Beyond The Threshold

BEYOND THE THRESHOLD Angelica Hart

© copyright February 2004, Cynthia DiSciullo Cover art by Eliza Black, © copyright February 2004 New Concepts Publishing 5202 Humphreys Rd. Lake Park,GA31636 www.newconceptspublishing.com

CHAPTER ONE Hannah’s gray eyes widened as an icy chill took hold, yet she remained still, unshaken in her rigid stance. Behind her, through the office window, theAtlantic tumbled with riotous swells. "I won’t go with you." "You have no choice," Gnaegi announced, his tone as unflinching as her stance. "We can use your portal or you must return to the Threshold." "The portal has been destroyed," she said, avoiding his gaze. "Rebecca wouldn’t have done that, and you couldn’t have." "Well, she did, long ago." He stepped closer. "Then we leave for the Threshold. Come." Towering over her, the burly man, dressed in a worn, black suit and a flat hat with a fourinch brim forced rancid breaths into her upturned face. He wrapped an enormous hand around hers. "Do not make me use force." She yanked her hand free. "You disgrace the ways of old if you do." "You do not belong here. It upsets the balance." "It was you who sent me away. If not for Becca, I would have been lost and alone." "She was not your blood aunt. She was an evil woman who lured you from your world. You were to accept your fate, not follow her, not become like her." She placed the desk between them, wanting distance from both him and the memories he stirred. "She was not evil! And, I did nothing wrong. You know I did nothing wrong, and still you allowed him to shame me, to have me shunned." A small sob caught in her throat, and she forced it down. "You didn’t even try to stop him. I will not go back. You could not make Becca, return and you cannot make me return either." His gaze narrowed as disgust washed over him. "How can you stand the stench and debauchery of this place?" In truth, she couldn’t stand being a proprietor of a nightclub, but she adored living in a seaside resort and knew she could build a life here once she sold the club. Only, she couldn’t sell the club she inherited from Rebecca Byler unless she married. It was a condition of the will If only she had locked the door upon entering her office, Gnaegi would not have been able to follow her inside. Hannah, though, wasn’t used to locking doors anymore than

Becca had been. Then again, Gnaegi would have managed somehow. He had his ways and only those of the hierarchy were privy to those ways, the hierarchy and those who ended up shunned because of what they knew. Becca had been one of them. Only, she took that knowledge and used it to her advantage. Hannah wished the woman had shared those truths with her, but like the sale of the nightclub, Hannah would only know those truths upon marriage, whereby she would receive a letter that explained all, even the exact location of the Threshold. Hannah didn’t know why Becca had made marriage a condition of so much. Perhaps, she did because she had never married and didn’t want Hannah also to have a solitary lifestyle. Hannah considered it a foolish condition. However, she could have accepted that if Becca had chosen any other profession. Considering their backgrounds, it made no sense and Hannah simply couldn’t get used to it. Each day was a test in endurance, every evening a struggle to find her true self come morning. This wasn’t who she was. This wasn’t Hannah, born to Caleb and Rachel on a farm in an archaic land. This wasn’t the woman who would have been happy living forever in that world, the woman who was now shunned and lost and alone. Yet, this was all she had until she could sell. If only Becca hadn’t put that ridiculous condition on the will. She had a lawyer trying to contest the codicil, but thus far the only outcome had been a monthly retainer fee. She just wanted to give up, especially times like now when she faced Gnaegi on the very night her bouncer was out with the flu. At least, he would have kept the man at arm’s length. "Leave," she said. "This discussion is over." "You know who I am and why I have come. I cannot allow you to disrupt the balance so that you can live a comfortable, self-indulged life." "I don’t care about the balance. I’m certain one person out of sync won’t make all that much of a difference. Besides, I refuse to live where all those I love cannot even speak to me. At least here, I have a chance at happiness." She plucked up a handset with more authority and audacity then she felt. "Now, leave before I call the law. You can explain to them about the balance and where you come from and how I need to go back." His gaze narrowed. His hands clenched into tight fists. For a moment, she feared he’ d hit her. It wasn’t the way of his world. Torture had been refined to a non-physical art and reserved for those of criminal status. Hannah might be shunned, but she was not considered a criminal. Still, what did she know of Gnaegi, except that he resided on the counsel of elders, that he had betrayed her just as Seth had. Seth, her childhood betrothed, and the man she had grown to foolishly trust and adore. Instead, he took a step back. "I am staying at a hovel called the Seascape." Having passed it every day on her way to the club, she knew it well: a dark, dismal hole that attracted its share of cheating spouses, drug dealers and prostitutes.

The shock on her face must have shown, for shame cloaked him like a vestment. "It is best for me not to draw attention, and in the mire of darkness one can remain obscure." "All you’d have to do is change garments and you wouldn’t be that out of place. Besides, the guardians dress the same as you, and they are stared at but not bothered." "I prefer not to take chances, just as you should not and return to your home." "This is my home!" "You dare to raise your voice to your elder of the old order?" "You are not my elder any longer, Master Gnaegi. Leave me be, yet." "As I started to say, I am at the Seascape. I’ll give you some time to think upon this." "I do not need time. I am not going anywhere." His unexpected grin iced her blood. "You will restore the balance, Hannah Holt, even if means carrying your half-dead body across the Threshold." With that he fled the office, slamming the door behind him. Hannah slid to the floor, leaned against the desk and drew her knees to her chest, forcing herself not to cry. From experience she knew tears wouldn’t solve a thing. She needed to discover how Becca had gotten Gnaegi to leave her be. What could she have possibly said or done that would have worked? Hannah’s head began to throb, an insistent pounding that would probably haunt the entire evening. Inky, another inheritance from Becca, jumped onto her knees, staring directly into her eyes. The gray feline with its contrasting pink nose, inner ears and white smudges on its cheeks and four paws, tilted its head one way, then the other as if asking what was wrong. "Oh, now, you come to my rescue? Where were you when that brute arrived?" Inky meowed, and then scampered off to the far end of the office, chasing a shadow. Hannah laughed, a genuine laugh that jettisoned the tension and reminded her that life went on, one moment at a time. She would not think of Gnaegi now. He’d probably give her a few days and by then she would find a way around this. She didn’t have a choice. Rising, she crossed to her desk and tackled the books. It was the only part of her job that didn’t reek of something dark and nasty, that and dealing with her employees. Most were good people, and she intended to make certain they all had a job with the new owners.

That is if the lawyer ever found a loophole. For marriage wasn’t even a consideration. She was flawed and no man could possibly want someone so flawed. At least not someone interested in marriage. An hour later, she rubbed a throbbing temple, as numbers seemed to hop and skip across the ledger. She still did things the old way, but she was beginning to think a computer would be a good investment. After all, she would need one for her new venture, a gift shop. She had to keep thinking that would happen. She had to stay focused. For without hope, she’d go totally mad. Checking the clock, she smiled, only another half-hour and she would be through the evening. Relief slid through her like easing into a warm bath. That relief, however, was short-lived as the sound of crashing glass reached her. **** "You’re still here?" A weak, yet audible voice emerged from the hospital bed, breaking the stillness around them; the type of stillness that only hospitals can generate with gentle beeps in the background and soft-soled footsteps in the hall. Faint illumination creeped through the doorway as hushed voices and creaking carts whooshed by like the continuum of the tide. Adam McGreggor smiled into the weathered, kindly face of his grandmother. Blue eyes crinkled but still held a brilliant glow under a curly mop of snowy, almost angelic-like hair. The creases and lines couldn’t hide the beauty she once was, nor the loveliness, obtained by those who age with true grace. "Where else would I be, Gran?" "But it’s so late, isn’t it?" "Not for party animals like us," he quipped, trying to elicit a responding grin. He wasn’t used to seeing Gran without a dimpled smile. No matter the circumstances, it had always been there. She called it her inner joy, joy that came from good living, believing in God, practicing the golden rule. And, up to just a week ago, despite the leukemia, Gran had kept smiling. Now, she didn’t seem to have enough strength to lift her lips fully. Yet, they twitched upwards a wee bit and Adam saw the peace in her gaze, the readiness to go home, as she called it. Adam wasn’t ready, though. Gran was all he had, all he ever had when it came to family. When he was barely four, his parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles died in a gas explosion on Christmas day. Gran and Adam were outside building a snowman. The other kids thought it too cold and had ventured back inside after only a few minutes. Not Gran, not Adam, they were the dynamic duo, ready for anything, anything except losing everyone they loved in a single moment. Even then, though, Gran kept a soft smile, a trembling one, a tearful one, but she said, God was good for He had left her Adam and left Adam her. Only now he would be alone.

"Break out the party favors," Gran managed. "I’m ready to boogey." Adam swallowed back tears. He never knew a braver or more loving woman. If only… He chased the emerging thought away. Gran, though, seemed to have caught it. "Have you started dating, yet?" "Of course, dating my favorite gal, you." "Don’t get smart. I’m not so sick that I can’t smack you upside the head, you know." "There’s no one out there, Gran." "You haven’t even looked, have you?" "I don’t want to look. After what…" He halted, shook his head. Tears welled up in her crinkled, blue eyes. "I don’t want to leave you alone, Adam. I ’m hanging on because of you, but I’m ready to go home. I can almost see the other side. Please, don’t let me die knowing you’ll be alone. It would have been different if…" She left the thought go and both knew why. Or at least Adam thought he knew. His own eyes blurred. He could barely see her for the watery wash. "Hey, you’re not going anywhere. We’re the duo none can beat. So, you keep hanging on. They’ll find a bone-marrow donor, Gran. Wait and see." She stared at him as if she knew better. "How about that Kitty? The one you work with. She’s nuts about you.""Gran, I can’t marry someone just because they’re nuts about me. There has to befeelings on both sides." Truth was, at this point he’d do anything to make Granhappy. Even pursue a relationship that would go nowhere. Only, Kitty got tired of waiting for Adam to notice her and was engaged to someone else. He didn’t botherto tell Gran that. It might extinguish that dim flicker of hope brightening her gaze."She’s really cute," Gran encouraged."Okay, okay, matchmaker, I’ll date.""And bring her by?""Sure, sure…" he said, wondering if he could bribe Kitty to show up and pretend they’re dating. "Now, get some sleep." "How can I, with you sitting there, breathing on me?" she said with mock irritation. "Go on home. Can’t a woman have just a bit of privacy?" Standing, Adam leaned over the frail frame and kissed her forehead. Her flesh felt chilled and dry. He squeezed her fingers gently, careful to avoid any IV lines. "See

you tomorrow, kid. We have a lunch date, as usual." "Go on with you," she returned, then closed her eyes as if that would hurry him along. He stared at her an instant more, memorizing her features, storing them so he’d never forget the gift of having her in his life. He suddenly felt orphaned. He never had, not even when he lost his parents, because he had Gran. He spun on his heels and rushed through the hospital until the brisk sea air greeted him like a slapping hand. Anger welled up within him. Anger at fate. Anger at God. Anger at the world. And there was no place to dispel the anger. He had to swallow it, just as he swallowed every unjust thing that had ever happened to him. His earlier rush out of the hospital ended with slow steps toward his SUV, turning on the cell phone just before reaching it, then jumping when it rang. "McGreggor." "It’s me, Nora.""Everything okay?" The words sounded inane. Of course, things weren’t all right.The woman wouldn’t be calling him at this time of the night if things were fine. He heard the sobs in her tone. "He didn’t come home again. I’m worried."Adam’s sighed. "I’ll find him."Something barely discernable spilled over the line, but Adam was already hanging up. Oh, he’d find his buddy and when he did, Matt better pray Adam remembered how to control his temper. For Adam had the irresistible urge to punch someone’s lights out. **** Hannah dashed to the door, swung it open and nearly ran into Gus, the elderly bartender. "Looks like we gots ourselves a problem." "Since when do we not have a problem?" He grinned. "Now, now, boss, we have fun, too." She couldn’t help returning his smile. Spindle thin with kind dark eyes set in a sweet, burnt umber complexion, he was the grandfather she had lost in the shunning. She couldn’t love him more. "Ach, chust when we go fishing at daybreak now once." His laughter ricocheted off the walls. "Your roots are showin’, sweetie. Now, outten the light. The electric bill is high enough." "Don’t make fun, English."

His tone grew sober. "Never." Hannah sighed and gave a silent prayer of thanks for having this dear soul in her life. "What’s the problem?" she finally asked, once they were in the club. "There," he said, pointing to the man at a table to the right of the stage. "He’s demandin’ another double, and not only has he had more than enough, but Lordy, it’ s time to close up and go home. Not to mention, Cassi seems interested, and I done knows how you don’t like her fraternizin’ with the customers." Tall and slinky, with bold, blue eyes and a cynical cast to mannequin perfect features, the club’s smoky-voiced singer collected men like others collected stamps. But that wasn’t the worst of it, she was totally indiscriminate as to whether they were married or not. Hannah would have fired her, but knew she did less damage while in Hannah’s employ than if left to her own devices. Living off a trust fund and almost as distanced from family as Hannah, they had something in common. Hannah couldn ’t send her away. She knew Cassi’s pain and why she lashed out in the worst possible way. Firing her would be like tossing out an abused animal that needed time and caring to heal. The pounding in Hannah’s head increased its tempo. "This isn’t the first time he’s been here like this." Gus nodded. "Looks like the gent has his troubles for sure." "And this isn’t the way to cope with them," she muttered as she moved away from Gus. Fan-back wicker chairs, large ceiling fans and lush tropical plants set against the backdrop of the tumbling Atlantic made the Seacove a refreshing contrast to the brash glitter of Atlantic City’s casinos just fifteen miles away. The bar and grill catered to those seeking a quiet evening rather than excitement. Just a few feet away, she watched as Cassi leaned over and kissed the man directly on the mouth. He pushed her away, looking confused and anxious. As she got closer, Hannah noticed his wide, gold wedding band. Disapproval made her tone unusually harsh. "Cassi, leave him be and go home." With a flippant toss of shoulder length, flaxen hair, she unraveled her lithe framefrom the wicker chair like a scorned femme fatale. "Your timing stinks.""As does your behavior. Can’t you see, he’s hurting and he’s married?""I can ease all sorts of hurt, and it didn’t bother my ex-husband that he was married when he cheated on me.""Two wrongs don’t make a right, yet.""Hey, I’m not the one who comes here every night drowning himself in a bottle. He’

s looking for something." "And you’re not it." "Whatever," she snapped, moving away on stiletto heels. Without giving Cassi a second glance, she turned her attention to the man. Compassion welled up within her. There was something so lost and fragile about him. She knew all about being lost. Taking the seat Cassi had vacated, she leaned toward him. "Hey, why don’t I call you a taxi?" Bloodshot eyes peered at Hannah through wire-rimmed glasses. "Naw, just call thewaitress. I want a… a… another drink.""She’s gone. We’re closing."He squinted at his watch. "It’s early.""No, sir, it’s very late. I’m certain your wife is worried."His bottom lips trembled and he pounded both fists on the table. "Give me a drink!""Sir, it’s time to go home." "The lady’s right, Matt," issued a deep, resonate voice. "Don’t make me drag you home by the scruff of your neck, cause God help me, I will." The unmistakable fury in the man’s tone rattled Hannah. Her gaze flew upward to meet those of a rakish stranger with furious blue eyes and an uncanny resemblance to a man she had loved not so long ago, but the very man who had her shunned. CHAPTER TWO Knowing this man wasn’t Seth, couldn’t possibly be related to Seth, let alone be as cruel or vicious as he had been, she swallowed several calming breaths and rose. Delicate fingers pressed over the folds of her skirt, using the moment to compose herself. Then her gaze met the stranger’s without flinching. For an instant, she couldn’t find her voice. Although, he did resemble Seth, there were differences. Muscles, tighter and harder than Seth ever possessed rippled under a sheepskin jacket. Plus, his eyes, peering from beneath a Stetson were as blue as a sun-tinted ocean rather than ebony like Seth’s. The rest of his countenance was lost in the dim lighting but she had the impression of rugged lines and raw strength not cruelty and malevolence. She also noted the brass belt buckle, leather boots and string tie. She braved her uncharacteristic reaction along with his unwavering, heated scrutiny. "I will have no violence in my club. This man needs a hot pot of coffee and a friend. You don’t look like a percolator to me, but if you calm down, you might just fit the latter description." For several seconds the man didn’t speak. Instead, his gaze slid over her as if she were from a breed he had never before encountered. "And just who are you?" "The owner of this establishment." "You?" he voiced with total incredulity.

She straightened her shoulders. "Yes, me." "No way." Her jaw dropped open momentarily. "I should know what I own and don’t own." "But…" "But what? Why do you find it so difficult to believe this is my place?" "You don’t look the type, darlin’." Hannah knew exactly what he meant. Her attire and look contrasted against the smoky modern club like a starfish in the dessert. Unlike most women her age who normally donned slinky dresses or snug business attire, she wore a long, flaring, hunter green skirt and a white, wide-collared blouse. Even her build bespoke of yesteryear, a time when women had curves that made men forget to breathe. She had full, heavy breasts, a tiny waist and flaring hips that tapered into shapely legs that he couldn’t possibly discern beneath the modest vestments; yet, he seemed to somehow do so anyway. His gaze rose, focusing on her alabaster complexion, a complexion that had seen its share of sun-filled days, but had been protected by bonnets. Still, high cheekbones, make-up free, possessed a natural apricot stain. Full sensuous lips, equally free from modern enhancement, boasted the same natural hue. Ginger-colored hair, gathered up in a ponytail, resembled a silken waterfall. A fray of bangs, along with wild tendrils, framed enormous, gray eyes shrouded by exceptionally thick, dark lashes. Yet, it wasn’t her beauty, or the old world appearance that had the man gaping. It was an intrinsic innocence that glistened in her gaze like morning dew. "And what type is that?" she asked to still his uncensored inspection. He shrugged, and then caught Cassi fiddling with some equipment on stage. "Someone more like her." "Ummm, while y’all chat, how about sending a bottle this way." "No!" both the stranger and Hannah snapped at the same time. Somehow that’s all it took to dispel his fury and Hannah’s defensiveness. They both laughed. "You’re right," she said. "This isn’t my first choice of professions, but life sometimes puts us where we don’t always wish to be." "Yes," he said. "And… Well… I apologize for coming off like an oaf. It’s just that this isn’t the first time I’ve had to track Matt down and drag him home. It’s getting old."

"Hopefully, there won’t be a next time, but if there is, check here first. He’s been a regular." She paused, hesitated, then held out her hand. "I’m Hannah Holt." "McGreggor," he said, his gaze seemingly devouring her with the same intensity as his grip. At that moment something electrical and hot swept through them both and they held onto each other an instant longer than propriety demanded. "Adam… call me Adam." Hannah broke free first, twisting a bit to tear her gaze away and shift it to Matt. "It’s obvious he’s in pain. Perhaps you can convince him that a bottle isn’t the answer." Not for the first time since walking in here, Adam found himself at a loss for words. It jolted him to find a woman who looked like she stepped out of a nineteenth century tintype in a bar, but that shock was only secondary to discovering she owned the place. Now, hearing the compassion in her tone totally unnerved him. Not as much, though, as that steady, clear gaze, the pout of her lips, the curves that would send the arbitrators of current fashion into shock. Unfortunately, it did the exact opposite to him. She stirred him, totally, completely, and for an instant he fantasized what it would be like to feel the warmth of her, to smell her hair, to converge on those lips. He stepped back as if that alone would stop the spell she seemed to have woven about him. It didn’t. However, the sound of Matt upchucking yanked him right back into reality. "Ewwwwww," Cassi announced from her perch on the stage. She clicked down the stairs and after bestowing a flirtatious smile on Adam, blew everyone in general a kiss. "I’m out of here. Unless, of course, the cowboy wants to…" "Go," was all Hannah said, and then sighed. "Gus, get some ginger ale, no ice." Ignoring Cassi, Adam caught Matt as he stood and wobbled. "Sir, would you please take him into the rest room and get him cleaned up. I’ll take care of this." "Give me a few minutes and I’ll come back and…" "It’s fine, I’ll handle it." "Ummm, don’t you have staff to take care of that?" "All but Gus left for the night," she responded, already pulling up the corners of the tablecloth with its offensive mess spilling into the center of it. "Besides, I would ask none to do what I wouldn’t do myself. Now, please, sir, take care of your friend." Feeling as if he had just been admonished, he simply obeyed. By the time he returned with Matt, the woman was gone.

**** In her private bathroom, Hannah washed her hands and splashed cold water on her face. What an evening. She hoped not to have a repeat too soon. She also hoped those two men would soon leave. She’d handled her share of drunks, but she just didn’t know how to handle the emotions Adam McGreggor elicited. He no longer reminded her of Seth, but the attraction was so intense, beyond intense, and she wasn’t used to those sort of emotions. Not even Seth had captivated her this way. Considering the last thing she needed or wanted was a man in her life, it was best to stay clear of one who looked like he posed for cowboy of the month. She had to smile. The man looked as totally out of place in the seaside resort with that western bent of his as she did. They would make quite a pair if… "No!" she said aloud. "Don’t even think it." As if Inky decided that was his cue to interrupt, he hopped onto the sink’s ledge. "You object? Hey, you didn’t even meet the guy. So, hush up, furball. Now, how about we sneak on out of here?" she said, rubbing the feline in its favorite places. "Gus will lock up if he sees I’m gone." A double meow emerged as the cat lifted his chin to be petted. Hannah obliged, putting her face right next to its little furry friend’s. "I know, it isn’t nice to stick him with the thankless deed, especially if those two men are still about, but I can’t take much more tonight." The feline nuzzled her cheek. "I have your approval?" Another meow. Hannah smiled. "I take that as a yes." A small laugh came next. "Ach, I’m talking to cats and expecting answers. This English life is making me a little off in the head." She departed the bathroom with Inky in hand, and then froze. Gnaegi stood there, holding something she never thought she’d see in an elder’s hand: a small but lethal pistol. **** Adam waited while Matt sipped a ginger ale, and then escorted him to the SUV. The fresh air made the man’s complexion turn slightly green again and another nasty puddle formed at his feet. Matt groaned.

"Serves you right," Adam said without pity. "What’s up with you?" "I don’t want to talk about it." "No, you just want to drown in a bottle and destroy your marriage while you’re at it." "My marriage is doomed." A frigid wind blew off the Atlantic, threatening to send Adam’s Steston tumbling off his head. He opened the SUV’s door and threw the hat inside. "I don’t buy that. What’s wrong?"Matt shoved his hands in his jean pockets and danced around as if that would chaseaway an onslaught of shivers. "You wouldn’t understand." "After what I’ve been through? There are few things I can’t relate to." Matt shook his head. "I need to get home." "You need to talk, but it’s late, and I’m not going to force it. But, talk to Nora, okay? You can’t go on like this." Shrugging, Matt yanked out keys and started for his car. Before he could even insert them into the lock, Adam snatched the keys from him. "Before you get behind the wheel, we have to check your alcohol level." "I barfed up the booze, boss. Stop being such a…" Matt’s thought was severed as the unmistakable crack of gunfire rent the air. **** Hannah released the cat. Inky dashed through the man’s parted legs and scooted under the couch. Hannah wished she could do the same. Instead, she squared her shoulders and kept her tone level. "You said you’d give me time." The darkness in his gaze ripped through Hannah like tiny razors. "It has been long enough, girl. Now, come." Fear knotted with anger, and despite her peaceful upbringing, she claimed the latter. "No," she said, plucking up the handset and dialing 911. "If I can’t talk some sense into you, then maybe the police can. Like I said earlier, explain to them all about the balance." "Do you not see the gun of hand?"

"Yes, but you will not use it. You are an elder," she said with more bravado than she felt. She didn’t have a clue to what behavior an elder might don in order to preserve the precious balance. The guardians were true to the faith, but on the other side of the Threshold, things weren’t as simple and pure. Yet that was where it should have been totally untainted. It didn’t make sense. "Do not test me." "Test this," Hannah proclaimed with a coldness founded by desperation. "If you kill me, your balance will never be restored." She didn’t know if that were true or not, but Gnaegi knew and the gun found it’s way into his waistband. She put the phone down. "It seems we have reached an impasse." "Not so, Hannah Holt." With unexpected swiftness for a man his size, he grabbed her and pinned her against the edge of the desk. She struggled against his bulk, but his fingers were like iron bands around her upper arms. He shook her with enough force to ignite nausea and an icy sweat. "Let me go," she managed between clenched teeth. "No way." A sneer creased his face as he yanked a small bottle out of pocket. With his teeth, he uncorked it. Despite her squirming, he held her against the desk with his hips and using one hand, he tipped the bottle toward her clenched lips, trying to force the liquid into her. "Drink it." She twisted her face away. "No!" A little of the liquid slipped between her lips the moment she opened her mouth. She immediately spit it back out at him. He backhanded her, hard, perversely looking ashamed at his actions. "See what you made me do. Stop fighting me!" Tears blurred her vision. Her face stung with pain, but she responded with a knee to his groin. He seemed to be expecting that and rolled his hips, causing her to meet with resistant flesh. "Be still, girl!" "Let me go!" she screamed, turning her face way. "I cannot. The balance must be restored." "Your balance can go to…" Before another word emerged, he hit her again harder, stunning her enough to force half the contents of the bottle down her throat, then covering her mouth and nose until she couldn’t help but swallow.

The instant he allowed her to gulp air, a scream ripped from her lungs.Another slap silenced her."Stop making me do that. I don’t want to hurt you.""And poisoning me isn’t hurting me?" she said, her voice tattered."It’s not poison, just a sleeping potion.""Please," she begged. "Please, don’t do this.""I have no choice.""You let Becca stay, why not me?""She restored the balance in another way.""Then let me do that, please. Let me?""There is not enough time to do it Becca’s way. And none other of this world would relish living as we do." Hannah didn’t understand what he meant, only getting away matter. Although, the potion started to take affect, she still had some wits about her. She deliberately slumped against the desk as if her muscles had totally relaxed. Gnaegi loosened his grip. In that instant, she tore away and made a wild dash for the door. He grabbed her arm and tossed her easily against the desk. She banged against it with blunt force. He hit her again, this time with enough force to draw blood from both her nose and bottom lip. The door banged open. Gus took a step into the office. "Let her go." "Get out of here old one. This is none of your business." Gus grinned, a very full, eager sort of grin. "I ain’t as old as you think, buddy." With that the meek looking bartender, lifted a snub-nosed .38 that had been caught between taut fingers. CHAPTER THREE Adam and Matt raced into the club. It took but a moment to figure out the sound came from the office. Inside, the bartender had a gun trained on a hulking older man. He was on his knees with fingers entwined behind his head. Hannah leaned against the desk, eyes glazed, one swelling, face bloody and starting to bruise. Adam had seen his share of brutality, but had never hardened himself to it. This time was not an exception. If anything, it twisted his gut in a way that was profoundly personal. He drew upon years of trained conditioning not to smash the assailant’s face. "Gus," the girl said in an amazingly calm tone as if Adam and Matt had never entered. "I thought I told you that I do not abide by gun of the hand." Gus shrugged. "Well, sweetie, you ain’t back home and it’s a good thing that I do." Gnaegi started to move. "I wouldn’t if I were you," Gus said, cocking the trigger."Do you have a permit for that?" Matt asked Gus."Sure do, whatcha think I’m a maverick without any sense?" Gus said, keeping the

pistol trained on Gnaegi. "You gotta be careful in this business and just cause little missy here can’t tolerate violence don’t mean that violence ain’t gonna happen. But you best worry about whether he has a gun or…" Gus never finished the sentence for Adam was already patting down Gnaegi and confiscating his gun. With a smile, Gus eased back the hammer and tucked the Colt back into his belt. Adam noted the action out of the corner of his eye, gave a nod of approval, and then glanced at Hannah. The woman appeared battered, but totally composed as if the event hadn’t even ruffled her. Matt caught his eye and mouthed the word, "Shock?" Nodding, Adam severed the distance between himself and the girl. "Are you all right?" "Ach, never felt better," she said, with a smile that totally belied her condition. "Can I get up, now?" Gnaegi bit out. "Are you hurt?" Matt asked. "No, the old man missed." "On purpose," Gus stated with defiance. "You can thank Hannah for that. She would have had my buns in a sling if I went and hurt someone with…" he paused, grinned "…a gun of the hand." "Get up!" Matt ordered. "Get him out of here," Adam ordered Matt. "Radio the locals to take care of him. And make sure they get you home, too. I want to see your car in that lot when I leave here, understand?" Matt nodded, and then grabbed Gnaegi once he was on his feet. "Hannah!" Gnaegi commanded as if the girl had any say in what was happening. "You tell them to let me go." "Will you go back and leave me be?" "You know that is not…" Before he could finish, she said with a tiny slur. "Take ‘im ‘way." "I will go home without you!" Gnaegi lashed out. "What about the balance?" "I will find another way." "Swear?" "What balance?" Adam said, looking as confused as Gus and Matt. "You know an elder does not…" "Swear!" she demanded. "I swear," he relented through gritted teeth. She stared at him with total uncertainty. There was an official wording she had to use

that he couldn’t violate, but her muddled mind refused to remember. So, she chose another alternative. With a stumble, she managed to get to a desk drawer. Tugging out a Bible, she crossed the office with uneven steps and held out the large book. "On this." "You will burn in hell Hannah Holt." "You first, Master Gnaegi. Now, swear!" He placed his hand on the Bible. It trembled. "I swear." She looked at Matt. "Let him go." "Boss?" Adam stared at Hannah as if she just spouted another head. "Are you crazy, lady? Look what he did to you.""Ach, no one has to know. I’m certain Gus’ gun is legal, and as for Master Gnaegi’s…" She shrugged. "Even if the men of the law knew of this, they won’t be able to figure out where the gun came from or where Master came from. So, let him go. Hewon’t bother me anymore.""We can’t do that, lady," Matt declared. "We’re…"With a look Adam silenced him. There was a lot more to this than was obvious and the woman was apparently in no condition to enlighten them. Sometimes, a little discretion went a long way. He walked over to Matt and whispered something out of everyone’s earshot. "Com’on," Matt said to Gnaegi. "Hannah told you to let me go!" Hannah nodded. "Please, don’t call the law. Let him go. I don’t intend to iron out charges." "Iron out?" Adam and Matt voiced in duet. Her brow clenched. "Ach, iron… ummm… press. That is it, I won’t press charges." Things kept getting stranger by the moment, but Adam let it slide. "Matt’s just going to escort him off the premises, Ms. Holt."

She smiled at him, as well as she could with such swollen lips, then toppled to the floor, right on her bottom as if her legs simply couldn’t hold her an instant more. "I’ m awful tired." Dropping next to her, Adam scooped her up, carried her to the sofa, and tucked a brilliantly colored, hand-made quilt around her. At the same time, he barked an order for Matt to call an ambulance. With a faraway cast to her gaze, Hannah brushed away a few tumbling chestnut-colored strands from Adam’s brow before he could straighten up. "Like silk," she muttered. "He’s done gone," Gus said. "Then you do it," Adam said, torn between liking the girl’s attention and wishing it weren’t drug-induced. "I’ll fetch some ice and aspirin," Gus returned. "I said…" His words froze as he noticed that the man had already departed. "You’re all screwy, you know that?" he said to Hannah. "You’re cute, you know that?" she returned. "No, not cute. Handsome. Hmm, well, not so much handsome as extremely attractive like a cowboy from out west. Only, this is Jersey. What’s a cowboy doing in Jersey?" She blinked as if trying to get him into focus. "Goodness, you have eyes that make a girl melt inside." "What?" Adam began, knowing this wasn’t just about being battered. The reserved lady he had met not that long ago looked as if she’d rather see the floor open up and devour her before uttering such things to a man. Adam couldn’t help sweeping a wayward strand of hair from her cheek, wincing as he took in the totality of her bruises. "What’s going on, Hannah?" he said, liking the taste of her name and how it lingered on the tongue. "I’m sorry," Hannah said. "I made such a mess of things…" Her voice lowered in a muddle of near incomprehension. "I’m always making a mess of everything." "Are you drunk?" "I don’t drink," she returned, indignant. "You own a club and don’t drink?" She laughed, a bitter, hopeless laugh. "Weird, huh?" Adam didn’t respond. His brows drew together as he caught a small bottle out of

the corner of his eye. Plucking a handkerchief out of his pocket, he lifted it. A bit of liquid remained inside. He searched around, found the cork and plugged the bottle. "Must belong to the creep," Gus said, returning with an ice pack, glass of water and bottle of aspirin. He gently placed the ice against the worst of the swelling."Darlin’," Adam said softly, holding up the bottle, "Did you take this?"He made me," she said. "He said it would make me sleep."Adam swallowed such anger it felt like a tangible lump.Adam looked at Gus. "Don’t give her the aspirin. We don’t know how it’ll react with whatever this is. Is there any coffee?""I can make some.""Hurry. Did you call the ambulance?""No.""Why?""She ain’t got no insurance is why."Adam blinked and shook his head. "Okay, we’ll put that on hold unless things get worse." "I’m all right," she slurred. "Take more than the likes of Master Gnaegi to put me down like a rabid dog." His gaze gave her the once over. "Did he molest you?" Her cheeks flooded with color. "Chust hit me. Please," she said, very softly. "I can ride this out, Adam, please don’t call an ambulance even if it seems to get worse, promise." Against his better judgment, Adam nodded, and then forced Hannah off the sofa and nearly dragged her into walking. She leaned against him, barely able to support herself. "Don’t close your eyes, darlin’ , okay? Between the coffee and walking, we can probably force this out of your system without taking you to ER." "Okay," she submitted with more acquiescence then he expected. He liked the compliancy. He liked how she fit against his side, and the warmth invading his system just from the feel of her. He could grow to like this woman a whole lot. He already felt stirrings he hadn’t experienced in all too long. However, he couldn’t go there, not with his grandmother so ill. Not with the troubles plaguing Matt and Nora. Especially not with a woman who only showed her true self after being sedated. She was too much of an enigma. She didn’t belong here. Then again, neither did he. A cowboy in a seaside resort wasn’t exactly common-placed. Plus, there was so much more to this. Why did she call that man, Master? Who was he to her? And just where was she from. He suspected an Amish heritage, but this was something different. As far as he knew, Amish didn’t carry guns or abide violence. His gut told him that Gnaegi didn’t belong to a normal Amish faith. Was it some sort of splintered fraction? "I like your name," she said, as if uncovering a precious find. "Adam is biblical, you know." He laughed. "Do I look such a heathen that I wouldn’t know that?"

A quizzical expression appeared. "No… no… it’s chust this English world, no one knows nothin’ about the bible." She corrected herself. "Anything…" Before he could respond, she inhaled and sighed. "Shoo, you smell so good like the ocean and salt and air. And I like your voice. It’s a commanding voice, but it’s tender, too." She stepped in front of him, swaying, then leaning into him, arms slipping around his waist, head resting against his hard, masculine chest. "I could like you a whole lot Adam McGreggor." With that she blacked out, never hearing Adam’s soft reply. "And I you, Hannah Holt." **** The next morning, the fragrant, rich scent of coffee tickled Hannah awake. For a moment, nothing registered and then it all came rushing back, every embarrassing word she had said in her drug-induced state. Despite being alone, a blush rushed through her like a hot flood. Dragging herself upward, she took in her soft-hued bedroom and realized that she had been taken home. Brilliant white wicker contrasted against cream-colored walls while a lilac stencil bordered the ceiling. Varying shades of lavender that matched the border littered the room from coverlet to pillows to cut glass bottles balanced upon thick windowsills. How in the world did she get here? She quickly glanced downward, grateful her clothes from the night before were still intact, equally grateful that the night was over, and that she no longer had to deal with Master Gnaegi or Adam McGreggor. It didn’t take long to discover she was wrong on both counts. "Coffee?" Adam inquired from the doorway. She blinked, wanted to demand an explanation for his being there, but the explanation was obvious and she felt like a dolt. "Please," she returned softly. He handed her the mug. "Gus said you liked a little coffee with your cream and sugar. Hope it’s to your liking." She sipped and smiled. "Yes, perfect. Um, is Gus here?" "I sent him home right after we got you home. It when against every instinct not to take you to ER, but Gus was adamant and since your breathing seemed natural and your pulse steady, I decided to just let you sleep it off. But, darlin’, you really should have insurance." In her world there was no need for such insurance, and she just never considered it important. "It’s on my to-do list," she rectified.

"It should be a priority." She nodded with such a sad, lost look that Adam lowered himself to the bed and used the tip of his finger to tilt her face up to his. Something warm and comforting washed through her. "I could get my agent to contact you." He looked so woebegone himself that Hannah wanted to reach out and hug him as she did the night before. The sudden reminder of her wantonness hit her anew and her gaze lowered. Maybe they were right. She really was as flawed as they had said. Shame hit her like a clenched fist, but she kept her tone free of it. "Thank you, that is a kind offer. Um, about last night…" "You were drugged. I understand." There was such a soft, gentle quality to his tone that it drew her to him in ways she hadn’t thought possible. Barriers lowered and she found herself staring into his gaze, deep, insistent, direct. She took in his unshaven face, the shadows beneath his eyes, the shaggy mane of chesnut-colored hair and rumpled denim shirt. "You have been here all night." It wasn’t a question, but he responded with a nod. "Why?" "Someone had to stay. Gus was beat." Without conscious choice, she leaned forward and kissed Adam gently on the cheek. An action in such opposition to her normal character, she could no longer bear eye contact. "You are a kind man, Adam McGreggor and I will not forget this kindness. Would it be too much to ask to extend that kindness to forgiving last night ’s lack of modesty." He grinned, the type of grin that made the fatigue and seriousness of his countenance momentarily disappear. "Darlin’, even drugged you are the most modest woman I’ve ever encountered. There is nothing to forgive." Hannah knew that everyone used endearments in this English society, but when he called her darlin’, she felt as if someone bestowed a lavish gift.She smiled, but it vanished the moment Adam’s somber attitude returned. "I think assoon as you are up to it, you should press charges against Gnaegi. I could run youover to the station today." Her gaze widened in horror. "You didn’t let him go?""I couldn’t, Hannah. I’m sorry. Look at what he did to you. Not to mention that he didn’t have a permit for the gun and he drugged you with a substance that the labcan’t figure out. In good conscience, I just couldn’t let it slide."Her face dropped into her

hands. "Oh, Lord, what a mess.""Hannah, you can’t let a man like that walk the streets. What if he does this to someone else?" She looked up, trembling. "He wouldn’t. It is not his way, their way. I upset thebalance.""What balance?""I can’t explain.""You’re going to have to.""You wouldn’t believe me if I did."She attempted to get out of bed on the opposite side of where Adam sat. The room spun and she sat on the edge. "I have to get him out of jail. Oh, Adam McGreggor, why did you have to call in the law?" "It wasn’t a matter of calling in the law, darlin’," he said softly. "The law was already there." "What do you mean?" she asked, as something knotted inside her. She didn’t want to hear this, but she had no choice. Just like every other event that had happened, she had to face it head on. "I never properly introduced myself. I’m the sheriff. Sheriff Adam McGreggor." CHAPTER FOUR "But of course you are," she said in a lost sort of way. "You couldn’t just be a nice guy off the street. You are the sheriff, someone who lives with violence, someone who uses the gun of hand, someone I wish would just go away!" "Too late. I’m part of this." He made his way to the other side of the bed, and then helped her to her feet, bracing her when she wobbled. "So, why not tell me what all this is about." She shook her head. His gaze caught hers. He pulled her closer, searching her face as if seeing beyond the battered features and tenacity to her tender heart and bruised soul. She felt his sincerity. She felt the warmth of him. She experienced the totality of his masculinity and it crumbled resistance like a sledgehammer on dry wood. He sensed it and did the unpardonable, took full advantage. "Where are you from, Hannah?" "Not so close," she said with a smile, a very, small sad smile. "The other side of the Threshold." "And where is that?"

"Lancaster," she said simply, telling a partial truth. After all, the Threshold was in Lancaster, exactly where she didn’t remember. A first crossing left one dazed for a full day. "Amish?" "Very old order Amish," she said, "Older than you can imagine." "And that man, Gnaegi, he wants you to go back?" "Yes, but I am shunned, and don’t wish to go. There is nothing to go back to." His hands slid over her back, pulling her closer. His breath stirred the tendrils framing her hair. She trembled from sensations she had never encountered. She should have been frightened; she wasn’t. His touch was too gentle to frighten her. Besides, she was flawed, what did it matter if she gave in to that flaw now. After all, she had already paid the penalty for it. "If you are shunned, then why…" "Because I upset the balance," she said, her voice a bare whisper. Unwittingly, she rose on tiptoes. At five-foot seven inches, Hannah wasn’t short, but next to Adam, she felt delicate, tiny. Her head fell back as her pulse raced and her lips parted. "I am expected to remain in the community so the balance remains secure." Hard lips brushed the soft twin petals she offered with infinite tenderness in obvious deference to her bruising. How could Adam want to kiss her looking like this? But he didn’t seem to care. It was as if they were transported to another time and place, a place beyond the obvious where spirits mingled and words were mere sensations cast upon a wayward wind. "What do you mean by the balance?" "I don’t know what it is all about. Only Master Gnaegi and the other elders do." Once more, his lips caressed hers, feathery, tempting. He told himself to stop, told himself this was unforgivable, but he couldn’t help himself. At that moment, he couldn’t care less about obtaining information. It just seemed like a convenient excuse to keep her in his arms. The thought was illogical, but so were his actions. He ’d just met the woman. What was wrong with him? "You call him Master, why?" "Out of respect. They are the masters of our sect. It is their title." "Are they normally so violent?"

"The mainstream doesn’t know much about the counsel of elders. Only when things go wrong do they appear. There have been stories, but most thought them falsehoods told to children to keep them obedient." "Obedient," he repeated, not quite comprehending her words. The woman had been drugged, beaten and all he wanted to do was kiss her, touch her, pull her down to the bed and submit to the sparks smoldering between them. He couldn’t though, not because they had just met, not even because of all the problems besetting him, but because there was something so intricately innocent about her, something so serenely virginal, he knew he’d have to go slow or she’d shatter. It was a strange thought for she wasn’t a child, yet… yet… He swallowed, twice. Pulled away. "I’m sorry. I…" She nodded, cheeks flaming. "Me too, this is crazy. You touch me, and…" In horror at how much she revealed not just about her background, but about her feelings, she backed away, hit the end of the bed and ended up sitting with a bounce. "Don’t be upset, Hannah, please. It’s the same for me, and I’m trained to be in control." "Where I come from a man does not touch a woman until the wedding night, not even a kiss upon the lips. I have been trained, too, trained to be modest and scrupulous." Her gaze dropped to a bead of sunlight slanting through the window. "This English world has changed me. I am shamed." She didn’t mention just how shamed. She didn’t elaborate on the fact that she finally realized the elders were right to have had her shunned. Still, it didn’t make her want to go back. She couldn’t imagine living her life with that label of truth attached to her like a burning torch. He hunched down in front of her, touched her cheek with trembling fingers. "Don’t be, sweet Hannah. You have nothing to be ashamed about. Trust me on this?" "How can I trust one I do not know?" He placed his hand over her heart. "What does this tell you?" Barely perceptible movement lifted a wide gaze. "To trust." He grinned, the sort of grin that had been lacking for all too long. "Thank you, Hannah." Standing, he kissed the top of her head and simply said, "I have to go grab a shower and catch up on paper work. You, darlin’, had a rough time of it. I suggest you rest until tomorrow. Gus said between Cassi and himself, they’d cover the club tonight. I ’ll be

back around ten tomorrow to take you to the station. You’ll need to press charges against Gnaegi." She didn’t look at him. "I can’t." "But…" "No," she said with finality. He shrugged. "There’s enough to charge him without you. He will pay for what he did and I don’t care if y’all come from Mars. Neither he, nor anyone else from this so-called counsel of elders will ever hurt anyone in my jurisdiction again. Besides, he has probably already been arraigned. So, you might as well do what is right. I’ll be back for you at ten tomorrow." With a stride that bespoke a temper held in check, the man stomped out of the room. She expected to hear the front door bang shut. She didn’t. He simply eased it closed, evidence that the man indeed knew how to hold his anger. As if having hid from the stranger, Inky appeared and bounded onto her lap. Grateful Gus remembered to bring her pet home, she held him close and contemplated what had just occurred. "Poo on Adam McGreggor anyhow." Inky stared at a shimmering ray of sun motes splintering the morning air. "It would serve him right if I wasn’t here when he returned." The cat turned on it’s back, offering his belly for a rub. "He can’t order me around like that, yet." A vibrating purr emerged, as she obliged the cat without thinking. "Then again, I don ’t have a clue to where the station is located, and I have to make sure Master Gnaegi is released." Her brows furrowed. "Isn’t there this bail thing? That’s it! He can be released by posting bail. Only, I don’t have that sort of money. I could put up the club for collateral." Inky purred. "No, I can’t. Part of the will," she said, still thinking aloud. With a sigh of resignation, she eased Inky off her lap and crossed the room. Behind an oil painting of lavenders upon rolling hills, Hannah unlocked a safe. She took out the few valuables she possessed, and then pressed first the right corner of the back panel, then the center, and then the far left. A small click sounded in the room and the panel fell forward, revealing the true safe. Reaching inside, she eased out a carved wooden box, opened it and withdrew an oversized locket. The facing and back were plain, pure sterling, no adornment, nothing had been engraved.

Hannah studied it for one long moment before opening it. Heart pounding she momentarily lost herself to the multifaceted crystal anchored inside. Sterling was the only source that could contain the power. Although Hannah didn’t know how to activate it, Becca did and Master Gnaegi would know as well. He would be more than a bit surprised to discover the portal hadn’t been destroyed after all. * * * * That night, Hannah ignored Adam’s orders to stay put. She went to the club and oversaw everything as usual, but never felt more out of place. Men eyed her from over the rim of beer mugs and shot glasses. A few ventured to start a conversation. As usual, she was polite and soft-spoken, but longed to hide out in her office. Becca, though, taught her that she couldn’t hide from life and had to learn to get along in this world with all sorts. So, Hannah helped Gus behind the bar, mixing drinks and listening to troubles. A few regulars noticed her bruises, but she brushed off their concern with a trite explanation of walking into a door. Soon enough the night started to wind down, and after Cassi did a few sets, followed by a fair share of flirting, she made her way to the bar. "You okay?" Cassi asked. "Gus told me about the attack." "I’ve been better, but life goes on." "You should have taken the night off. Gus and I can handle this place." "I know, but I got tired of staring at the walls." Cassi hopped onto a barstool, her short skirt rode upwards displaying an amble length of thigh. She didn’t bother to adjust the skirt and Hannah blushed for her. Shaking her head, Cassi laughed. For once there wasn’t an iota of cynicism behind it. "Ah, honey, you really don’t belong here. Why don’t you just get married, sell this place to me, and open that gift shop you keep talking about." Picking up a rag, Hannah scrubbed invisible marks on the mahogany bar. "Like I can just produce Mister Right by wishing it." "How about the cowboy from last night? He seemed interested, and I never saw you so flustered by the opposite sex since I’ve known you." "Okay, I’ll just go up to him and propose. So what if we don’t know each other. After all, I need a husband to get out of this trap Becca set and you need some responsibility to keep you from wrecking your life." Hannah gasped at her bluntness. The rag stopped moving as her face flooded with shame. "Oh, Cassi, I’m so sorry, I don’t know what possessed my tongue."

The flaxen haired woman grinned. "About time you got some spunk. And, you’re right; I do need some responsibility. I didn’t like how that cowboy looked at me last night. I don’t like who I’m becoming, and I don’t like it that you got attacked by some brute that I probably could have charmed out the door." Hannah lifted a brow, knowing Gnaegi was one man Cassi couldn’t ever charm, but no use spoiling Cassi’s illusions. The woman seemed on the edge of self-revelation. "So, I have an idea," Cassi went on. "Make me a partner in the club. With the money I give you for my half, you can start your little gift shop venture and I can take over here." Hannah stared. "Are you serious?" "Never been more serious. I need to grow up, and having more responsibility than singing a few sets might help me do that. After all, it’s my sort of environment, not yours." She pause, winked. "Plus, you and Gus can still keep an eye on me so I don ’t go after any of those shy gents with marital problems." Words came slow, hesitant, but with a sweet whisper of hope. "I don’t know if that would meet the condition of Becca’s will." "Can’t hurt to find out, can it?" With that Cassi slipped off the stool and sashayed away. "Think about it, Hannah. It could be a win, win situation." "If only it could work," Hannah mused. It went against the philosophy of her old world, not a lender or borrower be, but she was done with that world. She lived on this side of the Threshold and was tired trying to adhere to a philosophy that chewed her up and spit her out. Besides, this wouldn’t be borrowing; it would be a partnership. "Sounds like a good proposition to me," Gus said at her elbow as he wiped down bottles and started putting away supplies. "But, there’s Becca’s will." "Ummm, I already took the liberty of calling your lawyer. He’s checking into the feasibility of it." Hannah’s jaw dropped. "You what?" Gus’ porcelain grin contrasted against dark flesh. "This ain’t a sudden decision on Cassi’s part; I’ve been plantin’ seeds for the last few months." "Gus!" "Hey, someone has to look out for you two waifs. Since none of us has family, I appointed myself guardian."

Heart thumping with excitement, she impulsively hugged the older man. "I should admonish you for butting into our lives, but I really need a family, Gus, and I’d be honored to be yours. You go right ahead and keep butting in." He gave her an awkward pat on the shoulder and grinned like the Cheshire cat. "Now, now, it weren’t nothin’. Now, get on outta here, Cassi and I will close up. You shouldn’t have been up and around yet anyways." With a tearful smile, Hannah, for once, didn’t argue. Instead, she dashed into her office for Inky, and made her way to the car. If the lawyer could make this work, she ’d finally have the life she wanted. There might not be a husband in the future, but she had a family of sorts again. Even more, she had hope, real hope. The smile, though, that followed her into her tiny Volkswagen faded as an intense pain jettisoned through her, a white-hot pain that stole her breath and chilled her flesh. The world shifted and for an instant she was on the other side of the Threshold, not totally, but as a shadow not quite there, not quite in the car. Hannah screamed. No one heard. In that solitary instant she was nothing more than a ghost. CHAPTER FIVE The next morning Adam showered and shaved by rote. Moments later he was out the door, pausing at a fast-food joint to stuff down a bagel and black coffee before heading to Matt and Nora Salvo’s tidy bungalow at the outer edge of Ocean City. It was still early, but he knew the couple would be up. Matt was due at work by noon, and set to work a twelve-hour shift to midnight. It wasn’t the norm, but Adam thought it might keep the man out of trouble if he had him working rather than bar hopping. "Come in," a red-eyed Nora said upon answering the door. Unlike Hannah, Nora wasn’t more than five-foot with barely enough meat to cover her slim bones. The woman was quite obsessive about staying that way, and it drove everyone around her crazy. She had a bout with anorexia once upon a time and had nearly died. Although cured, she still wore a size two and worked out rather excessively. The oddity about it all was Matt didn’t care if she was a size twenty; he loved her with a pure devotion that Adam rarely saw. "How’s Matt?" asked Adam, stepping through the doorway and directly into the kitchen. They were backdoor type of friends. Sometimes, Adam forgot what the rest of the house looked like. Didn’t matter, he preferred the kitchen with it’s pale yellow walls and chintz patterns. It was uncomplicated, yet littered with country accents and totally different from what Lynn had chosen. Nora made everything from scratch from the window treatments to bread to her clothes. She was completely different from his dead wife and a refreshing reprieve from life despite her weight obsession. Matt, Adam and Nora had known each other since childhood, and he didn’t know how he would have gotten through the double funeral without them.

"Coffee?" she asked, already pouring them both a cup, neither adding cream or sugar. "He’s moody." "Hung over?" he said, sipping the hot brew, which tasted much better than the one he gulped at the fast food shack, despite the fact that it was obviously decaf. "Thanks." "Just moody." "What’s going on?" Adam asked bluntly. "Matt said not to concern you." "Please, concern me." "Matt said you have enough troubles with Gran so ill." "Gran is holding her own." "Matt said it would revive painful memories." "The past is never quite forgotten. Nothing can hurt me anew." "Matt said…" Adam held up his hand to silence her. "What does Nora say?" Her dark brown eyes brimmed with tears. "Nora says her marriage is falling apart and she doesn’t know what to do." "Why?" "Because I want a baby." Adam’s facial expressions remained unchanged, but his gut clenched. Okay, somaybe the Salvo’s problem would fuel painful memories."He doesn’t want children?""Yes, but the OB-GYN said there could be complications because… because…" "Of your past illness?"She looked relieved that he didn’t use a certain word. "Partly because of that, itweakened my system. Also, though, because I’m prone to toxemia and then there ismy diabetic condition." "When did that happen?" "Recently. However, they say having a baby will put my life at risk." Adam sat, solidly, instantly. It was as if someone pushed him into the chair. If his

mug hadn’t been mostly empty, the liquid would have stained his uniform. Not that he wore the typical uniform, but he had donned the pants and shirt. The Stetson, which he had left in the car, and his jacket were from the old days when the Mexican border had been his concern. "I’m sorry," she said. "I shouldn’t have blurted that out.""It’s okay. Just rattled me.""Didn’t think anything could rattle you, sheriff," Matt announced, walking into the kitchen and pecking Nora on the cheek. After draining his mug, Adam stood and carefully placed it in the sink. He needed tomove, to be a stabilizing force for his friends. "Didn’t get any sleep last night.""How’s the girl?""Looks like someone used her face as a punching bag, but spunky as of yesterday morning…" He paused, his gaze a bit dreamy, a very uncommon look for the Sheriff. "… beautiful." "What girl?" Nora asked."You’d like her," Matt said, sipping his coffee. "A little strange, but sweet, polite. It’s as if she’s from another era." "She was Amish," Adam filled in. "That guy, Gnaegi, was trying to take her back.""I thought the Amish didn’t believe in violence.""She said it is a splintered sect, old order.""Still doesn’t make sense." "Neither does the fact that she doesn’t want to press charges." "We got him either way." Adam nodded, then turned the subject back to what Matt wanted to avoid. "You should have told me." "Didn’t want to upset you." "Instead, you turn yourself into a drunk." Matt stared at his coffee mug as if it held all the answers. "I just didn’t know how to cope, not with her being so stubborn about this." "Nora, I have to agree with Matt. There are other ways to have children without risking your life. I know what it means to… to…" He let the words fall and a tense silence followed. Taking a step toward Adam, she placed a hand on his arm as if she thought he’d need support. "It’s too late."

Something cold washed through Adam. "What do you mean?" "I’m pregnant." **** The previous night’s incident left Hannah totally shaken and although she had managed to get home, feed Inky and slip into bed, she hadn’t slept at all. She tried to convince herself it was a dream, a seizure of some sort, but she knew better. For a few seconds her essence had been split in two. She didn’t know what was happening, but Gnaegi did and if she had any doubt about going with Adam to the jail, it vanished. This probably had to do with the balance, he kept talking about and she had to figure out a way of restoring it without going back. Only, time was running out. Just when she finally had some hope, this had to happen. It wasn’t fair, but that was life. It sent both storms and sunshine. Having been raised knowing this, she accepted things better than most, and she remembered how to survived such storms. Slipping out of bed, she knelt beside it, folded her hands and prayed. Something that Becca said never worked, but Hannah knew better. It was the only anchor she had in this strange life of hers. After a long bath, Hannah chose a dress that reflected the stormy sky and her gray eyes. With a scooped neck and princess waist it swirled outward in abundant folds to her ankles. Its long sleeves assured enough warmth that she only needed a shawl, but she opted for a charcoal-colored jacket and an Annie Hall type of hat that was more in line with modern apparel. She tipped it forward to shadow her face. Although she wore a French braid, she allowed plenty of wild tendrils to conceal the worst of the bruising. For the first time, she wished she owned makeup. Although, considering the extent of the damage, a mask would work better than foundation. Still, she promised herself she would pick up some concealer later that day, and dang those of her old life who’d think her loose because of it. After slipping into a tiny-heeled shoe, she hung the portal about her neck. It was her only jewelry. Where she came from, women didn’t wear jewelry or buttons or jackets or heels and they never braided their hair. It was proud. Women weren’t supposed to be proud. Her appearance might just give Master Gnaegi a heart attack. Hannah smiled at the thought, but a quick look in the mirror sobered her. She wasn’t used to seeing her mirrored image. She didn’t have mirrors growing up. That, too, was proud. Yet, she had seen her reflection in a mirror Becca had given her when she was but fiveyears old. It had been a year since Becca spirited her away. But, unbeknown to her family or the elders, Hannah had been in contact with the woman since childhood. Becca was Seth’s aunt. And, although Seth, was somewhat older, Hannah followed him about like a shadow from the moment she could walk. Perhaps, it was because he spared her attention, and with being one of the middle children of a clan of sixteen, she was mostly left on her own. Becca came to visit Seth, but taking a liking to the inquisitive child, she

started giving her books, teaching her to read, expanding her outlook along with teaching her about the English world. It fascinated Hannah, and at one time she had wanted to cross the Threshold. Seth had for a few hours here and there, but Becca wouldn’t take Hannah. Seth, though, despised the English world and would no longer go for visits. As he grew, Seth became a favorite of the elders, and they started grooming him to replace Gnaegi. She heard someone say he was a cross-breed like Gnaegi and would be the prefect replacement. Hannah didn’t know what that meant, she only knew she adored him. Exceptionally handsome with devastating charm and sharp intelligence, Seth was the only one who ever treated her as an equal and allowed her to express herself. Soon, she found herself in love with her childhood friend. Only, her love hadn’t been strong enough to hide her flaw. Seth took advantage of that flaw. They said he couldn’t help it. Perhaps, he truly couldn’t for she had thought him one way and he had been another. Only after the façade of civility and charisma vanished, she became aware of such darkness and evil it shattered her spirit, her heart. The worst of all was he didn’t have to lie all that much to have her shunned. Yet, there were lies and before she knew it, the elders annulled the betrothal pledge, and she was cast aside without home or friends or a way of supporting herself. Most shunned women ended up in the wilds, some finding shunned men who’d take them in, but their marriages weren’t recognized. They said there was a community of heretics living in the mountains. It was where Hannah intended to go, but Becca came for her, telling her that she would now be her family, that she owed it to Hannah. The girl didn’t understand, but she didn’t care. Someone cared about her and Hannah clung to that caring like the lost soul she was. Becca said they had a year to settle the balance and that she’d find a way to make it work. The year was almost up. Aunt Becca had died two months ago. The balance hadn’t been established, and Hannah still didn’t know all that it entailed. They said the other side had room for a finite number of souls and that a child could not be born without a death and a crossing could not occur without a soul returning. Becca, though, hadn’t returned and everything appeared as it had always been. Only Master Gnaegi’s comments made it seem that Becca made atonement. Was it because she frequently crossed back? Gnaegi had ventured into this world on occasion, but not very often. Before Becca’s desertion, no one had traversed the Threshold for five years. It had been a man, and Gnaegi recovered him. It had taken Gnaegi six months to find him. It had taken Gnaegi much longer to find Hannah. Perhaps he was losing his seeking skills. A sudden knock at the door startled Hannah. She exited the bedroom and made her way through the cottage. White walls, rattan furnishings and tropical patterns gave the room that official seaside appeal, but a wall of tin plates, a collection of Amish dolls along with a beamed ceiling testified that Hannah intended to change the look that Aunt Becca had established. Just because she lived by the ocean didn’t mean Hannah couldn’t have fragments of her country home. Despite the strict upbringing, it had been a good one

filled with laughter and innocence. She felt like the original Eve at times after tasting the forbidden fruit. Only, Hannah didn’t willingly take a bite; it had been forced down her throat. Hannah pulled on the door handle. Adam instantly filled the archway, looking even more handsome than the last time she saw him; perhaps, not handsome, but enthralling, captivating, very male. Her pulse quickened. "Would you like to come in?" "Are you ready?" "Yes." "I half-feared you wouldn’t be here." "I thought about it," she said, blowing a kiss to Inky, and then closing the door behind her. "You didn’t lock it." She turned back, pulled a key from under a woven mat and inserted metal into metal. After replacing the key, she walked past Adam, pausing when he didn’t follow. "That’s the first place a burglar would look." She laughed. It sounded like the soft echoes of a flute. "If they need anything I own that badly, they are welcome to it, sir. I don’t have a computer, CC player or picture box." "You mean CD player." "Yes, that." Delicate fingers shoved tendrils, stirred by the salt air, from her lips. "But there is food in the icebox and a warm cloak in the closet." "You really are from a different world." "Very different." Her gaze drifted upward, the daunting sky glared back as if angry. "It keeps upputten down, yet?" "What?" "Um, rain, it keeps raining, sir." "Call me Adam." She hesitated a moment, and then smiled softly. "Adam." Audibly sighing with relief, he opened the door to his SUV and waited until she

looked comfortable. Once they were on their way, he glanced over. "Are you allright?""Yes.""You don’t have to see Gnaegi. It’s just paperwork. I’ll be with you the whole time.""I need to see Master Gnaegi.""I don’t think..." "Please," she said in almost a whisper. "It is something I must do."Adam didn’t understand, but he nodded. He had enough concerns right now withoutworrying about her motives. After all, it wasn’t like she’d be alone with the assailant.The man would never touch her again if he had anything to say about it. Outside, a few raindrops erupted, splattering the windshield. The wipers thumped in unison with the sound of air and ocean surf. The rawness of the day seeped into the car and he heard a clicking sound. It only took a moment to discover Hannah’s teeth chattered. "Tell me when you’re cold," he said, flipping a switch. "It doesn’t take much to heat the SUV up." "Not cold," she said in a very small voice. Another glance and he noticed the fear-laced gaze, the intense trembling of delicate hands. He steered the vehicle onto the road’s shoulder and faced her, forced her to face him. "What? Tell me."Noting the unhappy depths of her gaze; the tension in her battered, yet lovely face,Adam suddenly knew he couldn’t avoid the fact that he was more attracted to herthan he had been to anyone since Lynn. And with Lynn it had taken years to unearththat attraction; with Hannah less than twenty-four hours. Even more, he realized thatshe was his concern. It wasn’t realistic. She probably would tell him to take a hike,but he wouldn’t. Despite everything already troubling him, he could no more walkaway from this lady than he could from an abandoned kitten. Only, she wasn’t a kitten. Hannah Holt was very human, very real, very enigmatic, and very in tune with his heart. "Tell me," he repeated. She cupped his cheek with her hand. A sweet, tiny smile emerged, not quite a real smile, but a tender lifting of lips, more of a demonstration that when less stressed,she’d smiled often. "You are one of the nicest men I have ever met."He groaned. "Nice?""It’s a compliment, yet." "A compliment would be calling me a hot hunk." She laughed and blushed. "You’re that, too, Adam McGreggor, but telling you so would only make your head swell, and I suspect that you are already too well aware of your attributes." He laughed. "Naw, I have self-esteem issues.""Obviously.""Very shy, too.""I can tell.""Afraid of my own shadow.""Who wouldn’t be? It’s one very big shadow."He

grinned. So, did she. Suddenly, the world didn’t seem so gray.It was only after they arrived at the station that Adam realized he never did find out what made her so distraught. "May I see him?" she asked. "Why don’t we get the paperwork started first, Hannah?" Adam returned, steering her towards the sergeant’s desk. She halted, ignored his tug on her hand. "I need to see him first, please." A long, annoyed breath emerged. He wasn’t really annoyed at her, but he wanted to get this over with. He needed to get to the hospital and see Gran, get back to Nora and Matt and figure out how to help them. What did you say to a woman bent on having a baby that could kill her? How did you tell her to sacrifice the baby to save her own skin? It was something one just didn’t tell a mother. At the same time how could he tell Matt to be strong, to be Nora’s support when he knew the man was in hell and this was only the prelude. If she died and the baby died, Matt’s world would never be whole again. Perversely, with all this on his mind, he also wanted to simply protect Hannah, hold her, destroy the tormenting memories Gnaegi created or any other haunting thoughts that chased the light from her beautiful gaze. How did life become such a mess? Sometimes, it was all too much. The darkness seeped into every area and illumination seemed so rare. For once, just once, he wished he could have happiness without blight. "Hannah," he said in a very soft, coaxing tone. "I really don’t think you should do this. It’s not like he’ll be behind shatterproof glass with a phone to talk into like you see in the movies. I’ll be there, but…" "Please," she interrupted. "Let me get this over with. Please?" He didn’t know if it were the desperation in her gaze or the way that gaze came at him, enthralled him, begged him. "Okay, but I’m taking you to his cell instead of the interrogation room. I don’t trust him, Hannah. He could harm you before I could make a move." Thoughtlessly, she toyed with the locket. "He won’t harm me." "I’ll make certain of it, darlin’. Damn certain." **** Gnaegi paced the jail cell like a foul, caged creature. None could see the rage roiling within, but it rimmed the edge of restrain. He attempted to pray it away, but he couldn’t.

For the first time in his life, he was not in control. Nearly from birth he had been reared to a place of authority. He had been given the secrets that only a few had been privy to hold. He had crossed the Threshold time after time, setting right what the wayward of his sect put asunder. Then, this little snip of a girl managed to have him incarcerated. It was bad enough that only weeks remained to balance the Threshold. Hannah didn’t have a clue to the elements she put in jeopardy, nor to her own safety. Not that her safety was of any consideration. Still, perhaps, he should have told her. Perhaps, she would have listened to reason, but no, he had to attack. It was simpler. It had always worked before. Usually just the threat of it worked before. It didn’t really matter that it dishonored his post and that he should have known better. It wasn’t Hannah’s fault that he sat in this dank room littered with the auras of lost souls. It was his fault. He knew it, accepted responsibility for it, but it didn’t lessen the fact that he would gladly choke the life out of Hannah just for the inconvenience. He should have done that to Becca years ago. Instead, he had been young. He had a soft spot for the woman and he allowed her to convince the counsel to accept a trade, to establish the balance in a way that would allow Becca to remain on the other side of the Threshold. Now, he reaped what he sowed. But he would get out of this and when he did, it would all end with Hannah back where she belonged. Only, he’d make certain, she would die slowly and horribly very soon after. CHAPTER SIX The door at the end of the long corridor opened and within minutes Gnaegi’s problem stood before him looking like a harlot. He didn’t speak. Only glowered at her with disgust until he noticed the portal hanging from her neck. "You lied," he said. "A vice the counsel is well versed with," she retorted and took a step closer to the oldfashioned bars separating them. Adam took a step with her. "Watch what you speak, girl." "I speak truth. The sect is based on lies." "To protect a way of life and the path to paradise." "It could be protected with truth and less pain." "You are an ignorant girl." "I am not a girl. I am a woman," she said and met his gaze with a boldness neither of them expected.

It wasn’t just because Adam stood directly behind her, lending his strength to her. It was that she never saw Master Gnaegi without his hat and traditional garments. Somehow, he didn’t look as threatening in prison garb. Balding, with an almost Mongolian cast to his dark eyes and a day’s growth of a mustache perched between a hawk-shaped nose and long beard, the man looked worn and old despite being only in his late fifties. She could almost feel sorry for him. The knotted fist clenching and unclenching above thick wrists, the tensing muscles beneath the prison-issue shirt and the evil oozing from him like a stench stole that momentary mercy from her. He might be an elder, but the man was far from virtuous. He was the henchman of the counsel, and the elders looked the other way. Not for the first time, Hannah realized that once the blinders had been removed, she couldn’t live in a sect that preserved such hypocrisy. "Adam, I need a moment alone with him.""No." The word, though softly spoken, held an inflexible tone."But…""No.""You don’t…""No.""It’s important that…""No.""He is behind iron bars, he cannot hurt me."Adam looked, and then said, "No."They stared at each other for an endless moment, and he ended that stare with a single repeated word. "No." "He won’t go," she said to Gnaegi almost in apology. "Let him stay," he said. "Just come closer so we can talk." "Stay put," Adam commanded. "I just want to talk to her and what we have to say is none of your concern," Gnaegi said in an even tone. "Please, Adam. He will not harm me. Even if he reaches for me, you are here." Adam nodded his approval, but remained directly behind her, arms folded, the Stetson low upon his brow, his legs braced apart. The obvious threat in his stance would have been no less forceful if he had a gun trained on Gnaegi. The jail sparked with tension and Hannah’s trembling that had begun in the SUV only intensified. With his gaze trained on Gnaegi, Adam didn’t notice Hannah tugging on her chain until it broke free. She clenched it within her fist, and spoke almost inaudibly. "Becca said it would only transport one and that it would only work once for someone it had not been calibrated for. So you cannot use it to return." "It will not stop me from coming back for you," Gnaegi said, his voice as faint as Hannah’s. She shrugged. "Then I will take it back home with me and you can rot here. Or…" she paused theatrically, finally remembering the proper wording that had evaded her the night before "…you can use this and give me your word of honor that you will leave me be." Hannah knew that an elder’s word was his bond and breaking it was the equivalent

of breaking covenant, a criminal action on their world. An elder rarely gave his word. "There is more to this than you realize. If the balance isn’t set right, it could mean the collapse of the Threshold." "Would that be so bad? As you keep telling me, those of our world don’t belonghere.""There is more.""I know," she said. "I’ve experienced something.""A splitting of spirit.""Yes.""It will get worse.""How much worse?""You could split forever.""You mean, I’d die?""Worse than death. You’d roam two lands forever in torment." Hannah blanched; bit her lip to swallow a gasp. Noting something wasn’t right, Adam leaned forward trying to catch the words, but heard only whispers. "What did Aunt Becca do to stop it?" "She bore a child and sent him over the Threshold. The father was English." Words from long ago rose through a mire of memories. "A cross-breed." "Yes, a man who could cross back and forth without upsetting the balance, like me." "Seth?" she asked softly. Gnaegi nodded. "Now, do you realize how important it is to return?" "Can only a cross-breed be sent back?" "Anyone can take your place, but someone of this world could no longer return to this world. The crossing would kill them." "You don’t have time to birth a child, Hannah." "I need time to consider. You do not know for certain that my spirit would split forever. Perhaps once the Threshold closed, I would be free of your world." "It is your world, too. And those of the counsel are the ones to decide if the Threshold should be closed. Not a snippet like you." She stared him down, ready to brave anything but living in the throes of a society that saw her as non-existent. "Give me your word of honor to leave me be." "You are a fool, girl!" "Perhaps, but at the moment, I am a fool with your only way home. Your word, Master Gnaegi." "Done," he said. "Say it." "You have my word of honor." Adam couldn’t handle the furious whispers a moment longer. "What are you two talking about?" Instead of responding, Hannah simply dropped to her knees and disintegrated into

tears. Adam fell next to her, gathering her to him. "Hannah?" She leaned forward momentarily, gulped, and then allowed Adam to help her to her feet. "Forgive me," she said so softly he didn’t hear it.He glared at Gnaegi. "What did you say to her?"An odd grin spread across the elder’s face. "Not a thing. But you best watch yourself with this one; she has her wiles.""I’m all right," she said. "Please, just help me up."Adam’s strength had her upright within a moment, but he continued to support her, feeling her tremble, watching her suppress tears."Ah, darlin’ what is it?"She shook her head and buried her face against his chest."I’m getting you out of here," he stated with finality, glowering at Gnaegi. "As for you, you’re going down. You will never, ever hurt her again." Gnaegi didn’t respond, only watched them leave. A second later, he reached for the portal Hannah had slipped through the bars and under his foot while feigning sobs. You’d think Hannah was of Rebecca’s blood, not just a waif Becca took pity upon. He remembered how Becca had beguiled him. Only, Rebecca never seemed perturbed by her actions, whereas Hannah’s deception had visibly shaken her. Proof that Hannah had little of the other woman’s deceit within her. Gnaegi had a momentary sting of conscious. Hannah shouldn’t have been shunned. Still, he had to protect Seth, his successor. Only Seth mattered. Hannah was disposable, but not until she restored the balance. Giving his word of honor pretty much kept Ganegi out of this, but the elders would find a way to bring her home. They didn’t have a choice. For now, though, Gnaegi’s only concern was to get himself home. He popped open the locket, displaying the crystal. It’s facets warmed to the brightness of the room like night surrendering to dawn. He bit down on his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. A single crimson drop fell and landed on the open crystal. A blinding flash of light exploded, and then fragmented. When the cell returned to normal, Gnaegi was gone. **** They were barely out the door when the alarm sounded. Adam ushered Hannah into the Chief’s office before joining the melee on the other side of the door. The solitude gave her the time she needed to compose herself. She couldn’t stand being so deceitful to this man who only wished to help her. It didn’t matter that he was of the law, a man of violence. She had seen more violence in Gnaegi, than in Adam. In this world people answered to the law, not to elders, so in some ways Adam was like an elder, wise, strong, in control. She wanted to tell him what she had done, but how did she explain? He’d think her witless. She had to put this out of her head. She had to put Adam out of it as well.

Only, would he know she had somehow helped Gnaegi? He wasn’t stupid. He might make the connection to Gnaegi’s disappearance and her emotional outburst. Yet, it wouldn’t make sense. Chances were he would simply take her home and this would all blow over. Or would it? He seemed as attracted to her as she was to him, wasn’t he? Or was that her imagination? Becca said most men among the English just wanted to soil a girl. With a wink, her aunt suggested the soiling could be a good thing, but best reserved for the marriage bed. Otherwise, a heart broken sometimes did not mend. It sounded as if her aunt spoke from experience. Had her aunt been soiled? And what of her heart? Hannah remembered the wistful sighs, the long silences. Hannah, though, wasn’t her aunt. She survived Seth and would survive Adam, too. After all, she had a major flaw, and few men of her world or this one would accept such a flaw with joy. Hannah visibly jumped at the sound of the door slamming. The glass pane with the Chief’s name stenciled in gold trembled as if threatening to shatter. Hannah winced and her own quivering nearly matched that of the door. "I don’t know how you did it, but you did something, didn’t you?"She stood, braved Adam’s cold blue stare."Is something amiss?""Don’t!" Adam shouted. "Don’t even try to deny that you don’t know Gnaegi escaped." "Goodness, he did?" "Can it, lady. You’re not that good an actress and if there was a way I could logically explain it, I’d slap a pair of cuffs on you for aiding and abetting." Swallowing hard, Hannah blinked back tears. "Take me home, please?" He glared at her for what seemed a small eternity, then smacked the door open even harder than before. "Let’s go." **** The gray sky grew as dark as the somber mood within the SUV. The ocean and bay met in a surging frenzy as they crossed the bridge spanning the length of scattered islands along the Jersey shoreline. Hannah laced her fingers together and remained as still and quiet as a mannequin except for endless quivers. Adam glanced over and somehow just seeing her so frightened and unsure melted his resolve to drill her until she confessed. His voice came out soft with an edge of kindness he couldn’t hide. "You faked the emotional collapse, didn’t you?" "The tears were real, but the collapse was fake," she admitted."Why?""I can’t tell you.""Why?""You wouldn’t believe me.""Try me.""I’d rather not." "What you did is against the law and you could go to jail for it." "If you can prove I did anything at all."

Tense silence reigned for several minutes. "Did you give him some sort of lock pick?" Adam asked, then instantly countered. "No, there was a guard right outside the jail block and there is only one way in and out of that place. Besides, the man would have had to be an electronic genius, and I doubt that. I just don’t get it!" A gentle hand landed on his arm. "Don’t try to understand it. Please, just let it go."Her touch ignited emotions he needed to ignore. Although, he didn’t remove her hand, he kept his tone detached. "And what happens when he attacks another girl?Maybe this time beating her to death.""He won’t. He is accountable to a different authority.""Explain.""I would, only you’d think me ‘round the bend and I have no proof that I’m not." She paused, grew contemplative, then, "Well, in a way I do, but I can’t show you that, for I’m not certain of the location. Even then, if I showed you, you couldn’t return. It would be a mess." Adam groaned. "Return?" Before he could question her further, his mobile phone rang. He pushed a button. "McGreggor." "You missed our lunch date." "Gran?" "No, the Easter bunny." He grinned, but it dissolved quickly. "I’m sorry, police business, but I’ll pick up some Godiva and come by, say, in about an hour. I have to take someone home." "Someone? Female?" "Gran," he scolded, casting a sideways glance at Hannah and watching a small smile appear. "Gran, what? It is a woman, isn’t it?" she said, her small voice raising an octave. "Ican tell by your voice. Are you there, Miss Someone?""Yes, I am here," Hannah responded, her hand moving from Adam’s arm back to her lap. "My name is Hannah." "What a lovely old-fashioned name.""My people are old-fashioned, ma’am.""Ma’am? Did you hear that Adam? She called me ma’am, what manners, and she sounds young.""Gran!" he said, with more force.Gran ignored the threat in Adam’s tone. "How old are you, sweetheart?""Twenty-five, ma’am.""Adam is thirty-three. Are you

married?""No, ma’am.""Neither is Adam. Adam visits me every day, usually at lunch time, but he missed today. I’m in the hospital for a spell. Adam’s visit is the bright spot of my afternoon." "That was my fault. Please forgive me? " "Only, if you come with Adam for a visit." Adam shook his head. "I would love to visit. I’ll get the name of the hospital and the room number from Adam." "Oh, what a kind young lady, but why not visit now? Adam did say he was taking you home?" "Yes, but…" "Where is home?" "Ocean City." "Great, I’m in the hospital just over the bridge. You don’t have to stay long." "Gran, Hannah is…" Gran cut him off. "Apparently a wonderful young lady with a sweet voice, who I am certain wouldn’t mind visiting an old, dying woman to bring a breath of sunshine into this tired, dreary day." The words were corny, but Adam heard the desperation in her tone. She never told anyone she was dying. She wouldn’t even concede it to the doctors, calmly informing them she’d outlive them all, yet all the while making plans to go on home to paradise. And it wasn’t that she was lonely; she got constant visitors. After all, she was a community giver, belonged to the Kiwanis club, and raised money for charities. She used to visit the sick and the housebound. People were now giving back to her, but Gran didn’t want to die leaving him alone. If Hannah gave her any hope that it wouldn’t happen, how could he deny Gran that? Before he could beseech Hannah, she spoke softly. "If Adam doesn’t mind, I would love to visit." "I just knew you would," the tiny voice said. "Now, forget about the chocolate and just get here." Without a farewell, the receiver clicked. "I like her," Hannah said. "I’m sorry she is ill." "I am too," he said, in a hushed tone. "But one deals." "You seem to deal better than most."

"Naw, just try to stay above it. I can either drown in despair, go insane or make a difference." "Is that why you are in law enforcement?" He nodded. The windshield wipers snapped and swooshed. The rain pelted. The ocean howled, filling the ensuing silence with sounds that neither heard. After a time, Hannah said, "I understand about loss." Her voice grew dimmer, choked. "Please, Adam, don’t be angry at me. Please?" The simple words and the utter sincerity was more than Adam could tolerate. Once over the bridge, he pulled off the road. The wind whipped off the dune spraying his vehicle with a mixture of water and sand. He ignored it. He ignored everything but this fragile young woman with the haunted eyes and strange demeanor. Tucking a finger under her chin, he forced her gaze to his. "I’m not angry with you. I ’m frustrated and simply wish you’d confide in me." "I don’t trust easily, Adam McGreggor, but I trust you more than I normally trust someone on such short acquaintance. Give me some time, please?" He grinned, a gentle grin that spoke things he didn’t fully comprehend. "Does that mean we will see more of each other?" A rosy hue invaded pale cheeks and her gaze dropped. "I didn’t mean… I… umm… we don’t have to… I just…" "Shhh," he whispered, and placed large palms on either side of her cheeks, raising her lips to his. A firm mouth nestled against a softer one, speaking into the kiss, half a mutter, half a wish. "I want to see more of you. I’ll give you time, Hannah, but I will put an APB out on Gnaegi and if we catch him, you’re not going anywhere near him." "You won’t catch him," she whispered, barely coherent as her lips responded to his, as she leaned into him, as she offered things she thought she’d never offer any man. Then again, she was branded, flawed. So, what did it matter? "He won’t be back." Adam didn’t respond, he was too busy taking in the clean scent of her, the intoxicating flow of sensation she aroused so easily. What was it about this woman that whispered to his heart like none other? Her scent was more intoxicating. Her look was more appealing. Her voice was more captivating. She helped a perp escape, yet somehow it didn’t seem important. All that mattered was the life she gave back to him. He had been dead for so long. He hadn’t even realized how dead until he touched her, kissed her. Oh, yes, he wanted to see more of Hannah Holt. Even more, he wanted to be part of her life no matter what. He knew she wasn’t a criminal, but a woman struggling with things he couldn’t even fathom.

He didn’t know why she helped Gnaegi, but conceded that she probably had a good reason. And, in time, once she trusted him enough, she’d tell him. For once, his job wasn’t as important as the woman he held in his arms. If only… No, he wouldn’t go there. He wouldn’t let reminders of the past affect what could be his future. Instead, he surrendered to this intoxicating kiss, the exchange of heated breaths, the sweet, sensual unfolding of awareness between two beings that barely knew each other. A moan slipped into the brushing lips and delicate fingers found coarse silken locks. This time it wasn’t she who moaned. The world ceased to exist, it fell away like brittle leaves, burning as sparks ignited and bodies drew closer. Yet, the kiss lingered at the periphery of seduction. Adam wanted to draw out the tenderness. Somehow, knowing if he rushed this, he’d lose the fragile bond they seemed to be building a bit at a time. Besides, there was still that sense of innocence entrusted to him. He couldn ’t bring himself to ever violate that trust. Adam didn’t know how long they would have stayed in that enchanted world of sweet, endless, intoxicating kisses if a truck didn’t whoosh by and spray the SUV with muddied water. Startled, they broke away. Hannah touched her lips and whispered, "Oh." "Yes," he agreed. "That was…" This time slender fingers pressed against his lips. "Don’t speak of it." His brow drew together in confusion. "Why?" "We shouldn’t have done that." "Why?" "It’s… It’s…" "Amazing?" "Yes, but…" "Wonderful?" "Yes, but…" "Hot?" "Oh yes, but…" He laughed, cutting her off a third time. "No buts, dear Hannah. We did nothing wrong. It was just a few, innocent kisses." "Perhaps for you, but for me…" She trailed off, color tinting her cheeks. "Magic," he said, this time he didn’t end it with a question. "It was the same for me,

darlin’. Still, it wasn’t wrong." She kept her gaze averted to the dashboard. "Your Gran is waiting." He stared at her a moment longer, then pulled the vehicle back onto the road. Rain slowed, but the stressed silence made its pounding sound like wild, thumping feet upon the SUV’s roof. "Hannah," he said after a long pause, "have you ever been married?" "No," she said. "Hannah," he said again after another lengthy silence. "Have you ever been in love?" "Yes. I was betrothed to Seth." The wind echoed itself. The rain intensified. The air thickened with another lengthy silence. Then, "Hannah, were you intimate with Seth?" "No… Yes… Ummm… That is a difficult question." "Not so difficult, darlin’. You either were or you weren’t." Her head bowed so low, it nearly met the dashboard. Color bloomed on her cheeks as if applied by an artist’s redtipped brush. "It goes against the faith, especially for Seth, who was being groomed to be an elder. Not even our lips should have touched." "Ah, darlin’, it’s all right. You are human, things like that happen when you’re in love." "You don’t understand." He pulled into the hospital parking lot. "Not much to understand. Two people in love wind up in each other’s arms. However, considering you seem so inexperienced, innocent, almost virginal, it must not have happened often." "Once," she said, her voice a mere echo of sound. She crossed her arms and curled her fists under her chin. Tears trailed down her cheeks without sound. Adam took the first available parking spot, but didn’t bother to turn off the engine only yank on the emergency brake. He reached out to touch her. She whimpered and pulled back. "Don’t," she said, and then with a repugnant ring to her weak voice. "I am flawed."

"Flawed?" "A… a… temptress, they said." "Who said?" "The elders, but I’m not. I’m not. I fought him. I tried to fight him… I really tried… I am not flawed… Truly… not flawed… But, maybe they are right. I must be flawed for I seem to tempt you as well." The air became trapped in Adam’s lungs for a brief eternity, and then emerged on a gush. "Oh, God, Hannah, didn’t anyone ever tell you that if it is against your will, it’s rape?" * * * * CHAPTER SEVEN The counsel of elders sat on benches placed in a square. Gnaegi stood in the middle of that square. Pale blue walls, white trim and dark green shades were the room’s only colors. A gleaming hardwood floor reflected meticulous care. Lanterns hung from the beamed ceiling and cast an eerie light. "I failed," Gnaegi announced. "It was already known, but it had to be said in the midst of all." "She is as cunning as Rebecca and will pay for her crimes," Master Miller, the counsel leader, said in a cracked voice. "Rebecca never did," Gnaegi announced. "Because you protected her." Gnaegi stared at the floor. "It is my sin to answer for." "Among many," Seth Cook said from the corner. He was not one of the elders as yet, but still in training for the day Gnaegi settled back. "Hannah would have returned if she knew the stakes. Did you explain them to her or did you use your usual tactics?" Gnaegi’s gaze clashed with Seth’s, but he didn’t respond. "I’ve seen the condition in which you brought back others. You are a disgrace to your vocation and should step down from your post." "You are not even part of the elders, Seth Cook. You had your own part in this situation. You could have kept silent about her, rather than lust for another and cast her aside," bit out Thomas Carpenter, a man only a few years older than Seth.

"I loved the girl, once" Seth pronounced, "but she was too flawed. That is no becoming in the wife of an elder." "Then you did not love her enough. You shamed her, had her shunned. She did not deserve that." "The past matters not," Miller spoke. "But the balance must be restored. She needs to come home. Gnaegi you must go back." "I cannot," he said. "I gave my word." Several gasps echoed in the plain room. "It was the only way she would give me the portal to return." Seth moved into the light. "Surely, you could have found another way." "I was imprisoned. There was no other way." Another voice entered the discussion, high pitched and nervous. "None are as attuned to that world as you. It will be risky to send another," A cold stillness ensued, then Master Miller announced. "Perhaps, the time has come for our new elder to take possession of Master Gnaegi’s seat and responsibilities." "Nay," pronounced Thomas Carpenter, but his voice became lost among the others who voted for Gnaegi’s removal and Seth Cook’s installment. Not as distressed as most would have suspected, Gnaegi moved to the door, looked around once at the chamber he would never again step into, then departed without objection. **** "She is lovely, Adam," Gran announced, her tone brighter than Adam had heard in weeks. "So, when did you two start seeing each other." Adam hadn’t had a chance to prep Hannah. He didn’t even have a chance to finish their conversation from the SUV. The woman had gotten out, rushed into the hospital and simply refused to discuss her past. He had to make her understand what Seth did wasn’t her fault, that when a man used forced it was against the law. What was wrong with that sect of hers, allowing rape, and then blaming the woman for it? At the moment, though, Hannah appeared fragile and unapproachable. He had to give her time. Besides, Gran stared at him expectantly. He could almost hear her mentally counting the number of great-grandchildren she would one day have even if she only saw them from heaven.

"We just met," Hannah said, somehow aware that Gran wanted her grandson married before she died. "So this is a first date?" Hannah didn’t even flinch. "Guess you could call it that." "Why didn’t you tell me, Adam. You were just here last night and you said there was noone." "We met last night." Gran winked. "Fast worker, eh?" Hannah had stopped at the gift shop, insisting she get this woman she never met something to brighten her room. There were already an abundance of flowers, balloons and cards, so Hannah was glad she had chosen a stuffed angel bear that played Amazing Grace when one squeezed the paw. "Oh, how delightful!" Gran exclaimed, when she slipped it out of the gift bag. The sweet, but tinny strains echoed in the private room. "Thank you so much, Hannah." "You’re welcome, Mrs. McGreggor." "Call me Gran, everyone does, besides, my name is Greta Stine. I am Adam’s grandmother on his mother’s side." "I lost my own grandmother long ago. I would be honored to call you Gran." She patted the edge of the bed as she tucked the bear next to her pillow. "Come, sit, tell me about yourself." Hannah told her about growing up on an Amish type of farm, and how much she enjoyed the country, but how much more she loved listening to the ocean and living on the water. Her voice rang with varying emotions that the older woman seemed to discern for she often patted her hand as if in encouragement. Although still exceptionally pale, her face had become animated. Her smile had returned. Adam knew Gran had good days and bad ones, but he also knew this was more than just a good day, it was the thought that she might not have to leave Adam alone. "You must miss your family very much living away," Gran said. "It is more than that, I am shunned, but I have new friends and a new life. One makes do. If life hands you lemons, you make cookies to go with the lemonade," she said with a small smile.

Apparently, Gran wasn’t fooled by the girl’s bravado and touched her cheek with a frail, IV- bruised hand. "Bless your heart, child." The gesture unnerved Hannah and she had to blink back tears. Even more so because she knew this woman didn’t have much longer to live. Unless… An idea formed, but she wasn’t certain if it was viable. "Now, tell me, what do you do for a living?" Hannah blanched and averted her gaze. "I own a nightclub." "It seems you don’t like your profession." "I don’t, and I’m working on a way to take in a partner and start a little gift shop. Only, I’m not certain if it will be possible." "Not possible? Why not?" "There is a clause in the will that I must marry before I sell the club, and that clause might include taking in a business partner." "Will?" "I inherited the club from my aunt. Well, actually she wasn’t my blood aunt, but I loved her like she was." A shadow seemed to drift over Gran’s face. "What was your aunt’s name?" "Rebecca Blyer. Did you know her?" Instead of answering, Gran squeezed her eyes shut tightly. "I am very tired. Perhaps, we can visit another time." "Gran, are you all right?" Adam inquired, worry furrowing his brow at the sudden reversal in her spirits. "Yes… Of course, just exhausted. You know how it is." Nodding, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Love you, Gran." "I love you, too, never forget how much I love you," she said softly as she slipped down into the covers. "Hannah, come back again. I enjoy your company." "I will, Gran," she said and gently squeezed the frail hand. She knew the illness took its toll on the woman, but somehow Hannah had the feeling there was more to this. It was too abrupt. Once the couple settled back into the SUV, Adam rested his head against the steering wheel. "I pray they find a bone-marrow donor, but there isn’t any family left.

Plus, no matter what the doctors say, I’m certain there is age discrimination." Hannah placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder and squeezed. "I know how hard this must be for you. If there is anything I can do…" Her voice trailed into nothing, knowing she just might be able to help; a way that they could help each other, but was it an option? How would she convince anyone that there was a place where illness didn’t exist? He straightened and smiled, a sad but grateful smile. "Just having met you helps." She smiled back, just as sadly, just as grateful. "Ditto, Adam." He looked at her for a long, indiscernible moment as if ravenous to uncover every nuance of her. "I need to get some work done, but how about dinner?" he asked. Hannah knew she should refuse, knew spending too much time with Adam would draw her closer and closer to the man. She couldn’t allow that, or could she? Whatwas keeping her from forming a relationship with him? Perhaps, the thought that shehad a secret to keep? That she might be able to save his grandmother, but in doingso, he’d lose her forever, anyway. Utterly confused, Hannah decided to turn downhis offer but found herself agreeing. "I’d like that, Adam, but would tomorrowevening be okay? I need to get coverage for the club." "Sounds fine, but be prepared. There are several things we need to discuss." Hannah’s wanted to kick herself. She knew she shouldn’t have left her guard down."No, there isn’t anything we need to discuss.""I disagree," he offered as he pulled onto the highway. "I want to know what happened to Gnaegi.""Perhaps dinner isn’t such a good idea.""We must also discuss what happened with Seth," he said as if not hearing her."No.""Yes.""Let it go.""Can’t.""Why?""Because you need to talk about it.""Do not. It happened. It’s over.""But you think you are flawed.""Don’t think it, know it."Adam cast her a sideways glance. "See what I mean.""No, I don’t see.""Tell you what, Hannah, talk to me about Seth and we won’t talk about Gnaegi over dinner." Hannah considered a moment, and then nodded. "It’s a deal. I am relieved that youare letting this go.""Who said I was letting it go?""You just said…""I said," he interrupted, "I wouldn’t discuss him over dinner, but we will have the entire night, darlin’." He headed toward her home. "I’ll pick you up at seven, tomorrow evening." "No! I will not go with you. I won’t be there." "You’d better be, or I’ll come looking for you."

Her jaw dropped open, then she shut it and didn’t speak. Adam simply grinned. **** Seth walked across the open field, littered with autumn leaves. A cool wind whipped the edges of his black coat and tugged at his hat. The sky offered bulging clouds, packed with rain, but he had a feel for weather and instinctively knew it wouldn’t rain for a few hours. After pulling a tin cup out of his pail, he ladled up fresh brook water, and then settled beneath a large oak tree. He emptied his pail containing a wrapped sandwich, fruit and shoo-fly pie his wife had made that very morning, before setting his hat to one side. Unlike the English world, here nothing was polluted and his first mouthful of water made him sigh as if he had just tasted ambrosia. The other side of the Threshold had modern conveniences and entertainment that could propel one into a fantasy life without end. Seth, though, preferred the simpler pace of this world, the structure, the rules, the peace, but mostly the fact that he had been groomed to be an elder and had finally achieved that rank. Here he was an important man, someone who commanded respect and notability. In that other world, he’d be just one of many struggling to make his mark. Seth didn’t have any noteworthy skills and his intelligence level was only a little above average. Still, his shrewdness laced with charm enabled him to often get his way among the naïve of this land whereas the English saw right through him. He would never amount to more than a con man there. It was the true reason that he had Hannah shunned. Despite the fact that she loved and adored him, she had the intelligence to eventually realize the truth. Still, he could have lived with that if she weren’t quite so alluring. An elder had to maintain a certain image. He needed a more wholesome looking woman, a bit plump and totally subservient like the one he just married. Sweet Sarah with the plain brown eyes and wide hips. They would have many off-spring to work the farm. It would be a good life even if he didn’t love the woman. Then again, he didn’t love Hannah either. He lusted for her, though, and found it quite ironic that her attributes where a detriment to him here. She was flawed even before he had taken her. Everyone could see it. No matter how moralistic men tried to be on this side of the Threshold, they were still men. The older Hannah got, the more attention she got. How could a man not drown in those huge gray eyes, not want to feel the luxurious locks or claim those lush lips? Even if she remained pure, there would have been rumors and innuendoes, the very type of thing that could oust him as an elder. So, he took her against her will, and then used that mating to reveal the flaw that everyone noted anyway. No one believed that Seth forced her. With her flaw so obvious, it was easy to convince the elders that she had seduced him into sin. Gnaegi knew the truth, but would do anything Seth asked of him. For Gnaegi had his own secrets to hide. Only, Seth didn’t expect Becca to take Hannah over the Threshold. He expected to have

Hannah as his mistress. Already shunned and without a home or means of support, she would have gratefully accepted his offer to take care of her in exchange for certain favors. Seth no longer fretted about it, though. For all was working as he wished. Soon enough Hannah would be forced to return. He’d set her up in the hills, but would supply her with birth control from the modern world. He wouldn’t make the mistake others had and have illegitimate children waiting in the wings to ruin his well-constructed life. Biting into the beef sandwich, Seth felt a surge of pleasure. He would soon have it all, and it didn’t matter if Hannah wasn’t happy. It didn’t even matter if Sarah wasn’t happy, although, it didn’t take much to prompt an adoring smile from that homely dolt. The twit thought she’d achieved nirvana to have a handsome man on the verge of being an elder marry her. He could control Sarah very easily. Soon, he would control the counsel of elders as well. And, those who didn’t see things his way would fall prey to Gnaegi. He had a blood-lust few suspected, but Seth knew and would use Gnaegi well. In time Master Miller would die quietly in his sleep. There were drugs that could be secured, and considering the man’s age and the lack of forensics, none would be the wiser. First, though, Thomas Carpenter needed to endure an untimely death, a tragic accident. It wasn’t just that Carpenter held much favor among the elders and could be voted as leader, but that Carpenter suspected Seth lied about Hannah. Once she returned, he might try to prove it before Seth whisked her into the mountains. After devouring the sandwich, Seth munched on an apple, plotting his future with precision and glee. Never once considering that his actions were in opposition to his faith or an affront to this holy land bestowed upon his ancestors. Like another from the beginning of time, Gnaegi let the serpent into paradise by not guarding the gate and Seth was about to hand over the key. * * * * CHAPTER EIGHT The following evening, Adam showed up at her door in a crisp, white shirt, woven tweed jacket and dress pants. Still, the air of cowboy lingered like vestments. He wore a brass buckle with a matching slide attached to his string tie, leather boots and his Stetson in hand. The slight bent to his chestnut hair had been slicked back, made smooth, which somehow caused his eyes to appear even more intense, fathomlessly blue. Yet, she sensed a vulnerability to him. In his too straight-stance, in the way he turned the brim of the Stetson over and over in his strong, blunt fingers. He had forced this date. Well, perhaps not entirely forced. She wanted to be with him more than anything. She just didn’t want to talk about Seth or Gnaegi. She had to figure out a way to stay in this world, but didn’t want to use Adam’s Gran to do it. Only, what if that was the only way to save his Gran. Would it still be selfish of her? Should she just allow herself to splinter into separate spirits wandering twin worlds forever? But, that was not possible. It was not what she believed.

Why couldn’t she just have a normal date, a normal life? Perhaps normalcy wasn’t her destiny, but for just a little while she pushed all the problems away and feasted on this alluring man who wanted to be in her company. Still, she wasn’t prepared for the uncertainty in Adam’s countenance. How could he be uncertain? Didn’t he know he captivated her so completely that she’d risk just about anything to be with him? Obviously, he didn’t know, making her realize that she mattered to him just as much as he mattered to her. When did that happen? They just met. It wasn’t possible to feel so attached to someone within a few days. Somehow, though, they had bonded. Or was it one-sided? Maybe she was reading altogether too much into things. Only, she hoped she wasn’t. She could love this man. She didn’t want to love him. Her life was too complicated, but oh how easy it would be to simply fall in love with him, to pretend she didn’t come from the other side, to know that he could love her flawed and all. He stepped into the cottage and released a slow breath. "I was afraid you’d refuse to go out." "I did, remember?" "I really wouldn’t have forced you, you know." "I know," she said softly, and she did truly know. Adam wasn’t cut from the same cloth as Seth or Gnaegi. He’d never force anything from her. It wasn’t his coercion that had her ready and waiting for him, but her own need and longing for him. "So, what changed your mind?" "An attack of stupidity." A smile tugged at chiseled lips. "Should I be insulted?" "Flattered. I’m not always so easy." "Easy? I haven’t had this much trouble getting a date since high school." Her gaze drifted over him, a slow, lingering gaze, the type Hannah never dared before. "I don’t believe you ever had trouble getting a date." "Didn’t I tell you earlier I’m shy?" "And actually expected me to believe it, yet. I’m not that gullible." His tone deepened. His gaze intensified. "Not gullible, darlin’, but you can’t deny the innocence." A flush crept into her cheeks. She averted her gaze. "You know the truth of that. I am not innocent."

He touched a wayward wisp of hair, traced a thumb over her lush, bottom lip. "Yes, I know the truth, Hannah, and you are still innocent, innocent and beautiful." He wanted to say more, but he couldn’t latch onto the proper words. How did he speak his heart when he didn’t even know it himself? He did know, though, she was a walking fantasy. The bulk of silky locks had been swept up into a Gibson, with wayward tendrils tumbling free on either side of her lightly made-up face and down the length of a slender back. A vintage lace dress slipped over full breasts, nipped her waist and flared outward in swirls to finish in a handkerchief hemline. Despite long sleeves and high neckline, tantalizing glimpses of flesh could be seen from a well of cleavage to the length of slender arms. Elegant heels gave her additional height and emphasized slender ankles and well-shaped calves. However, her enthralling appearance didn’t get to him as much as the vulnerability of her gaze. He had never seen such openness, never experienced such sweet appeal. It took every fiber of resolve not to gather her up into his arms and carry her to the bedroom, touching her, kissing her, exploring every nuance of her until she whimpered assent for more. He wouldn’t, though; he couldn’t, not after what she had been through. Not while she thought herself flawed, besides, he didn’t just want her body, he wanted the totality of her. He wanted things he couldn’t name, and the wanting terrified him. He always lost those he loved. He dare not love again. His heart couldn’t take it. If that were true, why was he here? He could fool himself and say it was to get her to lead him to Gnaegi, but it wouldn’t be the truth. He could even pretend it would please Gran to know he was dating. That would only be another falsehood. He needed to be here, needed Hannah’s smile, her old-world enchantment, her soothing presence. He needed her like he never needed anyone, not even… An invisible barrier severed his thoughts. No, he wouldn’t think about that, about Lynn. He’d make himself crazy. For a little while nothing mattered but the moment, this very special moment and the woman who shared it with him. Hannah frowned and her hands flew to her cheeks. "It is too much, yet?" Her words seemed to have come from a distance and Adam had to mentally shake himself free of the web she so easily spun. "Too much?" "The make-up. It is the first time I wore it. I wanted to cover the… the bruises." The entirety of her gaze beseeched his approval almost like a child. "I do not look… look loosed, do I?" "Loosed," he repeated, feeling dimwitted. "Like a… a…" Her voice lowered to a near whisper, "…a wanton woman."

If she had not looked so serious, Adam would have laughed at the absurdity of the notion and the antiquated phrase. "No, darlin’, you do not. Like I said," he gripped his hat to keep from reaching for her, "you look innocent and beautiful." "Don’t be deceived, Adam McGreggor. It is nothing more than my flawed nature at work. I just don’t wish to make the flaw even more apparent." A sudden rage shook Adam to his core. "Don’t!" he bit out. "Don’t ever say that again, Hannah. You are not flawed, and anyone who made you feel that way is a fool." She tilted her head and studied him for a drawn out minute. "You mean that, don’t you?" "Yes, darlin’, I mean it, and I want you to start believing it." "Perhaps, one day," she said, then reached for a shawl. "Are you ready or would you like a drink before we go?" "I’m ready, but you’ll need a coat." "It’s that cold out?" "Frigid and damp." After placing the shawl aside, she plucked a jacket out of the closet, but before she could put it on, Adam stilled her hand. "You need either a raincoat or winter coat." "You are like my father, do what I say, not what I do. You are wearing only a jacket." "I have a coat in the SUV." "I don’t own a coat. It took Aunt Becca six months to get me to wear buttons and a jacket. Never wore a coat." Adam blinked. "Oh… ummm…" "Why Adam McGreggor, this is a first. The cat got your tongue, yet." A gentle laugh emerged and Adam felt his ears redden. As if on cue, Inky meowed and rubbed itself against Adam’s leg. He hunched down and petted the affectionate feline, but stared directly into Hannah’s gaze. "It’s okay,darlin’, guess you really don’t need a coat since you have me."She tilted her head to one side quizzically."I have two warm arms and will make certain to keep you warm."This time Hannah’s tongue appeared lost as her mouth gaped open and her cheeks flushed. As he led her out the door, Adam chuckled. "Seems like that cat scored two tongues tonight."

**** At the hospital, Gran snuggled against the pillows that Nora had just straightened. "It was kind of you to visit, Nora. I know you are having your own troubles." "Adam told you?" "No, Matt. He visited a couple of days ago. He needed to talk to someone…" a teasing smile lifting pale lips, "… wise." "Oh?" Gran chuckled. She just had chemotherapy that day, and she always felt better on treatment days, it was two days later that the cure created havoc within her system and made her ill. "Bet it’s why you showed up here today, too. Can’t talk to Adam about this because you fear it will stir up too many emotions. So, you came to the oracle." The older woman beamed. "It’s the fate of the older generation. People treat you as if you entered your second childhood, or as if you’re an oracle. Go figure!" "Well, at least, Matt and I picked the later. Treating you like a child would be insulting." "You wouldn’t cause you need my sage advice, and Matt wouldn’t dare because I changed that squirt’s diapers." Nora laughed and rubbed her still flat tummy. "One day I’ll have diapers to change, too. That is if…" Her gaze dropped and her lips pursed. "Come here, child," Gran encouraged, patting the edge of the bed, and then rubbing Nora’s hand after the tiny woman sat. "It’s going to be all right. You’re not going to die and neither am I." "Yes, I know," Nora said with a feigned smile. "We’re both going to be all right." "I’m not being all brave and noble, child. My prayers have been answered and yours as well." "I don’t understand." "Open that drawer," Gran said, pointing to the nightstand. "See my cosmetic case?" Nora nodded. "Give it to me." After obeying, Nora eased back on the bed, watching as Gran’s frail fingers clicked the case open, and then rummaged until she got to the bottom. Finally, she pulled out a small

wooden box. She opened it and held up an unadorned locket. "Have you ever seen anything like this before?" Gran caught Nora’s look of pity and rolled her crinkle-blue eyes. "I am not becoming senile, child! I know it looks like a locket, but look inside and you will see something extraordinary." Quivering hands placed the sterling object within Nora’s palm. The younger woman opened it slowly, and then gasped at the startling crystal facets that illuminated her face like she was being seen through the colorful end of a kaleidoscope. "What is it?" "It’s called a portal." * * * * Although the storm had passed, gray clouds whispered across the ebony sky, blotting out both the moon and stars. A fine mist, tossed up from the bay, sprayed the SUV as they crossed a series of bridges lining Ocean Drive. The sound blended with the thumping windshield wipers and the soft humming wind. Adam’s voice slipped into this echo of reverberation as if it were the tempo directing every credence. "So, the Amish don’t wear coats?" he said simply to get her talking. Sometimes, she was altogether too quiet, as if a part of her resided in another dimension and if he didn’t pull her back to him, he’d lose her forever. And, God help him, he knew he couldn’t lose her. Despite Gnaegi, despite the short acquaintance, he was falling for her, and he suspected she for him. "The men wear coats. They’re black broadcloth without any buttons." "What’s wrong with buttons?" "They are proud, vain. They are a plain people, and strive to be perfect in God’s eyes." "I doubt God minds a few buttons." She smiled. "I doubt it, too, but it was the way of it and sometimes it is difficult to turn one’s back on a lifetime of tradition." "I wasn’t raised with many traditions, but Gran instilled in me a respect for God and a sense of right and wrong." "In this world, right and wrong seem so subjective to whims and personal objectives." "It is more black and white than you think, Hannah. Even here, we have laws to uphold. Now, morality is a different matter. Even then, I think people know right from wrong. They just want to manipulate it to soothe their conscience. Sometimes, it is too difficult to accept one’s mistakes. Gran, though, taught me about forgiveness as well. She told me in repentance we find peace. So, even when I lock up the worst offender and find myself

wanting to judge them without a jury, I remember that it isn’t up to me and to leave it up to the courts and on another level a higher authority. After all, only God knows a man’s heart, and I don’t know what brought them to such captivity both physically and spiritually." Hannah’s gaze eased over him like a gentle caress. "Your Gran instilled wisdom as well as sensitivity." "Weren’t easy, darlin’, poor Gran nearly had to crack open my skull and pour it in." Hannah laughed softly, a gentle laugh like the strumming of a harp. "I like your Gran, Adam…" she said, and then hesitated before adding, "…and I like you, too, very, very much." He grinned. "Back attcha, darlin’." For an instant, their eyes locked, Adam turned away first but continued to feel her gaze, direct, honest, clear, and so warm it made his insides quiver. "You aren’t just a handsome man, Adam, you are a good one. You could make awoman swoon, yet.""Swoon, do they?""Don’t they?""You’re still conscious.""Barely," she said with such candor, such intensity that they both know it wasn’t just idle banter. This time, she turned away, toward the window. Through the glass’ reflection, she saw the heighten color creep into her cheeks. She tried not to think about what she admitted with her words or how quickly she was giving into her emotions. Instead, she concentrated on the view. The moon momentarily peeked through the gray-latticed sky and illuminated small crafts that bopped in the water like miniature corks. Beyond that, that lights of small beach resorts - Avalon, Stone Harbor, and The Wildwoods – twinkled like fireflies. "Where are we going?" she asked, knowing eventually they’d run out of Jersey road. "Cape May. There’s an excellent Japanese restaurant my former sensei owns. It serves authentic cuisine in all its formal exquisiteness." She swiveled back to him. " Sansei? That is a martial arts instructor?" "Yes." Adam glanced at her and winced at the unmasked horror in her expression. "Don’t look at me like that, Hannah. I’m not a barbarian.""I didn’t say anything.""You don’t need to. I never met a more expressive woman.""I know. It is a flaw."He covered her delicate hand with his larger one. "No, darlin’, it’s an asset. I don’t have to guess at your thoughts and I like that. Only, I don’t want you to think I go out of my way to hurt people. I took up karate so I would only have to use a gun as a last resort. The Japanese characters that make up the word karate means open

hand, signifying that it is a means of self-defense, not attack. During training, one of the first principles taught is the cultivation and preservation of life." "Somehow that seems like a contradiction." "It depends on how you look at it. I’ve never used karate as anything other than a physical and mental exercise unless my life or someone else’s is at stake." She continued to study him with a pensive look. "I was taught that any form of violence is wrong. Even if it meant death." "Apparently, Gnaegi wasn’t raised in the same sect," he couldn’t help submitting. She touched her fading bruises, making Adam feel like a heel for even mentioning the man. "Gnaegi is a disgrace to the old order, but he will answer to God." "As we all will in the end, but for now we need to protect the innocent." Adam didn’t know if he was getting through to her. He didn’t want her to view him as someone who deliberately hurt others. They had enough barriers between them without anything additional, especially not his vocation, that could truly hamper any sort of relationship. He nearly grinned at the thought. Up until this moment, he knew love was about to crush him with the totality of a tidal wave ravishing the shoreline, but he had intended to fight it. He finally realized, the only fight he intended was the bout for her heart. Only, how did he do that? Frustrated, he raked taunt fingers through his hair. Rebellious locks tumbled into his gaze. Hannah reached out and pushed them away with such gentle care, that Adam realized that somehow he was winning her over. She wasn’t repulsed, only curious, and speculative. "Hannah," he said softly, "I was once in a situation where I had to break a man’s arm to save a little girl’s life. Was I right or wrong?" "That is an unfair question," she rebuked with a frown. "So was the situation." She sighed. "I would have whooped the man to a bloody pulp to save the girl. You were not wrong, Adam McGreggor." "Whooped?" She grinned. "Are you making fun of me?" "I wouldn’t dare." His smile matched hers. "You might just whoop me."

At that she gave him a playful punch on the arm. "Like a dog chewin’ on new britches." He laughed and for several minutes the somber mood drifted into playful banter and an exchange of happy childhood memories. By the time they pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot, they seemed like any other couple on a date, without cares or barriers. Only, as they walked over a slate pathway and through a miniature pagoda, Hannah inadvertently brought the mood to an end. "You are really an extraordinary man, Adam, I can’t believe someone hasn’t already snatched you up." His expression tightened against the lingering remnants of a summer tan. "I was married a long time ago.""Oh," she said into the abrupt awkwardness."She died.""Oh, goodness, I’m so sorry, Adam… I didn’t mean…""Hush," he said. "Don’t worry about it, besides I don’t deserve your condolences.""I don’t understand. You lost someone you loved. I…"A raspy, bitter tone severed any following words on her part. "It’s my fault she died as surely as if I had killed her." **** CHAPTER NINE The enchanting hues mesmerized Nora, and she nearly snatched the locket back when Gran gently took it away and shut it. "One could stare at it for hours. I know, I have." "What do you mean, portal?" "First, you must promise not to tell anyone. I’ve kept this secret since Adam was a baby and I thought to die with it. Only, I’ve recently discovered that there is someone who can tell me how to work the portal, and a chance at life. As much as I’ m ready to go home, it would be nice live a little longer, don’t you agree?" "Are you feeling all right, Gran?" Nora shifted her slight weight. "I mean, the crystal is impressive, but a portal?" "I know it sounds insane, but I had the portal examined by a jeweler in Philadelphia and he said he had never seen any crystal like that. He said it has a molecular energy and wanted to send it off to some university, but I took it back and And since I didn ’t want to

sound as insane as I do now, I didn’t show anyone else. There would be too many questions that I didn’t want to answer. I really thought I’d never have need of it." "Where did you get it?" "From Rebecca Byler, she gave it to me when…" Gran hesitated, bite her bottom lip, then rushed, "That doesn’t matter. What does matter is that on the other side of this portal is a place of healing. Rebecca also said there is another way, through. It’s called the Threshold." "You’re not making sense, Gran. I really think we need to tell Matt and Adam about this." Gran’s hand fluttered in the air as if batting flies. "We will. We will, but not yet. I need to talk to that girl Hannah that Adam knows. I would have called her, but I don’ t know her last name and I don’t know how to wring it out of Adam. He’ll think it is all about matchmaking. Although, I’m not adverse to his attachment to the girl." "Um, Gran, he just met the woman. I don’t think…" The older woman hushed her with another fly-swatting movement. "Hogwash, that doesn’t matter. I knew Gramps exactly twenty-four hours before we eloped. It doesn’t take love long to find itself. Now, do you want to live to diaper that baby of yours?" "You know I do!" "Then be a good girl and help me out." Nora had a decisively uncomfortable look. "I don’t know. This is all too strange." After taking a deep breath and letting it go a puff at a time, Gran eased the hospital bed to an almost upright position by pressing a button. She then crooked a finger and motioned Nora closer. "What I’m about to tell you will sound impossible, but listen with your heart not with your logic." "I will try." "Good! First, of all, would you like to know what lies on the other side of the portal?" Nora nodded, a slight nod, a consenting that somehow still bordered on hesitation. Papery lips lifted in a soft smile. "Paradise." ****

Before Hannah could question Adam, he ushered her into the restaurant. The proprietor recognized Adam immediately and bowed. "Adam-san, it is good to see you again. It has been much too long. My son has told me you haven’t been to the gym as often as you used to be." Adam bowed in return. "Greetings, Ty-san. I am sorry to say, Gran is in the hospital again, and that has occupied much of my time." "Ah," the tiny-boned man said, "it is the trials of this world we must bear. Please, tell Gran-san she is in our thoughts. I will be sure to drop by and see her." "She would enjoy a visit from her old sensei." The gentleman ushered them to a private dinning chamber with a view of the Cape May Lighthouse. Purple and white irises, arranged in a green bamboo raft, squatted on a low, black lacquer table surrounded by plush pillows. A bold calligraphy decorated one wall, while an ornamental scent ball of brocade hung in a nearby corner. "As I would enjoy seeing her," the owner said. Please, have a pleasurable meal. The waitress will be with you shortly." Both men bowed, and then the proprietor turned a smile to Hannah and stooped a second time. "It is good to see Adam-san with a woman. His grandmother would be pleased." Before she could respond, he slid the door closed. "What a gentleman," Hannah said, as Adam helped her assess a pillow before dropping onto the one opposite her. "Yes he is, and a great teacher. He was my first sensei, and now I learn from his son." "Did I hear correctly that he used to be Gran’s sensei?" "Yes, Gran took karate up until she was diagnosed." "Your Gran sounds like a very interesting lady." "Interesting, intelligent and both mom and dad to me." "She raised you?" "Since I was nearly four years old." He responded before she could ask. "My parents died. They all died." In a stilted voice, he explained about the death of their entire family and how both he and Gran had survived. She placed both her hands over the left side of her chest as it pained her. "Oh, Adam, my heart grieves for you."

"It’s okay, Hannah, Gran was wonderful. Yes, I miss my family or what I can remember of them, but I lacked for nothing. Gran made certain of it. Except for that tragedy, I had a wonderful childhood." "And then you grew up and experienced another tragedy." Their eyes locked and somehow Adam knew he couldn’t evade this forever, not if he wanted a relationship with Hannah, and he did want that. He never felt more at ease with a woman, never felt more like he had found home. "Her name was Lynn." "Your wife?" He nodded but didn’t get much further. A waitress in a celestial dragon kimono complete with an artfully knotted obi appeared. She took a drink order, saki for Adam, tea for Hannah, and then she slipped silently away. "Her name was Lynn," Hannah encouraged. "I was a deputy. She was a poet, beautiful, whimsical, frail. Amazingly, she actually earned a living with her poetry, but mostly with readings at bohemian cafes and teaching adult night classes. I met her when picking Gran up at one of those classes." He grinned, a soft, reflective grin. "Gran set up the meeting, of course, said her car was being serviced. Every time I’d turn around, Gran had Lynn at her house. At first, Lynn and I laughed at Gran’s matchmaking and became friends. In time we fell in love. I never thought to ask her if she wanted children. I took it as a given. It wasn ’t until after we were married for three years that I asked her to stop taking birth-control pills." The waitress brought their drinks, and Hannah asked her to give them a little time before ordering. "Go on," she said, softly, taking his hand in hers. "She refused at first, but I cajoled and bribed and pleaded. I lost my entire family. I wanted to have a large family. I wanted holidays brimming with kids and Gran. She finally agreed to one child and became pregnant within months." "She hated being pregnant, hated the weight gain, hated the nausea, even hated planning the nursery. It was around this time of year when she started talking about day care. I didn’t think we need it, between Gran, who couldn’t wait to baby-sit as often as possible, and her work being mostly at night, I figured we could work something out. Lynn freaked out. She didn’t want to take care of the baby during the day, that was when her muse was the most potent. She needed quiet to work, not have a squalling infant around." He stared at the irises; took a breath, then plunged onward. "We argued. The worst argument we ever had. She ran out the door and took off in her sports car. With her protruding stomach, she barely fit any more, but that didn’t stop her. I went after her, but caught the Somer’s Point Drawbridge and lost sight of her. Next thing I knew I got a call

that she had an accident. Wrapped herself around a telephone pole. She was eight months pregnant. Both she and the baby died." He didn’t notice that Hannah had moved, but he suddenly felt her behind him, arms wrapped around his back, head resting between his shoulder blades. "It wasn’t your fault." "She was pregnant and emotional. I shouldn’t have argued with her like that. I shouldn’t have forced her to have a baby." "She loved you, wanted to please you, but then the reality of it all overwhelmed her." "That’s what Gran said, but I still feel responsible. I didn’t have the right to force her to accept my dreams and desires. We had years before getting married to figure out what we wanted from marriage, but I couldn’t see past having her love, of a future without loneliness. I was selfish." "No, Adam. You are the most unselfish man I know. And, please don’t take offense, but from what you have said, she seemed a little immature. She wasn’t ready to grow up and take responsibility." He laughed, a bitter laugh. "Gran said that, too." "We can all look back to things we should and shouldn’t have done, but none of it can be changed. Let it go, Adam. You have an entire life yet to live and I’d venture to say there will be another love and children, and you won’t ever be lonely. If nothing else, I’ll be here for you as a friend, and I’m not frail or whimsical, but solid and steady and sure." The sweet declaration unhinged Adam and he blinked back the urge to tear up. Instead, slipped around her, kissed her softly and muttered against her hair. "I want more than friendship, Hannah." Before she could respond, the waitress pressed the sliders back. "Are you ready?" Hannah nodded, and she knew it was not just in answer to the waitress, but to Adam as well. She, too, wanted more than friendship. She didn’t know if it was possible, but she wanted it more than anything. Returning to her pillow, she deferred to Adam’s expertise in ordering, she listened as he explained what to expect. He told her there would be numerous courses served on china that was, in pattern or color, complimentary to the food it carried and that it would harmonize with both the item next to it and the season. Yet his explanation did not prepare Hannah for the artistic display of edibles, arranged like masterpieces: chicken broth with shitake mushrooms, carrot shreds, a lemon slice and fine green onions served in tiny, lidded crocks; gleaming rice mixed with chestnuts

contrasted against decorative tan bowls; various fish dishes arranged in porcelain plates, and the main entrée - a mixture of lobster, clams, scallions and string-like noodles drenched in a thick broth. Hannah never experienced such elegant, sensuous dining. It wasn’t just the meal itself, parts of which were prepared right at the table by a jocular, accented chef, but by Adam’s total devotion. He taught her how to use chopsticks, how to hold the soup bowl in the Japanese fashion. He used every opportunity to share and touch and savor. With his fingers he’d snare a tidbit from his own platter, tease her by running the morsel over her lips before easing it into her mouth so she’d taste not just the exquisite treat but the tang of his flesh. Then he’d lick his fingers, slowly, as if sampling the residue of her taste. Blushing, she’d return the offering, relishing the gesture, the man, the total sensuality of him. They drank black tea from delicate china cups embossed with dragons. They laughed and smiled and exchanged intense looks of longing. They forgot about everything but simply being together, exploring each other thoughts, enjoying the meal, being like any other couple falling in love. By the end of the meal, Hannah experienced needs that went beyond her experience. Never before had she craved a man with such intensity. She longed to explore the muscular terrain of his body, to unleash the power he seemed to be holding in check, but she wanted more than just his physical touch, she wanted to know everything about him, confess everything about herself. She wanted to be part of his world, wanted him to want her and care for her, wanted to love him and care for him, too, without barriers, without secrets. Only, how could she explain? And how could he ever want her, shamed as she had been? He said it wasn’t her fault. He said she wasn ’t flawed, but wasn’t that what he was supposed to say? Still, why was he with her if he felt nothing for her? Could he really only want to find out about Gnaegi? She didn ’t believe that. He wasn’t like Seth. He wouldn’t lie and manipulate just to get what he wanted, would he? Ever perceptive, Adam soothed back wayward wisps of hair escaping the loose topknot. "Hey, what’s up, darlin’? You’re trembling." She shook her head. How could she ever express her thoughts? Hannah needed time to think, and with such close proximity she couldn’t think beyond throwing herself in his arms and begging for a kiss. Catching her chin between his index finger and thumb, he coaxed her to look at him. "Did I say something wrong? Do something to upset you?" "No," she said on a bare echo of sound. "Then what is it? I can tell something is wrong."

"I’m fine, Adam," she offered, but the truth lingered on her lips. How easy it would be to let it all go. She opened her mouth, the words on the verge of tumbling out. "Many pardons," the waitress apologized, "but would you like to see our dessert cart?" "Hannah?" "I’d like to go home, Adam. I need to go home. It was all so wonderful, more wonderful than anything I’ve ever known, but I’m… I’m…." "Overwhelmed?" he supplied. "Yes," she admitted, but didn’t explain that it wasn’t the restaurant or the food that overwhelmed her; it was that it suddenly occurred to her that she had fallen head-overheels for Adam McGreggor. **** At her door, Adam draped his jacket over her shoulders and chatted with her for nearly ten minutes on the porch swing. He ignored his chatting teeth, hoping she’d ask him in, and then finally just inviting himself. "It’s cold out here, darlin’. We’d be more comfortable inside, don’t you think?" "It’d be best not to court trouble, Adam McGreggor. If you come in… We might… Or, you might… And… I…" He cupped her face with one palm. "I won’t force anything, Hannah. I’m not Seth." She stared at a point somewhere behind him. Her gaze turned stormy with fear and shame. "You might not be able to stop yourself." "Only an animal can’t stop himself. A man needs to be in control or it is nothing more than a criminal action." When she didn’t respond, he sighed softly. "Hannah, did your aunt know what happened?" "Yes." "Did she get you any rape counseling?" "How can it be rape when it was my fault?" Adam groaned, and then swallowed hard before saying in a very slow, methodical tone. "It was not your fault. Don’t you get it, Hannah? Seth used force." "But he couldn’t help…"

Pressing his fingers against her lips, he stilled her words. "Yes, he could help it. You didn’t want him to touch you, right?" "No, if he touched me, I knew the rumors would be right, that I truly was flawed. I didn’t want to believe that of myself.""So you fought him?""Yes.""Kicked him?""Yes.""Scratched him?""Yes.""Hit him?""Yes.""Struggled?""Yes.""But he was more powerful?""Yes.""Did he rip your clothes?"Hannah’s bottom lip quivered. "Yes." "Did he hit you?" Her eyes flooded with tears. "Yes." "Did he use a weapon?" Her words became frayed, the tears spilled. Her fingers knotted until the knuckles turned white. "Yes, a knife." "Yet, you still fought?" She hugged herself and stared, trying to choke back sobs. "Yes, even after he stabbed me, twice, and then I couldn’t fight anymore. I just laid there until he was done." "Did you hear what you just told me? How can what he did be your fault?" "But the elders…" "Damn the elders! If that happened to that singer at your club, would you think it her fault?" Hannah caught his gaze as her breath stilled and a fresh awareness came into hereyes. "Cassie?""Is that her name?""Yes.""She dressed like…" He smiled, just a bit, "…what did you call it, a loosed woman.""But it is the way of this world.""Did you dress like a loosed woman in your world?""No, I dressed like everyone else.""Do you think Cassi pretty?""Yes, very much so.""And if she were raped would you say she asked for it just because she is pretty?""No! Of course not. Chust because she is pretty doesn’t…"She didn’t finish. "Go on." "Chust because…" She choked back a sob and her eyes finished what her voice couldn’t. "Exactly," he said very gently. "Just because you are pretty, Hannah, doesn’t mean you asked to be raped. Doesn’t mean Seth had the right to hurt you, stab you. Doesn’t mean he had any right to you at all. Do you understand?" Her entire body clenched up, sobs broke free, deep wrenching ones. Adam gathered her

against him, rocked her, cooed soft, soothing words, held her for endless minutes until she stilled herself, until her tears dried. By now, Adam no longer felt cold. The warmth of her was all he needed, and suddenly he knew beyond question, beyond reason. He loved her. Wet eyes lifted to his. A soft yet somewhat husky voice emerged. "Adam?" "Yes, love?" "I am not flawed, am I?" "No, you are not." "If you concede your wife’s accident wasn’t your fault, I will concede that this wasn ’t my fault." He grinned. For the first time in a very long time, darkness seemed to flee from his soul. "Is that a bribe?" "Guilty." "Should I haul you in?" A soft, enchanting smile appeared. "Yes, inside. Ach, Adam McGreggor, don’t you know better than to get out of the cold?"Once inside, Hannah shed both Adam’s jacket and her own, reached for a light, butwas dragged into Adam’s arms before she could switch it on. Her pulse quickened, a snippet of fear inserted itself and then fled as he gently caressed her shoulders, as she felt his trembling mingle with her own. He pulled several pins from her hair, letting them drop to the floor before spreading out her rebellious tresses. He then gathered up a fistful of locks and buried his face against them, inhaling the scent of soap and water, salt air and freshness. "Adam," she began, but he hushed her with a solitary finger. "Shh, don’t fight this. I won’t take you too fast. I promise, sweet Hannah. I’d never hurt you. Not ever." He took her lips, ever so slowly, more of a prelude to a kiss than an actual one, a brushing that intoxicated their hearts and elicited soft sighs. They leaned into each other, bodies pressed, but barely so. Fingers roamed, just the tips, just a sampling as if each feared the other would break. For long moments, they went no further than this, but the heat between them heightened, their breathing became hoarse and fractured with moans. Then, finally, as if of one accord, they clung to each other. His mouth fully claiming hers, tasting, seeking, experiencing. Hannah didn’t hold back, she went where he led, offering what had never been offered before, the total essence of herself, the totality of her being. Her fingers found their way into his hair, knotting to pull his mouth closer. His hands

slipped to the small of her spine, then moved upward, then down again, almost wildly as if he couldn’t touch her enough. Never had Hannah felt such potent emotion, such a melding of spirits and mind. She didn’t know where this might lead and she didn’t care. She only knew it felt right with him and any lingering internal barriers fell. Full, hard palms slid over her hips and waist tracing and retracing the firm curves. Hannah arched against him, breaking the kiss only long enough to expel his name on a warm breath. She wrapped her arms around his neck just as his went around her waist, squeezing her until she swore she would break. The kiss became bold, demanding. His body begged for her, she responded with equal vigor. Outside, the wind stirred and the distant sound of surf clamored as if in harmony with their own natural abandonment. They felt nothing, knew nothing but the inferno between them as a need as ancient as the first dawn took hold. Adam had said he wouldn’t go too far, too fast, but something else had taken over and he couldn’t seem to stop. He buried his lips against her neck, started to reach for her zipper when Inky meowed. That singular sound jarred him, broke through the heated haze, reminding him that it was too soon. He had to show her she wasn’t flawed in any way, that although she was enormously attractive, it was his responsibility to reign in his desires. Just as she had once fought an assault, he now fought his passion and slowly eased away, grounding himself in the certainty that if they were meant for each other, waiting wouldn’t hurt either of them. Hannah looked stunned, yet a trembling, grateful smile appeared, proving he had made the right decision. Before either of them could speak of it though, Adam’s cell phone severed the air. Normally, he wouldn’t have responded to it, but with Gran so ill, he didn’t have a choice. With an apologetic look, he answered it. "Nora?" "Okay… okay… calm down. I’ll be right there." "What is it?" Hannah asked seeing the fright in his blue gaze. "Gran," was all he managed. "I’m coming with you." Adam hesitated only a moment before he nodded. ****

At the hospital, Adam found Nora pacing. He made a cursory introduction before asking, "How’s Gran?" "Sleeping, thank goodness, but she gave us a real scare. Her heart gave out and they had to revive her." Adam’s jaw twitched. Tears swelled and retreated. "Where’s the doctor?" "Still with her." As if on cue, a tall, balding man with bifocals perched on the tip of his nose and immaculately attired in a lab coat over dark trousers walked toward Adam. "Sheriff, it’s good to see you, but I wish it were under better circumstances." Adam nodded, swallowing several times before he could speak. "How is she?" "Holding on by pure grit, but she doesn’t have long." "What are we talking here, months, weeks?" "Days, a week at most, but she’s stable now. You might as well go home. She’ll be out of it until morning." "Oh," was all he could manage. "Should I make arrangements to take her home? I know she doesn’t want to die here and I have already talked to hospice about the possibility." "She wants to stay here. She said she wants to buy as much time as possible because…" The doctor hesitated and offered a sad smile. "She’s expecting a miracle." Adam returned the same sad smile. "Who knows, maybe she’ll get her wish." The moment the doctor walked away, Hannah slipped her arms around Adam and held him close, offering silent comfort. She knew the pain of loss, perhaps not through death, but it still hurt knowing one would never see all those they loved ever again. Yet… yet… Hannah might hold the key to Gran’s miracle, but could she find the Threshold in time? And how did she convince Adam the Threshold even existed. She stepped away, touched his face, wanted to offer hope, and didn’t know how. Without asking permission, Nora reached into Adam’s pocket and pulled out his handkerchief in the way of forever friends. She blew her nose and dapped at watery eyes. "If only her story were true about the portal and Threshold. If only this really was the pathway to paradise."

She held out the locket, not noticing how the color drained from Hannah’s face. "Where did you get that?" Hannah exclaimed. "Gran gave it to me to give to Adam. In her muddled state, she said you would know how to work it. Must be the drugs, making her imagine things. I mean, shebarely knows you.""I don’t know how to work it, only the elders know, and Aunt Becca knew."Hannah gasped, realizing she just admitted too much."Then it’s true?" Nora’s gaze widened, her tone took on an incredulous edge.Adam looked from one to the other. "What are you talking about?" Hannah rubbed her temple. "You’re never going to believe this.""Well, maybe, he’ll believe this." Nora slipped the locket out of her sweat jacketpocket and tucked it into his hand. "I certainly can’t explain what’s inside, but I didn’t think Gran’s story was actually true." After a moment of staring at it, Adam opened the locket and felt his pulse quicken. As if the action triggered something within Hannah, her body began to tremble. A fierce, fiery pain ripped through the center of her like hot iron. The world faded and for a solitary moment she was on the other side face to face with Seth. **** CHAPTER TEN "Adam!" Nora screeched, pointing at Hannah. For an instant, panic ripped through Adam, and for the first time ever he froze as he watched Hannah literally fade from view, not completely, but enough so that she was nothing more than mist. Years of training propelled him forward and he reached for her. His hand passed through her essence, yet he felt her terror. "Hannah," he mouthed, not used to feeling so helpless. This was worse than watching Gran die. At least there were doctors and always that glimmer of hope, but he could do nothing as he watched this ghostly form pulsate, threatening to disappear from view. Nora looked from the vanishing Hannah to the open portal. It, too, pulsated. Snatching it from Adam, she snapped it shut. Hannah fell to the floor. A passing nurse rushed to the girl’s side."I’ll get help.""No," Hannah blurted on a torn breath. "I’m all right. I just have to catch my breath."With Adam’s help she got to her feet.The nurse looked to Adam, recognizing him. "Your call, Sheriff.""Hannah?""I just want to go home, okay?""Okay, darlin’," he said. "Just give me a few minutes with Gran."He dismissed the nurse with a gesture and murmured thanks, and then left Hannah to Nora’s care.

In Gran’s hospital room, he smoothed back her snowy hair. "Dear God," he said,softly. "If there’s a way, don’t take her yet. Please, I’m not ready to let go."He studied the parchment complexion, the soft shadow of lashes, the cut of cheekbones and jaw. A face he loved more than his own life. He couldn’t imaginenever seeing her again. He couldn’t imagine putting her in the ground. Taking acomposing breath, he kissed her brow, and then rejoined Nora and Hannah in thehospital lounge. "Let’s get out of here. I want some explanations." The women exchanged uneasy glances, but within that look a bond formed, and Hannah offered a tentative smile. "We could go to my place," Hannah offered. "I could put on a pot of coffee." "My place is closer, besides, I want to be home if Matt calls. My cell phone isn’t charged."Adam nodded without waiting for Hannah’s consent and after a tense, quiet ride, thethree of them entered Nora’s kitchen. "This is lovely," Hannah offered. Nora smiled at the compliment as she draped her coat over a hook by the door and quickly put together a pot of coffee. As if they had been friends for years, Hannah pitched in, gathering up mugs and spoons, cream and sugar. Nora supplied a plate of cookies. "Sugar free, fat-free," she said, absently. "I’ve heard of such things, but it seems, unnatural, somehow," Hannah ventured. "At home there is no…" "If the two of you are finished playing coffee-klatch, perhaps you could start explaining what this thing is?" Adam interrupted, holding up the locket he had held throughout the ride. "A portal," both women said at once. "A what?" "Portal," Hannah repeated, as she lowered herself to an oak chair. "Brings a person to the other side of the Threshold." "And just what is on the other side of the Threshold." After a hesitant silence, Nora poured coffee, then sat. "Paradise." "Excuse me?" "That is what Gran said." "What else did Gran say?" "That there wasn’t any illness there, that people lived to be at least a hundred, sometimes more. She wouldn’t have leukemia there and I…" she let the words drop.

"It could help you," Adam supplied, adding for Hannah’s benefit. "Nora’s pregnantand there’s complications. If she goes through with the pregnancy, she could…"He didn’t finish, but Hannah shivered with awareness. "That’s why Matt’s been…"Adam nodded."Oh goodness. Oh Nora, I am so sorry.""Don’t be sorry. Just tell me that all this is true, that I can go somewhere and heal.""It’s true. How could you believe it isn’t after you saw me fade like that? I’m just not certain how to make it all happen." Adam held up a hand and tapped the locket. "One thing at a time, ladies. Let’s start at the beginning. Nora?" The frail-looking woman nodded and told Adam that when she went to visit Gran like she did most days after work, Gran showed her the portal and then told her how she came by it. "Well, go on," Adam persuaded when Nora hesitated. "Ummm, well, she said this woman Rebecca Byler gave her the portal when she gave up her baby." "What baby?" "You," Nora blurted. "Your father had an affair with Rebecca and, well, ummm, you were born soon after." Adam’s jaw clenched. His gaze blazed. "Keep going." "Anyway, your mom forgave your dad and since they didn’t have any children, they persuaded Rebecca to let them raise you. She agreed on the condition that they take the portal and tell you the truth about your birth and where you came from." "I’m from paradise?" A mouthful of scalding coffee followed the sarcastic remark. "It is paradise, Adam," Hannah said softly. "Well, about as close as one can get. It is a very simple life much like the way the Amish live in this world. They say our world is the Threshold to heaven. There have been tales that some have seen the angels guarding the gates to the true paradise." Adam ran a hand over his face in total disbelief. "You mean like Adam and Eve’s paradise?" "Yes. It is believed that my land is what separates earth from the Garden of Eden." "Is it another planet?" "No. Although, your world theorizes that the Garden exists in central Africa, and it might, there is still a Threshold that must be crossed. My entire world is that Threshold,

and there are various portals in this country and one in Canada. It’s in every place that Amish have settled. It is why they are settled in those areas. They guard the Threshold’s portals." "You’re… You’re like an alien?" She laughed. "No, very human, Adam. I don’t understand it all. Becca did, but from what I know, someone long ago found the Threshold, stepped across, and brought others with them, leaving just a small fragment of the Amish sect to protect the opening. That fragment grew and the community on the other side grew. Only the elders on each side are aware of both worlds. On this side, they are known as old order Amish. The life on the other side is an even older, stricter sect. The entire world is made up of this sect, and a counsel of twelve elders make up the controlling factor. Master Gnaegi is part of that counsel." Adam paced, and then dropped back to the chair. "This is too unbelievable." "Becca found out about it and was shunned, but crossed over before they could stop her. She told me she bribed the portal artisan to create a personal portal for her. Only elders are supposed to have them. She used it to go back and forth across the chasm without using the Threshold. Because it was made for her, she was the only one who could use it. You see, a personal portal needs…" Her brow wrinkled in thought for a moment. "DNA calibrated within its mechanism." Her words were stilted as if memorized but not quite understood. "I gave Master Gnaegi Becca’s portal to return home." "But if…" She cut off the question she knew was coming and answered. "Anyone can use the portal once without calibration, but if used again it will kill them." Adam’s gaze met Hannah’s. "I remember, now. You wore one of these that day at the jail. I didn’t even notice it was missing." "It is plain. Few people notice when something is plain," she said, adding, "Becca learned all their secrets, but they didn’t know she used to travel back and forth to see Seth. As long as she didn’t stay more than a few hours, no one noticed the disruption in the continuum. Apparently, she had a portal made for you in case you ever wanted to touch base with your roots." "Of course," she went on after a slight pause, "Gnaegi came after my aunt just as he came after me. If one comes to this side and doesn’t return within a year it upsets the balance. I don’t exactly know what the balance entails, but Master Gnaegi told me if I don’t return, the Threshold would close and the counsel isn’t ready to have that happen." "But Becca didn’t return."

"No, she didn’t." "Yet, the Threshold is still open, right?" Hannah bit her bottom lip, looked at Nora, and then placed a hand of Adam’s. "She birthed a cross-breed, a cross-breed like you, Adam. He went back in her place. Crossbreeds can slip back and forth without upsetting the balance. Those of this world’s blood can go to my world, but they cannot ever return here, while those of my world can cross here, but must always return or send someone in their place. It has something to do with our blood, but I’m not certain what it is. I don’t think even those of the counsel know." "So, if all this is true, then Seth is my cousin and I have a half-brother on the other side?" Hannah’s gaze dropped. "Seth is the same age you are Adam. He isn’t your cousin. He’s your brother, probably your fraternal twin." * * * * CHAPTER ELEVEN Seeing Hannah fade in and out like that upset Seth more than he would let anyone ever know. It was like seeing a ghost and for a moment, he had wondered if she were dead. Gnaegi, though, assured him that she was very much alive when he had left her, that this was just the result of Hannah’s refusal to return and could end up being her entire existence if she didn’t come home before the year was up. "I can’t let that happen," Seth mused, hands wrapped around a mug of hot coffee in Gnaegi’s simple abode. Gnaegi’s wife, Ruth, hobbled to one side of Seth, hovering with a coffee pot, a silent question of whether or not to add some fresh brew in her eyes. Although, impeccably dressed in her simple black skirt and purple blouse, pinned precisely together, she trembled slightly and her countenance harbored fear. Seth had never seen that look leave, nor had he ever seen her without bruises. Gnaegi had a rage everyone recognized, but ignored. Still, it was what ultimately led to his being ousted from the counsel. After all, Hannah was the first person he had ever failed to bring back. That alone wouldn’t have been enough to force the man to settle back. Few of the elders trusted him, and none liked him. That is why they raised Seth for replacement. They didn’t know that he was of a similar breed, only more adept at hiding it. Some suspected, though, like Thomas Carpenter. Only, Thomas now rested in a watery grave and none were the wiser. Soon they’d realize he was missing, and Seth would be asked to seek him out, after, of course, bringing Hannah back. He’d play it out so he could spend some time in the English world and enjoy a few of the modern conveniences like harlots, gaming and drink. After he had his fill, he’d fabricate a tragic tale of the elder’s drowning while fishing.

All would mourn, especially Seth who had once been his greatest friend. Hannah ruined that, though, Carpenter saw her wounds and believed her tale of rape. He couldn’t convince anyone else, but vowed to see Seth ruined and Hannah home. He had even announced he’d take her as his own wife. Seth had other plans for Hannah, and Thomas was becoming a nuisance. Waving the trembling woman away, he placed the cup on a nearby table. "I’m going for her tonight," he said to Gnaegi. "And when you get her?" "I’ll bring her in front of the counsel, of course." "They’ll give her solitary confinement until she repents, and then she’ll be mine. But that will be our little secret." Neither man worried about Ruth saying anything. Gnaegi had her well in line. "No," Gnaegi said. "You will bring her to me first. I owe her for all the humiliation she caused." Seth cocked a brow. "I refuse to bring her back in pieces. I don’t want the same reputation that you had. Brother Carpenter already stirred up too much fuss." A malevolent grin appeared. "Ach, but we are of a breed, aren’t we? But you are right to protect yourself. I should have been more discreet. I would still have my position." "And I would not have it. So, I have no complaints." Gnaegi stood, placed his hat squarely on his head. "Night is upon us. Let’s go. We should be on our way to the other side." Seth’s brow creased. "You gave your word of honor not to return." The grin widened. "It came to me, I lost my honor when I settled back. If I can not vent myself on Hannah, I will do so on the sheriff." From the waistband of his pants, he pulled out two small pistols. He handed one to Seth, checked the chamber of the other and returned it to his waistband. "You know how to use it, don’t you?" Seth’s grin matched Gnaegi’s. "Since I was a boy." **** "That animal is my brother?"

"Don’t say that. Seth, isn’t…" Hannah couldn’t finish because it was true. Adam shook his head. "I always wanted family, but to find out my birth mother didn ’t want me, split me from my brother just so she could stay in this world and that my brother is an animal is a little too much to handle." "Our birth family does not make us who we are," Hannah asserted. "And Aunt Becca was a good woman. She might have handed Seth over to be raised in the old way, but he had a good and loving family and she went back constantly to see him." "Gran said," Nora interjected, "that Becca didn’t want to give you up. She knew your dad would do a better joy raising you in this world she didn’t understand. Besides, she could barely feed herself let alone an infant back then. She didn’t own a nightclub at the time; she was a waitress in that club and ended up inheriting it just like Hannah did when the owner died. It was your dad that insisted she not see you, but she stayed in Ocean City just so she could. In fact, Gran said that she kept in constant contact with her, sending pictures and letters. And when you were in Texas for eight years, she would travel there and watch you from afar. She loved you Adam but deferred to your father’s, and Gran’s wishes. She thought it best not to confuse you. As for this Seth, I don’t know why you think he’s an animal, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you aren’t." "She’s right, Adam, besides, right now the only thing that is important is finding out how to use the portal. If we can get Gran across, she’ll be cured within a few weeks. Even Nora and Matt could go there to live. Only, if they don’t accept the faith it could be quite lonely. There are the shunned who have a community, but I’m not certain where that is or how to find it." "You mean, people don’t die there?" "They die from accidents and old age, but most wounds heal up quickly and there isn’t even a common cold. Although, there have been a few murders over the years.Even paradise has its serpents.""Like Gnaegi and Seth?’"Yes, like them.""Hannah, this is a lot to wrap my mind around and if I didn’t see you nearly vanish, I wouldn’t believe any of it." He tilted his head. "Which reminds me, what is that all about?" "Master Gnaegi said if I don’t go back, my spirit will split and part of me will forever roam both here and there." "Oh God, Hannah!" "But, wait, if everything you say is true," Nora submitted, "then that means if Grangoes in your place you can stay here but still visit there, right.""That’s right.""And since Adam is a cross-breed, he could go back and forth as well?"Hannah nodded."So all we have to do is figure out how the portal works or find the Threshold.""Do you have any idea

exactly where in Lancaster this Threshold could be?""No. We’d have to find the elders, but it could take weeks to find the right sect and that is provided anyone there would talk to us. However…" Both Nora and Adam waited expectantly. "There’s a letter Becca wrote me before she died, it gives directions to the Threshold in Lancaster and also shows how the portal works."Nora was already standing. "Let’s go get it. Why haven’t you opened it before?""Because it is with a lawyer, and I can’t look at it until I get married.""Married?" Adam whispered. "Married?" Nora squealed. "I can’t sell the nightclub either until I marry, but we’re working on a way aroundthat one. This, I don’t know if the lawyer will bend on this. He doesn’t know thecontents of the letter and I doubt if he’ll just hand it over." "Then there is only one solution," Adam said as he rose quickly and yanked Hannah up beside him. "We’ll get married." **** "Does the crossing always make one so queasy?" Seth wanted to know as they traveled from Lancaster to Ocean City in a Lexus. Gnaegi stared around the luxurious car and frowned. "You should not squander funds like this." "If I’m going to be the henchman of our community, I intend to enjoy every benefit possible." "It is not right." "Ach, and you beating up on women is?" "I do not hurt anyone who does not deserve it." Seth’s voice dripped with sarcasm. "Of course, Master Gnaegi, you are a fine, exemplary brother of our sect." The older man pursed his lips as if sucking on something sour. "At least I don’t force women sexually." "It was only Hannah and with looks like that, she asked for it. She’s flawed, remember." "There is no such thing. You know that as well as I do." "How come you never told the elders what you saw?" "Because we are the flawed ones, and it gives me ease of conscious to think that I

am not the only one." "There are those in solitary." "Those are the fools who allowed themselves to get caught. You and I are of a kind." "Perhaps, but we can’t ever be friends." "Not looking for friendship, just an ally if the counsels ever get wise." "Done," Seth declared. "Now, where will we find Hannah?" "I have her home address. If I had not been so anxious before, I would have waited for her there rather than at that decadent club." A throaty laugh erupted. "It is amazing how someone as wicked as you can stillpretend to be so pious. At least I’m honest with myself.""I don’t relish my sinful nature as you do, Seth Cook. And I pray to find atonement before I die.""You mean after you take out your vengeance on the sheriff’s hide?"Something tight and withdrawn slipped over Gnaegi’s expression. Seth caught it and a pang of worry invaded his system. He didn’t like Gnaegi’s show of conscience. Perhaps, the old man should join Carpenter at the bottom of the lake. **** "That would be perfect, Adam," Nora enthused. "Because you could always have it annulled afterwards. Or is there some kind of condition on the will that you can’t do that for a certain amount of time." Hannah took both of Adam’s hands, looking straight into his gaze. "There’s no condition. Aunt Becca knew I wouldn’t marry unless I loved the man." A pained expression marred Nora’s gentle features. "I know this must go against your principles, Hannah, but even if I don’t benefit from this, we can’t let Gran die if there is hope." Adam didn’t give Hannah a chance to respond. "I don’t want an annulment. I want this marriage for real. I’m in love with you, darlin’. I think I have been from the moment I laid eyes on you." He swallowed, squeezed her hands. "I know you don’t love me, but I’ll be good to you. I’ll…" "Don’t," she said softly. "Don’t say anymore. It’s not necessary." "Hannah, please, I…"

"No, wait, you don’t understand. I love you, too." Adam blinked. "What?" "Almost from the first, too." Very slowly, they both smiled and the smile grew and a gentle kiss ensued, and for a lingering moment no one moved. "I’m calling Matt!" Nora said with a squeal. **** Being sheriff had its advantages. By dawn, blood tests were taken, a marriage license had been issued and they stood before the preacher in the same clothes as the night before. The rumpled attire, though, did not distract from the light glowing from within, from the truth of love, from the perfect union of two lonely souls who found forever. Hannah managed to contact Gus, but Cassi had already left the club and couldn’t be found. Gus gave away the bride and Matt and Nora became best man and matron of honor. There weren’t any flowers, and there were no festivities afterward, not even an exchange of rings, but none of that mattered. Only love mattered. Only this union prompted by necessity, stimulated by devotion and candor that few couples ever obtained. From the tiny Baptist church, they met the lawyer at his office. He didn’t understand the urgency, but few denied the Sheriff a request. By seven that morning, while most people were commuting to work, Hannah and Matt confronted the lawyer. "It’s only been thirty minutes," John Judson said, his rotund face heating up. "So what?" Adam questioned. "It says we must be married and here is the marriage certificate." "It takes twenty-minutes to get from the Faith Baptist church from here." "I repeat, so what?" "Well, unless you two consummated the marriage in the parking lot, this certificate means nothing." "What?" By now, the lawyer wasn’t the only one blushing. "You didn’t tell me that was in the will," Hannah grumbled.

"I never expected you to rush from your wedding ceremony to my office. In fact, I expected an invitation." "We eloped." "Oh," he said and used a handkerchief to shine his glasses, then perched them back on his mellon-shaped head. "Tell you what. It’s Friday. Go away for the weekend, have fun and we’ll meet back here at nine o’clock Monday morning." "Adam, Gran might not have until Monday." Feeling torn by an excitement to possess this woman who was now truly his and the longing to have a real honeymoon, not an urgent romp to conform to a legal technicality, Adam slammed his fist on the desk. "Give me the letter, now!" Fear etched on his face, the lawyer took a step back. "I’m sorry I can’t, not in good conscious. I’m a reputable man. I know lawyers aren’t supposed to be, but I am. Please, Sheriff, don’t make me go against my principles." With a final glare, Adam tugged on his wife’s hand and ordered the lawyer. "Be here at noon!" **** With the same intensity and determination with which he arranged the wedding, Adam had them in the bridal suite at an Atlantic City hotel within the hour. After that, though, things slowed down. He left Hannah to bathe while he went to check on Gran, purchase some toiletries, pick up a change of clothes for himself, and purchase a new dress and underwear for Hannah. By the time he returned, she had fallen asleep in the huge circular bed, totally relaxed and at peace for the first time since Seth took her virtue. She had no regrets about the hasty marriage and believed nothing could mar this wonderful morning. She even looked forward to feeling Adam’s kiss, his touch, the taking that she knew would be gentle and loving, not hurtful. Only, exhaustion and emotion had taken its toll and she slipped unawares into a deep sleep. Adam stared down at her, still a bit stunned, as well as awed, that this was his wife. This beautiful creature with a pure soul and wide-open heart actually loved him. His gaze flowed over the ginger-colored hair fanned out on the pillow, the sharp collarbone, the length of creamy white shin her arms. He never saw even that much of her flesh before and could barely breathe when he peeked under the sheets, tugging open the towel she wore to bed.

He swallowed hard at the sight of pink tinged, ragged scars, inflicted by her assailant, but didn’t dwell on them or what had happened to her. She was his now, and no one would ever hurt her again. Instead he continued to consume her beauty. Perfectly formed breasts, a tight, tiny waist, a neat, ginger-colored triangle between alabaster thighs, and legs that went on forever made up one very lavish and intoxicating woman. His groin tightened and he had all he could do not to just take her then and there. Instead, he took a shower, and then crawled into bed next to her. He roused her slowly, with gentle kisses and endless loving whispers. He took forever with her, partly hesitating so as not to frighten her, partly holding back because he was so unsure of himself. He hadn’t been with a woman since Lynn. Then she whispered on a tiny breath, "Please… Please Adam, make me yours." It was all he needed. Still slow, but with growing passion, he caught her face between rough palms, taking her in a hot searing kiss. His tongue plunged inside her sweet recesses, relearning the velvety texture and her unique clean taste. He skimmed gums and teeth, probed every serration, every space. Tenderly his hands slipped downward, caressing her waist, her hips, feeling her move until she was beneath him, feeling her fingers within his hair, knowing it took every ounce of will not to just plunge into her. She kept encouraging it, though, with the slow motion of her hips, with moans and whimpers, with fingers that urged his mouth downward to experience the turgid swelling buds, to lick them until she squirmed and pleaded even more. She never wanted like this. She never knew it could be like this. Love made it glorious, made it the instrument of divine pleasure that it had always meant to be. His hands were everywhere and she responded to every movement, replicated every pleasure, offering as much as he gave. She felt his fingers slip into her, a hesitant invasion that grew in urgency, grew until she bit his shoulder rather than scream out a need held in check too long. Finally, he was inside her, a thrusting motion that rocked them into a new intimacy, an intimacy none before had granted. She was his and he hers, and it was right and true and endless. He said her name on a breath. She spoke her love between those breaths. And when they shattered, tears rained upon both faces, and the shattering spilled out into a small eternity where nothing existed but the depth of love. **** "Where is she?" Seth gritted out, checking the clock on her nightstand. "How should I know?" Gnaegi returned, equally perplexed. "Maybe she ran away. She had to know we’d send someone after her."

"She wouldn’t have left that," Seth countered, pointing at the cat who stayed well out of reach of the strangers but kept poking his head out every so often from under the dresser. "Then calm down. She has to come back sometime." Seth paced, wiped his brow of sweat. He wanted a bath. He wanted to eat. He wanted to get this over with and get it all settled. He especially wanted to put an end to Gnaegi. Seth had told him his plans for Hannah, his determination to lead the counsel and to start introducing some modern ways into the boring world. He also bragged about killing Thomas Carpenter and how anyone else who stood in his way would meet the same fate. Gnaegi didn’t say much at first, but now stood, slightly bent over, weary. "In this day with you, I’ve seen your true spirit, Seth Cook. You are more evil than I ever was and not meant for the counsel of elders. It is time I spoke the truth. It is time you acknowledged it. Hannah will return on her own if she knows she is no longer shunned. It is time to set things right." "This afternoon you were all ready to vent yourself on the Sheriff. Where did this all come from?" "Since I was forced to settle back and take account of myself. I did not like what I saw." "So you really never meant to do anything to the sheriff?" He shook his head. "It was a ruse. I wanted to make certain Hannah had been returned without harm, and that you did what was right." "You can’t fool me. This isn’t about Hannah or your conscience. It’s about me taking your place as an elder." "No, Seth. It is time for the evil to stop. We live in the Threshold, the portico to the Garden of Eden. I should never have been allowed to exist there and bring my evil with me. I should never have allowed you to live there." "A little late for regret, old man." "But not for absolution." Seth whipped out the very pistol that Gnaegi had given him. "Since you want atonement so badly, I’ll send you to the maker right now." A sad smile tilted Gnaegi’s lips. "Do you really think I’d give you a loaded gun when I already had all this planned out?" "Of course, I didn’t. That is why I took the first opportunity I had to replace the blanks with fresh bullets."

As he watched Gnaegi’s face redden with horror, Seth pulled the trigger. **** Adam and Hannah arrived at the lawyer’s office at three in the afternoon. They looked like any other dreamy-eyed newlyweds. "You’re a few hours late," Judson said with a smile. Hannah blushed. Adam smiled. "We’ve been occupied. With a blush of his own the lawyer grinned, then without protest, he gave them the letter and allowed them the privacy of his office. Neatly written script spoke of everything they already surmised in regards to the individual portals as well as the Threshold. They were right to assume that the other side was in totality a Threshold, the portico to the Garden of biblical times. It gave an exact location, not only for the Lancaster site, but also mentioned that a fresh drop of a traveler’s blood activated the individual portals. What touched Adam, though, was the insight he received about his birth mother. She was neither devil nor angel, but a very fallible person caught up in a sudden affair with a man who couldn’t resist her naïve charm any more than she could resist the love and friendship he had offered to a lonely, out-of-sync woman. It was a brief affair and one tinged with regrets and recriminations. Adam’s father never knew there had been another son, and Becca simply stated she had her reasons. Still, she abided by his wishes that she never be part of his son’s life. They also discovered that there was indeed a community of shunned people living progressive and spiritual lives, a place where perhaps Gran could live happily. "Maybe even Matt and Nora could make a home there," Adam said upon finishing the letter. Hannah agreed, adding, "We can’t send Gran back through the individual portal. Someone needs to be on the other side to take care of her, find her a place to live, settle her in." "She seems to be doing well enough for now. I could get an ambulance to take her and we could…" Hannah, put her hand on Adam’s arm. "Take me home. I’ll pick up Inky and some supplies. We’ll go get Gran if she’s stable enough and take her to the Threshold. My family might shun me, but they will help an old woman in need. Of that, I have no doubt. You can follow me through whenever you are ready to bring Matt and Nora."

"Do you really think that is what they want?" "She wants her baby. He wants Nora alive. It is better to live the way of old, than not to live at all." "And where do you want to live, Hannah?" She smiled, the brightest, most beautiful smile Adam had ever seen. "Wherever you decide, Adam. You are my heart and wherever you call home, I will call home." **** On the way to Hannah’s cottage, Adam made a few phone calls both to the hospital and to Nora. She would take care of everything, and knowing that both Hannah and Adam could cross the Threshold made leaving a lot easier. Nothing, though, was more important than saving the baby and Gran. They made arrangements to meet with Matt and Nora at the hospital later that day. "Just drop me off," Hannah said as they pulled up to the curb. "I’ll get what I need and you can come back for me. You really should go tell Gran we are married." "Did that earlier, darlin’. She’s ecstatic, and now knowing she won’t die, the woman doesn’t even look ill. However, I do have to clean up some things at the office before we go off. I don’t intend to let you and Gran, the two people I love more than anything in the world enter the Threshold without me. We’ll come back after Gran is settled and take care of things here." She kissed him with a fervor that left him breathless. "I love you, Adam McGreggor." He grinned. "And I you, Hannah McGreggor." With a sprint, Hannah made it to the door, opened it, and then blew kisses. The moment she entered, though, she knew something was wrong. Inky didn’t come bounding up to her like he normally did. Plus, things seemed out of order. But, before she could back out the door, a deep, familiar voice came from out of the shadows. "Don’t move." CHAPTER TWELVE Hannah sucked in a terrified breath. "Seth!" The man hadn’t changed much in the year since she had last seen him. She noted the resemblance to Adam, but it was only superficial. Somehow, it seemed impossible that

both men could have had the same parents. "I’m going back," she said, staring at the pistol in his hand. "I know, you don’t have a choice." "But not this way. There is no need for force." "I disagree. You see, Hannah, I have plans for you and I have to make certain you agree to those plans before I take you home. Otherwise, I could just let you split and be a ghost forever." "Whatever your plans best include my husband," she said with a boldness Seth never expected."Your what?""Husband.""I got married at dawn.""They won’t recognize it back home.""Doesn’t matter, God recognizes it and that is all that counts.""And just who is this husband?""Your brother."Hannah decided she was taking too much delight in shocking Seth, but couldn’t manage any guilt. However, fear still made its presence known, and when the rage entered his gaze, she winced. "Adam?" It was her turn to be shocked. "You knew?" "Becca told me. I knew since I was a child that she was my birth mother. I saw Adam from a distance quite a few times, but never had the urge to call him brother. He was, too sterling, solid, goody-two-shoes. How I came from such a family I’ll never know." "You didn’t come from them," Gnaegi said from behind him, blood trailing frombetween fingers clenching his waist, but his free hand lifted a pistol. "You’re my son,and not Adam’s twin, but older brother. She didn’t have Adam until a year later.Now, put the gun down or I will have yet another deed to atone for." "You wouldn’t," Seth grunted with fury. "Indeed I would. I spawned a demon. Don’t make me put you down like a rabiddog."The gun dropped from Seth’s fingers.Gnaegi coughed, wobbled. Hannah made a compassionate move toward him, but he shooed her back with the pistol and continued. "For my sake, Becca crossed over. For my sake, she was shunned because she refused to tell the elders who revealed the Thresholds secrets. I loved her. If I had not been so selfish, so pig-headed; we could have been together. Instead I watched others raise you while my own wife remained barren. But, I always looked out for you and took it upon myself to guard the Thresholds and reclaim any travelers. I worried you wouldn’t have enough English in you to keep the balance, but it seemed you did."

Taking a step forward, he waved the gun toward Seth. "You’re going back. You’re telling the counsel what you did to her. You’re making the wrong right so she can return without shame." Tears watered Hannah’s gaze. "Why the change of heart, Master Gnaegi?" "People live to a very old age in the Threshold, but I am only in my fifties and already feel the tug toward the grave. One can only reap the Lord’s grace and healing if one atones. It is time for me to do so, especially now, especially since I’m a cross-breed with the English-tainted blood. And, I want my son to atone as well. I want him to have a good life, not one as mine has been littered with dishonor and shame." With each word, Gnaegi’s life’s blood drained away. His complexion was a shallow mix of white and gray. His pistol shook and he had to lean against the wall for support. Hannah wasn’t the only one to notice Gnaegi’s wavering. Before Hannah could shout a warning, Seth spun about and punched the older man solidly upside his jaw. "Too late, old man," Seth said with a sneer. "Looks like you’re going to meet your Maker before you have a chance to even say…" Before Seth could finish, Gnaegi’s gun went off. Seth fell forward, instantly dead. Blood oozed from Gnaegi’s mouth and nose. He collapsed uttering a single phrase. "Forgive me." Hannah screamed. **** Adam was more than half-way to the door when he heard that scream. He had been a few miles away when he remembered that Hannah had locked the door the previous night and had left the key under the mat. It wasn’t locked when he had left her there, blowing him kisses. Fear gagged him and he raced back to the cottage. Hearing the scream, he knew his worse thoughts had been confirmed. Yet, when he barged through the door, he found Hannah still and safe, staring at Gnaegi and the body of a man that looked as familiar as his own face in the mirror. **** Two years later, Hannah pushed Nora’s baby, Matthew, in a porch swing while holding her own year-old girl and feeling her second child stir within her. The scent of Gran’s shoo-fly pies drifted on the autumn air as Inky curled up under a nearby red maple. Adam and Matt in dungarees, flannel shirts and tool belts rode an open wagon down the long winding path. They had spent the day building, log by log, a cabin for Adam and Hannah. A year ago, they made the decision to raise their children in the Threshold.

The thriving community of shunned had welcomed the new arrivals and had voted both Adam and Matt on their own committee of elders. Not to be outdone, Gran rallied the women in protest until a woman was appointed as well. Of course, she didn’t object when they asked her to be the first female elder. Smelling of wood and sweat and country air, Adam hopped off the wagon, and then offered Hannah a lingering kiss. "How are my girls?" Hannah smiled, that gentle smile of hers. "I’m just fine, Adam McGreggor. Best get in there and see Gran. She’s all worked up about not having her own cabin, yet. And wants to make certain you get to work on that as soon as you can." "Ach," he said, with a taunting twinkle in his gaze. "She’s a worse slave driver than you." "Mind yourself, now, or you won’t be gettin’ no pie." "Oh would you two stop acting like honeymooners," Nora chided. She stood at the door, a hand on the arch of her back as she supported the weight of twins in her rotund stomach. She no longer worried about dress size and, although not overweight, she had a healthy glow and a layer of soft flesh. Shutters banged open as Gran poked her white mane and bright expression out the window. "Dinner!" Matt and Nora rushed into cabin, jabbering about their day, about the crops, about the weather, about family and new-found friends. Hannah and Adam, though, lingered on the porch a moment. Adam took the baby, Becky, cooing at her, while Hannah just looked out on the world before her of mountains and sweet air, of cornfields and dirt roads. It was a simple, good life, a life she loved with people she loved. Today was the anniversary of Seth and Master Gnaegi’s deaths, but Hannah didn’t bring that up. Still, she would find time to visit their graves and offer up a prayer that God had forgiven Gnaegi, for without his newly formed conscience, Seth might have had his way and none of them would be here. That night, now a lifetime ago, there had been a lot of confusion, things to cover up, plans to be made, ties to be broken, hearts, bodies and spirits to heal. It hadn’t taken long, though, and soon they all became a family and longed to bring others to their home of peace and joy. They had offered Cassi the club or a chance to join them in the Threshold. She had chosen the club, but Gus had crossed over. He had a little breakfast bar on the edge of the main town and had recently started sporting a Stetson. The shunned community had more of a cowboy flavor than an Amish one. And, Hannah couldn’t help wondering what the Threshold would be like once her children were grown.

She doubted it would change much. More shunned would arrive and be welcomed with open arms and joy. Good and evil would still exist, but with God’s grace providing forgiveness. The old order still had to learn about that, but in time they would. After all they lived just outside the Garden of Eden, and one day those gates would surely open and welcome all home. "I love you," she said, turning to Adam. "As I love you. As I love everything. I never thought…" She hushed him with a kiss. "Me neither, my dearest heart." "Are you coming or what?" Gran shouted through the window, interrupting the tender moment. "On our way," Hannah said as twilight claimed night and the Threshold settled on another day. THE END