“Yeah, I guess,” I said, shaking away the image of Bill’s hands on my body. “It was a silly idea, though. He had to leave … in a hurry. He wouldn’t have had time to leave a note.”

“Unless he knew he might have to leave suddenly,” Bill said. “Then maybe he’d have hidden a note somewhere. I’ll keep an eye out if you like … There. It’s out.”

I looked down and saw a half-inch of jagged wood tipped with blood squeezed between Bill’s thumb and forefinger. “Wow, I really skewered myself!” I exclaimed, looking into Bill’s eyes, eyes full of compassion, and something more. A longing. Had he picked up on the desire I was feeling? How could he not? I felt as if it were written on the air between us.

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he said, still looking into my eyes.

“It doesn’t hurt a bit now …” I said, leaning toward him. An inch further and our lips would touch … but then my cell phone, which was in my pocket, chimed, startling us

both.

“Oh,” I said, feeling as though I’d been woken from a dream. “I suppose I should get that.”

“Sure,” Bill said, dropping my hand. “Just make sure you put something on that. Those kinds of wounds can fester.”

“Uh huh … I will …” I said, blushing as I retrieved my phone from my pocket. The text was from Duncan.

The Grove has descended, he had written. We need one more transformation to free your power. I’ll be there before dark.

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“IS SOMETHING WRONG?” Bill asked.

He was still crouched beside me, brow furrowed, a look of concern in his kind brown eyes. What a nice guy, I thought, immediately followed by, I have to get rid of him. Liz had said to stay away from Duncan but I had a better idea.

“No, it’s just … That was my … um, advisor. He needs to speak to me about a project.”

“Your advisor? Is that the guy who was here before … the one with the messy hair and thick glasses? Sort of snooty looking?”

I laughed at Bill’s description of Duncan Laird. “That’s him. He’s … British,” I added, as if that explained the snooty look. “But yeah, he said this was important … so I’m afraid …”

“Oh, I see.” Bill got to his feet. “You want me to clear out.”

“It’s just that I’m afraid we’ll be in your way …” I stood up too and put my arm on Bill’s elbow. Then took it off again when I felt another jolt of raw heat and desire. “I really do appreciate how hard you’ve been working on the house. I can’t thank you enough,” I said, my embarrassment making the words come out stilted and formal.