Night Angel (Angel Haven) (4 page)

She laid her hand on his arm. “Your father must’ve loved her very much.”

Bradford nodded. “After her death, he gave me this house and moved back to England. My mother stipulated in her will that I continue to hold our annual murder mystery weekend. She didn’t want to see the tradition die. Our family has held these for many years.”

Karen looked at him. “You don’t seem like you don’t want to do it.”

He stared at the house. “I just don’t have the heart for it any more. My mother always ran it.”

“Then why continue? Surely your father knows how you feel about it.”

“He does, but there’s nothing we can do. If I stop, the house and grounds revert to my brother and neither of us wants that to happen.” He shook his head. “This year is a bad time. I have some companies in the middle of groundbreaking research and to have guests here takes my attention away from important business matters.”

Is that how Randall figured into all of this? Maybe that was why Bradford treated him so badly. It was more than likely too much of everything all at the same time. When she felt overwhelmed, she meditated to clear her mind to get her emotions back under control. To break her calm, especially in front of others, she felt, would show a weak spirit.

Karen studied Bradford in the moonlight. He had everything, good looks, money, style, grace, people to do his bidding. He’d shown interest in her as soon as he’d seen her. So why didn’t he make her heart race like Randall did? What was wrong with her? Did she just need to give him and herself a little more time?

Karen’s gaze skimmed the trees and the area around them. She could feel something watching her and Bradford but couldn’t see it in the darkness.
Could it be the huge bird?
she thought. She narrowed her eyes and tried harder to see in the inky black of the woods.

“What are you thinking about?” Bradford asked.

She inhaled the perfect October air as she hesitated, not wanting him to know her true thoughts. “I love the woods in the fall,” she finally said.

“I can tell,” he said, pulling her closer and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You haven’t stopped staring at the trees since you arrived.”

“It’s because...” She stopped short. “You’ll think I’m being childish.”

“Try me. I won’t laugh.” He laid his left hand over his heart and raised his right. “I promise.”

She glanced toward the trees. “When I was little, I used to think fairies were responsible for the leaves changing colors. I’d go into the woods by our house to look for them. My brother used to tease me about it.” She shrugged. “I guess part of me still wants fairies to be real.”

“It’s not childish. It’s sweet.” He stared at her in the moonlight. “Are you sure you’re not one of them?”

Karen playfully slapped his chest. “Stop it. You said you wouldn’t laugh.”

“I’m sorry.” He turned her toward him. “I simply meant you’re as beautiful as a fairy.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes wandered to the ground, the trees, the gardens, anywhere but to the man in front of her.

As he leaned closer to kiss her, his handyman hurried across the ground. “Mr. Troyington, we have a problem.”

Bradford stepped back and turned to him. “What’s wrong, Cray?”

Cray hesitated and glanced at Karen. “We couldn’t hold him, and he got out before we could lock him up.”

“Find him,” Bradford said. “Let him know he’s pushing his luck.”

Cray nodded. “You know you should’ve put him in the other facility.”

Karen looked at both men. “What’s going on? Who’s pushing his luck?”

Bradford held his hand up as a quiet flapping sounded, growing steadily louder. A huge shadow covered the moon, hung in the air for a split second, then dove at them, the wind screaming over its wings. Bradford threw Karen to the ground, and Cray dropped down as whatever it was peeled off toward the tree line.

He raised his head, looking for the creature. “I think we found your large bird.”

Karen sat up, brushing leaves and grass from her jacket. “I think you’re right,” she said with a shaky laugh.

Bradford eyed the sky, scowling. “We’d better get back to the house.” He turned to Cray. “Let Harmon know about this and take care of the situation.”

Cray nodded and ran off as they jogged back to the squares of light spilling from the mansion’s windows. Karen stopped on the porch, turning back to the darkness. What was all that about? She had a feeling that Cray and Bradford were talking about Randall. What facility did they mean? And why did Bradford have such a look of concern on his face after Cray told him? Once again, too many questions. He gave her a gentle, yet insistent, push into the drawing room, locking the doors behind them.

“What do you think it is?” she asked.

The guests turned to them.

“Did something happen?” Edna asked.

“We intruded on a large bird’s nesting place,” Bradford said. “It let us know in no uncertain terms we weren’t welcome there.”

Karen stared at him. “That thing was huge. Are you sure it’s a bird?” Bradford’s explanation was a little too quick, like he knew what it was that dove at them.

“Most birds, especially the ones in this area, are much bigger than people realize.” He took her hands in his. “I sent Cray to my stable master to have him go look for it. In the morning, he can relocate it to another area on the estate.”

She glanced at the window, her knees still shaking. “That might be best. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to turn in,” she said, heading for the door.

Bradford reached out, capturing her hand. “It’s still early. Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer?”

“I’m sure. I’m tired and I need to make a phone call.” She gave him a quick smile as she pulled her hand from his. “Too much excitement for one evening.”

He walked her to the door. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She nodded to the guests as they wished her sweet dreams. Her feet carried her swiftly up the staircase and down to her room. She sighed when she finally locked herself away from everyone, especially her host. She’d been relieved when they were interrupted before he kissed her.

She sat on the bed and closed her eyes. She took three deep breaths and relaxed every muscle, focusing on the still pond in her mind she used to center herself. She opened her eyes and looked around the room. The art on the walls of nature scenes eased her jumbled feelings.

The glass on the french doors to the balcony were frosted and had animals etched into them. Sheer, ivory curtains covered the windows and balcony doors; heavier tan drapes pulled to the sides. A natural wood chair rail divided the wall in half, light green at the top and dark green at the bottom.

She smiled and nodded. Now, she felt more like herself. Pulling out her cell phone, she hit the speed dial for home and kicked off her shoes.

“Angel Haven, Ariel speaking. May I help you?”

“Hey, it’s Karen. Is Kristin there?”

“Dr. Mentor has been called out of town on business. Is there anyone else you wish to speak to?”

“Who’s home?” Karen walked to the balcony doors. Pushing the curtains aside, she tried again to find whatever it was flying around the estate.

“Mrs. McClennan is here visiting. Would you like to speak to her?”

Karen had actually wanted Kristin’s steady advice, but Misty could give her some insight about what was going on. “Sure. Put her on.”

“One moment, please.”

Karen chewed her bottom lip while she waited. With all Misty had been through lately, she was sure to have some advice on how to handle Bradford.

“Karen, it’s been forever.”

“It’s only been a couple of months since you left, and you’re still at the mansion more often than not.” Karen walked back to the bed and stretched out, crossing her ankles. “And didn’t we just fight part of Medusa’s team earlier this week?”

“You have no flair for the dramatic. How have you been?”

Karen thought about that for a moment. After Misty’s marriage, she had battled jealousy, hurt, and loneliness. Finding her center after that had been harder than she thought. “Okay, I guess. We all miss you around Angel Haven. How’s married life?”

“Great. The only downside is that he’s gone on assignments so much. Every time Commander Frailer needs an ULTRA rep, he sends Jack.”

Karen could hear the exasperation in her friend’s voice. “Your fault for marrying someone so popular.”

“Tell me about it. I swear, if one more female rookie agent bats her eyes at him, it’s going to be POW, right to the moon.”

Karen couldn’t stop the laugh that pushed its way out.
Maybe I don’t have a reason to be jealous after all.
Poor Misty. She certainly had her hands full. Her husband Jack was way too hot with his long red hair, perfect physique, and slight British accent. ULTRA’s top field commander was certainly in the best shape of anyone she’d ever seen. And marriage hadn’t changed Misty one bit. “You were the one who proclaimed him drop-dead gorgeous,” Karen said. “This is the price you have to pay.”

“Ooh, thanks for the sympathy.”

“Hang on a second, while I wring the sarcasm out of my phone.”

“So, did you call just to bust my chops, or are you homesick? Kristin said you were on a weekend getaway.”

Karen pushed the speaker button on her phone and sat up to braid her hair. “Neither. I just need to talk to someone.”

“Shoot. I’ll try to help.”

She twisted a rubber band around the end, then threw her suitcase on the bed and flipped it open. “The guy who owns the mansion I’m staying in is interested in me. His name is Bradford Troyington.”

“Nice. Tell me more.”

Karen pulled out her nightshirt and a pair of sweat pants. “He’s got a huge house, people that work for him, and he’s worth about a zillion dollars. His family goes back generations.”

“So far, so good,” Misty said. “Please continue.”

Karen yanked her nightshirt over her head. “After what happened with the horrible relationship I’ve just gotten out of, I don’t want anyone right now. And Bradford’s kind of harsh to his people.” She paused. “Well, one of his people.”

“I see,” Misty said. “Well, you’re coming home tomorrow, right? You could always take advantage of the situation. After all, you’ll probably never see him again.”

Karen plopped on the bed. “You know I can’t do that. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. And there’s this other guy here.”

“Uh oh. I’m sensing a problem.”

She yanked her socks off and shoved them under the night table next to the bed. “Misty, you should see him. He’s not big, like Jack, but he’s no slouch either. And he’s got the most beautiful eyes. He would definitely make your list of guys not going to heaven because what they do to a pair of pants is a sin.”

Misty laughed. “Well, Jack is number one on the list now. I’d like to see this other guy to make sure he’s list worthy.”

Karen grabbed her fuzzy, boot-shaped slippers and pulled them on. “His name’s Randall. When he looks at me, I swear, my knees actually go weak.”

“You don’t get weak knees. You’re the steadiest person I know.” Karen could picture Misty shrugging as she spoke. “If you’re using terms like ‘weak knees,’ Randall could be the one for you.”

“Randall is one of Bradford’s servants. He’s not allowed to speak to me, and people keep warning me away from him.” Karen sighed. “So much for my relaxing weekend. It’s weird, because I feel there’s something big going on here. I just can’t figure it out.”

“You have pretty good instincts about people,” Misty said. “What does your gut tell you?”

“That he’s not a bad guy.” Karen sat up, turning her gaze to the darkness looming outside. “But here’s the wrinkle. Randall says Bradford is dangerous.” She padded to the balcony doors. “And there’s this huge bird that keeps flying around the mansion.”

“You just lost me with the bird. How is that relevant to two guys?”

“Because I think it’s back. I just heard something outside my window. I’ll call you later.” Karen snapped the phone shut and opened the door a crack, looking along the platform encircling the house. Nothing.

She stepped out, heading straight for the rail and leaned over. Again, nothing. She leaned against the support beam. “I know I heard something out here,” she murmured.

“Are you looking for me?” a gravelly voice said, sounding right next to her.

Karen shrieked as she jumped, feeling her heart trying to pound its way through her chest. She stared into the large tree growing next to the house. Its thick branches hung over the low roof. The voice came from there.

She backed toward the door to her room. “Not unless you’re a huge bird.”

“Be calm,” the voice said. “I mean you no harm. And no, I’m not a bird.”

“Show yourself,” she demanded. Her back hit the wall, stopping her cold.

“To my regret, I can’t. I don’t think you’d understand.”

“Understand what?” She took a deep breath and, trembling, inched her way back to the rail. Calm, she thought. Focus. You’re not defenseless.

“Who I am. What I am.” The tree branch bobbed as she heard him move to another spot.

She peered through the leaves. Something large and shadowy sat back by the trunk and she couldn’t tell exactly it was. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know.” A rumbling laugh floated from the tree top. “I’m a guardian, a night angel if you will. I protect those who can’t protect themselves.”

“What are you doing here?” Karen craned her neck to see toward the top. She hadn’t even heard him move.

“My charges were stolen from me. They are naught but children. I intend to find them and take them home.”

Karen cringed from the determination in his voice. She pitied whoever it was that crossed him. “I’m sorry.”

“So will the person be who took them.” More rustling as the speaker moved again. Karen moved with him, still trying to see.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

Silence. “I don’t think so,” he finally said.

Even with the amount of leaves that had fallen, enough remained to hide whoever was there. And why was she out here talking to someone she couldn’t see anyway? Had she lost her mind? “You know, this is a little much.”
I know I’m a superhero, but this is crazy.