Chosen at Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5)(114)

"It's everything," Kylie said. "I'm worried about Lucas. He was so upset, Holiday. He cried. And I don't think he can do that in front of his father or his family. He needs me, but I can't be there because of some stupid were rule! And I'm worried about my mom, I still don't trust John." I'm worried about leaving everyone I love and if they will be okay.

The ambience of the falls seemed to enter her chest and calm her. That along with Holiday's touch on her forearm.

"It'll be okay." Holiday hiccuped. "And if you want, I'll have Burnett do another check on John."

Kylie inhaled. "No. You're right. It's going to be okay." She had to believe it. She had to.

"Have you told your mom how you feel about him?" Holiday asked.

"Yes, and she thinks I'm just upset because she won't go back to my stepdad." Kylie dipped her toes in the cool water. "I actually called her before I came to see you. Woke her up and everything. She's staying at his beach house-using up her vacation days before she quits her job to go work for him. It's as if he's sucking her in. She's practically living with him; now she's going to be working for him."

Holiday gave Kylie's arm another squeeze. "As much as we wish we can make our parents behave, they are as bad as we were when we were in our terrible twos sometimes. My mom actually dated a stripper after the divorce."

Kylie looked at Holiday and chuckled. "Okay ... enough about bad stuff. What do you want me to wear to the wedding?"

Holiday got that giddy look in her eyes. It happened every time someone mentioned the wedding. "You can wear shorts for all I care. You're my maid of honor. You should wear what you want."

"I have a paisley dress in pastel colors that I think would work."

"It sounds perfect," Holiday said. "Oh, did I tell you I invited Blake to the wedding?"

"You mean, Blake, the ex-fiance?"

"That would he him," Holiday said.

Kylie made a face. "Does Burnett know?" She envisioned Burnett ripping off some of Blake's limbs for showing up.

She grinned. "It was his idea. He said he wanted the man to see it so he'd realize I was off the market."

Kylie grinned. "That sounds like Burnett."

"Of course, Blake declined. I think Burnett scares him a bit."

"That goes to show you, you only fall for smart men," Kylie said, and giggled.

They lay back and stared at the roof of the cave. "I know you're young, but Burnett and I were thinking, we'd like to make you the godmother of the baby. I mean, it is because of you that we got together."

Kylie grinned. "I would be honored."

After a few minutes of silence Holiday spoke again. "I got the college forms you asked for. Burnett or I can help you guys fill them out whenever."

After another moment of peaceful silence, Holiday sighed. "Can you see it?"

"See what?" Kylie said.

"I just got this glimpse into the future. You finishing college in about five years and coming back to Shadow Falls to work here.""You'd hire me?" Kylie asked.

"In a snap," Holiday said.

Kylie grinned. "Since you have it all figured out, what am I going to take in college? What kind of work am I going to be doing here?"

"Psychology, of course. You'll make a great counselor."

Kylie grinned. "You know, that's exactly what I was thinking about." Kylie paused. "When you look in the future, can you see if Miranda and Della and I will get into the same college?"

"If you guys want that, it'll happen. Heck, maybe we'll hire all three of you. Miranda would make an excellent teacher. With her own disabilities, she'll know how to work with other students with problems.

And Della, heck, she'll be working with Burnett on security."

"I like your idea of the future." Kylie paused, then asked, "Will Lucas be here?"

"You bet." She sighed. "He'd be working with Burnett at the FRU and here part time."

"I love him," Kylie said.

"I know."

"Wow, none of this 'you're too young to be in love' talk?"

Holiday sighed. "You are young, but damn it, you have an old soul, and sometimes that just makes you wise before your years."

Holiday reached over and patted Kylie's hand. "It's really going to be okay."

Yeah, Kylie thought. She really liked Holiday's glimpse into the future. All she had to do was stay alive.

Chapter Forty-one

That night Kylie sat in her bed watching the clock and twisting the charm bracelet her mom had given her around her wrist. Almost midnight. Lucas would be shifting soon. She'd spoken with him today twice.

He'd called the last time just to hear her say it again. She knew what he was talking about, so she obliged him.

I love you.

He hadn't said he'd come by tonight, but she still hoped.

Kylie's gaze shifted to the bright light on the other side of the room. The sword hadn't stopped glowing all day and she wasn't even touching it. It was as if it was trying to tell her something. Obviously, Kylie didn't speak swordese.

Not that she hadn't tried. After dinner, she'd actually sat down and had a conversation with the thing.