Chapter 15. Snow angels keep watch
Jareth was the first to notice Robert standing on the porch, he planted his arm steadfastly about Sarah's waist and resolutely walked toward the man staring at them. "Mr. Williams, I hope you'll forgive our impromptu decent upon your holiday. We simply could not go another day without seeing the girls." Jareth extended his free hand toward the man.
Robert, finding it hard to keep the amusement out of his expression, accepted the offered hand. "I see." He now looked toward the young man hugging the Irish girl.
Seeing the concern on Robert's face Jareth gestured for the couple to come forward. "Mr. Williams, may I present to you Mr. Conner Channing of Brigthton. Conner this is Mr. Williams, Sarah's father and Riha's,… chaperon."
Conner extended his hand, "Sir."
Riha's eyes were bright as diamonds, "I can't believe you two drove all the way here."
"We didn't." Conner said. "Jareth flew us here and picked up this car at the airport."
"The benefits of having a company plane," Jareth boasted proudly. He looked up at Robert still towering over them on the porch.
"Won't you gentlemen come in?" Robert waved toward the house. "Karen is most likely getting coffee."
Jareth, his arm still securely attached to Sarah took the first step up. "Thank you, sir." He followed Sarah into the family home and took a look at the foyer's décor. "You've a lovely home." He said as Karen joined them in the foyer.
"Karen this is Jareth King," Sarah made the introduction. "Jareth this is Karen, my stepmother."
"Mrs. Williams." He bowed to her slightly.
The light in the foyer flickered, for a moment the man's appearance seemed to change. For a second the man in the dark turtle neck seemed to be wearing something else. His garments for a second resembled dark armor, and then it was gone, the vision ended. Karen blinked. "Those blasted lights again." She looked at Robert. "I thought you said you had that fixed."
Robert, who had not seen the slight fluctuation in reality, shrugged. "I'll have to call the electrician." He looked at Jareth, "You wouldn't happen to know anything about wiring would you?"
Jareth laughed, "Enough to leave it to the professions."
Karen was looking at the young man who entered with Riha. "And who is this?"
"I'm sorry." Sarah said turning, "This is Conner Channing, Riha's… boyfriend."
Karen greeted him and invited both men to join them in the dinning room for coffee and pie. They took seats as Karen and Sarah passed coffee and slices of Karen's homemade pumpkin pie around the table.
Robert kept his discussions with the younger men light. He knew if he didn't his wife would give him no peace. But Toby's reaction to Jareth was slightly disturbing. He kept staring at the man as if he were expecting some kind of sign of recognition. Robert had noticed that Jareth seemed to have unlimited patience where the boy was concerned and didn't even flinch when the child sauntered up and laid his head on Jareth's arm. Jareth looked down at the child and smiled a sad wistful smile before continuing with the conversation.
Sarah and Karen cleared away the dishes and cups. Riha stayed at the table listening to the men talk. When the kitchen was once again spic and span, Karen told Toby it was past his bedtime, holiday or no. She wanted him to get up stairs and get changed.
Toby turned to Jareth, wrapping his arm about the man's arm. "You will come back?"
Jareth looked into the boy's eyes and smiled. "I promise." He placed one hand on the boy's head. "I'll be back."
Placated the child slowly released his grip on the man's arm and went up toward the stairs humming a strange tune. Jareth watched him go with curiosity, he listened to the tune the child was humming and found himself humming as well. He looked at Robert. "Strange, I seem to know that tune…but I can't remember the words."
Robert sighed. "Must have been a popular tune, the boy has been humming it for several years." He dismissed the incident and continued getting to know the man who clearly had designs on his daughter. "So your company is doing well?"
Jareth nodded. "I'm in charge of a company that specializes in renovations of historic buildings. We try to keep the integrity of the buildings when ever we can. But it's just one of the many branches of King Industries."
Turning his attentions to Conner, Robert wondered just how much information he had a right to demand from the young man. After all, Riha was not his daughter, but she was under his roof and in his care. "And you young man, what do you do?"
Conner looked slightly embarrassed, "Nothing nearly as exciting as Jareth here, I'm a shop keeper in Brighton. I help my mother run our store. I take care of the books and keep the inventory straight. You see I've a degree in accounting."
Riha blinked. "I didn't know you have a degree."
Conner looked at her with a mildly amused gleam in his eyes. "You never asked."
Sarah returned to her seat beside Jareth, "Is the third degree over yet, Daddy?" she asked teasingly.
Robert leaned back, "Not that it will do any good." He looked at his daughter and at Riha. "These girls are underage," He said to both men. "And I'm not as modern as I often pretend to be. However I'm not a stupid man. If you both abide by my rules you may see the girls."
Jareth leaned on the table, "And your terms sir?"
Robert's eyes and Jareth's met. "No situations that could cause their reputations to be tarnished. I would like both the girls to keep their grades up, and finish school."
"I'm agreeable." Jareth said turning to glance at the young lady in question.
Robert rose from the table. "I'll excuse myself now. You are both welcome to stay for a bit longer. Good night."
Sarah watched him make his way up the stairs. She looked at Jareth, "Did he just give you permission to call on me or not?"
"He's a reasonable man." Jareth said.
"He hasn't seen your motorcycle." the girl teased.
Jareth winked, "That's why we took the plane and a car." He placed his hand over hers. "However, he's right, it's getting late and I have work in the morning."
"Your crew is working?" Sarah asked. "It's a holiday."
Jareth laughed. "Sarah, some of us work even on holidays. I have to get changes okayed by the building inspector and revisions to permits."
Conner stood up, "And we've the first day shoppers come morning." He helped Riha to her feet. "May I can you?"
"Of course." She hobbled with him over to the front door.
Jareth's hand prevented Sarah from rising. "Give them a moment." He advised. "Then we'll join them."
Sarah looked at him, enjoying seeing his face. "I'm so glad you showed up."
His hand moved up her arm and pulled her shoulder toward him. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "May I always please you." Closing her eyes she breathed in his scent and shivered deliciously.
Having given Riha and Conner their space, Jareth stood. "It's time for me to go, sweetheart."
"I know." Sarah sighed. "I wish it wasn't, but I know it is."
Pulling her into his arms Jareth looked down into her eyes. "I promise you; very soon, I'll never leave your side."
Sarah locked eyes with the man. "I'll hold you to that promise."
Snow had started to fall; there was a light blanket of white as they opened the door. Sarah held out hands to catch the tiny crystals that burst and melted upon contact. She closed her hands, and had a sudden feeling of dread and sorrow. Jareth watched the girl reach out her hand, and pull back. He wanted to say something to make her feel better but could not find words.
Conner kissed the Irish girl on the cheek and waved as he stepped off the porch heading back to the car. Riha whispered for him to take care.
Jareth kissed Sarah's hand and was gone.
Two girls stood on the porch looking at the falling snow after the car pulled away.