“I never doubted that.” She fusses with her long blonde plait. It’s a nervous habit, I’ve noticed over the past few weeks.
Unsettled, I struggle to stay in one place. “Will you make my apologies, Tilda? I find I need a long run and an even longer meditation.”
She smiles, but there’s only sorrow there. “I’ll explain. Go do what you need to do.”
Bolting out the door, I head for the woods and the conservation area. All this excess energy needs to be expended before I see Lori Manning again.
Chapter Two
LORI
How could he say no to easing a child’s pain? I’ve lived among monsters since the Great Revelation, and none have made me as angry as Ion Radu. He’s devastatingly handsome and equally irritating. A know-it-all type.
The really annoying part is that while my ex thought he knew everything, Ion might actually know. After all, he’s been alive for a really long time. I heard a thousand years. Maybe that’s an exaggeration.
Even so, I don’t have any idea why I thought I liked him. I even had a weird sense that he might like me. That’s ridiculous. Besides, when I needed him most, he turned me down flat.
He might not think my child’s trauma is serious enough to warrant his intervention, but Livi is suffering, and anyone who can help but won’t is no friend of mine.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Dotty asks from where she and Livi are playing a board game on the living room rug. The braided oval rug is worn, but it’s perfect for my twin girls to play on, even if it’s covering up my new wood floors.
For Christmas, I’m going to buy us a new rug. I have no idea why my mind is such a jumble of thoughts. “Nothing’s wrong, baby. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Can we go to the farmer’s market tomorrow and get pumpkins?” She hops up, excited about the idea.
I can’t believe I didn’t pull out any of the Halloween decorations. I’m usually better about that kind of thing. It’s the second week in October, and I’ve done nothing. Panic starts in my stomach when I think about decorating and buying costumes. All of this should have been planned weeks ago, but I’ve been so worried about Livi. “That’s a wonderful idea.”
Livi puts away the game pieces and folds the board. “I want a big pumpkin.” Her smile is so rare these days, it fills my heart to the brim.
I level my gaze on them both. “What’s the rule?”
They speak as one. “You can only get a pumpkin you can lift yourself.”
Their sing-song tone makes me smile, and it feels ages since I’ve done that. The clock on the oven says 7:54. My pulse pounds, and I can’t decide if it’s rage or anticipation that’s the cause. “Mr. Radu is going to come over tonight to tell you a story when you go to sleep.”
Livi smiles. “I like Mr. Radu. His voice is nice.”
Bouncing, Dotty makes her way to the front door. “He says funny things about a long time ago, when there were no cars. He told us he rode a horse for fifty days to reach his home. Have you ever ridden a horse for fifty days, Mommy?”
“An hour or two, but no, not that long.” My desire to stay angry with Ion is being overridden by how much my girls like him.
And then he’s standing at the front door as if he popped out of the ether. He knocks lightly on the glass despite Dotty standing waiting for his arrival. Meeting my gaze, his stare fillsme with a sense of calm. I want to hate him. I want to avoid him. Yet, I need his help, and he’s extremely difficult to dislike.
Dotty opens the door, letting in the cool fall air. “Hi, Mr. Radu. Are you going to tell us a story?”
Livi stays by me. “You tell very good stories.”
Smiling at them, he says, “If you wish.” He stays just outside the door, waiting for my invitation.
“Please come in, Mr. Radu. Can I get you something to drink? I have an open bottle of wine.” Don’t be so nice, dammit. He’s not your friend. Shit.
Once inside, he closes the door. “Perhaps after the story, if you’ll join me.”
Taking her sister’s hand, Dotty grins. “We’ll go to bed so you can tell us about horses and carts.” Already in their matching mermaid pajamas, they skip down the hall.
With a look that seems filled with apologies, he watches me. “I’m sorry about our differences, Miss Manning. I didn’t mean to upset you earlier. I truly want to help you, but what you asked is complicated and unwise.”
Holding my temper in check, I fist my hands, letting my nails bite into my palms. “And you get to decide what is wise.”
