Legend of the Sorcerer (9 page)

His smile didn’t falter, neither did the intensity—or warmth—of his gaze. “After we spoke on the phone, I was interested in your work, so I looked into it. You should use your full name, it is quite lovely you know.”

“Thank you.” She signed her work Jordy, always had. Her business had all been done in that name. But she wasn’t going to quibble with him. He’d obviously dug it up somehow. Information was much easier to come by in these days of high technology.

She turned her attention back to the statuary. “You have some wonderful pieces here. I’d love to know about the artists.”

“Most of them came from the same woman. She resides near my home in Wales.”

Surprised, she asked, “Do you still have a home there?”

“I haven’t been back in a very long time,” was all he said. “I commission pieces from Mara through the mail and over the phone. A delightful woman.”

“Well, she does wonderful work. Very inspiring.”

“She’d be flattered. I’ll pass along your comments. Come this way and see the piece I wanted you to look at.”

“I don’t know how you keep this up without any help.”

“Digging my hands into the earth helps me maintain balance. There is nothing like sifting dirt between one’s fingers to keep in mind the eternity of life and one’s minuscule part in it.”

She sighed. The man did have a way with words. “I’ve never had much of a green thumb, but just being out here makes me want to grow something.”

“Well then, grow something you shall. You must see the hothouses. I have the perfect new hybrid to start you on.”

Her heart kicked in at the mere suggestion. She wanted to stay, get more involved. Badly. Maybe too badly. The sense of belonging only increased and she hated to remind him, and herself, that she was merely a guest here. Had she been so starved of people?

Once she returned to Virginia, she’d make a vow to become involved. Perhaps a senior citizen home would be a place to start. The plan only assuaged a little of the pain of her following words. “Oh, Alfred, that is really sweet of you, but I couldn’t.” His face fell so swiftly, she felt terrible. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just that you’ve been so kind and—”

He squeezed her hand. “No, I understand, dear one. I’ve already taken up too much of your precious time.”

“It’s not that at all. Actually, I could spend hours here. Days. It makes me want to learn all about gardening.”

“Then I see no reason why we can’t schedule some more time together. You’ll come again, and wear something suitable for working the earth.”

Jordy felt as if she were awakening from a long sleep. And she hadn’t missed the stirrings of imagination she felt just standing here. She could create here. She knew it, felt it. But she couldn’t intrude further on Cai’s hospitality. Could she?

She had less than a week left before she had to return home. She would never have this chance again. She could even find her own transportation over to the private Key, so he wouldn’t feel put out.

She smiled at Alfred, responding before she realized she’d made the decision. “Would Wednesday be too soon?”

Alfred beamed. “Wednesday would be fine. Same time?” He rubbed his hands together like a child in anticipation.

“Would you mind if I brought my sketch pad?”

“Certainly not. I was hoping to discuss that with you anyway. I would like to commission something for the garden. Perhaps we can work on that Wednesday.”

Jordy smiled, even as her heart clutched at the thought of trying to work for anyone but herself. She’d have to explain things to Alfred. He’d understand she couldn’t commit to anything quite yet. But at least she’d found a place to start. “I would love to.” On impulse she stepped forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Alfred. This means more to me than you can know.”

Cai suddenly appeared on the path in front of them. “I’m sorry to intrude, but I need to take Jordy home. Now.”

A
lfred didn’t so much as blink at the sudden intrusion. “There you are, Malacai. I was just about to show Jordalyn the dragon in the corner.”

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. There’s a storm coming. I’d like to take Jordy back to Mangrove now.”

“I saw nothing on the news about a storm.”

“It’s just been announced.”

It hadn’t escaped Jordy’s attention that Cai hadn’t once looked at her. She didn’t know what was up, but she suspected this wasn’t just about a storm. Had he overheard their plans to meet again?

“I don’t see where fifteen minutes will make that much difference.”

Jordy stepped in, not wanting such a wonderful afternoon to end on a sour note. “I’m sorry,” she said to Alfred, never more sincere. “But it’s probably wise for me to head back now anyway. I didn’t realize how late it was.” She squeezed his hand and leaned closer to him. “Until Wednesday,” she said quietly. “I’ll bring gloves.”

He squeezed back. “No gloves, my dear. One must feel the earth to understand it’s ways.”

She nodded. “Okay, then. I’m looking forward to it.”

The sudden pressure of Cai’s hand on her lower back was
like a hot brand. She tensed, but smiled at Alfred. His gaze deepened for an interminable moment, once again leaving her to wonder just what went on behind those magnificent blue eyes of his.

He placed a courtly kiss on the back of her hand, then bowed his head slightly. “Until then.” Without looking at his grandson, he turned and spoke as he walked away. “I want to check on a few things at the hothouse. Tell Dilys I’ll be in after an hour or so.”

“The storm—” Cai broke off.

Alfred had already moved off and didn’t respond. Cai had been clearly rebuked and dismissed. Jordy made only a token attempt to hide her amused smile.

With a scowl, he took her elbow and began to move her down the path, but she tugged it away and held her ground.

Cai frowned. “We really must head back.”

“You really must not lead me around like a pony,” she replied. “I don’t know where you learned your manners, but it wasn’t from your very gentlemanly grandfather.”

“I apologize. We still need to hurry,” he said.

“Listen, if you’re worried about my seeing Alfred again—”

“Again?”

So, he hadn’t been eavesdropping. “Yes, again. On Wednesday. He’s going to teach me to grow things and we’re going to discuss my work.” Because he irritated her, she added, “He wants to commission a piece.” She moved closer. “Were you really so worried about my visit with him that you had to cut it short?”

“It doesn’t have anything to do—”

“Because I think I understand your concerns about Alfred and I can put your fears to rest. I would never harm him, or embarrass him.”

“What do you mean?”

“I understand, about his … you know, his spells, or whatever you call them. I understand that his mind slips a little now and then. You know, with all the study he’s done on the man’s life, it’s not all that surprising that his senility would—”

“He’s not senile,” he said a bit too forcefully. “He’s an eccentric in every definition of the word. Always has been.”

“And he’s a delightful one.” Seeing Cai’s skeptical look she added, “I know what it’s like. I do. My mother passed away when I was in college. She had cancer, which I know is totally different, but it was debilitating. I was in denial far longer than she was. I’m not sure who helped who more.” She placed her hand on his arm, more reassured than alarmed at that sudden connection they seemed to make. “I won’t hurt him, Cai. I enjoy him and I think he enjoys my company as well.”

He shifted away from her touch.

She straightened her shoulders. “I won’t let anything slip about the investigation. I can keep him occupied while you deal with everything else.”

Cai looked down into her too-green eyes and wondered why her perfectly sensible arguments scared the daylights out of him.

It was obvious that Alfred was charmed by her. But too much was going on … and little was getting done about it. All he had to show for a full afternoon was a blank computer screen and a headache from trying not to think about her. He should have been thrilled with the chance to work uninterrupted. Instead he’d spent the greater portion of the time staring at the copy of her dragon sketch. Her laughter had found its way to his open window again and again during tea. When they’d finally, mercifully, finished and left for the garden, had he gotten to work? No. He’d stared out the window after them like a moonstruck calf.

And now she wanted to spend another day here? He
didn’t think he’d survive it. Hell, this one wasn’t even over yet.

“We can talk about it on the boat. Come on.”

“Okay, okay.” She moved past him, tucking her elbow against her side as she passed him. “I know you don’t want me here. I understand.”

“You don’t understand anything,” he muttered.

“It’s not like I’m going to be hanging around here all the time, you know,” she went on. “I’m going back home this Sunday.”

He knew that. There was an undeniable sinking feeling in his chest. Yeah. He knew that. Another good reason to nip this in the bud.

“I’ll find my own way here and back.”

“I’ll come and get you.” The offer was made gruffly and totally against his better judgment.

“Thank you. I think.” At his raised eyebrow, she said, “This sudden rush isn’t just about a storm, or Alfred, is it?”

Cai had to get away from her. Something as simple as her hand on his arm had made him painfully aroused. He was beginning to wonder if Alfred was right about his sex life, or lack of one. Maybe he should get out more.

“Jordy, please.” But it was clear she wasn’t budging. “I have to get over to Mangrove. On business. Now.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes. “This has something to do with the investigation, doesn’t it?”

He paused a heartbeat too long.

“Is it another e-mail?”

“I don’t want to involve you any further.”

She bristled. “I am involved. I’m going to find out what’s going on anyway. The local police are keeping me filled in. Are they waiting for you to bring it to them? Couldn’t you just forward it?”

Cai shook his head. “They don’t want anything sent out
from here. No electronic trail connecting me with the police.”

“Do they honestly think she can track that kind of thing? And don’t you think she’ll figure you went to the police anyway, once you got those photos?”

“We don’t know what she thinks, or what she’s capable of. They aren’t taking any chances.”

“What does this one say? Does she make any other demands? Have the agents decided how you should respond to her e-mails?”

“I thought they were keeping in contact with you.”

Jordy flushed, but held her ground. “It’s not like I’m on their speed dial, okay? Why are you so worried about my involvement anyway?”

“The bigger this thing gets, the harder it will be to keep Alfred from finding out.”

“I know you want to protect him, but you might have to tell him at some point. He’s not a child.”

“You’ve spent all of one afternoon with him and you think you’re qualified to tell me how to take care of him?”

She sighed. “All I’m saying is that you should be prepared to tell him if it becomes necessary.”

Cai blew out a long breath and raked his hand through his hair.

Jordy’s expression softened. “Cai—”

“I know how much Alfred enjoyed having you here today.”

“I enjoyed it, too.”

There was something special in those eyes of hers. He wanted to know her, to know what she was thinking when her eyes went all soft like that. “He doesn’t get much company and under normal circumstances, I’d welcome anyone who could bring him happiness.”

“But?”

“But if you’re involved in this other stuff, you’ll want to
talk about it, like we are right now, and I can’t be worrying about what Alfred might overhear. He saw the first e-mail and that triggered a ‘spell,’ as you call it, that lasted a great deal longer than your little chat in the garden. They drain him enormously and cause him pain. It would just be easier if—”

“If I went away?”

He swore under his breath. “I’m not handling this right.”

“Perhaps if you dealt with people more often, you’d be better at it.”

“Your people skills being so highly evolved and all?”

That hit a mark, but she came right back. “My people skills seemed fine to your grandfather. Could you try and see past your own problems long enough to think that instead of being a burden to you, I might be able to help? I want to spend time with Alfred. It’s not like I’m going to be here forever. We’re talking one week. It means more to me than you can possibly understand. And if there is anything I can do to make your life simpler while I’m here, then I’m all for helping you out. The whole world does not have to rest on your shoulders.”

He shouldn’t smile. He shouldn’t. But he did.

She put her hands on her hips. “I’m glad I’m so amusing to you. Do you think you’re the only one with problems? I could give you a rundown of my last twenty-four months that would make you think otherwise. But it is precisely because of those last twenty-four months that I need this so badly.” She stepped closer to him. “I can take care of myself around Alfred for a visit or two. Then you don’t have to deal with me anymore. I know you don’t want me here, okay?”