Page 10 of The Healer (The Blood of Legends #2)

Chapter Ten

GET IT DONE

I n her ballet flats, Ilona scampered down the stairs, the aroma of bacon calling her. She peeked into the dining room, and like a king at a banquet, Dane sat at the head of the table with platters of food spread out before him.

“Morning, how did you sleep?” He grinned and gestured with a fork for her to join him.

“Like a baby.” Ilona slipped into a chair and reached for the bacon platter.

He scooped a pile of pancakes onto his plate and drizzled a ton of maple syrup over them. “When you’re done eating, I’ll take you to Amos. He’s at Tuesdays for the annual pool tournament.”

“On a weekday?” She frowned.

“It’s a standing event, and everyone treats it as an off day.” Dane shrugged. “As long as they get their work done, I don’t care either way.” He sucked in a deep breath that expanded his chest like a puffed-up pigeon. “As the mayor, I have to show my face, of course.”

“Oh, good morning, Ilona. Coffee?” Harriet hurried into the dining room carrying a pot of coffee.

Ilona nodded, her mouth too full to talk. Within seconds, she was stirring in sugar and cream. She groaned after a sip of the strong, smoky heat layering her tongue. “Nectar.” After four strips of bacon, a slice of toasted ciabatta smeared with fresh butter and homemade marmalade, she was replete. But there was space for another coffee.

“That was scrumptious, as always, Harriet.” Dane rubbed his flat stomach through his dark-blue T-shirt, flashing his mocha skin rippling with muscle. Satisfaction was in the bright smile he bestowed on the older woman.

“I’ll make more for Rhys.” She waved her hand over the leftovers.

“And whatever he doesn’t eat, just pop in the warmer. Ilona’s nibbled like a freaking bird. I expect her Coedwig appetite to kick in soon.” Dane pushed away from the table to rise. “We’ll leave in five minutes?” He arched a brow at Ilona’s empty mug then at her ballet flats. “I want to find Amos before the lunchtime crowd. Hopefully, we’ll catch him in a good mood.”

Fair enough since she had slept in. “Thank you for breakfast, Harriet.”

Upstairs, Ilona stared at her nibbled-on boot from last night. Not finding where the bear’s teeth had scoured the leather, she sat on the bed to don socks then boots. After brushing her teeth, she tugged on a thick fleece-lined jacket, fluffed her hair over the collar and grabbed the black box.

Dane waited for her at the front door, wearing a massive parka in hunter green that would have drowned her. His short hair curled over the collar, implying it needed a trim. It had the look of fresh snow. “Ready?”

She took a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Gloves? A scarf?”

She groaned, darting up the stairs to grab them. Returning to him, she tucked the box under her arm as she peeled the gloves on, with the scarf looped around her neck. He captured the ends and tried to strangle her, flicking it a few times around her until she felt like a giraffe with a goiter.

“If I fall, it’s on you.” Her scarf muffled her words and obscured her vision.

Opening the front door blasted a gust of icy wind into her. She gasped, dipping her nose into the scarf.

“Stay close to me. I’ll warm you.”

Her cheeks caught on fire at the suggested proximity. She fiddled with her zipper, tilting her face away hoping to hide her scar. But when he waited for her response, she scrambled for one. “That’s the best pick up line I’ve heard to date.”

He blinked at her. So, she huddled behind his great bulk, which shielded her enough for her to close the door behind them.

He laughed and loped ahead, leaving her at the mercy of the elements. The sky was a pale turquoise, the snow blinding against the graveled tarmac and sludge. He held the door open on his red SUV. She hurried to dip under his arm and slide in. Warmth was instant when he shut the door, cutting off the chilling wind. She clamped the box between her denim-encased knees to buckle up.

He slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“Seatbelt.” She wiggled her fingers, asking him to tug it across, so she could buckle him in.

“Not necessary, Mom. Tuesdays is a minute away.”

Ilona stilled, tormented by the memories of the accident. It was silly to wonder if not wearing their seatbelts would have saved them. She bit her inner cheek to keep the tears at bay.

Dane stared at her. “Care to talk about it?” The gentleness in his deep baritone cut through the silence between them.

“No, but thanks.”

“I’ll listen when you’re ready.” He accelerated out of the parking spot and turned the SUV around. His tires crunched as they found traction.

The townsfolk meandered on the sidewalks like it wasn’t below freezing. Children played in the snow, building animal-shaped snowmen and making snow angels. The many cars parked outside Mo’s Diner and Jameson’s Mercantile said they did good business. Coedwig was the image of a bustling town, a charming place to raise children. Pine and tradition scented the air, implying generation after generation had lived here.

Within minutes, Dane parked outside a single-story log cabin with neon signage on its fascia boards—the bar she had seen when she had driven into town. Tuesdays was open and crowded if she judged the packed parking lot.

“Shit,” Dane muttered. “Lunchtime’s early.”

She climbed out before Dane could open the door for her. Now that she was here, she twitched with barely restrained energy. What would she do if Amos hated her on sight? She sighed, castigating herself for her doubts and silly fears. If her dear old grandfather didn’t want her, that was fine too. She would return to Fenneg having lost nothing.

She raised her chin, uncaring that the action allowed the wind access to her throat. With a yank of the scarf, she tossed it on the seat then closed the car door. Time to face this task, to finish it, and head home.

Not that she knew what she would do when she returned to Fenneg. Waiting for her was the Great Cleanse and her new job at Indes Pediatrics. As a doctor, as a healer of children, she wasn’t sure she could do anymore. A doctor had to have heart, drive, passion…

Dane held the cabin door until she ducked under his arm and inside the warm interior. He peeled off his jacket and hung it on a hook buried among many other coats and jackets. After he helped her out of hers, he did the same, shoving her gloves inside her jacket pockets. Waiting for him granted her a few moments to scan the packed bar.

The stench of beer filled the air, but no smoke rose toward the ceiling, as if no one in the town smoked. How odd. Regardless, the floor was clean, the counter at the back long with sturdy stools and a young, brown-haired bartender serving drinks. With the crowds blocking her view, the pool tables had to be toward the rear.

Silence descended, and one by one, women and men stared at her, raising their chins to sniff the air. She restrained herself from asking Dane if she reeked of skunk. Blues played on the speakers, but not loud enough to hinder conversation.

“Come.” He wrapped his fingers around her elbow and ushered her toward the bar, cutting a fine swathe through the crowd.

He tapped a barstool with his boot. She slipped onto it, cupping the box in front of her. He dropped onto the stool beside her and waved two fingers at the bartender. Conversation resumed, and the volume rose to an almost deafening roar.

Woman after woman, gorgeous enough to be models, draped themselves over Dane, casting heated glares at Ilona. Blonde or brunette, slender and tall made her think Coedwig was a fashion capital. She caught snippets of their whisperings.

“…found a woman to warm you yet?”

“…you can do better than her.”

“…the full moon is almost upon us, and I was hoping…”

Ilona smothered a chuckle. Make that the porn capital with so many horny women in one place. Big man, big feet, big penis? Despite knowing the statistics, the adage had her coughing to cover her laughter.

Dane handled them with skill, whispering something in their ears to send them away with hopeful smiles.

“Two beers.” The bartender flicked coasters onto the counter before placing the bottles on them.

She blinked. Beer so soon?

“Name’s Aiden.” The bartender winked at her, and his dark blue eyes warmed when he ran his gaze over her.

She tilted her head to better display her scar, hoping to deter any advances. Not that he wasn’t attractive. She scanned the room again and frowned. Most of the men were built like athletes or bodybuilders, and they all had this tension around them like coiled snakes.

Dane chugged his beer like he hadn’t just eaten a mountain of food. “Where’s Amos?” He gestured to the room at large with a twirl of his bottle.

“Here somewhere.” Aiden shrugged. “Nothing noteworthy has happened…yet.” He polished a glass, studied it in the dim lighting, then polished it again. “Why are you looking for him?”

“I need to speak to him.” Ilona sipped her beer, letting the bitterness cut through her nervousness.

“Figured as much.” Aiden blessed her with a sensual smile. “Hey, Jillie, have you seen Amos?”

The elderly woman to the right of Ilona nursed a white wine. She hitched her thumb behind her and raised her glass to her lips, her assessing gaze resting on Ilona.

“Amos!”

Ilona jerked at Dane’s boom, and the crowds quietened.

“Quit your hollering.” A tall man fiddled with his belt when he shuffled through the men’s bathroom door. “Can’t a man piss in peace?”

No, this couldn’t be him. He looked too young, late forties, early fifties max. Black hair peppered with gray fell to his shoulders, so long he could have tied it into a man bun. His eyes were a dark brown, and with that square jaw enhanced by his thick yet trimmed beard, Ilona could see why Gran had found him attractive. His nose was the deciding factor. A masculine version of hers and Mom’s.

Shit. She faced Aiden, but the mirror behind him showed Amos’s progress across the bar. Her heart pumped blood along her arteries with too much force. Flutters claimed her chest. The air was too thin. She struggled to inhale.

“Breathe.” Dane rested his hand between her shoulder blades.

His strength poured into her. She nodded, taking in slow controlled breaths until her heartbeat returned to a semi-normal pace.

“So, what do you want?” Amos’s voice behind her stiffened her back and tightened the grip she had on the beer.

“Care to explain?” Dane nudged her.

She squared her shoulders then spun on the barstool to face her grandfather. He towered over her with his intimidation factor not aided by her seated position nor his glower. There was nothing to do but tell him.

“Hey, it turns out we’re related.” She closed her eyes for a second, gritting her teeth at her tactless words. “You’re my grandaddy.” In for a penny and all that.

“What?” Amos ran his dark gaze over her face and lingered on her scar.

She raised her chin, letting him see she was damaged goods. He would find out soon enough, anyway. She twisted to grab the box and shoved it into his hands. “Monique asked me to deliver this.”

“Mona?” He gasped, clutching the box tighter. “You’re Mona’s granddaughter?” He didn’t wait for an answer but focused on the box in his hands. “I…gave her this.” He clenched his jaw, flicked a glance at their attentive audience then at Ilona. “Meet me at Mo’s. Now.”

He unhooked his coat, slipped it on, then stormed outside, the door banging shut behind him.

“Your grandmother should have at least warned you about him.” Jillie sipped her wine. “He’s a mean bastard.”

Ilona sighed. “So everyone tells me.” She leaped off the stool, slid money onto the bar while ignoring Aiden, and bolted after Amos. The sooner she got this sorted, the faster she’d be on a plane home. A glance over her shoulder confirmed Dane trailed her.

The wall of muscle she walked into sucked the breath out of her. She clung to massive biceps while catching her balance. Raising her face to mumble “Oh, I’m so sorry” catapulted her heartbeat. Heat burned across her cheeks. She knew this man. Dipping her chin, she darted around Mr. Naked Neanderthal and snatched her jacket off the hook.

One traumatic event at a time, thank you very much.

She marched out of the bar without a backward glance. Standing on the sidewalk, she rocked on her feet and hunched her shoulders against the biting wind while waiting for Dane. When she realized he might not be coming, something slithered down her spine she would admit was fear. She couldn’t face Amos alone, could she?

She opened the door and peeked inside. Of all times to be chatting to her handsome stranger, did it have to be now? And of course, she had to linger on his many attributes she had vivid recollection of. She settled her gaze on Dane. “Is this going to take long? Want me to fetch you afterward?” She put enough impatience in her tone that he hurried to don his jacket.

Hiding a smile, she ducked outside and waited, trying not to imagine how this thing with Amos would play out. Her breathing became ragged.