Page 24 of Kissing the Kelpie

“Masha, you’re awake.”

I’m deflated. The air leaves my lungs. My eyes water. I hoped. I prayed. I try to hide my disappointment. What’s the point? Em knows what I’m thinking, and I’m going to lean on him heavily to help me through the coming weeks and months.

“Thank you. For the food. For everything.” I rush to the tree with legs and wrap my arms around him. He’s rigid under my hands, but then he takes a breath and embraces me back.

“You gave us all a scare.” His arms tighten around me. This is the most affection he’s ever shown me. Erin is turning him into a big softie.

“I didn’t mean to.” Tears roll down my cheeks. “I just . . .” I can’t finish my sentence. What’s the point? I made the biggest mistake of my life and pushed away the people who love me the most. “There’s no excuse for my behavior. You were right, and I should’ve trusted you.”

“Love can do that. Make you see people or things in a way that others don’t. It clouds your judgment and makes you act in ways you never expected.”

Em takes a peek at my plate. “You didn’t finish your muffin.”

“I can’t eat anymore.” I’m not throwing up, but I don’t want to push my luck. I let out a long breath as I work to unclasp my bracelet.

Em’s large hand covers mine, stopping me.

“Leave it on. It saved you.”

“It did?”

Em nods. “That and the kelpie.” I hear the disapproval in his voice. “He felt that you were in danger. He jumped out of the spring and took off through the forest after you.”

My heart turns to liquid and sinks to my toes. He’s not here. His absence hurts so much more, knowing what he did for me. If I meant so much to him that he saved me, wouldn’t he be at my side?

“He really saved me?”

“Yes. You know my powers diminish once I leave the forest. That includes jumping in the river. He went in after you while I waited at the edge for you with a tree trunk. Once you surfaced, I extended it for you to grab onto and pulled you to shore.”

Finn didn’t get me to land. I want to ask Em if he has any idea what happened to Finn, but I’m afraid of his answer.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” I’m hopeful that he won’t blow his top when he finds out I’m pregnant. At least he doesn’t think Finn is the embodiment of evil anymore.

“There will be time to talk later. Now, finish your muffin. Someone’s been waiting a long time to see you.”

A long time. “How long?”

“Almost two weeks.”

“I’ve been asleep for two weeks? How is that possible?”

“Not sleeping. Healing. I’ll be back soon, finish up.”

I nod, excited to see my daughter. Poor Ana. I should’ve asked Em what they told her. More like what she saw. I knocked her down as I stopped her from touching the kelpie. How the hell am I going to explain any of this to her?

Chapter 18

I can’t choke down another bite of the muffin. Even if I could, I don’t want to. I want to see Anastasia. I need to be around my daughter. Spend time with her. If I’ve been in bed for a week, like Em said, I should get cleaned up before I see anyone.

I gather a dress, a loofah, and drying material. I’m ready to head to the spring for a nice soak. I open the door to the cottage and freeze.

Blue eyes light and shine as they lock on mine. My heart drums, and the little—or not-so-little—thing growing in my belly does triple twist back flips.

“Finn,” I whisper, blinking my eyes, afraid I have a head injury and am delusional.

“Masha.” He reaches out and strokes his thumb across my cheek, leaving a trail of sparks. “Ballerina. You called.”

“Finn!”

---