Read Online The Last Guardian Rises (The Last Keeper's Daughter) by Rebecca Trogner - Free Book Online

prayers when they put my George into the ground. The reverend was a young man then, just starting at the church. I think George was his first funeral.”
    The Reverend Shay was a lifelong friend of Walter and had visited Waverly often. The reverend had eaten many a meal in Martha’s kitchen. Lily remembered watching them as they’d laughed and told stories while she’d enjoyed a slice of fresh apple pie. As they were so much older than her, it was hard for Lily to imagine the reverend or Martha as being young; they’d always been old to her. The last time she’d seen the reverend had been at Walter’s funeral when Liam and his pack had howled into the night and she’d seen fear in his eyes. 
    “Oh.” Martha waved her hand like she was pushing the memory aside. “It was many lifetimes ago now. If you love Mr. Barnes, and I think you do, don’t let your fears get in the way. Think of everything you’ve overcome already.” Martha smiled at her. “I never thought we’d be talking like this, but here we are sitting around the table chatting away.”
    “When we get back from our trip, would you like to come over to Stoke for dinner?”
    “Of course, I’ve been waiting for an invitation. Is it really a castle?”
    “It is.” Lily’s eyes drifted outside. “I’d like Jo to come too. You could spend the night. You wouldn’t believe some of the bedrooms. And there’s an indoor pool, and a map room that’s three stories high.”
    “Have I helped you any?”
    “You have.” Would Martha still think so highly of Mr. Barnes, as she insisted on calling him, when she knew what he was? Would she run? And Jo, her crazy friend, what would she do?
    “You aren’t the only one who’s been to see me with man problems.” Martha got up and brought the coffee pot over.
    “Really?” Lily shook her head to let Martha know she didn’t need more caffeine.
    “Jo stopped by and we went to lunch at the Ashby Inn. They make the best eggs benedict.” Martha was a huge foodie. “And what’s better than breakfast at lunch?”
    “She didn’t go back to Jeffrey, did she?” Jeffrey was an old flame of Jo’s. They never seemed to realize that they were toxic to each other.
    Martha heaved in a huge breath and released it slowly, like a balloon deflating. “She did and ended up with a split lip when she broke up with him, again.”
    “Why didn’t she call me?” Lily’s fists balled up. “I hate Jeffrey. If I ever see him I’ll—”
    “You don’t have to. It seems someone gave him a broken jaw. Danny, you remember Jennie’s son?” Lily nodded. “He was on call at the emergency room in Winchester when Jeffrey came in. He wouldn’t say who had done it, but I suspect it’s the man Jo’s been hinting about.”
    Lily couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Jo had the worst taste in men.
    “I know, I know, but this man is different. I can hear it in Jo’s voice when she talks about him. I think he might be a keeper.”
    There was a knock at the door, and Martha popped out of her chair. “He’s here.” She patted her hair. “Do I look alright?”
    “Who’s here?” It was eleven o’clock. Who would be coming to visit Martha at this hour?
    “Mr. Varek.” She scurried around putting the coffee cups in the sink and straightening the placemats. “He’s renting the old farm manager’s cottage.”
    Lily thought back to the latest correspondence she’d had from the lawyers. She did remember someone renting the cottage, but hadn’t given it any thought and before she could say anything else Martha had left the kitchen and opened the door.
    “Mr. Varek,” she heard Martha say, “please come in. Oh, thank you, they’re beautiful. Did you grow them in your garden?”
    Lily lagged behind. She hated to meet new people and yet she was curious to see the mystery man. When she rounded the corner there was Martha holding a bouquet of bright pink peonies.
    “He has the most amazing green thumb.” Martha beamed.
    Lily