After checking Loni’s pulse, she made shooing motions at everyone else. “Out of here. She has to rest. This has pushed her to the limit, I’m afraid.”Clint wasted no time in ushering everyone but his stepmother from the room. Once in the hallway with the door closed behind them, Clint rounded on Quincy. “You can’t second-guess this. If Loni says Ceara is for real, then she’s for real. You have to do as Ceara says and marry her as soon as possible.”“But—”“There are no goddamned buts, Quincy! My wife is dying! She’s out of time. If your marrying Ceara will save Loni, you’ll marry her if I have to beat the shit out of you on your way down the aisle!”Quincy stared at the jam of people in the hall. No one said a word. Obviously they all agreed with Clint. He stared after his family as they slowly descended the stairs. He was left alone on the landing—or so he thought, until he felt a light touch on his sleeve. He glanced down to see Ceara beside him. The overhead lights were off, and in the dimness her eyes shimmered like sapphires.
