“I have not fallen—don’t start, Hannah. I just have one of my hunches and I’m going to check it out. It has nothing to do with Damon at all.”
“Ooh, this is really getting interesting. Damon. You remember his name. How did you meet him? Spill it, Sarah, every last detail!”
“There’s nothing to spill. He just waltzed in asking about paint and wood preservatives.” Sarah’s tone was cool and aloof.
“You want me to believe he walked in on his own without an invitation? You had to have asked him to the house.”
“No, I didn’t,” Sarah denied. “As a matter of fact the gate was open and the dogs allowed him in.”
“The gate was open on its own?” Hannah was incredulous. She jumped to her feet. “I’m going with you for certain!”
“No, you’re not, you’re exhausted, remember?”
“Wait until I tell the others the gate opened for him.” Hannah raised her arms to the heavens and stars. “The gate opens for the right man, doesn’t it? Isn’t that how it works? The gate will swing open in welcome for the man who is destined to become the love of the eldest child’s life.”
“I don’t believe in that nonsense and you know it.” Sarah tried to glare but found herself laughing. “I can’t believe you’d even think of that old prophecy.”
“Like you didn’t think of it yourself,” Hannah teased. “You’re just going off to do the neighborly thing in the middle of the night and just sort of scout around his house. If you say so, of course I’ll believe it. Is that telescope up on the battlement directed toward his bedroom?”
“Don’t you dare look,” Sarah ordered.
Hannah studied her face. “You’re laughing but your eyes aren’t. What’s wrong, Sarah?” She put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Tell me.”
Sarah frowned. “He carries Death on him. I’ve seen it. And
22 CHRISTINE FEEHAN
he read it in the mosaic. I don’t know whose death, but I’m drawn to him. His heart is broken and pierced through, and the weight of carrying Death is slowly crushing him. He saw a red ring around the moon.”
“Violence and death surround him,” Hannah said softly, almost to herself. “Why are you going alone?”
“I have to. I feel…” Sarah searched for the right word. “Drawn. It’s more than a job, Hannah. It’s him.”
“He could be dangerous.”
“He’s surrounded by danger, but if he’s dangerous to me, it isn’t in the way you’re thinking.”
“Oh my gosh, you really do like this guy. You think he’s hot. I’m telling the others and I’m going up to the battlement to check him out!” Hannah turned and raced into the house, banging the screen door so Sarah couldn’t follow her.
Sarah laughed as she blew a kiss to her sister and started down the stairs. Hannah looked wonderful as always. Tall and tanned and beautiful even after traveling across the sea. If her wavy hair was tousled, she just looked in vogue. Other women paid fortunes to try to achieve her natural wind-blown style. Sarah had always been uncommonly proud of Hannah’s genuine elegance. She had a bright spirit that shone like the stars overhead. Hannah had a free spirit that longed for wide-open spaces and the wonders of the world. She spoke several languages and traveled extensively. One month she might be found in the pages of a magazine with the jet-setters, the next she was on a dig in Cairo. Her tall slender carriage and incredibly beautiful face made her sought after by every magazine and fashion designer. It was her gentle personality that always drew people to her. Sarah was happy she was home.
Sarah made a little sound as she made her way down the small deer path that cut through her property to Damon Wilder’s. She knew every inch of her property. And she knew every inch of his. Her hair was tightly braided to keep it from being snagged on low branches or brambles. Her soft-soled shoes were light, allowing her to feel her way over twigs and dried leaves. She wasn’t thinking about Damon’s broad shoulders or his dark, tormented eyes. And she didn’t believe in romance. Not for Sarah. That was for elegant Hannah or beautiful Joley. Well, maybe not the beautiful, wild Joley, but definitely for most of her other sisters. Just not Sarah.