Page 19 of In Dangerous Water

Arianna explained that they’d added the room when they’d learned they had a baby on the way, and that her parents would use the room when they came up to visit. After running to the other room and back, my hostess brought me some dry clothes to wear—a T-shirt and pair of sweats borrowed from Rafe, and one of her hoodies. I rinsed out my swimsuit and hung it to dry in the laundry room, while Arianna tossed all of my soaked clothes in the washer for me.

Arianna then handed me an extra blanket, announced she was going to make us some tea, and headed toward the kitchen.

I placed the blanket at the foot of the quilt covered guest bed. The room was painted a warm cream color, and the bed and dresser appeared to be antiques. They weren’t fussy, just sturdy and solid wood. I also noticed a large chunk of quartz crystal displayed on the dresser.

“I put the crystal cluster in here,” Caroline said proudly. “Aunt Amanda told me it’s supposed to be good for clearing negativity.” The teen pointed down the hall. “Anyway, Arianna keeps the house locked up metaphysically. No ghosts or anything will bug you while you stay here. I know, because I helped with the last protection spell she put on our house.”

The girl had said that so casually, I did a double take. While Arianna was a daughter of Midnight, I hadn’t realized that she was training her stepdaughter. Before I could comment, Rafe stepped into the doorway.

“Don’t talk her ear off with all the witchy stuff, Caroline,” he said with a teasing smile.

“Dad.” She rolled her eyes.

“Have you eaten anything, lately?” Rafe asked me casually.

I frowned over his question.

“Angela texted us and mentioned that you are hypoglycemic. I figured with everything that has happened you could probably use some food.”

My eyebrows went up at the announcement. “I see.”

Rafe gave me a considering look. “She also told me to tell you that she will protect your privacy and give you some space.”

My shoulders dropped in relief. “In other words, shewon’ttell my sisters where I am.”

Rafe inclined his head. “I told you; nobody will think to look for you here.”

I nodded. “Good.”

“How ‘bout I make you a sandwich?” he asked.

“That would be great,” I said. The truth was Iwasstarting to feel a tad wobbly.

As we went down the hall, I caught a glimpse of what had to be the future nursery. The walls had been painted a pale green, and a crib that was still in its shipping box rested on the wall by the door.

I spent a pleasant evening with the Tremaine family. While Rafe and Caroline put together a late supper of chicken salad sandwiches and chips, Rafe shooed Arianna aside and told her to get off her feet.

She tossed him a sassy look but gave in to his request, sat at the table, and rested her hands over her baby bump.

Rafe went to the fridge, pulled out a large jar of dill pickles, and thumped it down on the table in front of his wife.

Arianna opened the jar. “I know it’s a cliché, but I have been really into pickles lately.”

I hid a smile. “I didn’t say anything.”

Rafe served the sandwiches, and while we ate Caroline chattered away about her tumbling team. Ford sat by my chairand shamelessly begged for scraps. I managed to sneak him a few chips. When I had the chance, I asked Arianna and Rafe if they knew the gender of their baby.

“It’s a boy,” Rafe said with a mile-wide grin.

Arianna reached for his hand. “We’re pretty excited. There haven’t been any boys born into the Beaumont family line since my father.”

“Oh, that’s right.” I nodded. “Amanda has two daughters, right?”

“Tori and Tabitha,” Arianna replied.

“Do you have a name picked out?” I asked the couple.

Arianna smiled. “We’re thinking of naming him Carter.”

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