Page 74 of Wandering Souls

Magnus poked out his tongue, though it didn’t hide the eagerness in his eyes. “Piece. Of. Cake. Old man.”

As Magnus walked toward the truck, Tobias put a hand on Damien’s shoulder. “I see I’m not the only one who gets theold mantreatment, huh?”

“You have no idea. These kids think they know it all.”

Tobias chuckled. “I have fourteen great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandkids, Damien. Trust me, I understand.”

They started toward the rig. Damien adjusted his pace to match his older mentor. “You didn’t have to come all this way yourself, Tobias, but I’m glad you did. Have you got somewhere to stay?”

“Yes, sir. I hear good things about your pub here in the Crossing.” He nodded toward Magnus. “I also hear some good things about your boys. Your legacy is alive and well.”

Pride swelled his chest. “You still in touch with the big wigs? Or have you given up?”

Tobias chuckled and shook his head, as if marveling at the question. Despite his limp and labored gait, he was surprisingly spritely for a man of his vintage. Damien aspired to follow in his footsteps. “You ask too many questions, Damien. Anyone ever told you that?”

“At least a dozen times but I’m too old and set in my ways to stop now.” Just like he knew Tobias was too invested in the military to have cut ties completely.

Tobias stopped moving and studied him. “You asking for a favor?”

“Or two.”

The knowing glint in the older man’s eyes unnerved him. “This is about your daughter, the one you’re trying to win over with the bird.”

Ahead, Magnus had climbed up onto the low-riding bed of the trailer and began inspecting the chopper in question. He grinned like a kid in a candy store. Loving engines was only one of his hobbies. Reassembling complex machinery was another.

“She hopes to pass evals in February.”

Tobias hummed. His wispy gray hair fluttered in the light breeze as he unzipped his jacket. “And you don’t think she will?”

“Truth is, I want her to stay here. I’ve only just learned about her existence recently and I want to get to know her, but her heart is set on going back.”

“I tell you what.” Tobias slapped his shoulder with a hearty thwack. “Why don’t we catch up for dinner at the pub and hash out the details? I’m curious as to how the great Damien McCafferty came to have a daughter he didn’t know about.”

“Deal.”

“Excellent. Now.” He pointed at the truck. “Let’s get this bird put back together. I hope your mechanic is as handy as you say. This could take a while.”

~

Ray pulled the sportscarto a stop outside the quaint cottage. Painted white, it practically glowed in the dwindling evening light. As the engine idled, he glanced at Bruce who gave him puppy-dog eyes. He ruffled the dog’s coat and stared through the windshield at the single lit window.

Abi hadn’t called and he didn’t know what that meant but he had a bad feeling in his gut. Something wasn’t right.

“Come on,” he said to Bruce.

Ray opened the door and stepped out, the dog following close at his heels. On the veranda, he listened but heard no sounds coming from the cottage. No movement. No music. No TV. He wished he’d called her earlier to see how her session went with the physio but he’d got caught up with the mayor of Wills Crossing, and then Quinn had cornered him wanting to conduct a raid on the suspected drug warehouse. Calming her jets wasn’t easy and by the time he could finally get away, the sun rode low on the horizon.

Ray lifted a hand to knock on the door, then hesitated. What if she was asleep? He didn’t want to disturb her rest. Bruce had no such qualms, letting out a single bark to announce their arrival. A shadow moved at the window before he heard the latch on the door release. When the door swung inward, Abi stood in pajamas with an icepack in hand. Pain lined her face and though she smiled, the discomfort didn’t go away.

Bruce went to her, rubbing against her right leg.

“I really should teach him some manners,” Ray joked.

“Come in,” she said, her voice soft and tired. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. It’s been a long afternoon.”

Ray stepped in and closed the door. “You’re in pain.”

She nodded. “The physio session was fine, until a couple of hours ago.”

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