“So?” Liz wasn’t exactly subtle in her questioning. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

Head down, Myra said, “We, ahh...”

“Yeah, I figured ‘you, ahh...’”

Myra peered up into a face of acceptance and not of scolding, not of judgment. In fact, she saw the face of a sister. “Oh, my God, Lizzy. I had no idea. Tara told me making love was wonderful, but I never imagined it was going to be like that.”

Liz laughed, keeping her voice low when she asked, “Do you love him?”

Myra opened her mouth and nothing came out.

Did she? Could she? “I can’t love him, Lizzy. I can’t stay here.”

“Women always hold some love for their first.

It’s against our nature not to. So, how was it?”

Myra hid her face behind the tips of her fingers, smiling into them, and then launched into details women always told, but men seldom knew.

Giggling emanated from his living room, under hushed tones. Todd smiled into his coffee and took the time to reflect on the changes in Myra’s and his relationship.

They had taken ‘playing house’ to a new level, but what surprised him was his lack of concern over the matter.

The intruder from the night before kept his mind from wandering back to the picture of Myra naked and aroused in his bed.

Myra’s theory of the man being a part of some ancient ploy to take her virginity was only conceivable if he believed her story. He tried not to, but found himself losing the battle.

Since they’d slept together, the intruder should move on now if Myra’s theory was correct. But how would their late night visitor know he and Myra had been intimate?

Worse, what if he was simply a stalker attracted to her, waiting for an opportunity to find her alone?

Todd didn’t like any of the scenarios he came up with. He really hated the thought of her leaving the safety of his home and moving in with Liz. Well, that at least was easily fixed.

The two women clammed up the minute he set foot into the room. Todd handed a cup of coffee to Myra, ignored her shy glance, and said, “My ears were burning, hope you don’t mind if I join you?”

He snuggled in beside her on the sofa, and lazily placed his arm over her shoulders.

“Hey, mom?” A boy’s voice yelled from beyond the front door, before he took the liberty to open it.

“In here,” Liz called out, directing her son.

Simon McAlister, at eleven years old, stood five feet five. His lanky body was stretched further by the skinny jeans he wore. His hair was unfashionably long for most boys his age. Todd noticed the skateboard hanging from Simon’s hand and immediately understood his hair fit the intended image.

He hurried in the room and nodded toward Todd and Myra. “Hey.”

Todd smiled, seeing himself at that age. “Hey,”

he gave back.

“Simon, this is Myra MacCoinnich and Officer Todd Blakely.”

“Just Todd is fine.”

“Hey.” Simon glanced between them both, shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Simon. ‘Tis a pleasure to finally meet you,” Myra said.

“My mom said you know where Tara is. Is that true?”

“Aye.”

“You’re going to take us to see her, right?”

Myra glanced at Todd, then back to Simon. “I am.” “Cool.” With that business out of the way, Simon moved on to much more important matters. “Hey, Mom, I found this on the driveway.” He held up a cell phone and waved it for her to see. “It was just laying there. Can I keep it?”

“Let me see that.” She held out her hand and issued another order. “Close the door, you’re letting all the heat out.” Liz turned the phone over and opened it. “Yours?” she asked, handing it to Todd.

He examined the phone. “No.”

“Where did you find it?” Todd asked Liz’s son.

“By the garage door. By the way, your garbage cans are all knocked over out there. Want me to clean them up?”

Liz shot a surprised look over her shoulder, as did Todd. What kid offered to do chores for a stranger?

“Five bucks.” Simon held out his hand and let one of his dimples show.

“Simon!” Liz scolded.

“Smart kid.” Todd reached into his wallet pulled out a five.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I hate cleaning up after the neighborhood dogs.”

Happily, Simon scrambled out to make quick work of his chore

“He’s saving for a new skateboard. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” Todd looked at the phone.

“It’s his isn’t it?” Myra’s face paled, her smile faded.

“Probably.”

“Whose?” Liz asked.

Todd went into the contacts function of the phone to see whose numbers were there. It was empty. He noticed the low battery and decided to wait to find out what information the phone might hold about its owner.

Todd stood and placed the phone on his fireplace mantle. “It wasn’t dogs that knocked over the trash last night.” He took the time to explain what happened to Lizzy.

“Do you know who it could have been?” Liz asked.

“Grainna had many followers in this time. It could be anyone.”

“I’ve been thinking,” Todd told both women. “In light of the situation, maybe it would be best for Myra to stay here, at least until we find out who this guy is.”

“Do you think he’ll come back?”

“We have to assume he hasn’t gotten what he wanted. Perps always return to the scene if their business is unfinished.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t want to bring any problems to you and Simon.”

“I’m sorry Myra but—”

“Don’t, you needn’t explain. I understand.” She turned to Todd. “Are you sure you don’t mind me staying here a while longer?”

A wicked grin crested his face. “It’s a sacrifice I have to make.”

Liz rolled her eyes back, “Oh, puleeesse.”

Michael watched from a distance so the Druid wouldn’t see him. Wouldn’t sense his presence. Only when people surrounded her could he risk probing her mind. She was too powerful and locked out any ability he might have had to eavesdrop on her thoughts. She would have given Grainna her destiny. But he screwed up. He shouldn’t have left the night he tried to keep them apart, but he had, and in turn he gave them the time they needed to consummate their bond. It was evident by the way the man held her, how his hand sometimes dipped too low on her hip, the way only lovers would touch.