Heartsong (Logan 2)

"How do I look?" I asked, turning.

"Wonderful. It fills your face with a spiritual light," she said.

I took it off and practiced wrapping it around myself.

"Perfect," Holly said.

"Thank you," I said. She looked back to be sure Kenneth wasn't in earshot. "Don't wear anything else underneath. Remember what I said about confining the natural form."

I nodded, blushing, and put the sari back into my bag as Kenneth appeared.

"What are you two plotting?" he asked.

"Nothing more than a trip on a star," Holly replied. "That's what I thought," he said. "Hop in, Melody, for an ordinary trip in a jeep." Ulysses got in with us. "Bye," I said.

"See you in the morning."

"Be right back, Holly," Kenneth told her. "Are you going to make us one of those spiritual dinners tonight, all grain, vegetarian, organic?" he asked. She nodded.

"I'll be losing a few pounds before she leaves," he told me. Holly laughed and we drove away. "Where did you get the doll?" he said gazing at it in my hand.

"I found it on the beach."

"A bit beat up, isn't it?"

"I just didn't want to leave it there," I said. He looked at me askance for a moment and then smiled. "And what's in the bag?"

"A sari," I said. "And some incense."

He laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I wish I could see Jacob's face when he sees you burning incense, walking around in sandals and one of Holly's dresses with crystals around your neck," he said, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief.

"It's not any of his business what I wear," I said firmly. He turned and stared at me. I tilted my head, questioning those intense eyes.

"What?"

"Just for a minute there you sounded so much like Haille it threw me back in time," he said in a wistful tone, his eyes darker.

He drove on, pensive, while my heart pounded as I wondered what it all meant.

Aunt Sara didn't pop her head out of the kitchen to greet me when I came through the front door. The house was deadly quiet, so quiet it made me uncomfortable. I glanced into the living room, saw there was no one in there, and then hurried down to the kitchen. It too was empty. Where was everyone? I started up the stairs.

Cary heard me and stepped out of May's room with May beside him.

"I thought you were only working a half-day today," he said, his eyes cold and accusing.

"Kenneth asked me to stay longer. He had a friend arrive today. Holly Brooks," I said. "Do you know her?"

"No. What's that around your neck?" he asked, like an attorney cross-examining a witness.

"It's a crystal with special healing qualities," I said and he smirked.

"That's pagan."

"It's not pagan if it makes you feel good. It happens to have a lot to do with spirituality, too, Cary Logan. You don't know anything about this."