Page 18 of Too Old for Love

Everest ate slowly, looking up every now and then to see Tinley’s smiling face.

“You can ask whatever you like,” she said softly.

“You know that I’m older?”

“Eagle mentioned it. I’m older than he is. Faith, the beautiful woman over there, is older than her husband, Ian. We have a lot of couples like that. Age means nothing if you love someone Everest.

“Did you know that recent studies indicate that women in their fifties and sixties are actually best suited to be with men in their forties?”

“No way,” said Everest with surprise.

“Way,” laughed Tinley. “They’re not looking for mother figures. I assure you that was not what Eagle wanted. They’re looking for maturity, stability, a woman who isn’t afraid to tell them what she wants. They don’t want games. They want someone who can have an adult conversation without drama and guessing games.”

“I guess I can see that,” she said nodding. “My ex-husband and I were exactly the same age, only four days apart. It meant nothing. We had nothing in common. I’ve discovered I have more in common with Mike than I ever did with my ex.”

“Well, then I think that tells you all you need to know. He’s a good man, honey. He’s done a lot of work for us here and has kept our secret,” said Tinley.

“Why is it secret?” she asked.

“Did Mike tell you that most of these men are former Special Forces?” she asked. Everest nodded. “That makes for a lot of enemies. This whole community was created by Irene and Matthew Robicheaux to protect their fifteen children.”

“Fifteen?” whispered Everest.

“Yep. Nine boys, eight of whom were Army Rangers, one in the CIA. They were not playing around. They’ve done contract work for the government, private companies, even other countries. Everything here is observed twenty-four-seven. You are safe.”

“But is my heart?” asked Everest. Tinley turned to see Mike walking toward them.

“Of everything, that’s the safest,” she smiled. “I’ll talk to you later. Hi, Mike. Bye, Mike.”

“Bye, Tinley,” he grinned. “She’s really nice.”

“Yes, she is,” said Everest. “Mike?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“I think I was wrong.” He frowned at her, turning slowly and staring at her face. “I’m not too old for love.”

“Damn right you’re not,” he chuckled, kissing her.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Everest, we have too many men and women to introduce them all but you’ll get to know everyone soon,” said Hex. “I need to start with some bad news. We found Colt this morning. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, God,” she whispered. “Did he die because of that paper?”

“We’re not sure but we think he might have. We also think he was giving it to you, hoping that you’d give it to someone who could help.”

“I wish I could have spoken to him,” she said wiping her tears. A beautiful woman and an enormous man, who appeared to be Viking, stepped to the front of the room.

“I think we can help,” said Julia with a smile. “This is my dear friend Noah. He and I, and others, are able to see and speak to ghosts. Sometimes they can make themselves visible to us. Others, as in the case of Colt, they cannot but they have unfinished business.”

“I-I’m not sure I understand,” whispered Everest. Noah held onto Julia’s hand and they both immediately felt blistering, agonizing pain in their bodies, jerking forward and crying out.

“Julia!” yelled Joseph.

“It’s alright,” she said smiling at the tall, dark man in front of her. “He was in a lot of pain when he died. Cruel. They were so cruel to him.”

“Dear God,” gasped Everest.