She looked past Liam’s shoulder to see the men wrapping up their discussion. River and Dean promised to take the night watch and start the prep work. They’d also check out the rooftop at first light and report back to Seth, who nodded. Beck asked a low-voiced question she couldn’t hear.
“I should go…” And hopefully get started on her future.
Heavenly couldn’t wait to be near them, with them, surrounded by them.
“Not quite yet.” Liam clasped gentle fingers around her elbow. “Someone would like to speak to you.”
Raine?
“Sure.”
“Follow me.” He ushered her into a cozy study toward the back of the house and gave the door a gentle shove, leaving it slightly ajar.
She looked around the otherwise empty room. No one was waiting. “Liam?”
He held up a finger. “I don’t much like doing this. It’s more my mother’s gift. But some people are insistent…”
What the heck was he talking about?
“Your father is here,” Liam clarified.
She froze. “What do you mean?”
“His spirit, little one.”
“You’re taking to my dad? Right now?” she challenged, caught between aching to believe him and being afraid to.
“Indeed. But that sounds crazy to you, I’m sure…” He glanced at the ceiling, seeming to focus on something—someone?—she couldn’t see. “He wants me to remind you of the time you got caught in the barn fire. He told you to stay put so he could come in and rescue you.”
She hadn’t thought about that terrible spring afternoon in years. She’d been eight. Mom had been at work. She’d been doing some chores, trying to help Dad wrap up his day before a hellacious storm hit. Lightning struck the old roof, which had caught fire in a flash. The hay and firewood inside ensured the blaze spread quickly. Almost instantly, the door had been blocked by falling timbers.
“How could you possibly know that?” Heavenly breathed. She’d never told anyone in LA that story.
Unless he really was…
“Like I said, I’m talking to your father. He says you didn’t listen to him that day and you found your own path to freedom. He was so relieved and proud.”
As soon as she’d emerged from the blaze, terrified and sobbing, he’d squeezed her tight and told her that over and over while crying his own tears of latent terror and relief. “Oh, my… You really are talking to him?”
“I am. Just like that day, he wants you to find your own path now. He says that when you two last talked, he didn’t realize how much Beck and Seth truly love you. He’s glad you’re safe, but he’ll rest peacefully once you’ve followed your heart.”
Heavenly closed her eyes and absorbed those words. Her father had so often known exactly what she needed to hear and when. She shouldn’t be surprised he was still doing what he could now to take care of his “boo.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I miss him so much. I wish he could be here to see how happy they make me.”
“He knows.”
“Please tell him I—”
“He loves you, too, little one.” Liam smiled and took her hand in his, giving it a gentle pat. “He always will.”
“Thank you.”
Raine’s Irishman shrugged. “I hope it helped. Now go find your men. They need you.”
In her heart, Heavenly knew he didn’t just mean her affection or her body.
“I will,” she vowed. “And I won’t hold anything back.”