Chapter 4
Hugh held up his hand and willed it to become corporeal. He grunted at the table still visible through it. Since his initial success with the old man and the young woman in the library, Hugh had been unable to lift more than small objects and shift them.
While able now to maintain a sense of himself more consistently, he still had an occasional period when he would come to spy on the arrogant, always-in-motion Americans and find that days had passed since his last memory. Eavesdropping on their plans might entertain him, but he must not permit their industry to distract him.
He frowned. What had changed to make it so laborious for him to focus his power? Not until those buffoons had taken apart his home had he experienced such difficulty. Had they reassembled his beloved home poorly, and that was the cause? Or did it tie back to locating the stone?
Hugh concentrated, twisting his hand and wiggling his fingers. When they became solid, he lifted the chain of keys the mother had left on the table. The raucous laughter of the twin boys made Hugh start. His hand turned translucent again, and the keys crashed to the floor. The undisciplined hellions. Hugh forced his hand tangible again and moved to the window.
Below, the little girl gave a happy squeal as her brothers swung her into the air. For a moment, another scene superimposed itself upon theirs. A different brother swung his young sister into the air. Hugh pressed his hand against his chest, but the ache did not stop. Where had they put his little Maire’s stone? How could he ever be free of the place if he could not find it?
Below, the father called the children inside. Hugh’s hand turned translucent again, and he growled. They were all so distracting.
Frightening away the servants had been simple enough. Once he fully revived his powers, he would do the same to the family with their noisy boys and too-perceptive girls.
“I vow,” Hugh said through gritted teeth, “to claim the citadel for myself and my search.”
Coop
COOP FOUND HIMSELF DRIVING UP to the citadel a week after the Savages had come. He meant to drive into town to check out any new plant shipments and to put in an order. Mr. Savage had liked the garden design and given a tentative go-ahead on its completion. His wife loved it, just as Lia had predicted. Mrs. Savage hadn’t said anything about hiring new people or letting anyone go, so Coop’s parents still had jobs too. So far.
As he reached for the kitchen doorknob, Coop paused to listen. Music … and singing. Lia must be cooking. He’d timed it right. All last summer, Lia and her friend Taylor had talked nothing but desserts, but they’d never brought anything to the activities they all participated in. He guessed the kind of confections Lia made wouldn’t hold up during a river rafting trip. His stomach rumbled as he knocked on the door. Maybe he’d finally get to taste something she’d made.
“It’s unlocked,” Lia called.
Coop opened the door to find her working at the big table, putting the finishing touches on some delicate little desserts. Seeing her there, so obviously happy, gave him an odd sense of “rightness,” like the citadel’s large kitchen had been waiting for someone just like her.
“Hey, Coop.” She wiped at a strand of hair that had gotten loose from her pony tail. In the process she smeared something brown on her cheek.
“Did I come at a bad time?” he asked.
“No, you came at the perfect time. I’m just finishing up.” She lifted one of the delicacies wrapped in a thin waxed paper cup-thing. “Want a taste?”
“Heck, yeah.” Coop didn’t hesitate, taking it from her and removing the paper. He sniffed it and arched a brow.
“Taste it,” she said.
He took a bite and let it linger on his tongue, like he had seen wine tasters do. The flaky crust melted in his mouth and then the flavor of chocolate burst across his taste buds. He felt like a connoisseur. A connoisseur ofDessert à la Lia. He hummed with pleasure.
“You like it.” Lia gave a happy sigh.
It tasted so good Coop didn’t answer but stuffed the rest of it into his mouth. He hummed again and grinned as he chewed.
“Now you’re teasing me.” Lia went to the sink and began to wash her hands.
“Are you just practicing,” he asked, “or are they for something special?”
“They’re for the meeting in the village tonight.” She picked up a towel and turned to face him.
“I’m glad your father wants to check out what Miles already had going before moving ahead himself.” Coop came to stand beside her to rinse his fingers. “I think it’s smart business.”
“Me too.” She handed him the towel.
“You have a smudge.” He pointed to Lia’s cheek, and her face flushed pink. He loved the way she looked, with chocolate smeared on her face, her messy ponytail with wisps of hair trying to break free, and flour dusting her apron. She smelled like all the good things in his life—home, comfort, happiness.
“I always end up wearing whatever I bake.” She took the towel he offered and wiped her cheek.
Coop almost told her she looked cute, even opened his mouth to say it. He paused.Gee, you look cute.If it sounded half as stupid coming out of his mouth as it sounded in his head, he’d better not.
