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her beauty, but for the heart of the woman she really is.”
    “She has touched my heart in a way I’d never thought possible.”
    “Then surely you realize that it is not Annette in there rolling out pie crusts with Michelle.”
    My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened far more than I would have wanted.
    “Yes, it’s obvious, Eric. I’ve no doubt that’s why you brought Annette here to begin with.   You knew her parents would see the change in their daughter, and believe me, it didn’t take them long to notice.”
    “Forgive my surprise. You are all far more astute than I had expected, and I’m deeply grateful for that.   Telling her mother and father what had happened to her was not something I was looking forward to.”
    “Annette needs to wear this necklace. Whatever or whoever has taken over her, she must ward it off and this cross will help her. The reaction she had to it was greater than I’d anticipated.” She pulled the box out of her pocket. “I don’t understand what happened to the one she had.   She wore it constantly. It soothed and comforted her and with the uncertainties of her new life in
New York
, I knew she kept it preciously on her person at all times.”
    She held it out to me and I felt the weight of importance this piece of jewelry had. “You have to find a way to get her to wear it.”
    Relieved to have found a way of helping Annette, I reached out for the red cross , but recoiled the moment my fingers touched it. Joana’s hopeful gaze instantly became one of suspicion; almost fear.
    “Our father who art in heaven,” she muttered.
    I was confounded by my body’s reaction to the cross.
    “Hallowed be thy name.”
    All my life I’d entered cathedrals without mishap.
    “Thy kingdom come.”
    Religious items had never been a problem.
    “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
    And now I felt the fear I’d seen in Joana’s eyes. What was happening to me? How was Kristine’s presence here affecting me? “Perhaps it would be better to leave it in the box.”
    She smiled, though tentatively. “I fear for that young woman, Eric, and I’m trusting you – Michelle and Luis are trusting you – to do everything you can to get her to wear this cross.   She’ll need it in order to battle this entity and return to herself. She must be able to guard herself from the evil that has taken over. Right now she’s too vulnerable to it.”
    “I understand.” I held out my hand and she laid the small box in my palm. Though tolerable, it still felt uncomfortable having it with me.
    “Whoever has taken over Annette seems to have some attachment to you.   I won’t question you on this attachment, but will only tell you how vital it is you send the present caretaker of Annette’s body to whence it came.”
    “Yes. Thank you. I was hoping I would find help here; from her family; the people who know her best and care for her the most.”
    “You did right, Eric. I hope you’ll continue to do what’s best for Annette… and that may not necessarily be what’s best for you.”
     
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    “Annette, what’s gotten into you? This has always been one of your favorite things to do for the holidays,” Michelle said with a titter.
    I entered the kitchen to find the pair in the midst of balls of pie dough, cherry filling and the makings for sugar cookies.
    “It is. I’m just feeling so clumsy. I’ve barely cooked since I’ve been in New York and I haven’t baked at all.”
    Though she fumbled with the ball of pie dough instead of properly rolling it out, Kristine smiled and seemed to be enjoying herself more than I’d ever seen.
    “Here,” Michelle said as she sprinkled additional flour on the counter. “This should help you.”
    “This is fun,” Kristine said as she rolled out the pie dough and it began to take shape.   “I needed this. Just to relax, have fun and get away from the constant pressure of New York.”   Baking was bringing out the