Jane’s Story

Chapter 1

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Charles Bingley is making me crazy. 

Autumn in Austen Heights smelled like cinnamon and would have been a perfect place to spend cozy evenings with Charles Bingley. If only he hadn’t up and left a few weeks ago. 

I closed the squeaky wrought-iron gate to the cottage apartment my sister, Lizzy, and I shared with our friend Charlotte. Lizzy walked several yards ahead of me, leaves crunching beneath her leather boots.  

When I caught up with her, she continued our conversation without missing a beat. “I’m not sure I understand the problem, Jane. Just call him, or text, or something.” 

I rubbed my temples. “Being single is getting old, but he left. If he wanted to be with me, I doubt he would’ve done that.” 

We walked through town toward Cupid’s Confections—the half-bakery, half-house we’d grown up in. Bright orange and red foliage littered the streets with vibrant color, and my misty breath was visible in the chilly air. I rubbed my gloved fingers together to keep them warm.

“It’s the only way to know.” Lizzy gave me an exasperated shrug.

“I’m not sure why you’re so worried about this, Lizzy.” I sighed. “The Halloween party was a disaster. You know that’s that last time I spoke with him, right?” 

Lizzy rolled her eyes in a sideways glance. “I can’t believe how much Mom was going on about his money.”

I frowned. “If only I’d known he was going to jet out of town the next day.”

Lizzy’s cheeks were pink in the chilly air. “Our family scared him off.” 

My stomach clenched. “What hurts the most is that he may think I didn’t truly care for him. I can handle him losing interest in me, but if I hurt him somehow…” 

I stepped toward the curb. But Lizzy grabbed my arm and pulled me back onto the sidewalk just in time for old Mrs. Bates to whiz past us on her marigold yellow bicycle. A gasp caught in my throat. 

Mrs. Bates enchanted her old bicycle to move as fast as a motorcycle, which couldn’t be safe for someone who looked close to ninety and refused to wear a helmet.

“Didn’t see you there, girls.” She waved over her shoulder. “I’ll leave the porch light on for you. Tell your father happy birthday.”

“You need to pay attention.” Lizzy shook her head, then waved to the elderly fae woman, who was already out of earshot. “If I have that kind of energy at her age, I’ll know I did something right.”

I watched Mrs. Bates, with her wisps of white hair pulled into a bun atop her head, disappear down the road. “Who knows how old she really is? Even for fae, she’s lucky to be so healthy.” 

“It’s not luck. If you want something to happen, make it happen,” Lizzy said. 

“When did you become so wise?” I smiled and nudged my younger sister. 

“For example, if you want a relationship with Charles, tell him how you feel. He’ll come running back to Austen Heights. And if he doesn’t, Lydia’s happy to mix up a potent love potion for you,” Lizzy joked. Neither of us were comfortable messing with people, even though Mom had no scruples whatsoever.

I shuddered. “Love potion, good heavens…” 

“Just call him.”

“We’ll see. You know, right now I need to focus on finding more photography jobs. The studio has been pretty slow lately, and I’m running out of money. I can’t move back in with our parents. Maybe I’ll visit Aunt Penny and see if I can pick up anything in the city.” I didn’t have the heart to tell Lizzy I’d been thinking about moving out of Austen Heights altogether. Though it would be impossible if I couldn’t earn enough. As the oldest sister, it seemed like my role was to always be around, be reliable, and keep everyone placated and unified. Every time I’d made up my mind to leave, something came up to make me stay.

But inside I was dying. I’d told no one how much I dreamed of traveling, shooting photos all around the world, maybe teaching in a third world country, making a difference, and really living. Instead, I tried to make as much meaning as I could of my life in Austen Heights because my family needed me here. 

The November sun hung low in the sky, leaving us enveloped in amber light. Lizzy pulled her jacket tighter around her body. She squinted as the setting sunlight hit her long, dark eyelashes. Cool, blue shadows stretched across the ground as the day ended. 

The chance of building the life I wanted in Austen Heights seemed to slip away like those last rays of sunlight. 

“You could sell photos to the newspaper…maybe.” Lizzy was trying to be kind, but we both knew the Sanditon Chronicle already had a photographer. 

“I’ll figure something out.” I smiled at my sister. She didn’t need to solve my problems, and dwelling on them would only burden her. 

We’d made it to Main Street and the entrance of our parents’ place. The sky blue and navy storefront with its intricate woodwork, potted flowers, and glowing picture windows always made for a charming scene. We walked around to the back and opened the door leading to the living area. Immediately, the scents of the cedar rafters, fresh herbs, wildflowers, nutmeg, vanilla, and homemade bread engulfed us. The scent of our childhoods. We’d always be at home there.

Mom stood in the entry with her dark blonde curls pulled into a claw clip at the nape of her neck. Her anxiety seeped into me. “It’s a good thing you two arrived. Kitty and Lydia are insisting on decorating the cake, and we haven’t even set the table yet.” 

As the eldest daughter, soothing my mother’s nerves had become engrained into my soul. “I bet they’ll do a great job with his cake. How’s Dad?”

Over the past several months, his health had declined due to Moonrot. Though the baffling disease was somehow related to magic, no one, fae or otherwise, was closer to finding a cure.

“He’s resting his eyes for a minute. I’ll wake him up when everything is ready.” She shrugged like it was normal for Dad to be sleeping at six o’clock on a Tuesday evening. 

“We’ll get the table set,” Lizzy bee-lined past Mom to the dining table, which was connected to the family room in one big open area. 

Mom scowled. 

They weren’t on the greatest terms lately. As usual, I found myself in the mediator role, trying to keep our family from self implosion. 

“Don’t worry. It’s going to be a lovely evening. Dad’s going to enjoy his birthday. We prepared a special surprise for him.” I kissed Mom’s cheek and hugged her. 

After we finished setting the table, Lizzy plopped down on the sofa and pulled a notebook from her bag to work on some article or another. Somehow, she tuned out the commotion in the rest of the house. 

Mom, Lydia, and Kitty bickered in the kitchen and I fought the instinct to rush in, help everyone relax, and solve all their problems. My goal was to stop “fixing” everything so they could learn to get along on their own. Otherwise, I’d need to stay in Austen Heights forever. 

I stayed in the living room, pacing back and forth, wringing my hands.

“Jane, you’re making me dizzy.” Lizzy looked up from her notebook and pulled out her phone to text someone. “They’re fine. I promise.”

Something clattered to the kitchen floor.

“Would it be selfish of me to go away for a few days?” I wouldn’t go for too long. Next week Mom would need help to prepare Thanksgiving pies, and after that families would start coming into the studio for Christmas photos. But, if I could just get away for this week while the bakery is slow.

Our family was only half fae, and we each had one well-developed gift. Mine was empathy. I couldn’t read people’s inner thoughts, so unfortunately, it wouldn’t help me with Charles. He was always happy. But as an empath, I knew how everyone felt. All. The. Time. Whether they were excited, peaceful, stressed, sad, or afraid, I picked up on their feelings. Not just that, I felt their feelings. My parents’ lives were up in the air with Dad’s illness. My sisters had their own stuff to figure out. Moving away to chase my dreams would place a burden on everyone.

Lizzy finished texting. “Yes, go to New York. Aunt Penny always loves it when you visit.” 

“We’ll see if it’s even worth my time—freelance jobs are so hit and miss.” I dropped onto the sofa next to my sister and pulled out my phone to see if the city had any short-term photography work. 

I started my search with New York City, photography/photographer, events. 

There weren’t as many as I’d hoped. 

“I found one,” Lizzy said, her enthusiasm increased my heart rate. She showed me her phone screen. “Haven Corporation needs a temporary photographer for their technology convention at the Grand Lakes Hotel in New York City. It’s this week, so they’d need you right away.” 

I looked over the job description. It was just for a day or two, photos of some social events and launch presentations. Easy enough.

“It pays a lot. Might as well apply.” So I searched up the specifics of the job on my phone. But something else came up.

Haven Corporation’s event photographer killed in accident. Foul play suspected.

A chill ran down my spine. 

“That’s ominous,” I muttered as I read over the details. I wasn’t sure what Haven Corporation was, but I’d heard the name before. “You probably didn’t see this when you read the job listing. The previous photographer was murdered.” 

I handed my phone to Lizzy.

“Wow. Does it say what happened?”

“Not much to say…it happened…yesterday. Kind of scary. Wait, she wasn’t even at work when it happened. It wasn’t related to her job. They suspect an ex-boyfriend. There are risks in any city, I suppose. Would you take it?”  

“Yes. If her death wasn’t related to her job, I would.” Of course she would. My sister wasn’t reckless really, maybe just brave, or highly determined.

I pulled in a breath and sent my resume and portfolio to their contact person. “I’m trying to remember where I’ve heard the name Haven Corporation recently.”

“Not sure.” Lizzy shrugged. 

“Well, I’m going to keep looking in case this one doesn’t work out.”

Lydia squealed from the kitchen, making my body tense. She and Kitty laughed hysterically about something. 

“Dare I ask?” I raised an eyebrow at Lizzy.

“Definitely not. They’re still decorating Dad’s cake, and I’m sure they’re trying to use magic to make it look like it belongs on a baking show.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Since our family ran a bakery, most of us decorated cakes with ease. But our youngest sisters always went overboard.

“Maybe I should go see if they need help.” I looked toward the kitchen. 

“No. It will be fine,” said Mary, making both Lizzy and me jump. We looked to see her curled up in an armchair in the corner with a book. Mary’s fae ability allowed her to blend into the background unless she wanted her presence to be known.

“Oh, Mary! Let us know when you’re in the room. I nearly had a heart attack.” My heart pounded like I’d been jump-scared at an amusement park. 

“I’ve been reading here the whole time.” Mary shrugged. “Figured you saw me. Oh, yeah. I forgot I was hiding from Mom. So that’s why I was camouflaged. Sorry.”

“Party time!” Kitty shouted, ending our conversation. 

***

With the help of his walking stick, Dad made it into the dining table. Though there was a limp in his step, his smile was as bright as ever. “Oh, what a lot of fuss you’re all making over my birthday.” 

I wrapped my arms around him. “You’re going to have to humor us, Dad.”

“Kitty and I decorated your cake,” Lydia announced, pointing at the towering confection. They’d managed some kind of enchantment because it was decorated like a mountainside and had an actual moving waterfall running down the side.

Dad’s eyes widened. “Remarkable. Makes me want to go on another family camping trip.” 

“We put something together for you.” I turned off the lights and pushed play on the old projector. To make Dad’s sixtieth birthday party special, Lizzy and I put together a slideshow with pictures of family memories going all the way back to our parents’ wedding over thirty years ago.

Mom laughed at the photo of herself in her wedding dress, smashing cake into Dad’s face. A photo of Dad swinging Kitty around at a park made his lip tremble, and happy tears swell in his eyes. He’d been such a handsome young man. I was thoroughly blonde, and Kitty and Lydia landed somewhere between, but Lizzy and Mary got their silky, dark hair and defined jawlines from Dad. 

I snapped photos of everyone together, of Dad attempting to blow out sixty candles, and of him opening his gifts. Whenever I had a spare moment, I stole a look at my phone to see if I’d gotten a response about the job. Since it started in two days, I’d need to know immediately.

Despite the festivities, Dad wasn’t entirely himself. His exhaustion seeped across the room and into my soul. He thanked everyone, smiled, and promised to read the mystery book I gave him, but he didn’t joke like he used to. After an hour, he was ready to lie back down. 

Lizzy and I walked back across town together, to our basement apartment. She was quieter than usual. 

“You’re worried about Dad, aren’t you?” I asked as we crossed a street and entered Regency Meadows Park. The sun had set, but lamp posts lit the area well enough to be safe. 

Lizzy nodded. “Yes, I’m worried about Dad…and Mom, and everyone else.”

“Agreed.” I silently scolded myself for wanting to move out of town.

We made it out of the park and down a cobbled sidewalk to the cottage where we lived. I pulled my sweater close against the cold as Lizzy fished her latchkey from her handbag. My phone dinged as we walked inside and unloaded our coats and bags. 

It was a message from Haven Corp’s human resources department. “This might be interesting.”

“Hmm,” Lizzy nodded and headed to the kitchenette to turn the kettle on. 

I read it aloud.

 “Jane, thank you for your interest. We would love to have you come shoot for our convention. We have an immediate opening this Thursday, if you are willing to travel to the Grand Lakes Hotel. Regards, Armond Moreau, CFO, Haven Corporation.” 

For a moment, I stared at the screen, wondering if I’d read the message correctly. Apparently, they didn’t even need to do a quick phone interview. 

“That was a fast response.” Lizzy said. “You should do it.”

I paused, then sat down at our kitchen table. “It is creepy that their last photographer was murdered. But I really, really need the money, and I think a hotel with a lot of people should be safe, right?” 

“I would think so, and you said her ex was a suspect. I mean, the Grand Lakes is pretty upscale. Just stay out of trouble.” She brought over a couple of mugs of warm apple cider and sat next to me. 

“It’s unnerving, isn’t it?” Something wasn’t quite right, but I couldn’t let vague feelings stop me. I needed the job.