Free Autumn Calling by T. Lynne Tolles Page A

it would
definitely be a beautiful thing to explore; making love with an
angel.
    She blushed a little and hoped he couldn’t
read her mind or sense what she was thinking. That would be quite
embarrassing.
    “Hmm,” he answered mulling over that
statement. “But you’re willing to pursue your feeling in this
venture?”
    “Well, if you’re asking me if I’m willing to
get to know you by dating and hanging out, then yes. I’d like that
very much.”
    “Great. And this ‘dating,’ it
entails…what?”
    “Doing things together, like when we went
for pizza and beer. We could go to movies, or out to eat—just spend
time learning about one another,” she explained.
    He nodded and rubbed his chin, contemplating
the concept. “I see. I look forward to this.”
    “Me, too.”
    “So should we have one of these dates
now?”
    * * *
    “I’m not sure now is the best time.”
    “Why?”
    “Remember? Tori? Hospital? The
accident?”
    “Ah, yes. Forgive me. I was taken away from
your reality with the anticipation of this ‘dating’ thing.”
    “I have to admit I was distracted by it
myself. But the reality is, my friend very nearly died, and it
seems it’s my fault.”
    “How is it your fault?”
    “Nick said the brake lines had been cut, and
since I’m the one who normally drives the car it stands to conclude
that the accident was meant for me.”
    “That doesn’t make it your fault.”
    “It does. She got hurt because she’s close
to me. I’ve drawn her into this battle between families that she
doesn’t need to be a part of. Nick wants me to push her away to
keep her out of harm’s way.”
    “I understand Nick being concerned about
Victoria’s well-being, but I don’t see pushing her away as a means
of keeping her safe. She’s a willful human and I think that would
only make her more determined to be involved.”
    “Only if she knows my reasons.”
    “So you’re thinking about lying to
Victoria?”
    “I think Nick’s right. She’s in the line of
fire because of me and I have to try to fix that. If I end our
friendship, then the Macabres have no reason to use her as
collateral or accidentally hurt her in trying to kill me. I’d never
forgive myself if she were killed in my place, so I have to do
something.”
    “I don’t see this working the way you
intend. And despite Nick’s protective prowess, lying to Victoria
could backfire on both you and him.”
    “I know you can see the possible outcomes of
my decisions and that you can’t tell me what those paths might be.
But I would never feel good about myself if I didn’t do all in my
power to keep the ones I love out of danger. So I have to do
this.”
    “Okay, if that’s how you truly feel, then
that is what you should do. I’ll back you no matter what your
decisions are and be there at the end of your path, waiting. But
you know I am in the occupation of protection, too, so I will do
whatever I need to do to keep you safe, even if it goes against
Father and destiny itself.”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck and
hugged him tightly, kissing his neck under his earlobe and
whispering, “Thank you, my angel. Thank you!”
    * * *
    Preoccupied by the weight of guilt, Summer
rode her bike to the office to meet the accountant who’d been stood
up by Tori due to her accident. They needed to get payroll out for
Dr. Stuart’s staff. They all understood the delay, but life goes on
and people need to get paid. The cool air felt good on her face as
she pumped the pedals down the neighborhood streets into town.
    There were people about, mostly merchants
making their way to their shops to get ready for their workday to
begin. Summer was not really paying attention to them, but mulling
over in her head how she was going to pick a fight with Tori to
distance herself. She and Tori had never had such a fight. Oh sure,
they had tiffs, but nothing that angered either one of them to the
point of not wanting to be friends, or even staying away from