On the Hunt

“Of course I will,” she said. “Dogs and children.” She was still shivering. “What a beast he must be.”

“Yes,” Harlan said as he prepared to leave the study. “But you knew that. You had all the figures and reports. Try to sleep tonight, Kira. We’ll talk tomorrow. I promise there won’t be anything to disturb you. I’ve already made the arrangements to protect your Summer Island.” He looked back at her. “By the way, your friend Sarah Logan has been checking on you practically every day this week. You might give her a call so that she won’t think I’m keeping you prisoner here.”

“Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. I haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do yet. Evidently John and Sarah both trust you. And I want to be able to tell Sarah something definite, if you don’t mind. I’ll go back to that bedroom where you’ve been keeping Mack and me and I’ll do some thinking about ways and means.”

Harlan nodded. “I’d be the last to discourage you. The more you consider what your options are, the better. It will all point in my direction as your best bet.” He opened the door for her. “Should I warn Fiona to leave you alone tonight?”

“That’s up to you.” She led Mack out of the study and started up the ornate winding staircase. “I can handle her, and at the moment, I’m feeling a little sorry for her.”

“That was never my intention. And it’s not what she’d want,” Harlan said. “She can be extremely tough when it’s necessary.”

“Good. With you as head of the household, I can see that might be a very good trait to cultivate…”

Five minutes later, Kira was upstairs and hesitating outside the bedroom door. Then she knocked and let herself into the bedchamber.

Fiona sat up straight in bed and smiled at her. “I was hoping that you’d come back and talk to me. You let me off the hook with Harlan, and I owe you.”

“I believe Harlan makes up his own mind,” Kira said. “At least that’s my impression. However, you know him much better than I do. He told me that he’s been taking care of you since you were seven.”

“That’s true,” Fiona said. “I was just a kid, and sometimes I didn’t realize what was going on. But he’s always been there for me since I lost my dad. Even when he was so busy because of all the people trying to get his attention. But then everyone practically worships him, you know. He has all kinds of officers and diplomats and other important people coming to see him and giving him medals and awards. He invents all kinds of important stuff, and people pay him zillions to do it.”

“Really?” Kira’s lips twitched. “Zillions?”

“Maybe I’m exaggerating a little. But not very much. He’s like you in that.”

“Me? I don’t have zillions, and I guarantee that I don’t compare monetarily with your uncle Harlan in any way,” Kira said. “Why would you think I was anything but a working girl making a decent living?”

“Because Harlan told me that you’re famous and have all kinds of veterinary and dog training degrees and you travel all over the world and hunt down criminals and even invent medicines to help dogs live longer. That’s why we have to get you well—so you can keep doing that.” She made a face. “But then I blew it. Because I couldn’t stand the thought that you wouldn’t help Harlan if he needed you. That pissed me off royally.”

“Obviously.”

“And then of course there were the horses,” Fiona said. “I couldn’t see why you were discriminating.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Fiona’s gaze went to the sketches of horses on the wall in the alcove. “You’ve been working with dogs and extending their lives. I have fourteen wonderful horses, and they’re not getting any younger. Why not give them a break?”

Kira shook her head. “I’d be delighted. I love horses. But I work with dogs because I’m familiar with them. I have to accept and work with each species individually, exploring their differences. Understand?”

“Not really. You’ve not let yourself become familiar with my horses. They’re absolutely terrific and deserve to live long, healthy lives. Now do you understand?”

“So I’ve been told,” Kira grinned. “Many times. I hear it from everyone with a wonderful animal they can’t bear to lose.”

“But mine are especially fantastic,” Fiona said wistfully, “and I love them so much. I believe I might have to work with you to help you stop that dratted discrimination.”

Kira smiled. “There are always ways to bring miracles about if you try hard enough.”

Fiona patted the bed next to her. “Then come and sit beside me and tell me what kind of miracles you’ve managed to perform on Summer Island and other places you’ve been. Will you do that?”

“I’ll try,” Kira said. “But I hear you’ve managed to perform a few miracles at the Olympics you attended last year. And evidently, you’re quite an artist as well. It will have to be a joint revelation.”

“Fair enough.” Fiona settled herself more comfortably and then punched her pillow a couple of times to soften it. “You first…”

CHAPTER

5

“I heard you were up and about, Kira,” Belson said as he strolled across the stable yard toward Fiona and Kira the next morning. He stopped a moment to stroke the mane of Domino, the black stallion Kira was riding. Belson looked up at Fiona. “I heard you got me in big trouble with Harlan, young lady. I don’t remember telling you that Kira might have caused him serious bodily harm when he went after her on the cliffs. As I recall, Harlan made the decision himself, as usual.”