Chapter Fifteen
Rhys
Savannah was silenton the walk to my house. As we approached, she turned to look across the street.
“We should get Satchel,” she stated. “She’ll be upset if she sees me and I don’t go inside.”
I followed her gaze and saw the little gray cat perched in the window, watching us. “Let’s go get her then.”
A few moments later, we were within the safety of my house, Satchel cuddled close to Savannah’s chest. The cat seemed to sense that her mistress needed her because it curled closer to Savannah, purring incessantly.
While we waited for Ava to arrive, I took the time to brew some tea. I didn’t have Irish whiskey, but I did put a dollop of bourbon in each cup and wrapped the teapot in a towel to keep it warm after I poured out a measure for Savannah and myself.
I carried the tea back into the living room and gave one mug to Savannah. “It’s hot and it’s got a dash of bourbon in it,” I warned her, concerned at the way her freckles stood out against her pale skin.
Without a word, she took a sizeable sip. She gasped after she was done, setting the cup on the coffee table while she tried to catch her breath.
“I warned you,” I said.
Savannah nodded. “I know, but I really needed that.” Her eyes lifted to mine. “I’ve never experienced anything like what happened in the shop today. There were so many veiled threats and underlying emotions flying around that I couldn’t focus on a single one. I’m not even sure what’s going on. The only thing I understood clearly was that Rhiannon wants something from us, but I have no clue what that could be.”
I took a drink from my cup. After I swallowed down the brew of caffeine and liquor, I replied, “I may know the answer to that.”
Savannah looked at me in surprise. “You do? What is it?”
“Let’s wait for Ava. I’d prefer to tell both of you at the same time.” I drank more tea, let the warmth of the bourbon warm me, and took a deep breath. “But I’m afraid you won’t like me very much when I’m done.”
Her brows lowered. “I doubt that could happen.”
I set my cup aside before I gave in to the temptation to drain it. I needed all my wits about me for the conversation to come. Then, after Savannah and Ava were staring at me in disgust, I would drink.
“I’ve lived for a very long time, Savannah,” I began. “I’ve done things that most people can’t even fathom. Things I’m not proud of and even more that I wish I could forget.”
She stroked a hand down Satchel’s back, whether in an effort to comfort the cat or herself, I wasn’t sure. “Well, let me decide how I feel about your past before you make up your mind for me, okay?”
I smiled at her. That was one of the things I admired most about Savannah. She very rarely judged. It was refreshing to encounter a woman like that. With her empathic abilities, she saw clearly into the root of the emotions people around her experienced. She understood how other people felt in a way that most people could not because she shared in their suffering, joy, or anger. Because of that, she said she couldn’t be upset with people over how they felt. Most people never had an opportunity to walk in someone else’s shoes, but Savannah did it on a daily basis with grace and generosity of spirit.
The doorbell rang and Savannah jumped.
“It’s okay. It’s Ava,” I said.
“I know, I’m just on edge,” she replied with a sigh.
When I let Ava into the house, she appeared much calmer and in complete control.
“Everything okay?” I asked as I shut the door behind her.
She nodded. “Fine. They left and didn’t return.” When she saw the mugs of tea we were drinking, she asked, “May I have some of that tea?”
“With bourbon or without?”
“With. Definitely with.”
I could hear the murmur of their voices as I made Ava a cup of tea. I wasn’t looking forward to what I had to tell them. I knew it would change the way they both saw me. I wasn’t ready to share the story, but I had no other choice. It was becoming obvious that my dreams were harbingers and ignoring the signs would only put us in more danger.
I tucked the bourbon beneath one arm and carried the teapot and Ava’s cup into the living room.
She smiled as she took the mug. “Thank you.”
