Page 3 of Maximum
CHAPTER 1
Fleur Linden
16 Years Later
Maximum
I’d heard Fleur’s name several times before I met her in person. My sister River’s boyfriend, Noah, was an admirer of her work as an animal communicator. If he weren’t a former police officer and otherwise rational, I would have dismissed it as pure bollocks when he claimed that Fleur could talk to animals. Noah was so convinced that he’d given up his work in Norway to come and live on her farm just so he could learn from her.
On my extensive travels around the world, I’d met shamans, and mystics, but growing up in a cult had taught me that charlatans of the world would always try and take advantage of others. Their mind tricks and illusions didn’t fool me, though. I might not always understand how they did what they did, but I wasn’t stupid enough to fall for their illusions myself.
Still, after seeing the admiration on Noah’s face every time he talked about Fleur Linden, I was intrigued to meet the woman myself and jumped at the chance when the perfect opportunity came along.
Noah’s birthday fell on the same day Fleur’s Farm was hosting an open house event. It was a three-hour drive, but my adoptive parents Liv and Charles came along, and so did my adoptive little sister Saffron, who’d stolen my heart the day she was born.
I don’t know why I never asked Noah how old Fleur Linden was or looked her up online, but in my mind I had an image of a chubby grandmother, which is why I was rather shocked when Noah introduced us to a beautiful woman who couldn’t be more than a few years older than me.
Fleur had dark green eyes and light brown hair that reached her shoulders in wavy curls. Her symmetrical features were fine, with her cheekbones a shade of red from the cold day and her full lips smiling widely. The moment she locked eyes with me it was as if she saw past all my layers of protection, making me feel weirdly naked and vulnerable.
In response, my reaction to her was very physical with the way my heart sped up, my hands suddenly felt clammy, and my clothes itched all over. My usual laid-back attitude instantly changed to defensive, which made my skepticism of Fleur’s work spill over into questions that sounded critical. It made my sister River raise her eyebrow a few times, silently asking me,What is wrong with you?
If only I feckin knew! I was completely rattled by the strength in Fleur and the way she moved and talked like she was a personification of Mother Earth herself.
My little sister Saffron loved the animals on the farm and we went to see the horses, puppies, cats, chickens, goats, and finally the cows.
Saffron and I were holding out grass to lure the cows to us when Fleur came to stand next to me. Her presence made the cows hurry over like they were part of her fan club.
“Did you just call them over here using your inside voice?” Saffron asked with admiration on her young face.
“Sweetie, the cows recognize Fleur and associate her with food. If you fed them every day they’d come when you showed up too,” I explained because my sister was young and impressionable.
Fleur smiled but didn’t challenge my analysis.
“How long have you been an animal communicator?” I asked her, trying to soften my voice and find a more friendly attitude.
“Since I was a child. I grew up in Tanzania and spent much of my time with a tribe that passes this sort of knowledge on from parent to child.”
“Fascinating. So how does Ireland compare to Africa?”
“It’s wetter and colder.” She smiled but kept her eyes on the cow in front of her.
“Do you miss the sun?” I offered the cow the rest of the grass I was holding.
“Of course.”
Turning my head to her, I asked, “Then why are you here?” It came out wrong and from the way her eyebrows drew a little closer, I hurried to add, “I mean when you have an alternative.”
With Saffron busy feeding and petting the cows, Fleur turned her head to me.
“I adore Ireland.”
“Because of the men?” My smile was supposed to be charming, but I don’t think I pulled it off.
Fleur’s lips pursed up. “I’m sure Irish men are lovely, but it’s the lush nature here that I’m in love with.”
“So, no man has caught your interest yet?”
Meeting my gaze, she hesitated for a slight moment making me think she would tell me it was none of my business, but Fleur’s tone was soft and patient when she finally answered, “No, Maximum.”
