“I’m so glad youlike them,” Billie said, grabbing a slice of toast, and nodding that I shoulddo the same.
I smiled and seta piece of toast on my plate, but my stomach roiled with nervousness.
“Lennox, youshould keep that blanket around you,” Billie suggested. “This old cabin isdrafty.”
I hadn’trealized it had slipped off, so I pulled it back over my shoulders and thenervousness in my stomach eased.
The front dooropened, bringing the wind with it and I stood, seeing Phineas walk in with hisbrother Liam who I recognized from the TV, and a tall, long-haired man, who Iknew was his father, but it couldn’t be. He looked entirely too young.
Heismy father, love.
I met Phin’seyes and frowned. “What?”
The blanket wassuddenly covering my shoulders again and Phin closed the distance between us.“Lennox, I’d like you to meet my brother, Liam, and my father, Kin—”
“Kade,” the manwith the long, blond hair interrupted, stepping forward, and holding his handout to me. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
I shook his handand nodded. “I’m so sorry Mr. ah, sir, um, your royal, majesty, no, um Dr.Gunnach.”
“For what,lass?”
“For what myfather—”
“Dinnae fash,Lennox.”
That means,don’t worry.
I scowled atPhin.Stop talking to me in my head.
“Let Phin andLennox talk, honey,” Samantha said. “Come and eat something.”
“What about me?”Liam demanded.
“Well, you, too,I guess,” Samantha teased.
Phin gave me agentle smile, guiding me down the hallway and back into what had become ‘my’bedroom. He closed the door and leaned against it, studying me. “Are youalright?”
“I was going toask you the same thing.” I dropped the blanket on the bed and faced him again.
“You should keepthe blanket—”
“What the heckis the deal with you people and the blanket?” I snapped.
He pushed offthe door. “Lenno—”
I raised my handto stop him from advancing. “No, Phin, you need to start giving me answers. Andyou need to tell me the truth.”
“Will you let metouch you while I do that?”
“Why do you needto touch me?”
He held his handout to me. “So you know I’m telling you the absolute truth.”
“I know youwouldn’t lie.”
“In here,” hetapped his head, “but it’s important you know in here,” he stressed, as heplaced his hand over his heart.
I hesitated,biting my lip, but when he held his hand out to me again, I took it and feltinstantly calm.
