Part 11 (1/2)
He was frowning, looking toward the stage.”What's gone?”
”That stupid monster thing that was catching everyone's hair.”
Megan looked around. It was true. Someone had removed the monster with the branch-like fingers.
”Good riddance,” Morwenna said.
”I'll have to agree,” Megan said, glad that the silence had been broken. ”I think I have a bald patch on the back of my head.”
Morwenna laughed softy. ”I don't see any bald spots, but I'm glad they got rid of the thing. It really was dangerous. You got caught in it, and Finn got caught in it. Better check him out tonight-he may have a bald spot.”
”The man has no patience,” Joseph told her. ”He didn't wait for any detangling a.s.sistance, just ripped right away.”
”I'll check him out tonight,” Megan said. She could chew and swallow. The world was seeming normal again.
Finn came back to the table and sat. ”Steaks are delicious,” she said.
”And here's my beer,” Finn said, sliding one around her at the table, and lifting the bottle of Michelob in front him in the air toward Joseph. ”Thanks.”
”My pleasure, ”Joseph acknowledged.
”You'd better eat-we've only got a few minutes left,” Megan warned him.
”I'll be chewing away in two seconds, I promise,” he said, setting the beer down and starting to cut his meat as well. He could eat quickly-he had learned that trick while waiting tables himself. A bad habit, actually. Megan had always heard that it was best to eat slowly. But Finn was usually a little too impatient to eat slowly.
Joseph pointed out the fact that the dangerous, hair-pulling monster was gone.
”Probably a good thing,” Finn said, was.h.i.+ng down his food with another swig of beer. ”The hotel probably saw a few hairless customers walking by and got frightened of a lawsuit.”
”Could be,” Morwenna agreed cheerfully.
Break time was up. Finn thanked Morwenna and Joseph as he drew Megan from her chair. They both nodded happily.
On stage, Finn slid into another of their own songs, a dance number, and their last set of the evening, then proceeded to pack up quickly. Most of the tables were still filled when they finished. Finn gave Megan a thumbs-up sign as he immediately started to cover their equipment for the night and following day.
She was going to help him but Morwenna and Joseph came over to say good night.
Morwenna whispered to her, ”You know... your husband really is quite incredible.” Despite her words, she sounded hesitant.
She whispered back, though Finn was at some distance. ”That's not what you said when you did the reading.”
Morwenna stared at Finn, and looked uneasy. ”I know... I don't understand. He's wicked good-looking. s.e.xy, talented... and he dotes on you. But according to the Tarot, he's... I don't know, cards can be interpreted differently. It looked as if he offered you some terrible danger, but then... maybe it's just that you're so in love with him, your heart or soul is at risk, or something. I should do another reading.”
”No! Thank you. I do adore him, and our marriage is going to work. Your cards would have me offing him in the middle of the night or something!””Never!” Morwenna protested.
There was a tap on her shoulder. She jumped and turned around. But it wasn't Finn, only Darren, minus most of his costume's headgear. He had come to thank her for the CD and offer his enthusiasm for the evening's entertainment. She thanked him for his support.
When she finished speaking with him, she saw that Morwenna and Joseph had gone on out, heading home, she a.s.sumed.
Finn was almost done with the equipment, and the room was clearing out. When she would have stepped forward to give token a.s.sistance, he smiled and waved a hand, telling her to relax, he'd be ready in a minute.
She stood at the foot of the stage, waiting. Something drew her eyes to one of the balcony exits.
Andy Markham was there.
Staring at her.
His gaze was unnerving. Not because he looked at her in any manner that might be construed as dangerous.
But because he seemed to be watching her with pity, as if a great danger was headed her way, and he was powerless to stop it.
As if he knew that she was...
Doomed.
A cold trembling seized her. Ice raced through her veins. She might have been standing atop a ragged tor in the October wind, naked, entirely vulnerable, with the wind bringing shadows of whipping, screaming, darkness closer and closer...
He nodded to her gravely and turned, disappearing out the balcony door.
Chapter 5.
”Ready?”
She nearly jumped a mile when Finn's hand landed on her shoulder.
”Ready,” she a.s.sured him, forcing a smile.
Finn frowned. ”What's wrong?”
”Nothing,” she said quickly, and knew how false she sounded. She shrugged. ”I don't know. Something silly. I just had s.h.i.+vers, you know, like the expression-someone walking over your grave. But I'm fine. Really.”
”You sure?” He seemed skeptical.
”Yep. Just tired.” It was late. Nearly two in the morning.
She must have a.s.sured him at last. He offered her a slow smile, and his suggestive whisper caressed her ear-lobe. ”How tired?”
Previous Top NextAn honest grin replaced her forced smile.
”Tired enough to get out of here-and into a closed room. Alone. Well, alone with you, of course.”
With an arm around her shoulder, he led her toward the main exit, thanking the fellow who had manned the cas.h.i.+er's station for selling their CDs. A few minutes later, they were in the car, and heading out.
Despite the s.h.i.+ft between them, Megan moved close and rested her head against his shoulder. ”It was a really great night, huh?” she said.
”Fantastic. Everything went well,” he agreed.