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“I know,” she agreed and sighed, “and it’s part of the reason I love you.”
“It is?”
“Yes, truly. You are my hero, Cullen, but when it comes to the crunch, I’m the one who’s got to face Fox.” She couldn’t tell him he wasn’t strong enough because he wasn’t gifted, it would upset him.
She was about to say more when the sound of a car pulling up outside distracted her.
“There’s a carriage at the gate,” Cullen confirmed as he glanced out the window.
“Oh, bloody hell.” Wrenching a drawer open, she shoved the stuff inside and pushed the boxes toward the window, where she covered them with the curtains.
Darting through the house, she watched with her nerves shot to hell as her parents and her younger brother extracted themselves from their vehicle and prepared to invade the house. Taking a deep breath, she put her arm around Cullen and fixed a smile on her face.
“Are you ready for this?” she whispered.
He looked downright gorgeous in his twenty-first century clothes. His shaggy hair was just brushing the top of his collar, making him look like a rugged rock star relaxing at home—relaxed, self-assured and sexy as hell.
“Ready and willing, as I always am for you, my love.”
He squeezed her affectionately against his side as he joined her in waving a greeting toward the three figures unfolding themselves after their long journey.
She savored his words. He knew her so well already. He knew she needed the boost, but hell, a girl could get used to hearing that kind of comment from her time-traveling lover. “You’re too good to me.”
“I’m sure you’ll make my attentions worth my while.” The smoldering look in his eyes would melt ice.
“Be good, for now,” she warned. “And where the hell is Celeste?” She’d invited Celeste over to help field any potentially awkward moments. With any luck, she would wave her magic wand—or whatever the hell it was she did—and make everybody happy and accepting.
“She’ll be here,” he comforted.
“Ah, this must be the mysterious new man in your life,” her mother said as she approached. The mention of a romantic interest had resulted in the trip being brought forward a whole two weeks, and Sunny had cringed at her mother’s instant curiosity.
“Mrs. Chambers.” Cullen grasped her outstretched hand. He bent over it, making an instant impression.
“Kahina, please,” she murmured, and gave her daughter an approving smile.
Amazing what a bit of old-world charm could do, Sunny mused wryly, as she hugged her dad and gave her brother Ben a wave.
“You’re doing a great job restoring the cottage,” her dad said as he looked at the familiar building. “Your grandma would be proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she said, hugging against his side. “That means the world to me.”
Her younger brother Ben hung back, casually observing. He was the biggest worry, a rebellious fourteen year old, he wouldn’t be polite or hesitant if Cullen made an error. She could only put her trust in fate the day would go as smoothly as possible, and she’d been nagging fate a whole lot more recently.
They’re just here for one afternoon, she reminded herself. That evening her folks would be continuing on their way for a week’s holiday touring the coast, and the danger of discovery would be over for the time being.
Mercifully, Celeste turned up just as they’d all been given the grand tour of the house, ushered into the sitting room, and presented with a welcome drink. Her family had only been in the house for twenty minutes and already she could see Cullen was greatly amused by them.
; Sunny introduced Celeste, who looked tickled to bits with the situation. She had her fading blonde hair in a bun, but she was wearing a smart, fitted dress Sunny hadn’t seen before. She had an amused look in her eyes. Sunny couldn’t blame her and, besides, she knew Celeste would be a big help. Celeste at least understood urbanites might find Cullen alien in his ways. Sunny could only hope it would all hang together.
“How’s it going?” Celeste whispered, as she hugged Sunny and gave her a comforting squeeze.
“Great,” she replied through a fixed smile.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. Believe me, I bet he’ll charm them.”
Somehow that remark didn’t help.
