Jane came over to the table and gazed down at Toby. He was going to live. Sweet, loving, crazy Toby. “Thank God,” she said hoarsely. “Where is Margaret? Did you kick her out, too?”
“No, she took Monty out that back door as soon as she realized that Toby was going to make it. I sent my assistant back to his bed, too. The big push is over now. Margaret said that she’d be back as soon as she dropped Monty off at the main house.”
“I want to thank her.”
“You’ll get your chance. She wants to see you.” She looked at Toby. “She’s very upset about what happened to Toby.”
“So am I.” She moved toward the rear door Devon had indicated. “Where’s this main house?”
“About a mile down the road.” She smiled. “But there are security people there, too. Tell them to call me when they stop you.”
“I will.” She opened the door and went out into the courtyard that led to a dirt path. She had just started down the lanternlit path to the main house when she saw Margaret coming toward her. “I was going to see you.” She stopped in the center of the path. “I wanted to thank you.”
“You should have gotten him here sooner. He almost died, you know.” She stared her in the eye. “And what did you do to make someone want to hurt him?”
“I have no idea.” Jane was a little shocked by the sudden attack. Margaret had been so gentle and full of warmth since the moment she had appeared at the hospital. “I’m trying to find out who did it. I don’t know that either.”
“Then you have to find out,” Margaret said soberly. “It could happen again. Cowards usually prey on the helpless when they’re too scared to go after a person they want to hurt. Animals are often targeted.”
“I’m not exactly threatening,” Jane said dryly. “So that kills that theory.”
Margaret studied her. “Not obviously threatening. But I think you could be intimidating if you had cause. You were very protective of Toby.” She paused. “And the man you’re with could make someone afraid. Maybe it was because of him.”
“I agree that Seth Caleb is in a class by himself in that department. But he only came on the scene after Toby got sick.”
“Really? There could still be—” She shrugged. “He makes me … uneasy.”
“Why?”
She hesitated. “Maybe it’s the blood thing.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “What?”
“There’s something about blood whenever I look at him. I see it. I feel it. It’s strong.”
Jane felt stunned. She hadn’t expected that answer. She certainly hadn’t dreamed Margaret would be able to sense that strangeness about Caleb. Blood … Most people were aware of his strength and magnetism but made no connection to anything more bizarre. He managed to keep it hidden … unless he chose to unleash it. “Listen, you’re supposed to be some kind of dog whisperer or something. Are you saying that you can read people, too?”
“For Pete’s sake, no.” She made a face. “I have enough trouble without that to worry about. But sometimes I get impressions. It’s usually when a person is closer to—when their instincts are like—”
“A bit closer to the wild?” Jane supplied.
“Yeah, I guess,” she said. “Anyway, Caleb is radiating something that worries me. I think I’d better go and talk to him.”
“No,” Jane said sharply. The idea of Margaret’s confronting Caleb about anything personal was both amusing and chilling. “Stay away from him. This isn’t your business, Margaret.”
“Yes, it is.” She added simply, “Because after tonight, Toby is my friend, and no one hurts my friends.” She started down the path. “And I don’t like that blood. I’ve never felt that kind of—”
“He didn’t hurt Toby.”
“I’ll find out.” She smiled back over her shoulder. “Just as soon as I ask Caleb a few questions, then—”
“Wait.” She was so damn stubborn, Jane thought in exasperation. “I can tell you about the blood you’re sensing if that’s what’s worrying you. You don’t have to ask him. That’s not a good idea.”
Margaret stopped and turned to face her. “You think he’ll hurt me?”
“I didn’t say that. It might be awkward.”
“But you’re not sure Caleb won’t hurt me.” She was staring curiously at her. “You’re not entirely sure of anything about him, are you?”