“So, what does it all mean?” he asked.
I relayed what I saw, and he soaked it all up.
“Wow, that’s fascinating. I can’t believe you can tell that all about me just from some colors. But it’s pretty spot-on.”
“So, who is she?” I asked, wondering who the passion was for and surprised at the jolt of jealousy I felt, though it was completely unfounded. I assumed that he’d just gone on the blind date with me to humor Turner as I had done originally—the guy was relentless.
“Who is who?” he asked.
“The woman you’re so passionate about. I might even say you love her. Maybe you don’t even realize you do, but I think you might. Auras don’t lie, Kholt.”
He blushed again and walked back to what he’d been working on earlier, not saying a word.
“Okay, keep your secrets,” I said, a laugh in my voice even as I tried to ignore the burning need I felt to know. “But if we’re going to be friends, you’ll have to tell me eventually.”
He looked up then, an earnest expression on his face. “Really?” he asked. “Do you mean it?”
I realized in that moment that I did, and his hopeful tone just reinforced that. I couldn’t deny that I was happy having Kholt back in my life. As long as we could keep my past out of it, it would be really nice to get to know him again and learn who he’d become. Despite the hell that had been my home for all those years, Kholt was the exception—the good part. He felt comfortable, like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night. And I reveled in having that feeling back after so many years of being chronicallyuncomfortable and always looking over my shoulder. That may not be gone, but I could take pleasure in the simple moments and relish the good times.
I got closer and bumped him with my shoulder. “Yeah, I mean it.”
He smiled widely, just as a commotion came from the other room.
“Honey, we’re home!” Sky called, and I grinned, excitement rushing through me at the thought of getting into the thick of things with the team.
My time with Kholt had been great, and I had thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, even forgetting at times that I still wasn’t sure that he hadn’t been followed or that word of my whereabouts wouldn’t get back to Balance of Light. But it was time to shelve the nostalgia—at least for a bit—and get to work doing what I loved.
Chapter11
~Kholt ~
Iwas a little overwhelmed when everyone came barreling into the house—seven in all, three ladies and four guys. I knew most from having watched the show, but I assumed the two I hadn’t seen on the screen were Aaron and James, who’d I’d heard all about.
Everybody was talking to each other animatedly, clearly happy to be back at work, and it seemed still catching up on news of what they’d all been doing during their time off. They really were like a little family, and I enjoyed watching them interact.
I looked around but didn’t see Dev yet. When I turned my attention back to the group, I realized that everyone had gone quiet, and they were all looking at me. I shifted on my feet, feeling a little uncomfortable.
I raised my hand a bit and issued an awkward wave. “Uh, hi.”
Lark gave me a little shove. “Smooth.” She grinned at me, and it lit up her face like Christmas. I felt it in my very soul.
“Guys, this is Kholt Leroy,” she said. “Dev hired him to do some carpentry and construction on the properties and ensure we’re all safe. He’s a friend of Turner’s, and the guy I told you about yesterday. We were best friends when we were kids.”
Everybody said hello, and most came to shake my hand. I already felt welcome, and it was just initial meetings. No wonder Lark and Turner loved working with this group so much.
The group launched back into catching-up stories, and I listened intently. From what I could gather, Aaron and James had spent a bunch of time in Colorado, hiking andbeing one with the Earth—also known as partaking as much as they could in the legal cannabis there, something that made the others laugh, and I had a ton of questions about.
Sky and Paxton had been in Montana, enjoying their new relationship and Padre’s new house in the mountains, which I also asked about because I’d been wanting to go to Glacier for what seemed like forever.
Dakota had gone to visit family in the Midwest and said that she attended an investigation at House on the Rock in Wisconsin while she was there. I had college friends who now lived in Minnesota, so I asked a bunch of questions and was told that Minnesota was okay but would never hold a candle to Wisconsin.
Van and Halen were talking about some new equipment they were working on—which thoroughly grabbed my interest—and I heard mention of them spending some time on Lagniappe Isle, a beautiful barrier island just off the New Orleans coast. I had been there once but hadn’t spent much time. I kept meaning to go back and stay. It had the coolest small-town charm and was chock-full of artisan offerings and fantastic locals. There was even an art gallery and a quaint bed and breakfast. Lark would probably say it had good and interesting energy. I just thought it was cool.
Just as Van was talking about the land and real estate they were looking into on the island, Dev walked in, a beautiful pit bull at his side. He came right to me.
“Hey, Kholt.” He shook my hand. “Did you get a chance to meet everybody?”
“I did,” I said and nodded.