But at least she could yield a little of herself to him in this moment of weariness and relief and hope. He had claimed that part of her anyway during these past days of fighting at her side. Would she be able to get it back? She didn’t know. But it would do no harm to relax now and worry about it later.
Maybe. Cameron was always an emotional threat and a danger to her.
That was okay, she could handle it. Right now, he was only giving her comfort and companionship and the knowledge that he would not leave her.
She relaxed back against him, watching the leaping flames devour the tomb down the hill.
And, dammit, she was going to take that gift.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
ONE DAY LATER
“Is Catherine sure? I can’t believe Santos is really dead, Eve.” Jane’s lips twisted. “He’s been hanging over my head like a hangman’s noose for too long.”
“Over all our heads,” Eve said. “Catherine said that she was certain when she called last night. You can ask her yourself. She told me that she was coming here today and that she’d see us.”
“I may do that. It’s hard to believe the nightmare is over. But I have to believe it. I’ve got to go on, I have to move forward.” She was silent a moment, thinking. “I’m going to need my sketchbook, Eve. Will you bring it next time?”
“Sure. But let’s check with the doctor and make sure it’s okay. You get pretty intense when you’re working.” Eve smiled. “Why not just read or watch television?”
“Because I’m going crazy since they cut the drugs.” Jane made a face. “I need to do something constructive. I can’t just lie here and stare mindlessly.”
“You’re never mindless.” But Eve could see that she was terribly restless, and that might be a healthy sign. Jane had always wanted to move, to search for that next adventure, to find the key that had been lost. It had only been after Trevor had died that she seemed to turn her back on that essential part of her character. “I’ll talk to the doctor and see what I can do. Maybe you should wait until Joe and I take you home with us to heal. You’ll have more leisure time.”
She shook her head. “I need to start now. And I’ll only need to be at the lake cottage for a week or so. After that, I’ll go back to London and be out of your hair.”
Eve looked away. “That soon? I kind of like the thought of your hanging around and being in my hair.”
“Me, too.” Jane reached out and covered Eve’s hand, lying on the bed. “That’s why I have to leave. I want it too much. I always want to stay with you and Joe. It’s home. It’s the place I love. If I didn’t force myself, I’d cuddle down forever and be the little girl you found in the streets all those years ago. But that’s your life, that’s Joe’s life. I have to find a life of my own.” Her hand tightened on Eve’s. “I thought for a while I’d found it with Trevor, but that didn’t happen. So I have to go on, don’t I? Like you did when Bonnie died. You didn’t hide. I can’t either. Do you understand that, Eve?”
She nodded jerkily. “Though I really like the idea of all that cuddling down forever with Joe and me. London is too far away.”
“It didn’t stop me from flying back to you at the drop of a hat when you needed me.” Her eyes were glittering with moisture as she smiled unsteadily. “London isn’t home to me. You’re home. Besides, I’ve been thinking about going up to McDuff’s castle in Scotland after I fully recover. You remember McDuff?”
“How can anyone forget him?” she asked dryly. “Lord McDuff, who thinks he runs all the world, or at least Great Britain. Why would you go there?”
She shrugged. “McDuff is always trying to persuade me that I should come and go treasure hunting with him. As I was lying here, it occurred to me that would be the farthest thing from hiding that I could choose. McDuff would never permit it.”
“And neither would I,” Caleb said.
Jane tensed as her gaze flew to the door, where Caleb was leaning against the jamb. “Hello, Caleb. I haven’t seen you lately.”
“I had things to wrap up.” He strolled into the room. “Did you miss me?”
“Let’s say I noticed your absence.”
“Which means you missed me.” He smiled. “But not enough to keep you from trying to supplant me with McDuff. I admit I was surprised when I overheard you talking about him.”
“Eavesdropping.”
“Of course, I’ve never claimed to be honorable.” He turned to Eve. “But I hope you agree that it’s a good idea for Jane to go to McDuff’s castle.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Do you?”
“Yes, I’m all for any change that brings Jane out in the real world.” He smiled. “Particularly since Edinburgh is one of my favorite stomping grounds. And to which destination I’m about to go as soon as I say my good-bye to Jane.”
“You’re leaving?” Eve got to her feet and held out her hand. “Thank you, Caleb. Joe and I owe you.”
“No, you don’t.” Caleb shook her hand. “If anything, I owe you for making that call. It’s been an interesting challenge.”
“So casual.” Eve shook her head. “And so phony. I was here when you nearly went off the deep end when Jane was hovering between life and death.” She took a step closer and gave him a brief hug before she turned and headed for the door. “But I’ll make sure Jane lets me know if you behave yourself if she runs into you in Scotland.”
Caleb chuckled. “Oh, she’ll run into me. But she may not give you a report. She’s very protective of you.”
“Would you two stop talking about me as if I weren’t here?” Jane said.
“I’m gone.” Eve lifted her hand as she left the room. But her smile faded as soon as she closed the door.
And I think, in your heart, you may be gone, too, Jane.
I have to be grateful, she thought. Jane was coming back to them, and it was a stronger, more mature Jane, who was taking charge of her life.
Eve was grateful.
It was just going to take a little while for the ache to go away.
* * *
“I gave Eve a bad time when I showed up here that first day.” Caleb turned back to Jane as Eve was lost to view. “I’m lucky that she has a forgiving nature, or she would have tossed me out.”
“Would you have let her?”
He smiled. “No, but she might have found a way. She’s very smart.”
“Yes, she is.” She paused. “And she didn’t argue with me about going to McDuff’s castle. Neither of us needed your approval.”
“I thought I’d give it anyway. I hate to be left out in the cold.”
“And you believed I might change my mind if I thought you approved?”
He chuckled. “That’s too complicated. Why not believe I meant what I said?”
“Did you?”
“Yes.” He moved closer to the bed. “I’m not worried about McDuff. Sometimes I even like him. When he doesn’t get in my way.”
“It’s you that would be in McDuff’s way if you show up at the castle. I don’t intend to invite you, and I don’t believe he would.”
“How rude.” His eyes were gleaming with mischief. “Afraid, Jane?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She paused. “I’m grateful for what you did for me. But there’s nothing easy about our relationship, and I won’t pretend that I want the disturbance you always bring.”
“People change. Sometime you might welcome it.”
She gazed at him incredulously. “Not likely.”
“When you were on those drugs, we were almost compatible. Perhaps you could get a refill.”
He was joking. His expression was alive with amusement.
“You’re in a very good mood,” she said warily.
“Because you’re getting well, and I don’t have to force you to go the way I want you to go.” He reached forward and touched her cheek. “And it may be a long road, but I can see that it will be an interesting journey.” He added softly, “And, oh, when we reach that final destination…”
Darkness. Flame. Electricity.
She stared at him in fascination. Then she pulled her gaze away. “There’s no final destination with you, Caleb.”
“Of course there is.” His hand dropped away from her cheek. “You just don’t understand it’s there yet.” He turned and headed for the door. His step was springy and his voice light. “I’ll see you in Scotland, Jane.”