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seemed real.”
    Kendra nodded, then turned in his arms so she was facing him. She took in a deep breath, then let it out. She wasn’t sure how much of it had been a dream. She couldn’t feel the comfort of Rhyan in her anymore. He was really gone.
    She tried to talk, but the lump in her throat felt like she had tried to swallow a grapefruit. She forced the swallow and tried again. “Rhyan is gone.”
    Adam blinked several times, clearly confused by her words. She couldn’t possibly believe her guardian angel was gone, he thought. Angels couldn’t die. “Kendra, it was only a dream. Rhyan will always be with you. You know as well as I do that he wouldn’t let anything separate you from him. Why would you believe that anything could, honey?”
    She kissed the top of Ben’s head. He had fallen back to sleep in the comfort of her arms.
    “Kendra?” he whispered.
    She didn’t look up at him, but she did respond. “The dream seemed so real. I thought I had woken up from a nightmare. The house was quiet and your clock said it was after three. The monitor was off and Ben always wakes around two—”
    “He did,” Adam cut in, “but I got up and fed and changed him. You were sleeping, and I was awake…” He shrugged his shoulders. “…you’ve been wearing yourself down trying to take care of Ben and the business, too. You probably just had a nightmare because you are tired. Stress will cause nightmares. Let me help you instead of you trying to do everything on your own. I can prescribe you something if you think that will help.”
    Her brow furrowed as she shook her head. “I’m fine, Adam. Yes, I might be a little tired, but what mother isn’t?” She gave him a stern look. “I don’t need drugs and I damn sure don’t need therapy if you were even thinking of suggesting it.” She huffed and looked away from him. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be short with you. I know you’re only trying to help, but there is nothing you can do to help this. I’m not sure how much of the dream was real, but I am positive Rhyan is gone. Murry took Ben from his nursery into my studio.” Adam tensed, but let her continue. “I didn’t know it was him at first until he started talking to me. He said he was here to get to know Ben. I was defenseless against him. There was nothing I could do; he had Ben and he is a demon. I kept calling for Rhyan, but I couldn’t even sense him. Murry realized I was trying to reach Rhyan and he informed me that Rhyan wouldn’t be coming.” She took an unsteady breath. “I couldn’t wrap my mind around how he could possibly know that with Rhyan being in Heaven and him being in Hell, then I realized what he was saying and he nodded.” She began to cry silently again. “I can’t feel him anymore, Adam,” she said, and laid her head on his chest.
    He held her close, rubbing his fingers over her back for comfort. “Maybe it’s just a glitch. Or maybe you aren’t sensing him because you’re so stressed. Cancel your appointments for the day and just relax.” He placed his finger under her chin and pulled her lips to his. “I won’t take no for an answer; doctor’s orders,” he said, then kissed her gently.
    She gave him a slight smile as she pulled back from him, but she couldn’t shake the bad feeling in her gut. She knew it wasn’t a case of too much stress. She loved her job and she loved being a mother. She had not once felt like she was taking on too much. If Rhyan was really still there with her he would have at least sent her a sign by now letting her know how silly she was being for even thinking he would let something separate them. There was nothing.

Chapter 6
    Josselyn
    Josselyn rubbed at her temples. She felt like screaming; no, she felt like popping to Kendra Chamberlain’s kitchen to personally slip a couple of sleeping pills in her drink.
    She winced as Kendra shouted in her mind again. It had been non-stop since the woman had woken from the nightmare. It