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They spent the summer keeping an eye out for Meshach to make some threat, but when fall arrived and the days grew shorter, Kris found she worried less.
She only worked a few days a week and spent the rest of her time with Roman. For the first time in her life, Kris found a perfect focus. They laughed at each other and their quiet moments were peaceful and tender. They set a date for their wedding. It would be on a full moon evening in May and Roman knew a man, a priest at a church up north, who agreed to conduct the ceremony. Omar and Cassie would stand up for them, a position not really necessary, but Kris wanted them included.
Roman did finally admit he trusted Cassie. He hadn’t for a long time, but said her aura seemed stable and Omar gave her high marks. Omar petitioned the Oracle to merge with Cassie, but no decision had been made. Marcus stayed quiet since Lorrie left. His contacts in the lake guard in Moses Lake watched her. If they gave him any information, he didn’t say. He did his lake work and acted pleasant.
Omar finally found a third for the Haller Lake guard to replace Roman. They’d recruited a man from a lake up north. His name was Cedric and at a mere one-hundred-twenty-nine years of age, they considered him a youngster. They would train him with Roman’s help.
Because they found a third, the portal between this side and Parcel, became closed to Roman. But though he couldn’t go to Parcel, he still possessed his abilities.
He acted overprotective of her and wouldn’t let her leave the house alone. Anytime she went on appointments, he insisted on driving and acting like a bodyguard. Clients and gallery owners who Kris knew for many years, thought it amusing. She’d introduce him as her fiancé and they’d grow even more curious.
Finally, in September, he let her go alone on occasions. The first few times, Roman sat on the deck and monitored his merge spot. He told Kris after her first solo trip, he could tell every-thing went well and felt he didn’t need to worry.
On a sunny fall weekend in October, they’d spent the morning working in the yard and at thirty minutes after ten o’clock, Kris stopped. She changed her clothes and planned a trip to the waterfront in Seattle where a street fair was happening. She wanted to see if any new artists were in the mill.
Roman continued to work in the yard, and when Kris came out of the house in jeans and sweater, she carried her bag and keys, and walked straight up to him. He put an arm around her waist and held the rake with the other.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
“Yep. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I thought I’d stop at the grocery store for dinner stuff. Feel like steak tonight?”
“We can fire up the grill. You do know I love the grill?”
“Yeah, I know, you love it more than me.” She kissed him and turned away.
“Hey babe?” he called. She turned back around. “Love those jeans, perfect fit.”
Kris started at the south end of the street fair and worked her way north. There were several painters who showed some promise, but nothing caught her eye right off. She crossed a street and came to a set which wasn’t her style and knew the artist tried for Goth, but missed the point.
She walked on and came to a lady in her thirties, mature and middle of the road. Kris introduced herself and handed over one of her cards. She asked the artist to call in the next few weeks. Kris made no promises, but said they should talk.
Looking through several other artists’ displays, she gave out a few more cards. An older gentleman in his seventies stood by his work and smiled as she looked. His works were done in oils, although some were watercolor. He painted old houses surrounded by dark forests. One looked like the witch’s house in Hansel and Gretel. She walked around the work and enjoyed his depth of field.
She moved over to where he sat. “Good afternoon, see anything of interest young lady?” He smiled.
“I have, sir. My name is Kris Bennett. I’d be interested in discussing a show with you. I know you’re busy today.” Kris whipped out a card. “If you’d give me a call next week, perhaps we could meet for coffee one day.”
He took the card and looked at it. “I’ll say. I’ve heard your name. Do you think my splashes would interest buyers?”
“I do, Mr...?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, my name is Melvin Sachville.” He put his hand out to shake.
His hand felt clammy and sticky which made her pull back a little. “Mr. Sachville, I like the depth in your work. It’s almost three-dimensional,” Kris said and moved over to one of the paintings.
“Thank you, Miss Bennett. That’s a compliment, coming from you. It took some time to figure out how to accomplish it.”
“You’ve mastered the technique very well.” Kris looked at her watch. “I do have to run. Please, give me a call and we’ll talk.” She smiled and started down the sidewalk toward the parking lot.
When she pulled into the driveway, Roman came out and helped her carry in the bags. As she unloaded the steaks, she noticed he looked at her with a frown.
“Roman, what’s wrong?” she asked.
He came to her, took her hand and looked at the merge spot. He ran his thumb over it.
“Roman, what is going on?” Kris started to feel worried.
“When you were at the fair today did something happen?” he asked.
“Like what?”
“Were you upset by something? Did you have any problems arise?”
Kris thought for a second. “Not that I can remember. I shook a lot of hands. There was one kid whose work looked dark.”
“How so?” He rubbed the spot with his thumb again.
“Roman.” She put her free hand under his chin, pushed his face up and looked in his amber eyes. “Babe. Speak. What’s going on?”
“While I monitored the merge spot there was a burp for a second when I lost the connection. It’s never happened before. The next second you were back.” He shook his head. “I’m not certain what to make of it. I’ll have Omar check into it with the Oracle.”
“As you can see,” she said and put her hand on his chest. “I’m home in one piece and all is right with the world.” He nodded, but continued to frown. “Roman, this is bothering you. If it was only a second couldn’t it be sun spots or something like that?”
He pulled her into his arms. “It could be something like that, but I’ll still have Omar check.” Pulling her up, he sat her behind on the counter. Kris opened her legs and felt him press against her. “How hungry are you?” he asked.
“I could marinade the steaks with the Cajun rub you seem to like.” She put her hands around his neck. Roman grinned and pulled her pelvis in tighter to his. “And that seems like a good idea since you’re doing your own rubbing.” His slid her sweater off and she heard him growl low. “Babe, I like this one, let me.” She reached behind and unhooked the bra.
Roman kissed, licked and nibbled her breasts. Kris thought they must be the two horniest people on the planet. .
He picked her up, and walked into the bedroom. “Roman, the steaks.”
“Later,” he said. He set her on the bed. “Pants off, babe.”
Kris followed his instructions and watched him take off his clothes. She wondered if they’d ever get tired of each other.
He leaned over her and kissed her chin. “We’ll do the steaks tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I can let them marinade over night.”
“With my favorite rub?” He licked her lips.