Page 86 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

"Perhaps it's time to stop running," Din suggested.

The comment hit closer to home than she liked. "Maybe," she allowed. "This place seems secure enough, if a bit boring for my taste. It's like a retirement community, you know? Do they have bingo night here?"

He laughed. "Is it really that bad? Was someone mean to you?"

"No. They are all disgustingly nice. It's just a big adjustment. Going from complete freedom to this gilded cage."

"Complete freedom," Din repeated. "Is that really what you had out there, Fenella? Living hand tomouth, always looking over your shoulder, never putting down roots?"

The question stung because it contained more truth than she wanted to admit. "Freedom is priceless, and I survived."

"Surviving isn't the same as living," Din said.

"God, you sound like one of those inspirational posters," Fenella groaned. "Next, you'll be telling me to 'live, laugh, love.'"

Din chuckled. "I wouldn't dare."

"When do you arrive?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Saturday evening your time."

"Another delay?"

He sighed. "Please don't start with the bad omen nonsense."

"Fine. Maybe we can get a drink at that hobbit bar Ingrid showed us."

"I'd like that," Din said.

An awkward silence fell between them, both seemingly unsure how to end the conversation.

"Well," Fenella said finally, "I should go. Jasmine mentioned dinner at Ell-rom's sister's, and I'm starving."

"Of course," Din said. "Thanks for the call."

"Don't make a big thing of it," she said, discomfort rising at the emotion in his voice. "It's just a phone call."

"Even so. I'll see you Saturday."

"Saturday," she confirmed and ended the callbefore anything else uncomfortably sincere could be said.

Fenella set the phone aside and fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Talking to Din had been easier than she'd expected but also more disquieting. There was an intensity to his interest in her that both flattered and alarmed her. Fifty years was a long time to carry a torch for someone you barely knew.

When her phone rang, she was sure it was Din calling her back, but it was Jasmine.

"We're at your front door. Are you coming?"

"Yes. Give me a minute." She ended the call and pushed herself off the bed.

On her way out, Fenella caught her reflection in the entry mirror and groaned. Her hair was mussed, and a faint flush still colored her cheeks from the phone call.

"Oh, stop it, you fool." She brushed her hair with her fingers. "He's not worth getting excited over."

43

MAX

The wheels of the jet touched down with a gentle bump, and as Max lifted the window shade, he was momentarily blinded by the harsh California sunshine.