Love, Lattes and Angel (Mutants) by Cox Sandra

Author:Cox, Sandra [Cox, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-04-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Piper

Angel’s heart beats rapidly against me in sync with Clara’s trembling. I tighten my grip on both of them and respond to Joel. “It makes you wonder.”

“There is no evil on this island,” Mina says firmly. “Now let’s go inside.”

We tumble back into the house. Joel goes to the sink and washes his hands.

“Are you all right?” I long to run my hands up and down his body to determine for myself that he hasn’t been bitten but awkwardness prevents me.

“I’m fine. I wasn’t bitten.”

My breath whooshes out in a relieved whistle. I rub my daughter’s arm. “Time for bed, sweetie.” She opens her mouth. I add hastily, “Of course, you can keep Clara with you.”

“Okay, Momma.”

Love swells my heart. She’s absolutely perfect, this daughter of ours. She gives me a hug, and after taking one comprehensive look around the room, trots into the bedroom. I follow and peer out the window, look under the beds, and into the closet.

“Everything’s okay.” I assure her before I tuck her in. “I’m going to leave the door open, if anything at all bothers or frightens you, call.”

“Clara and I are okay.”

“You’re more than okay.” Her skin is warm, and smells of youth and innocence. I bury my nose in her neck then kiss her goodnight.

“Think we can have that card game now?” Gramps ask when I walk back in.

“Great idea,” Dylan pulls out a chair for Amy.

Mina gets the cards, and chairs scrape as we push around the table.

I settle in. The clock says 11:05. Jon-Jo will be here at midnight and will unleash his evil. I know it in the ache of my bones and the building pressure in my head.

The talk eddies and flows around me. I watch Joel watch Amy and Dylan. I understand his concern. Twenty-two is a million light years from seventeen. But at the moment they just appear to be enjoying each other’s company.

Gramps leans over and whispers something to Mina that makes her chuckle. The look she turns on him is full of warmth. My chest tightens then relaxes. He’s done so much for me, made me the focus of his world. The very least I can do is wish him happy. He glances up, catches my eye and smiles. And in that smile is the love that’s always there. The smile that says no one will ever take my place. I bask in it, return it, and relax a little.

The minute hand crawls around the clock. At 11:55, conversation winds down and all the cards are flat on the table. Joel fondles the handle of a flashlight. “I think I’ll call Tyler and make sure everything’s okay.” Everyone is watching as I hit favorites on my phone. “Are you and Molita all right?” I ask when Tyler picks up.

“Yeah. What about you?”

“We’re fine.” Except for my skin, which has a tendency to crawl and nerve endings that are jumping all over the place.

“We’ll be back soon. Molita’s almost done.”

“Okay.” I click off.

“They’re fine,” I tell the table at large.

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