If Caroline and Lewis accepted me, I prayed the others would as well. The homes gave way to Aaron’s rolling land. That long, tall fence that had supposedly protected us from the outside world appeared alongside the road. This time the site brought with it no wariness. No, because this wasn’t an island of evil and pain, it was a lovely emerald off the coast. Just a piece of land, as Malcolm would have said.
No guards stood at the entrance, but the gates were open wide, and Lewis easily drove onto the property. Although the large brick house looked normal, there was something about it that had changed. It seemed…happier, as silly as that sounded.
“You’ve done it,” I whispered.
“What?”
A group of children raced across the lawn, chasing each other while Deborah watched them from the chair where she sat. Even she looked at peace. Their laughter floated through the air like church bells at Christmas time. These were no timid, shy and scared kids, but children flushed and glowing with happiness.
“You’ve changed everything. You said we didn’t have to live like our parents. We didn’t need to continue the war, and in only four months you’ve done it; changed everything for the better.”
He smiled. “I’ve had help. Deborah, Owen, Nora. I don’t remember what their lives were like before, but the children are happy now, so I have to assume it’s a whole hell of a lot better.”
“It is.”
He stopped the car and we sat silently for a few moments, watching the children race across the large yard toward us. I was content to sit there for hours, just me and Lewis in this small space, surrounded by his warmth and scent. It was obvious he welcomed me here with open arms, but how did he feel about me? I glanced at his profile, but could read nothing upon his face.
“It’s almost perfect,” Lewis said. “But it’s been missing an important piece.”
“What’s that?”
He turned to look at me. “You.”
Before I could respond to his lovely statement, the door opened. “Cameron!” Owen grasped my arm and jerked me from the car, pulling me into a bear hug. I was surprised, but charmed by his open affection. Lewis and Caroline weren’t the only ones who welcomed me.
He pulled back, rubbing my head and ruffling my hair like I was five. “It’s so good to see you.”
I smoothed my hair back into place, grinning like an idiot. “Thanks.”
“Cameron!” I had only a moment to brace myself before Caroline threw her arms around my waist and hugged me tight. She’d grown an inch or two since I’d last seen her, and her healthy, glowing face put me at ease.
I pulled back and knelt in front of her. “How are you?”
“Good!” She leaned closer and whispered quite seriously, “Did you find your path?”
Confused by her question, my brows drew together. “My path?”
She nodded. “You know, where you belong?”
I was surprised by her insight, although I shouldn’t have been. She’d always seemed older than her age. “I did and it brought me here.”
She grinned, showing two missing front teeth and reminding me of Lizzie. “Good. I knew you’d return.” She skipped away, back toward the other children who were watching me shyly.
Of course she’d known, and I supposed I’d known as well. From the front door Nora appeared, no doubt called by the commotion. Yeah, she looked thinner than I remembered, but she had a flush to her face and there seemed to be a peaceful energy about her that mollified my guilt. I was actually surprised when she smiled as if happy to see me.
“Hey,” she said, jogging down the steps. “Welcome home.”
Their ready acceptance brought tears to my eyes. They understood why I’d left. They were my family, they were my friends.
“Get settled.” Owen said, resting his hand on my shoulder. “Dinner is at six.”
I nodded, my entire body sinking in relief. I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been, waiting for their approval. Lewis took my hand, his warm fingers wrapping around mine. His touch felt right, so very right. He didn’t wait around for the others, but hurried me up the steps and into the house. I had barely caught my breath when he tugged me into a side room, the very room where he and Aaron had taught me to meditate, to control my energy. The dark and manly décor was gone, the walls painted a light and cheerful blue.
“Do you mean it?” Lewis asked me, softly shutting the door. His face was all hard planes, but I could tell he was struggling, worried he’d say the wrong thing, worried I’d leave again. “Are you here for good?”
He’d missed me. He’d missed me and he wanted me here. The relief I felt made me want to laugh out loud. I curled my fingers, resisting the urge to throw my arms around his neck and press my lips to his. “Yeah.”
He released a breath of air. “Good.”
I wasn’t meant to wander around the world by myself. I was meant to be with the people I loved, the people who loved me. We would go on, and we would survive, and we would thrive. But we couldn’t do it alone. No, the only way to truly enjoy this life was to hold hands, grasp that connection and dive in.
He nodded his head toward the door. “Come on. I’ll show you your room.”
Grinning, I boldly stepped closer to him. “I have a room?”
He took my hand and squeezed. “You’ve had a room since we arrived.”
My chest felt tight with emotions. So many feelings that swirled within, I had the sudden desire to dance and sing at the top of my lungs. “You knew I’d return?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged, giving me that half smile. “I hoped. I guess sometimes if you hope hard enough, it works.” He reached up with his free hand and brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. “By the way, I’ve got some information on the local college.”
He’d remembered my dream to go to school, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah. I thought we could start in the spring.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’d like that.”
We were silent for a long moment. The emotions in his gaze were almost my undoing. He’d missed me. Missed me so much that he’d had to force himself not to search for me. He’d dreamt about me at night. He’d counted down the days, waiting for my return. He’d kept busy, so very busy trying to ignore his aching soul.
“I missed you,” he whispered, his voice catching.
“I know.”
He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to mine… a soft, gentle kiss. I realized in that moment that although we’d changed, nothing between us was different.
Somehow this place where I’d known hell, this place where my mind had been erased, was now the place I considered home. Not because of the building or the location, but because of the people who would reside here with me.
I had found the energy that connected us all.
Life, love, hope.
I had found the family I so desperately craved.
The End
Author’s Note
I hope you’ve enjoyed this last full length book in the Mind Readers Series. I want to thank everyone who has been so very supportive! You have made it a joy to create these characters.
Because so many of you have asked me to continue the series, I have decided to write a short story in Nora’s point of view. I’m sure you’ll agree that the poor girl deserves her own happily ever after! Check my website in the future for further details.
The Mind Readers was my first attempt at publishing a young adult series but it certainly won’t be my last. If you’re interested in my next YA series, make sure to send me an email and sign up for information! And in case you’re curious the next new series will be out in the spring of 2013. Read the short blurb of The Beautiful Ones below!
The Beautiful Ones
Coming Spring 2013
Some say we’re special, and that’s why we’re kept in seclusion. Beyond those walls, evil lurks and innocent prey would be lost in minutes. Gone. Destroyed. Forgotten.
Others say
the opposite; we’re locked away because there’s something wrong with us. If we roamed the outside world we might taint The Beautiful Ones. A species so pure that to merely be in their presence is a gift.
As for my beliefs…I’m not sure.
But I do know one thing; neither of those reasons explains why after the age of sixteen, they come for us. Whether we want to go or not, we’re taken through those iron gates. Escorted away from the only home we’ve ever known; escorted to our destiny, whatever that destiny may be, never to be seen again.
A special thanks to Jennifer, Nadia and Fie for helping me along the way.
About Lori Brighton
Lori has a degree in Anthropology and worked as a museum curator. Deciding the people in her imagination were slightly more exciting than the dead things in a museum basement, she set out to become an author. Lori writes Romance for adults, as well as Young Adult books for teens and adults.
To find out more about Lori visit her at: www.LoriBrighton.com
Table of Contents
Copyright
Other Books by the Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Author’s Note
Acknowledgement
About The Author
The Mind Games Page 29