Carry On Wayward Son by Cate Dean

Author:Cate Dean [Dean, Cate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pentam Press
Published: 2012-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

*

Annie pushed herself off the bed when she heard the series of clicks.

That bastard unlocked the doors.

“Regina—” Using the wall as a crutch, she reached the door just as Regina appeared, Hillary in tow. “Did you hear?”

“Yes. Do you think—”

“Let’s go find out.”

Regina helped her down the short hall; Hillary ran ahead of them.

“Hil—wait for us—”

The girl reached for the door knob just as they caught up to her—and jerked back with a shriek when the bell chimed. Leaving Annie next to the wall, Regina eased her daughter aside and opened the door.

Annie nearly hit the floor when she recognized who stood on the doorstep.

“Good morning.” Theresa smiled, giving Annie a slight nod when their eyes met. Well, damn it— “I’m the local welcome wagon, and I just wanted to drop by and say hi.”

She stepped forward, holding out her hand—and flinched when it passed over the threshold.

Annie stilled, waited for retribution to drop on Theresa’s head. Nothing happened. But she jerked her hand back, her face white with shock.

Regina reached out to help her, gasped when her hand smacked into an invisible barrier. Annie clutched the wall, wanting to strangle the angelic bastard for handing out false hope.

Theresa’s nervous jabbering pulled her out of her revenge fantasy.

“Did you know we have some of the biggest rats here? They seem to love the sea air. You’re lucky, living on the street side of Beach. If you were on the ocean side, you’d have to watch out for them, they love to burrow in and settle.”

Regina’s face went white. “I have a basement.”

“A basement?” Theresa nearly shouted it. She might as well have stuck a neon sign on her forehead stating “I am a diversion.” Annie started forward, anger smothering her pain. “Quite unusual for California. Did you know—”

“Can I help you?” Annie interrupted her, and swore the girl lost about five more shades of color off her face. “We’re a little—occupied today, with all the moving in.”

She tried not to flinch, but Theresa noticed. Her gaze shot down to Annie’s hip, then back to her face. “Sorry to bother.” She pasted a smile on her face. “Can I ask a favor? Would it be possible to—”

“No.” Zach stalked down the stairs, favoring his left hip. Annie’s heart jumped when she saw Claire with him. Paler than the pristine wall behind her, but alive, and whole. He stepped to the door and grabbed Regina’s arm. Theresa blinked, but Annie gave her points for not backing away. Even a blind man could have seen the anger pouring off him. “You will go. Now.”

“Sure—just wanted to introduce myself, let you know if you need anything I’m right around the corner—”

“Now.”

She jumped, stumbling as she retreated. And froze when Claire came around the door, one hand closing over Zach’s wrist.

“Hello, Theresa.”

Brown eyes widened, panic jumping off her, causing sparks to dance across Annie’s ring. “Claire—I didn’t—”

“Know I was acquainted with Regina?” She tilted her head—and winked. Theresa relaxed, moving closer to the door. Still keeping Zach in place with her grip, Claire gave her an easy smile.

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