Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan Page A

leaving isn’t a real possibility. Finding another place like this—with the ocean for Rikki, enough land for Lexi to farm, enough for us all to live together—that’s going to take time. And we’d have to sell this place.”
    “Lexi will be upset,” Airiana said.
    “She’s put her heart and soul into this land,” Judith acknowledged. “It will be harder for her than for any of us.”
    “Maybe we can just not say anything until we know one way or the other,” Airiana said. “All we’re really doing is speculating.”
    “We promised each other we’d always tell the truth no matter how difficult. This is a joint decision we have to make together. When we’re all on board, then we’ll talk to Rikki,” Blythe said. “Rikki has to see us all together and know we’re more than willing to move with her and Levi.”
    There was a small silence. No one wanted to leave after they’d spent five years working to build their dream homes. Lexi had worked hard to get the farm producing enough to make money. It hadn’t been easy, but they’d all pitched in with every job, making the dream they all shared come true.
    Judith stood up, gathered the empty teacups and took them to the sink. “Shadows can be just shadows,” she called over her shoulder. “We could just be paranoid.”
    “That’s true,” Blythe admitted, getting to her feet as well. She did a slow stretch. “I guess I’ll go talk to Lexi and see you tonight at the gym.”
    Judith swung around with a small grimace. “Honestly, I detest self-defense class. I feel like the teacher’s duncey student.”
    Airiana flung her arm around Judith’s waist. “Honey, you are the teacher’s dunce student. Fortunately we all love you, so it doesn’t matter if you can kick butt or not.”
    “I totally can kick butt. I’ve got all the moves.” Judith huffed her disapproval, glaring down at Airiana’s smirking face. “I just prefer not to hit people. I’m more evolved and civilized than the rest of you.”
    “Well, you did flip Blythe onto her back last night,” Airiana conceded. “But then you burst into tears and that sort of ruined the whole effect.”
    “Levi was so exasperated,” Blythe said and burst out laughing at the memory. “Did you see his face? I thought he might run out of there.”
    Judith couldn’t help but laugh as well, although remembering the moment when she’d thrown her sister to the mat made her a little nauseous. The sound of Blythe’s body hitting the mat, the air rushing from her lungs had been sickening. Judith couldn’t explain to Levi—or her sisters—that she wanted to learn, she just didn’t want to hurt anyone in the process. She believed she could defend her sisters fiercely if she had to, but to deliberately hit one of them or throw them down so hard it knocked the breath from them was abhorrent to her. And what if she lost her temper? What disaster would she bring down on everyone then?
    “He definitely doesn’t like any of us to cry,” Airiana agreed. “And have you ever seen him when Rikki is upset? He’s crazy about her.”
    Blythe sighed. “I have to admit that he is. I watch him all the time. I still drop by in the early morning hours for coffee and Rikki’s always waiting outside for me. Levi brings the coffee out and seems happy enough to see me, but he rarely takes his eyes off of Rikki. I’m happy for her.”
    Judith nodded, knowing Blythe was right. Levi Hammond was so in love with Rikki, her autism didn’t seem to be in any way a deterrent. “Does it make you think maybe there’s someone out there for the rest of us? He’s so different, and I can’t imagine either one with anyone else. They were made for each other. Maybe there really is a Mr. Right.”
    Her voice lacked conviction and she knew it. There would never be a Mr. Right for her. She couldn’t trust herself, or her talent, to not ever put those she loved in peril again. She was attracted to the wrong kind of man. In the past