Chapter 30 #2
She loved them. The fact that she was able to see and feel that so easily, well, that was because she had a bit of distance from them now.
Was that thanks to her time in the jungle or…
no, she realized. Not entirely. It was also thanks to Rory and her feelings for him.
She understood her parents so much better now.
The others were discussing the tragic lack of tea options, making her realize that her mind had been drifting for a few minutes while she stood aimlessly next to her father’s chair.
Rory strode into the living room, followed by Lincoln. Both wore very worried expressions along with their cuts and bruises.
Lincoln hadn’t been that beat up the last time she’d seen him, on the beach at Waipi’o. Who had done that? What was going on? She felt so out of it, as if she’d picked up a book several chapters after where she’d left off reading.
“We have a problem,” Rory told them. “Did anyone happen to pick up an object from the lawn? It’s about two inches, a jagged oval shape, and it looks more or less like a crystal.”
Everyone glanced at each other, then shook their heads.
“I’m afraid the last thing I would think about upon waking up from a fainting fit would be jewelry,” said Charlotte. “I’m almost vaguely insulted that you would ask such a thing.”
“Don’t insult my wife.” Mark winced at his own forceful words, then rubbed the spot between his eyebrows.
“Do you think we’re thieves?” Apparently her mother had decided to make a drama out of this. “Is that why you would ask such a thing?”
Lincoln scratched at his scruffy jaw. “No, of course not. But if you did happen to pick it up—”
Jamie stepped forward and folded his arms across his chest. “You two have a lot of nerve. You barge in here out of nowhere and now you’re accusing us of theft? Who are you, anyway? Why do care so much about some stupid jewel?”
In a show of support, Duncan stepped to Jamie’s side. “Maybe it’s time you all leave now. The Wheeler family needs some privacy.”
Mathilda caught Rory’s eye, and nearly laughed again at his befuddled expression. Of all the challenges he’d faced since crashing, her family was probably right up there near the top.
“It’s okay, everyone.” She waved her arms to get her family’s attention.
“Lincoln and Rory are friends of mine. Well, Rory is, and Lincoln’s his boss, even though at first Rory said it was the other way around and that he was Lincoln…
” This wasn’t helping. “Anyway, they’re looking for something important. ”
“What is it?”
“It’s…I don’t know what it is, but it looks exactly how they described it. It had a kind of glow to it, it’s clear but has a bluish tinge to it. And it vibrates a little.”
“I don’t care for blue.” Charlotte gave a disdainful shudder. “Or vibrators. And why are two grown men searching for a crystal? Are you New Age influencers of some sort?”
Lincoln’s face was turning an ominous shade of red, although that could be because of the bruising. It was hard to tell. “Mrs. Wheeler—”
“Oh, do call me Charlotte. Or Charlotte Spencer-Sutton Wheeler if it’s for anything official.”
“No, thank you,” Lincoln said stiffly. “We’re talking about proprietary intellectual property that could lead to disaster in the wrong hands. This is not a joke or a game. If you have it—”
“Why on earth would I have it, when I already said I didn’t?” Charlotte cast a pleading glance at her husband, who sat up straighter and scowled at Lincoln.
At least, Mathilda knew it was a scowl, but it probably looked more like a mild frown to Lincoln. Mark Wheeler was no scowler.
“I do believe it’s time for the two of you to leave the premises,” Duncan declared. He and Jamie moved in unison to herd Rory and Lincoln toward the door. “We have important family business to conduct here and you lot are making it all about you.”
Rory and Lincoln both stood their ground, refusing to budge. “This is a very serious situation,” Lincoln said sternly. “I’ll give you a million dollars for that crystal.”
“You think we need money?” Jamie gave Lincoln an aggressive shove, causing him to stumble backwards.
Mathilda gasped, wanting to cry out, to tell everyone to stop fighting. But she couldn’t catch her breath.
Duncan looked her way, then yelled, “Get out, you’re upsetting my fiancée!”
No, that wasn’t it. Where was her voice? Why couldn’t she say or do anything? She caught Rory’s eye, desperate to communicate with him. Make it stop. Don’t let anyone get hurt.
Rory’s expression shifted as he understood her unspoken plea. Giving up on the battle, he yanked Lincoln by the arm and dragged him toward the door. Lincoln fought back, but Rory was stronger, and a moment later they were halfway out the door.
But wait…was she ever going to see Rory again? She wanted to go with him, be with him, now and forever.
She took a step forward, but the cottage spun around her. “Rory,” she said weakly.
But no one heard her. Maybe she hadn’t even said it out loud. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Except that sleep, deep dark sleep, felt like the only answer.