“Ronan?”
“I’ll be all right,” he said, but it was a lie. It felt like a thousand piranhas were eating away at his insides.
“Was it the pie?” she asked. “Are you allergic to apples or cinnamon or something?”
“Yes, something.” He closed his eyes. He hadn’t eaten solid food in five hundred years, though he had wondered, from time to time, what it would be like. Now he knew.
“You shouldn’t have eaten it then.”
“Your mother didn’t give me much choice,” he said glumly. “Besides, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
Shannah laughed softly. “That was mighty sweet of you.”
“Yeah, sweet,” he muttered, “that’s me.”
“Are you ready to go back inside?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, come on,” she said, offering him her hand, “we can sit in the swing until you feel better.
You’ll be more comfortable there.”
He grunted softly, certain that he would never feel better again.
The next evening, at dusk, Shannah and Ronan bade her parents good-bye.
With tears shining in her eyes, Verna begged Shannah to move back home. Her father, too, tried to persuade her that it was for the best.
“Maybe later,” Shannah said, “but Ronan needs me right now. Isn’t that right, Ronan?”
“Yes, of course.”
Shannah hugged her mother and her father. “I’ll call you soon,” she promised.
She was quiet on the way back to the Waldorf. She loved her parents and she knew she would miss them, but she couldn’t stay, didn’t want them to watch her get weaker and weaker, couldn’t abide the thought of seeing the sadness in their eyes, didn’t want them to feel guilty because they couldn’t kiss her hurt and make it better.
When they reached the hotel, they packed their bags, then took a cab to the airport, and now they were on board the plane. Shannah glanced out the window, knowing she would never see her parents again. Earlier in the day, she had gone to see Judy. It had been a bittersweet visit.
But her good-byes had all been said.
“So,” she said, turning away from the window to look at Ronan, “where were you this afternoon? Never mind, don’t answer that,” she said irritably. “I know what your answer will be. You went into the city on business, right?”
He looked at her, his expression mildly amused. It only served to annoy her more.
“Just what kind of business were you taking care of? It can’t be book business, since you don’t want anyone to know who you are.”
Ronan lifted one brow. “Feeling a little testy this evening, are we?”
“I’m just tired of being kept in the dark, that’s all.”
Kept in the dark. He had to laugh at that. If she only knew.
The plane hit some turbulence. Shannah’s hands grasped the arm rests, her knuckles white.
“Take it easy,” he said. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
She nodded, but she didn’t look convinced. And she didn’t relax her grip on the seat.
“Your folks wanted you to stay with them,” he said, hoping to distract her.
“I know, but nothing’s changed. They worry about me too much, you know? I can’t stand to see the hurt in their eyes, or the pity. Or the guilt. I know they feel like it’s their fault that I’m sick.”
“What do you want to do when we get home?”
“I don’t know. I guess I should go back to my place…”
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Well, I really don’t want to, but I can’t go on living with you.”
“Why not? You’ve been doing it for the last few months.”
“I know, but…well, you needed me to be there, you know, so you could coach me, and now…”
“I still need you there.”
She stared at him, her eyes wide. “You do?”
“I’ve lived alone most of my life. I don’t want to do it anymore.”
“But…”
“Get rid of your apartment and move in with me.”
It was so very tempting. And so very wrong. It had been one thing when it was business, but to move in with him now, just because he wanted her to…What would her parents say?
Nowadays, a woman moving in with a man was no big deal to most people, but her parents were old-fashioned in some respects. They still believed in honesty and fidelity and chastity before marriage. And they had instilled those values in their daughter.
“I’m not asking for anything more than your company,” Ronan said. “Anything beyond that will be up to you.” He took one of her hands in his. “Say yes, love.”
It was an offer she couldn’t refuse. “If I say yes, will you tell me where you go during the day?”
“I will, when you need to know.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Then my answer is yes, love…oh!” She shrieked as the plane shuddered.
She wasn’t the only one. Several other women screamed as the plane began to lose altitude.
A flight attendant appeared, her voice quivering as she assured them that everything was all right, and then instructed them to fasten their seat belts.
Shannah clutched Ronan’s arm. “We’re going to crash, aren’t we?”
“I don’t know. Shannah, look at me.”
“What?”
“Shannah, whatever happens, I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
“Yeah, right. I don’t want to die now, not like this!”
“Shannah, listen to me, you’ll be all right.” His gaze caught and held hers. “Whatever happens, you’ll be all right. Trust me, love, there’s nothing to fear. I won’t let anything hurt you. Do you understand?”
She stared at him, her eyes unfocused. “Nothing to fear,” she murmured.
“You will sleep now,” he said quietly, “and you’ll stay asleep until I tell you to awake.”
“Sleep.” Her eyelids fluttered down. The tension left her body and she slumped down in her seat.
Slipping his arm around her waist, Ronan lifted her onto his lap and held her tight while the plane plummeted toward the ground.
Chapter Sixteen
Ronan cradled Shannah to his chest, speaking softly to her mind while pandemonium erupted all around him. Cries of alarm and screams of panic were underscored by a tremulous voice murmuring the Lord’s Prayer.