Free Immortal by Pati Nagle Page B

enough reason.
    I finished my second cup of tea and poured a third, thinking that might bring me up to a cup of coffee’s worth of caffeine. It sure was taking Madera a long time to fetch those pears.
    The door to the entryway opened and Caeran stepped in. He was carrying his pack, and smiled when he saw me, lighting up the room like the rising sun.
    â€œGood morning. You look much better.”
    â€œI feel better, thanks.” A lot better, as of that moment.
    â€œAre you feeling well enough to drive back to Albuquerque?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œGood. Nathrin is staying with Mirali, so I will be your only passenger.”
    Be still my heart. I smiled and nodded, hoping my delight wasn’t too obvious.
    â€œWant some tea? Bread?”
    â€œNo, thank you. I ate earlier.”
    He sat across from me and set his pack on the floor. I watched him, mesmerized. He gazed back at me and I was absolutely certain of the affection in his eyes.
    â€œCaeran—”
    He shook his head and put a finger to his lips, glancing toward the west door. A moment later Madera came through it, carrying a small, intricately woven basket filled with pears. He glanced at Caeran, then set the pears on the table beside me.
    â€œFor you.”
    â€œThank you! Do you have a grocery bag I can put them in?”
    â€œThe basket is for you also. A gift of thanks.”
    I looked up at him. “Seems like I’m the one who owes you thanks, for your hospitality, and for helping me last night—”
    â€œYou owe me nothing.” He picked up my empty plate and turned away.
    Caeran spoke softly. “We are all grateful to you for bringing Mirali here.”
    His eyes got the intense look I was getting used to, and I had a feeling he didn’t want me to say anything more. I finished my tea and put down the cup.
    â€œI guess I’d better get my things.”
    Caeran nodded. When I stood up he rose also, and followed me to my room, carrying the pears. Nice to have him staying close for a change, but I wished we could talk.
    It only took me a minute to collect my miscellany into my pack. I slung it over my shoulder and turned to the door, where Caeran waited. I had a million questions I wanted to ask him, but they could wait. We’d have the whole drive back to Albuquerque.
    We walked along the hall to the living room. Mirali was behind one of the doors we passed, I was pretty sure. Looked like she and Nathrin weren’t going to see us off. No big surprise.
    Madera was waiting in the entryway. With the sun still in the east, the room was shaded and a bit chilly. I summoned a smile and offered to shake hands.
    â€œIt was nice meeting you. Thanks for putting me up, and for—well, for everything.”
    â€œYou are welcome.”
    He nodded, but didn’t shake my hand. I stuffed it in my back pocket, felt the condom still riding there, and blushed. To hide my reaction I started for the front door.
    Caeran and Madera exchanged a few murmured words behind me. I opened the small door within the zaguan and stepped out onto the portal . Blinked at the bright sunlight bouncing up from the wooden floor. I wanted my shades, but they were in the car.
    The door closed behind me. Caeran joined me, smiled briefly, and said, “We should go.”
    I glanced back at Madera’s hacienda. Nothing super-extraordinary from this direction, just a big old sprawling adobe house. Full of secrets.
    I headed to the car and put my pack in the back seat. Caeran did the same, and carefully set the pears in the footwell behind his seat. The car was warm from the morning sun, so I rolled down my window and turned on the fan.
    â€œCan I ask you a question?”
    A frown fleeted across Caeran’s face. “Let’s wait a while.”
    â€œOK.”
    I was willing to humor him for now. I started the car and headed out the long, rutted driveway.
    The morning was gorgeous. Trees that I hadn’t noticed