Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

incident caused by Murphy’s choice to not come home.”
“I’m not good at lying,” Sabine admitted.  “Those that know them, know what’s going on, Orion.  Ted does too.  I think they’ll survive this.  I bet they have already moved on.  But I won’t add to the gossip, and when I can put in my two cents, I will be careful of what I say,” she promised.
“Good girl,” he said.
The car pulled onto the tarmac and stopped by the charter jet.
“Be kind to yourself, Sabine.  Be wary of Angelo; he’s feeling some super guilt right now.  Maybe hang around and help Cid until the Martins come home.  There are some things you’re going to be better at than he is.  Audrey will also help get the house ready for Mia’s return.  I intend to bring her home just as soon as I know she’s healthy enough to fly.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” Sabine said.  “I think we should give her a few days to rest and then surround her with children.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Orion said.  He hugged her and told her, “I could not be prouder of you if you were my own daughter.”
Sabine beamed.

Chapter Twenty-four
“Grandpa, there’s a light bobbing around, coming from the old road,” Brian said, pointing out into the night.
“It looks like we have a visitor. I wonder who it is?” Charles said.  “Let’s go back to camp and see who has come to visit us.”
Mike had dropped his pack and had barely said his hellos when Charles and Brian came back from the dig site.
“Uncle Mike!” Brian said and launched himself at him.
He caught the boy and pulled him close.  Brian smelled of the fresh Wyoming air and peanut butter.  “I have missed you so much,” Mike said honestly.
“Have you come to help catalogue bones?” Brian asked.
“No, but that does sound like fun.”
“Not really, but Grandpa Charles says it’s very important work.  Grandma says it’s busy work, and Ralph says it’s too hot.”
“Mike, it’s good to see you.  Bernard and Ethan are off site purchasing supplies,” Charles explained.  “Has someone offered you a beverage?”
“I’m on it,” Ralph said, excited to see someone who understood the need for a freshly pressed pair of pants.
Amanda walked out of the large tent carrying Varden who, in Mike’s estimation, had grown six inches since the kids left Illinois.
“Here, give me the rascal,” Mike said, holding out his arms.  “You’re going to be a tall fellow like your father.”
Varden burbled something, adding a very clear, “Taller.”
Mike’s eyes opened wide.
“Get used to it.  The Martin kids talk early,” Charles said, accepting a glass of iced tea from Ralph.
“What brings you here?  It’s a welcome surprise but, still, a surprise,” Amanda said.
“Let’s all sit down and get comfy,” Mike said, giving Ralph a serious look.
“Come on, Brian, you sit with me,” Ralph said.
Mike settled Varden on his lap before speaking.  “I thought it was best that I came to bring you this news in person.  This way, you can ask as many questions as you need,” Mike prefaced.  “Your mother has had a heart event.  She is in the hospital in St. Kitts.  She is fine and healing.  Your great-grandfather Orion is headed there now to make sure she gets a thorough looking over.  They can’t use an MRI because of the metal in her spine.”
Brian’s eyes teared up.
“Mia doesn’t have heart problems,” Amanda said, shocked.
“She did have to have her heart started two times in my association with her,” Mike said.  “She came through fine.  She isn’t injured in any way.  Just, she is going to need a lot of rest.”
Brian popped up.  “Let’s go.  I can be very helpful when I put my mind to it.  Just ask Uncle Murphy.”
“About that,” Mike said.  “Uncle Murphy has decided that he wants to be a sailor for a while.”
“What?” Brian said.  “What about his trees?  This is crazy talk!”
“I agree with you, but let me tell you the whole story.  It may take some time, so if you need to use the restroom?”
“Uncle Mike, Grandpa lets me tinkle in the bushes after he checks for snakes.”
“He’s just gone,” Charles said.
Mike picked up Varden, turning him around to face him, and asked, “How about you?”
Varden smiled and giggled.
“That’s baby talk for I’m fine and dandy,” Brian informed him.
“Your aunt Sabine called your mother and told her that she was in trouble…” Mike started and proceeded to tell the story, stopping to answer all of Brian’s questions.
Amanda watched how patient the ghost hunter was with Brian.  Ralph had told her that Mike was very close to Mia, and she could see why.  He carried the shell of a shallow man, but underneath, he was very understanding with an intelligence that was understated in his language use but very evident in his grasp of the world in plain sight as well as the world that was invisible to him.
“She found him on a pirate ship called the Devil’s Pride, and he did know who she was and had recognized Kevin as his father.  He was, however, not interested in returning at this time.  I think this hurt your mother here.” Mike put his hand on his heart.  “She and Uncle Murphy had shared so many adventures.  I think that, inside your mom, she couldn’t bear the parting.  We need to help her by reminding her that she has all of us.  She isn’t alone.”
“Did she really liberate the three birdmen?” Ralph asked to change the subject.
“Yes.  Angelo told Orion that they made it safely to Brazil.”
“My mom’s a hero,” Brian said proudly.
“She is.”
“When will she be back?” Charles asked.
“It depends on when Orion thinks she can be transported safely.  You know Mia, she will want to fly