Read Online Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman - Free Book Online Page B

And anytime you want to talk to her, just talk; silently or out loud, it doesn’t matter. You have my word, son, your mama hears everything you say, and she knows everything you feel. And if you ask her something she will answer you, only instead of hearing with your ears now you must learn to listen with your heart.”
Henry reared up, incredulous. “That’s what Sophie told me! I asked her how she got over missing her dad, and she said she didn’t miss him so much once she started talking to him every night when she went to bed. And she said sometimes if she listens real hard, she can almost hear him talking back to her.”
Oh yeah, coming to Inglenook had definitely been one ofhis better decisions. “It appears you have a very wise new friend.” He turned the boy facing out again and wrapped him in a warm embrace. “I’m sorry Sophie’s father died, but I’m glad you can talk to her about what it’s like to miss someone you love.”
“Did you love Mama?”
“I cared very deeply for Delia.”
“Then how come you left her before I was born?”
“Because she asked me to.”
Henry craned his head to frown up at him. “But why? Didn’t Mama care as deeply for you?”
Mac nudged him back around. “I believe she did, but I also believe she loved you more,” he said, tightening his arms for emphasis. “I think that when your mama realized she was carrying you, the notion of having my child frightened her, so she asked me to leave before I knew you existed.”
“But what’s wrong with your being my dad?”
“I believe it was your grandfather Delia feared most, Henry. Titus Oceanus is a very powerful man, and his reputation is…” Sweet Prometheus, how much should he reveal to the child? “Well, let’s just say that everyone is afraid of my father.”
Henry patted Mac’s arm. “
You’re
not afraid of him. When Mr. Trace blew that hole in Grandfather’s ship, you stole me right out from under his nose. Why, you’re not afraid of anyone.”
No, only a pint-sized, six-year-old mirror image of himself.
“You know what, Henry? Instead of calling him Grandfather, I think you should start calling him
Grampy
. So the next time you give Trace a letter to take out to sea and toss overboard, go ahead and begin it with ‘Dear Grammy and Grampy.’”
“And can you take a picture of me and Sophie so I can send it to them? I want them to see what a wonderful new friend I have.”
Mac smiled. What he wouldn’t give to be there when his old man opened Henry’s letter calling him
Grampy
. “I’m sure they’d both like that very much.”
“And can I also write to Aunt Carolina and invite her to come visit us?” Henry asked, craning around to look at him again.
Mac disguised his shudder by shrugging. He supposed he couldn’t postpone the inevitable any longer, as Henry had been asking to meet Carolina ever since she’d sent him the giant stuffed whale and book of mythology. But knowing his sister, Mac had sneaked the whale out of Henry’s arms when the boy had been sleeping, carefully taken it apart at the seam, and found Carolina’s little… surprise.
Only upon realizing his brat of a sister—obviously in love with her new nephew sight unseen—was sincerely trying to help him, Mac had taken her inspired gift out of the whale, replaced it with something of equal weight so Henry wouldn’t notice, and painstakingly restitched the seam and tucked the animal back into his son’s arms.
“Yes, I believe it is time you met your aunt. And if we give Carolina an invitation that includes actual dates, at least we’ll know when she’s coming rather than just having her show up without warning.”
Henry relaxed back against him again. “Next week, then?”
“How about next month instead? That way we’ll have time to grow accustomed to our temporary home first.”
“But all the campers will be here then.”
Mac smiled over Henry’s head. “Exactly, as I intend to sign Caro up for one or two of the