Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,6

do believe when you have instant chemistry, it means something.”

Stella had those same thoughts, and she wanted to see if there was something there. “And you’re okay with it? It won’t be weird for you?”

“He’s not my Ezekiel. If he were, then yes, that would be weird for me. But it’s been thirty years, and it was only two dates. I want you to be happy, and I think Zeke could do that for you.”

Stella thought he could too.

Zeke thanked the agent and went outside to retrieve his rental. After navigating out of the airport, he headed north. He planned to stay with his brother, but if things went sideways with Cyrus, Zeke would need a room for the duration. He wasn’t leaving Montana until Cyrus had the truth and had all his questions answered. And there would be so many questions. Zeke could write a how-to manual at this point. He kept in touch with all his siblings he’d met over the years, even if through a quick email or text. Some had new lives and families and weren’t interested in anything more than an informal relationship. Others, like Lilly and Dane, became part of his life. Maybe that had more to do with Tessa having been their watcher. His niece was a force of nature, and anyone who met her loved her. Maybe Zeke should have sent her to talk to Cyrus.

New Evaro was a quick four-mile drive from New Missoula. It took longer to get out of the airport than it did to travel to Cyrus’s place. Zeke had made this particular trip several times but had never approached his brother. Now he wished he had. The sun had set while Zeke was in the air, and the two-lane road leading to Cyrus’s property was desolate. Zeke pulled into the long driveway, thankful there wasn’t a gate.

The house was dark when Zeke arrived. Cyrus’s truck wasn’t in the driveway, so he turned around and drove past Cyrus’s parents’ ranch. He stopped on the road and peered toward their home where he found Cyrus’s truck. Zeke couldn’t confront Cyrus there, and since he had no idea how long his brother would be, he made his way back to the hotel. He had really hoped to get the conversation started because the sooner Cyrus was aware he was Gargoyle, the sooner Zeke could return to California and get to know his mate. He had plenty of time to kill, so Zeke stopped off at a diner he had bypassed on his other trips to watch over Cyrus. It was late, so the place was empty except for a couple of older men sitting at the counter talking to the waitress across from them.

“Sit anywhere,” the woman said.

Zeke took one of the empty booths next to the window and picked up the laminated menu wedged between the condiments.

Maggie, according to her name tag, strolled over holding a coffee pot. She appeared to be in her late forties with blonde hair that didn’t come from a bottle. Her blue eyes were framed with a few lines, but other than that, her skin was smooth. She wore minimal makeup, and what lipstick she’d applied earlier had faded. Maggie picked up his empty mug and filled it without asking. “Haven’t seen you in here before. You visiting someone?”

“Yes, my cousin. Can I get a large water?” Zeke wasn’t about to tell Maggie he was Cyrus’s brother.

“Sure. Who’s your cousin? I know everyone in these parts.” She didn’t make a move to go after his water, and the two men were turned his way. Maybe stopping there had been a bad idea.

“Cyrus Gillespie.”

Maggie’s smile fell, and one of the men groaned. “Here we go,” he muttered.

“Cyrus doesn’t have any cousins.” Maggie’s friendly demeanor turned icy. Everything Zeke knew of his brother told him Cyrus was a good man. He took care of his parents who were both getting on in years.

“We’re distant cousins on his father’s side.”

“Look at the man, Maggie. Even I can see the resemblance from over here,” one of the men said.

“I’ll just get that water.” Maggie returned with his water, sans ice or a straw. “Are you going to order food or just take up space?”

“I’ll have the steak, medium rare, scrambled eggs with cheese, and an order of hash browns please.”

Maggie scribbled his order on her pad and took it to the window between the front of the diner and the kitchen. She returned to her spot across from