Page 14 of Dark Medicine (Strange Gifts #2)
Adam watched as Kane properly introduced George to the inn owners. The old man’s eyes grew wide, filled with fear and then suspicion. He was certain that Kane would be able to spin this idea into a positive encounter for the older man. George was young, strong, and, more than anything, wanted a place where he felt at home and secure.
“Look, he’s been a victim just like you and wants to make things right. You and your wife are older and have been struggling to keep up. You said so yourself. He’s young and strong. He could do the heavier work around here, small repairs, painting, yard, and garden, and all you have to do is give him a warm place to sleep and feed him.”
“Of course, that’s all,” said the man sarcastically. “He and that other man were horrible to us! How do I know he won’t rob me blind in the middle of the night and murder my wife and me?”
“I am sorry about that,” said George. “I promise you. I’ll do whatever you need me to do, and I would never harm you or your wife. I never hurt anyone. Roman did that.”
Kane was impressed with George’s willingness to follow the plan. He seemed genuinely interested in staying with the old man and his wife. Her kindly gray eyes, and hair to match, pulled into a tight severe bun, stared at the boy.
“Let him stay, Will,” said the old woman, smiling. “Come along, George, let’s get you fed.”
George followed the old woman as the man let out an exasperated breath. It wasn’t the first time he’d lost an argument without a word to his wife.
“Well, I guess that’s settled,” said Kane, smiling. The old man shrugged and walked in the direction his wife took George. Kane turned and joined his friends in the dining room. Adam sat so close to Fiona he might as well have put her on his lap. Although, thought Kane, he wouldn’t mind having Aislinn on his lap right now. The heat traveled through his body, straight to his groin, and he groaned.
“Are you okay?” asked Aislinn, staring at him.
“Fine, yep, good. Perfect, in fact,” he said, kissing her cheek. “It looks like they’re going to give George a chance. I only hope the boy doesn’t rob them blind in the middle of the night.”
“He won’t,” said Flip. “I had a little discussion with him in the car.” The guys all chuckled around the table as the waiter set down six bowls of steaming stew and a large basket of bread.
“Soooo, Aislinn and I were speaking with the sisters and had some thoughts,” said Fiona. All eyes turned in her direction, and she squirmed, suddenly uncomfortable with the scrutiny. “We wondered, what if all of this is not a coincidence? What if… what if this is somehow planned that we all are together?”
“Whoa!” said Spook.
“Exactly, whoa,” said Fiona. “Think about it, what are the odds that you all would have met in the military and then that you, Kane, would meet Aislinn and come here for an Irish wedding, and Adam would meet me!” Breathless, Fiona let out a long sigh.
“It does seem like quite a coincidence, and if the military taught me anything, it’s that nothing is coincidental,” said Kane. “We need to find this rich American that our friend Roman has been speaking to. I have this feeling that he has a lot of answers for us.”
“But how do we find him?” asked Fiona. “No one seems to have a name except Roman, and he’s disappeared.”
“No one disappears,” said Spook, suddenly alert as if someone had jabbed him in the side. “I have the e-mail address that George sent the message to. It was an obscure e-mail, but I’m tracing the IP address and will have something soon.”
“God, I love your geekiness,” smiled Flip.
“Fiona,” said Kane, “I don’t think you should go back to your apartment or back to work,” he said cautiously. “I think you might be in the most danger at the moment.”
“I agree,” said Adam, pulling her close. “I know this is disruptive to your life, but it is your life, and I want to be sure you’re safe.”
Fiona looked around the table and blushed, then shifted uncomfortably next to Adam. He was everything she would ever want in her life, but everything was happening too fast for her. She had a career and a home to get back to, or did she? Although ‘home’ was a bit of a stretch. She had a two-room flat with paper-thin walls and noisy neighbors. She chose the location for its ideal running access along the river and the proximity to her office.
Fiona wasn’t sure why she didn’t just say ‘yes.’ She was alone, no one to return home to. She hated her job, and she had no friends to speak of. Spending the week with Adam and his friends would be far more preferable to going into the office every day.
“I can’t just run away from my life, Adam. I need to go back to my apartment at some point and get my things, and I have a job.”
“I understand,” he said calmly, “but your life is worth more than any of those things. I’m just asking that you stick close to us while we’re here this week. We’ll figure out the rest later.”
Fiona looked at him without expression. It was the ‘later’ she was worried about. When they all left, she would be alone and more vulnerable than ever. The idea of leaving Ireland was more than she was prepared to give.
“I’ll stay through Monday. Then I need to return to my apartment and work. I’ll come back up here for the wedding next weekend."
Adam started to speak, but Kane gave a slight shake of his head, and he stopped. He nodded in agreement with Fiona, but in actuality, he wasn’t agreeing with a damn thing that was coming from her mouth. She was being stubborn and unreasonable. If he had his way, and he would, he would change her mind.
“What do you say tomorrow, I take you all on a little tour of my favorite places? It will be lots of driving, but worth every minute,” said Fiona.
“I think that sounds wonderful!” said Aislinn.
“I’m in,” said Flip.
“Me too,” said Spook.
“Then it’s done. We’ll load up by seven a.m. tomorrow and have a splendid day.” Fiona stood and stretched her long body. “I’m off to bed then. Goodnight, everyone.”
“Goodnight,” said Aislinn, hugging her friend. “And thank you for helping to make today special. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” whispered Fiona against her friend’s ear. Fiona turned toward the stairs and spotted Adam standing at the foot of them, waiting patiently for her. As she approached, he held out his hand to her, and Fiona stopped, staring at the strong, long fingers. The same hand that pulled her off the wet pavement and kept her safe. The same hand that drove her mad with desire last night and this morning. A hand. How could one appendage send so many messages to a woman’s body?
“Ready?” he asked in a silky-smooth tone.
“Ready, Adam Thorn,” she smiled.