Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

"It's not good if you let me know you know I'm doing it, Luke Casteel," I finally responded, my voice breathy.

We laughed. And then I looked up.

"Luke, there's something else I want to see; something I want to see very, very much now."

"What?" he asked, his sapphire eyes sparkling.

"A cottage that is on the other side of the maze. It's something I feel I've got to see. It's something I feel I've got to do."

"So we'll do it. Together," he added

confidently.

"I hope so, Luke." I squeezed his hand for emphasis. "Promise me, really promise."

"Every promise I make to you, Annie, is a real one," he said hoarsely, looking more mature and more determined than I could ever remember. For a moment our eyes remained glued together and I saw his love for me like a warm cleansing lake, big enough to swim in. Then Mrs. Broadfie

ld returned, bursting in on us like a cold wind.

"Time to change your head bandage," she announced.

"Just wait outside a moment, Luke."

"I'll go check on my mother. She might be turning this place upside down by now."

Fanny and Luke returned for a while after lunch, and before they left, Luke and I agreed on a time when he would call me the next day to read me the final version of his speech.

"I've added something to it," he said.

"Something I want you to be the first to hear."

Later than afternoon Tony and Drake arrived.

"I heard your aunt was here visiting," Tony said as he came through the door.

"Yes." I turned right to Drake. He was dressed so handsomely in a silk black-and-white pinstriped suit just like the ones Tony wore. I thought he looked years older already and very mature and successful. "Drake, Aunt Fanny wants to move into Hasbrouck House to watch over things. I said it was all right for her to do so."

"What? Now wait a minute, Annie."

"Now, now," Tony interjected. "That's a big house, from what I hear." I saw the look he gave Drake, the look that said, "Don't do anything to disturb Annie." The fire in Drake's eyes extinguished quickly. He shrugged.

"That's true. I suppose it's all right. For a while, anyway. I'm going to be too busy, and you'll be at Farthinggale, so she can't bother either of us."

"She's trying to do something decent, Drake." I tried to defend Fanny, wanting so much to believe the best of her. "She wants family again. I believe her, and I just didn't have the heart to turn her away. Not now."

He nodded.

"That was very kind of you, Annie," Tony said. "To be thinking of other people's needs while you have so many yourself. It's going to be refreshing to have a person such as you at Farthinggale. You'll warm the place as it hast't been since . . . since your mother lived there.

"And now," he added quickly, "I have a surprise. Dr. Malisoff tells me that you can be released by the end of the week to continue your recuperation and begin your therapy at Farthinggale. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Oh yes. I can't wait to get out of here!" I exclaimed.

Both Tony and Drake laughed, Drake shifting his eyes to Tony a split second beforehand to see if he would laugh first. I was amazed at how quickly Tony had made a disciple of Drake. How different Drake was with Tony! I had never seen him so deferential to anyone!

Tony took my hand. "I hear what a wonderfully cooperative patient you've been. Why, Mrs. Broadfield just raves about you," he added, looking toward her. Instead of flashing one of her imitation smiles, she looked at me and nodded, her eyes full of real appreciation and warmth.

"Thank you," I said, smiling at my nurse. "However, Annie, there is something very important that you have been hiding from me," Tony said.