AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Homemade chicken pot pie, salad, homemade bread, and I’m not sure what for dessert. Nothing fancy, but I think it’ll be tasty.”
“It sounds divine. I’ll find a good pinot grigio.”
“Perfect.”
“Six?”
“That’s when Mark and Nova are arriving. We’ll see you when you get here.”
“How’s Carson? He looked done-in last night.”
“He’s doing better than I would be, but he has had a chance to start looking at those papers Tevryn wanted me to deliver.”
“Just tell me he could make some sense of it.”
“Unfortunately, yes. It’s part of the reason we invited Mark and Nova. I’m pretty sure he’ll like the idea that you’re coming. He also thinks with just what he has, he’ll be able to persuade people to risk joining us.”
There was a pause. “That bad?”
“You’re asking the wrong person, but my feeling was the potential for really bad—likeThe Island of Dr. Moreaubad,Frankensteinbad, orJurassic Parkbad.”
“Oh, that’s really not good. Unless you have strong objections, I’m going to plan to bring a small contingent of men with me to ensure your safety. Actually, I’m bringing them whether you object or not—we’ll fight it out once we get there. See you tonight.”
He hung up before she could tell him she didn’t think there’d be much of a fight. Both she and Carson meant to keep their people safe. Their ‘clan’ might be made up of different shifters, but they would protect them just the same.
Once Carson got up, he joined her in the main room of the cottage, settling down to study the papers, further refine his piles, and begin to make notes. He was completely absorbed in his work, only lifting his head when the slowly simmering chicken was ready to cool and have the meat removed from the bones.
“That smells great,” he said, “and I get points for not attacking the freshly baked bread.”
“I told you, I can bake, but regular cooking is not my forte with the exception of chicken pot pie as well as a lobster mac and cheese. I’m making a crepe cake with cream filling and raspberries for dessert. There’s the most beautiful container of fresh, organic raspberries in the fridge. Oh, and Colby called and invited himself.”
“Good. We probably should have thought to do that.”
“Agreed. He said he’s bringing a small group of his men. I think that’s a good idea, as well. I’m going to ask him if he wants to house his pilots out here. I’m not agreeing not to fly myself, but right now, I think my skills are better put to use training other pilots.”
Amelia cherished the way they had fallen into an easy, working rhythm with one another. They could go for long periods of time without saying a word. It allowed Carson to focus on the information they did have and figure out where the holes were. He was already outlining avenues of research to pursue.
Upon hearing theswoosh! swoosh! swoosh!of a good-sized helicopter, Amelia looked out as her phone rang.
“It’s just us,” said Colby. “I picked up Mark and Nova as well.”
Amelia ended the call and walked out to greet them, looking over her shoulder at Carson who had yet to raise his head. Shaking her own, she walked outside, stopping just outside of the chopper’s deadly rotors. She was impressed. The H225M had proven its reliability in combat conditions around the world—Lebanon, Afghanistan, Libya, and numerous other countries and conflicts. While a non-militarized version could be purchased by a civilian, this one was most decidedly ‘militarized,’ and the cost had to have been astronomical.
Colby hopped out, followed by a good-looking man who bore an uncanny resemblance to what Amelia imagined Doc Hadley had looked like in his younger years. He in turn, helped out a lovely young woman who Amelia was immediately drawn to.
“Amelia?” she called. Amelia nodded, and ducking, she broke into a run, catching both of Amelia’s hands in hers and squeezing them. “I’m Nova. I feel like we must have been friends in another lifetime.”
Amelia grinned. “I felt the same way. So in that case, it’s so good to see you again.”
Colby and the other man joined her. “You know Colby, and this is my mate, Mark Hadley.”
Mark shook her hand before Colby stepped forward, kissing her cheek. “It’s good to see you. I take it he’s got his nose down in the papers?”
Amelia laughed. “Yes and is most likely going to be annoyed when I tell him we’re going to need to eat on that table.”
“Ha! I’m a step ahead of you,” called Carson as he came out of the cottage. “Colby, I understand you want to station some men here. I think Amelia disappeared at some point this afternoon and opened up one of the larger residences.”
“I did. And I also made sure we had enough food for them and your pilot. By the way, how many of the H225Ms do you have.”
