Drake Sisters 04 - Dangerous Tides

mentioned you noticed in the hospital," Libby said. She flashed him a smile. "See? I usually remember things."

    "That's the one. He's been a bit unhappy because his old friend Harry, the biochemist on the project, has his nose out of joint."

    "You really don't like Harry, do you?"

    "He does shoddy work," Tyson said. "I have no tolerance or respect for anyone who is in such a hurry they can't finish the job right. He doesn't research for love of science or to help people, he's a glory hound. He wants everyone to know his name."

    "He's jealous of you," Libby guessed.

    They walked along the trail leading up above the ocean where she could see the sea seemed to meet the horizon. The waves were calmer without the cool wind. "It feels good to be out of the house."

    Tyson took a deep breath and stopped her, swinging around so his body was directly in front of hers.
    His fingers tightened around her hand, threatening to crush her bones. "Here's the thing, Libby. I've thought a great deal about this. I don't believe in magic. It doesn't make sense to anyone with a logical brain. Whatever you and your sisters do isn't real. I don't know if your family originally used sleight of hand to con people, but whatever the origins, I've observed you enough to know you believe you're able to heal people."

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    Libby opened her mouth to speak but he shook his head and pulled her hand to his chest. "Just hear me out. I think you're experiencing psychosomatic symptoms, much like a false pregnancy, but we can work on that together. I know I can help you see that no one can really heal anyone with magic. You're smart.
    You'll see it in time."

    She could only stare dumbly, torn between wanting to laugh and to cry. He was so earnest, his expression grave and his blue eyes holding her gaze captive. "I'll see that I make myself ill pretending to heal people?" Obviously she could pick them. If only he would just keep his mouth closed she might get somewhere with him.

    "Putting it that way sounds bad. It's more like you've been brainwashed, programmed to believe it and your brain tricks your body into experiencing the symptoms. And that can be dangerous to your health."

    He tightened his fingers around hers when she tried to move away from him. "Don't, Libby, don't pull away. I've thought this whole thing through. I want a relationship with you. You're able to understand me, we're interested in the same things and I think you're an incredible woman. I'm willing to pay the price of accepting your family. It really is worth the sacrifice to be able to see you."

    Her eyebrow shot up. "How courageous of you to take on my crackpot, con-artist family." She tilted her head to one side. "So I don't really heal people, but I've convinced myself so strongly that I can that I manifest psychosomatic symptoms of the people I think I've healed. That's what you think really happens, huh?"

    "Yes. If you just open your mind to the possibility, I'm certain it would make more sense to you. You're a scientist, Libby, a doctor. You want to heal people because you're so compassionate, but no one can really do that. Haven't you ever watched the faith healers in the tents and realized they're bilking the public?"

    "How do you know they are?" She started walking back toward her house, this time holding his hand so he wouldn't let go.

    "It's been proven time and time again. The faith healers have been investigated and debunked. Seriously, Libby, I could show you many of the reports. I looked them up over this past week and prepared them in a file for you. It's all there in black and white."

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    "You did that for me?" She smiled her sweetest smile, wandering slowly up the path to her house.
    "Tyson Derrick, how considerate of you. I had no idea you were such a thoughtful man."

    He let his breath out. "I was afraid you'd be upset, Libby. I was prepared for you to take this in a negative way, but I should have realized you'd reason it out." He stopped on the path to their house.
    "You want to go home already? I'd like to spend more time with you."

    She tugged until he followed her again. "I want you to come in and get to know my sisters. If we're going to spend time together and you're willing to pay that price, now would be a good time to start. Everyone is home with the exception of Kate and Abigail.