“I am rarely hungry and can’t sleep.”
“You were asleep when I got here.” She smiled up at him, eyeing his full plate. "And you're eating now."
“I cannot explain that. Existing in two worlds at one time is very painful, like being drawn and quartered, I would imagine. Over the years, I’ve acquired some tolerance. However, if I travel too far from theOnly LoveandSweet Dreamsfor any length of time, the pain hurts even more. Sometimes to the point where I must rest before I can continue to function.”
“Have you been traveling far from here lately?” she asked and set her empty plate aside.
“I’ve had reason to spend some time in Duval Point,” he admitted.
“Why?” Grace cocked her head to one side, shifting the lights in her rich auburn hair.
“I believed I would learn who was behind the trespassers searchingSweet Dreams.”
“A reasonable deduction,” she agreed, and crawled across the bed to sit beside him. “Did you?”
“I did. You are in danger from these people. You should leave.” He hated the idea. Even less did he like the thought of Grace dead. “Get away fromSweet Dreamsbefore it’s too late.” He put his plate aside too then faced her with all the seriousness he could muster. It wasn’t easy with her warm, sweet-smelling body so close.
She shook her head. “I’ll never leave. Not the way you suggest.”
He lifted a brow.
“We’ll get to that soon enough,” Grace said. “Now, sit back down and cuddle with me, while you tell me what other spectral traits you have, besides changing from corporeal to ephemeral and back with the phase of the moon?”
He hugged her to his side, and she rested her head on his chest.
“I’ll detail my psychic abilities later. Right now, I am very concerned for your safety,” Luc insisted.
“Very well, why?”
Her hair tumbled down his chest teasing and tantalizing along the way.
He ground his teeth against the urge to play with all of her curls. “I’ve spent a great deal of time at Guidry’s tavern. Last night, I learned the source of the danger, when I overheard a conversation between Guidry and DeLille.”
“That is interesting, since I got the distinct impression that DeLille does not like or respect Guidry,” Grace remarked.
“You may be right. From what I saw when the two talked, the grocer definitely has little respect for Guidry. That does not stop him from being the majority partner in Guidry’s endeavors to find theOnly Love’s treasure.”
“You have a treasure?” She straightened.
“Not in the sense Guidry believes.” He gentled his gaze and drew her back in. She—Grace and Grace alone—was his treasure.
“You mean you don’t have a hoard of jewels and Spanish doubloons,” she said.
“Precisely. However, while he has his own reasons for wanting to searchSweet Dreams, DeLille has convinced Guidry that such a treasure exists. He encourages Guidry to haveSweet Dreamssearched—again. I believe he intended to frame Guidry for any criminal activity you reported.”
She rubbed her palm across his knuckles.
“I reported those first two trespassers,” she related. “DeLille told me I was better off not pressing charges, because one of them might try to sue me since he was injured on my property even though the man was trespassing. I’ve had enough of courtrooms and lawyers to last two lifetimes. I let DeLille persuade me.” She fidgeted; her silk covered breast sliding against his arm.
Luc bit his lip. Time enough later for love-making distractions. “I wonder if DeLille knows about your problems in Boston. If so, dreaming up an excuse like liability was clever. Either way, he is clearly a man who plans carefully. In fact, that is why I felt it safe to rest before telling you of the danger. DeLille told his partner to wait before sending anyone to do more atSweet Dreams, including harm you.”
“Why would anyone harm me?” Grace asked.
Luc kissed her crown, and let his lips linger against the lilac scented strands of hair.
“Guidry suggested getting rid of you but objected to hurting you when there might be witnesses, people who would worry if you disappeared. He specifically mentioned your land manager and crew.” He twined his fingers with hers.
“They probably would be concerned, as I pay them in cash.” She nodded.
