Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Lydia was doing great. She worked hard and didn’t slow down even if she accidentally stepped in the barback’s path. She hadn’t yet picked up the natural flow of traffic behind the bar, but she was getting there. Rory was proud of her.
Rory worked on autopilot, keeping one eye on Lydia just in case she needed help, which she did occasionally. She scanned the bar for trouble whenever she felt a possible shadow. She tried to stay alert for trouble, but being the only experienced bartender in a crowded bar made it difficult to do much besides keep her mind on what was happening around her.
There were two women seated at a table at the back of the bar, not in her section, who she had originally considered might be part of Gideon’s family. There was just something about them that seemed different, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Neither paid the least attention to her. They shared an animated conversation that flowed naturally between them.
Both were beautiful, but one of the women was absolutely gorgeous. That could be trouble if the crowd turned rowdy, or any of the groups of men drinking quite a bit turned ugly. She tried to keep an eye out for them, but after Rory was slammed with so many customers, she couldn’t watch over the two women sitting close to the front door. That was the bouncer’s job.
Halfway through the night, she began to get a nagging feeling in her gut that told her something was wrong. No matter how many times she scanned the bar, she couldn’t find the source of the lengthening shadow. It seemed distant.
The last thing she wanted to do was reach out to Gideon, especially since she’d already opened herself up to him. Each time they connected telepathically, the bond between them only strengthened. Her declaration to have him stay away from her hadn’t lasted very long. But what if he had ripped open that wound again, and he was bleeding internally? He had come close to death the last time.
Torn, she made several drinks, hoping the feeling would go away. It didn’t. She glanced at Lydia several times. She was laughing and talking with the customers, looking carefree, although Rory could see a little bit of strain on her face from trying to concentrate. The nagging feeling that something was wrong kept growing. Eventually, Rory felt she had no choice.
Reluctantly, she reached out to him. Gideon? She held her breath, waiting for him to answer. She should have tried to text Javier. She’d kept his phone number. Why hadn’t she done that first?
Red.
Just his name for her. The relief was tremendous. Are you feeling weak at all?
No, not really. I’m feeling fine. Why?
She tried to analyze his denial. Not really. What did that mean? Do me a favor and send for that doctor of yours. He’s always driving you nuts. I know it’s the middle of the night, but they have to earn their money somehow. Have him go to you right away and examine you. Make sure that wound didn’t open back up.
He was silent for a little while, but she felt him moving through her mind. She talked to several customers, answering them, giving them bright smiles, all the while focusing her attention on Gideon, willing him to do as she asked.
You’re certain the danger isn’t to you? It isn’t there in the bar?
Gideon. She hissed his name, allowing her impatience to show.
Red, the moment you asked me to call the doctor, I texted him. He’s on the way. I feel the foreshadowing you’re feeling. The intensity is growing. I’m certain the repair the doc did on me is holding. I’ll have him check, but I don’t think your warning system is going off because of me. Who else? Can you judge the distance?
If not Gideon, who would it be? She did a quick rundown of her friends. Lydia was working with her. Janice and Pam were at work. She sent them both a quick text, asking if everything was going okay. Cindy was watching Ellen, and she would have immediately gotten ahold of Lydia if anything had happened to the little girl. Sally had come to the bar to lend moral support to Lydia. That accounted for everyone she was close to. She waited a little anxiously until Pam and Janice checked in with her, affirming they were both fine.
She made drinks and talked to customers as she assessed the shadow spreading through her. It wasn’t going away. Distance. She texted Cindy just to be on the safe side. Making sure.
Doc’s here. He’s checking me internally. Says repairs are holding and mending better than last time.
Not Gideon, then. Who? What? Was someone in danger? Could it be Harvey? She wasn’t close to Harvey, but she knew him. She couldn’t very well text him. She’d broken off contact with him and didn’t want to start up with the police breathing down her neck. Still . . .