He set the suitcase down, crossed to her and grasped her shoulders gently. “That you love me.”
She glanced up at him coquettishly. “Did I say that?”
“Sort of.” He drew her in and held her close.
She tensed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She let out a deep sigh. “Okay, there is something, but it’s no big deal.”
“Spill it.”
She hesitated a moment, then mumbled, “You didn’t say it back.”
He stroked her hair. “That doesn’t mean I won’t.”
“So, I’m in this alone for now?”
“You’re not alone. I’m just…”
She looked up at him, expectantly.
“I don’t know how to explain it. Maybe I’m still not used to the idea of beingwithsomeone other than my late wife. Or I’ve been missing Alice for so long, I have to let go of that first. Or maybe I’m just being cautious. I don’t really know. I’m sorry. I guess that’s not really helping.”
She nodded but didn’t speak. She didn’t want her voice to tremble or crack.It’ll be okay. He’ll come around—I hope.
Suddenly, Sly’s body slid out of her grasp and fell to the floor.
“Sly!”
She looked at the heap and couldn’t fathom what had happened. Kneeling next to him, she shook his wilted body. “Sly! Wake up!” His chest wasn’t rising and falling.Oh, no. Is he dead?A moment later, she rolled her eyes at herself.Well, of course he’s dead. He’s been undead for twenty-six years. He told me once he only takes a few breaths per hour.
Suddenly it occurred to her—the sunrise. It must be sunrise! She rushed to the window and spied a faint purplish-pink sky and a golden glow behind mostly dark buildings.
“Oh, crap. Now what do I do?”
She had to protect him from the sunlight. He had explained that a suite would afford them a room they could darken while she remained in another room with the sunbeams streaming in during the day.
This schedule sucks.
She had to act fast. There was no way she could drag him across a carpeted living room all the way to the bedroom, avoid the growing light, then lift him onto the bed and seal the curtains shut before the sun caused him to burst into flames.I could close and tape the curtains first…No, that would take too long, meanwhile the sun is rising!
Thinking fast, she grabbed his wrists and dragged his lifeless body into the bathroom.No windows in here at all. Perfect!
But what if she had to go?
She pondered that for about a minute, then realized he wouldn’t wake up if she sat on his stomach and played solitaire all day. “Okay, I guess you’re safe from the sun.”And I’m safe from embarrassment.
She strode to the bedroom, pulled a blanket and pillow off the bed, then returned to the luxurious, spa-like bath and tucked him in.
Did it always happen like this? Passing out no matter where he was when the sun rose?That could be quite inconvenient.That’s when she realized that he needed her as much as she needed him.
Chapter thirteen
Merry pounded on the door of Apt. 3B for the third time. “Morgaine!”Where the hell is she?
Gwyneth was jogging up the stairs. “Merry? What on earth’s going on? I ain’t never heard you yellin’ like that before.”
