Chapter 7 THE RACE

When Rosemary opened the door, Nicholas stood there cross-armed before her. “You’ve been home for over a month now, nearly two, my dear. Don’t you think it’s time for you to rejoin the world?”

She stood aside to let her father in, then shut the door behind him. “I’m just not ready to see all those people yet.”

The old wizard sank into the sofa beside the door and crossed his ankle over his knee. “All those people? You mean your family?”

She collapsed into the safety of his arm and rested against his shoulder. “No.”

Nicholas smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Daniel?”

Just the mention of his name sent a chill through her shoulders, and she nodded against his chest. “Yes.” Her eyes glanced up to his, and she tugged at his long, dark hair. “Did you know who he was when he came here?”

He pulled her a little closer and nodded. “As soon as he mentioned you. I could see on his face that he was yours.”