The Star-Fire Prophecy by Jane Toombs Page B

she knew he was also ruthless when he wanted his way, when he believed he was right. She was here at Star-Fire because he had overruled a woman whose decisions he trusted. Certainly Melantha would never accept her easily.
    Danica looked away from Galt and stared at the darkening mountains. From the direction of the ranch she heard a dog howl. What if Melantha was right? Fire and destruction. Would her being here harm Star-Fire? She caught her breath. Amy? Dare she stay?
    “Danica.”
    She faced Galt, meeting his eyes. They seemed to reflect the last rays of the sun. “I want you here,” he said.
    She couldn’t breathe. He reached over and touched her face gently and her skin burned where his fingers had rested.
    “I’m selfish. I think you’ll be good for Amy.”
    Did he see the doubt and fear in her mind? And did he know how she felt when he touched her? She stared into his dark, slanting eyes.
    “Please stay,” he said.
    She felt she’d do anything he asked right at that moment. He didn’t have Evan’s blond handsomeness, but she could sense something between them: thin and fragile as a silk thread, but there, a bond.
    He took a deep breath, looked away, and drew up his horse. “We’d better go back,” he said. “I didn’t realize it was getting so late.”
    The sun was gone and there was a night chill to the air. She shivered. It was too late for her to go back. She was committed here to a strange, frightened child. And? She shook her head. No point in being foolishly romantic. Galt hadn’t meant anything by his touch, he was concerned about the child, wanted her here to help. Don’t build a fantasy castle on such a tenuous foundation , she warned herself. Don’t be what Melantha accuses you of being .
    A shooting star streaked across the sky, leaving a fiery trail that glowed as an afterimage in her mind. An omen?
    “November’s a good month for meteor showers,” Galt said.
    I know , she thought, I was born during one. I was born during a night of falling flame. And the fire has come to haunt me. Will it follow me here? Have I brought it already? Amy—please don’t let me hurt Amy .
    “Did you make a wish?” Galt asked.
    “Wish?”
    “On the falling star.”

Chapter Seven
    Danica hurried into the house. Lydia and the children were cleaning up the kitchen.
    “Oh, Lydia,” Danica said, “I haven’t been much help, have I? I’m sorry, but we were horseback riding, and Galt…”
    “You were out with Galt?” Lydia turned from the sink. “Wow.”
    “He was just showing me around.”
    “You’re the first one, then. He didn’t take any of the rest of us horseback riding our first day here.” A pleased expression spread over Lydia’s face. “Melantha didn’t foresee that, I’ll bet. She must be furious.”
    “Melantha?”
    “Yeah. No wonder she wanted to get rid of you. Competition.”
    Did that explain Melantha’s dislike of her?
    “She and Galt are sort of a thing. None of the rest of us goes into his house without knocking. And she’s very possessive.” Lydia eyed Danica speculatively. “You wouldn’t be the first girl she’s gotten rid of.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You’re the first pretty girl that’s been hired here since I came. There’ve been applicants—but with Melantha as the entire personnel department…”
    “You’re certainly attractive enough, Lydia.”
    “Oh, I know I’m okay, but I’m really not outstanding. Neither are any of the other women here. Except Melantha. And now you. Of course, there was Colleen Connelly. She used to have this house and I shared it with her when I came. Real Irish-type beauty, freckles and all.”
    “But she left?”
    “Melantha accused her of mistreating one of the children.”
    “Oh no. Was it true?”
    Lydia frowned. “I never did make up my mind. It looked like Colleen had done what Melantha said—slapped the kid, locked him in a dark room. And he was scared to death of Colleen. But…” Lydia paused and