If he’d been feeling better, he’d have been standing in the bed of the truck with Jacob as he’d done the last four or five years. But all of this week’s activities had caught up with him. When he’d felt worn out, Delphie had pushed him to rest in the lounger.
He glanced to his right. A fairy was sound asleep in a chaise lounge next to him. The fairy was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and a hoodie over her head. She was wrapped in a thick blanket so that all of her skin was covered. Blane knew it was a female fairy because Delphie had said, “She was not feeling well.” Otherwise, he knew nothing about her. He made a mental note to ask Edie if some acupuncture would help.
He looked at the garden bed near the driveway when Ivan laughed. He was currently managing a bed full of little children. Katy and Paddie were planting what Blane knew was lettuce. Katy poured the seed down a small trough in the row. Paddie followed close behind with a stick to spread the seed. They skipped back to cover the row. Honey sat on the grass, helping her daughter, Maggie, use her tiny fingers to make holes next to the pea trellis. One at a time, Mack stuffed the holes with peas. Mack put a pea in the hole and returned to Ivan for another. Ivan was laughing at Mack’s insistence on planting one at a time. Blane grinned. Through no effort of his or Heather’s, his son was meticulous.
“How are you feeling?” Heather asked.
Blane looked to see her coming from the Castle kitchen. As if his look had caused it, there was a great cheer from Tink, Charlie, Ivy, and their new friend Brian. He glanced at Heather, and she rolled her eyes.
“Wanda’s coming over as soon as she can get away,” Heather said. “She thinks Frankie can come, too.”
“Wow,” Blane said. “Is he out?”
“He goes for only half-days now,” Heather said. “He’s worked his butt off and is doing really well. His brother’s testifying next week. They wanted to give Frankie some fun friend time in case next week is hard.”
Heather nodded to where Sissy, Noelle, Nash, and Dale were working.
“They’re wrapping it up for the morning,” she said.
“The kids are amazing,” Blane said with a yawn. “I wish we’d had them a few years ago.”
Heather smiled.
“It’s getting warm, so everyone’s about to head inside,” Heather said. “We’ll finish up this evening when it cools off again.”
“Aden will be home then,” Blane said.
“Mike, too,” Heather said. “Tanesha said that her dad was coming over after work.”
“What’s happening with our house and Jeraine’s?” Blane asked.
“Dale, Mike, and Jake turned them over once,” Heather said. “Delphie said the gardens are tiny compared to this one.”
“You mean that Jake is heading there with the rest of the compost,” Blane said.
“If you’re feeling better, I know he’d love the company,” Heather said with a smile.
Blane sent Jacob a wistful look. Jacob waved.
“Come on in!” Jacob yelled. “The compost’s fine!”
Blane sat up. He paused for a moment before standing up.
“How do you feel?” Heather asked.
“Good,” Blane said.
“Tired,” Heather said.
“Tired,” Blane said.
“You can always. . .” Heather started.
“I can sleep in the truck,” Blane said. “I’ve done that often enough.”
Heather smiled. She didn’t want to discourage him from going with Jacob, but her eyes spoke her worry. Blane smiled and kissed her cheek. Blane gestured to the fairy sleeping in the chaise.
“No idea.” Heather shook her head. “I made lunch — just sandwiches and stuff. Nothing fancy.”
“Nice,” Blane said. “Where is our second son?”
“With the babies upstairs,” Heather said. “Jill and Edie are with them. They should be awake in a bit. Sandy’s still at her salon.”
“Sounds like I woke up at just the right time,” Blane said.
Heather smiled. Blane looked out onto the garden again. Nash, Noelle, Sissy, and Dale were walking toward the shed with their tools. Valerie was helping Nadia down from the tree. Katy and Paddie were spinning in circles toward the deck. Ivan had Mack tucked under one arm and Maggie under the other. The children were squealing with laughter. Honey was rolling toward Delphie to return the extra seed. Blane glanced at Jacob. He had stowed the shovel and wheelbarrow and was closing the back of the bed.
“I’d better. . .” Blane gestured to Jacob.
Heather hugged him, and he kissed her cheek again.
“Try not to overdo it,” she said.
He smiled and jogged toward the truck. Ivan was passing with Mack and Maggie. His eldest son held his hand out, and Blane slapped it.
“High five!” Mack said in more of a giggle than words.
“High five!” Blane slapped Jacob’s hand.
He jogged around to the passenger side of the truck. Jacob slowed to let Samantha Hargreaves’ Mercedes pass before they sped out of the driveway.
“Nice to see you,” Jacob said.
“You have no idea how nice it is to see you,” Blane said.
Laughing, they drove to Jeraine’s house.
~~~~~~~~
Saturday evening — 5:35 p.m.
“So. . .” Fin said to Tanesha as they walked to Jeraine’s car.
“So?” Tanesha asked.
“Cody?” Fin asked.
“He’s the guy who sold my phone number and address to the scumbag paparazzi,” Tanesha said.
“Yeah,” he said. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “I thought you were going to kill him or at least maim him a little bit.”
“I wanted to,” Tanesha said with a grin.
“And?”
“I felt bad for the guy,” Tanesha said. “He’s taking care of his younger brother and. . . I don’t know. I guess I felt like I had enough in my life that I could be generous.”
Fin sniffed, and Tanesha looked at him.
“I expect you to behave yourself,” Tanesha said.
“I assumed you expected me to give him frog legs,” Fin said. The malice in his voice was palpable.
“No,” Tanesha said. “That would be bad.”
“Hmm,” Fin said.
Tanesha hit the “Unlock” button on the car, and Fin got in on the passenger side.
“What will you do when he sells your secrets again?” Fin asked.
“Having frog legs isn’t going to stop him from doing that,” Tanesha said with a laugh.
Fin grinned at her. She started the car, and they drove back toward the library, where they were picking up Cody. He’d wanted to call Brian, so they’d left him there to get the car.
“I was thinking about using him,” Tanesha said.
“For sex?” Fin asked.
“You’re so predictable,” Tanesha said with a laugh.
“I just can’t imagine what you would need this creature for,” Fin said.
“To pass information to the paparazzi,” Tanesha said.
When Fin didn’t respond, she turned to look at him.
“That’s a good idea,” Fin said.
“I know,” Tanesha said.
She pulled over to the curb, and Cody got in the back. Tanesha waited for him to buckle his safety belt before starting toward the Castle.
“How’s Brian?” Tanesha asked.
“Great,” Cody said. “It sounds like he’s had a really fun day. He said that he met a lady there who can tell fortunes?”
“Delphie,” Tanesha said.
“She’s an Oracle,” Fin said.
“Wow, that’s wild,” Cody said. “He said to tell you, Fin, that your sister is sick.”
“Edie?” Fin asked.
“A. . . something,” Cody said.
“Aife,” Fin said. He glanced at Tanesha before slipping into his own thoughts.
“That’s probably it,” Cody said. “I couldn’t really figure out
what he was saying.”
“Fin has three younger sisters,” Tanesha said. Fin looked at Tanesha. “You don’t seem surprised that she’s sick.”
“She works a lot, so she gets sick when she stops,” Fin said. “Know anyone like that?”
“Hey, that’s why I never stop working,” Tanesha said.
Fin smiled, and Cody laughed.
“I’m mostly surprised that she’s here,” Fin said. He glanced at Cody.
“What does it mean?” Tanesha asked.
“It could mean a lot of things,” Fin said. “But my guess is that I’m going to be a dad soon.”
“Is your wife pregnant?” Cody asked.
“Very,” Tanesha said.
“That’s exciting,” Cody said. “I spent last summer in the maternity ward of Pres. St. Luke’s. Where’s she having the baby?”
“Since we are here, in Denver, we have only one option,” Fin said.
“Where’s that?” Cody asked.
“The house we’re going to,” Tanesha said. “Where Brian spent the day.”
“I’d hoped we’d have the child at home,” Fin said.
“Home?” Cody asked.
“Fin is from the Isle of Man,” Tanesha said. “Hence the accent.”
“Like the Bee Gees?” Cody asked.
Fin glanced at him in the rearview mirror before nodding. Cody smiled. They drove in silence for a while. Tanesha slowed at the light at Colfax Boulevard and Race Street. Cody saw the crowd of photographers surrounding the Castle.
“What is this place?” Cody asked.
“Home away from home,” Fin said.
Tanesha turned right and pulled up to the gate.
Chapter Three Hundred and Seventy-nine
Family affair
Saturday evening — 5:35 p.m.
“Hello?” Abi asked as she came through the Castle’s main living room.
“We’re here!” Delphie called from the kitchen.
Abi gave Delphie a hug when she got to the kitchen.
“Where is everyone?” Abi asked.
“Backyard,” Delphie said. “The teenagers are in the hot tub.”
“What about Charlie’s casts?” Abi asked.
“Sandy was wise enough to get fiberglass,” Delphie said. “I wrapped it in a bag, just in case.”
Abi smiled.
“Sam’s running the barbeque,” Delphie said. “Aden and Rodney aren’t home from work yet. Tanesha and Fin are due here any minute. Sandy said she thought she wouldn’t get home until seven. Edie and the babies have taken up the grassy area of the grass. Katy and Paddie are upstairs with Jill getting changed. I don’t think Jake and Blane are back.”
Delphie nodded.
“I think that’s everyone.” She gave Abi a vague smile. “Maybe.”
Mike opened the door from the tunnels. An exhausted-looking Noelle followed him into the house.
“Is my mom here?” Noelle asked.
“Not yet, honey,” Delphie said.
“I’m going to take a bath,” Noelle said. “In her bathtub. You think she’ll mind?”
“I doubt it,” Delphie said. “Sounds like a good idea.”
Noelle wandered toward the stairway to their apartment.
“How about a ‘Thank you, Mike’?” Delphie asked.
“Thanks, Mike,” Noelle said as she stumbled up the steps.
“Big day?” Abi asked.
“Long,” Mike said. “But really great. We had a lot to look at. She was wired until we got to the car.”
“I hear you’re having a big day, Abi!” Valerie said as she came in from the back.
Mike grabbed her and held her tight. He kissed her neck.
“Oh, yeah — Val was bringing meat to Sam for the barbeque,” Delphie said with a nod.
“Me?” Abi asked. She put her hand on her chest and shrugged. “Same old boring stuff. I just went to work.”
“You’re not having your baby today?” Valerie kissed Mike’s lips.
Surprised, Abi shook her head.
“I love you guys, but, when I have a child, I want to be with my family — Fand, Liban, and Gil,” Abi said. “Maybe Ne Ne.”
“Not Fin?” Delphie asked.
“Huh — never occurred to me that he’d even want to be there,” Abi said. “He wants us to be a modern Queendom. I guess he spends most of his time with Tanesha, and she would insist on it.”
“Where was he when Ne Ne was born?” Valerie asked.
“Fighting the war,” Abi said. She lifted a shoulder in a vague shrug. “He’s a prince.”
“If you’re not having a baby, then why is. . .?” Valerie started.
Aife made a beeline from the back to Abi. She latched on to Abi before Abi could say a word. Abi held Aife tight. Having changed out of the blue, Aife’s skin was milk-chocolate brown and her hair nearly blonde. Aife looked like a skeleton compared to Abi’s full belly and vibrant health. Over Aife’s head, Abi gave Valerie a sad smile.
“Aife, my dear,” Abi said and helped her move back. “How are you?”
“I came like Mom told me to,” Aife said. “Then I met the child and was threatened by the Sword of Truth, and then. . . How come you didn’t get stuck in the Sea of Amber?”
Aife’s blue, wide-set fairy eyes looked like saucepans in her nearly skeletal face. Abi hugged her again.
“I’m so sorry you were frightened,” Abi said. “Paddie is very protective over Katy.”
Aife sniffed and began to cry. Abi looked at Delphie and then at Valerie.
“Is there a place that we. . .?” Abi asked.
“Of course,” Delphie said.
She led Abi to the room Charlie used for school. She was just pulling the sliding doors closed when Fin, Tanesha, and Cody came into the Castle. Fin took one look at Abi and Aife. He walked into the small room and closed the sliding doors in Delphie, Tanesha, and Cody’s faces. Edie came up behind them.
“Excuse me,” Edie said.
She went through the sliding doors and closed them behind her.
“What was that?” Cody asked.
Mari appeared in the Castle living room.
“Whoa,” Cody said. Turning to Tanesha, he said, “Did you see that?”
Mari gave Cody an irritated look. She pointed to the closed doors.
“They’re in there, dear,” Delphie said.
“You’d better come,” Mari said to Tanesha.
“Me?” Tanesha asked.
“It’s a family affair, after all,” Mari said. She gave Cody an evil look. “Are you keeping her here?”
Tanesha stepped in between them.
“No.” Tanesha raised her index finger and pointed it to Mari, who shrugged.
The sliding doors opened, and Fin stuck his head out.
“Late, again,” Fin said to Mari.
“You have to excuse my brother,” Mari said. “He’s an asshole.”
She gave Cody a finger wave and swished her way into the room. She pointed to the doors, and they began to close. Fin’s arm came out of the room. He grabbed the front of Tanesha’s shirt and dragged her inside the room. The doors closed with a firm Click!
“Well, I guess that’s that,” Delphie said to Cody.
“What’s what?” Cody asked.
“No idea.” Delphie shrugged. She started walking toward the kitchen
“Your brother’s in the hot tub with the kids,” Delphie said. “Would you like to. . .”
“Where’s Brian?” Cody asked.
Delphie turned to look at Cody. The young man’s eyes were flicking back and forth while his eye lids were blinking. Clearly, one of the fairies had altered his memory.
“Cody?” Delphie put her hand on his arm. His eyes cleared and he looked at her.
“Do you have any idea where I am?” Cody asked.
“Welcome to my home,” Delphie said with a twinkle in her eye. “Your brother’s out back.”
“I’m inside the Castle?” Cody asked. “Can I get a tou
r? I saw it this morning, and it’s. . . wow.”
“Of course,” Delphie said. “But I promised Brian that I would take you to him as soon as you got here.”
Cody grinned. He followed Delphie to the back.
“Do you know happen to know where Tanesha went?” Cody asked.
“She and Fin had to take care of something,” Delphie said with a smile. “Family stuff.”
“Jeez, at least she could have told me,” Cody said.
“It was rude,” Delphie said.
“Probably just Fin,” Cody said. “He’s kind of a dick.”
“He is,” Delphie said. “It’s good to meet you, Cody. We’ve had such a nice day with Brian.”
She patted his back, and they went out to the backyard.
~~~~~~~~
Saturday evening — 6:55 p.m.
“I wondered if I might have a word,” Ivan said as he approached Charlie.
Charlie was sitting in an orthopedic chair in the main Castle living room. Tink was sitting on the chair’s leg rest, and Dale was standing next to him. Dale glanced at Charlie before putting his arm around Tink’s shoulder.
“Come on, Tink,” Dale said. “Let’s find out what Sandy made for dessert.”
Tink leaned over to kiss Charlie before getting up and leaving with Dale.
“Sorry, did I break up something?” Ivan asked.
“No,” Charlie said with a smile. “We were making bets on what Sandy made for dessert. You just made them go check.”
Charlie looked off for a moment. When he looked back, Ivan could see that he was in pain.
“I overdid it today,” Charlie said.
“Can I get you something?” Ivan asked. “Ice, medications. . .”
Charlie waved his hands in front of his face, and Ivan stopped talking.
“I’m sick of all of that,” Charlie said. “It’s nice to be here. Awake.”
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