Her Guardians: Her Guardians Trilogy Book 1 (35 page)

“You know
, my wife and I have been trying for a baby. It’s been nearly a year, and nothing.”

“Oh
, really?” I was trying to be nonchalant. I still didn’t look at him, although I could tell he was watching me.

“Yes.
She actually gets really upset every time she thinks she is when she isn’t. I can’t tell you how many tests we have done over the months.”

“
That must be hard.” I was still trying not to smile, but the more Simon talked, the harder it was not to.

Glancing in Stephen’s direction
, I could see him eyeing me. When I caught his stare, he winked at me and I blushed. I couldn’t help it. I looked across at Simon and caught him looking back. I smiled and he shook his head.

“I can’
t believe I’m going to be a dad.” His posture was hopeful.

“I didn’t say anything, sir.”

“Back to the ‘sir’ again. There really was no need. I didn’t become a Chief Superintendent for nothing, Cassie.”

I knew that all too well.
“I know, but that’s between you and your wife, Simon.”

He smiled at that and it made
me grin right back at him. “Maybe I should buy a pregnancy test on the way home?”

He was actually asking me
?!

“That’s up to you.”

“You’re giving nothing away are you?”

“As I said, it’s between you and your wife.”

We ended the matter and, soon, we started talking about the location of this house.

“I thought we could go along Fosse Way and
just try our luck. I should imagine there aren’t many houses along where I have outlined for us to try. There is about twenty miles I want to cover.”

“Ok
ay.” I sighed, looking out the window. It was a bit cloudy today, but the sun was trying to make an appearance. I hoped it would. I wasn’t sure what we would find, if anything. I hoped we’d find
something,
for Simon’s sake. He’s been carrying this around for the last eighteen years. I can imagine it would drive anyone crazy, let alone when you’re a twin.

About an hour late
r, we were on Fosse Way and kept turning every time we saw a house. I would sometimes see them from a distance and instantly know it wasn’t the house we were after. That made the journey a little simpler and quicker.

About two hours into it
, we had to stop and get some more petrol and coffee. It was harder than I anticipated, but I kept on a smile for Simon.

When Simon left to use the bathroom, Steph
en came up closer to where I was sitting, immediately making the hairs stand at attention.

“Is his
wife really pregnant?” He smiled. He already knew the answer. I think he was just teasing.

“Of course
. I’m very happy for them both. They have been trying for a while.”

“I bet that’s be
en fun.” His voice was teasing, making the fires dance in my belly.

“Stephen!”
I admonished him, but giggled.

“You know
, you really are quite beautiful when you laugh.”

He looked
at me seriously and my smile abruptly vanished. All too soon, he was there; all too soon, I forgot about the world around me. It was just him and me and, right now, I felt that if he didn’t kiss me soon, I would burst.

“Ahem,” Simon croaked.

Jumping, I looked up at him, blushing. I thought we were going to be in trouble as, technically, we were at work and I was sure Simon’s activities for today didn’t involve two lovebirds.

I was getting ready for the
reprimand, but he just smiled, grabbed his coat, and said, “Are you ready to get going?”

Smiling
slightly, I grabbed my coat, too. We had a mission to accomplish and I had to be there for Simon. Stephen was way too much of a distraction.

We
all climbed into the car and headed on our way. I was kind of grateful I was sitting in the back seat and away from Stephen. It meant I could concentrate more on the task at hand. Stephen’s pull was way too strong, so the further apart we were, the better.

It was the same thing for
the next couple of hours. We covered more area than Simon originally planned, but we didn’t seem to get anywhere. Eventually, after something to eat and more driving, Simon finally decided to give up.

At
that moment, I felt really sorry for him. I started to wonder if he would think I was a fraud, but he never said anything. However, I could see the disappointment pouring out of him.

It was four o’clock and already getting dark.
That’s what I hated about the coming winters here. It got dark so quickly. I kind of felt like the ambience reflected our mood.

Stephen smiled
sweetly at me, showing I still had his support. I knew he was just trying to cheer me up, but I felt deflated. I just wanted Simon to know I was not just making up stories. It was hard enough telling him about me without having to prove my worth.

We had been
driving back in silence most of the way. I just kept looking out of the window, trying to focus on anything but the way I felt.

Suddenly,
a flicker of something caught my eye. Something we hadn’t spotted before. A light was shining in the distance. It was almost like a beacon calling to me. I just felt an overwhelming desire to follow it.

“Slow down!
” I shouted, trying to focus.

“What
is it, Twinkles?” Stephen looked out the window, then back at me.

“See that light over there?
” I pointed beyond the bushes in the distance. He looked at where I was directing him and nodded. “Simon, can you try and find a way in?”

“Certainly.”
He cleared his throat and eased off the accelerator.

We drove
a little bit more, eventually coming across a clearing we hadn’t passed on our way up. Simon turned in, driving up this little country road. We drove for another minute or so, the light becoming clearer and clearer. I was narrowing my eyes, trying to get a closer look at the house that was coming into view. It was brick and had an arch leading up to the door. It was definitely what I saw in my vision.

The Range Rover wasn’t there
, but that could mean the occupants were out. The lights were on in the house, so I just assumed there must have been someone home. What really caught my attention, though, was a sign on the arch. It read, “Baggins Cottage”.

“Cassie, this
looks a lot like what you saw.”

After seeing that sign
, I was certain. “It is, Simon. This is it.”

We ca
me to a halt about twenty metres away. All was quiet and it somehow amplified the sound of my heart, which was racing. You could tell there was a certain air in the car between the three of us. It was like an electric pulse throbbing from one to the next. I had never experienced anything like it.

Simon switched
off the engine and all was deathly quiet. He didn’t move or make a sound. He was studying the house and it was making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. We didn’t know what was going to happen next, but we could tell it was going to be monumental.

Suddenly breaki
ng the silence, Stephen spoke, “Stay in the car, Cassie.”

“But I want to come.”

“No
. Stay in the car. It might be dangerous. We don’t know who’s going to answer that door.”

“Stephen, I want to come.”

He was
about to argue when Simon spoke. “He’s right, Cassie. I think it may be best if you stay here. You can lock the door after we get out.”

I felt
the annoyance rise, but I didn’t say anymore. I sighed, pushing my body back into the seat. I was more than eager to get out of the car after hours and hours of driving.

Stephen and Simon go
t out and left me alone in the dark. I wasn’t going to sit here all day, though. I waited until they were at the door, knocking, before sneaking out of the passenger door.

Stephen spot
ted me and was about to come marching over when someone answered. His attention was back on whoever it was now, making sure the danger didn’t creep out and get me before he could act.

As I edge
d closer, I saw a woman over their shoulders. She was black, about five foot seven, with the most luscious silky black hair and the smoothest skin I had ever seen. You could certainly tell that this was Simon’s sister. They had the same caramel eyes.

Confusion was the best word to describe her face when she saw us.
Pretty soon, her gaze fell straight to Simon. At first, she just stared, but then I saw something—recognition perhaps?

Tears seem
ed to well in her eyes, then she spoke, “Simon?” she whispered, holding her hand over her mouth.

“Molly
?!” Simon shouted his joy as they jumped into each other’s arms. “Oh, my god. Molly. I thought I’d never find you.”

They pull
ed away and looked at each other, tears coming down their faces. “Look how big you’ve gotten.” Molly’s eyes were dancing, exploring his face.

As they were standing there
, a little voice appeared from nowhere, “Mum, who are these people?”

Peeking
over Stephen’s shoulder, I spot a little girl of about nine-years-old. She was the image of her mother, but with lighter skin.

The euphoria seemed to d
isappear quickly as Simon looked on in shock. The appearance of her daughter had a sudden opposite effect to Molly’s initial greeting.

She t
urned to the little girl. “Caroline, you get back inside now. These are just visitors. I will be there in a minute, okay?”

Caroline nodded
, but she didn’t look happy. She soon disappeared again and we were left with a very stoic Molly.

“I don’t understand.
” Simon finally seemed to find his senses. “Where have you been?”

“I
’ve been here. Don’t worry. I’ve been well taken care of and now I have a daughter to look after.”

“You named her after Mum,” he observed.

She smiled and briefly dipped her head to the floor with sadness. “Yes. I miss her.”

“Then why don’t you come home?
You’re not being kept against your will, are you?”

“No, of course not.”
Her look of shock was striking. “I’m fine. I’m happy. Going back would have put Justin in danger.”

“Justin who?”

“Please, leave it alone.” Molly was growing anxious by the second.

“I can’t leave it alone
. Are you out of your goddamned mind, Molly? Come with us. You’ll be safe.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.
I’m safe here, always have been. I love Justin and I’m not leaving him.”

“I don’t believe this.
” Simon’s stance was intimidating, and I knew it was making Molly panic.

Deciding to act fast
, I placed my hand on Simon’s shoulder. He spun around to look at me. “It’s okay, Simon. You need to calm down.”

His shocked look
became more focused as he turned back to his sister.

“I think you’d better leave.
Justin will be home soon and if he finds you here, things will get ugly. All you need to know is I am happy and healthy, and I just want to be left alone. It was wonderful seeing you again, Simon, but you have to go.
Please
.” She begged the last word as if her life depended on it.

I grip
ped onto Simon’s shoulder even more now. I knew he wanted to argue and I knew he was conflicted, but I also knew that, under the circumstances, he could make some very poor decisions. This obviously needed to be dealt with as delicately as possible.

“We
don’t want to frighten anybody.” I smiled at Molly. “We’re glad you’re okay, Molly. We will leave you alone now.”

Simon turned and glared
at me. I glared back, trying to tell him to keep a lid on it.

Molly closed the door and that was
our cue to make our way back to the car.

“What in th
e hell was that all about?” Simon’s tone was severe, making me wince a little.

Stephen took action immediately
, stepping in front of me. “Sir, you need to calm down.”

“How can I calm down after that?
! What in the hell was that?!”

Placing
my hand on Stephen’s arm, I smiled as he turned to look at me. He moved away and I walked up to Simon, whispering, “You need to think about this, Simon. Your head is, naturally, all over the place, but you have to think logically about this. Going off the deep end now is not going to solve anything, and it could end up with all of us in danger. We’re out here in the middle of nowhere with an abductor who could come home at any minute. I would suggest we find somewhere to hide and call the police.”