Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(43)

“Into Boston. I understand you have not had an opportunity to visit yet?”

She couldn’t help but to be pleased with the answer. “No. Garrett and I drove through on the way to the Cape for the Gala, but the furthest away I had the opportunity of visiting is Bangor.”

He strummed his fingers along the steering wheeling. “Good. I have a couple things planned that I thought you might like and then if it is okay with you, I’ve planned a dinner at my childhood family home.”

“Your family home?” Caitlyn had to admit that she was intrigued to see what kind of home he grew up in. “Is it in Boston?”

Declan shook his head. “No. It is actually in Salem. Our family has resided in Massachusetts since 1685.”

Caitlyn laughed. “You are kidding, right?”

Declan eyed her sideways. “No. Is this amusing?”

She laughed harder. “Oh, come on! Salem? Your family moved to Salem in 1685? Around the time of the Salem witch trials?”

“Yes. We did. Along with several other Actual families. There were some whom were not exactly discreet, and unfortunately, there were some innocent women that were accused of witchcraft and persecuted because of the carelessness of a couple our kind.”

She turned her body towards his in the passenger seat. “Did your family do anything?”

“No. My understanding is that they tried to dissuade the people of the town, but there were quite a few zealots and they were not successful in doing so. It is not a proud moment in my family’s history.”

“And you stayed there?”

“Our family, being of the original eight families, had the authority to banish those responsible from the area and the Council punished them accordingly. Our family kept our heads low and therefore could stay in the area.”

Caitlyn wasn’t quite sure how to respond. She covered her mouth to repress another yawn.

“Why don’t you close your eyes and get some more sleep? We still have another four hours of driving.”

Perhaps it had been for the best that they had left the seclusion of upper Maine; now surrounded by Boston’s bustling streets, Caitlyn found herself finally willing to get to know Declan on a more personal level.

As Declan took her on a walking tour of the Freedom Trail, they talked openly about her past and a little of his. He revealed to her that his mother had died from cancer as well when he was twelve years old. He had sympathized greatly with her and they spent a great deal of time talking about how difficult it was watching their parents fade away from the disease.

He was also forthright with her; he did not hold back what he expected from her, the reasons why he wanted to mentor her. It purely had to do with what was best for the Trust. This did not bother her, in fact she found the blatant honesty quite refreshing.

The end of the afternoon found them at Boston Public Gardens, watching the swans and ducks swim in the pond. Caitlyn threw a piece of bread into the water, watching the ducks fight over the food. “Thank you for today. It was nice getting to see Boston.”

“Good, I’m glad. It is nice getting to know you, Caitlyn. I know that all this has been difficult.”

She methodically ripped apart the little bit of remaining bread in her hands. “I’m just worried about Garrett. This was all so sudden and I haven’t been able to reach him. He has had his blocks up and is not answering his cell.”

Declan turned his head towards her. “Are you worried that he is angry at you?”

“No. I’m fairly certain that the Councilmen told him to do this to give you and me an opportunity to get to know each other.”

“It sounds like something my father would do. If you would like, I can make sure you are able to speak to him. It sounds like you were quite close.”

“We were. I mean, we are.” She did not feel comfortable discussing the actual nature of their relationship. “Thank you for the offer. I feel like I will not be able to commit fully to this change until I can make sure that Garrett is okay. I think…”

“It’s the reason you have been so hesitant to get to know me the past few days.”

“Yes.”

Declan placed a hand on top of hers. “It’s okay. I could tell that something was holding you back. I am hoping today helped bring us a little closer. The mentor/student relationship is so important and I don’t want you resenting me for replacing Garrett.”

She squeezed his hand. “I do feel better about all of this.”