Magnificent Folly - Iris Johansen [48]
“What’s not to like?” The compound had obviously been built for ease of living, and its beauty was serene. The people she had met that day had the casual friendly attitude prevalent in small-town America. No, that wasn’t quite true. Casual, perhaps, but there was no rocking-chair ambience about any of the compound’s citizens. They seemed to possess a zestful, cheerful vitality that engendered an eager response in Lily.
Andrew started the car, gazing straight ahead as he asked in a low voice, “You don’t think we’re a bunch of freaks?”
“No.” She thought about it. “Do you know it never occurred to me one time today that anyone I was meeting was in the least unusual? They were just nice, friendly people.”
A delighted smile lit Andrew’s face. “That’s exactly what we are. We just have a different set of problems to face than most people.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Kidnappings, foreign agents, viole—”
“That doesn’t happen all the time,” Andrew said, interrupting quickly. “Most of the time we live very peaceful lives here in Sedikhan.”
“But you obviously don’t always stay in Sedikhan,” she said drily. “For instance, what were you doing at Franklin University nine years ago? You said something about therapy.”
Andrew nodded. “Henry needed help with a patient he couldn’t reach, and sent out an SOS.”
“Is Henry a member of the Clanad?”
“No, but he believes in what we’re doing.”
“I’m not sure I do.”
Andrew stiffened and glanced sideways at her. “Why not?”
“This artificial insemination bothers me. I gather you don’t tell the mother she’ll have a telepathic surprise package a few years down the road. What if she doesn’t want a headache like that?”
“We do tell them.”
Lily’s gaze flew to his face. “What?”
“They’re told the donor has evidenced certain psychic abilities that might be inherited.” He shrugged. “But most of them were skeptical.”
“I wasn’t told anything like that.”
“I know.” Andrew’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I was afraid you’d reject me. I persuaded Henry not to give you the usual information. I know it was a dirty trick, but—” He stopped, looking at her in astonishment.
Lily was laughing.
“You’re not angry?”
“I suppose I should be. The deck was obviously stacked against me from the beginning.” She opened the car door. “Do you know what I would have done if Henry had told me? I would have laughed in his face, just like those other women. I wanted a baby. As long as Henry could assure me of mental stability, I wouldn’t have cared if you’d claimed you could bend spoons at twenty paces.” She got out of the car and glanced back. “By the way, can you?”
He shook his head. “Not my cup of tea.” He got out of the driver’s seat and shut the door. “Gunner probably could, but I don’t think he’d waste his time.”
Lily started up the curving path to the front door. “Did Henry have many rejections after he told the women about the possibilities?”
“None at all.” He fell into step with her. “The possibilities intrigued them.”
“Then why were you worried about my reaction?”
“Because you were walking a very fine emotional line, and it was too important to me to take the chance.” He met her gaze. “You were too important.”
Her chest felt suddenly tight, and it was hard to breathe. She was conscious of the sensitivity of her nipples as they pressed against the material of her bra; the scent of his woodsy cologne; the lean, warm strength of his body only inches away.
She hurriedly averted her gaze. “I don’t see the point in encouraging all of you to spread these psychic powers anyway. The world’s gotten along very well for centuries without them.”
“But that wasn’t the purpose at all.” Andrew’s tone was surprised. “We projected that the majority of the children born would only be latent telepaths, like Cassie.”
“Then why?”
“The intelligence expansion could be inherited, and we didn’t think it fair that we had a monopoly on it.”
Lily stopped short. “Wait a minute. I think I’ve missed something.”
He frowned.