Lover Beware

Elle sent hugs and kisses and says she misses you. Joley wanted to come home right away and get in on the fun but she’s tied up.” She frowned. “I hope not literally, I didn’t think to ask and you never know with Joley. And Libby is working in Guatemala or some other place she’s discovered with no bathroom and probably leeches, healing the sick children as usual.”
    “I thought she was in Africa investigating that crawlie thing that was killing everyone when they tried to harvest their crops,” Kate said. “She was sending me some research material for my next book.”
    “Wherever she is, Libby agreed totally we needed to make certain Sarah was safe.” Hannah looked innocent. “That’s all we were doing, Sarah. Everyone agreed that for your safety we needed to see into that bedroom immediately.”
    Kate and Abbey burst into laughter again. “I was a bit worried when he got so exuberant he fell on the floor,” Abbey said. “But clearly you weren’t in a life-threatening situation so we left you to it.”
    “And boy, did you go to it,” Kate added. “Really, Sarah, a little less enthusiasm on your part might have gone a long way toward giving some credence to our chasing-men theory.” The three sisters exchanged nods as if research were very important.
    Struggling not to laugh, Sarah tapped her foot, hands on hips, looking at their unrepentant faces. “You knew I wasn’t in any danger, you peeping Thomasinas. Shame on the lot of you! I’ll have you know I was working last night.”
    That brought another round of laughter that nearly tipped Kate right out of the chair. “A working girl!”
    “Is that what you call it? You were working at something, Sarah,” Hannah agreed.
    “She’s a fast worker,” Abbey added.
    Sarah’s mouth twitched with the effort to remain straight-faced. “I do security work, you horrible hags. I’m his bodyguard!”
    Kate did fall off the chair laughing. Hannah slumped over the table, her elegant body gracefully posed. “You were guarding his body all right, Sarah,” Abbey said, just managing to get the words out through the shrieks of laughter.
    “ Closely guarding his body,” Kate contributed.
    “Locked up those lips nice and safe,” Hannah agreed.
    “Ooh, Sarah, baby, you are great at that job.”
    Sarah’s only recourse was to fall back on dignity. They weren’t listening to their big sister’s voice of total authority at their antics. She drew herself up, looked as haughty as she could with the three of them rolling around together, laughing like hyenas. “Go ahead and howl, but the three of you just might want to read that old prophecy. Read the entire thing, not just the first line or two.”
    The smile faded from Hannah’s face. “Sarah’s looking awfully smug. Where is that old book anyway?”
    Abbey sat up straight. “Sarah Drake, you didn’t dare cast on us, did you?”
    “I don’t cast,” Sarah said, “that’s Hannah’s department. Damon is coming over. I wanted him to meet you.” She looked suddenly vulnerable. “I really like him. We talked all night about everything. You know those uncomfortable silences with strangers who can’t possibly understand us? We didn’t have one of them. He’s so worn out from carrying Death. Of course, he doesn’t know that’s what he’s doing and if he did, he would have sent me away immediately.”
    “Oh, Sarah.” Hannah’s voice was filled with compassion.
    “I have to find a way to help him. He couldn’t bear another death on his hands. His friend was killed, but he managed to save himself.” She swept a hand through her hair and looked at her sisters with desperation in her eyes. “I liked everything about him. There wasn’t a subject we skipped. And we laughed together over everything.” She lifted her gaze to her sisters. “I really, really liked him.”
    “Then we’ll like him, too,” Kate reassured her. “And we’ll find a way to help him.” She opened the refrigerator and peered in, pulling at drawers. “Did you get fresh veggies?”
    “Of course, and plenty of fruit. By the way, congratulations on your latest release. I read it cover to cover and it was wonderful. As always, Katie, your stories are fantastic,” Sarah praised sincerely. “And thanks, Kate.”
    Abbey hugged Kate. “My favorite memories are when we were little and we used to lie on the balcony looking up at the stars, with you telling us your stories. You deserve all those bestseller