Dark Carousel (Dark #30) - Christine Feehan Page 0,102
choose a house. Make a list of everything you need to make it a home. You love lists. Wander around. See the property. I’m going to try to visit Emeline later this evening. If you see us on her porch, come by casual-like and visit with her, too, okay?”
Genevieve nodded. “I will. I’m looking forward to seeing her.” She reached out a hand and pushed back Charlotte’s hair to study the mark on her neck. “You’re certain of what you’re doing, Charlie? He doesn’t have you under some spell, like in the movies? This is all unknown territory for us, and I have to confess, I’m really uneasy about it.”
“I’ve always had some kind of shield, Vi, you know that. I don’t react to mind control. That was what saved us both in Paris when Fridrick tried to make us open the door and allow him in. I want to be with Tariq of my own free will,” she assured.
Genevieve nodded. “I like him. I do. It’s just that, these men are very scary. They look so gorgeous that any woman might just fall hard, but underneath that beauty, seriously, Charlie, they’re very dangerous, scary men. I’m not like you. I’ve always wanted to be, but I’m not the warrior woman.” She lowered her eyes, twisting her fingers together in her lap. “I don’t belong here.”
Charlotte leaned into her. “Yes, you do. You’re strong, Vi. Not everyone has to be a fighter. You fight when you have to. You would defend any of these children, you know you would. You would defend me, and Tariq as well. You just aren’t the best at defending yourself and that’s okay. We were working on that, remember?”
“It’s weird, but I have this strong desire to go back to Paris, as if I’ve forgotten something there. Something important.”
“Don’t you dare. I need you here with me. I’m so out of my depth.” Charlotte watched her niece and Bella play with the ducks. They splashed water and laughed together and her heart stuttered in her chest. She wanted that for Lourdes, for all the children. She wanted it for herself and Genevieve. Their lives had been turned upside down, and Tariq was trying to right them. Give them something to hold on to. A family of sorts. She planned to hang on with both hands. “Don’t leave, Vi. Stay and help me with these children.”
Genevieve nodded. “I’d like to say I’m staying because I know you need me, which you do. Or because these children need me, which they do. But I know I’m terrified to go off on my own. I’m not nearly as nice as I should be.”
Charlotte shook her head, her smile breaking through. “You’re so silly. Of course you’re staying because the children and I need you. I’m terrified as well. We’d be idiots if we weren’t. So we’ll stick together like we’ve always done from the first time we wrote as pen pals in the third grade. Go look at the houses and choose one.”
Genevieve flashed a wan smile. “Nothing like house hunting on someone else’s property. He must have acres. Who knew?” She stood up, hugged Charlotte and went to the tub. “Auntie Vi is heading out to walk around and stretch her legs. You’ve had your dinner, and Auntie Charlie’s here to play with you. Be good.” She bent to brush a kiss on each wet head and then left the large bathroom, taking her coffee mug with her.
Charlotte watched the two girls play for some time, heating the water twice before she finally declared them both prunes and got them out to dry off and dress. She held both girls’ hands as she took them out to the play yard. For the first time in a long while she felt ordinary, a regular person going about her routine. Bella on one side, Lourdes on the other, both girls chattering and laughing. She felt happy.
The outdoor carousel was the center of the play yard, the horses and chariots a riot of color beneath the overhead roof. Each steed was jeweled and ornate, carved from wood. Charlotte recognized the work as being the same as the older pieces in the house. It was beautiful, everything about it, including the platform. She knew it was a working carousel and she couldn’t wait to ride one of the horses and feel what was happening to Tariq when he was carving it.
Floodlights lit the yard, casting shadows around the swings and slides.