Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

up in his arms and headed into the house.
“She’s my wife,” Ted called after him.
Mia decided at that moment, it wasn’t going to be too horrible to be surrounded by those who loved her.  “Cid, I can walk.  I haven’t broken a bone…”
“Shut up and stop squirming,” he ordered.
He passed the stairs and took her through the kitchen.
“Where are we going?”
“Lazar and I thought it would be best to put you in his room, since you wouldn’t have to climb the stairs.”
“And where is he going to sleep?” Mia asked, her eyebrows up.
“He’s going to sleep over at the aerie.  Sabine already has your room.  Ted will have to sleep on the couch.”
“Don’t you know that cuddling is very therapeutic?”
“Not the way you two do it,” Cid growled.
“I’m sorry to be all this trouble.  I’m honestly feeling great.”
Cid laid her down on the bed and walked over and shut the door.  It was just the two of them.  “Listen and listen good, I know the pressure you’ve been under.  I have ears.  I know what Murphy has put you through the last few months.  For him to do this to you is inexcusable.  Mike and I know that you’re committed to Ted, but there’s this whole curse thing…”
“Whoa, hold on.  I was talking with Orion at the hospital, and evidently, it’s quite possible the curse didn’t latch onto Murphy at all.  He won’t say how, but he says that, by me going back in time, it should have severed any ties that would bind this curse.  I’ve simply overexerted myself.  I’m not dying of a broken heart.”
“But to treat you so poorly after all you went through to rescue him…”
“Murphy is under the influence of the Ghost Ship Dimension. It changes the emotional balance of the ghosts existing in it, but all it does is mute the high and low feelings.  I assure you, he meant what he said.  He wants to stay in a dimension where he can feel alive again.  I’ve brought back his axe.  I would appreciate it if you would ask Kevin to put it in the stump by the woodpile.”
“See, you’re still holding on to him.”
“As I will you, when you leave us.  I even miss that jerk Mike.  I hear he frightened my kids and family with his theories.  Still, all of you have a place in my heart.  I don’t think I deserve it, but I don’t take it for granted.  Now, where’s Dieter?”
“He was at the aerie when you arrived.  I assume he’s running back and should be here about…”
There was a pounding on the outside door.
“Now,” Cid said and opened it.
Dieter came in like a flash and stopped in front of Mia and stared.  He angled his head and stared again.  “She’s fine,” he pronounced.
“I’ve been trying to tell Cid,” Mia said.
“The others think you’re ill.  Act ill,” Dieter advised before he hugged her soundly.
“See,” Mia said, looking up at Cid.
He narrowed his eyes, suspicious that Mia somehow put Dieter up to lying to him.
The door opened and Audrey and Sabine came in.  “Out, males,” Audrey said.  “Time to get Mia in some comfortable clothes.”
Cid walked out and stopped.  “Remember, I’m in charge of sick Mia,” he said.
“We know,” Sabine said.  “But sick Mia doesn’t want you seeing her in her unmentionables and neither do we.”  She pushed him and Dieter out the door and slammed it.
“I found these pink jammies at Nordstrom and thought of you,” Sabine said.  “They have a matching robe.”
“You’re lucky you can wear pink,” Audrey said.  “With my red hair, I would look atrocious.”
Mia gritted her teeth and allowed them to fuss over her.  Once she was under the covers and had her pillows fluffed, they brushed her hair before pulling it back behind a pink ribbon headband.
“There.  Now, if you’re up to it, you have a few guests.”
Mia opened her mouth to protest, but they had already opened the door.
Tom walked in and stifled his laughter until Sabine and Audrey walked out, shutting the door behind them.
“You look like hell, Mia.  Do they know just how much you hate pink, especially wearing it?”
“Obviously not.  How’d you get on my guest list?” Mia asked.
“I asked Sabine out and…”
“Good for you.”
“But my date was canceled because of you.”
“I cock-blocked you from the Caribbean?  I’m one powerful broad.”
Tom pulled over a chair.  “Seriously, what’s going on?”
Mia leaned over.  “Ask John Ryan.”
“Shit, I knew it.  So, is Murphy laying low?”
“No, he’s decided to become a sailor,” Mia said with a voice devoid of emotion.
“Damn, you’ve had a falling out.”
“For the record, there is no broken heart.  Mason started speculating about it, and Cid and Mike ran with it.  But it did give me a hell of an alibi.  I can’t speak further.  Talk to John Ryan.”
“How was Whit?”
“Whit?  He looks and acts the same.  We saved his ass, but I’m sure that’s not what’s in his report.”
“Where’s Patrick?  I understand he’s my competition.”
“I don’t know.  He’s either up at Mackinac Island or preparing to go there.  Burt should be with him.  They’re still hunting down the Wall treasure.”
“I noticed you brought Mason back with you.”
“Yes.  I’m not sure it was a good idea. If he becomes a problem, could you put him up at Ethan’s…”
“Sure, he might as well get used to seeing a cop when he wakes up, walks the yard…”
“Honestly,” Mia scolded.
“Mom’s at training camp.  She says she will cancel if you need her.”
“Tell her, the boys will be with my parents a little longer.  She’s to have a good time, and if she sees a jersey number worth wearing, to buy me one.”
“I will.” Tom got up, leaned