfall. But as she continued to have sex with Quinn, the electricity she felt after their first encounter grew even more and more within her. She didn’t want this to end. She wanted to keep him. This is someone I think I could be with for a long time, she thought as she wrapped her arms around him even tighter. I don’t want this to stop.

 For the rest of this calm and still October night, it didn’t.

 Coming up:

• A gleeful and boastful Bridget arrives at the Lawrence Farm to tell Pearl about her lovemaking with Quinn.
• Quinn goes to Pearl to confess sleeping with Bridget but is angry to learn she already has. He dismisses her and their night together; she vows to get even.
• Quinn is upset that Pearl is not disturbed over his tryst with Bridget and she tells him it was probably what he needed.
• Iva and Micah have unsettling visions of a man who turns out to be Christoph Nightshade.

Jude Nightshade was in the room of his mother, Josephine Grant. He decided at the last minute to have dinner with her and stopped at the local diner to get a meal and something to drink to go. As he was eating a cheese steak sub, his mother was munching on a tuna fish sandwich. He noticed the apprehensive look on her face.

“Mother, you’re not still worrying that Father is coming back, are you? We don’t even know where he is.” He reached out and patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“We don’t have to know where he is. He knows where we are,” Josephine replied with a shake in her voice. “And I know he’s returning. It’s been too long.”

Jude put down his sub and gazed intently at her. “But why, after all these years, would he come back?”

She chuckled sarcastically. “Because he’s spiteful and vindictive, and he bores easily. He was never one for staying in the same place for too long.” She took another bite of her sandwich then continued. “I was surprised we were together for all those years.”

Jude looked down at his lap, a forlorn grimace on his lips. “He really did love you Mother. You sparked something in him that made him want to settle down.” He glanced back up at her. “You tamed him, at least for a while.”

“He’s not tame anymore. He was furious when I forced him out of the house and told him not to ever contact me or you or Quinn again…” Her voice trailed off in sadness as she mentioned Quinn’s name. “I know he hates me for making Christoph leave. He’s so much like his father.”

Jude moved closer to her. “Mother, there’s something I should tell you, about Quinn.”

“Oh?” Josephine’s eyebrows arched in curiosity.

“It seems my brother has found his own version of you,” Jude softly answered. “He’s fallen madly in love with a woman and he talks about her all the time. Her name is Pearl.”

“Does this woman love him?” Josephine wanted to know. “Does she know what he is?”

“She knows he’s part vampire. It doesn’t seem to faze her. But she’s not in love with him like Quinn is with her. I think she really cares about him but doesn’t want to rush things until her baby is born.”

Josephine’s eyes widened in shock. “Baby? You mean she’s pregnant by him?”

Jude quickly shook his head. “It’s not Quinn’s Mother. He met her after she got pregnant. She’s divorced. She ended up in Haven after getting into a traumatic car accident. She’s on doctor’s orders not to leave until she gives birth.”

“Oh my word,” Josephine quietly exclaimed. “Does she know about Christoph?”

“I think so,” Jude responded. “She and Quinn have spent lots of time together so I’m certain he’s told her about Father.”

Josephine’s face turned grim and serious. She looked Jude deep in the eye. “If she—Pearl—knows about Christoph she needs to realize what she’s getting into, if she decides to get involved with Quinn.”

Now it was Jude’s turn to chuckle. “I think Pearl’s been in Haven long enough to realize anything can happen.”

The Lawrence Farm, Pearl Tyler’s bedroom

“So Jude made you do the grocery shopping huh?” Pearl remarked with a wide smile on her face as she talked with Quinn Nightshade on her cell phone. “I think that’s sweet.”

“Jude usually does it but he decided to take a spontaneous trip to see our Mother so I had to do it,” Quinn explained. He left me a note, which is a good thing, because I wouldn’t know what in the hell to get.”

Pearl laughed. “I think this domestic side of you is quite nice.”

“Oh you think so, huh? Well, after I finish this little errand I’m going to come over and show you how domestic I can be,” Quinn said seductively.

“I think you better add a cold shower to that list of yours,” Pearl teased. “Besides, I’m exhausted. I had a very long day dealing with my horrible ex-in-laws and unfortunately I also ran into that little tramp, Bridget Walsh, whom I told you about. Did you know she’s coming to Haven?”

“You mean your ex-husband’s mistress is here?” Quinn replied incredulously.

“She’s up to something Quinn. She blames me for Duncan ending their affair. I don’t know what she’s got planned but it can’t be good.”

“Don’t worry sweetheart, I won’t let that little wench hurt you, or she’ll end up being my next meal.” Quinn let out a demonic little laugh.

“Quinn, I wouldn’t go so far as murder, but I appreciate the sentiment. No, I think she’s going to end up screwing herself over, like she always does,” Pearl confidently commented. “Look, I better let you get this shopping done. It’s suppertime and I’m starving. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“I’ll come by later tonight, through the basement window. I love you Pearl,” Quinn told her.

“Goodbye Quinn. I’ll see you later.” Pearl clicked off the cell and put it on the nightstand. She sat up on the bed, stretched, and stood up. “Come on little one,” she told her unborn baby lovingly. “Let’s get some supper.”

Shop & Go in Harmony, a few minutes later

The sounds of “Witchy Woman” by The Eagles wafted from the speakers as Quinn Nightshade pushed his shopping cart down the empty meat aisle. He looked at the list his brother Jude wrote out. A rump roast was on it. He instantly knew Jude was planning to make roast beef sandwiches.

Thank God Jude is the cook in the family or otherwise we’d be living off takeout the rest of our lives, Quinn thought to himself. He hated to cook and he was grateful his brother inherited their mother’s domestic abilities. Even though he didn’t think much of her, she had been a wonderful cook.

Quinn located the rump roast and placed it in the shopping cart. Luckily the list wasn’t that long. He was eager to finish up this shopping trip, drop off the groceries and go visit Pearl. She was in a good mood and he wanted to take advantage of it.

**********************************

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Doctor Gail Warren stood over Duncan Tyler. His eyes were closed but he was moving around in his bed like a wiggling worm. Next to the doctor was the nurse who discovered him coming out of his coma.

“Mr. Tyler, can you hear me?” Doctor Warren asked him. “This is Doctor Warren.”

He opened his lips but all that escaped was a slight groan.

“Mr. Tyler,” Dr. Warren said again, this time more firmly. “Can you hear me?”

This time, he snapped open his eyes.  He moved his head in the direction of Dr. Warren’s voice. Both she and the nurse looked at him in anticipation.

“I—I—“ Duncan closed his eyes and gulped loudly. “Hurts—hurts—to—talk…”

“I’ll get some water,” the nurse said. She quickly left the room.

Doctor Warren kneeled down next to Duncan. “I’ve contacted your mother and father. They should be here shortly. I think they, as well as myself and the other staff here, are anxious for you to see if you can recall who attacked you.”

Duncan opened and closed his eyes again. “Blur,” he half-croaked.

Doctor Warren shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

The nurse returned with the water. Doctor Warren took it from her. “Sarah, could you raise Mr. Tyler’s bed so he can drink this water?”

“Yes Doctor.” Sarah went to the other side of his bed and pulled the lever which raised his head. Once he was sitting up, Doctor Warren put the Styrofoam cup to his lips. Duncan nearly finished the entire cup before speaking again.

“It’s all a blur,” he told the two women, his voice still hoarse but not as raspy. “I can’t see who hurt me.”

“It’s okay Mr. Tyler. Perhaps in time the memories will return. You’ve suffered some nasty blows but luckily they weren’t severe enough to cause permanent brain damage,” Doctor Warren explained.”

“My head aches so badly,” Duncan said, shutting his eyes. “I need to rest.”

“Yes, rest will be the best thing for you. Sarah will bring you something for pain. I’ll be back in later to check on you,” Doctor Warren told him in a soothing tone.

“I’ll get some Percoset for you,” Sarah said. “Just relax.” With a nod to both Duncan and the doctor, she again left the room.

Quinn was loading groceries into the trunk of his Corvette. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after five-thirty. He had plenty of time to visit with Pearl. He couldn’t wait to take her into his arms and cover her with kisses.

Suddenly a scene popped into his head. He and his father were taking a walk in their backyard. It was a year before his mother had forced him out of the home and moved he and Jude to Haven. He was thirteen. He could remember him talking about his love for their mother and how when he first met her he knew she was the one for him and he had to have her. There were quite a few women before I met your mother, but there was something about Josie. She sparked feelings in me I hadn’t felt in years. I thought after seeing her that I might be able to live a normal life…

Quinn was still lost in his reverie when a sultry female voice piped up. “You must be having one hell of a daydream. Do you think I could be part of it?”

“Huh?” Quinn snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head towards the voice. He noticed a petite blonde standing next to him, wearing dark blue and tight skinny jeans tucked inside knee-high black boots. She wore a purple leather cropped jacket and matching scarf. Her hair was blowing in the autumn breeze. She had a flirtatious smile on her pretty face. Any other time he would have pounced on her but he wasn’t interested. Like his father Christoph, he already had his Josephine—and that was Pearl.

She slinked closer to him. “I said, I’d like to be part of that daydream you were having. It seemed pretty intense.”

Quinn looked at her with amusement. “Aren’t you a little desperate, trying to come on to someone in the parking lot of a grocery store?”

“And don’t you think you’re being more than a little rude? I thought Maine was supposed to be a friendly place.” She glared at him with cold brown eyes.

Quinn glared back. “If you’re looking for a shag you’ve met the wrong man. I happen to be madly in love with a sweet and wonderful woman. Go look somewhere else.” He put the last of his groceries in the trunk and slammed it shut. As he walked to the driver side door, she moved quick and leaned up against it, blocking his path.

“I happen to be very good at leading men away from women they’re madly in love with.” She inched closer to him and smiled cattily. “I’m very hard to resist.”

“I think it’s pathetic that you feel proud of wrecking relationships,” Quinn retorted. “Now get off my car. I’m going to visit Pearl.”

At the mention of Pearl’s name, Bridget Walsh gasped. “Oh my God I can’t believe it! You’re in love with that old cow?”

Quinn crossed his arms and glared at her again, his brown eyes forming into tiny slits. “Well, well, well, looks like I’ve met the infamous Bridget Walsh. Pearl has told me a lot about you. Of course, none of it was good, considering you broke up her marriage.” He then chuckled sarcastically. “I should thank you. If it wasn’t for you, Pearl would have never wound up here and I would have never met her.”

“This is crazy. Pearl’s only been out of Lancaster for a little over a week and she already has found someone else? She’s pregnant for Christ sakes! I can’t believe a middle-aged bag with a bun in the oven has managed to land a hot guy like you.” Bridget was flabbergasted.

“Don’t you dare talk about her like that. She is gorgeous, gentle, kind and loving. Qualities you will never have, because apparently you’re too obsessed with opening your legs up to married men,” Quinn angrily replied.

“You bastard,” Bridget furiously spat. “Don’t you ever talk to me like that again.”

Quinn’s eyes bored into hers like a grinding drill. “I’m warning you Ms. Walsh. Leave Pearl alone, or you will live to regret it. You have no idea what I can do. I can make your life a living hell.”

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Nurse Sarah Callahan briskly headed for Duncan Tyler’s room, holding a tiny plastic cup with a round white pill lying inside it. Another emergency had left her putting getting his pain medicine on hold. She couldn’t believe he had come out of his coma. His parents would be thrilled, not to mention the police.

The pretty, heavyset nurse entered the room—and nearly dropped the pill cup when she saw Duncan. He was half-in, half-out of his bed and he appeared to be unconscious. She thrust the cup into her scrub pocket and rapidly placed him back in his bed. “Mr. Tyler,” Sarah said, trying to waken him. “Mr. Tyler, wake up.” But it was no use. He apparently had fallen back into his coma. She left the room as quickly as she came in. She had to alert Doctor Warren, and she wondered if he would ever wake up again.

Coming up next:

• Quinn visits Pearl and again attempts to make love with her but she turns him down even though she admits her feelings for him are growing.
• Damien waffles back and forth between proposing to Pearl.
• Bridget meets Quinn a second time and on this encounter, a different set of sparks fly…

Previously:

• Pearl confronted Bridget at the hospital and the two traded insults.
• Bridget accused Pearl of ruining her life.
• Pearl angrily informed her ex-in-laws they will not be allowed to see their granddaughter after she is born.
• Bridget secretly vowed to get revenge on Pearl.
• Quinn told Jude Damien is planning to ask Pearl to marry him;  Jude told Quinn he asked Megan to leave him alone.

Mitch’s Motors, Bigelow, Maine, late afternoon

“Damien, this one is a real beauty. You and Caleb sure did a great job fixing this one up,” Mitch Callahan, owner of Mitch’s Motors said enthusiastically to Damien Collins. The two were looking at a fire-engine red 1984 Pontiac Trans-Am that Damien had taken to his friend to sell.

Damien nodded. “Yeah, she’s amazing. It was sitting there in the back of our garage, waiting to be restored. There was nothing wrong with the engine. The original owner just didn’t want it anymore. I don’t think I would ever give up a car like this.”

“I know I can sell this for a pretty penny…and the money you and Caleb will get from me for the restoration won’t even put a dent in my pocket,” Mitch replied cheerfully. “Come on into the office and I’ll write you out a check.”

As the two started to walk towards the small trailer where the office was, they heard the sound of a car pull up. Both men turned around to see a tan Ford Focus pull into the parking lot.

“Hey, a customer,” Mitch said, growing excited. He hurried to meet the driver of the Focus. Damien stood and watched him.

Bridget Walsh slinked out of the car, wearing huge dark sunglasses that covered her face. Damien couldn’t help but notice the good-looking blonde wearing a cropped red jacket, crisp white blouse and matching tight pencil skirt. She looked like she came straight out of a fashion magazine.

Bridget removed her sunglasses and put on her best flirtatious smile upon seeing Mitch. “Hello there. I believe I’m lost and need some help. I’m looking for a town called Haven.”

Mitch grinned at the attractive young woman. “Let me introduce you to my friend Damien. He lives there. I’m sure he knows a shortcut. I’ve only been in Maine for eight months.”

Damien watched as Mitch and the pretty stranger walked towards them. He locked eyes with her and she grinned at him coyly. Well, well, well, there are sexy men in this state after all, she thought to herself, admiring Damien’s lanky frame and spiked brown hair.

Bridget sauntered up to Damien like a model walking on a runway. “Hello,” she purred. “This man tells me you can lead me to Haven.”

Damien’s curiosity peaked. Why would she want to go to Haven? Hardly anyone went there on purpose unless it was for camping, and she definitely did not look like a camper judging by the expensive outfit she had on. His mind was baffled.

Bridget saw the puzzled expression on his handsome face and smiled. “I bet you’re wondering why I’m interested in Haven.”

“The thought did cross my mind,” Damien dryly admitted.

“Well, I’m a good friend of Duncan Tyler,” she answered. It was almost the truth, she said to herself. “I was visiting him at the hospital in Lewiston and I wanted to see how Pearl was doing. His parents told me she was here for a while.”

“Yes, she’s staying in Haven,” Damien tightly responded. He was a little suspicious and decided to be as cryptic as he could.

Bridget noticed his tone. I wonder if Pearl said anything about me, she silently wondered. I’ve got to be as careful as possible.

She flashed a wide grin. Damien thought it seemed extremely fake but he didn’t say anything. “Look, if you want to get to Haven, the easiest way is to follow Route 26 straight down until you see the welcome sign to Haven. Pearl is staying with the Lawrences. They live on a farm and you can’t miss it as it’s the only one in town. Their house is white with black shutters.”

“Thank you,” Bridget smiled slyly and moved closer to Damien. “You never did tell me your name.”

He stood still and attempted to stay nonchalant. Something about this girl wasn’t right and he had no interest in her at all. He wanted to tell her he was in love with Pearl and was planning to propose to her but he decided not to. If she really knew Pearl, she didn’t want her running her mouth and ruining his chances.

“It’s Damien Collins,” he said to her flatly.

“Becky Whitworth,” she told him, lying again. Becky was the name of one of her good friends. She didn’t want to risk giving out her real name, especially if Pearl had squealed to anyone in Haven about her. “So Damien, do you have a girlfriend? I can’t imagine a gorgeous guy like you going without.” I should have a little fun while making Pearl’s life a living hell. Since Duncan is out of commission, this Damien will do nicely.

Damien folded his arms against his chest. “I am in a relationship.” He wasn’t going to tell her that it was Pearl, and right now the relationship was friendship with a few stolen kisses. “You’ll have to look elsewhere Becky.” If that’s even your real name, he bitterly thought.

Bridget secretly fumed. Most men never turned her down. But it didn’t matter anyway. She now knew where Pearl was, and it was time for payback.

***************************************

The Lawrence Farm, minutes later

Pearl Tyler was exhausted. She had spent the day battling with both her ex-in-laws and her ex-husband’s former mistress. While she certainly expected a confrontation with Amelia and Sheldon, she wasn’t prepared for her encounter with Bridget Walsh. She hoped it would be the last she would see of all three of them. The drama and fighting wasn’t good for her or her unborn child.

Lying on her bed inside the roomy basement bedroom, she smiled and looked down at her swollen belly. “What a day, huh little girl?” she asked the baby, chuckling. “Now you know why we had to leave Lancaster. There’s no way I was going to make you stay around all those horrible people. But now look what’s happened. We’re stuck in a town with real monsters. How am I going to explain all of this to you?”

The door opened and Pearl turned towards it. Iva Lawrence was in the doorway, holding a cordless phone. “Damien wants to talk to you.”

Pearl sat up and slowly swung her legs around to the side of the bed. She took the phone from Iva. “Hello Damien.” After Pearl’s greeting, Iva closed the door and left.

“Hi Red. How are you?” he affectionately asked.

“Well, I’ve been better,” she replied with a hint of regret creeping into her voice. “But I went and visited Duncan in the hospital. I got into it with his parents and his ex-girlfriend but hopefully I won’t have to see them again.” She lay back on the bed and propped herself up against the pillows. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Sounds like you had a rough day sweetheart.”

“Well, it’s over now and I’m resting. When are you going to come and see me?”

“Very soon, I promise.” There was silence. Damien was thinking of the ring he bought for her and how he was going to frame his proposal. He knew it would throw her for a loop.

“Damien, are you okay?” Pearl grew worried. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

There was more silence before he started. “I’m okay, but you’re going to get a visitor soon.”

Pearl was puzzled. “A visitor?”

“I’m in Bigelow right now. I was bringing a car to my friend’s dealership this afternoon when this woman arrived. She was asking how to get to Haven and said she was a friend of yours who wanted to visit with you and see how you were doing,” Damien explained.

“It may be Julie Hastings,” Pearl brightly answered. “I’ve been in touch with her since I arrived.”

“No, it wasn’t her. This gal called herself Becky Whitworth,” Damien said.

Pearl frowned. “Becky Whitworth? I don’t know anyone by that name…” Then she sat up, startled. She now remembered who she was. “Wait Damien—yes I know who that is. She’s one of Bridget’s friends. She’s a troublemaker too. It can’t be her. What did she look like?”

“To be honest Pearl, she was quite a looker. She was short, but petite with long blonde hair and a great figure,” Damien replied. “But she came off as really, really fake.”

A wall of dread closed around Pearl and she began to tremble. “Damien, that’s not Becky Whitworth. She’s tall and curvy with long black hair.”

“I knew that girl was lying,” Damien said victoriously. “Do you know who this person is?”

“Yes I do. It’s Bridget Walsh….my ex-husband’s former lover.”

************************************

Sadie Todd and Micah Johnson were relaxing in the den, still digesting their lunch from earlier this afternoon. The TV was on, tuned in to the news but neither of them were interested in the broadcast.

“Tomorrow is Friday and we need to get out and do something,” Sadie whined. “Halloween is coming up soon. That’s supposed to be our night, know what I mean?”

“You’re not thinking of going to the local cemetery and raising a few a dead bodies from their graves are you?” Micah jokingly responded.

Sadie grabbed a pillow that was lying on the couch next to her and she playfully tossed it at him. He dodged and grinned. “I guess that’s a no?”

“I’m going to leave the black magic to somebody else this Halloween,” Sadie said, thinking about Megan Manning. I’ve already done my witchly duties for this year, she thought to herself grimly.

Micah glanced back at the TV. He saw a reporter standing in front of a street and heard the words “haunted walking tour.” It spiked his curiosity. “Hey Sadie, listen to the news. I think we may have found something to do.”

She turned her head towards the set and began to listen to a story about a haunted walking tour happening in downtown Lewiston. When it was over she looked at Micah with excitement. “Hey, let’s do that! Sounds like fun. I’ve never been on one of those, surprisingly.”

“I guess it’s another date for us,” Micah said, smiling.

Sadie’s heart skipped a beat. I can’t believe this is happening. I think Micah’s car breaking down in front of our house was definitely fate. But I need to take things slowly or Aunt Iva and Uncle Gene might be apprehensive…

**********************************

“Bridget Walsh? Is she the one that your ex-husband left you for?” Damien asked, an incredulous tone creeping into his voice.

“That’s her. I’m sure she’s coming to Haven to try and get back at me for our little argument at the hospital today. She was never one to back down from a fight,” Pearl said, sighing.

“Jesus Pearl, I told her where you were staying!” Damien cried. “What if she tries to hurt you and your baby? If something happens to you, it’ll be all my fault…” His voice trailed off.

“Don’t worry Damien. If she pulls her tricks here I can always sic Sadie and Iva on her. Maybe they can cast a spell on her and turn her into a toad.” Pearl began to chuckle.

Damien laughed then became serious again. “I still want you to be careful Pearl.”

“I will. Oooh, the nerve of that little tart! She’s a total nutter,” Pearl exclaimed.

“Well, you know I’ll be here to protect you. I love you,” Damien softly replied. Maybe I should come over now and give her the ring, he thought to himself.

“I know you do Damien. Come over soon, okay?” Pearl cheerfully told him.

“I will. Look, I have to go. It’s getting late and I’m still in Bigelow. I’ll talk to you later,” Damien said.

“Okay. Have a safe trip home. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye Pearl.” There was a click and Pearl sat the phone down on the bed. She leaned back and sighed again. “Bridget, you are a bloody damn fool for coming here and trying to continue this feud. You’re only going to end up looking dafter than you already are,” she grimly said to herself.

**************************************

Route 26

Bridget Walsh was back on the road and on the way to Haven. Grinning evilly, she admired her reflection in the car mirror. “Watch out Pearl. You’re little ‘haven’ isn’t going to be one after I get through with you.”

She turned up the radio and stepped on the gas, speeding along the nearly deserted highway, eagerly anticipating another confrontation with her nemesis.

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lewiston

Duncan Tyler was alone in his hospital room. His parents had retired to their hotel room to rest after being with him all day. The heart monitor and the breathing machines were the only sounds heard.

Inside Duncan’s mind, he could see blurred, fast-moving images. Images of the night he was attacked. He recognized something shiny and long—the pipe that he was hit with, over and over again. He could feel the painful blows being inflicted on his head and his chest.

Suddenly he started to twitch. He could feel himself struggling to open his eyes. It felt like someone had sewn them shut with a needle and thread.

Just as he was beginning to move, a nurse opened the door to his room. She saw Duncan’s rapid movements and her mouth dropped open in shock. She ran to the nurses’ station, which was only a few feet away.

“Someone page Doctor Warren quick—I think Mr. Tyler is coming out of his coma!” she shouted.

Coming up next:

• Bridget meets Quinn and is disturbed to learn that he also is in love with Pearl; Quinn blasts Bridget for hurting Pearl.
• Duncan is unable to tell who tried to kill him and lapses back into his coma.
• Jospehine tells Jude she believes Christoph is returning.

• Pearl went to the hospital to visit Duncan and gave her former in-laws an earful about accusing her of attempted murder.
•  Quinn and Damien accused each other of attacking Duncan and warned each other to stay away from Pearl; Damien showed him the engagement ring.
•  Megan visited Jude, who told her he supported his brother in his quest to win Pearl’s heart, and advised her to return to her grave and leave his brother alone.
• Bridget Walsh arrived in Maine after Duncan’s parents toldl her where he’s at.

The Nightshade Home, early afternoon

Jude Nightshade walked into the living room, closing the front door behind him. He draped his jacket over the easy chair and sauntered into the kitchen. It was lunchtime and he was hungry after visiting his mother in Harmony.

He opened the cabinet doors and upon seeing the loaf of bread, reached for it and brought it down on the countertop. He opened the bag and took two slices of wheat out, placing them on the counter. He closed the bag up tightly and put it back in the cupboard.

His brother Quinn strolled in from the other side and smiled at him. “Hey little brother,” he casually greeted him.

Jude turned to face him. “Hey Quinn. Everything quiet so far?”

Quinn snorted. “Hardly. Damien was here.”

“Uh-oh…I hope things were civil between you two,” Jude replied as he reached into the fridge for some sliced ham.

“It was probably about as civil as it’s going to be.” Quinn sat down at the table and stared out the window above the kitchen sink. “He bought Pearl an engagement ring.”

Jude shut the fridge door and looked at Quinn in utter shock. “What?”

Quinn shifted his head towards Jude. “He showed it to me and vowed he was going to get Pearl to marry him.”

Jude sat down across from his brother and whistled. “Things are getting really out of control when it comes to Pearl. What did you say?”

“I said pretty much, fat chance.” Quinn leaned forward, a devious grin on his face. “There’s no way in hell Pearl would want to be the wife of a werewolf. If you were her, wouldn’t you feel the same way?”

Jude thought for a minute. “Well, it wouldn’t exactly be a relationship I would look for. I like Damien and I think he’s a nice guy, but I don’t think I could deal with someone who would change into another lifeform every month. At least you and I will stay the same.”

Quinn nodded heartily in agreement. “Exactly—I’m the one for her because I don’t sprout fur and claws every time the full moon comes out.”

“Just fangs every now and then,” Jude said playfully, starting to chuckle. Before Quinn could reply, his face turned serious. “Megan paid me a visit this morning while I was waiting for visiting hours at the hospital to begin.”

Quinn’s expression turned dark and angry. “I guess that bitch thought she could steer you over to her side.”Jude nodded. “She insisted I help her by trying to convince you to stay away from Pearl. I told her I wouldn’t.”

Quinn’s furious look softened and he smiled at his brother. “You told her that? You told her you wanted me to be with Pearl?”

“I told her that if being with Pearl makes you happy, I wasn’t going to stand in your way and interfere. I told her that…I told her she should return to her grave and leave you alone.” Jude gazed down at his lap for a bit and then back up at Quinn.

Quinn was extremely moved by his brother’s support. He got up to stand behind him, and placed his hands affectionately on Jude’s shoulders. “I can’t believe you did that for me. I’m so grateful that you took up for me.”

“I know Iva and Sadie are trying to protect Pearl but bringing Megan back is not going to help matters. If Pearl wants you around there’s nothing anyone can do to stop her from seeing you. It’s her choice, not Iva’s, not Sadie’s, and not Megan’s.” Jude stood up as well. “Now, if I don’t get something to eat I’ll drop.” He headed back towards the fridge. “Do you want a ham sandwich?” he asked Quinn.

Quinn grinned at his brother. “Sure, why not? I’m in a good mood now and if you’re offering to make me one, that’s even better.”

 The Lewiston Diner, same time

Micah Johnson and Sadie Todd were sitting in a booth facing each other, awaiting their meals. Micah took a sip of his Coke and sat back, rubbing his belly. “I can’t wait to taste this burger.”

Sadie laughed. “You won’t be disappointed, believe me. It’s a good thing we came at the right time, this place is packed.”

Micah looked around at the crowd. There were office workers and construction workers on their lunch hour, moms with their kids, senior citizens. Small town America at its finest, something he sorely missed during his time in the big city.

“Do you like living here Sadie?” he asked her.

“Why do you say that?” she asked back.

Micah smiled. “I don’t know—it seems like those that come from the city always secretly want to live in a place like this, and those in small towns want to escape for the big city.”

Sadie picked up her glass of iced tea and took a small drink before replying. “Well, to be honest, I do want to leave Haven. It’s such a nothing town.”

“Why do your aunt and uncle choose to live there?” Micah wondered.

Sadie looked down at the formica tabletop before answering. “My aunt and uncle were already living in Haven before I came to stay with them.”

Micah was puzzled. “You came to stay with them? Where were you living?”

“I was living with my parents in Portland. My mom was Iva’s younger sister. Her name was Angela. She married a local black man named Henry Todd and two years later, I was born. I was named after both my grandmothers.”

Micah looked at Sadie sadly. “Your parents are dead, aren’t they.”

She slowly nodded. “Like Aunt Iva, my mum was psychic too and practiced white witchcraft. When she married Dad and had me she stopped that for a while and we were pretty much a normal, happy family. But when I turned thirteen, Mum decided I should be introduced into her religion. I already knew I had psychic powers—not as strong as Mum or Aunt Iva, but it was there.”

Micah was fascinated with her story. “And your Dad wasn’t upset?

“No. As long as we were not being the stereotypical evil witches, he was fine.” Sadie took another drink of her tea.

“Your parents…they died in a fire.” Micah gazed at Sadie. He was surprised when she started to chuckle.

“You’re really good,” she replied. “Yes, they did.”

“If you don’t want to talk about it—“ Micah began.

“No, it’s okay,” she interrupted. “Mom decided one night to have a séance. It was totally out of the blue. She had some of her Wiccan friends over. My Dad agreed to it because he was more interested in the occult than he led on. I was staying with a friend as school was out. So anyway, according to what some of her surviving friends said, Mom was trying to see if there were any spirits occupying the house. She was convinced someone had died in our home.”

“And she managed to contact one,” Micah surmised.

Sadie nodded again. “Apparently she summoned up the ghost of a little girl that had died of pneumonia back in the 1930’s. A few minutes into all of this, the windows suddenly flew open and someone got spooked, knocking over candles that were sitting on the table. The fire spread quickly. Only two managed to escape and when they were outside, they claimed the windows and doors closed themselves, sealing everyone else inside the house—including my parents. They died of smoke inhalation.”

Micah reached over and gently laid his hand on top of Sadie’s. “I’m sorry,” he lamented.

“It’s okay. It took me a while to get over it, but I’m at peace now with what happened. After my parent’s death, Aunt Iva and Uncle Gene said they wanted to take care of me and the whole family agreed. My grandparents thought that going to Haven to live would be the best thing for me. In some ways it was. My aunt and uncle treated me like the daughter they never had, as they were unable to have children of their own. Being on the farm and taking care of the animals took my mind off my parents. But now that I’m in my early 20’s, it’s time for me to find my own way in the world. Aunt Iva and Uncle Gene agree. It’s just that we don’t have the money we need right now for me to leave. That’s why they’ve been busy selling things at the farmer’s markets.”

“I think it’s great you have loving and supporting relatives. Don’t take advantage of that Sadie. Treasure every moment you have with them,” Micah told her, thinking of the fractured relationship with his parents.

At that moment, the waitress came with their food. Micah and Sadie looked at each other and grinned. “Chow time,” Sadie said, her stomach growling.

“It’s too bad Pearl couldn’t make it. I hope everything is going okay at the hospital,” Micah said as he reached for the salt.

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, the lobby

Pearl Tyler was on her way out of the hospital to join Sadie and Micah. Just as she reached the information desk, she stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

Bridget Walsh was at the desk talking to the clerk. Pearl stared at her and she could feel the anger spreading all over body. What in the bloody hell is she doing here? Pearl furiously wondered.

Bridget looked up and in Pearl’s direction and when she saw her nemesis she was at first surprised, but then a devious smirk formed on her pretty face. She had plenty to say to Pearl and she figured it was a good a time as any.

Bridget slinked up to her. Pearl thought she looked like a snake with blonde hair slithering close to its prey and she narrowed her eyes. “You sure have some nerve coming here,” Pearl spat.

“So do you,” Bridget spat back. She eyed her up and down then rolled her eyes. “I must say, even pregnancy hasn’t improved your appearance. Pregnant women are usually supposed to look radiant.”

“I wouldn’t talk if I were you. Even with all your family’s money, you’re still a piece of trash. You can put lipstick on a pig and it’s still a pig.” Pearl glared at her with all the coldness of Antarctica. “And at least I have a reason to be here. I’m carrying Duncan’s child. You have nothing.”

Bridget laughed maliciously. “Oh, I have something all right—something you will never have. The love and support of Duncan’s parents. They asked me to come here.”

Pearl couldn’t believe what she just heard. “You’re lying. You’re nothing but a lying little tramp.”

“Why would I lie about that? They hate you and they like me. They approved of me being with Duncan,” Bridget boasted.

“Well obviously they have no taste so of course they would like you,” Pearl shot back. “This is insane. I’m going back up there. They’re not going to get away with this.” As she started out of the lobby towards the elevators, Bridget grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face her.

“How tactless are you Pearl? Sheldon and Amelia are grieving now and all you want to do is argue. Can’t you leave things alone for once?” she hissed.

Pearl pulled free from Bridget’s grip. “Let go of me. This is none of your business, so butt out. Duncan dumped you. I’m sure you would be the last person he would want to see. Why don’t you go back to where you came from and find another man—one that’s single for a change. Stop being a home wrecker and get a life.”

“I had a life…until you ruined it!” Bridget angrily replied.

Pearl laughed sarcastically at her rival. “I didn’t ruin your life. You did that on your own by choosing to sleep with a married man. I was the one that left town to get away from you and Duncan. So you can’t blame me for the lousy choices you’ve decided to make. It’s time you grew up Bridget.”

She smoothed her dress and glared again at Bridget. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to take care of. And I hope in God’s name I never have to see your pathetic face ever again.” Pearl stormed away, leaving Bridget alone to seethe.

“I swear Pearl Tyler, you will pay for what you’ve done to me. You can bet your life on it.”

**********************************

“I still don’t think it was a good idea asking Bridget to come,” Sheldon Tyler admonished his wife Amelia. “You’re asking for nothing but trouble. You know I’m not crazy about Pearl being here, but she has a right to be. Bridget doesn’t. It’s time you stopped these ridiculous mind games—it’s time both of us did.”

Amelia sat by Duncan, holding his hand and ignoring the chiding tone of her husband. Sheldon walked over to her and kneeled down in front of her. “Amelia, don’t you think it’s time this ended? Look at our son! It’s doing him no good acting like we’re characters in some bad soap opera.”

“I’m doing what’s right for our son Sheldon and deep down, you know that.” she finally said in a firm tone.

All Sheldon could do was sigh. He kissed his wife on the forehead. “I love you but you sure can be damn stubborn at times.”

Amelia smiled. “That’s why you married me. You like me being the strong one.”

The door opened and Pearl stood there, watching her ex in-laws’ tender moment. For a few seconds she thought about leaving, but she decided to stay and confront the two. Amelia looked up to see her standing in the doorway and her frosty glare returned. “Why are you back again Pearl? You’re like a bad penny.”

Pearl entered the room and returned Amelia’s frigid glaze. “Believe me, I had every intention of leaving and not coming back—but then I ran into Bridget Walsh, who told me you and Sheldon asked her to come here. You have a lot of gall inviting that whore. But then again, it does take more than one witch to form a coven.”

Amelia shot out of her chair. “I’ve heard just about enough—“

“No you haven’t.” Pearl marched up to her and looked her deep in the eye. “Having the tramp that ruined my marriage come here is the last straw. Any ties I had with you and your husband are severed for good. You two had better not think about wanting to see your granddaughter. As far as I’m concerned, she has no grandparents anymore.”

Sheldon rushed to his wife’s side to try to reason with Pearl. “Please, no. Don’t shut us out of our grandchild’s life. If Duncan doesn’t come back, she’s the only link we have to him!”

“You should have thought of that before you and Miss Priss decided to play games with other peoples’ lives,” Pearl hotly retorted. “Do you really believe Duncan would want that piece of trash here? He ended their affair. He never wanted to see her again. But your hate for me has blinded you towards having any common sense at all! She shook her head sadly. “This insanity needs to end now, and I’m going to leave while I still have my common sense intact.” She glanced at Sheldon and Amelia with regret. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want my daughter around all of this. She doesn’t deserve it, and that means her staying away from the both of you—until you decide to start acting like grandparents and stop acting like monsters. Goodbye.” Pearl turned away and headed back for the door.

“Pearl, please…please don’t leave like this. I know we can all resolve this situation. I don’t want to be left out of my granddaughter’s life,” Sheldon earnestly pleaded.

Pearl stopped but didn’t turn around. “Then you shouldn’t have gone along with your wife’s ridiculous actions. You did this to yourself and you have no one else to blame.” With a heavy heart, she opened the door and quickly shut it behind her.

Coming up next:

• Bridget comes to Haven and tries to work her charms on Damien, who rejects her advances.
• Pearl tells Damien Bridget was Duncan’s former mistress.
• Sadie and Micah continue to date under the watchful eye of Gene and Iva.
• Duncan almost wakes up from his coma.

• Two detectives came to question Duncan’s parents about the attempt on his life and his mother Amelia accused Pearl of being the would-be killer.
•  Pearl asked Quinn point blank if he attempted to kill Duncan and he denied it; placing blame on Damien and revealed to her where he went the night of the attack.
• Micah asked Sadie on a date.
• Pearl, the Lawrences and Micah were shocked when the detectives showed up at the farm to question Pearl about Duncan’s attack.

The Lawrence Farm, evening

Pearl Tyler sat on the couch, speechless. Her peaches and cream complexion was almost the shade of her first name. She looked at the two detectives in complete surprise. Gene Lawrence was sitting next to her with a comforting arm around her shoulder. His wife Iva, along with niece Sadie and friend Micah Johnson, stood by the living room window, caught off guard.

“Detectives, with all due respect, you can’t possibly think Pearl tried to kill her ex-husband. Look at her. She’s five months pregnant,” Gene said with a disbelieving tone.

Pearl turned to Gene in appreciation and smiled at him weakly. “No Gene, it’s okay.” She looked at Detectives Morgan and Elliott with a knowing look on her face. “You talked to my ex-mother-in-law and father-in-law, didn’t you?”

Readily aware of the animosity between Pearl and her husband’s parents, the two nodded. “They’re at the hospital in Lewiston with their son. My partner and I wanted to ask them some questions about him to see if they knew anyone who might have had a reason to harm him, and why. Duncan Tyler’s mother immediately accused you,” Morgan explained.

“I see,” Pearl replied evenly. “Well, it’s not surprising Amelia would accuse me. She and her husband never felt I was right for their son. They came from an upper class family; I came from a blue collar one. I was four years older than Duncan and he was still in college working towards his masters’ degree. His parents believed I was distracting him from his education. I admit that I wasn’t keen on him when he first asked me out, but over time I really came to like him, and then I fell in love with him. When Duncan announced our engagement, Amelia and Sheldon were not pleased, but they tolerated it because of Duncan. He told them if they didn’t accept me, he would cut off contact with them, and I knew that would have devastated them both.”

Pearl stopped for a reaction from the detectives. She couldn’t read their expressions, so she continued.

“I admit that the relationship between Duncan and I deteriorated after I found out I was pregnant and that he was having the affair with Bridget Walsh. After years of trying to conceive and then finally I got the child we both wanted so much, he told me he was no longer in love with me and he didn’t want anything to do with our baby. I was shattered, I was hurt and I was furious. The only thing I could think of was just leaving Lancaster and getting away from him, Bridget and his parents, who I suspected encouraged the affair because she came from a wealthy family.” Pearl looked down at her swollen stomach, trying to fight back tears.

“So you left Lancaster…how did you end up here?” Elliot asked her.

Pearl turned to face him while wiping away a tear. “I was offered a job in Bangor, which I accepted. I quickly filed for divorce—I asked for nothing, not even child support. Duncan gave me ten thousand dollars, one thousand for each year we were married, and that was it. The divorce was finalized in less than a month and I was out of Lancaster and on my way to Bangor. Then I got into a car accident in Haven. Due to the stress of the accident, I almost lost my baby and I was ordered to stay here and not do anything strenuous until I give birth.” Pearl conveniently left out the part about werewolves, vampires and witches.

“You can’t leave town on doctor’s orders?” Morgan asked, looking for clarification.

Pearl nodded. “You can contact both Doctor Harvey and Doctor Watkins at Saint Mary’s in Lewiston for confirmation. Doctor Harvey was the one who examined me in the emergency room the night I almost lost my baby. Doctor Watkins is my obstetrician. I just saw her today and she wants me to continue to be on bed rest as much as possible.”

“So you see Detectives, there’s no way Pearl could have tried to kill her ex-husband,” Gene interjected. “Not when she’s going through such a risky pregnancy.”

Iva stepped forward. “Pearl was in bed at the time of the attack. I can vouch for her, as I checked in on her about two in the morning and she was sound asleep.”

Detective Morgan smiled at Pearl. “Well, Mrs. Tyler, I think we can definitely rule you out as a suspect, especially since you’re ordered to remain in Haven under medical circumstances, which means you’re not a flight risk. Unfortunately, that leads us back to square one.”

“Hopefully Duncan in time will be able to tell you what happened,” Pearl replied. “We may have had our differences, but I could never do something like that to him. He is the father of my child.”

“Well, goodnight Mrs. Tyler. Thank you for your cooperation, and sorry for the inconvenience,” Morgan told her. He nodded towards Gene, Iva, Sadie and Micah and then he and Detective Elliott headed for the door. Once they were gone, Iva, Sadie and Micah came to Pearl.

“I can’t believe the nerve of Duncan’s parents to even think you could have a murderous bone in your body. They’re delusional!” Iva exclaimed.

Pearl could only smile. “You don’t know Amelia and Sheldon Tyler. Those two could hold a grudge against someone even if they were dead. I shouldn’t have been surprised that they would accuse me of attempted murder.” She stood up, stretched, and yawned. “I don’t know about you, but it’s been a very long day. I think I’m going to retire early.”

Iva reached for a hug. “Get a good night’s rest Pearl, and try to forget this silly nonsense that just happened.”

Pearl hugged her back. “I will.” She looked at the Lawrences and Micah and smiled. “Good night everyone. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Pearl, do you still want to go to Saint Mary’s to see Duncan, even though his parents are there?” Sadie asked hesitantly.

“Of course. Amelia and Sheldon don’t intimidate me anymore, and quite honestly, I really feel they should get a piece of my mind about their stupid accusations,” she answered, irritation creeping into her voice.

“That’s the spirit!” Micah said cheerfully. “I should know, I have very intimidating and controlling parents as well. I’ll have to tell you about it later.”