Liam hung the phone up and sat for a few minutes as he tried to sort out his mangled emotions.
CHAPTER 16
Sera woke slowly the next morning. The blanket was pulled firmly over her head and she snuggled in deeper seeking warmth. It was then she realized that Liam was no longer with her, and that was why she was cold. She sat up quickly.
The fire had recently been rebuilt, its bright flames leapt high as it crackled, and the smell of wood permeated the air. Kathleen was passed out on one of the couches, and Danielle was curled up in the recliner. Mike had abandoned his spot on the other couch, and Jack was gone from his mattress on the floor. Doug was still curled up on his mattress next to the couch, his mouth open as he snored.
Muffled voices from the kitchen drifted to her. She wrapped the blanket around her as she stood and made her way toward them. Their voices drifted to her, but she couldn't make out any of the words. When she entered the doorway, they stopped talking and turned to look at her. She glanced curiously at them as she made her way to the coffee pot and began to gather the ingredients.
"What's going on?" she asked as she turned to face them. Liam stood and made his way around the island to her. She stared at him, suddenly very disconcerted by his behavior. He seemed distant again. "Is everything all right?"
He brushed back a strand of tangled hair. "Yes," he assured her.
His face was still remote, but the familiar warmth was back in his brilliant eyes. "Sera, when you opened the door last night you invited Beth in like you knew her, did you?" Mike asked.
Her eyes flicked to him. "I had met her before."
Liam stiffened. "Where?"
"She came by when you guys were on your walk, and Kathleen and Danielle had come back inside. She said that she lived in the cabin down the road, and that she was walking to her friend's house. We talked for a few minutes and she left. Kathleen said the people that used to own that cabin are dead."
"That's probably where she's staying," Jack said.
Sera drew her cold hands into the blanket. "I don't know."
Liam stared at her for a minute, and then looked over at Jack and Mike. "You want to come with me Jack?"
Jack slid off the stool. "Absolutely."
"How far away is it?" Liam asked her.
"Kathleen said it was about a mile down the hill."
He reached under the blanket and clasped hold of her cold hands. She smiled as warmth swiftly spread through her body. "I have to go." She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it when she saw the haunted look in his eyes. "I have to find her."
The snow was still falling, although it seemed to have eased, and the wind had died down. But how much was out there? Her gaze returned to Liam as she bit nervously into her lip. "Mike and Doug are going to stay here to make sure you're safe. I want you to stay inside. Okay?"
"Yes."
He squeezed her hands and released her. She grabbed hold of his shirt before he could turn away and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. For a second he was unresponsive, and then his mouth seared into hers before he pulled away. Sera's breath caught in her throat at the savage gleam in his eyes.
"Be careful," she whispered.
"I will. Come on Jack."
Sera watched as they bundled up and walked out the door. She was instantly swallowed by a wave of loneliness and loss. She closed her eyes as she fought against it.
***
The grandfather clock chimed out five o'clock as Sera sat, sipping hot chocolate, and watching the flames. Kathleen sat in the recliner, her eyes frozen on the flames as her hands twirled the mug in her hands. Danielle sat before the fire, her knees drawn up, and her arms wrapped around them. Mike and Doug had wandered off, bored, and tired of the silent treatment that Kathleen had been giving them all.
"You know, don't you Sera," Kathleen finally said.
Sera felt her heart clench. She had been wondering when Kathleen would confront her. "Know what?" she asked as she tried to bide her time.
"What's going on, you know."
"Kathleen..."
