Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem ( Elysia and Tarquin)

Tarquin couldn't quite figure it out, so he just tried to comfort Elysia.

"Grandma's shocked, that's all. She probably never imagined anyone could come up with such a dangerous virus," he said.

Elysia blinked at him, her blue eyes wide. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense."

Tarquin put on a playful grin and gave her cheek a little pinch. "Don't overthink it. The important thing is, if Grandma's got a way to beat it, that's good news!"

"Yeah! You're right!"

“Alright, get some sleep. I'm gonna go get washed up."

He coaxed Elysia to lie down, kissed her gently on the forehead, then headed into the bathroom.

The moment he was out of her sight, Tarquin's easy expression vanished, replaced by a storm of thoughts.

A suspicion flashed across his mind: Could Tracey be involved with the mysterious figure? The virus had been unleashed by this person, and Tracey seemed to know about it before anyone else.

Was there something between Tracey and the mysterious figure? Was he just overthinking it, or did they actually know each other? Was there some connection he hadn't seen?

Stepping into the bathroom, Tarquin turned on the cold mountain spring water and let it pour over him, trying to focus.

The more he thought about it, the less simple things seemed.

Maybe Tracey could give him some answers about the mysterious figure. After all, that person had been lurking around him for thirty years-it was time to end it.

He wasn't about to let a single clue slip by. But he couldn't act recklessly, not yet. He needed to be sure. Once he had proof, he'd strike without hesitation.

Tarquin finished his shower in record time, checked to see that Elysia was sound asleep, pulled on a clean T-shirt and jeans, and slipped out the door. He needed answers now-waiting until morning wasn't an option.

But luck wasn't on his side. Tracey's cozy cabin was dark, not a light on anywhere. She was clearly asleep.

Tarquin frowned, frustrated, but he didn't want to barge in and wake her up. He lingered outside the door for a while, debating, then finally turned away and headed back to his room.

That night, he didn't sleep a wink.

As soon as the sun peeked over the horizon, Tarquin was up and out, making his way back to Tracey's place. Elysia and Baby were still fast asleep when he left.

The yard was quiet, not a soul in sight.

He reached Tracey's little log cabin and raised his hand to knock, but suddenly there was a thud behind him. He spun around, just in time to see Bernard and Evan dropping down from the roof, landing behind him without a sound.

Tarquin blinked in surprise. "Bernard. Evan."

Bernard gave him a knowing look. "You're awfully eager to see the old lady, huh?”

"Huh?"

Bernard

smirked,

"I saw you last night, you know. You rushed over here, looking all serious, then saw the lights were out and left. You're here again at the crack of dawn, looking just as tense. Got something urgent?"

Tarquin hesitated. Bernard was one of the few people in this world who could tail him without getting noticed. Last night, when he'd come to see Tracey, he hadn't sensed anyone else around. Bernard really was a force to be reckoned with-thank God they weren't enemies.

He nodded respectfully. "There's something on my mind, yeah."

Bernard didn't press. "Well, you'll have to wait. Old Tracey's gone up to the herb garden, and who knows when she'll be back."

"The herb garden?"

"Yeah, she left before dawn."

"...Where is it? Can I go find her?" Tarquin asked, already itching to get moving.

Evan shook his head. "Wouldn't recommend it! The herb garden's halfway up the mountain, and unless you're her daughter, she doesn't like people dropping by.”

Bernard nodded in agreement. "If you go looking for her, you might just tick her off. And trust me, when she's mad, she's got a mean right hook."

Tarquin grimaced. He knew Tracey was a legendary doctor, hiding out in the mountains and growing her own herbs. But still...noveldrama

“She'll be safe up there on her own?"

Evan grinned. "Of course! Grandma Tracey's tough as nails."