ridiculous riddle that probably doesn’t mean a thing. We’re so used to intrigue and everyone having some kind of hidden agenda that we forget most of the real world is made up of nice people. She’s a librarian, for God’s sake.”
“She’s a librarian who carries guns.”
“Women believe in protecting themselves.” Lana sighed. “So, okay, I think, based on what I’ve observed of her, that she’s probably better than most women at it, and she’s had training, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a normal person, Absinthe, not some crazy assassin running loose. You’re most likely looking for trouble where there isn’t any.”
Was he doing that? He shook his head because even she sounded doubtful. “I want her, Lana. I know that she’s the one. I think about her so much I can barely go to sleep at night. She’s the first thing on my mind when I open my eyes. She makes me laugh. She’s so damn smart. I like her. I like just watching her, knowing she’s in the world. I like hearing the sound of her voice. No, this isn’t about mystery or solving it, although I have to know what she’s up to, but I’ll figure it out. I always do. I need this woman. There’s something with the way her brain tunes to mine and when she’s with me after a certain length of time …” He trailed off. There was no explaining what it was like to anyone, not even to Lana.
“All right then. We’ll just wait. I’ve brought food. We might as well eat it. They’re eating slow so it’s going to be a while.”
Absinthe eyed her warily. “Did you cook? Buy it? Or did Alena provide it for you?”
Lana glared at him. “Just for that I’m not sharing with you. I’m quite capable of putting a meal together. I can make a sandwich. I’ve been around Alena since we were babies. And Blythe is always in the kitchen cooking for her demon children.”
Absinthe smiled. “That means Alena sent you food. You planned on spying on me.”
“Well, naturally.” Lana didn’t bother to try to hide her intentions. “Your protection is placed above all else, even my own comfort, brother.”
He rolled his eyes when she flashed a little smirk at him and sauntered away, making certain to keep out of sight of that very large window that gave Scarlet the ability to see the parking garage and the front of the sweeping, overgrown garden.
He stayed low, fitting the powerful binoculars back to his eyes once more, and studied his little librarian. She seemed at ease, carrying the conversation as the waiter brought salads. Josefa pushed her greens around on her plate while Scarlet ate and talked animatedly, occasionally waving her fork around to emphasize a point she was making. He watched her very carefully just as he had for the last six weeks. He knew her every expression. She appeared relaxed, attentive to the woman across from her, but in reality, she was on alert, watchful, even more so than when she was at the library and always so careful to stay away from the windows.
Scarlet didn’t like exposure, but nevertheless, she was putting herself in the position. Once again, he swept the restaurant looking for clues, anything that might tell him what she was up to. He examined the parking garage and the street below. He tried to see what he could of everything that Scarlet might be able to see. By the time Lana had made her way back, he was more convinced than ever that the only reason Scarlet had chosen the restaurant was for the location, so that she could be noticed and remembered.
The moment Lana opened the picnic basket he knew Alena had been the one to not only do the cooking but also the packing. The aroma was so incredible his stomach growled. Lana laughed at him. Two plates and glasses were included along with real silverware and napkins. Alena always planned for everything. Absinthe was certain she could manage a seven-course meal in a picnic basket if you asked her for one. This one had one of Lana’s favorites, a pork roast stuffed with cheese and tomatoes, that Alena had created from a recipe she’d adapted from their childhood memories of home. There was homemade bread, all warm from her hot packs, and plenty of butter and honey to put on the bread. She had included roasted potatoes and beets, which happened to be a favorite of his.