“I appreciate that, Teddy Bear.”
“In turn, I want a promise from you.”
Mia opened her eyes and waited.
“I want you to promise to share the burden you have with me. I may be a mere mortal, but I’m a strong mortal. I have this fabulous brain that can often find a scientific or practical way around problems.”
“I promise, Ted.”
He set her down.
Mia resisted the urge to rub her arms where his hands had dug in, holding her up. She, instead, walked over and hugged him.
“Now, why don’t you go home and bring Brian back?”
“Should we chance it?”
“Is the black ring still there?”
Mia looked out the door. “No, it’s gone.”
“I’m sure that Orion and Glenda may want to be part of the house investigation. This should be a family affair. Why don’t you sit back and watch the others pick up the slack. We three Martins will back them up in here.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Mia said.
“Oh, and Murphy said you dropped this,” he said, handing her the oilskin-wrapped package.
“Did you open it?”
“No, I was waiting for you.”
“I think that I’ll let Audrey and Mark do that. I’ve had enough revelations today to last me a lifetime.”
Ted watched Mia leave the trailer. Murphy nodded to Ted before he trailed Mia, as they had discussed. The two of them had talked and come to the understanding that Mia would never be totally out of danger. One of them would at all times have her back. They may not be able to fly, but they had the ground covered.
Mia waited for Murphy at the street. She didn’t say anything but reached out her hand, and he held it a moment. “So, what did you find in the cellar?” she asked, releasing his hand and walking.
“Tins, lots of tins. And rusted iron.”
“Ouch, I bet that was uncomfortable.”
“Yes. I listened in on you and Ted.”
“I figured.”
“Roumain is still scary.”
“Oh yes. I think I may have eased some of his burden though. He called off his spy.”
“Good.”
Mark was at the end of his drive pulling weeds when Mia and Murphy came by. “Have you been to the house?” he asked.
“Yes, we had to take care of that nasty thing upstairs. When you have your chores done, head to the old house and help us out.”
“I will,” he said smiling.
Mia walked into the cottage to find the three males sitting with their heads down. Audrey was frying some bacon with an amused expression on her face. “Old McCarthy hangover cure,” she said, pointing to the large selection of greasy meats she had fried.
“Clever girl.” Mia put her bare hand on each man’s forehead. “You’ll live, but I’d avoid the ninety proof stuff without drinking a lot of water,” she said.
“Where did the three of you go so early this morning?” Cid asked.
“I removed the elemental from the house. Now, all we have to deal with is the ghosts,” she said, snagging a slice of crispy bacon. “Oh, this is good,” she said. “Mind if I get some to go for Ted?”
Audrey handed her a greasy box. “I already packed a care package.”
“I’d ask you to marry me, but I already have Ted and Cid,” Mia said.
Audrey laughed.
Mike raised his head. “Brian’s with his grand-pop fishing off the dock. His cheerful little chirps were too much for us,” he explained.
Mia smiled. She left the crew and walked out on the deck. She watched Orion and Brian. The two of them were leaning over the edge of the dock. Orion had a firm hand on Brian so he wouldn’t fall in. Mia moved quietly towards them and watched as Orion pointed out the fish who were swimming by.
“Strange way to fish,” she said quietly.
“We are studying them,” Orion said.
“Ah am, ish.”
“I can see them. Your daddy wants you to come and work with him in the command center. Do you think you can fit it into your busy schedule?”
“Da De,” Brian said.
Orion lifted up his grandson and smiled at Mia. “I take it that all went well?”
“Yes. I have a big question for you, but it can wait until we have time.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m glad,” Mia said. She took Brian from Orion. “I swear he gets bigger every day.”
“That’s the plan,” Orion said. “Your fan club in there, they are each nursing one hell of a hangover. Do you want me to help them out?”
“Maybe, but let Audrey think it’s her hangover cure,” Mia said.
Orion smiled indulgently. “If I were a younger man, I’d give that Matt a run for his money.”
Mia smiled at her grandfather. “You look about forty. Although, I know you have to be older than that.”
“Oh, Mia, you are a treat. I’m five hundred years old.”
“Wow.”
“Pblsst,” Brian remarked.
“Okay, five hundred and two years old.”
“So you were quite a dirty old man when you and Grandma Fred…”
“She didn’t complain, as I recall.”
“If you do make moves on my son’s godmother, be kind,” Mia advised. “She’s had a hard life, and she’s just coming out from under that cloud of mistrust.”
“I’ll be upfront and honest.”
“You do that. And Orion,” Mia added.
“Yes?”
“Don’t get your heartbroken. It sucks.”
“Mia, broken hearts mend,” Orion said from experience.
“How?”
“You surround them with new memories.”
Chapter Thirty
Mark and his grandparents arrived to find a well-oiled machine in place at the old house. Cid had constructed an awning for shade, and it was as far away from the air conditioner’s compressor in the PEEPs command vehicle as was possible. The computers needed a consistent flow of cool air. Mia and Ted had also outfitted a baby-safe zone between them inside.
Right now, the group was enjoying a nice breeze as they waited for Mark.
Cid raised a hand in welcome. “Ted would like to get Mark outfitted with an earcom. Just bang on the side of the trailer before you open the door,”
