Page 51 of Training Rain
“Whatever he did, he only wanted to protect you.”
Rain turned to look at the older McMean. It was amazing how much Jess resembled his father. “How do you know he did anything?”
A low rumbling laugh pushed up and out of him. “I know women and I know them.”
“I’m one of them.”
“Aye, you may have psychic skills, but you don’t seem that comfortable with them.”
How could he know that? Her heart started pounding. “Are you psychic, Sean?”
“No. I’m Irish. I have a knack for knowing people. My wife told me you were a healer, but when I met you I could tell it was more than that and you didn’t quite know where you fit in.”
“That is an understatement.”
He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulder. It was a fatherly embrace and Rain nearly burst into tears.
“The thing is, being psychic or psi is normal to them. The same way having skin is normal to everyone else. They do what they think is right even if they overstep their bounds.”
“Did Amalee overstep hers?”
“At the beginning she did it all the time. It nearly sent me running back to Ireland. Then I asked her to stop and… she tries. She still sometimes goes too far, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. She means well.” Sean gave her a squeeze.
“I’m not sure I’m as forgiving.”
Sean turned toward her and held her shoulders. His eyes, so similar to his son’s, captivated her. “If you love him, you’ll forgive him. You can either torture the both of you for days and weeks or let it go now and savor your time together.”
“How do you even know I’m any good for him?”
“Amalee told me so.” They both laughed.
The door opened and Jess walked over. “What are you two up to?”
Sean winked at her and walked back toward the house, slapping Jess on the back on his way.
Rain returned her attention toward the lake. “Your mother is immune to my blocking.”
“She’s precognitive and retrocognitive as well as being clairvoyant. Those skills can rarely be blocked since she saw them long before you walked in the house or even knew she existed. She sees the future, has visions and sometimes sees the past. She also has the natural ability to remain unseen.”
“What does that mean? She’s perfectly visible.”
He was watching her. “My mother naturally creates a bubble around herself and those in her presence. No one will find us here.”
She was so stunned, she turned to face him. “Why did you ever leave home? You would have been safe with her.”
“Safety is not what I crave. I don’t think it’s what you crave either,cher.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
She couldn’t help it, her eyes closed of their own accord as the warmth of his lips spread through her. “Is that why you convinced me to remain in Yellowstone?”
“Partially. But try to understand, I only stopped you from acting on an impulse. If you had still been determined to leave, you would have packed your things the next morning and gone.”
She watched his expression. He looked over her shoulder at the lake, anywhere but at her. “Okay, but you said ‘partially’. What was the other reason?”
“I was selfish and I didn’t want to lose you so soon. I knew eventually you would realize I’ve seen and done too much to be loved. The things I’ve done have left their mark. I know it, but I wanted to be near something as pure as you, if only for a while.”
Her gut twisted. “I’m not pure. I told you about my past.”
He touched her cheek, sliding his finger along her jaw. “You think I care about a past that was hardly even you? You did what you thought was necessary. You were just a girl. You are still pure. Your aura is unclouded.”
She didn’t know how he could not care about the things she’d done, but the idea was heady. The sun was getting low on the horizon. “We’d better go to the airfield. It’s getting late.”
He nodded. “I’m surprised we didn’t hear from Will yet. I guess we’d better say goodbye and go.”
As they were leaving Amalee scratched Yas’ head. “Maybe it would be best if this one stayed here with us for a time. You can meet us in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and take him back.”
Part of her didn’t want to leave Yas behind, but it was the safe thing for the dog. Rain agreed and knelt down to hug him. He licked her cheek and wagged once.
