Synching With the Devil's Son

Chapter 138

Bella's P.O.V.

Before Kate and I arrive at my house, we have come up with a story about why she and JoJo are with me. Kate has packed an overnight bag with a few days worth of clothes, along with JoJo, her leash, food and her new bed. When we get out of the car, I tell her to bring JoJo and put her bags by the front door. I grab JoJo's bed and food, preparing to set her up with all the other dogs we foster. Kate joins me near the pig pasture where my Dad is filling their troughs.

"Hey Dad, anything I can help you with?"

He looks up at me. "Once everyone has eaten, I could use your help getting them into their barns for the night."

"Sure, is all the food prepared already?" When he nods I tell him, "Lucien's Mom and JoJo are going to stay with us until he and his Dad come back into town, I hope that's okay."

He looks at me for a moment, and then asks, "Where did they go and why didn't she go with them?"

I hate lying to my father, but in this instance, I think a little lie is better than the truth...the truth actually sounds like a fabrication. "Oh, they went to check out some property they're thinking of buying, and Kate didn't want to go. Besides, there is JoJo to worry about now. She doesn't like being alone, especially at night, so I thought instead of me keeping her company at her house, she could stay here."

"Sure, sure," my agreeable father says. "Show her the guest room." Kate is approaching us with her dog following closely behind, so my father says, "Hello Mrs. Amon, and welcome. We can set JoJo up with the rest of the dogs."

"Thank you for your hospitality, and please call me Kate," she tells him graciously.

I smile, "Thanks Dad. I'll be back to help corral all these guys in a few minutes," I tell him, indicating the pastures with a sweep of my hand.

After giving my father JoJo's leash, I take Kate to the room next to mine. While she's putting her suitcase down I ask her, "Lucien told me time moves differently in Hell, does it move differently in Heaven too?"

She nods. "Yes, it's slower, but when you're living there, it doesn't feel that way."

"How much slower?"

She thinks about that for a moment. "I'd say three days here to one there, give or take."

"So Lucien's been there since Tuesday, and now it's Friday. He's been there for one Heavenly day?"

She smiles at my expression. "One Heavenly day, I like that. Yes, that's about right." She's quiet for a moment. "I asked Sam to contact me once he gets there, but I haven't heard from him. It shouldn't take him this long to get there...I'm worried something has happened."

I start shaking my head. "Give him some time, don't worry yet," I tell her, trying to calm my own racing heart. "Besides, maybe the two of you have trouble communicating when you're stressed out. I know I couldn't connect with Lucien when my heart was racing and my head was all over the place."

She smiles at me and pats my shoulder like I'm a small child who doesn't understand the workings of the world. Honestly, I don't know Jack shit about how the celestial world works, but giving Samael time to figure out what's going on before he contacts Kate seems reasonable to me. We head back out to the pastures and spend the next hour corralling and feeding all the animals. Kate really seems to enjoy herself, especially with all the dogs. JoJo joined the mass of four legged bodies, and we found her leaping and playing with another dog about her size and temperament. We watch her race around, tongue hanging out, chasing and being chased by a black lab mix we named Buddy. "I think JoJo just made a friend. You might consider bringing him home with you when Sam and Lucien return," I tell Kate conspiratorially.

She laughs. "Sure, that's just what Sam will want when he comes home, another dog in the house."

"Dogs are pack animals, they need four legged company to help guard their humans. Besides, once you have one, it's not a big stretch to have two or more," I cajole, seeing she isn't adverse to the idea. "Think about it, okay? Buddy will be here for a while."

She looks at me quizzically. "Why will he be here for a while? He seems perfectly sweet and healthy to me."

"He's about six years old. Most people are looking for younger animals when they adopt."

"Isn't JoJo about six as well?"

I smile, "Yes, I would guess her to be around that age. See? A match made in Heaven."

With the mention of Heaven, her face tightens into a frown. "I still haven't heard from Sam," she says quietly.

Sorry to have ruined her good mood, I hug her gently. "Let's go inside and make some dinner, get your mind on something else," I suggest, pulling her toward the house. When we get there, my brother is washing his hands in the sink and politely greets Kate.

"I hear you're staying with us for a few days," Chris says, drying his hands on a towel. At her nod he says, "Perfect! Mary is coming over tonight, I know she'd love to meet you."

Kate turns to me and quietly asks, "Who is Mary?"

"She's our neighbor. Chris and I have been trying to get my Dad to ask her out for years. She's a widow, he's a widower, and they're already great friends. They would be perfect for each other."

Kate nods in understanding. "So we are to play match maker, is that what you're saying?"

I laugh. "If you are able to get my Dad to ask Mary out, I will give you anything you want," I tell her effusively.

"Does that include a grandchild?" she asks quietly.

"Yes, even a grandchild," I tell her with a smile.