Free Seer (The Seeker Series Book 3) by Amy Reece

sweet. It’s not something you should rush into. Jack better not be pushing you,” he warned.
    “Ha!” I laughed. “Not at all. He’s the one holding back.” I couldn’t meet his eyes.
    “Ally.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t even think it! Of course he wants you. He’s a man. He will always want you. He apparently has a great amount of respect for you, not to mention restraint.” He chuckled a bit.
    “I know. It’s just that—”
    “What? Go ahead—ask,” he offered.
    I was silent for a long moment. “So, it’s okay? I mean, that we don’t—”
    “Of course it’s okay, chérie. You are very young. It will be all the more special for not rushing it. If you and Jack are meant to be together, it will happen when the time is right.”
    “But he’s already—” I couldn’t say it.
    “Of course he has. But he is in love with you and you’re special. You are worth waiting for. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.”
    I gave him a half-hearted smile. “Thanks, Rémy. So, have you—?”
    He rolled his eyes again and laughed. “I’m 22, chérie. Yes, of course I have. But there has never been anyone special, anyone worth waiting for.”
    “Okay. Let’s change the subject. Or better yet, let me get on with my nap.”
    He did, moving back to sit by Mina for the remainder of the flight, leaving me to catch up on some missed sleep. Both he and Mina slept on the connecting flight from New York to Albuquerque, which gave me a chance to read and write a letter to Jack. I started to get antsy about an hour from landing, eager to see Grams, Mom, and Brian, all of whom had said they would be at the airport to meet me.
    We finally landed, gathered our belongings, and made our way off the plane, through the deserted airport, past the secure area, and there was my family. I reached Grams first, throwing myself in her arms.
    “I missed you so much!” I pulled back. “How long am I grounded?” I knew I wouldn’t be completely off the hook for sneaking away to Paris without telling anyone.
    “At least a year. Or maybe a week,” she said through her tears. “I missed you too. The house was too quiet. Wicky has gotten fat.”
    “My turn, Mother.” My mom nearly yanked me out of my grandmother’s arms. It was difficult to hug her with her hugely pregnant tummy. “Oh, Ally!” I could feel her tears on my neck; mine were flowing freely, as well. “Don’t ever do that to us again! We were worried sick!”
    “I know. I’m really sorry. Rémy and I thought it was best. I’ll explain more later,” I said quietly. “Mom! You are huge!” I rubbed my hand on her swollen belly. “Hello, baby! It’s your big sister, Ally.”
    “Thanks a lot! I feel enormous and fat.”
    “You are gorgeous, Mom. You’re supposed to be huge. You’re about to have a baby. How are you feeling? Are you getting enough rest?” I held her at arm’s length and looked carefully at her face. She looked tired and her face was swollen with late-term pregnancy, but she glowed with happiness.
    “She’s not resting as much as she should. She’s nesting, apparently. It’s good to see you, Ally.” Brian, my new stepfather, gave me a quick hug.
    “I’m not nesting!” my mother exclaimed. “It’s too early for that since I’m not due until early September. I won’t start nesting until late August. I’m just trying to get Brian’s former bachelor pad in order.”
    “It’s good to see you too, Brian. How was the honeymoon?” I asked as I stepped away.
    “Great, very relaxing. You definitely need to go to Hawaii sometime. How was France and Ireland?”
    “What little I saw of each was fine. It wasn’t really a sightseeing tour. You all remember Rémy? And this is Mina. She’s from Galway and she’ll be staying with Grams and me for a while.” I pulled both of them forward to greet my family. I had already talked to Grams about Mina staying with us; I didn’t think it would be a good idea to spring a