Jonathan and Madeleine hadn’t had a heart-to-heart yet, mostly because Hæra was always present. Madeleine knew they’d both been wanting one. Who else could understand the situation they’d both found themselves in: their human lives changed forever by an Each-uisge?

But what would he say if he knew what she and Hæra had just gotten up to? Madeleine still wasn’t clear on what he and Hæra were to each other. Not biologically related, but they were kin. They were protective of each other. How would he feel about his…friend?...having such a relationship with a human being? A woman?

The Vauxhall rumbled and then came to a stop outside, reminding Madeleine why it was hard to find time alone with Jonathan. They smiled wryly at each other.

“How are we going to manage that?” she asked.

“It’ll be easier now you’re living here. Come over tomorrow morning when the lass is out in the fields. And tonight…” He grinned. “Tonight we’ll have a proper housewarming, the three of us, if you don’t mind an old man’s company.”

He must have been so lonely for so long. Few would believe that Madeleine had felt the same way, since she’d spent decades in community with other women. But there were different ways of being isolated, and she could recognize a kindred spirit. “Of course I wouldn’t mind. That’s kind of you.”

“Well, tonight’s a good night. Slovakia are playing Iceland in the Euro, and I don’t care about that.”

Jonathan’s devotion to the European Football Championship mystified Hæra, but Madeleine had grown up watching the New Orleans Saints. She understood not wanting to miss a big game. “That’s lucky. What will this housewarming involve?”

“Ah, wait and see.” His eyes twinkled. “But a fiddle might feature, so prepare yourself.”

The back door opened. The Vauxhall rumbled beyond it as Hæra called, “Madeleine? Are you ready?”

Will I ever be? “Ready,” Madeleine replied, and she gave Jonathan a smile as she headed for the door.

Outside, Hæra held the passenger door open for Madeleine. The sun limned her dark hair and flashed off her smile.

“Ready,” Madeleine whispered again, only to herself, not at all sure it was true.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

An intimate invitation.

The words hadn’t left Hæra’s head since Madeleine had first uttered them. By asking Madeleine into a bedroom, Hæra had invited intimacy. As Madeleine had put it—with surprising forthrightness—sex.

Hæra kept her eyes firmly on the road ahead and tried not to think about having sex with Madeleine, possibly in the passenger seat where she now sat.