Enchanted (17 page)

She frowned, doubting his comment. “Aren’t wolves gone from Great Britain? I recall reading that there weren’t any wild wolves here. Do you expect me to believe you?”

“You can’t believe unless you see with your own eyes, can you, Caitlyn?” He narrowed his eyes and raised his left hand.

He held it with the palm facing her, then turned so she saw the back of it. With no more than ten inches between her eyes and his hand, he bent his wrist and flipped his palm facing up. In the center lay a dew-sprinkled white rose. The petals were crisp and pristine. Her heart skipped a beat. So close, and she had not seen how he’d managed to hide the rose.

His mouth tilted upward on one side. “One day, you will believe without seeing. Magic is real, and so are the wolves. I killed two last night. Their carcasses are in the shed. Have Rhys show them to you, and then perhaps, you’ll believe.”

With those words, he stood and walked out, whistling a cheery tune. The strong scent of green grass and fresh air wafted from the air he stirred when he passed behind her. She inhaled, and a smile formed on her lips.

“He’s a good one, that he is,” Grazelda commented, setting a bowl filled with sweet oats in front of Caitlyn.

She thanked the older woman and started to respond, but Rhys came through the door. The three of them visited, discussing unimportant matters while Caitlyn ate. After she finished, they helped the old woman clean the dishes from the meal.

Holding the door leading into the main part of the house for her, Rhys glanced at her loafers and smiled. “Do you think those will be fine for a bit of walking?”

“We won’t be running, so they’ll be okay,” she said, slipping by him. She hoped the impression she had of Shay trying to throw Rhys and her together was wrong. She liked the tall slender gardener, but she felt no attraction for him.

They spent the remainder of the morning going through the house. Caitlyn found the place amazing. One thing that it did not have surprised her.

“Where’s the gym?” She glanced up at Rhys as they made their way toward the kitchen for lunch.

“There’s not one.”

“Why not? I assumed Shay kept in shape by working out. Most stars do. Does he go to a local gym or a spa? I assumed he had a trainer.” Most of the celebrities she read about usually had their own trainer.

“He doesn’t need a gym. Shay stays active walking. Sometimes, he’ll run. I recruit him to help me in the gardens when he doesn’t have anything pressing to attend to. All of that keeps him healthy and strong.” Rhys smiled at her.

“Are you married?” The question escaped before Caitlyn thought. She had to know. Though older than her by at least a decade, she didn’t want the gardener to think she was attracted to him.

He chuckled and stopped in the doorway leading to the grand ballroom. The sprawling room captured her attention, and she forgot for a moment the question she’d asked.

Frescos on the walls depicted magical creatures frolicking through a forest. Across the walls, unicorns and tall slender elves strolled and played among woodland creatures. She studied the detailed designs of the paintings. Braids twined within the elves’ hair revealed the pointed tips of their ears.

Four double doors opened at the far side of the room onto a side terrace. Golden cloth hung from circle brackets and was caught at the doors’ corners to flow down the sides of the frames. The room captivated her. She leaned to look further inside and noticed a grand piano sitting on the far end, as though waiting for someone to arrive and produce music befitting this place.

After surveying the ballroom, she realized several minutes had passed and she glanced at Rhys. He watched her, arms crossed over his chest and a slight smile on his lips.

“I am married to the most beautiful woman in the universe,” he said. “You remind me of her.”

Caitlyn straightened and faced him. “Do I? How?”

He studied her for a moment. “Your hair and eyes are the same color. I believe, though, it’s your smile that reminds me the most.”

Without thinking, she smiled at him.

“Yes, your smile is like hers.”

“Where is she?”

“Our home is not far from here. Perhaps, one day you will meet her. She doesn’t come here often. She worries she will distract me.” He held out a hand in the direction they were going and Caitlyn turned and walked with him.

“Would she?”

A low chuckle came from the gardener. “Oh, yes. My wife knows me very well.”

Relieved, she questioned him about where he lived and his beautiful wife. His quiet answers carried the happiness that radiated from his gaze as he spoke of his home and love. They both enjoyed gardening.

She listened as they continued toward the back of the house.

“We’ll have a bite to eat and after I’ll show you the gardens,” Rhys said.

She smiled and nodded, enjoying the tour and the companionship he offered. He helped to soothe her ragged emotions. The interview had turned her world into mire, where she continued to sink deeper and deeper. This time with him helped to stabilize her feelings and clear her thoughts.

Once lunch was over, they strolled through the gardens. The place glowed with such splendor last night, but now, in the light of day, the glorious colors of winter plants astounded her. She questioned Rhys on how he achieved so many flowers when the icy chill of winter should have killed them. He laughed and commented about his magical thumb again. She remembered that he’d said the same thing in Los Angeles. Back then, she thought he’d been teasing, but now, seeing the extent of his abilities, she knew he had spoken the truth. He did have a magical thumb.

They came to the top of the hill where she and Shay had shared the heated kiss. She and Rhys stopped and gazed down on the lake’s shimmering beauty and the grounds surrounding it. The breeze passed over her and with it she heard music.

She glanced at Rhys. “Do you hear music?”

“It’s Shay. He’s practicing in the pavilion,” he said. Raising an arm, he pointed to the opposite side of the lake. “There, across the lake.”

She peered across the lake and saw the Greek-styled pavilion. Eight white columns held up a domed roof. Several people stood inside and more moved around outside.

“Do you want to go? Shay won’t mind,” Rhys said. He took her arm and led her down the hill onto the path circling the shore.

“Are you sure? I’d hate to interrupt him.”

“Of course, I’m sure. If my eyes aren’t deceiving me, I believe your photographer is there also. He’s snapping pictures.”

She glanced in the direction Rhys noted and saw Blake. He squatted several feet to one side and in front of where Shay stood in the opening of the pavilion. The nearer they came, the louder the noise of his camera’s shutter whined and fluttered just below the sound of the music. A video camera hung from its strap on his shoulder.

Caitlyn experienced a guilty pang. Treated with noticeable special care, she had almost forgotten about Blake. She knew the workaholic photographer well. He’d been busy performing his job while she’d allowed strange dreams and heated desire for the interview’s subject to distract her.

As they approached the group, she saw Marcy. Her friend stood to one side of the pavilion. Dafydd, Shay’s music tech, worked on a computer, punching keys with a flurry of movements.

“He’s trying out a few new songs for his show. What do you think?” Rhys leaned close so she could hear him over the instruments and Shay’s vocals.

The music and lyrics flowed through her. Shay lifted his gaze and locked it with hers, giving her the impression he sang only to her. He held out his hand. Caitlyn didn’t hesitate. She walked closer and climbed the four steps leading into the pavilion. The warmth of his hand wrapped about hers brought a smile to her lips.

The music faded, and he grinned at her. “What do you think?”

“I liked it.” Her heartbeat sped up. Trying to hide the sudden flare of heat in her body, she slipped her hand from his. “Are you planning to use this song for your next show?”

“Perhaps. I haven’t decided.” He smiled, and from the glint in his eyes, she wondered if he suspected how he affected her.

The musicians started another song. A strange cracking noise reached her above the music. She looked toward the ceiling, and stared at the sight of all the faeries and nymphs painted there. Shay shifted nearer to her.

In the center of the painted scene, a thin line formed. Slowly, the line increased until it fractured open. What was happening up there? She opened her mouth to tell Shay but the jagged ends of a huge limb tore through the gap and shot down, straight at them.

Her scream was cut off as he shoved her to the left, out of the way. The limb hit the ground where she’d been standing. It teetered for a second, then tilted toward them. The branch fell over, striking him in the shoulder before rolling away and crashing onto the ground in front of the pavilion.

Chapter 19

Marcy shouted her name. Unable to respond to her friend’s cry, Caitlyn kept her gaze locked with Shay’s. His eyes widened for a second before his knees gave way, and he slumped to the stone floor.

Grabbing him around the waist, she knelt in front of him, trying to hold him up. Aware of the voices surrounding them, she held him, his head cradled to her neck.

She whispered his name. Fear solidified as a lump in her throat. He groaned and raised his head. “It’s all right. Just stunned me.”

His breath came in short gasps. She sat and helped him rest his head in her lap. The white shirt he wore flattened against his chest. A crimson flower bloomed on the shoulder the limb struck.

She raised her eyes, searching for someone to help. Rhys appeared in front of her. “He’s hurt. He’s bleeding.”

“Let me see.” He lifted the collar to Shay’s shirt. “It’s only a gash. Shay, come on. Let’s get you back to the castle. I’ll call the doctor to tend to you. Can you stand?”

Marcy pressed against Caitlyn’s side. “Oh, Catey, I saw the whole thing. You were almost killed.”

Distracted, Caitlyn failed to hear what Shay answered Rhys. He allowed his friend to help him to stand. Freed from his warmth, a chill entered her body. Marcy’s arm encircled her shoulders, but she still shivered.

He’d come so close to death. Suddenly, she couldn’t imagine living in this world without him. Sharp painful twinges sliced through her middle. She brushed Marcy’s arms away. “I’m okay. Rhys, I’m coming with you.”

They moved at a slow pace to the castle. Rhys stopped a few times to give Shay time to rest for a moment before they continued. Closer to the house, Caitlyn ran ahead and opened the door for them. She followed behind until they came to Shay’s room.

Once inside, she moved to the bed and jerked the covers back. He eased onto the mattress. Lying flat with his head cushioned with a pillow, he lifted his unhurt arm and covered his eyes.

“Maybe we should take him to a hospital. He might have a broken shoulder or even his collar bone,” she said, tearing her gaze away from Shay. His face expressionless, Rhys stood on the other side of the bed watching the illusionist.

“We’ll see what the doctor says. If he thinks Shay needs a hospital, we’ll take him. Not before,” Rhys replied.

“Why not? He’s hurt.” She experienced an instant surge of anger.

“Caitlyn.”

At Shay’s soft whisper, she twisted toward him. “I’ll be all right. It just stunned me. Listen, I can’t go to a hospital. The paparazzi will have a field day with it.”

Reality reared its head. Of course, he wouldn’t go to the public facility for medical attention. The news would be broadcast around the world. Rumors would start and grow to outlandish proportions. Once more, she’d allowed her growing emotions for him to cloud her professional perspective.

“You’re right,” she said, stepping away from the bed. “I’ll leave you with Rhys.” Shooting a glance at the blond man, she continued. “Let me know what the doctor says.”

“Yes, of course.”

She pivoted and walked to the door. She hesitated, but then stiffened her back and left, pulling the door shut behind her. He didn’t need her. She would have insisted they take him to the emergency room for a checkup, but he’d never allow that. He was Shay Evers, the superstar.

Her short stay in this isolated place had caused her to forget that bit of information. She hadn’t even called Kramer and let him know what was happening. She had deliberately ignored the missed calls and refused to return them, worried her boss would hear in her words her growing feelings for her assignment.

Somewhere along the line, her objective had changed. She searched her memory for some clue as to when this had occurred. Perhaps the first night she’d met him, or maybe after she had arrived in Wales. She didn’t know how, but she had allowed this man to become important to her.

Without paying attention to where she was going, she just walked, lost in the memories of what had happened. Once she became aware of her surroundings, she saw she had returned to the pavilion. Everyone was gone except for Blake.

He called out a greeting to her. She moved toward him, determined to discover how this accident had occurred. Skirting the limb, she stopped near the spot where Dafydd and Marcy had been when the limb had fallen.