Part 26 (1/2)

”David and I were about to take one anyway,” she told him.

There were tears in Amy's eyes as she looked up at Barnabas. ”Why can't I stay at the Old House with you and Willie?”

”You'll have more company at Collinwood. I have business to take care of everyday, and Willie has his own work. I promise to come and visit you every day.” His voice was solemn - and sincere.

”Alright, Barnabas. I'll stay at Collinwood. But only until you decide that I can move into the Old House.” They were in Julia's car, driving towards Collinsport. Willie had left immediately after dusk to transport the coffin back to the Old House.

Their arrival at Collinwood was a maze of confusion, with everyone talking at once, it seemed. After things calmed a bit, Elizabeth was quick to rea.s.sure Barnabas. ”Amy is welcome to stay as long as you think she should. She and David always got along well, and she's such a dear child.”

”Thank you, Elizabeth. I hope before long she'll be able to move into the Old House. Actually, there are things that will have to be done there, first, certain renovations I've been postponing.”

”I understand.”

The next few months fell into a pleasant pattern. Carolyn finished her courses and began working at the cannery with Roger and Quentin. For his part, Quentin was relieved. Sitting behind a desk bored him senseless. Although, having more free time meant spending more time with Maggie, getting in even deeper. He had mixed feelings about bowing out and leaving Carolyn to do the job. He even considered trying to convince Roger to let him do the traveling for a while. Maybe getting away would give him a fresh perspective on his relations.h.i.+p with Maggie.

Amy's memories of the tragedy were dimmed by more pleasant happenings. And having Amy around was a G.o.d-send for Barnabas. He had someone who needed him. When Little Windward was sold, he placed the money into a trust fund for the girl. But still he mourned Angelique, and after his nightly visits to Amy, he divided his nights between staring up at Angelique's portrait, Eagle Hill, and the village.

Barnabas watched the look on Julia's face change slowly from hope to desperation. She spent much of her time at the Old House attempting to isolate the still elusive serum. She would be extremely hopeful about a series of tests, then try so desperately to hide her disappointment when she ran into a dead end. Unless he put an end to it, Julia would waste the rest of her life in that lab.

So he did end it. After six months, Barnabas stood at the doorway, his eyes on the woman bent over the microscope.

”Julia. We need to talk.”

”Barnabas.” She put a hand to her neck, ma.s.saging the tight muscles there. ”I didn't realize it was dusk.” She was thinner, he noted, watching her lay out the test equipment. ”I need some samples -”

”No, Julia.”

”No? But - Barnabas -”51.

”This has to stop, Julia. Now. You've spent the last six months here to no avail. I cannot be cured, Julia. I've accepted it. You must do the same.”

”I will never accept it. I'm close, Barnabas. I'm certain -”

”How many times have you said that only to be disappointed? No, Julia. This research is finished.”

Her features set. ”What will you do?”

”What I must. And you will return to Wyndecliffe and your life there.”

”No. I've been offered the Chief of Staff position here at the hospital in Collinsport. I'm going to take it.”

”What about - Wyndecliffe?”

”You mean what about Lee, don't you? I know how he feels about me, Barnabas. He and I had a long discussion the other day - he came down for lunch - He realizes that I'm happy here, and agreed to take over at Wyndecliffe. We're friends. Besides, I want to stay around in case you change your mind.”

”I shan't do that, Julia.”

A week later, he left the Old House soon after dusk to pay a visit to Valerie's grave at Eagle Hill. It had been six months since he had learned of Angelique's death. Had the choice he'd made in Martinique been the right one? he asked himself for the hundredth time. Mightn't he have handled things differently? It doesn't matter now, he thought. Angelique is gone. For Amy's sake, he would control the curse, keep a tight rein on his needs. Until it was no longer possible to remain in Collinsport, he would do all he could for the girl.

He glanced around the fog-shrouded cemetery, then turned from Valerie's grave. He'd go into Collinsport for awhile. He needed people around him. Living people. Not ghosts.