Page 40 of Cathmoir's Sons

“I haven’t been there, either.”

“Would you like to go?”

“I think so,” Jane says softly. “Carrie’s letter got me thinking. There are many places I haven’t seen. When she was alive, travel had little appeal. I just wanted to be with her. The setting of our togetherness didn’t matter. Without her, there are places I’d like to see. And perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to get away from Bevington for a while. This place is rich with reminders of her.”

“Do they sting or soothe?” I ask.

Jane sighs. “At the moment, they still sting.”

“Then travel sounds like a great idea. Do you want company?”

Jane hums. “For some of it. Some places, I’d like to explore on my own.”

“Well, I have a bag that’s already packed, so whenever you’re ready, just give me the nod.”

“Don’t you have a class to teach?”

“Don’t you?”

“Carrie would be alarmed hearing us plan to shirk our responsibilities to run off to Colorado.”

“Or Montana. I don’t think those things are mutually exclusive. My class is only twice a week. So’s yours. Plenty of time to teach and still run off to explore.”

“Good.” Jane pats my shoulder. “We will. I have a sense you travel differently than I would. I’d like to see the world through your eyes a few times.”

“I like out of the way places. There are plenty in Montana. And Colorado.”

Jane laughs. There’s still a lot of grief in her laugh, but at least she’s laughing again. She didn’t for days after Carrie died.

“I’ll look forward to seeing them.” She pats my shoulder again. “I’m going to say goodnight. I know it’s early. Tomorrow will be hard. Good, but hard. And the day after harder. I don’t want to be tired and overwrought.”

A sound plan.

“Agreed. I’ll wash the glasses. See you in the morning.”

Jane kisses my cheek. “I’ve invited Teddy and her family over for breakfast. I’ll cook and I won’t be offended if you want to sleep in.”

“No, no, I’d like to see them. And of course I’ll help, even if it’s just setting the table and keeping the twins out of the kitchen. What time are they coming?”

“I said nine to give me a little time to prepare.”

“No problem. I’ll be down by eight.”

“See you then. Sweet dreams.”

“You too, Jane.”

She smiles sadly. She hasn’t been sleeping well. I can’t imagine sleeping alone after sleeping beside someone else for seventy years. The thought makes my chest ache with the need to have strong arms around me, the scent of musk, fur, and chlorine carrying me off to sleep.

I sigh and push myself up out of the couch that’s warm and deep and comfortable but not nearly as warm and deep and comfortable as everything in Cait House. Give it to the cat fae, they have cozy down to a fine art.

Chapter 12

The End of the Beginning

LUCA

Ikeep my phone on me at all times, just in case Kellan calls, but I’ll admit I didn’t expect it to be at 3 a.m.

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