A Chance for Charity (The Immortal Ones) by S.L. Baum Page B

decade ago he placed an
underground bounty out for anything that will make him live longer,
or perhaps forever. Those are just two of the ones that I am aware
of at the present time. There is no doubt in my mind that there are
many others out there. So, there are seekers, and we do not wish to be
found,” James finished and waited for Link’s reaction.
    “ You have my word, that I
will keep your secret safe. I will do everything in my power to
protect it, and your family.” Link immediately gave his fervent
promise to James. “Is there an immediate threat?”
    “ We relocated to Telluride
because the Lord brothers began snooping around the last hospital
where James was working. They were posing as corporate risk
assessors and began making inquiries. They questioned every
department head in the hospital about unconventional methods of
practice, doctors with unusual traits, and unexplained healings. We
were not aware of their presence until one of the nurses felt
harassed and complained to James,” Catherine spoke quietly, not
completely at ease revealing this kind of information to an
outsider.
    “ The Lord boys departed
with few answers, but we knew it was time to move on. To not arouse
suspicions, we waited almost three months before relocating. I
secured the proper documentation for our new identities and we made
a clean, quiet exit,” James continued on, “Telluride is the first
small town that we have resided in since Charity joined our family.
My hope is that the residents here will feel some loyalty to us, as
members of their community, and promptly inform us if anyone starts
snooping again.”
    “ Were these Lord brothers
aware of your departure from the hospital?” Link asked James,
wanting to fully understand any possible threat.
    “ I’m not completely sure. I
left when a group of interns were moving on. It was my intent to
get lost in their shuffle. We can only hope that the Lords didn’t
unearth any new leads.”
    “ Link,” Catherine drew his
attention away from James, “if I may be so bold, what are your
feelings toward Charity?”
    “ Catherine,” I protested
loudly, my cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment.
    “ It’s a valid question,”
she responded, with genuine curiosity.
    “ You don’t have to answer
that, Link,” I turned to him.
    “ No, it’s okay, I want to.
To be honest, I have been struggling with my need to be near her
and the conventions that say we should not be together. A high
school girl and a twenty-two year old man - not always completely
acceptable. However, I’d like to ask your permission to court her, as you will. I
believe that would be the proper course of action, traditionally
speaking.” He turned to both James and Catherine seeking a sign of
their approval.
    “ I am going to assume your
words are sincere. We have no reason, yet, to believe they are not.
Just remember, we know how to disappear. We are quite good at it.
If I feel that you’ve become a hazard to our family, in any way,
you may wake up one day to find that we are gone,” James warned
Link. “That being said, I trust Charity’s judgment. And, the events
that preceded your introduction to each other are too astounding to
be ignored. I firmly believe that there is a reason for
everything.”
    “ You have our permission,
as long as Charity is in agreement. You seem to illuminate her.”
Catherine held my eyes with her own as she spoke.
    “ Thank you both for coming
home so quickly and being a voice of reason and sanity. I needed to
know I hadn’t disappointed you. Right now I want to catch my
breath, to process all that has happened here. Most of all, I need
a moment alone with Link. We’ll be upstairs for a little while, if
that is alright,” I smiled a weary smile at Catherine.
    “ You have done nothing
wrong. Everything will be alright,” she tried to reassure
me.
    I hugged them both, took Link’s hand in my
own, and led him up the stairs and into my room. Once the door was
closed