The toothpaste and toothbrushes went into the last trunk for his personal belongings with room to add things before he left. Two more large trunks remained that he would take down to the barn later to pack up all of his horse tack, except for the saddles, which he would put in covers and lay on top of the trunks when they packed the wagons. Anything else he decided to take that wouldn’t fit in a trunk would go into a plain cardboard box that he would destroy after unpacking before too many people saw it. Somewhere in the wagon he would carefully pack the two cases of Scotch he had bought in Scotland.
When Drace and Maggie finished, he stood lightly rubbing at his chest.
“Let me see,” Maggie said, seeing the gesture.
Drace obediently raised his shirt and showed that no stitches had been pulled. He was sore though. He lowered his shirt when she deemed him okay. He sent her off to do whatever women do before a date and went to his own room.
While Maggie was in the bathroom showering, Drace set a small wooden chest of keepsakes on the bed. He dumped the contents and repacked it carefully as he checked each item. There were various things from his parents and grandparents; a pocket watch, a few military medals from his granddads, a locket with his grandparents’ pictures inside from his mom’s side, his mother’s Celtic cross necklace, a pocketknife, a few old coins, newspaper clippings, a lock of hair from the mane of his first pony, and a few other mementos, along with the dragon’s tear and the gold chain that held the mate to the lion ring he wore. He’d make a thorough search of the house tomorrow for any last minute items.
He heard Maggie go into the guest room and he closed the lid on the wooden box, putting it aside for the evening. He went into the bathroom and came out a short while later, dressed in a pair of khaki slacks and a black Calvin Klein sweater. He went to his room to put on clean socks and his Dockers and then met Maggie in the kitchen.
She met him dressed in a black turtleneck sweater, a knee length leopard print skirt that emphasized the gentle curves of her hips, and black high heeled pumps. She had her hair in a sexy up-swept do and a stray curl lay softly against her temple.
Drace’s mouth went dry when she came in and he had to turn to face the sink, feigning getting a glass of water to hide his body’s response. I am in some serious trouble if she’s set on seduction. He was not totally immune to Maggie Shaffer, no matter how he felt about Ki. He wished he knew the best way to handle the power she had to affect him that way. For a second he wished he had let her go back to D.C. and then felt guilty for his thoughts. If not for Maggie, I would not have been successful in finding a solution to going back to Kismera—at least not this soon. I can handle this. Besides he had some things to discuss with Maggie and a favor to ask of her as well.
“Drace, is something wrong?” Maggie asked, when he did not turn back from the sink right away.
Drace set his glass in the sink and closed his eyes with a mental question to Arahtok. Is this one last test? He took another cleansing breath and turned. “No, Mag, nothing’s wrong. You look amazing,” he said and meant it. “You packed that as a prayer outfit, or for camping?”
“A girl packs for any occasion. I always pack a skirt, even when I go to a site. I never know when I need to sweet talk some hard nose official. It pays to be able to dress well.”
Something protective rose up in him. “I hope you don’t ever go anywhere with a strange man without someone else with you.”
“Of course not, Father. I take Nick. He’s a huge black guy with a gold tooth. He looks like he eats cars for breakfast, and was a football player when he was in college. He is sweet as can be, but a very good bodyguard. I’ve never had any problems.”
“Where did you get him?”
“I ordered him from J. C. Penney.” she teased, and then said seriously, “I hired him, or rather the museum hired him, after the problems with Ted. You’ll be surprised to know that Nick has a masters’ degree and is working on his doctorate in my field. He is a good colleague and a good friend. Don’t worry, I’m in capable hands.”
“Good. You said Ted is working in New York?” he asked casually, helping her into her coat.
“Yes, New York City Historical Museum, antiquities department.” She gave a little curl of disgust with her lips.
Drace pulled on his own dress coat and tucked an envelope into the inside pocket. “Ready?”
“Yes. I’m starving. Tell me again why you bought two cases of toothbrushes and three cases of toothpaste?”
“Because they beat the hell out of a twig and course salt, which is the alternative. I’m just stocking up.”
They rode in silence, both lost in thought, until they were almost back in Charlottesville. Drace took her to a Japanese restaurant where the meal was fixed in front of them. Maggie had relaxed and was enjoying herself.
As Drace watched her, he hoped with all his heart that she found someone to love with the same passion and consuming love he felt for Ki. He thought of a man worthy of her. That’s not possible, he concluded. Somewhere out here is a perfect match for her.
After their meal, they walked for a while. “What would you like to do next? A movie? Coffee?” Drace asked.
Maggie looked up at him as they walked, enjoying the feel of his arm around her shoulders. He had her tucked against him, both protectively and affectionately.
“I hear music down the street. Can we check it out?”
I did promise her a night out. “Sure. Let’s go, my lady.”
Several men appeared interested in Maggie, but Drace’s size and a fierce glare, not to mention how close he kept to Maggie all night, kept anyone from approaching her.
It was too loud to discuss anything serious so he chose to wait for a better time.
As Maggie was returning from the ladies room, she saw him touch at his chest. His lips tightened. His wound was starting to hurt and she felt a pang of guilt for keeping him out so late. She sat at their table and feigned a small yawn. “I’m getting tired. Would you mind if we left?” she asked
“You sure? We can stay if you want.”
“No, I’m wilting, I’m afraid.”
Drace stood and went to pay their tab. He had stuck to sodas but Maggie had slowly sipped wine all evening.
They were soon headed home and, although Maggie had been using tiredness as an excuse to leave, she actually drifted off in the comforting warmth of Drace’s side. She woke when he moved his arm to shift gears as he turned off the main road.
Drace took her hand on the way into the house and lead her into the living room. He turned on a lamp on a side table but left the rest of the house dark. He excused himself for a moment, taking their coats down the hall.
When he came back he stopped in the kitchen and took a beer from the fridge. “Do you want anything?” he called to her.
“Water would be fine,” she answered as she slipped her shoes off.
Drace handed her a cold bottle of water and sat next to her. “I’ve wanted to talk to you about something all evening,” he said seriously.
“Uh oh,” Maggie sighed, noting an envelope he had been holding earlier.
“No, it’s nothing to ‘uh oh’ over. I was hoping it might make you happy.”
She nodded for him to continue.
“When Cerise was old enough to have her own place, Dad deeded the guest house and the acre it sits on to her. It’s separate from the farm now. If she ever wants to be rid of it, it goes back to the farm. He did the same for me when I went to college. The trainer’s house was deeded to me when I graduated. Unfortunately, neither of my parents lived to see that but Dad had it all in order. The farm is mine as well, but I don’t have any wish to live in the main house. That’s why I leased the farm to Lorrie and Dave. This house belongs to me outside of the farm. I can’t sell it but I can give it away.”
Maggie looked at him, puzzled. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I want you to have this house.” He held up a hand to stop her protest. “Just wait, okay?�
� He took a long pull on his beer and set it on the coffee table and then scooted closer to Maggie. He took one of her hands in his. “I know your work is in D. C. I know you travel a lot. But if you would take it, I want you to have this house to use whenever you want. I’ll make arrangements for its upkeep while you’re away. The catch is you can’t sell it. If you decide you don’t want it, it goes back to the farm. Same if, God forbid, something happened to you. In the event of your death, it goes back to the farm. There are a few things I want to take with me, but the furniture and bed linens and stuff stay with the house. What is left in it is yours to do with as you wish.”
“May I have the videos of you riding and things like that?” she asked, watching his thumb do lazy circles on the back of her hand.
“Yes,” he answered softly. “If you want them. Most of my books, you know, I’m taking, but I can’t take them all. I’m leaving most of my clothes. If there is anyone you know that could use them, give them to away.”
“I don’t know anyone as big as you,” she said. “Nick isn’t quite as tall and he’s a lot heavier.”
“Donate them to your favorite charity then.”
“This is like taking care of someone’s personnel belongings after they have died,” she said huskily and Drace heard tears in her voice. “I’ll do it for you, though,” she promised.
“So you’ll take the house?”
“Yes, I’ll take the house. I don’t know what to say. Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough for a gift like this.”
Drace leaned in and kissed her softly on her mouth and then handed her the envelope containing the signed deed. “Don’t thank me. Just come here to relax and get away from things once in a while.”
He stood up and dug in a front pocket, coming out with something fisted in his hand. He sat back down next to Maggie. “I want you to have this too.” He relaxed his hand and the dragon’s tear slid down the gold chain to hang suspended between them. He had switched the smaller lion ring to the leather cord and it lay safely back in the wooden chest once more.
“I can’t take that,” she protested firmly, pushing it away.
“Yes, you can. I want you to have it. I think there is some magic in it. It came from Nimbus so it may offer you some protection. It is mine to give and I’m giving it to you.” He propped on one knee and moved to hook the clasp behind her slender neck. When he released it, the stone hung at her cleavage. A picture came to his mind of it resting between her naked breasts and sucked in a breath.
She jerked her gaze to meet his. “Oh my,” she whispered at the heat in his eyes.
Drace cleared his throat and rested his full weight back on the couch. “There is one more thing I’d like for you to do. This is a favor just for me. My parents are buried on the farm in our family graveyard. When you do come down, would you just walk out and say hey to them? I know it sounds stupid but I’d feel better knowing someone here hasn’t forgotten them.”
“I’d be happy to do that for you. Where is the cemetery?”
Drace gave her directions and instantly felt better knowing someone he cared about would be watching out for those who he missed.
Drace pulled her into his arms for a hug.” You are somethin’ else, sweet Maggie.
She looked into his eyes then. The earlier heat had cooled in him but the feel of her breasts against his hard chest made her forget the promise she’d made to herself to keep sexual thoughts out of her head. “I think you had better let me go or I won’t be responsible for what happens next,” Maggie warned and pushed away from him.
Her hands against his chest brought a grunt of pain from him. She grabbed at his arm, tears coming to her eyes. “I’m sorry, Drace.”
He laughed and caught at her hands. “I’m okay, Mag. Don’t cry, hon.”
“Let me check. I might have popped one of your stitches.” She grabbed at the hem of his sweater and began pulling at it.
“Whoa, Maggie, I’m okay, really.” He caught her hands and pulled her against him. “Easy girl.”
Maggie realized he was laughing; tears of mirth fell from the corners of his eyes.
She escaped his hold and stood up to stare at him. “You are a bit odd, Drace MacKinnon,” she declared, which for some reason caused him to laugh harder.
He finally gained control of himself. “Come on, hon. Let’s go get some sleep,” he said, standing and extending his hand. “I’m tired.”
He walked with her down the hall and when she turned to go into her room he pulled her past it, and steered her into his.
“I don’t understand? I thought…”
“Shhh,” he silenced her. “If you are willing, I would like to have you sleep next to me tonight. I’m really going to miss you, Maggie. I’d like to have what time I can with you. Please?”
She stepped close to wrap herself around him. “I would be happy to.”
He led her to his room, leaving the overhead light off. He moved to turn the bedside lamp on then pulled one of his t-shirts from a drawer and tossed it to her. “I am just a man. I only have so much strength, so please have pity on me.”
She smiled and then turned to leave the room. “I’ll change in my room.”
After he passed her in the hallway coming back from the bathroom, he stripped down to his boxer briefs and found another pair of pajama bottoms, and then lay down. He pulled the elastic from his hair and finger combed it. He lightly rubbed at his sutures. He yawned tiredly and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. When he opened them, Maggie was coming into the room, his tee hanging half way to her knees.
“You’re not getting this one back, I hope you know,” Maggie said, crawling under the covers and lying down next to him.
“I know. It’s all yours,” Drace said as he turned off the lamp. He lay down on the side of the bed, putting her on his uninjured side. He pulled her against him and held her with one arm. He put his free arm behind his head.
“You know,” he began. “I’ve wondered, but never have gotten around to asking you. Is Maggie short for Margaret?”
“No, Magdalene. I’m Magdalene Sarah Shaffer. It’s a bit stuffy if you ask me. What’s your middle name?”
“James. Nothing fancy about that one. That was my maternal grandfather’s name. He rubbed her arm lightly. “What’s your next project? Any big digs coming up?”
She snuggled more comfortably against his shoulder. “We’re trying to get through the red tape to go back into the priest’s tomb and hopefully find more close by it. Sometimes it takes a year or more to get past all the bureaucracy before we can get into a site. That’s if we can get funding,” she explained.
Drace gave a sound of acknowledgement, and then moved so that he faced her. He brushed loose curls from her face. “You mean a lot to me, Maggie. I am in your debt for the rest of my life.”
She saw him looking at her in the dim light. She touched his face in return, smiled sadly at him, and whispered, “I love you.” She knew he wouldn’t say it in return. “Have a bunch of kids and a happy and long life. Think of me fondly on occasion.”
“Everyday,” he said and meant it. He kissed her so tenderly it made her give a little sigh of emotion.
He lay flat again and snuggled her against him once more. They didn’t talk anymore; they just lay in silence until sleep claimed them both.
When Drace woke the next morning, she was gone.
Chapter Fifty-One
MAGGIE’S EMOTIONS alternated between fear and frustration. She had left D. C. late last night in time to see Drace and Cerise off to their new life.
Unfortunately, her car had had a flat tire on the way and she had nearly wreaked it. It had been trouble from then on. She had not been able to find her jack. Then, finally, she had located it but she didn’t have the strength to get the lug nuts off. Just as she was about to give up all hope, a kindly gentleman stopped and assisted her. She thanked him profusely and left in a rush, pushing her luck with the speed limit.
She made it to
the farm just before the sunrise. She ran into the house and saw a glass with a single rose in it and an envelope propped against it. She picked up the envelope and tore it open. A note and a check fell onto the table. She grabbed the note:
Beautiful Maggie,
I don’t have the words to say how much I’ll miss you. Know that I hold much respect, affectation, and yes, love for you. Find yourself a nice guy and have a wonderful life. But first, make the discovery of a lifetime. Enclosed is a check to fund your future expeditions. Use some for yourself and buy yourself something nice. I hate that this is goodbye, Maggie, but I guess it must be.
I love you, Drace.
She stared at it for a second, thinking he had beautiful handwriting for a man, and then folded it and tucked it carefully in her coat pocket. She picked up the check and glanced at it. She staggered and grabbed the back of a chair. Holy Hannah, I can dig all over Egypt for years and still have money left.
She glanced out the window and saw a faint pink beginning over the barns. She left the check on the table and ran out to jump into her car. She drove as close as she dared then ran the rest of the way.
Fear shot through her as she thought she might be too late. The soft whinny of a horse gave her hope and she ran faster. She came into the clearing to see Drace climbing onto a wagon, dressed in brown breeches, tall black boots, and his barn coat over a heavy tan sweater. His slouch brim hat rode low over his eyes.
“Drace! Oh God, Drace!” she called, making him turn at her voice.
Drace stepped down and caught her as she launched herself into his arms, breathless from her run. She babbled her tale as he looked down at her.
“It’s okay, you made it,” he said huskily, wiping at the tears that streamed down her face. “Barely. We don’t have much time.”
Maggie became aware of the shimmering feel of something different in the clearing. A breeze was picking up and tugged at the loose ends of their hair.
Drace hugged her hard. “Before you ask, the check is good.”
Maggie laughed and wiped at her tears. “I’ll never forget you, Drace,” she said, breathlessly. “I love you.”
Dark Lord of Kismera: Knights of Kismera Page 45