Sacred Circle (35 page)

“I said interesting. Not stuffy.”

“Lloyd's not stuffy … he's … ” She gave a smart ass little grin. “ … intellectually stimulating.”

“Forget the intellectual stimulation.” Bibi responded. “You need a red-blooded male with active sperm to stimulate you physically.”

“Bibi!”

“Don't sound so shocked! I know you didn't find Sarah in a cabbage patch. You've had your share of blissful nights beneath a man.”

Janice felt a warm rush steal across her cheeks and knew she was blushing.

“What's got into you today, Bibi? Have you been reading those naughty romantic novels again for pointers?”

“Nope. I got Roddy. He's all the outside stimulation I need. You want to get rid of your headache, Jan? Make love. Does the trick every time.”

Janice gave a hearty laugh, amused by her sister's foolish banter.

“Sex with a stranger is dangerous these days.”

“Damn! You're right. Guess your only hope
is
aspirin.” They broke into shared laughter again until Bibi prodded. “Go on. Who else will be at the seminar?”

“Jasper and Muriel Grisomb. She did the television series
Dream Robbers
a few seasons back. Her husband is a Lutheran minister.”

“Ummm … go on.”

“Adrian Magus … ”

“Aaahhh!” Bibi's squeal was ear-splitting as she bolted upright on the bench. “You can't mean that gorgeous hunk Roddy and I saw perform in Las Vegas last year?”

“Yep.” Janice dropped alongside her, gesturing for her to scoot over. “Was he as good as you said he was … as the papers say he is?”

Bibi shifted on the bench, and Janice saw her expression grow wistful.

“Are you kidding? He was incredible. And lord, what a bod!”

Janice took a swipe at Bibi who ducked.

“Will you stop already! If anyone's hormones need adjusting, it's yours!”

Laughing, Bibi hoisted herself up from the bench and struck a dramatic pose. Grinding her hips, she ran her fingers suggestively over her body.

“Well, if you don't
ska-rew
that gorgeous hunk, danger or no danger … ” Janice snickered loudly. Bibi would never change. She would always be outrageously outrageous. At her snicker, Bibi dropped her pose. “Don't think he won't ask. That red hair of yours is like a magnetic flame. One look and they burn!”

“Burn out, you mean.”

Disgusted, Bibi took a swat at her arm.

“Don't joke. I mean it. You need a man, Jan. Sarah needs a father.”

“She has a father.”

“Balderdash! I mean a father, not an asshole.”

“Bibi!” Janice's voice turned brittle.

“All right, alright! I won't harp on Jimmy.”

“Thank you.”

“Peter's ready, Aunt Bibi.”

The shrill voice held a rasp of excitement, and both women turned simultaneously. An astonished shriek rent the air as Bibi bolted to her feet. Janice's hand flew to her mouth, attempting to stem a ripple of laughter as she spotted her near-naked nephew poised in the doorway, clinging to Sarah's hand.

“Sarah Anne Kelly!” Her sister flew across the space, and with a swift tug, scooped Peter up from the carpet and rubbed his goose-caked arms. “Stop laughing, Jan. It's not funny. You know how delicate Peter is.”

Janice made an effort to contain her laughter by sitting upright. She knew Bibi was right. Peter's health was fragile. However, one look at Sarah's impish face, and she found herself dissolving into laughter again. Sarah joined in, all girlish giggle. Swiftly, she sailed in through the doorway and pounced onto the bench into Janice's arms. Together, they studied Bibi, who Janice saw was alternating between keeping a straight face and trying to look outraged. Finally, she tore into the dimpling pair.

“You are naughty, Sarah Anne Kelly. Just like your mother.” She caught Janice's eye. “And I hope you get snowed in at Carrington House with no one to make love to!” Janice's laughter pealed again, and she began tickling the flesh wrapped in her arms. “Jan?” She looked up quickly. “Seriously, Jan, have you remembered to pack everything? Anna's compass?”

Janice tilted Sarah and reached into her slack pocket. Withdrawing the small object, she held it up for Bibi's inspection.

“Never leave home without it.”

Bibi nodded, clucked to the bundle in her arms once, and disappeared into the hall landing. Watching her go, Janice felt a tremendous surge of pride well within her. Bibi was right. She had been blessed. Only Bibi didn't realize that she, Roddy, and Peter were the blessing. Feeling grasping fingers on hers, Janice released the compass into Sarah's tiny palm.

“What's this for, Mama?”

She peered down at the small face intently studying the arrow wheel pointing to a big red “N.”

“It helps people who go away to come back safe and sound.”

Sarah mulled that thought over for a few seconds, and then to Janice's surprise, she bent her tousled head and kissed the plastic face. Janice reached out and brushed through a stray curl, touched by the gesture. Sarah had such an innocent abandon about her. She envied her that innocence. Cradling her closer, she placed her cheek atop Sarah's head.

“I'll be back in four days, sweetie. And then we'll go to Hollow Lake.”

“And you'll teach me to skate, Mama, right?”

“That's right.”

“When I grow up I'm gonna be the bestest skater in the ekopades.”

“Escapades.”

“Ess-ca-pades,” Sarah mimicked, snuggling closer. A moment later, Janice heard a warm sigh and craned her head to view Sarah's face. She was dozing already, eyes closed, her lips tilted at the corners. Janice began to rock her gently. Four days and she'd be back. Four days and she'd teach Sarah to skate. She gave a long, exhausted sigh and began to hum one of Sarah's favorite ditties lightly. Four days. Not so long.

She felt a ripple along her left temple and lifted her gaze to the painting. Was there another change of colors? No, not this time. The breeches and topcoat were still surrounded by a yellow flecked background. She looked away hastily. She was tired and distracted and had repainted the background without thinking. That was all there was to it. Nothing mysterious, nothing abnormal. Still … her gaze swept back to the easel and she chewed on her lower lip thoughtfully. If there was nothing mysterious going on, why hadn't her gift of premonition set off in its usual way? Why all of a sudden had her gift chosen to be secretive, leaving her to feel as if she were the proverbial Alice about to tumble headfirst into the looking glass? She didn't know, and not knowing could mean only one thing. She wasn't going to like what was coming one little bit.

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