Jack laughed. “You knocked Payton down? No way.”
“Don’t laugh. I did. He made me mad, and I pushed as hard as I could. He stumbled backward over a piece of wood, fell, and hit his head. They’d rode out to where I’m building my cabin.”
“You mustn’t blame yourself. It was an accident. He’s going to be fine. But he may never live down the fact that a tiny woman put him down.” Jack shook his head and grinned at her, then added, “The doctor may send him home today, if Payton has anything to say about it. They were arguing when I left. I must admit, for such a minor ailment, his mother can take just as good care of him as he’d get here. I’ve got to get to my office. See you.”
Averil wandered around the waiting area. She was anxious to get away from both of them for a while. She needed her alone time. This might be the best chance to disappear. They would have no idea where she went. There was one place that only she and her parents knew about, and they would never tell.
When she got to her truck, Cody parked beside her. She got in and started the engine.
“What’s the hurry? How’s Payton?”
“He’s not seriously hurt and will probably be sent home soon.”
“Good. But you didn’t say why you were in a rush to leave.”
“I forgot something at home. I’ll check later and see how Payton is doing. Dr. Jack said he would probably be sent home to his mother’s house.”
“See you then.” He waved and went inside the ER.
She didn’t have much time. She’d better hurry, pack, and leave.
* * * *
Her stepfather, Bud Bevyns, drove her to the nearest airport. They’d checked the flights, and luckily she found one leaving at two o’clock. It gave her just enough time to pack and get to the air terminal.
“Averil, I hope you’re making the right decision. Payton and Cody are two good men, and they’re obviously crazy about you. They’d make good husbands, not like that loser you married at nineteen.”
“Dad, I’m not the marrying kind of girl. I didn’t like much of anything about being married.”
“Well, think about your choices. Your mom and I have noticed the way you look at them. We think you’re scared, not disinterested.”
“This trip will give me time to sort out my thoughts. We’ll see. Thanks for the ride.” Averil grabbed her one bag out of the truck. “I’m fine. You have work to do back home. I’ll call when I get to my destination.”
Her dad waved, and she hurried inside the terminal. Since she had her boarding pass and wasn’t going to check her bag, she got the gate number and walked briskly in that direction. They were calling the first-class passengers when she arrived at the gate. Averil showed her ticket and boarded.
After the plane took off, she had a glass of wine and put her seat back. In Sacramento, California, she’d rent a car and disappear into the northern part of the state. She would have to drive winding mountain roads through thick forests to get to where she was going. But it was worth it.
Averil ate the snack offered on the plane, and then she closed her eyes and didn’t wake until the flight attendant touched her shoulder and said they were getting ready to land.
At the car rental kiosk, her father had a car leased and standing by for her. She checked her maps to refresh her memory. It had been several years since she’d been to the cabin. Then she drove out of the airport and headed north.
Darkness was falling fast. She drove the speed limit and watched especially close for deer or other animals that might cross the road. At one spot her headlights caught a deer’s eyes. Averil immediately slowed. There was a doe and a fawn. Startled, they ran across the highway. Thank goodness, they made it safely to the other side.
After a few more miles, Averil looked for the narrow, dirt lane that most people missed passing by at the speed limit. It was intentionally left unmarked and unpaved, so as to discourage people from exploring. If she went past it, she’d have to go ten miles farther before she could turn around. Slowing way down, she searched the side of the road with the flashlight the man at the rental kiosk had loaned her.
“There.” She slowed. “Yes, that’s it.” She turned right and bumped along the rutted lane. It curved in several spots and went on for a mile before ending in a wide opening where a cabin faced mountains and trees.
Averil was surprised to see lights on around the outside of the house. She shut off her car and got out. The scent of pine and other woods drifted past her nose. When the sun dropped, so did the temperature. She shivered and rubbed her arms as she walked toward the cabin’s front door. It was unlocked. She felt along the wall for the light switch and flipped it on. The scent of fresh coffee greeted her.
“I wondered when you’d arrive, little sister.”
Swirling around, Averil took two steps and hugged her twin sister, Wakanda but known by most as Kira. “I suspected you were here. Who else would have the lights on and fresh coffee made?”
“No one but me. I keep this place very well hidden from anyone else but you.”
“Let me look at you. My, I like the dress and the new hairdo. You appear to be a normal, modern woman,” Averil teased.
“I am normal except for one difference. I was glad Dad let me know you were on your way. I’ve needed to get out of the city. Your coming gave me an excuse.”
“Tell the truth. You knew I’d be heading this way even before Dad called. When did you put in for vacation?”
“Yes, I still pick up on your vibes, dear one. You’ve been upset by something. I knew you’d come here, so I asked for vacation a few days ago.”
“It’s been too long since we visited the cabin. In town, our visits are different.” Averil glanced out the windows. “Have you been out flying?”
“I was thinking about it when I saw your headlights. Take your suitcase to your bedroom. I’ll pour us a cup of coffee.” Kira went into the kitchen area, and Averil continued on down the short hall to the downstairs bedroom and bath where she had stayed during previous visits. She decided to take a quick shower and put on her flannel nightgown, robe, and slippers before rejoining Kira.
Kira grinned when she saw Averil’s outfit. “I heard the water running and thought you’d come out dressed for bed. I toasted some bread and put jelly on it. It’ll be good with our coffee.” She carried the tray to a small table situated between two lounge chairs. The chairs faced two huge windows with a fireplace in between them. Kira had built a fire and turned on soft music in the background.
Averil lay on the lounge and looked out at the dark sky filled with thousands of shiny stars. “Whenever I visit here, layers of stress roll off of me.”
“I know. I love this place.” Kira handed her a cup of coffee and a small plate with the toast. They ate and drank in silence.
“I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to return,” Averil said after she’d finished. She gathered their cups to refill and took the plates to the sink.
When she sat back down, she looked across at Kira. “I hope this is decaf or I won’t sleep a wink tonight.”
“It is, but before you retire, tell me what has you so upset. Even now I feel the energy flashing through your body.”
“I told you about my time here in California. You remember a lawyer called and asked me to testify against the man who’d tried to abuse me. He had abused other women. And he was trying to frame one of his victims and send her to jail. Of course, I agreed to help. The men that arrived looked very much like the men from our tribe. I was surprised. Two of the men flirted with me. I threatened them. I told them I’d just taken a self-defense course.” She grinned at Kira. “It didn’t do much good. They continued to sit close to me in the car and flirt.”
“What man doesn’t?”
“These two have been persistent. They’re members of the other two tribes. You know, we’re having homes built on a ranch next to theirs. Payton Camilius and Cody Jessup are certain I’m the woman for them.”
“Are you still planning on staying single?”
“Yes. I don’t want to go through another bad marriage and definitely not with two men.”
“I must say two handsome men making mad passionate love to me doesn’t sound that awful.” Kira looked over the top of her coffee cup at Averil.
“I wouldn’t mind either if they just wanted to play. They insist on marriage, and you have to admit, sister, you’ve never contemplated the sanctity of wedded bliss.”
“You know it would take a special man to understand all about me and, even if he didn’t understand, to at least accept me. I haven’t found one I trusted and cared enough about to share my secret. I’m too afraid he’d call the police and have me locked in a mental hospital.”
Averil sat on the side of the lounge facing Kira. “Do you resent that you got the special gene and not me? We’re twins, but not identical. I could have been the one instead of you.”
“It’s a heavy burden, but no, I don’t resent you. I’m not sure why the gene developed in me. I keep thinking there must be something I should be doing with my life to help mankind, but so far I haven’t found it. To be truthful, I haven’t looked hard for a reason either.”
“I started to contact you when the battle raged between our tribes and the ones who came from our planet to try and take over. But with the help of our shape-shifters and the strong fighting men from all the tribes the group was destroyed.”
“Next time call me. Maybe I need to be brave and present myself to the ones in charge of the three tribes. If they’ve accepted the shape-shifters, why not me?”
“Come home with me when I leave. Mom would love to see you. The ranch being built is huge. I have a big plot of land, and you could live with me or build your own cabin nearby.”
“I’ll consider it. I’d have a lot to do first, quit my job, empty my apartment, and winterize this cabin. We’ll see.”
“I’m going to bed. It’s been a long, stressful day.” Averil kissed her sister’s cheek. “Don’t sit up too long, night owl.”
Averil unplugged the coffeepot and turned off the kitchen light on the way to her bedroom.
She had hoped to go to sleep instantly. Her body was tired and achy. But in her mind’s eye she saw Payton, the blood running down the side of his handsome face, and guilt swamped her. Was he really all right? What would he and Cody make of her sudden disappearance? So many questions but no answers.
Averil turned on her side and stared out at the moon. A dark cloud drifted across, giving her a sinister feeling of danger. A shiver brushed across her shoulders.
Kira knocked on her door. “Are you all right?”
“I can’t get to sleep.”
Her sister came into the room. She had her nightgown on, and her long, golden-red hair rippled down her back. “Scoot over. We’ll sleep together like we did when we were kids. I feel the uneasiness, too.”
Payton looked up at his mother standing by the stove. “I’m feeling fine this morning, Mom. Thanks for letting me stay yesterday and last night, but I can’t stay in bed any longer. I promise, when I leave here, I’ll stop by Dr. Jack’s office at the hospital and have him check me over.” Payton ate the last of his pancakes and emptied his cup of coffee. He stood and pushed his chair in. “See you later.” He bent and kissed his mom’s cheek.
Cody waited outside with their horses. Payton’s mom followed him out and stood on the porch. “Cody, you see he goes by and gets checked by Jack first, before you two do anything else. Tell Jack to call me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He waved and grinned at Payton.
“Don’t even start.”
“Not in a good mood this morning?”
“I still have a slight headache, but if I’d told Mom she’d have kept me in bed another day at least.”
“You’re going to have to see Dr. Jack.”
“I know. Let’s get it over with, and then I want to find our gal.”
“Did she come by last night after I left?”
“No. Why?”
“Because she said she’d see me later when she came by to check on how you were doing. I’ve had an uneasy feeling ever since she didn’t show up.”
“We’ll go by her cabin on our way to Dr. Jack’s office.”
“That is the long way around. But if you’re up to it, I agree.”
Fresh air blowing in his face felt good to Payton, but the bouncing of his horse made his headache worse. He didn’t tell Cody. He’d be as bad as his mom.
Men were working all around the cabin. Payton saw Nick and rode in his direction.
“Hi, Nick, you sure get around trying to keep up with all the building going on.” Payton stopped at Nick’s side and dismounted. He staggered slightly and Nick grabbed his arm.
“I heard you took a lick to the head yesterday morning. Maybe you shouldn’t be out riding so soon.”
“I’m fine. How soon will Averil’s cabin be done?”
“In another week or two at the most. I came out to talk with her, but she hasn’t come around. I called her folks. They said she’d gone on vacation. Which is strange since she’d made an appointment to meet me here today.” He grinned at Payton. “Maybe she’s feeling guilty about pushing you down and wounding you. She must have left in a rush and forgot to call me.”
Payton groaned. “I suppose that story is all over the ranch?”
“Oh yes, it was too good not to be told. The mighty Payton taken down by a petite redhead.”