Part 27 (1/2)
That did the trick of making her laugh. ”Talk to me about something else,” she begged, and went back to her kneading. ”Anything to take my mind off the fact that I'm fat and grumpy.”
”You're not fat, and you're only a little grumpy.” But Ana cast her mind around for a distraction. ”Did you know that Sebastian and Mel are working on another case together?”
”No, I didn't.” And it served to pique her interest. ”I'm surprised. Mel's very territorial about her private investigation business.”
”Well, she's lowered the gate on this one. A runaway, only twelve years old. The parents are frantic. When I talked to her last night, she said they had a lead, and she was sorry she couldn't take this afternoon off to give you a hand.”
”When Mel's in the kitchen, it's more like giving me a foot.” There was affection for her new in-law in every syllable. ”She's wonderful with Sebastian, isn't she?”
”Yes.” Smiling to herself, Ana layered the lamb with potatoes and onions in Morgana's big Dutch oven. ”Tough-minded, hardheaded, softhearted. She's exactly what he needs.”
”And have you found what you need?”
Saying nothing at first, Ana added herbs. She'd known Morgana would work her way around to it before the day was over. ”I'm very happy.”
”I like him. I had a good feeling about him from the first.”
”I'm glad.”
”So does Sebastian-though he has some reservations.” Her brows knit, but she kept her voice light. ”Particularly after he cornered Boone and picked through his brain.”
Ana's lips thinned as she adjusted the heat on the stove. ”I haven't forgiven him for that yet.”
”Well.” Morgana shrugged and set the dough in a bowl to rise. ”Boone didn't know, and it soothed Sebastian's feathers. He wasn't exactly pleased to have walked in on your birthday and found you fresh out of bed.”
”It's certainly none of his business.”
”He loves you.” She gave Ana's arm a quick squeeze as she pa.s.sed the stove. ”He'll always worry about you more because you're the youngest- and simply because your gift makes you so vulnerable.”
”I'm not without my defenses, Morgana, or common sense.”
”I know. Darling, I-” She felt her eyes fill and brushed hastily at the tears. ”It was your first time. I didn't want to probe before, but- Lord, I never used to be so sentimental.”
”You were just able to hide it better.” Abandoning her cooking for the moment, Ana crossed over to take Morgana into her arms. ”It was beautiful, and he's so gentle. I knew there was a reason I had to wait, and he was it.” She drew back, smiling. ”Boone's given me more than I ever imagined I could have.”
With a sigh, Morgana lifted her hands to Ana's face. ”You're in love with him.”
”Yes. Very much in love with him.”
”And he with you?”
Her gaze faltered. ”I don't know.”
”Oh, Ana.”
”I won't link with him that way.” Her eyes leveled again, her voice firmed. ”It would be dishonest when I haven't told him what I am, and haven't the courage to tell him how I feel myself. I know he cares for me. I need no gift to know he cares for me. And that's enough. When there's more, if there's more, he'll tell me.”
”It never fails to surprise me how d.a.m.n stubborn you are.”
”I'm a Donovan,” Ana countered. ”And this is important.”
”I agree. You should tell him.” She gripped Ana's arms before her cousin could turn away. ”Oh, I know. I despise it when someone gives me advice I don't want to hear. But you have to let go of the past and face the future.”