Megan's mate

He made some sound. He didn't want the image in his brain of them together in the dark. Coco and Dutch were as close to parents as he'd ever had, and no child, even at thirty-three, wanted to think about that side of a parental relationship.

These past few weeks have been wonderful. I had a lovely marriage, and there are memories I've cherished and will cherish all of my life. And over the years, I've had some nice, compatible relationships. But with Niels...

The dreamy look came into

her eyes.

He makes me feel young and vital, and almost delicate. It's not just the sex,

she added, and had Nathaniel wincing.

Aw, jeez, Coco.

He took a sip of coffee, as he was rapidly losing his appetite.

I

don't want to know about that.

She chuckled, adoring him.

I know how close you are to Niels.

Well, sure.

He was beginning to feel trapped in the chair, barred by the tray.

We

sailed together a long time, and he's...

Like a father to you,

she said gently.

I know. I just wanted you to know I love him, too. We're going to be married.

What?

His fork clattered against china.

Married?

You and the Dutchman?

Yes.

Nervous now, because she couldn't tell whether his expression was horrified or simply shocked, Coco fiddled with the jet beads at her throat.

I hope you don't

mind.

Mind?

His brain had gone blank. Now it began to fill again the restless movements of her hands, the tone of her voice, the anxious look in her eyes. Nathaniel shifted the table away from his chair and rose.

Imagine a classy woman like

you falling for that old tar. Are you sure he hadn't been supping something into your soup?

Relieved, she smiled.

If he has, I like it. Do we have your blessing?

He took her hands, looked down at them.

You know, for nearly as far back as I can remember, I wanted you to be my mother.

Oh.

Her eyes filled, overflowed.

Nathaniel.

Now I guess you will be.

His gaze lifted to hers again before he kissed her, one cheek, the other, then her lips.

He better be good to you, or he'll answer to me.

I'm so happy.

Coco sank, weeping, into his arms.

I'm so very happy, Nate. I

didn't even see it coming in the cards.

Her breath hitched as she pressed her wet face to his throat.

Or the tea leaves, even the crystal. It just happened.

The best things usually do.

I want you to be happy.

Drawing back, she fumbled in her pocket for one of her lace-trimmed hankies.

I want you to believe in what you have with Megan, and not

let it slip away. She needs you, Nate. So does Kevin.

That's what I told her.

He smiled a little as he took the hankie and dried Coco's tears himself.

I don't guess she was ready to hear it.

You just keep saying it.

Her voice became firm.

Keep right on saying it until she

is.

And if Megan needed an extra push, Coco thought, she'd be happy to supply it herself.

Now, then.

She smoothed down her hair, her slacks.

I have a million

things to do. I want you to rest, so you'll be up to the picnic and the fireworks.

I feel okay.

You feel as if you've been run over by a truck.

She marched to the bed, busying

herself with smoothing sheets and fluffing pillows.

You can lie down for another

hour or two, or you can sit out on the terrace in the sun. It's a lovely day, and we can fix you up a nice chaise. When Megan wakes up, I'll have her come give you a rubdown.

Now that sounds promising. I'll take the sun.

He started toward the terrace doors,

but then he heard footsteps hurrying down the hall. Megan rushed in.

I can't find

Kevin,

she blurted

out.

No one's seen him all morning.

Chapter 11

She was pale as i.e. and struggling to be calm. The i.e. of her little boy running away was so absurd that she continued to tell herself it was a mistake, a prank.

Maybe a dream.

No one's seen him,

she repeated, bracing a hand on the doorknob to stay upright.

Some some of his clothes are gone, and his knapsack.

Call Suzanna,

Nathaniel said quickly.

He's probably with Alex and Jenny.

No.

She shook her head slowly, side to side. Her body felt like glass, as though it would shatter if she moved too quickly.

They're here. They're all here. They haven't seen him. I was sleeping.

She said each word deliberately, as if she were having trouble understanding her own voice.

I slept late, then I checked his room, like I always do. He wasn't there, but I thought he'd be downstairs, or outside. But when I went down, Alex was looking for him.

The fear began to claw at her, little cat feet up and down her spine.

We hunted around, then I came back up. That's when I saw that some of his things... some of his things...

All right, dear, now don't you worry.

Coco hurried over to sh'p a supporting arm around Megan's waist.

I'm sure he's just playing a game. There are so many places to hide in the house, on the grounds.

He was so excited about today. It's all he could talk about. He's supposed to be playing Revolutionary War with Alex and Jenny. He he was going to be Daniel Boone.

We'll find him,

Nathaniel told her.

Of course we will.

Gently Coco began to ease Megan along.