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her
confusion at any couple being happy to live apart. “Oh,
occasionally we would meet somewhere for a weekend, but it was rare
for us ever to be home at the same time. As a result, Garrick grew
up being raised by various relatives and friends.”
    Molly wondered if Virginia was feeling
guilty. “He turned into a fine male,” she was swift to reassure
her. “You must be very proud.”
    The older female nodded, her expression
difficult to read. “Very proud, but I also understand that his lack
of a stable home has made him doubt his ability to become the sort
of male who would make a good father and husband.”
    Molly frowned. She’d never really considered
how Garrick’s past might have influenced his obvious fear of
commitment. Was that what he’d been saying before he left her
place? Why he’d thought she deserved someone else? Someone better
than him?
    She had to wonder if he also thought that she
expected him to become a Mr. Homebody, when that would obviously
drive him nuts.
    “I’m not asking him to change,” she said.
    “Of course you are, my dear,” Virginia
reprimanded, her expression softening. “Garrick knows firsthand the
trials of having a family who weren’t there for him. And if you’re
being honest with yourself, you would admit that the thought of
having a mate who was constantly gone would eventually destroy you.
You have an emptiness inside you that needs to be filled with a
male who can give you all of himself, not just a small part.”
    Molly blinked back the stupid tears that
filled her eyes.
    Virginia was right.
    Even if she could somehow manage to convince
Garrick they were destined to be together, he would either leave
her for months at a time, or he would force himself to stay, and
eventually grow to resent her.
    A savage pain ripped through her heart,
nearly sending her to her knees.
    “So there’s no hope,” she rasped.
    Virginia rose to her feet, moving to lay a
hand on Molly’s cheek. “There is if you’re willing to
compromise.”
    Molly frowned in confusion. “How?”
    “Think outside the box,” she urged. “Garrick
can take a more permanent position somewhere that needs your
skills. The Goddess knows that a trained Healer is always welcome
among the Diplomatic faction outside the Wildlands.” She shrugged,
her expression thoughtful as she mulled over the possibilities. “Or
he could stay in the Wildlands to train the new Suits half the
year, and the other half you could travel with him. So long as
you’re together, everything will fall into place.” With a smile,
Virginia squared her shoulders and turned to make her way back to
the door. “Now I must leave.”
    “Wait.” Molly hurried behind her. “Where are
you going?”
    “To remind my foolish son it’s almost time
for the candle-lighting ceremony.”
    “But…”
    Molly gave a slow shake of her head as
Virginia briskly stepped out of the apartment and closed the door
behind her.
    It felt like she’d just been hit by a
mini-tornado.
    Or manipulated by a very fine negotiator, a
voice whispered in the back of her mind.
    Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she
moved to the mantel and touched the small star ornament next to her
parents’ picture. It was the last gift she’d ever received from
them. Her mother had told her that she’d chosen it so Molly could
have something to make her Noël wishes come true.
    Now Molly closed her eyes and made the Noël
wish that came from the very depths of her soul.

CHAPTER 7
     
     
    “You’re a fool, Loriot.”
    The statement brought Garrick’s head around.
He frowned. Raphael was headed his way, following the path of
moonlight leading to the water’s edge.
    Garrick snorted and turned back to face the
bayou, and all the barges moving lazily down it with the current.
“Tell me something I don’t know, brother.”
    “All right.” Raphael came to stand beside
him. “You’re scared.”
    With a half-assed snarl, Garrick turned and
gave his mentor a