Chapter 21

Once again they were driving towards the farmhouse, but Kara wasn't bouncing this time and she gave H'zim a worried look.

"Do you think it's bad news?"

"No, my love, I do not."

A week had passed since their last visit, and Temel had finally received a message that Tomlin would be returning today. Although they didn't know exactly when, they had decided they'd rather wait with the others.

There was no sign of a flyer as they approached the main house and she couldn't decide if she was happy or sad about that. She also wasn't sure why she had such a persistent sense of unease.

I'm just being foolish, she decided and snuggled a little closer to H'zim. He immediately put his arm around her. It was the arm he had injured but he didn't even flinch. He had healed as quickly as he'd promised although he reluctantly admitted that making love the same day he was shot might have been pushing it. But he'd assured her it was worth every ache the following day.

The main house was quieter than she expected. In addition to Ida and Temel only Kalpar and Constance were there, along with S'kal.

"Where's Evie?" she asked.

"I asked her to stay home. I don't want her to get upset."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Do you think there's a reason to get upset?"

"No, but she has a soft heart. She likes Constance and Tomlin - especially since he took care of her while I was in the city with H'zim."

She nodded, understanding but also relieved. They all went into the kitchen to wait, but tension filled the room.

"Enough of this," Ida said, jumping to her feet. "I need a distraction. Let's make some pies"

She set S'kal and H'zim to work preparing fruit. Kara helped her make pastry while Constance made little decorative shapes. To her surprise Kalpar took over at the stove, making the first filling.

"I didn't know you cooked," she said.

"I enjoy it. And sometimes it's the only way to have something made properly. Although Ida does quite well," he added begrudgingly but the other woman just shook her head and grinned at him.

The first batch of pies were in the oven when Temel came in. He'd been working in his office at the front of the house.

"He's back."

They all followed him back through the house and out onto the porch like a flock of sheep, watching as Tomlin climbed stiffly out of the flyer. He looked up at them and raised an eyebrow a fraction of an inch.

"I see I have a welcoming committee." It was his usual composed tone, and yet… it wasn't.

Evie and S'kal exchanged a look, then S'kal went to meet him.

"Would you rather meet with Temel alone?"

"No. I only want to do this once."

Tomlin followed S'kal up onto the porch and she suddenly realized he looked exhausted, no matter how much he tried to disguise it. She sat down on one of the small wicker couches that were scattered across the porch and tugged H'zim down next to her.

"Why don't we all have a seat?"

Fortunately they all followed her lead and after a tiny hesitation, Tomlin sat as well.

"Marshall is dead," he said quietly. "I am sorry, Lady Constance."

Constance nodded and gave him a shaky smile, and Kalpar put his arm around her.

"Thank you. I know you didn't have a choice."

Tomlin inclined his head, looking down at his hands.

"It is my understanding that the legal situation is complicated. It could be years before you receive your legacy."

Constance's mouth trembled.

"It doesn't matter. I have everything I want right here." She took Kalpar's hand and rose. "If you'll excuse us, I'd like to go home now."

"Of course," Ida said, jumping to her feet. "Come back through the kitchen and get one of these pies to take with you."

Constance nodded and took a step towards the door, then turned back.

"Did… did he say anything before…?"

"No, my lady."

She nodded again, and the three of them disappeared into the house.

"That is not exactly accurate," Tomlin said after the door closed behind them. "He did have things to say, but he didn't mention her."

"He talked?" Temel asked.

"Yes." A chill skated down her spine at the cold, implacable tone, and another flicker of expression crossed that usually impassive face. "He found out about the morchev here from Matthew Johnson."

"The man who originally owned this place?" S'kal asked.

"Yes. Apparently he gambled away most of the money he received for this place and returned to Cresca. His luck was no better here and he owed a lot of money to one of Marshall's gambling houses. He offered up a morchev ring as recompense and bragged about there being plenty more here. It was not enough to save him, but it was enough to catch Marshall's attention."

Temel frowned. "Do you think there is anyone else who is going to try again now that Marshall is dead?"

"No. He kept the project very secret. Only a few people knew and they were working on separate aspects. And even if they had the knowledge, few people have the same level of resources."

"So we're safe?" she asked eagerly.

"Yes. It's all over."

Then why didn't he seem satisfied? S'kal was frowning at his friend and she suspected he was wondering the same thing.

"There are a few… loose ends to tie up," Tomlin added. "I'm going to do that now."

S'kal's frown deepened.

"You're leaving again? Don't you want to rest first?"

"I can't." Another crack of emotion in that calm voice. "I have to leave immediately."

"But you'll be back, won't you?"

"I… I don't know."

Temel was the first to recover from the shock.

"You will be missed, but you will always have a place here," he said quietly, dropping a hand on Tomlin's shoulder before he went inside.

Tomlin gave a slight but perceptible shudder.

"What the fuck is going on?" S'kal demanded. "You can't just walk out on me - on us. You're going to be godfather to our child."

A faint smile crossed Tomlin's face.

"I do not want to miss that honor. I will return if I can."

"If? You sound like you're going to die." S'kal's impatience disappeared as he gave Tomlin a horrified look. "That isn't it, is it? You aren't dying?"

"N-no."

Tomlin was a little too slow to respond and S'kal looked even more upset.

"If that's what's happening, you should be here with your friends and your family."

"I am very grateful for both, but this is something I must do on my own." A tiny smile flickered across his face. "Or perhaps not entirely. But I promise I will return if I can."

Tomlin rose to his feet, his movements even stiffer this time, and dipped his head.

"Goodbye, my… friends."

S'kal extended his hand but Tomlin actually flinched away from it. As he did, his sleeve slid a small way up his arm and Kara caught a flash of blue.

"I am truly sorry, Lord S'kal, but I cannot," Tomlin said, then walked away.

"Godsdammit," S'kal swore as they watched the flyer take off once more. "Stubborn, impossible male."

"Who has brought us peace at last," H'zim said as he joined him at the railing. "I hope he can find the same."

His brother sighed.

"So do I. I suppose I'd better go and tell Evie. She isn't going to like it."

"Do you want us to come?" she offered, but he shook his head and grinned.

"Nah. I know how to calm her down."

She laughed and went over to H'zim as S'kal left.

"Do you really think we're at peace?"

"Yes, love. Now let's go home. I want to find the best way to calm you down."

His dark eyes glittered and she laughed.

"But I'm not upset."

"It's always best to be prepared, don't you think?"

She went up on her tiptoes and pulled his head down so she could kiss him.

"I certainly do."