The idea that she could not only live but explore herhomeland filled her with hope, although she had no means. “Are you sure we’refated?” Her people believed in fate.
“I’m sure,” he said, and she had no reason not to believehim. “I’ll find you once a year to exchange blood, and at all other times, Ipromise to keep you as safe as possible from afar. You’ll have all the moneyyou need or could want, and your freedom is yours.”
It was too much to hope for, but he’d been honest with herso far. A longing filtered through her that they couldn’t journey together, butshe should be grateful she’d been saved from death. Perhaps she could even livefor another ten years or so. It was more than she’d ever dared hope. “I supposeI should return and help my father for a while.”
“No. Your father no longer needs help.” Athan’s tone wasgentle, but his gaze was firm. He reached out and untied one of the ribbonsfrom her hair, slipping the pretty silk into his front pocket. “Right now, youneed to live your life, and I must go live mine. Pack up, sweetheart. You’resailing to the new world.”
Chapter One
Modern Day
This funeral was much more fun than Ivy’s last one, whichoccurred around 1940. The smell of flowers was thick in the air, and it was adelightful gardenia-type scent, unlike the heavy roses from decades ago. All inall, it was a lovely day, considering this was the third time she’d died. Shewas having a marvelous time.
She tilted her head and studied the picture of her—well,partially of her—from the last few months. She’d posed for it afterdeliberately caking on all the makeup she’d been wearing in heavier doses forthe last several decades. It’d be fun to be herself again, freeing and lighter.So, she stood near the coffin and took note that next time she aged, she’d haveto use a lighter touch around her eyes. She didn’t look quite right in thephotograph.
A figure stepped up to her side. “She was truly a lovelywoman.”
Ivy looked sideways at Herman Jones, the forty-year-oldsnake who’d tried to steal the company out from under her. Her businessincreasing the longevity of cattle had expanded into several specialty animalorganizations catering to people who needed service animals. She’d miss workingwith the dogs but would most certainly use her enhancement, one that discoveredwhat animals needed, in another arena. “Herman, how nice to meet you.” It was agood thing she’d had everybody wear name tags. Otherwise, she couldn’t pretendnot to know them. She held out a hand.
“Oh. No. It’s nice to meet you, and I’m so sorry it’s undersuch terrible circumstances.” Herman bent over her hand and brushed his lipsacross her knuckles. She withdrew quickly, knowing the rash that could occur fromhaving another male touch her.
When she’d mated Athan, or at least when he’d mated her, areaction had started in her body that prevented any other male from touchingher. He hadn’t explained that back in the day, but then again, he hadn’texplained much, now, had he?
Herman leaned closer. “Your aunt said so many lovely thingsabout you. I apologize for not meeting you before now.”
Considering it was impossible for her to be in two places atonce, there was no way she could have met him. Plus, the guy was a jerk. “Youknow my aunt spoke very fondly of you,” she lied, rather enjoying the game.
He nodded somberly and glanced at the solid gold watch onhis wrist. “That was kind of her. I don’t mean to be indelicate, but…”
Ivy almost burst out laughing. Instead, she let her lipstremble as if she were genuinely overcome by emotion. “But what?”
Herman cleared his throat. “It’s my understanding that theoutstanding stock certificates for the company haven’t been accounted for asyet.”
She drew in air and let the moment stretch, trying reallyhard not to smile. Finally, she patted his sleeve, careful not to touch hisskin. “Oh. I’m sorry about that mix-up, but no. She sold the company.” To awonderful, dog-loving couple out of Omaha who owned several cattle ranches.
Herman reared back, his eyes a stormy blue, and hisperfectly styled grayish-brown hair swept back from his face. “Excuse me?”
“Oh. Yes,” Ivy said. “She sold about a month ago to TandemEnterprises out of Nebraska. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.” In fact, Ivyhadn’t told anybody because she’d wanted to enjoy this moment. Of course, she’dhad to sell the company. She needed the funds for her new enterprise—well, thestartup she’d begun months ago as her current self. It felt so good to gowithout tons of aging makeup and gray powder in her hair, and now she couldfinally make a difference.
Herman’s face turned a mottled red. “This is unacceptable.”
Featherlight, a figure stepped up to Ivy’s other side. “Oh,Ivy. I’m so sorry. How are things going?” Leah asked, her eyelashes fluttering.
Ivy patted her arm and dug in her nails. “Just lovely, Leah.Thank you for asking.” It was fun to use their original names again since theyhadn’t done so in nearly a century.
Leah reached beyond Ivy and held out a hand. “We haven’tmet. You seem upset.”
Herman shook her hand, and Leah drew back as quickly as shecould.
Ivy glanced down to see a rash forming on Leah’s thumb andhand. Served her right. She shouldn’t have jumped in, but Leah didn’t know anyother way.
Herman smiled. “Leah. You were friends with Ms. Masters?”
“Yes,” Leah said. “We engaged in several businessenterprises together. She was quite brilliant, you know.”
Herman nodded, his eyes warming. “I do know, and she didrely on me quite a bit. In fact, it looks like I’m out of a job now that shehas passed on. You wouldn’t need a head of accountancy in any of your, um,enterprises, would you?”
Leah fluttered her hands. “No. I’m sorry. My company’s fullyemployed right now, but it’s still kind of you to offer.” She linked her armthrough Ivy’s and pulled her away to sit in the front pew as the funeral beganand people spoke eloquently about who Ivy had been. It was nice to hear thather efforts had paid off, and the many charities she’d supported through herbusinesses had made good use of the funds.
