Three Fates

sort.”
    “I send mine out anyway.”
    “That’s fine, then. I can’t leave Ireland altogether. My mother . . . I miss Ma.” Her voice went thick, and she pressed her face against his neck. “Something fierce. Especially now, when I’m in love and can’t tell her about it. Ah well, soon enough.” She sniffled, brushed a tear away. “Anyway, you can expect me to get my hands into your company.”
    “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want you in my life, Rebecca. I want in yours.”
    “I have to ask you a question. Why didn’t your marriage work?”
    “A lot of reasons.”
    “That’s an evasion, Jack.”
    “Bottom line? We wanted different things.” Different directions, he thought, different goals.
    “What did you want that she didn’t?”
    He was silent for so long, her nerves began to stretch.
    “Kids.”
    With those words she all but melted into a puddle of love and relief. “Oh? How many do you have in mind?”
    “I don’t know. A couple anyway.”
    “Only two?” She made a snorting sound. “Piker. We can do better than that. Four should suit me.” She tucked the sheet under her chin, shifted, sighed. “You can tell me you love me now.”
    “I love you, Rebecca.”
    “I love you, Jack. Go to sleep awhile. I already set your alarm clock for nine-thirty.”
    She slid into sleep, and into dreams, into the white boat gliding over a blue sea. And this time Jack stood at the wheel beside her.
     
     
    TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE Jack’s alarm rang, Gideon brewed the first pot of coffee of the day. He rooted through Tia’s cupboards and found the poppy seed bagels. He was beginning to appreciate the Americans’ fondness for bagels. While the others slept, he tucked a bagel into his jacket pocket, poured an oversized mug of black coffee and headed to the door.
    He’d have his breakfast, and a morning smoke, up on the roof.
    He opened the door and stared at the attractive black woman who had her finger poised to ring the buzzer.
    She jumped; he tensed. And when she let out a quick, nervous giggle, he shifted gears smoothly.
    “Gave us both a jolt, didn’t it?” He offered her a broad smile. “Something I can help you with?”
    “I’m Carrie Wilson, a friend of Tia’s.” She shifted her gears as skillfully as he, and studied him carefully now. “You must be Malachi.”
    “Actually, I’m Gideon. Tia’s mentioned you. Are you coming in?”
    Her measuring gaze narrowed. “Gideon who?”
    “Sullivan.” He stepped back in invitation just as Malachi came out of the bedroom. “That would be Mal. We’re just starting to stir. We had a late night.”
    Still on the edge of the threshold, Carrie goggled at both men. “Good God, she’s got two of you? I don’t know whether to be impressed or . . . I’ll stick with impressed.”
    “Actually, one of them’s mine.” Cleo, wearing nothing but a man’s T-shirt, strolled out of the spare room. “Great shoes,” she said after giving Carrie the once-over. “Who are you?”
    “Rewind.” Jaw set, Carrie marched in, shut the door. “Who are you ? And where’s Tia?”
    “She’s sleeping yet.” Malachi aimed a smile that was every bit as potent as Gideon’s—and, in Carrie’s opinion, just as suspicious. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch the name.”
    “I’m Carrie Wilson. And I want to see Tia right this minute.” She set her briefcase down, pushed up the sleeves of her Donna Karan jacket. “Or I start kicking some ass.”
    “Start with one of them,” Cleo requested. “I haven’t had my coffee yet.”
    “Why don’t you pour some for everyone?” Malachi said. “Tia’s just sleeping in a bit. We were up late.”
    “Move aside.” Carrie took a meaningful step closer. “Now.”
    “Suit yourself.” He moved out of her path and watched her stride into the bedroom. “I think we’re going to need that coffee.”
    The drapes were drawn. All Carrie saw in the dim light was a lump in the middle of the bed. A tongue of fear licked over her annoyance as she thought of all the things a trio of strangers might have done to her trusting, vulnerable friend.
    There’d been a bulge in the dark-haired man’s jacket pocket. A gun, she thought. They were drugging Tia, holding her at gunpoint. Terrified at what she’d find, Carrie tore the sheets away.
    There was Tia, buck naked and curled in a cozy ball. She blinked sleepily, started to stretch, then let out a thin scream.
    “Carrie!”
    “What’s going on here? Who are