“Go make sure everything is ready for me,” she instructed. “I know about college boys and their dorms. At least air the place out.”
Michael rolled his eyes. “Just come out and say it, Mom. You want time alone with Tas. Since when do you try to play me?”
Marly swatted her son’s arm. “Don’t be smart, boy. I agreed to stay in that room with you. And yes, I do want a little girl talk. So go. Shoo.”
“I’ll walk her back over,” I put in. “It’s such a pretty night. And then you can walk me back here while Marly settles in.”
Marly sank onto a bench in the dim lights of the courtyard outside my dorm. “You’re right, it’s a beautiful evening.” She patted the seat next to her. “Come here, sit down.” When I joined her, Marly flung an arm around my shoulders and hugged me. “Oh, I miss you! I miss all my kids, but you know, I feel like I got cheated out of your last year with me.”
When I dropped my eyes in remorse, Marly patted my leg. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad, sweetie. I’m so happy you and Michael are adjusting to life here. I can see a difference in the two of you already. It makes me happy.”
“I miss you and Luke, too,” I admitted. “But I love being up here with Michael. It feels—just—right, you know?”
Marly laughed softly. “I do know exactly what you mean. When I was going to college and Luke was working near me. . .I remember what that felt like. We were on the verge of really starting life.”
“That’s it,” I agreed. “Like we’re finally ready to start our real lives.”
“And now you have this new opportunity. How do you feel about that?”
I raised one shoulder. “I’m not sure. At first, I thought absolutely not. I don’t want anything to do with using my powers on a regular basis. I mean, after Marica? No, thanks. But then. . .” I tilted my head, staring at the brick walkway. “But then I thought, well, maybe. If this will help me use what I can do to really help people? That would be pretty cool. And maybe it would make me a better person.”
“Tasmyn, you are a good person. Using your ability to help people sounds like a great idea, but please don’t think you have to made amends for anything.”
I sighed. “I hurt people, Marly. I was horrible to you and Luke and Lela, and what I put Michael through. . .and then there’s Amber, and Cara and her family, and Nell in a coma. . .” I shook my head. “Not to mention my own parents, who can’t even trust me.”
Marly pulled me into another hug. “Stop that right now. Yes, you made mistakes. We all do. Because of your gifts, you probably had the potential to make those mistakes on a larger scale than the rest of us. But you’ve also done some pretty amazing things, Tas. You saved Amber’s life. You kept Nell from killing her, which probably saved Nell’s life. Cara and Reverend Pryce made their own choices. It’s fine to admit your own stumbles, but don’t appropriate those that belong to other people, okay?”
I sniffed a little. “Okay.” We sat together for a few more minutes. Without meaning to, I fell into Marly’s thoughts. So glad to have this time. Poor thing, so much on her shoulders. Michael needs to make sure. . .ouch!
I jumped as Marly smacked her leg. “I think that mosquito just nailed me, but I got the ultimate revenge.” She brushed the dead bug off her hand. “We better start walking before they eat us alive.”
“Are you coming to breakfast with us tomorrow at Carruthers?” I asked as we crossed the campus.
“Oh, yes. I wouldn’t miss it. I want to meet this mysterious Cathryn Whitmore.”
I snorted, and Marly laughed. “I take it you’re not a fan?”
I flipped a hand and shook my head. “I don’t know. She’s been kind of snotty to me up until this week. She always makes me feel clumsy and young and naive.”
“Ohh. One of those.” Marly nodded knowingly.
“Yeah. And she likes Michael. I mean, she really likes him. You know.”
“I had a hunch about that. He mentioned her quite a bit last spring. I was just happy he had someone up here to talk to. . .” She slid a glance at me. “But I never worried. Michael is a one woman man, and honey, you’re that one woman. Never doubt that.”
I sighed. “Tell me that again tomorrow after you meet Cathryn.”
The ever-efficient Cathryn had sent my parents and Michael directions to the Carruthers Initiative Institute. Breakfast was scheduled for ten o’clock—“Really, more of a brunch,” or so said Cathryn—and we left Perriman by nine. My dad drove, my mom rode shotgun, and I sat in the back between Michael and Marly. Michael held my hand, his fingers caressing my wrist, and every now and then, Marly reached over to pat my leg reassuringly.
I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t the small, tasteful wooden sign alongside the road. My father turned onto the narrow paved road, through the trees that gave way to an expanse of manicured grass. Just over a small rise, a large white house came into view.
“Are you sure we’re in the right place?” I asked.
“Oh, yes,” my mother answered. “Cathryn said the headquarters is in an antebellum home, on a large property. This has to be it.”
I glanced sideways at Michael and raised an eyebrow. Clearly Cathryn had already won over my usually-vigilant parents.
We pulled into the circular driveway, and a man stepped into view so suddenly that my dad almost hit him. He opened the doors, greeted us and told my father that he would take care of the car, all while he ushered us up the steps to the wide doors.
I wasn’t surprised that I couldn’t hear the valet’s thoughts. I had a feeling everyone here would know how to block mind hearing. That was certainly all right with me.
Cathryn was waiting in the doorway as we mounted the porch. She wore narrow gabardine pants in burnished gold and a muted flowered silk blouse with bell sleeves and a wide neckline. Her heels were tasteful but stylish, and all of the colors complimented her cool blonde beauty. I felt dowdy and collegiate in my long jean skirt. Living in Florida had definitely relaxed my fashion sense.
Sensing my discomfort, Michael rubbed my back in encouragement. Don’t let her throw you, Tas. Remember, they want you. Make them work for it.
I smiled a little. He was right. I didn’t need to impress anyone here. I held onto that as Michael introduced Cathryn to my parents and to Marly. I noticed with some humor that while Cathryn gushed a bit over Michael’s mother, Marly was unusually reserved in response.
As we followed Cathryn into the house, I heard Marly think—in my direction—I see what you mean about her. Don’t worry. She’s not Michael’s type. Or mine either. I smothered a giggle.
Cathryn stopped at the base of a wide staircase and turned to us, wearing a tour guide smile. “Compared to other southern states, there are relatively few large homes in Florida that predate the War Between the States. Until about the 1820s, the state was mostly inhabited by Native Americans, some Spanish settlers left over from their time of occupation, and some regiments from the U.S. Army. Settlers began to move to Florida in the decades preceding the war. This plantation was one of the first built here. It was owned by a family originally from South Carolina who settled here in 1848.”
She spread her hands wide to indicate the dark paneled hall and the portraits with antique frames. “These are some of the early owners and residents of Harper Creek. It was built by Albert Evans, who named both the creek that crosses the property and the plantation itself after his late mother, who was a Harper from Virginia.”
“It’s beautiful,” my mother sighed, gazing up the stairs and then peering around a doorway. “And this is where you work, Cathryn?”
Cathryn gave an elegant shrug. “I’m not here all the time. Harper Creek is more of a headquarters and research facility. But I do know it well. It was actually in my family for generations before ownership transferred to Carruthers.”
She paused, taking what I recognized as a dramatic beat to allow us to appreciate the grandeur. “Now, I’m sure we’re all hungry! If you’ll follow me,
the dining room is right this way.”
I could feel that there were other people in the house even if I couldn’t actually hear them thinking. It was like a quiet buzz existed in the place of their minds. So I wasn’t surprised when a small crowd awaited us in the large oak-paneled dining room. Two discreetly uniformed women stood at the ready by a sideboard laden with food. An older man wearing a pair of gray slacks and a golf shirt sat at the head of the table, and a couple who looked to be about my parents’ age were on either side of him. I picked up a few stray thoughts coming from those two and discerned that although they weren’t really part of the Institute, they had a rudimentary training in blocking their minds.
As we wandered in, the man at the head of the table stood. “You must be the Vaughns. Welcome to Harper Creek, and welcome to Carruthers Initiative Institute. I’m Harley Watson, head of recruiting. Please, have a seat. Be comfortable.”
My father shook Mr. Watson’s hand, and we all managed to find chairs. I stayed close to Michael. It was eerie being surrounded by people but only picking up the thoughts that came from my parents, Marly and Michael. It felt as though I had a clogged ear, and I fought the desire to try to clear it.
Mr. Watson remained standing and gave a brief welcoming speech, in essence restating everything that Cathryn had shared with us up to that point. He placed a hand on the shoulder of the as-yet unidentified man sitting next to him.
“This is John and Theresa Landower. Their daughter Melissa works with us, and we thought that they might be able to answer some of the concerns that you’re bound to have. We’ll go ahead and eat now, and you can feel free to chat with them. When we’re finished, I’ll address any of your other questions.” He gestured to the two women standing by the food, and they immediately began uncovering dishes and moving around the table.
Michael leaned over to whisper to me. “This is quite a show, isn’t it?” I shot him a smile and nodded. I wasn’t sure how many of these people could hear thoughts, but I knew at least Cathryn was probably tuned in to Michael.
Within a few moments, I had waffles with soft butter and warm maple syrup, a slice of ham and home fried potatoes heaped on my plate. A glass of guava juice and a crystal goblet of ice water glistened in front of me.
“Miss.” One of the servers gently touched my arm. “Would you prefer coffee or tea?”
“Uhh. . .” I glanced at the silver coffee urn in her hand. “Coffee, please.”
“Regular or decaffeinated? Cream and sugar?”
If I had known there were going to be so many questions, I would’ve said tea. “Regular, please and lots of cream and sugar.”
The server smiled at me, the first genuine emotion I’d seen her display. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
At the other end of the table my parents were engrossed in conversation with the Landowers.
“I understand you have reservations,” John was saying. “We did, too. Our daughter Melissa is a manipulator.”
“Oh.” My mother was clearly nonplussed. She glanced down the table at me, but it was Cathryn who laid her hand on my mom’s arm and answered her.
“Nora, what Theresa means is that Melissa can manipulate minds. Some prefer the term ‘influencer’ or even the less formal ‘bender’.” She smiled broadly down the table at me. “Tasmyn, your friend Rafe was a bender, wasn’t he?”
All conversation halted. The only sound was the gentle clink of the servers replacing dishes on the sideboard.
The temper that I had been barely keeping in check all morning surged in my throat. I felt a tingling down my arms and into my face as I instinctively reached into a pool of energy I’d been ignoring for months. The goblet of water flew across the table, missed Cathryn’s head by centimeters and crashed into the wall behind her. Water and glass splattered the poor startled server and fell into a tinkling circle on the glossy wood floor.
“Tasmyn!” My mother’s horrified gasp left no doubt where the blame lay. I closed my eyes; the power had ebbed as quickly as it flowed.
Michael closed his hand over mine and directed his thoughts to me. It’s okay. You’re okay. No one is hurt. Take it easy. . .breathe in, breathe out. Find the calm.
Aloud he said, “Tasmyn and I are going to step outside for just a minute. I think she could use some air.”
He pulled me to my feet and out of the room, my face scarlet and my heart pounding.
“Excuse me.” The server who had poured my coffee followed us into the hallway. “Sir, if you go this way, the hall leads to the back veranda. It’s quiet.”
“Thank you.” Michael flashed her a grateful smile and drew me with him along the hall. I sucked in a deep breath as soon as the warm air hit my face.
Michael pulled me back against his chest and fitted his arms around mine. “Better?” he murmured into my ear.
I nodded. “A little.” I laid my head back against Michael’s shoulder and let his strong reassurance pour into me.
“That was something in there.” His breath against my cheek made me shiver, and I gripped his hands under mine, pulled myself even tighter into his embrace.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “It just—it happened before I could think. That feeling—it hasn’t been that strong in months. I didn’t have time to control it.”
Michael was silent for a moment. I heard his intention before he spoke. “Was it Cathryn mentioning Rafe that made you so angry?”
I shook my head, feeling my hair brush against his chin. “It wasn’t Rafe. It was just all of it. Her neat little presentation, all sophisticated and put together, making me feel so inferior. . .and then chatting up my parents at the table—she called my mom Nora, did you hear her? And then she did that on purpose, you know. She mentioned Rafe’s name because she wants to come between you and me. And that was what pushed me over the edge.”
Michael turned me in his arms. He held my face in his hands and stared into my eyes. Nothing, no one, not one thing will ever come between us. She can talk about Rafe, she can wear her fancy clothes. . not going to matter. I love you. Lean on me. Trust in me.
I smiled up at Michael, feeling whole and healed for the first time all day. “Always,” I breathed, just before he lowered his mouth to mine.
The kiss began as a tender reassurance but quickly turned passionate, as Michaels’s desire surged into me. My lips opened beneath his, and I angled my head to give him better access. His hands moved to my back, holding me closer, ever closer.
I moaned against his mouth as my fingers played at the back of his neck. I pressed closer, standing on my toes to be nearer. Michael ran his hands along my sides, and there was no hesitation this time. His fingers tangled at the hem of my cotton shirt and dipped beneath until I felt their warmth against my skin. He skimmed the top of jean skirt, ran up my spine. . .
“Ahem!”
I jumped a mile. I was so involved, so focused on Michael and his thoughts, his lips, his hands. . .I hadn’t even heard Marly approach. And usually I was so sensitive to her mind.
Michael didn’t move an inch. He kept his hands where they were and just turned his head to look at his mother. I dropped my forehead to his shoulder, hoping that my face would stop burning before I had to look at Marly.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” She managed to keep the humor in her voice to the bare minimum. “Tas, your parents and the others were concerned. I volunteered to come check on you—I thought I was probably the best person for the job.” She leaned on the porch railing, gazing out on the expanse of green lawn. “So. . .are you okay?”
I peeked out around Michael’s arm. “Define ‘okay’.”
Marly laughed as she glanced at me. “I think ‘okay’ means that no one has to duck and run for cover from exploding crystal.” She moved closer to us and patted my shoulder. “Although honestly, I was happy to see you toss that glass at her head. If you hadn’t, I might have.”
Michael kissed the top of my head. “That’s my mom. Always willing to resort to violence in defense o
f those she loves.” He moved his hands from under my shirt and smoothed my hair. “Think you can handle going back in?”
I sighed heavily. “Yes. I can handle it. But Cathryn better watch her back. Or at least her head.”
When Marly, Michael and I returned to the dining room, it was as though nothing had ever happened. The glass was gone, no stain remained on the wall, and my parents were deep in earnest conversation with the Landowers and Mr. Watson.
“Oh, Tas, I’m glad you’re back,” beamed my mother. “It’s been so nice to visit with Theresa. You know, I’ve never talked with someone else who has an extraordinary child.”
“They actually have support groups through the Institute,” put in Mrs. Landower. “It’s been such a help to so many of us.”
I pulled out a chair near the doorway and sank into it. Michael remained standing behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
“I’m still not clear on how your daughter uses her gifts to help others, John,” my father, ever vigilant in his protection of me, remarked. At least one of my parents seemed to be maintaining some sort of neutrality.
“Well, we wondered about that, too, Rob,” Mr. Landower answered, slapping a hand on the table. “We’d worked hard all our lives to try to stop Melissa from using what she could do. And it wasn’t easy. But here with Carruthers, Melissa works with people who might make some bad choices, and she helps them to see thing more clearly. And it’s made her life so much better.”
My parents both looked impressed. I tried to keep from rolling my eyes.
Mr. Watson caught my eye. “Tasmyn, we’ve been answering your mom and dad’s questions, but of course, we want to find out what we can do to help you make the decision for Carruthers. So go ahead, ask away.”
I reached up and clutched at Michael’s hand. “I guess I want to know what kind of good work I can do through the Institute. Cathryn has hinted at a few things, but I haven’t heard anything concrete. How can my abilities help people? What will you do to connect me with those who need my help?”
Endless Page 6
