She locked the door behind her, checked it twice to make sure it was secure, then took the elevator to the ground floor. She paused at the sound of music. Walking down a narrow hallway, she came to a large glass window. Peering inside, she saw a number of girls of various ages wearing leotards and tights. She grinned as she watched a little girl with long red pigtails execute a perfect pirouette. Kay felt like applauding for the child, who couldn’t have been more than three or four.
Kay stayed for several minutes, imagining a daughter of her own standing at the barre doing her first demi-plié. Did Gideon want children? Was it even possible for the two of them to conceive a child together?
She lingered, watching the dancers, until her stomach growled so loudly she was certain they could hear it over the music.
Outside, she took a deep breath. It was a beautiful day, cool and clear. The scent of food drew her down the street toward a café.
When she went inside, the myriad scents of food and drink, perspiration, cologne, and shampoo, were almost overpowering. Odd, she thought, wrinkling her nose against the onslaught. Of course, she’d always had a good sense of smell, but nothing as acute as this.
She moved along the food tables, filling two plates, one with roast beef, turkey, and ham, the other with mashed potatoes, corn, and a blueberry muffin. She added a carton of milk, a glass of orange juice, and a cup of coffee, then found a seat in the far corner of the room near a window.
She ate quickly, and went back for more ham, turkey, and roast beef. After adding a slice of chocolate cake and a piece of berry pie, she returned to her table. She told herself being this hungry was normal for this time of the month, but she didn’t believe it. True, she had always had a healthy appetite, especially before the full moon, but this was over the top. She was eating like her father… .
Kay frowned. Thinking of her father brought her mother to mind and she was suddenly ashamed that she hadn’t given any thought to her mother since being reunited with Gideon.
Pushing her plate aside, she went in search of a quiet place to make a phone call.
Gideon stirred, his senses telling him that the sun was not yet down, yet something had roused him.
Forcing his eyes open, he saw Kay pacing the floor beside the bed.
“What’s wrong?” He sat up, trying to concentrate. When his life was in jeopardy, he woke with all his senses alert; it was hard to remain awake when there was no threat to his continued existence.
“I called my mom this afternoon.”
Now he was awake.
“Her phone’s been disconnected. There’s no new number.”
“What are you thinking?” he asked, but he already knew the answer.
“I don’t want to say it out loud.” She shook her head. “I know it’s silly, but I’m afraid putting it into words will make it so… .”
“Come here.” When she climbed into bed beside him, Gideon slipped his arm around her waist. “You don’t really think your father would hurt her, do you?”
“You’ve never seen him in a rage. At times like that, he’s capable of anything.”
“Even murder?”
She nodded. “I’ve got to go home.”
“Are you out of your mind?” He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that, but, dammit, you just got away from there.”
“I know, but Gideon … when she screamed, it didn’t sound like she was pretending.” Kay scrubbed her hands up and down her arms. “I never should have agreed to let her get involved, but I was so anxious to get away from there, away from Victor.” She looked up at Gideon, her eyes tormented. “Back to you.”
He swore under his breath.
“I’m not blaming you!” Kay said quickly. “Don’t ever think that. I wanted out. But now …” She shook her head. Her mother had assured her that Russell was out of the house that night, but what if he had come home early? “I have to know that she’s all right.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“No.” She rested her head against Gideon’s shoulder, taking comfort in his nearness, in the easy strength that was so much a part of him. “I could call Greta. She’ll know what’s going on.”
“Will she tell you the truth?”
“I think so.”
“I don’t like it, but go make your call.”
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“It’s okay.” He slid down onto the bed again, his eyes closing as his head hit the pillow. “Let me know what she says.”
Kay felt a rush of tenderness for Gideon as sleep claimed him once again. After pressing a kiss to his brow, she left the bedroom and closed the door.