“They can’t blame him! He doesn’t know!”
Cryslyn rolled her eyes. “Do you really believe that?”
“Well, I haven’t told him, and Steve said he’d leave it to me, so…”
“He’s not blind, or stupid, Laryn. He may not say anything, and he may pretend he doesn’t know when you tell him, but he knows. So does Chris.”
“Have either of them said anything to you?”
Cryslyn hesitated. “Not exactly.”
“What?”
“The other day I asked Chris if Shana was coming back. He said not any time soon and that I needed to go ahead and assign someone else out here. Neither of us mentioned the baby, but it was obvious he knew.”
Laryn sighed. “Guess I need to tell Myron.”
“And the others, before someone else does.”
~~~~
When Kevin and Chris got back after lunch, Laryn was waiting for them. “Do you have a minute?”
Kevin nodded towards his office. “Come on in.”
“You too, Chris,” Laryn said as she headed for Kevin’s office.
Once all three of them were settled, Laryn said, “As I’m sure you both know, I’m going to have a baby.”
Before she could say anything else, both Kevin and Chris started congratulating her as if it was news to them. Finally she shook her head. “Stop pretending you didn’t know. From what Cryslyn said, everyone knows, including the two of you.”
“I really am happy for you though,” Kevin said. “When’s the baby due?”
“Middle of November.”
“I didn’t realize you were that far along,” Chris said.
“Well I am, and if I had my way, we wouldn’t announce it until after the baby’s born.”
Kevin grinned. “Like Allisandra wanted to do?”
“Exactly.”
“You could get away with it if you didn’t visit any of them until after he or she is born, but they’d be furious when they found out.”
Laryn nodded. “Personally, I don’t care if they get mad at me, it wouldn’t be the first time, but they’ll blame you for not telling them, so I’m going to write them this afternoon. But once they get those letters, things are going to get crazy. Shadron will insist on building another room on the house. Kyle will start training a dog for the baby. Dayed will bring us all kinds of baby furniture. Danyelle, Kayla, and Allisandra will make tons of baby clothes, and who knows what else.”
“I think it’s nice they’ll want to do all of that,” Chris said.
Laryn raised her eyebrows and looked at him. “I’ll remind you that you said that.”
“Huh?”
“When I tell them, you know they’ll want to come see me. And knowing my sisters, they’ll want everyone here at the same time, which means Dara will join the fun. Let’s see how nice you think it is then.”
Chris sighed. “Didn’t think about that.”
“Didn’t think so.” Then Laryn looked at Kevin. “It’s fine with me if you tell them you don’t have time for all of them to come for a weekend.”
Kevin shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“I know, but I thought I’d make the offer. Anyway, look at your calendar and figure out which weekends won’t work. If they get my letters next week, you’ll start hearing from them the next.”
“So, can we congratulate Steve now?” Chris asked. “And can Joan finally congratulate you? She’s been about to burst for two months, and from what she said, so is Jana.”
Laryn laughed. “Sure. Guess there’s no reason to keep it a secret if the whole castle knows.”
“And the whole town,” Kevin added. “Rhianna said Doreen’s asked her several times if they can know yet.”
“How does Doreen know? I see her maybe once a week, if that.”
“Laryn, you’re glowing,” Kevin said. “Anyone who’s ever seen a pregnant woman knows you’re pregnant. There’s something about it that shines through.”
Laryn stood up. “Guess I’ll go write some letters.”
After she left, Chris said, “At least it’s out in the open now. And she wasn’t mad that we already knew.”
“Thank you, Cryslyn.”
Chris laughed. “Yeah. Thank you, Cryslyn.”
Chapter 12
Moving Day
Tuesday morning a letter arrived at the chapel in Milhaven for Hayley. She took a deep breath and opened it. Even though she’d been expecting it, it sent a chill through her. She was to assume her duties as Resident Sister of Bridgeport next Monday.
Her own chapel. Her own patients. She was thrilled and terrified at the same time.
Hayley went straight to Sister Agnes’s office. The older woman hugged her and said, “It’s time to tell Sherri she’s going with you. She’ll need to pack.”
Hayley took another deep breath. Time to make plans. Before she talked to Sherri, she needed to know when they’d be leaving. She needed to see Myron.
When Hayley got to his office, he was in the reception area trying to convince his bodyguards to take the rest of the day off because he wasn’t going anywhere. Hayley grinned. Myron wasn’t having much luck.
Finally Kevin gave up and turned to Hayley. “Did you need to see me?”
Hayley nodded and tilted her head towards his office.
Kevin led the way, and once she was inside, shut his door. “What’s up?”
“I’ve been assigned to the chapel in Bridgeport.”
Kevin smiled. “I don’t know whether to say congratulations or I’m sorry. We’ll miss you around here. When do you need to be there?”
“Officially, next Monday. I need to be there before that, but I’m not sure where we’ll be staying. Marcus said we could stay at his house, but Marcie wants us to stay with her, and Morris said we should stay with him and Gloria. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to upset anyone.”
When Hayley paused to take a breath, Kevin said, “The way I see it, staying at Marcus’s has several advantages. You could come and go without worrying about anyone else’s schedule. And you’ll need to use the kitchen to prepare herbs. If you’re in someone else’s house, that might be difficult.”
“You’re right. I’ll stay there.” Hayley nodded. “Speaking of herbs, can you take me to Rainbow Valley so I can pick up some of the ones that only grow up there?”
Kevin nodded. “When do you want to go?”
“Let’s see.” Hayley’s eyes hazed over as she focused on some point off in the distance. “Today’s Tuesday. I need to talk to Sherri today. She doesn’t even know she’s going yet. And I want to move up there Saturday.” Hayley’s eyes focused on Kevin. “Can you take me Saturday morning? It’s going to take several trips to get all my stuff up there.” Then she laughed. “You know I don’t travel light.”
Kevin nodded. “And if for any reason I can’t, Marcus can. He needs to go anyway. Doesn’t he have wards over his place?”
“Oh, that’s right. Will he have time to go?”
“If you let him know today he can arrange it.”
“All right, let’s see. Where was I?” Hayley’s eyes hazed over again. “If we leave Saturday, I’ll need to pack Friday. I could go to Rainbow Valley tomorrow, but I need to check the herbs at the chapel first.” She looked back at Kevin. “Could I go to Rainbow Valley Thursday morning? And come back that evening?”
“As far as I know.”
Hayley stood up. “I’ll meet you at the chapel Thursday morning and then again Saturday morning. Right?”
Kevin grinned. “Got it.”
“Good.” Hayley let out a long sigh. “Now to find Marcus and let him know. Then Sherri. And then I need to start sorting. So much to do,” she mumbled as she headed for the door. As she opened it to leave, she looked back and waved. “Thanks, Myron.”
When Chris walked in, Kevin was still smiling. “Why are you grinning?”
“Hayley.”
“What did she want?”
“I’m taking h
er to Rainbow Valley Thursday and then to Bridgeport Saturday.”
“To stay?”
Kevin nodded. “It won’t be the same around here with both her and Theresa gone.”
“But Theresa will be back.”
“Someday.”
~~~~
Friday morning Marcus borrowed Kevin’s key and went to see his sister. After she poured them both a cup of coffee, he said, “Hayley’s afraid you’ll get mad at her if she and Sherri stay at my house until the chapel gets finished.”
Marcie shook her head and laughed. “Don’t tell her I said so, but I think that’s a good idea. They’ll be a lot more comfortable at your house than they would be sharing a room here or staying at Morris’s. And at your house she can use the kitchen whenever she wants to. Here she’d have to work around me. But your house has got to be full of dust and cobwebs. When are they coming?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow?! And you’re just telling me now?” Marcie jumped up and grabbed both coffee cups.
“Hey! I wasn’t done with that.”
“Yes, you are. Go get the wards off the house while I get some cleaning supplies together. And find Rayne on your way out. Tell her I need to see her.”
Marcus frowned as he walked out the front door, mumbling that he should have finished his coffee before he told her.
Half an hour later the wards were gone and Marcie and several women from the settlement had invaded the house with buckets, cloths, brushes, brooms, and dusters. Marcus figured it was time to go before someone handed him one of the brooms.
“Sis, I’ve got to get back,” Marcus said as his sister unpacked the cleaning supplies she had in her buckets. “I’ve got Myron’s key.”
Marcie shook her head. “Not before you get some wood stacked up out back. We’ll need hot water and so will Hayley. Get some of ours for now. I’ll have Lance chop some more this weekend, but be sure there’s enough for three days before you leave.”
“Grab some of ours,” Shel offered. “Don’t leave Marcie with none.”
“Thanks.” Marcus headed out the back door. Using his outstretched hand and the key, he had the wood stacked in under fifteen minutes. When he walked back inside and told Marcie he was leaving, she shoved past him and went out the back door. When she saw the wood stacked beside the porch, she turned to him and raised her eyebrows.
Marcus grinned and held up the key. “Works for short distances too, and now I need to get it back to Myron. See you tomorrow morning, and tell everyone I said thanks for cleaning the place.”
“I’ll tell them, but you need to do it yourself tomorrow. Now go on before I think of something else you need to do.”
~~~~
Hayley was up before sunrise Saturday morning. Everything had been packed, unpacked, double checked, and packed again. Still she was sure she’d forgotten something vitally important. She just didn’t know what it could be.
As she checked every drawer in her room, looked under her bed, and searched through the empty wardrobe, she went through a mental checklist of all the supplies they’d need for the chapel, her patients, and the two of them.
Being in charge was scary, and a lot different from being the assistant. She’d helped Theresa pack every time they’d left the chapel without a bit of worry because she trusted Theresa to know what they’d need and be sure they had it. Now that responsibility was hers, and she knew she was going to bungle it.
Meanwhile Sherri was up before sunrise too, but instead of worry waking her up, excitement kept her from sleeping. She was finally going to be important.
She was grateful Sister Agnes had given her a place to live, and she’d enjoyed being there. She’d learned a lot in the short time she’d been there, but most of the time she felt like she could walk out the door and no one would even notice. She was one of too many aides for that small a chapel. She tried to be useful, but she didn’t feel like her contributions were vital.
But when they got to Bridgeport, she’d be the only aide around. Sister Hayley would depend on her to be there, to help her. She’d be needed.
Sherri stripped her bed and folded the sheets and blanket. Sister Agnes had told her to take them with her in case no one had thought to supply linens for the new chapel. She struggled to stuff them in the top of the bag Sister Hayley had given her for her clothes, which was almost funny since the only clothes she’d had when she was rescued from the dungeon was the dress she’d been wearing when she was captured. Now she had half a dozen dresses, a cloak, leggings, tunics, and two pair of boots, almost as much as she’d had at home.
Home. Sherri sat on the edge of her bed and pictured the little village she’d lived in with her parents. A shudder ran down her spine as she thought of the house they’d been living in when the slavers attacked. Even if she could go back there, she wouldn’t. She’d never feel at home there anymore. Milhaven had been good to her, but it wasn’t home either. It was never meant to be.
Sherri jumped up to check the drawers one more time. After she double checked everything in her room, she grabbed her bag and charged out the door, nearly knocking Hayley down in the process.
“Oh, Sister!” Sherri grabbed Hayley’s arm to steady her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.”
Hayley laughed. “That’s all right. No harm done.” She glanced at Sherri’s bag. “All packed?”
“And ready to go. Where should I put it?”
“On the back porch with the others,” Hayley said as they walked into the kitchen where Blair was baking muffins. “Myron or Marcus will be along soon to pick them up.”
“Is there anything you need me to do? Anything left to pack or clean before we leave?”
Hayley shook her head and held the back door open for Sherri. “Not that I know of, but we’ll probably find out I forgot all kinds of things once we get there.”
Sherri looked at the stacks of boxes and bags. “I don’t see how.”
Before she could say anything else, the light shimmered and Kevin and Marcus stepped out of the energy flow.
“Good timing,” Hayley said. “We just finished bringing everything out here.”
Marcus looked at all the stacks. “Did you leave anything for Sister Agnes?”
Hayley put her hands on her hips. “I have to take everything we might need to get the chapel ready.” Then she frowned. “Furniture. I hadn’t thought about that.”
Kevin handed Marcus the key to Terah and picked up a load of boxes in his outstretched hand. “Don’t worry about that now. I’m sure they’ll see to it, but if they don’t, let us know and we’ll bring you whatever you need. You just focus on the healing end of things.” Then he turned the key to the gate and left for Marcus’s house.
Marcus gathered a load of bags with his outstretched hand. “Do you want all of this at my house? Or do you want to store some of the stuff you don’t need right now at Thom’s?”
Hayley shook her head. “I want everything where I can get my hands on it.”
Marcus nodded. “Back in a minute.” Then he turned the key.
While Marcus was gone, Kevin returned to pick up the remaining bags and boxes. “After I drop these off, I’m heading back to the castle. Marcus will be back for you in a few minutes.” Kevin gathered up everything still on the porch. “Good luck, Hayley, and don’t forget about us down here.” Then he turned his key and left.
When Marcus got back, Hayley handed him a cup of coffee and a muffin. “We haven’t eaten yet. Do you mind waiting for us?”
“Not at all.” Marcus sat down next to Sherri and helped himself to another muffin. “You may have to eat again up there though. My sister and Shel are cooking something at my house. I’m not sure what it is, but it smells good.”
After they finished eating, they left for Marcus’s house. Since Sherri wasn’t used to the energy field, Marcus brought them out in the front yard so she could recover without anyone smothering her. When Sherri was steady enough to stand up straight, she looke
d around. She’d been expecting a rugged one-bedroom cabin. What she saw was a two-story house full of windows and surrounded by a wide porch.
As they walked up the steps, Marcie opened the front door. “We’re so glad you’re here,” she said as she hugged Hayley. “Everyone pitched in yesterday to get this place aired out and cleaned up. There were cobwebs and dust everywhere.” As she led Hayley inside, she continued. “We put fresh linens on the beds and laid out fresh towels. The kitchen had most of what you’ll need already, but if you find you need something you don’t have, let me know. More than likely I’ll have one you can borrow. And we put salt, flour, sugar, and a few other essentials in the cabinets.”
Hayley thanked Marcie and then introduced Sherri. “Sherri, why don’t you and Rayne take our clothes upstairs and get us unpacked? Pick out the bedroom you want and put me in one of the others. I don’t care which one, but I’ll also need one set up as an office.” Sherri nodded and picked up her bag.
Hayley looked at Marcie and Shel. “We can get started on the groceries and herbs.” Then she turned to Marcus. “Do you mind if I use the back parlor for seeing patients?”
Marcus shook his head. “Just tell me what furniture you want where.”
While the adults worked downstairs, Sherri and Rayne explored the upstairs and attic. Then Sherri picked out rooms for herself and Hayley and they started unpacking.
“How long have you known Hayley?” Rayne asked as they stored clothes in drawers.
“Not long. About four months I guess.”
“You didn’t know her before she got her gift?”
Sherri shook her head. “I know she hasn’t been a sister very long. She used to be Sister Theresa’s assistant, but I wasn’t around then.”
“You know how her healing hands showed up, don’t you?”
“I don’t think I ever heard. Why? Did something happen?”
Rayne grinned. “Uncle Marcus got shot.”
As Rayne filled Sherri in on the details, Sherri’s eyes widened. “That’s what they were talking about.”
Rayne frowned.
“The first time I met Rhianna. She had lunch with us at the chapel and something was said about Rhianna being a bodyguard. Duri asked if that’s why she was with Myron’s apprentice the day Marcus got shot. I had no idea what they were talking about.”
The Rambling Spy Page 12
