Beverly Barton - Paladin's Woman

"You're sure about the rain, aren't you?"

"I'm sure."

Addy pulled a glass from its watery bed, enclosing it in a soft, well-worn dish towel. "Nick said that you were … clairvoyant."

Elizabeth's laughter was warm and throaty, the utterly feminine sound mesmerizing. Addy stared at the beautiful woman standing beside her and saw the knowledge that lay in the depths of her pure blue eyes.

"Are you curious, Addy? Wondering what I know about you?"

"I'm being rude. Please, forgive me." A dim flush of embarrassment colored Addy's cheeks.

"You weren't being rude, just curious. And there's nothing to forgive." Elizabeth laid the clean cobbler dish on the drainboard. "We'll let the rest soak. Why don't we go sit on the back porch for a spell?"

Addy dried her hands and followed Elizabeth out onto the wide wooden back porch, which was simply an extension of the front and side porches. Several sturdy wooden rocking chairs were lined up against the south wall. Each woman sat, rocking her chair toward the center until they faced each other. Elizabeth reached out, taking both of Addy's hands into her own.

"You've come to Sequana Falls for two weeks, to wait out a danger that exists for you in Huntsville." Elizabeth smiled when Addy gasped. "I didn't gain this knowledge from second sight, my friend. Sam filled me in on the pertinent details."

"Oh."

"You'll leave here before two weeks," Elizabeth said, running the pad of her thumb over Addy's knuckles. "The reason is unclear … but … your father—your father will need you."

Addy felt her heartbeat accelerate, wondering if she dare believe this winsome young woman's prediction. "There's no way you could know who—I mean someone is plotting against us … my father and his company."

"I do not know the identity behind the threats." Elizabeth patted Addy's hand, then gave it a tight squeeze. "I have no control over the knowledge that comes to me and don't understand why some things are so clear in my mind and other things are obscured."

Addy pulled away, Elizabeth relinquished her hold. "It's a little cooler out here. If only the breeze wasn't so warm and humid."

"Do you like flowers, Addy? If you do, I'll show you my greenhouse one day while you're here. I grow my own herbs and spices, too, but my prize possessions are my roses."

"I love flowers, and I'd like very much to see your greenhouse. I'm sure Nick and I will get bored with all this peace and quiet after a few days."

A shuddering boom of distant thunder echoed in the moonlit stillness, followed by a sharp zigzag of lightning that dimmed the moon's pale glow. Addy looked up. Dark clouds ambled slowly across the sky.

Neither woman spoke. Only the vibrating resonance of the wooden rocker rounds mating with the wooden porch floor broke the hushed silence. Seconds became minutes and the moments floated away like dandelion fluff on a windy day.

Addy's mind drifted, absorbed with thoughts of the hours to come. Tonight she would be alone with Nick. She already knew that she would give herself to him, but what she didn't know was if they had a future together. She wondered if Elizabeth really could predict. Not moving a muscle in her face or neck, she glanced at the other woman.

"You don't have to be afraid of him." Elizabeth's soft voice carried on the nighttime air, like a soothing whippoorwill's song. "You're right about him, Addy. Nick Romero is your paladin—and you are and always will be his woman."

Addy felt the words surround her heart, freeing her doubts, but before she could reply, asking the questions that filled her mind, an enormous animal came bounding out of the darkness, leapt up the porch steps and made his way to Elizabeth's side. Addy cringed at the sight of the hairy creature, his keen amber eyes glowing, his sharp teeth visible as he panted heavily.

Elizabeth ran her fingers through the thick pelt of black fur, and the huge animal dropped to his haunches, apparently savoring her affectionate touch. "This is MacDatho. He won't hurt you. He knows you're my friend."

"What—what is he? I thought you said he was a dog."

"He's half German shepherd and half wolf." Elizabeth continued stroking her pet, speaking to him in a low, whispered voice. When MacDatho lowered his head to the floor and closed his eyes, Elizabeth turned to Addy. "You love Nick, but he has not yet put the proper name to his feelings for you. He will."

"Are you saying that Nick loves me?" Addy wished she could believe wholeheartedly in Elizabeth Mallory's power to foretell the future. But would she be a gullible fool if she did?

"It is destined." Closing her eyes, Elizabeth began rocking again. "You and Nick will share a life of deep love and commitment. I see—I see little girls."

"Little girls?" Addy scooted to the edge of her seat, completely ignoring MacDatho when he raised his head, his topaz gaze riveted to her face.

"Yes. Two little girls. Not twins, but very much alike … except— One has fiery hair and black eyes. The other has black hair and green eyes."

"Our children? Mine and Nick's?" Did she dare believe in this voodoo, this witchcraft? With all her heart and soul she longed to believe.

The back screen door opened. Loud, earsplitting thunder rumbled. Sitting up, MacDatho howled at the cloud-obscured moon.

"We'd better head back to the cottage, Red." Nick stepped outside. "I wouldn't want us to get caught in a downpour."

"It won't rain for hours," Elizabeth said. "How was Sam?"

"He's fine. You know Sam, a man of few words." Nick placed one hand on the back of Addy's chair. "He asked about you, Elizabeth."

Addy could actually feel the pleasure radiating from Elizabeth, like heat from a smoldering blaze. She could tell that Elizabeth cared deeply for Sam Dundee. Her certain knowledge of the other woman's feelings made her wonder how much Elizabeth's earlier comments had been based on natural instincts and how much on clairvoyance.

She saw my children, Addy reminded herself. Nick's children. Nick's little girls.

"Sam will call Rusty tonight and give him a report," Nick told Addy. "Daily reports should keep your father content."

Remembering Elizabeth's warning that they would return to Huntsville before the NASP contract was awarded because her father would need them, Addy said, "When you talk to Sam tomorrow, please find out if Daddy's all right. Ask him to tell Daddy to go for a checkup. I'm worried about his heart and his blood pressure."

"I'll relay your message." Nick circled her arm, urging her to stand. Addy looked up at him. Dark, hot passion blazed in the depths of his black eyes. Rising from the rocking chair, Addy accepted his extended arm, walking with him down the steps and out onto the pathway. Nick hesitated briefly, turning to say good-night to Elizabeth.

MacDatho howled again, his animal moan blending with the symphony of woodland night creatures. Thunder roared; lightning flashed. High atop the southern edge of the great Appalachian Mountains, Addy McConnell and Nick Romero moved toward their destiny. Tonight, the paladin would claim his woman.

The four-room cottage reeked with steamy heat, the humidity so high that Nick and Addy breathed in the heavy moisture. When they stepped inside, a splintering flash of lightning illuminated the living room. Nick took advantage of the momentary light to visibly scout out the kerosene lamp he knew was sitting on a round wicker table. Feeling his way across to the expanse of windows facing the porch, he found the book of matches lying atop the crocheted doily. Removing the globe, he struck a match and lit the wick. A soft, mellow radiance spread over the room with an ivory luster, casting dancing shadows on the earthy-green, antique wicker furniture, the pale creamy walls and the flowered cushions.