Raintree: Sanctuary (Raintree 3)

Judah stood up to his full six-two height and settled his gaze on Mercy. “Our daughter didn’t need any help. She was perfectly capable of creating an energy bolt all by herself. And in case you haven’t realized it, she took out six trees with one bolt.”

“She took out—of course she did.” Mercy marched over to Judah, nostrils flared, eyes blazing. “And you’re proud of her, aren’t you?”

“Damn right I am. And you should be, too.”

“I am proud of Eve, but…she could have been hurt, or hurt someone else.”

“I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

They stood there, glaring at each, a hairsbreadth apart, the tension between them palpable. She was furious with him. He loved that about her, the passion, the fierce, protective mama tiger in her. He wanted nothing more than to take her here and now, and except for Eve’s presence, he would have been sorely tempted.

She knew what he was thinking. He could see it in her eyes. And he also sensed her desire. Like animals powerless to resist the mating call, they couldn’t break the visual contact or the psychic bond that held them spellbound.

Spellbound his ass! He wasn’t some lovesick young fool. And he certainly wasn’t in love with Mercy. Once he’d screwed her again, this fever in his blood would cool.

“Mercy!” Sidonia cried as she came across the open field, three people following her. “Is Eve all right? Did that devil…?”

“She’s fine,” Mercy called.

“I’m getting damn sick and tired of her calling me the devil,” Judah said.

“Oh, great. Just great.” Mercy heaved a deep, exasperated sigh. “She’s got Brenna and Geol and Hugh with her.”

“A Raintree lynch party, no doubt.” Judah turned to face the approaching hangmen.

“You keep quiet.” She gave Judah and Eve stern looks. “Both of you. Let me do all the talking.”

Huffing and puffing, Sidonia stopped a couple of feet from Mercy. “I turned my back for two seconds, and he ran off with her.”

“It’s all right,” Mercy said. “It won’t happen again. Will it?” She looked from father to daughter.

Eve shook her head, then bowed it in a contrite manner. Totally false regret, of course.

Judah didn’t respond.

“What happened over there?” Hugh, a robust, gray-haired Raintree, pointed to the wide bare spot in the nearby woods. “You aren’t cutting down timber are you, Mercy?”

“Just a little psychic accident,” Mercy said. “I’m completely to blame.”

Hugh stepped forward, looked Judah over from head to toe, and held out his hand. “I’m Hugh Sullivan and you’re…?”

“This is Judah Blackstone,” Mercy said. “Judah and I went to college together. He’s visiting for a few days.”

Judah hesitated, then took the man’s hand and exchanged a cordial shake.

Hugh studied Judah with his green Raintree eyes. “Well, you are a handsome devil, all right.” Hugh chuckled. “I couldn’t figure out why Sidonia kept referring to you as the devil.”

“I’m afraid Sidonia and I got off on the wrong foot when I first arrived,” Judah said, then looked right at the nanny. “I’m sorry if our little game of hide-and-seek worried you. Eve and I were having so much fun playing that it never entered my head you’d be concerned about her.”

“Humph.” Sidonia gave him a condemning glare.

Judah glanced at the other man and woman, who seemed as intrigued by his presence as Hugh had been. He nodded to them.

“Hello,” the woman said. “I’m Brenna Drummond, a distant cousin of Mercy’s.”

The other man held up his hand in greeting. “I’m Geol Raintree, a not so distant cousin.”

“Forgive us, Mr. Blackstone, for being so curious, but Mercy having an old boyfriend visiting is quite an event.” Brenna smiled knowingly at Mercy, apparently giving her approval.