Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

"Nor can I help the way I feel, Annie." He pressed me to him again and we embraced for a long moment. "Anyway," he said, pulling back, "the horror is over. Who was it who called my mother? One of the handymen?"

I hesitated, wondering if I could share Troy's secret life with Luke. We had shared so many secrets before. I knew he was-dependable and wouldn't do anything to hurt me.

"If I tell you, will you keep it a treasured secret and promise never to reveal it?"

"Of course. There are so many things between us kept under lock and key in my heart, one more won't matter."

"It was Troy Tatterton."

"Troy Tatterton? But I thought--"

"Troy Tatterton is not dead, Luke, but he wants people to think he is."

"Why?"

"He wants the anonymous life. He's had a very troubled, sad existence and he simply wants to be left alone."

"So he was the one who called my mother? Very lucky he did."

"I think it was more than luck. I think he decided he would look after me. He took me to see his cottage, and guess what, Luke? The replica," I said, pointing, "it's his cottage."

"Really?"

"While I was in his cottage he helped me stand and got me to take a few steps. I felt like a baby just learning how to walk, but that convinced me I should be trying harder right now, getting my legs to come back, to get used to holding my weight."

"Of course, We'll get your walker this morning and I'll help you as soon as you want."

"Help me into the wheelchair, please."

He looked about, helpless for a moment.

"Are you sure? I mean--"

"Of course I'm sure. I'm not a piece of fragile china, Luke Casteel."

He brought the wheelchair to my bed and gently pulled back my blanket. Then he slipped his left hand under my thighs and embraced me at the waist with his right arm.

"I'm not too heavy, am I?"

"Too heavy? You're as light as a warm, soft dream."

He held me in his arms for a moment. Our faces were so close that when I turned toward him, my lips nearly grazed his. We gazed into each other's eyes. I felt a warm glow move down my body, a magical, soft, silky tingle.

"I could hold you like this forever and ever," Luke whispered. His eyes were so intense, so fixed on mine, I felt as though he were looking into my soul.

"What if I told you to do that? To hold me forever and forever?" I asked him in a silvery, soft voice.

He smiled and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes.

"I won't put you down until you tell me to," "Let's pretend again," I said. "Pretend you found me at Farthy asleep in that horrible room, under a spell cast by the wicked Devil. Put me back on the bed," I commanded. He smiled and did so. I put my arms at my sides and closed my eyes.

"I burst through the doors!"

"Yes," I said, excited that he had taken up the challenge. "And you see me and your heart is broken." I kept my eyes closed.

"Because I think you will never wake up and I have lost you forever and ever."

"But you remember the magic. A long time ago you were told this would happen and you must kiss the sleeping princess to wake her. Only, your kiss must be sincere," I added.