by L C Kincaide
He slipped the ring on her finger. Rising, he pulled her to her feet and grabbed her in a tight squeeze then hastily loosened his grip. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. We’re tougher than that.”
“Oh, Emma. And to think how careful we were in New York.”
Emma laughed. “I thought exactly the same thing!”
He turned serious again. “You said Mason manipulated us for a specific purpose.”
Emma gathered her thoughts. “I’d dreamt of this baby since last year, before I even met you. For a long time I couldn’t piece together what was happening, and I finally went to see a psychic medium who helped me once before. She told me what he, Mason, wanted and how to stop him. That is why I went to the manor.”
“I’m afraid to ask... what did he want?”
“If I tell you, I’ll spoil the other surprise.”
“Oh, whether it’s a boy or a girl? Emma it doesn’t matter whether we have a girl first or a boy, or if they’re all girls or all boys.”
“This is only a first then?”
He shrugged. “We have to start sometime. So, what did he want?”
Indeed, what had been Mason’s intent, but to creep into their lives by possessing their child. “He wanted to take our baby and live the life he had been denied with Amelia. She would join him later, and he expected us as the remaining Everdon descendants to give him another chance as his parents.”
Adam stared at her. “The cheeky bastard! Sorry, but that is a bit much!”
“That was my reaction too. I knew he wouldn’t risk hurting me, but he would try to get at the baby. That was the hardest part.” The vision of the tendril stabbing at the invisible barrier intent on reaching her came forth, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
“But you didn’t let him.”
Emma shook her head vehemently. “No. Mabel told me a way to draw him out then how to drive him out permanently. The skylight was the weak spot where they could come and go as they pleased and interfere with us here. When the skylight blew out, the portal closed.”
“Blimey.” He said in disbelief. “I can’t imagine how anyone could have gone through life with all that going on. No wonder you all despise the manor. I would too.”
“Before you arrived, I was sure the whole thing would collapse on me and they’d have to excavate my body from the rubble.”
“Perish the thought!” He took her in his arms again.
“I was so scared.” She trembled against him, the events of the day and how close she had come to losing everything catching up with her.
Adam’s arms tightened around her. “My brave girl. You are safe now.”
When her sobs subsided, they drew apart, and he wiped her tears away.
“I never even told you.”
“Told me what?” She sniffed.
“How very much I love you. I thought about you constantly, could think of nothing else but being with you and I never once told you.”
“You must have been mumchanced.” She grinned.
“Yes, that. I warned you I can be daft.”
“I don’t mind. I love you the way you are.”
“I will try to be better, be there when you need me. Always.”
Emma touched his cheek. “You were. It’s not as if I made it easy for you.”
“I once fancied myself a race car driver, but after today, I’ll be content enough touring the countryside in the convertible.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She leaned against him safe in the circle of his arms. “And if you want to take the Runabout for a spin, I know where it is.” Her brow furrowed, and she straightened. “Oh, my car’s still there.”
“You’re not going anywhere for a while. We’ll have it towed if need be.”
“I can live with that.” She said more than a little relieved.
“Thank God you’re safe and home where you belong.”
“But where will we live if your work is away from here?”
“We’ll find a place we both agree on.”
“And what will happen to the manor when you’re not there?”
“It’s all worked out. I promoted Fiona to General Manager.”
“And will she be taking your suite?”
“No. I’m keeping that for our use when we are there.”
“She must be disappointed.”
“The raise in her salary will ease any dissatisfaction.” He grinned. “It may be a while before we are settled. I hope that’s all right.”
Emma smiled and touched his cheek suddenly taken with a sense of belonging that had until now eluded her.
“My home is wherever you are.” She said.
THE END
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As always, thank you for reading The Everdon Series! I hope you enjoyed it and will take a moment to leave an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. You will be helping readers find books they may enjoy, and me to keep plugging away doing what I love — writing great stories.
I couldn’t resist going back in time to an Everdon Weekend, so here’s a FREE download of A Seance At Everdon Manor, a short Prequel. To get it, click here to join my non-spammy Newsletter for notifications of New Releases and special offers. For everything else, there’s my website and FaceBook page for updates, random musings and animal pictures.
I hope you enjoy the story!
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Also by L.C. Kincaide
The Gothika Series
The Other
The Secrets of Raven’s Rest
The Covington Curse
The Triquetra Series
The Mystery of Chateau Beaumont
The Vanishing
The Retreat
And here’s something for fun.
