CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
MARCUS
It wasa struggle not to shove my way through the door at the rear of The Magic Bean and back into the office. I wanted to tell Merry that I hadn't meant to lie to her. That I fully intended to tell her about Caleb and that I'd been distracted by Dumont and the humans.
But Macgrath and Harrison planted themselves in front of that door. Savannah and Ava had come back out from the office and made it clear that Merry wanted some time alone.
Ava had taken a cup of cappuccino and a thick slice of lemon mousse cake and returned already.
I paced around the storefront until Savannah shoved a cappuccino into my hand and an apple galette in the other.
"Go sit down. Eat your dessert and drink your coffee," she commanded. "You're making me anxious."
I sighed and did as she said. I forced myself to eat and drink. The galette was delicious, sweet and spiced. It tasted like autumn, but it didn't make me feel any better.
By the time I was finished eating and drinking, I was no longer worried. I was depressed. Merry had every right to be angry with me. I only hoped I could convince her not to leave.
An hour later, Merry reappeared with an empty cup and plate in her hand. She put them behind the counter.
"Thanks for the dessert and coffee," she said to Ava.
Then, she turned around and looked everywhere but at me.
Caleb and Rhys had left right after she vanished into the office and Savannah was in the reading room with a client. Only Ava, Harrison, Macgrath, and I remained in the shop. A couple sat at a table near the front windows, but there were no other customers at the moment.
Finally, after a few long minutes, Merry came over to me. "Can we go home?" she asked.
That was not what I expected.
"Um, of course," I answered, getting to my feet.
We said our goodbyes and walked out to the car. As I pulled out onto the street, I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.
"Are you sure you want to go back to the house?" I asked. I should have bitten my tongue instead of speaking, but I couldn't control the urge.
"I'm sure," she murmured. "But we do need to talk."
"I know."
The half-hour drive was silent.
When I pulled in front of the house and parked, Merry turned to me. "Let's take a walk."
Fall temperatures in Austin would be considered warm compared to other areas. The afternoon was sunny and in the low eighties.
We got out of the car and I followed Merry around the house. There was a large open area between the house and the trees. Callum and I kept the grass cut short since we liked to exercise outside.
I trailed behind her as she walked toward the wooded area.
Merry glanced over her shoulder. "Are you going to lurk behind me or come up here so I can bitch at you?"
She didn't sound angry anymore. Just tired.
"I'm sorry."
Merry stopped walking and turned toward me. "What was that?"
"I'm sorry, Merry," I repeated, a little louder this time. "I didn't tell you about Caleb when you first came to stay with us because I was afraid you'd run away. You were so anxious and your nightmares..." I paused. "I was selfish. I wanted more time with you. So I didn't say anything."
