Sandy laughed. “Yeah, wait until we give you the bill.”
“And I thought this was all for free.” Aspen grabbed a dishcloth and flicked it at her friend’s leg.
Sandy yelped as she jumped out of the way and held on to her sister’s shoulder. “Wait, Ginny needs to speak to your uncle about the prisoner.”
“Prisoner, what prisoner?” Leeman asked.
“Tell him, Ginny.” Sandy raced off safely behind the kitchen table, leaving her sister to face Leeman’s intimidating stare.
“The Chancellors said they have another Dream Walker locked away in the castle.” The words rushed out of Ginny’s mouth and she sat down on one of the chairs.
“That’s very interesting.” Leeman’s eyes glinted. “Are you sure that’s what they said?”
She nodded. “Positive.”
“In that case, I’ll have to contact the clans and see if anyone is missing. There’s been no talk of anyone being taken before. I’ll have a meeting with my warriors and see if we can launch an attack on the castle. We haven’t attacked them in years. It couldn’t hurt for them to see how strong we are now.” He stood suddenly, so large that his presence filled the kitchen. “Thanks. I’ll discuss this with my warriors and get back to you.”
The girls followed him to the door, and he bent to kiss Aspen on her forehead. “Take care, little one. I’ll see you later when your mom is awake.”
After waving good-bye, Sandy and Ginny returned to their work in the bedroom while Aspen stood and watched her uncle walk away. In the distance, she saw a figure on horseback. Ray whistled as his horse trotted toward her. He greeted Leeman as they passed and continued on to the house.
“Aspen!” he shouted. As soon as he reached her, he dismounted. A pair of blue jeans and a dark green shirt made him look very handsome, and his chest seemed even broader than she remembered. If only his good looks could make her heart speed up like it did when she saw Dylan.
Ray sprinted up the wooden stairs and grabbed her small hand in his, looking down at her with excitement on his face. “There you are sugar. I wanted to thank you personally, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
“Thank me for what?”
“You saved my sister’s life yesterday, and I’ll always be in your debt.”
“That was nothing. Don’t even think about it.” Aspen shrugged. “I’d have done it for anyone.”
Ray looked crestfallen at her words and she tried to correct herself as she twined her fingers through his. “I mean, thanks. I’d have done that for Ruby anytime.”
His eyes sparkled again. “You’re something else, sugar.” Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her against him. Her feet left the ground and his warm cheek pressed against her neck.
“Ruby says thank you, and I’ll owe you forever.”
With an effort, Aspen held on to him and put her arms around his neck to keep from falling. “You can’t pick me up like this, Ray,” she said with a chuckle.
“Who’s gonna stop me?” He grinned and rubbed her cheek with his nose, and she felt his mouth smiling against her neck.
A sudden movement to the left caught her attention and she peered over his shoulder.
Her eyes widened. Dylan stood a few yards away, watching them intently. She tried to wiggle out of Ray’s arms, but he held her tighter.
Dylan’s fists balled against his sides and he didn’t speak, but before Ray could release her, he turned and marched away in the opposite direction.
Aspen bit her lip as Ray lowered her slowly down his body and pressed a soft kiss next to her mouth.
“Tell Ruby I’m happy she’s okay,” she muttered, and left him standing there as she raced into the house.
Chapter 20
Trouble at School
Norma parked the Honda outside the school and twisted to face her daughter in the seat next to her.
“Did you ever think you’d see the day I’d be doing this?” She reached out and pinched Aspen’s cheek lightly between her thumb and forefinger.
With a smile, Aspen grabbed her backpack from the backseat. “I think it’s about time.”
“Look after yourself at school today, young lady. I made lunch for you, and packed a can of soda.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Don’t go near Miriam. Uncle Leeman got the divorce papers and a restraining order against Stephan so he won’t bother you. If he does, go straight to the office. Do you understand?”
Norma tucked Aspen’s dream catcher back under the neckline of her light blue summer dress, and combed her bangs away from her face with her fingers.
“Mommm.” Aspen dragged out the word.
“Have a good day, honey. I love you.”
“Love you too,” she said as she climbed out of the car.
“I’ll pick you up here after school.”