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."Grandfather? Are you all right?""Water.I need some water for my pills." Julian reached into his pocket and took out a bottle of pills.Faith handed him the water bottle she'd brought with her on the trip.He took a long sip and let out a breath of relief."All right now?" Alex asked, his voice tense."Yes.""Are you sure? Take a deep breath.Is there any pain?""No.My chest felt tight for a minute there, but it's fine now.""Do you get these attacks often?""Sometimes when I feel stress.""That's it.We're going to find our hotel and get you some rest.I knew this trip would be too much for you.""It's not too much, and I want to go straight to Suzannah's house.Now, Alex."Alex glared at his grandfather.Julian glared back.Standoff.They needed a bridge, so Faith leaned forward."Why don't we compromise? We'll find our hotel, get some dinner, and decide what to do next.""Fine," Alex said."Fine," Julian replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest.Faith sat back and smiled at Jessie."Boys," she muttered."I heard that," Alex said as he started the engine.He drove through town until they found the hotel his secretary had booked for them.Alex and Julian were to share a room, with Faith and Jessie doing the same.They agreed to meet in thirty minutes for dinner in the coffee shop."This is nice," Jessie said, as she walked into the hotel room."Ooh, two double beds." She flopped down on one, bouncing in appreciation."Cool.I never stayed anywhere as nice as this.I'm going to check out the bathroom.Can I take a shower?""Sure, honey, whatever you want."Faith stretched out on the bed, relieved to have a few moments peace.She felt tired and cramped after the plane trip and the long car ride.Too much movement, she decided, closing her eyes.The silence soothed her, and she drifted off almost immediately.He was there in the moonlight, waiting for her with the pot in his hands.He opened his arms.She ran into them.He kissed her long and hard, pledging his love, his life, his soul.It was over too fast.But they could not linger here in the open canyon floor.The others were coming.Her betrothed would not allow her to be with anyone else.That she had chosen another -- a man who had come from another place, who had always walked alone, who called no other a friend -- would shame her betrothed.He would be an outcast for the rest of his life unless he sought revenge.He would have to kill them to save his pride.They had to get away.The warrior pointed to the rock formation in the distance where the butterflies danced.He told her his grandfather had spoken of another land, a world they had never seen.Beyond those rocks, he said, they would find their freedom.He took her hand and she gave him her heart.Faith groaned as the drums got louder and louder.She sat up in bewilderment, finally realizing the pounding was coming from the hotel room door.Jessie was singing in the shower and obviously hadn't heard a thing.Faith got to her feet and walked over to the door, wondering how long she'd slept.She pulled the door open and Alex fell into the room, his hair wild and restless, his eyes frantic."What's wrong?" she asked."Grandfather.He's gone."Chapter Twenty-Five"Gone? What do you mean? Is he downstairs?""No, he's not downstairs," Alex yelled."He's gone.While I was in the shower he disappeared.He's not in the gift shop or the coffee shop or the bar.When I came back to my room, I found this." He held out a piece of paper.Faith took it from his hand and read aloud." 'Gone to meet Suzannah.I can't wait another second.Love, Julian.' " She handed it back to him."At least we know he's all right.""Do we? An hour ago he looked like he was having a heart attack because of stress.What kind of stress do you think he'll be under when he sees Suzannah for the first time in fifty years?""A lot.I'll get my purse."Jessie came out of the bathroom, wearing a clean T-shirt and a pair of shorts, her hair wrapped in a towel.She stopped when she saw Alex."Is it dinnertime already?""Julian has disappeared," Faith said gently."Apparently he couldn't wait to find Suzannah."Jessie's eyes widened."Oh."Faith turned to Alex."Did he take the car?""No, I've got the keys right here.""Then he must have found a cab.We'll just have to go to Suzannah's house and make sure he's all right.""I don't like this, Faith.Why couldn't he wait?""Your grandfather has a mind of his own.""He's selfish and arrogant and does whatever the hell he wants, no matter who gets hurt in the process."Faith read through the anger in his eyes."And you're worried about him.""I guess I've gotten used to having him around.Come on, let's go.""I'm ready.Jess?"Jess ran a brush through her wet hair and slipped on her sandals."I'm ready, too."* * *With the help of a local city map and the concierge, they found Suzannah's house without too much trouble.It was in a neighborhood on the outskirts of town facing the San Francisco Peaks, where snow could still be seen on the very tops of the mountains.Suzannah's house was a one-story white stucco building with red tiles.The lawn was well kept with colorful flowers planted in baskets along the walkway.The porch light cast shadows along the edges of the yard.There were a few lights on inside the house, but everything was quiet.Alex rang the bell and they waited for long, tense seconds."Where is she?" he muttered.Faith started to answer, then heard movement from inside the house.Her stomach tightened and she couldn't help the nervous flutters of excitement that ran up and down her spine.She was going to meet Suzannah.Finally.Faith could only imagine what Julian must have felt when he'd stood on this doorstep waiting for his long-lost love to open the door.Faith held her breath as the door slowly opened and a woman stepped into the light.She was a slender reed, barely five feet tall, her hair a dark, rich shade of copper, her eyes a light hazel or green.They seemed to change as she stepped into the light."Yes?" She looked at Faith, then at Alex.Her jaw dropped open as she stared into his blue eyes -- so like his grandfather's."Oh, dear." She put a hand to her mouth."You're -- you must be -- who are you?""Alex Carrigan.Julian Carrigan's grandson.And you are?""Suzannah." She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again."You have the same eyes as your grandfather.""So I've been told.This is Faith Christopher, a friend of mine, and my -- and Jessie."Suzannah said hello to Faith and Jessie, still looking uncertain, unsure of what to do next.That was when it occurred to Faith that something was wrong.Suzannah did not look like a woman who had just been reunited with her long-lost love.Alex seemed to come to the same conclusion, his eyes narrowing as he tried to peer past Suzannah into the house."I'd like to speak to my grandfather.""Your grandfather?""Yes," Alex said impatiently."Can we come in?""Your grandfather is not here.""He has to be.He said he was going to meet you.He left at least a half hour ago.He has to be here.""I'm sorry, but I haven't seen him, not in more than fifty years.""Faith?" Alex turned to her with his heart in his eyes.She'd never seen him look so worried [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]