“A quest. How intriguing.” Over my mother’s shoulder, I saw Robin grinning like a loon.
“Robin is our spirit guide,” Mom said proudly. “So we’re off to Kilmartin tomorrow. There’s a harmonic energy circle outside of town that might finally prove the existence of the druidic triad.”
“Finally.” I smiled. Seriously, what else could I do?
“Fingers crossed,” she said with excitement. “Then we’ll go to Inverlochy to find the faerie hills. And there’s a yew tree in Fortingall that’s supposed to vibrate if your Vata dosha isn’t aligned. I thought your father could use a tune-up.”
I glanced at Dad. He shrugged, always happy to go along with Mom. Just like the rest of us.
“Lucky Dad,” I said.
“You bet,” he said.
“Is anyone else from Dharma joining you on the tour?” I asked them.
“Nope,” Robin said. “It was always just me and your folks. I told you I was bringing a whole tour group in order to throw you off the scent. Did it work? Are you really surprised?”
“I’m in utter shock,” I said.
“Good,” she said, grinning with satisfaction.
“And I wish I could go with you,” I said dolefully, wondering what Detective Inspector MacLeod would think if I up and ran off to the Highlands.
“Oh, we knew you’d be busy all week,” Mom said, patting my cheek. “We just hope we’ll get a chance to see our Pumpkin in action for a day or so! You don’t mind, do you?”
Pumpkin. That would be me. The nickname was the result of my unfortunate obsession with Thanksgiving dessert at an early age.
Honestly, just looking at Mom and Dad made me feel better. Let’s face it: So far, my time in Scotland hadn’t exactly been a vacation. So to see friendly faces? People who actually knew me and loved me and oh, yes, trusted me not to be a cold-blooded murderer? Priceless.
“Of course I don’t mind.” I gave her a fierce hug. “I’m thrilled you’re here.”
Dad tapped me on the shoulder. “How about some of that for your old man?”
I moved from Mom into Dad’s arms while Mom greeted Derek.
“Hello, Rebecca,” Derek said warmly.
Mom giggled as she gave him a big hug. Nobody in the world but Derek called my mother Rebecca, and it seemed to delight her. Mom and Derek had experienced a bonding moment last month when they’d found me in the clutches of a killer.
Dad held me at arm’s length, studied my face and asked, “How’s it going, kiddo?”
I smiled brightly. “Super.”
“Whoa, that doesn’t sound good,” Mom said immediately, her forehead wrinkling as her eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“What?” I frowned. “Nothing.”
She slapped her hand onto my forehead. “Do you have a fever?” She squinted at me. “Your third eye looks cloudy. Are you constipated?”
“Help,” I whimpered.
She tapped the top of my head. “How’s your crown chakra? Whistle for me, will you?”
I tried to whistle as Dad turned to Derek. “If there’s a disturbance in the force, Becky’ll find it.”
“Good to know,” Derek said.
“I’m fine, Mom.” I took hold of her hand, removed it from my head and squeezed it gently.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” she muttered, turning to rummage through her purse. “I’ll need my stick.”
Her stick? I broke away from her to give Robin a friendly hug.
“Jimmy, did I pack my healing rod?” Mom asked as she piled the contents of her bag on a nearby chair.
“It was on the list,” Dad said.
“Why the hell didn’t you warn me?” I whispered in Robin’s ear. God knows I loved my parents, but a person really did need some preparation time before one of their visits.
“And miss this touching scene?” she said. “Not on your life.”
“I’ll kill you later.”
“You can try,” she said. “Cute boots, by the way.”
“Thanks. Oh, God, my parents are insane,” I moaned softly against her shoulder.
She laughed and hugged me tighter. “I love them.” Robin had practically grown up at my house and had known my family forever. My mom was as close to her as her own mother. Probably closer. She was yin to my yang, madcap Lucy to my down-to-earth Ethel. Since we’d grown up together in the commune, our shared memories were unique, to say the least. There was a bond between us that transcended space and time. If I were in trouble anywhere in the world, Robin would know it.
She knew it now. “What’s going on?” she asked quietly.
“I’ll fill you in later.”
“Okay,” she said. “And I want to know where you got that jacket. It’s way très chic.”
“You think? Thanks.” I knew she would shriek when I told her I got it at Ross.
“ Brooklyn?” a timid voice piped up.
Oops. Helen. I’d forgotten all about her. I rushed over to the couch as she struggled to sit up. She still looked a little woozy.
“How are you feeling?” I asked.
“Just completely embarrassed,” she said lightly as she tried to fluff her hair. “I’ll get over it. Is this your family?”