Spirit Bound - Christine Feehan [14]
Airiana was one of the smartest people Judith knew, and that included Damon Wilder, Sarah Drake’s husband, who worked on defense systems for the United States. No one would ever guess looking at the little pixie who was Airiana. She looked more like a dancer than a think tank. Airiana simply made people feel good with her presence and on days like this one, Judith welcomed her company.
“You always pick the perfect day to come and see me,” Judith said, meaning it. “I suppose you already chose the tea and put it in the teapot as well.” Airiana always seemed to know when Judith—or anyone—needed cheering up.
Airiana laughed. “Of course. You know I’m not shy about making myself at home. When you have a husband and a dozen kids running around, I’ll still just let myself in and be the favorite, wonderful auntie. And we’re having black tea. I needed a boost.”
Judith shook her head, smiling wider and keeping her eyes bright and sunny when deep inside, she wept continuously. She was trapped by her own gifts, terrified to ever take such a chance again, to feel for a man, to trust. She wouldn’t be the one having children, when she’d always so desperately wanted a family.
The hardest aspect to control wasn’t her facial expression; it was holding a happy aura in place. Thankfully, she was truly overjoyed to see Airiana, so the blossoming color was there, spreading across the deep sorrow, shame and guilt she hid from the world. She tended to guard her energy around Airiana, which resulted in a muddy gray surrounding her and always raised Airiana’s eyebrow, but other than asking her if she was okay or needed anything, Airiana held to their code of not prying.
The upper story was spacious, the living room large, opening into the dining room and kitchen area, so anyone visiting would feel welcome in any room. Banks of windows provided amazing sunlight and gorgeous views of the surrounding gardens below.
“There is nothing in the world like a good cup of tea at the right moment,” Judith pointed out. “Thanks for putting on the kettle.” She stretched. “I spend far too much time sitting on my butt. I think it’s growing significantly.”
Airiana turned her finger in a little circle. Judith obligingly spun around. Airiana widened her eyes. “You are so right. Middle-aged spread is setting in.” She burst out laughing again and ran for her life with Judith hot on her heels.
“The thing about long legs, you short little shrimp, is that I can outrun you.”
“Not with a large ass, you can’t,” Airiana called over her shoulder as she sprinted through the spacious rooms. The accusation that anything on willowy Judith could be large was so absurd, she laughed so hard she couldn’t see where she was going and crashed into an armchair. Tumbling over the side of it, she landed on the floor and blinked up at Judith. “Yikes. I guess your butt isn’t quite as big as either of us thought.”
“I am not even close to being middle-aged, smart-ass.”
“True, but you’re still always going to be older than me,” Airiana pointed out smugly.
The front screen pulled open and a woman stuck her head in the door. Tall and blond, she was the picture of athleticism, her hair pulled back into a ponytail and her body in a tight, stretchy shirt and running shorts. As she stood on the porch above the stairs, she tapped her foot and wiped at the sheen of sweat on her face.
“Blythe.” Judith waved as she greeted the oldest of her sisters and the acknowledged leader of their sisterhood. “You went running again this afternoon? You ran this morning.”
“What in the world are you two doing?” Blythe Daniels ignored the inquiry and stepped inside to sink down onto an ottoman and remove her running shoes.
“Well,” Airiana said from the floor, “basically we’re discussing Judith’s butt and how big it’s grown while she sat and painted today.”
“Really?” Blythe frowned at them both, looking very concerned. “I don’t have my glasses to examine