Page 23 of Property of Quake

“What?”

“You know,” he begins thoughtfully. “That’s how I met Lucy.”

“Congratulations?” I counter.

“Maybe this Sister Emiliani is your future wife,” Zombie states as if it’s the most logical idea in the world.

“And maybe you’re the future Pope,” I retort, annoyed.

“Could happen.”

“No.”

“Stranger things have happened,” Zombie says.

“She’s a nun at a Catholic children’s home,” I snap.

He shrugs. “So?”

“Jesus, you’re infuriating,” I gripe.

The entire room breaks out in laughter, all at my expense.

Zombie points at me. “Brother, if this chick falls in love with you,” he wheezes. “I’m never letting you live it down. The only thing that would make it better is if you fall in love with her. Imagine, you and a nun…”

The laughter only gets louder, and I push away from the table to stand.

“You’re all fucking insane,” I bark, storming to the door and leaving.

As I make my way to my suite, I breathe deeply in an effort to calm my frustration. My brothers are annoying, and they piss me off to no end sometimes, but I still need to remind myself that they do it because they love me.

Love… They seriously think there could be love between me and a goddamn nun.

“Insane,” I mutter.

My traitorous brain counters with a question that has me reeling.

Is it insane, or is it exactly right?

8

WHITNEY

“You have a visitor.”

I glance up from my Bible and smile at Melissa. It’s amazing seeing her out of her room, but I know the grief will stick around for years to come. By all accounts, she was very loved by her parents, so her situation is sadder than most who come to Sacred Haven.

“Thank you,” I say, rising to my feet and walking to the door. “Why don’t you see if you can find Sister Mary Jane? I think I heard her say something about baking cookies today.”

Her eyes light up briefly, but she shutters her expression as if being happy is wrong. My heart breaks for the child, and I silently vow to spend some time with her later to see if she’s ready to open up about anything.

“On second thought, do you want to come with me?” I ask when she doesn’t move. “I think we could use someone as smart as you to help us.”

Melissa nods, and I reach out to hold her hand. Tentatively, she places her palm in mine, and we walk through the hallways to the office in silence.

Before I step into the room, I take a deep breath. I know it’s Quake on the other side of the door, and the past week has done nothing to cure my… curiosity.

I turn the knob and push the door open.