Hidden Moon (Nightcreature 7)

"Just because it's a modern age doesn't mean there aren't barbarians everywhere. "

I stared into his face. He didn't appear all that much older than Sabina.

I'd heard tales of Gypsy kings, although that was probably as much hooey as the Gypsies-steal-children axiom. Still, Malachi Cartwright behaved as if he'd inherited the mantle at birth.

"Have you taken her to a doctor?" I asked.

"She'll speak again when she's ready. Nothing but time can fix Sabina. "

I knew what that was like.

"I meant for her hand. "

Cartwright didn't answer, instead moving toward his horse.

"I'm sure there's a specialist somewhere who might be able to help. "

He stopped, but he didn't turn around. "We have no insurance, Mayor. No means of payin' a doctor, either. Our life isn't like yours, and it never will be. "

He motioned for Sabina to get on the horse, then swung up behind her in a movement so smooth and sure, I paused just to watch.

"Thank you for your kindness," he said, and they galloped away.

Chapter 7

I spent the rest of my day in the office (a lot of signatures), meeting with constituents (a lot of placating), taking and making phone calls (a lot of headaches).

Joyce was in and out so often, I lost track of whether she was in or out. I wondered where she went when she went, but never got a chance to ask her.

I never got a chance to break for lunch, either. So when Grace showed up around suppertime, I welcomed her with a sigh of relief - until she spoke.

"I hear you and Malachi, call me Mal, Cartwright were chatting it up on Center Street this morning. "

I dropped my pen. "Who've you been talking to?"

She lifted a brow. "Who do you think?"

"Balthazar. " I hadn't noticed him hanging around earlier, but the newspaper office had a lovely view of the entire main drag.

Grace took a seat. "He's a bastard, no doubt about it. Heard you had a conversation with both of them outside your house last night, too. "

"Sheesh, is nothing private around here?"

Grace laughed. "You're kidding, right?"

I hadn't been, but I knew what she meant. Small towns thrived on gossip - a blessing because it was hard for people to get away with anything, a curse if you were the one trying to.

"Did you come over to give me a hard time?" I asked. "Because you'll need to get in line. "

"Rough day?"

"No more than any other. " I shoved a loose pin into my hair, hissing as it scratched my skull.

"I've been meaning to ask you, why did you take the job anyway?"

"Seemed like the thing to do at the time. "

"Not the best reason for a life-changing decision. "