Free Pale Moon Stalker (The Nymph Trilogy) by Shirl Henke

fairy tales," Rob protested.
    "I don't mind explaining, if it's all right with you," Max said to his hostess. When she returned his smile and nodded, he turned to Rob. "It's been a long time since knights wore armor or slew dragons. In fact, all the dragons died out, so you might say we've been put out of work."
    The child looked puzzled for a moment, then blurted out, pleased with himself, "So when the dragons died off, you came to America to kill bad men." He nodded, pleased with his reasoning.
    This time Max not only choked on his soup, but some of it spewed out of his nose, quickly trapped by his napkin. He coughed and gasped as his wife thumped his back. Over the commotion a confident Rob explained to his mother what he had overheard. "Daddy told Uncle Horace that he checked up on Uncle Max, and he found out Uncle Max hunted down bad men out West—and got paid for it."
    "Robert, you know you are never to eavesdrop!" Delilah said sharply, her face flushed with embarrassment.
    This time it was Horace who coughed up a bit of soup as he eyed Max apologetically, but Clint coolly handled the matter. "There's a reason for your mother's rule, Rob. Boys don't always understand grown-up matters, so it's better to leave them to the adults. Do you understand?"
    Rob knew that tone of voice when it came from his father. He nodded dutifully, even though Max caught a curious glance from the boy indicating that he understood more than the adults wanted him to.
    Rob subsided while the meat course was served, struggling to cut his slice of juicy pink ham, resisting his mother's attempt to assist him. The conversation turned to the Stanhopes' plans for the future.
    "We intend to stay in America, mostly," Sky said. "First a visit to Denver where Max has an old friend he wants me to meet, then, who knows? Perhaps San Francisco. I've never been to the Pacific."
    "A city of grace and beauty, San Francisco. Truly the jewel of the West Coast," Horace averred, raising his wine glass in a toast. "To a safe journey."
    "Hear, hear," echoed around the table.
    By the time the lush triple-layer cake with freshly churned ice cream was served, Sky began to relax, noting that Max seemed to be handling her family with his usual smooth charm. All was going well until the dessert plates were being cleared and the adults rose to adjourn to the side porch for coffee and brandy, where the men could enjoy their cigars. Sky and Delilah did not follow custom and leave the men to their vices. Instead they intended to join them for drinks, even though they did not indulge in tobacco.
    Delilah turned to Rob, saying, "Why don't you help me tuck in your sister and brother before you go to bed?" She extended her hand.
    Not usually a disobedient child, Rob was fascinated by his new uncle—and perhaps a bit refueled by the sweet dessert. He'd had two scoops of ice cream. He shook his head and seized hold of Max's coattail. "My daddy was in the army. Were you in the army, Uncle Max? Did you kill any enemies?"
    "Robert Horace Daniels!" Delilah cried, aghast.
    Sky felt Max tensing. This time she intervened quickly. "Yes, your uncle was in the British Army. He was very brave, as was your father. But neither one wants to brag about it. They did their duty, Robby."
    Max knelt down beside the boy, indicating with a gesture to Sky and Delilah that it was all right. "Rob, a wise person once told me that killing leaves a stain on your soul. I hope you never have to stain yours."
    Sky covered her mouth, not knowing whether to be upset or honored by his using her words to explain to the boy. She stood mutely as Max continued speaking to Rob.
    "Now, be a good lad and go with your mother. I bet she'll need your help corralling those little ones for bed," he instructed gently, tousling the boy's thick shock of straw-colored hair.
    "Will you be here in the morning?" Rob asked eagerly.
    "Yes, I will. Maybe we can even have a bit of a history lesson, eh?"
    When Rob reached around Max's