All three sighed in unison before beginning their climb.
“This guy better be important,” Ruby grumbled.
“I’m sure he is.” Gemma flicked the comment over her shoulder, trying to ignore the niggling doubt that sometimes surfaced. Since Ruby’s retrieval of the necklace there had been no more trips like it. She needed to get over it. Her father was the most selfless man she knew.
“If we take much longer Harrison’s going to have to send a search party to the bathroom!”
Gemma chuckled. “It’s okay. He knows what it’s like when I cross the line. Lucky he’s so patient, huh?”
Gemma’s grin faded as she turned to look at her sister. Ruby had stopped dead in her tracks. Her expression was one of muted horror.
“What?” Gemma’s breath caught in her throat and her eyes grew large as realization struck like a lightening bolt. “Ruby, I mean…”
Her sister’s horror was morphing into a malignant fury. The look in her eyes was terrifying. Gemma searched the rocks below her for inspiration, but was coming up blank.
“I…”
Her heart began to hammer.
What do I say? How the hell do I get out of this?
For once her father’s timing was perfect. Her muscles turned to dust, saving her from the shocking moment…only to face it in the next century.
*****
St. Augustine, Florida – 2011 AD
Gemma pulled on her clothes and scampered out of the stall. Texting a brief, I’m fine, to her mother, she scurried out of the bathroom. Dom appeared just as she rushed past the boy’s toilets.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” Gemma’s laughter sounded pathetic. She turned to beam him a smile, but kept walking backwards.
“What’s up?” His brows puckered.
“Nothing. It’s just… Harrison’s waiting for me.” She pointed behind her. “And I don’t want to keep him waiting for me, because you know…no one likes to wait too long.”
Like a skittish pony, she pranced away from her confused brother, hoping to make it to the safety of her bike before the freight train of truth caught up with her.
The door to freedom was in sight when Ruby’s voice snagged her.
“Gemma! Gemma, stop! I want to talk to you!”
Gemma kept her legs moving. Ruby would have told Dom the second she got out of the bathroom. She didn’t know if she could handle both of them. One little slip…
You stupid idiot!
“Gemma, running away is not going to stop this conversation from happening!”
Her sister had every reason to be irate. The empty school corridor echoed with annoyance. The hands of doom were no longer ticking—they were chiming with finality. Running wasn’t going to change anything now.
Slowing to a stop, she ran her fingers through her hair and grabbed two handfuls at the nape of her neck. Stepping backwards, she leaned against the green metal lockers and waited.
She kept her eyes downcast as the twins approached. She could hear Ruby’s nostrils flaring and didn’t even want to guess what Dominic was doing. He probably had his arms folded over his chest and his eyes would be narrowed.
She stole a quick glance.
Yep, super narrowed.
“You know how I made that little quip about Harrison?” Ruby’s voice was strained.
Gemma cringed.
“What did you mean when you said ‘It’s okay. He knows what it’s like when I cross over?’ What did you mean, Gemma?”
The exhaustion from returning was a weight she didn’t need. She hoped it would abate quickly in order to have the strength for this conversation. She hadn’t meant to say it! She was tired! The words had just slipped out! She’s been distracted by thoughts of the necklaces! And then it had just happened.
The only thing she was grateful for was the fact her parents hadn’t been within earshot.
“Does your boyfriend know what we are?”
Gemma ignored Dom’s question and kept her eyes on the floor.
“Does he know?!” Ruby slammed Gemma back into the lockers.
“Yes.” She found the courage to lift her gaze and was met with a mix of emotion.
Their eyes were swimming with disbelief and boldly outlined with a deep hue of betrayal.
“All this time you’ve been spending with him.” Ruby shook her head. “I should’ve known you’d let it slip. You’ve always been such a crappy liar!”
“I’m sorry. I really am, but I didn’t have a choice.”
Ruby snorted with disgust.
“He saw me leaving! What was I supposed to say?”
The silence in the hall was shattered by a booming laugh.
“He saw you leave?” Dom’s shoulders shook. “Did he see you come back?”
She shot him a droll look.
“That must have been embarrassing.” He guffawed.
“Shut up, Dominic.” Ruby cut him off; the ice in her voice was enough to freeze Gemma’s insides. “How could you let this happen? He’s just some stupid guy and you betray us all because of him?”
“He’s not just some guy, Ruby. And besides, you were the one who told me to go for it!”
“I told you to go on a couple of dates and make out a little, not fall in love with him and gossip about our family secrets.”
“It’s not like that. He just wants to understand who I am.”
Ruby leaned in, her perfect finger waving inches from Gemma’s nose. “He has no right to understand you. He’s not one of us, Gemma. How could you be so stupid? This relationship was doomed from the start. You must know that!”
Of course I know it, but…
“You have to end it. Now.” Ruby lifted Gemma’s chin forcing her eyes to meet hers.
“I can’t.” Her eyes began to fill as her two-month utopia shattered.
“You don’t have a choice. If Mom and Dad find out, they’re going to kill you and then they’ll probably kill him.”
The first tears descended.
“Please don’t tell them. Ruby, please.”
The gentle, yet firm hand of Dom lowered Ruby’s arm to her side. “We’re not going to say anything. That’s your responsibility. We just want you to be careful. You’re playing with fire here, slim. If he lets anything slip…”
“He won’t! He knows how important this is to our family. He would never betray us, ever.”
“I’m guessing that’s what Decimus said too.” Ruby scorched Gemma with a black look before walking away.
Gemma felt as though she’d been punched in the gut.
“Don’t worry, she’ll get over it.” Dom squeezed her shoulder.
“She’s never looked at me that way before.”
“She looks at me that way all the time, and she’s still my best friend.”
A smile wavered over Gemma’s lips.
“I’ll see if I can talk her ‘round for ya.”
She looked up at her brother, surprised. “So you don’t hate me then?”
He chuckled. “Hate you? Gem, that is an impossibility.”
Reaching to her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around her brother and clung. He gave her a fierce hug before abruptly dropping her to the floor.
“I better go find her.”
“I’m sorry I let you guys down.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “You never asked for this life. Out of all of us, you’ve been the one who struggled with it the most. I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy.”
“Thanks, Dom.”
His eyes swam with a reality she did not want to recognize. “He’s a good guy, Gem. Don’t string him along. I may be calmer about this than Rube, but she’s right. You’re going to have to end it eventually.”
Dom’s solid footsteps echoed off the corridor walls. Gemma waited until he was out of sight before burying her face in her hands and letting the tears flow unchecked.
It took her a good ten minutes to compose herself and the only thing that dragged her
away from those metal lockers was the fact that Harrison was waiting for her.
Pulling herself tall, she walked into the sunshine, wiping the last tear from her face.
Harrison was leaning against the seat of her Ducati. His long legs were stretched in front of him and crossed at the ankles. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his faded jeans. In spite of his patient posture, his face was marked with worry. He knew she could sometimes be late when she crossed over, but she had taken much longer than usual.
What’s the point of trying to hide this? He’s going to read you the second he looks into your eyes.
It didn’t even take that long; he saw her approaching and jumped from the seat, racing to her side.
“Gem! What is it?”
She shook her head, tears clogging her throat.
“Here.” Harrison led her to the nearest bench. “Sit down.” Squatting down in front of her, he brushed the hair back from her face. “Gem, look at me. Gemma. Look at me.” She flicked her tear stained eyes towards him before squeezing them shut. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”
She brushed another tear aside and swallowed. “What are we doing, Harrison? This is never going to work.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You. Me. Us!”
He ran his hands over her thighs. “Where is this coming from?”
She drew in a shaky breath. “Dom and Ruby found out I told you today and they’re SO mad with me,” she hiccupped over the sentence. “Ruby said I had to break up with you. That this relationship was doomed from the start.”
“Aw, Gem.” Harrison slid his hand up the base of her neck, threading his fingers into her hair and rubbing his thumb gently over her earlobe. “Sweetie, I knew that getting involved with you was not going to be easy and I wasn’t fool enough to think that we weren’t going to be facing huge battles.” He tipped her head up so he could look into her eyes. “But I’m willing to fight for you.”
Her cracked heart let out a heavy thud before taking off like a galloping horse. She could feel her birthmark burning.
“Gem.” He released a heavy sigh and licked his lips. “This isn’t just about how much I love you and what I want, though. They’re your family and you need to be happy. I need you to be happy. So, the most important question here is what do you want?”
She placed her hand over his and closed her eyes, letting the tears descend.
She knew the answer immediately. It rushed through her spirit like a tornado.
Opening her eyes, she gazed into his brown orbs and whispered, “You. I want to be with you.”
His lips rose with a smile as he sighed out his relief. Pulling her face toward him, he placed a warm kiss on her lips. She sunk into the comfort and let the fire of promise sear her brain.
He broke the bond too soon and she felt a cold chill sweep through her.
“You need to tell your parents.”
She bit the inside of her cheek and shuddered. “I know.” She nodded, ignoring the bile in her throat. “I know, but can we just enjoy the weekend first and then we’ll tell them on Sunday night?”
“Delaying things won’t change the truth, Gem.”
“I know, but if they do decide to ground me for all eternity at least I’ll still get to see you the next day at school.”
He chuckled as he rose and extended his hand. “Fair enough. Now come on, Miss Gem, take me for a cruise on your Ducati before I kiss you goodbye for the night.”
His smile was delicious. She grabbed his hand and let him lead her to the bike. She didn’t have the courage to tell him that come Sunday she would probably take the chicken’s way out. The idea of fighting with him over it was hideous, but she didn’t think she could get the words to come out of her mouth. He’d never met her parents. He had no idea.
Swinging her leg over the seat she decided that the hands of doom could just shut up. She still had the evening and all of the next day to pretend that she was a normal girl with a gorgeous boyfriend who was going to take her to the mall tomorrow for a little shopping. She would forget that her sister currently hated her. She would forget that, if Harrison put his foot down, her parents would no doubt be committing murder on Sunday night. And she would forget, for once, that she had no control over her life.
Chapter Nineteen
St. Augustine, Florida - 2011 AD
The mall seemed ridiculously busy. Gemma, being unused to such crowds, had clung to Harrison’s hand throughout the morning. He’d had fun teasing her, watching her face as she blushed over his comments about being strong enough to annihilate half the crowd yet flinching if someone brushed her shoulder.
“I tend to avoid crowds. It’s fine when I’m with my parents, because I know we won’t be going anywhere, but when they’re not around… I just never know when he’ll…”
Her justification had trailed off as she’d reached the taboo subject of the day.
Upon her request they were trying to be as normal as possible. He wasn’t allowed to mention anything about time travel or her family. It hadn’t been as challenging as he’d thought it would be. They had spent the morning chatting about his family while they hunted for a birthday present for his mother.
“What about a book of poetry or something?” Gemma suggested.
His initial idea to buy an antique broach had flown out the window when the one he could afford had been sold two days earlier. He had kicked himself for not spending the money when he had spotted it the first time, but he had wanted to keep it a surprise and didn’t think his mother would buy the line that Gemma loved antique jewelry.
Harrison squeezed his girlfriend’s hand with a smile. “That’s a great idea.” Turning on the spot, he led them back toward the bookstore.
“I just thought, since she was a librarian, she’d probably be into books. But didn’t you say she was into old documents and stuff?”
Harrison nodded.
“Why don’t we check out the secondhand book store then. They might have some old edition of something really cool.”
Gemma’s eyes sparkled with the idea, making Harrison smile. He stopped on the spot, wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her in for a kiss.
“Harrison.” She pushed at his chest. “People are watching.”
“Let them.” He grinned. “I’m kissing the most beautiful girl in the mall. I relish their jealousy.”
Her expression broke with laughter as she lightly slapped his chest. “You are such a fool.”
“Happy to be.” He wrapped his arm back around her waist as they began walking again. “Actually, I’m also a hungry fool. Do you want to stop for food and then we’ll take off, pass the bookstore on the way to the beach?”
“Good idea.”
“I could kill a plate of chili fries right now.”
“Harrison.” She grimaced. “They are so bad for you.”
“And that’s exactly why they taste so good. Aw, come on, Gem, admit it. You totally want some!”
Her smile said it all. Squeezing her waist with a chuckle, he propelled her to the food court.
The fries were piping hot. Harrison jiggled his mouthful with his tongue, trying not to scald himself. Gemma giggled.
“You okay?” She pushed the large glass of soda toward him.
He grabbed it up with a grateful nod and doused his fiery mouth with the cool fizz.
“So, you’re not doing your assignment on Coyote Granger anymore?” Gemma got back to their earlier conversation.
“Well, I was thinking about it, but I like Mary’s story better.”
“Okay.” Gemma leaned forward in her seat, a fry perched between her fingers. He loved the way her eyes danced with excitement as they talked history, particularly his history. “So this Coyote guy robs the bank then takes off to the next town and beds this woman as a victory dance, shall we say? Then what happened?”
Harrison laughed then downed another mouthful of soda before continuing the story. “Well, Mary finds out she’s
pregnant and knows that she either has to get rid of it or leave her…job.”
“Thankfully she chose to leave.”
“That’s right, but where would she go? She barely had a dime to her name, she was homeless, and if she was anything like my mother, puking her guts out with morning sickness.”
“I love the way you describe things so delicately, Harrison.”
The look on her face made him laugh. He paused in his train of thought to consider how much fun he was having. The idea of Sunday night bit at the corners of his brain, but he gave it a solid boot. Nothing was going to ruin today.
“Anyway.” He cleared his throat to continue. “She decided to go after the guy who knocked her up in the first place. By the time she found him, she was as round as a beach ball and apparently he just couldn’t turn her away. So he begrudgingly let her stay, ‘but only until the kid’s born!’” Harrison put on a gruff voice.
“But…” Gemma smiled.
“But he ended up falling in love with her. She made an honest man out of him.”
“Did he give the money back?”
“Well…” Harrison tipped his head. “Not so much, but he didn’t rob anymore banks after that.”
Gemma grinned before popping another fry into her mouth. “How many did he rob altogether?”
“I’m not sure, probably a dozen or so. After Mary came along they kind of went into hiding and the law eventually forgot about him. He dropped the Coyote part and ended up purchasing a ranch in Montana.”
“That’s such a cool story. It just goes to show that good things can come out of bad situations.” Gemma’s eyes grew distant and he knew she was considering the implications of her family’s work. She shook her head. “So what about your dad’s history? Did you find anything on that?”
Harrison picked at the fries with a frown. “No.”
“You didn’t ask your mom, did you?”
“I can’t!” He dropped the fry and leaned back in his seat. “She won’t talk about him and I don’t want go there again.” He took a swig of drink then perched his elbows on the edge of the table. “When I was little she caught me going through the files stashed under her bed. I was looking for my birth certificate. I just wanted to know his name.” He shrugged. “I’ve never seen her so mad. It took her a whole day to talk to me again.
Golden Blood (The Time Spirit Trilogy, #1) Page 15
