Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [64]
Marielle knelt and bowed her head. “Dear soul, I have caused you terrible wrong. I pray you will forgive me.”
Shanna approached her. “Father Andrew told me how upset you were when you learned about the accident.” She leaned over. “It was an accident. There’s nothing to forgive.”
Marielle looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “I’m so relieved you’re all right. God bless you and your family.”
Shanna’s eyes glimmered with tears, too, and she extended a hand. “Thank you.”
Marielle took her hand and stood.
Connor looked away. They were probably able to forgive so easily because neither one had been at fault. He was the one who had brought Marielle here, ignoring all her protests that she mustn’t be touched.
He sat at one of the tables, giving the ladies some distance so they could chat. Still, with his heightened senses, he could hear everything they said. As always with Shanna, the conversation soon turned to her children.
She led Marielle over to the window to point out Constantine and Sofia, who were still playing on the basketball court with their father.
“They’re beautiful,” Marielle murmured. “You and your husband are truly blessed.”
Shanna nodded, tears shimmering once again in her eyes.
“How are they doing?” Marielle asked.
Shanna sighed. “It’s not easy for them. Since they were born, they grew up knowing their father was unavailable during the day, so they just accepted it. And they always had me.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Now they don’t.”
Connor noted the pink tint to Shanna’s tear and turned away. Tears crowded his own eyes. Guilt bore down on him.
“We’ll adjust,” Shanna continued. “They’ll learn to sleep more during the day so they can be awake more at night. And they can spend more time at the school. Thank God I have Radinka. She’s like a grandmother to them. And my sister, Caitlyn, is a big help.”
“I’m glad your family is here for you,” Marielle said.
Shanna sighed. “Not all my family. My father is the head of the CIA Stake-Out team. He hates vampires. And shifters. I—I don’t know how I’m going to tell him.”
Marielle touched her shoulder. “What is his name? I will pray for him.”
“Sean Whelan.” Shanna smiled sadly. “It’ll take a lot of prayers to sway him. He’s still furious that Caitlyn turned into a were-panther.”
Marielle’s eyes widened. “How did that happen? Was she attacked?”
“She married a were-panther,” Shanna replied. “She risked her life to be with the man she loved.”
“Good heavens,” Marielle whispered. “She was very brave.” She turned toward Connor and their eyes met.
His chest tightened. God help him, he was falling for her. He looked away. What a bloody fool he was. Always berating the other guys for falling in love, and here he was falling faster than any of them had. It was pathetic.
“Caitlyn’s expecting twins in a few months,” Shanna continued. “We’re all very excited about it.”
Marielle smiled. “That’s wonderful.”
A tap on the nearby window snagged Connor’s attention. He glanced up to find Father Andrew motioning for him to join them outside.
He trudged toward the glass door and nodded at the ladies. “Excuse me.” He let himself out onto the patio.
Radinka was still seated on the bench, but she was staring at the window with an expression of awe. “I can’t believe I’m seeing a real angel. She’s so beautiful.”
“Aye.” Connor glanced toward Roman.
A glint of anger flashed in Roman’s eyes, then he turned back to his children.
“He’ll come around in time,” Father Andrew said quietly, then gestured toward a cement bench farther away.
“He has every right to be angry,” Connor muttered as he followed the priest.
Father Andrew withdrew three vials from his coat pocket. “These contain holy water. To help you fight the demon. Has he returned?”
“Nay, no’ yet.” Connor dropped the vials into his sporran.
“Thank you for agreeing to protect Marielle.” Father Andrew sat on the bench. “I’ve been pondering how we can return her to heaven.”
Connor sat beside him. “She hopes that helping us defeat Casimir and the Malcontents will prove