Chosen (Second Sight) by Hazel Hunter Page A

shuddering breath. As he finally released his hold and backed up, Isabelle prepared herself for whatever his reaction might be. Disappointment? Frustration? Maybe even anger? That’s how it’d been with relationships in the past. Was this the end that she had been dreading all this time? But as she chanced a look into his face, all she saw was the usual Mac: the hint of a smile curving his lips, his eyes alight as though from within, his square jaw tilted down to her.
    “There’s just one more thing,” he said. “Did I mention I brought dinner?”

CHAPTER SEVEN

    As though he’d been waiting for her, Geoffrey was nearly at the gate by the time Isabelle got out of the car.
    “Isabelle!” he said, the delight in his voice sounding so sincere that she had to remind herself he’d fathered all the children she could see behind him. “I’m so glad to see you again.” He held out his hand to her and, though the thought of touching him made her shiver, she held out her hand and he quickly took it in a gentle grasp between both of his. “Our visit yesterday ended so…abruptly.” He checked the car behind her. “I see you’re alone today.”
    “Susan didn’t want to come,” Isabelle lied, as Geoffrey immediately led her along the gravel path.  
    In fact, it’d taken Isabelle at least thirty minutes to calm Susan down over the phone and another fifteen when she’d picked up her car. Only meeting Mac, who’d dropped her off, had convinced Susan to stay behind.
    At the thought of him, Isabelle felt a tightening in her chest. After dinner, the rest of the night had been quiet–a little too quiet. Though Mac had talked about his interview, he’d never tried to touch her. They’d gone to bed without making love.
    It wasn’t a first but it was unusual.
    And it felt wrong.  
    All night she’d wondered what was going through his mind. Yet again, she’d thought about doing a reading and had to force the idea away.
    Geoffrey walked as close to her as he possibly could.
    “I think it’s probably for the best that you’re on your own,” Geoffrey said, sounding completely understanding. “Perhaps we can pick up where we left off?”
    Isabelle noticed a man at the back entrance to the house who quickly disappeared. Probably security. He’d realized that Susan hadn’t returned. But what really held Isabelle’s attention were the children. Though she hadn’t noticed it yesterday, she couldn’t help but see the resemblance today.
    “I see you’re interested in the young ones,” Geoffrey said. Isabelle quickly averted her eyes. “I am too,” Geoffrey said, patting her gloved hand on his arm. “I am too. They’re our future you know.”
    “I’ve come to see Kayla,” Isabelle said, trying to sound as smooth as him. “Hear more about your wonderful commune from her.”
    “Oh,” Geoffrey said, pouting a little. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. But I’d be glad to tell you everything you need to know.”
    Isabelle slowed a little.
    “Why won’t that be possible?” she asked, forcing herself to smile. “I just saw her yesterday in the kitchen.”
    “Because she left,” Geoffrey said, nonchalant, as though they were talking about a passing cloud. “Yesterday evening.”
    Isabelle stopped and Geoffrey had to stop as well–either that or tug her arm out of the socket.
    “She left? ”
    “Yes,” Geoffrey said, nodding. “Yesterday evening,” he repeated.
    “Why?”
    “I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “I didn’t speak to her.” He shrugged a little. “Sometimes it happens. People move on in life or want to take what we do here and spread it elsewhere.” But then he frowned. “Honestly, though, I think it had more than a little to do with her mother’s visit. She seemed deeply upset by that when she came back to the house.”
    Isabelle glanced at the main house and then the others.  
    Geoffrey was lying.  
    It might be that Kayla wasn’t here but she hadn’t read that Kayla