“Can they?” She glanced at him. “I just told you a story about his family that was rather terrible in some ways. I wasn’t sure I should give you all those details. I didn’t want to frighten you.” She paused. “Do you believe there are monsters out there, Michael?”
“I know there are monsters.” His voice was sober as his gaze shifted to look out the door. “I know it. Maybe not like wizards or vampires, but people who are real, real bad inside. That’s why there have to be people who can fight them. And I know that Caleb isn’t a monster. So maybe he has to be one of the others…someone who can kind of…balance things.”
“You have a good deal of faith in him.” She smiled faintly. “I guarantee that Caleb would laugh if he heard you describe him like that. More of a dragon-fighting knight than a monster?”
He nodded. “But you don’t think he’s a monster, either.”
“No, of course I don’t. Not for a minute. He’s just…unusual and definitely marches to his own drummer. But then I’ve seen how often he goes to hospitals to help heal patients when no one else can do it.” She grimaced. “Not that he’d ever let anyone know if he could help it.”
“And that makes you angry. You seem to be angry with him most of the time.” His gaze shifted back to her. “Why?”
“Personal reasons that I have no intention of discussing with you,” she said firmly. “There’s such a thing as allowing people to maintain their privacy. I gave you what you wanted from me today, now drop it.”
“Okay.” He was smiling mischievously at her. “I’ll figure it out.”
She was afraid he would, but she hoped it wouldn’t be for another few years. “But, truth or fantasy, all this talk about Caleb’s family has nothing to do with you. I only told you what you wanted to know about Caleb because it always seemed you wanted to find out everything concerning him. The only important thing you have to remember is that Caleb regards you as his friend.”
“I know he does, Jane.” His smile faded as he added absently, “But maybe that’s not the most important thing.”
“It’s all we’re going to discuss at the moment,” she said firmly as she stood up and pulled him to his feet. “It’s time we left to go meet your mom and dad. Stop frowning, you know we’re going to have a fantastic time.”
“I was just thinking…” There was a sudden bounce in his step as he moved quickly toward the door. “Of course we are. Being with Mom and Dad always makes everything wonderful…”
Chapter
2
Castle TeaRoom
Wales
4:40 P.M.
Come with us,” Eve Duncan urged Jane after they’d finished tea. “You’re not making sense.” She slipped her arm affectionately around Jane’s waist as she walked with her through the lobby to where Joe and Michael were waiting in the parking lot. “I fully agree with Michael that there’s no earthly reason why you shouldn’t just jump in the car and head back to London with us.” She made a face. “He said you gave him some story about how you needed to give us time to be with him. Ridiculous.”
“No, it isn’t,” Jane said cheerfully. “You only had two days with him when you visited right after all the smoke and furor settled down in Maldara. You wouldn’t let me opt out then, but you have to do it now.” Her smile faded. “Look, I adore Michael. But he’s a very special child and you’ve had an almost psychic connection with him since the day he was born. I know what you’re doing with the reconstruction of those children in Maldara is necessary, but the separation has been hard on all three of you during these weeks. You need this time alone together.”
“We need you, too.”
“But that’s different. I had you to myself all those years before Michael was born.” She added softly, “Wonderful, wonderful years. It’s Michael’s turn now.”
“You always did think you had to take care of everyone in the family.” Eve sighed and shook her head as she gazed at Jane’s expression. “You’re not going to change your mind?”
“It’s only one day. I’ll see you at my apartment at noon tomorrow. Maybe we’ll go to the zoo or something. Then Monday morning, Michael and I will take you to the airport and come back here to the castle and do some more digging. It will work out fine.”
“Stubborn.” Eve wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know why you won’t—”
Jane’s phone rang, and she glanced at the ID. “Lisa Ridondo.” She frowned. “That’s weird. I haven’t talked to her for months. There might be a problem. If you don’t mind, I’ll take this and tell her I’ll call her back.”
Eve nodded. “Go ahead, talk to her. I’ll wait.” She grinned. “From what I remember about Lisa, she was always unique, but very interesting.” Her smile faded. “And absolutely adored her brother, Caleb.” She dropped down in a chair in the lobby of the tearoom and waved her hand. “Take your time.”
“Thanks.” Jane was already turning away and accessing the call. “Lisa? I haven’t heard from you for a while. How are you doing?”
“Well enough,” Lisa said. “It took you long enough to answer the phone. I was feeling a bit rejected.” She added ruefully, “Of course, I could be getting a little paranoid. Caleb has been tutoring me on how actions reap consequences. I was afraid I was getting the same treatment from you.”
“I don’t know what on earth you mean.” Jane hesitated, then added, “And it’s not likely that Caleb and I would get together on any course of action. I’m sure he told you that we’re not seeing each other any longer.”
“He did.” She added fiercely, “I thought you were incredibly stupid. What woman wouldn’t want Caleb? He’s fantastic.”
“Then he’ll have no trouble finding someone less stupid than me to agree with you. But no one can say you’re unbiased, can they? Did you want anything else, Lisa? Eve is waiting for me to get off the phone.”
“Eve? Tell her I said hi. She’s very cool.”
“She likes you, too. But the word she used was ‘unique.’”
Lisa chuckled. “She’s right. I’m glad she appreciates that. What are you doing with Eve?”
“Having tea at Kendrick Castle in Wales. Michael and I are at a dig while Eve and Joe are in Africa. They have to go back there on Monday, but we’re having a great time while they’re here.”
“Then everything is okay with you?”
“Of course. As I said, we’re having a great time.” She paused. “Why did you phone, Lisa? Something gone wrong in your world? May I help?”
“No.” Silence. “And now you’re making me feel guilty. I was just mulling over something Caleb said and thought I’d phone and tell you that I really do like you and I only thought it was for the best.” She added defiantly, “And it might have been. But I’m sorry if you might think it wasn’t exactly what I should have done.” She let out her breath in a sigh of relief. “And now I’ve got that out and I’ll hang up.”