Fisher (Prince of Tigers, #3) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,9

around to help others like them along. What a wonderful story. I’m not sure I believe it, but it is a wonderful story.

Fisher laughed. Why don’t you think it’s a truthful story? I mean, is it that I’m a black tiger, one of the first, or is it that I know the queen of faeries? She told him both. Fisher could already feel she was less tense than she’d been. I was coming there to rescue you. Be your knight in shining armor. But I guess you really don’t need me around now.

I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve laughed in a long time. Forever, it feels like. Perhaps if you came here, we could hang out while looking at the mountains. Or have you been around so long that they were just little hills back then? He laughed again, telling her he’d been around before there had even been a Gatlinburg. Sure, you have. And I’m as old as the first rock that was ever seen. I’m not usually this friendly with strangers. Why don’t you come down here? Nothing but friendship. I’m not in the mood to keep you at arm’s link while gandering at the most beautiful mountain range I’ve ever seen.

Fisher didn’t have to think twice about it. Getting into his car, he started the truck up and realized he was going to drive several hours to meet a woman he didn’t know in a place he wasn’t sure of. He paused for just a moment to think about what he was doing.

I don’t know what came over me, Fisher. I never do anything like this. You must think I’m a weirdo. I assure you I am, but also lonely. I’ve never spoken to anyone like I have you. I felt something I’ve never felt. Compassion. Understanding. Even a little humor mixed in for shits and giggles. But I have never invited a man to come and see me. Especially one that probably lives several hundred miles away. Fisher thought about his next move. Not to mention the words that he’d say to her. He realized then that he really wanted to meet her. Don’t do this. I’m sorry I even mentioned it.

I’m leaving now. I’ll be there really late. Is that all right? She asked him if he was sure. As sure as I’ve been about anything in a long time. We can meet at one of those all night breakfast places that serve pancakes with pecans on them.

I can’t afford anything like that. Fisher told her it would be his treat. Nor can I allow you to do that. I’ll probably regret this. For all I know, you could be a mass murderer. But you can come to my camper, and I’ll make us something to eat. If you still want to come.

I do, because I’ve enjoyed myself so much, just talking to you. She laughed again, and Fisher started his truck up. It takes about seven hours or so to get there, Piper. So, don’t be upset if I show up around midnight or sometime afterwards. All right?

That’ll be fine. I’m an early riser anyway. I have a few more jobs to do, and that’ll keep me from just lying around feeling sorry for myself. He told her not to do that. I should have spoken to you before. You might have kept me from sitting here for three days with nothing to occupy my mind but how lonely I feel right now. I should be working.

We’ll take it a little at a time, you and me. Perhaps we’ll be good for each other. He hoped so. Just in the few minutes he’d been talking to her, he did feel a great deal better. Tell me a little about yourself. It will make the time go by faster if we talk to each other.

I’m twenty-five years old and single.

They talked for hours. Even when he had to stop and get gas or something to eat, they spoke about everything. Keeping some of his thoughts to himself, like how easy it had been to connect with her, he also didn’t tell her that he had a great deal of magic.

~*~

Piper wasn’t sure she’d made a sound decision. Her heart raced each time she thought of having this stranger in her home. But after talking to him during his drive to her, Piper felt like she’d known him forever. The things they had in common, the books they’d both read and enjoyed. It