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  Chase’s eyes widened and instead of kissing her back, he dropped her… into the dog’s bath water. Large gobs of soap suds clouded her vision and the water engulfed her. At least the water and the day were warm. She got her hands on the tub’s bottom, rose above the bubbles, and gasped for air.

  Two small identical-looking boys hooted, hollered, and pointed.

  Maddie sent Chase an accusatory glare. “You dropped me!”

  His smile was totally self-satisfied. “In my defense, you shocked me.”

  Fortunately, soap bubbles covered her blush, not to mention the rest of her, too. Maddie had learned her lesson. She wouldn’t try that tactic again, even if she wanted to.

  Wait, what?

  Chase offered his hand, but she refused. “No, I can get out myself.”

  He backed away. Maddie grabbed the metal tub’s side and pushed upward, but her hands slipped on the wet surface and she splashed back into the suds. More whoops from the twins when she resurfaced. She needed to rethink her strategy, but nothing came to mind. Giving in, she asked, “Chase? Can you help me?”

  He nodded and slid his arms under hers, lifting her effortlessly and looking surprised himself. Finally Maddie stood dripping in front of him, water pooling at her feet. She’d never felt more like a dunked cat. A wet tendril of hair clung to her face and Chase gently stroked it behind her ear.

  The world seemed to freeze. All sound, all movement stopped as he leaned forward. Excitement flared within her. She closed her eyes, anticipating another electrifying kiss.

  Instead of feeling his lips on her own, however, she got a bump to her back. She stumbled forward. Chase’s legs tangled with hers and they flipped, splashing into the tub together. Chase rose sputtering and yelling. “Craig! I’m going to get you for that.” He sprang from the tub and raced away.

  It was impossible to sort out exactly how she felt while kneeling in a tub of sudsy water — for the second time. Strange, but she didn’t feel embarrassed, not by their amazing kiss, not even by her wet sweater. She gnawed on her lip. How was she going to get out this time? But before she could abandon all hope, a hand appeared before her. “May I help a damsel in distress?”

  Maddie looked up. The bright sun was blocked by a rather tall man, the light blazing around him like a halo. Even an adult’s presence didn’t embarrass her, not after… whatever had happened. She grasped his hand and he pulled her free. This time she ran a good distance from the tub, to make sure she wouldn’t be pushed in again.

  When she stopped, she found her rescuer had followed, and he was staring at her with a wrinkle between his eyes. “Who are you?” he asked.

  Still not embarrassed, and that was weird. She smiled and offered her hand. “Madelyn Clevenger, but you can call me Maddie. You must be Mr. Donovan. I can see the family resemblance.”

  “Yes, I am. But please, call me Alex. I don’t feel like a Mr. Donovan.”

  Chase joined them, wet from head to toe and laughing. The twin boys ran behind him, pulled along by the huge dog, now on a leash.

  “Hey, Dad, I see you’ve met Maddie.”

  “Yes, in quite unusual circumstances. I think you’d better find your mother so she can get Maddie some dry clothes.” Alex paused. “I need to go to my workshop. No disruptions, son.”

  Was something wrong? Maddie examined Alex more closely. She’d taken an instant liking to him, but perhaps something had irritated him. Or actually, he seemed more worried, which didn’t make sense at all.

  Chase drew his brows together, but said, “Sure, Dad.” He placed his hand on the small of Maddie’s back and guided her inside.

  She glanced back as they walked, but his father headed in the opposite direction, walking fast. Yes, definitely worried; his shoulders hunched stiffly.

  “I’m sorry about that. My dad doesn’t normally act so strange.”

  “That’s okay.”

  Water dribbled down her legs and pooled at her feet. She arched her back and discreetly tugged at the front of her sweater. Finally they found Carissa. She scolded Chase for allowing Maddie to get soaked and found some clothes for her to wear.

  In the bathroom, she toweled dry. The sweat pants and oversized sweatshirt were warm and smelled like flowers. Maddie hugged them and inhaled deeply. It was like the perfume Mom used to wear, back before… Tears pooled in her eyes and she wiped them away, sniffing. But it took a while before she could stop crying.

  The Donovan household felt so… so comforting, welcoming. Almost as if she belonged there. She loved Grandma, of course, but her house seemed silent and even cold in comparison. There was something here that she’d been missing and hadn’t even realized. And how long had it been since she’d had so much fun?

  Tucking that stray strand of hair behind her ear, she studied her reflection in the oval mirror. She hadn’t stopped crying in time. Red rimmed her eyes. Hopefully Chase wouldn’t notice. Clearing her throat, she grabbed the waistband of the slightly oversized pants, and entered the hallway.

  Chase waited. He’d changed, too, and leaned casually against the hall wall. “Mom is washing your things. Are you ready to study?”

  “Sure.”

  They trudged upstairs to Chase’s bedroom. He pulled out the desk chair for himself and motioned for Maddie to sit on the edge of the bed. The mattress sank beneath her, also comforting. They laid their books across the bedspread and pored over them. While they quizzed each other, little heads poked around the corner of the open bedroom door and snickered.

  “You must not have girls over very often. They seem to find me being here very amusing.”

  “Yeah.” Chase dipped his head but not before she saw the red color flooding his face.

  Is it possible he’d never had a girl over? Her heart pounded at the thought. She’d been joking. With his good looks and charm, it seemed unlikely that his girlfriends hadn’t visited. And visited a lot.

  Her heart beat harder.

  Chapter 8

  Mom announced she’d put out snacks downstairs, yet they didn’t move. Light filtered through the parted curtains and struck the bandage secured to her cheek. He should ask her about the dream and just get it over with. But as she faced him, her jade eyes twinkling, his mind froze.

  “You have a wonderful family,” said Maddie, staring at the pages of notes scattered across the bedspread.

  Not where he wanted the conversation to go. Licking his lips, he drew in a deep breath. “Yeah, sure. Loud, nosey, obnoxious, and a whole host of other words I shouldn’t repeat in polite company.”

  Maddie snickered, and without thinking Chase grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. Volts of tingling energy shot up his arm and she had to feel it as well. Didn’t she? It was so weird, but so cool. Outside the sky darkened to night and as his room dimmed, her eyes shone a deeper jade. The air around her seemed tinged blue. His heart hammered in his chest in sudden panic and he deftly withdrew his hand, grimaced, and rubbed it on his pants like he was wiping away sweat.

  She didn’t comment on the electric shock or his hasty release. Had he imagined the electricity, the blue aura? Was he losing his mind? For lack of anything better to say, he asked, “Do you wear contacts?”

  “What? Uh, no. I have perfect vision. Why?”

  “Your eyes. They’re the most unusual color I’ve ever seen.”

  “Yeah, I get that a lot.” She lowered her chin, her hair falling in front of her face.

  He sucked on his lip. Nothing was coming out like he’d hoped. The dream, the shocky feelings, the blue air, all of that made his brain feel fried. Running his hand through his hair, he struggled to find a safe subject. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

  She lifted her chin and quirked a brow.

  “I mean, I’m sorry about dropping you in the water when, well…” He scratched his head, being evasive. “…when you kissed me.”

  Maddie avoided his gaze; a red hue covered her cheeks.

  He continued, “I mean, I was going to drop you in
the water. That was my plan. But your kiss shocked me and I just let go.” He paused before adding, “So I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.”

  Did that mean she liked it? Not being dropped in the water, but being kissed.

  She pushed off the bed and made her way to the open window. A cool breeze drifted in, lifting the sheer curtains and Maddie’s waist-length auburn hair. He gulped. She was so pretty. Bright yellow sunlight glowed around her, casting a halo above her hair and highlighting the freckles peppered across her cute button nose.

  He stood and eased toward her, unsure of his own intentions but knowing he wanted to be closer to her. That feeling of electricity that seemed to pass through him when they touched drove him to close the gap between them. If he could just experience it one more time, then maybe, just maybe, he would know if it was real or imaginary.

  “Supper!” his mother called from the bottom of the stairs.

  Great timing, Mom.

  Maddie turned and he stopped. “We should eat,” she said.

  “Yeah, we should.” Mesmerized by her jade eyes, he didn’t budge.

  She stroked the strand of drying hair behind her ear and tilted her head. When he didn’t move, she cleared her throat, poked her tongue against her cheek, and walked around him.

  “Do you like horses?” he blurted as he turned to follow.

  Maddie glanced over her shoulder, her brow arched. “Sure. What girl doesn’t love horses? They’re so romantic; all that riding-off-into-the-sunset-with-the-hero kind of stuff. Why do you ask?”

  “Oh, I just noticed a horse next to your grandma’s house. Is it hers?”

  “Oh, no. That’s Gray Beauty. She belongs to our neighbor, Mr. Temple.”

  The change in subject seemed to put Maddie at ease, or at least she seemed to relax again as Chase led them to the dining room.

  Settling in her seat, Mom asked, “Chase, will you call your father?”

  He nodded and pulled out Maddie’s chair before excusing himself. Happily, he sauntered to Dad’s shop.

  The day had been productive. He’d studied for the dreaded chemistry exam until confident he could make at least a passing grade, and he’d had time to visit with Maddie. There were still many unanswered questions, but somehow just being in her presence helped. All in all, he would count the day a success.

  Chase stood before the workshop door. Weird noises seeped through the cracks. He drew his brows together, slipped outside to the uncovered window, and peeked in.

  His father writhed on his cot, gripping his stomach as if pain shot through his body. He stood, removed his shirt, and leaned on his hands flat against the wall. His back muscles rippled. His skin moved in ways human skin shouldn’t move. Then claw-like appendages poked through his back.

  It was bizarre. Terrified, Chase reeled back around to the door, his heart pounding against his ribs. He couldn’t have seen what he thought he’d seen. It just wasn’t possible. There had to be an explanation. Shaking the door knob, Chase stuttered, “D-dad?”

  “Yes?” came a muffled reply.

  Chase swallowed and said, “Supper is ready.”

  “Tell your mother I’ll be in in a minute.”

  “Sure.” Chase hesitated, then added, “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” The terse reply sounded as if his father clenched his teeth.

  Hesitantly, Chase returned to the house, unable to believe what he’d witnessed. He gave his mother the message and took his seat beside Maddie.

  Mom frowned. “Your father knows we have a guest. What can he be doing that he can’t finish later?”

  “I don’t know,” said Chase, forcing himself to stare at the table and not think about his father or his father’s back.

  “Maddie, I’m sorry for the delay.”

  “It’s fine. I really don’t mind.”

  Colton and Cole beat their silverware against the table like a drum. Craig and Chris tossed a football across the table.

  His mother said, “Chase—”

  Chase knew exactly what she wanted. He drew in a ragged breath and scooted his chair back. “I’ll check on him again.”

  “No need, I’m here.” All eyes turned to the head of the table as Dad settled into place. He seemed pale, but otherwise perfectly normal. “Looks like a fine meal, Carissa.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  “Let’s say grace.”

  Dad blessed the meal, then heads rose around the table and the scramble for food began.

  “Mom, pass the potatoes.”

  “Dad, pass the rolls.”

  “Do we have more peas?”

  “Can I get more to drink?”

  On and on it went. It felt kind of embarrassing, but beneath the homey camouflage it provided, Chase covertly studied his father. He appeared more and more normal, gaining color, jumping in and filling his plate with the others. No claws extended from his fingers. Nothing weird seemed to poke from his back.

  Chase exhaled a breath of relief. As he’d thought, he must have been mistaken. Attempting to redirect his focus, he studied Maddie and tried to gauge her reaction to his family. She smiled, but her plate remained empty. Leaning over, he said, “Jump in and grab something or there may be nothing left.”

  “I will as soon as it looks safe.”

  As plates and mouths were filled, Dad said, “Maddie, you said your last name is Clevenger. Could you tell me the names of your parents?”

  Maddie tensed. “Tom and Abigail.”

  “Do you have any Caseys in your family?”

  Maddie answered, “Yes, my maternal great-grandmother is a Casey who married a Brennan.”

  “Where are your parents?”

  “Dad!” Chase was appalled.

  “It’s okay, I don’t mind answering.” She focused on his father. “They’re dead.”

  ****

  The rest of the meal passed in awkward silence. Even the younger boys didn’t seem to want to talk. Maddie regretted her blunt words.

  She forced down each bite of food, unwilling to hurt Carissa’s feelings regardless of her diminished appetite. Finally dinner ended and she scooted away from the table, said her goodbyes, and headed to the bathroom, once there changing into her own clothes.

  Jeans on, she paused and studied her reflection in the mirror. Her normally wavy hair frizzed around her face. Splotches of pink covered her freckled cheeks.

  “Get a hold of yourself, girl. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  When she left the bathroom, Chase waited outside, her books on the floor beside him. He carried her backpack as he led her to his truck. They pulled out of the driveway and Maddie chewed on her lip. Should she explain her bluntness?

  The air in the truck grew thick with tension as Maddie concentrated on the passing scenery. She couldn’t think of anything to say, so the trip stayed silent. Finally, just before she thought she’d die if it continued, the truck shuddered to a halt outside Grandma’s house. She jumped out before Chase could even open his door. She waved, ran up the porch steps, and didn’t stop until she was safely inside.

  In the living room, she peeked back out through the window. His truck idled in the driveway. Wearing a forlorn expression, he stared at the house.

  She leaned against the wall. Tears pooled in her eyes. Why hadn’t she said something, anything, to him? He was her friend. He deserved better.

  The truck roared as Chase drove from the driveway. Maddie raced upstairs, past Grandma’s room, to her own. In the window seat, she grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her body. Chase’s taillights retreated along the rutted road.

  The tears slipped down her cheeks as the memory of her parents’ death played fresh in her mind. There would be no sleep tonight.

  ****

  Chase slammed his hand against the steering wheel. What had possessed his father to ask Maddie, practically a stranger, such a personal question? Not that he’d done much better. During that awful drive, he’d wanted to speak numerous times. First, he would apolo
gize for Dad’s nosiness. Second, he would offer to listen if Maddie ever wanted to talk. Third, he’d find a way to broach the subject of all the weird things happening around them, especially that dream. Fourth…

  …he needed to talk to his father.

  He waited for the light to turn green. But suddenly a sharp pain shot through his middle and he grabbed his stomach. The agony was like nothing he’d ever felt before and it threatened to rip him in two.

  All thoughts of questioning Dad fled. The pain eased and Chase waited, clutching the steering wheel, terror pounding through him. Another jolt of agony stabbed him between his shoulder blades, then a weird sensation crawled up his back, on either side of his spine, as if the muscles beneath his skin fought to escape… or as if some alien something inside him tried to burst out through his skin.

  The light changed and Chase slammed down the accelerator, not letting up until he reached home. The truck skidded to a halt; he threw it into park and killed the engine. Thankfully his parents knelt before a flowerbed out front. He fell from the cab and cried, “Help me.”

  In slow motion, his parents rushed to his side. He knew they sprinted across the yard; he could tell by the way they moved, the horror twisting their faces. But it seemed to take forever before Mom skidded to a crouch beside him.

  “Chase, what’s wrong?”

  Dad grabbed her shoulders. “Carissa, listen to me. He’ll be fine. But I need to take him to the workshop. Don’t let anyone come in. Do you understand?”

  “Alex, you’re scaring me.”

  His face tightening, he pulled her close. “Carissa, you have to trust me.”

  “Okay,” she said, a tremor in her voice.

  Hey, Dad, Chase thought, what about me? She’s not the only one who’s scared.

  Before he could voice the thought, his father heaved him upright, shouldered his weight, and practically dragged him to the workshop. Inside he laid him down on the old camping cot, the one where Dad had contorted and writhed earlier that evening. At the memory, Chase’s heart pounded harder.