Are u there?
He looked down at the messages. His hand was slick and his head felt light.
His dream had come true. His deepest hope and most secret of wishes had come to pass.
Marcie was free.
And she’d contacted him.
Maybe there was something about that hot-springs water after all…
He replied to the text messages:Okay.
Then he walked into the house and went to his bedroom.
Twelve
Teddy overheard Oscar’s conversation.
She wasn’t being nosy, but the window in her bedroom was open and he’d been pacing around on the porch just a short distance away as he talked to his sister. So she knew what had happened.
She’d wait until the next morning to find out whether he’d mention it or not…but she didn’t come out of her room. She was too much of a coward.
And she didn’t sleep well at all.
When the nightly shriek came—she automatically checked her clock; it was back on time at one thirty—for once, it didn’t give Teddy goosebumps.
She had other things on her mind.
When she came out the next morning, she found Oscar standing in the living room, looking at what was left of his lab.
And she saw immediately that he’d begun to pack up a few things. Her heart sank and her mouth felt dry as dust.
Thank God I didn’t tell him.
“Hey,” she said brightly. “What’s up?”
“Oh, Teddy.” He looked at her, and she read exhaustion and something else she couldn’t decipher in his expression. He seemed blank and bleary. “I’m just… I have to leave. Unexpectedly. I’m starting to pack up.”
“Let me give you a hand,” she replied, even as her stomach turned greasily. She bit back other casual comments she might otherwise have made about him going back to campus and so on. Instead, she concentrated on helping to box up the unbroken test tubes and stack the petri dishes in slots in their own carton.
“Thanks. How’s the book?” he asked as he wrapped the electrical cord around the centrifuge.
“I sent it off to Harriet and my editor first thing this morning,” she lied. “I did the last bit of polishing last night. So I’m now officially finished! You can rest easy—and your timing for leaving is perfect. I won’t need you to keep me fed and watered anymore.”
He cast her a glance. “I didn’t mind at all, Teddy. Really. It’s been kind of fun, even with everything going on.” He hefted the centrifuge. “So you’ll be leaving too, then? I don’t really want to leave you here alone with all this…stuff going on.” Now he looked downright miserable.
“Oh, that’s no problem. I’m going to stay with Declan and Steph for a few days. Now that the book is done, I can have some fun and relaxation.” Teddy was, after all, a good storyteller. She knew what her audience wanted—but more importantly, what theyneeded.
Oscar seemed relieved. “Oh, good. I’m glad you won’t be staying here alone.” Teddy held the door as he lugged the awkward piece of equipment outside.
When he’d finished loading the last box, Oscar came back into the cottage. He had his hands thrust in his pockets, and Teddy, who was in the kitchen making tea and fighting back both anger and tears, ignored him. When she had her emotions under control, she looked up and gave him a bright smile. “All set? Got everything packed up?”
“Yes.” He stood there, awkwardness rolling off him—and Teddy didn’t give him an inch.
“Want something for the road?” she forced herself to say brightly. “A cup of coffee? A piece of toast?”
“Teddy.” His voice was low and maybe a little confused. “I…uh…I’m sorry I have to take off like this. So unexpectedly.”
