Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

elegant outfit. Where else would you go in Sea Haven dressed so nice?”
    “I was thinking of my old flannel pajamas, a good movie, and some popcorn,” Hannah said. Her hands moved gracefully as she spooned tea leaves into a small teapot.
    “Abbey just got back, didn’t she? Kate said she and Matt dropped by the old mill to make a few changes in the plans and she saw Abbey’s skiff out in Sea Lion Cove. Abbey spent the day playing with the dolphins.”
    “It isn’t playing, Sarah. She works. She’s a marine biologist.”
    Sarah gave an inelegant sniff. “Not here, she’s not. You’re a model, Hannah, but when you come home, you’re our sister and you’re here to plan a wedding. A double wedding. Abbey’s out every day in the ocean instead of working with us.”
    “I know.” Hannah ducked her head. “She’s worried about the dolphin who was injured and she went out to take care of him. You know how the dolphins always congregate and call to her when she’s around.”
    “She’s hiding the way she always does,” Sarah said, a mixture of concern and exasperation in her voice.
    “She slept with that man, didn’t she?” She glanced toward the stairs. “Has she said anything at all about the other one? We need to know what we’re up against.”
    “I haven’t asked her yet, but I was going to over tea.”
    “I want to know just how dangerous he is. And if Jonas knows about him.”
    “Jonas doesn’t need to know anything about that other man. He can’t handle someone with that kind of power,” Hannah said. “Did you feel the electricity gathering in the air with that small push he sent Joley?
    He really zapped her hand and yet, just brushing her palm with his thumb took the pain away.”
    “Joley was furious. I’ve never seen her that way,” Sarah said. “I was actually afraid she’d start some kind of battle with him right on the spot.”
    “You have a lot of connections. Can you find out anything about him?”
    “If we get his name, I’ll start inquiries.”
    Hannah nodded and glanced up the stairs. The water in the shower had turned off but Abigail would be upstairs a few minutes longer. “I’m worried about Abbey. She’s been really unhappy for years and with Aleksandr coming back into her life she’s more upset than ever. Her solution is always to disappear. She goes off to another part of the world researching and doesn’t have to interact with us at all. She just withdraws.”
    Sarah studied the shadows in Hannah’s eyes. “You’re really worried, aren’t you?”
    “Aren’t you?” Hannah countered.

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    Sarah nodded, her shoulders sagging a little. “The truth is, I’ve been scared for Abbey. I was hoping I was just being paranoid. But she lets you closer to her than any of the rest of us. Don’t lose her, Hannah.
    I know it’s a burden for you because you’re so empathic and she’s so troubled right now, but you’ve got to hang on to her until the rest of us can figure out how to bring her back to us.“ Sarah flicked a glance toward the stairs, then forced a smile. ”What about you? How are you doing? How’d the shoot in Africa go?“
    “The photographer was a genius. I’d like to work with him again. I enjoy the traveling and Africa was beautiful. I hired a guide and stayed three weeks just to try to take everything in. I can’t even begin to tell you the awe I felt out in the wild.” Her eyes sparkled. “It was like being free. The strange thing was, I didn’t have a single panic attack out in the wild, with just the guide and me. I didn’t stammer. I could actually talk to him. Mostly I just listened. He had such wonderful stories to tell me.”
    “I’m so pleased for you, Hannah,” Sarah said. “I wondered why we didn’t receive an SOS from you.”
    Hannah poured a cup of tea, added milk, and handed it to Sarah before pouring a second cup. “I know it must get old for everyone to have to help me when I’m on jobs. It’s so draining for all of you over such a long distance.” She turned with perfect timing and handed the cup of tea to Abigail as she came up to them dressed in a sleek pin-striped pantsuit that was more feminine than either sister had ever seen her wear.
    “Nice, Abbey. Are you expecting to go out on a date with Frank?”
    Abbey made a face. “As if. I’ll leave that to Aunt Carol. Is she already there?”
    “She helped oversee all the