Blood Bond by Jeanne C. Stein

Author:Jeanne C. Stein [Stein, Jeanne C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Contemporary, Fantasy
ISBN: 9781101625163
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2013-08-27T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

MOM IS DOWN EARLY FOR BREAKFAST THE NEXT morning. She looks so much better, rested, relaxed. I’m determined to see she stays that way. We share a conspiratorial smile and a quick hug before taking our places at the table. Trish and John-John are deep in a good-natured discussion about who would win in a duel to the death—Iron Man or The Hulk. Even with the age difference, John-John seems to be holding his own.

Frey and Dad discuss the wine business; Mom and I go over the wedding list one last time. There really is nothing to do today but fill out that questionnaire from the wedding planner and wait to hear back about when we’ll meet. The real action takes place tomorrow when David and Tracey get in and the grounds are turned into an open-air wedding chapel.

I insist Mom spend the day relaxing. The next two days are going to be more than a challenge. She gives in reluctantly, but does give in. She rises from the table to go up to her room when the front doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it,” she says, switching directions to head for the door.

Conversation between the rest of us—me, Frey, Dad and the kids—swirls around how to spend our Saturday.

But as soon as I pick up on what’s happening at the front door, I’m on my feet. Frey raises an eyebrow, but I wave him off and make my way to join my mother.

She smiles when she sees me. “Look who’s here, Anna. Your friend Monsieur Chael.” She switches her smile to Chael. “Have you come for the wedding?”

Smooth as only the best charmers can be, Chael has taken my mother’s hand and raised it to his lips. “Of course, Madame Strong. I wouldn’t miss it.”

My eyes widen. You speak English?

I’ve been practicing.

Mom shepherds Chael to the dining room, looking back over her shoulder to mouth at me, “Is he—?”

I bob my head in quick affirmation. Her eyes widen and she opens her mouth again in a silent “Oh my.” But she doesn’t miss a beat; she makes the introductions and at Chael’s acknowledgment of each person in English, Frey’s eyebrows shoot up, too.

Chael turns down an offer of coffee and turns to me. “I apologize for disturbing your breakfast. But I have a message for you from another old friend.”

Dad motions to the kids. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Chael. If you’ll excuse us, we’ll let you speak in private.”

I wait until they disappear through the kitchen door, Mom following, and turn to Chael.

“You speak English?”

“I told you I’ve been practicing.”

“So why didn’t you tell us?”

“You didn’t ask.”

I ball my fists to keep from smacking him. “You have a message for me?”

Frey puts a finger to his lips and bobs his head in the direction of a cacophony of cheery voices coming from the kitchen. “Let’s go outside.”

Good idea. I motion Chael ahead and we step through the front door into the bright sunshine. But before Chael tells us what he came for, he puts a hand on my arm.

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