Beauty and the Beast by Laurel Cain Haws Read Free Book Online

studied in minute detail when she was first profiling Catherine to try to solve her murder. Catherine had sent the conk shell to Vincent from a California beach when she had to leave him to work there for a few days. Diana had realized at once that the night stand was a shrine to Catherine, the first thing Vincent saw upon arising, and the last thing he looked at before retiring.
    Diana had been welcomed warmly by the community below when Vincent brought her here for the baby’s Naming Ceremony, at which time Vincent announced that he had decided to name his child for Father, whose real name was Jacob Wells. “It is comforting to know that I do have a place down here, Vincent, in your world. I wish that I could have had you for my big brother when I was growing up.”
    “Were you lonely as a child, Diana?” Vincent asked her.
    “I guess I shouldn’t have been. I have a great family, and my sister and I are quite close, but I was lonely. No one in my family thought the way I did. I annoyed everyone with my constant analyzing and profiling.”
    Diana replied.
    Vincent smiled, “You do have a unique mind.”
    Diana smiled back at him. “That’s the difference. To you it is unique. To my family, it was obnoxious. I feel so much more comfortable here.”
    “Without your unique mind, my son might have been lost to us forever.” Vincent told her with an expression of gratitude.
    Just then, Cullen and Pascal appeared in the doorway carrying a very large and heavy rocking chair. It was almost comical to watch them, because they were such different sized men. Cullen looked like the classic artist. He was tall, and very good looking, with finely chiseled features. He had a relaxed, thoughtful approach to
    everything. Pascal, on the other hand, was small, although handsomely proportioned, and very energetic.
    He had to be to keep their pipe-tapping system of communication running smoothly.
    “Where would you like for us to put this?” asked Cullen.
    “Oh, Cullen that is gorgeous! Did you make it?” Diana’s eyes became huge.
    “I did. It is my gift for the little one.” Cullen replied.
    Vincent stepped forward to help Cullen and Pascal with the rocker, and they set it down by Little Jacob’s bassinet. “You are so talented, Cullen. Thank you! Let us take a good look at this! Look, Diana, the likenesses are perfect!”
    “Oh, how beautiful it is!” She stared in disbelief at the exquisite craftsmanship. The high quality style of the brilliantly polished cherry-wood chair itself was unique, with its smooth curves and intricately turned legs. However, what Diana and Vincent were in awe of was the carving at the top of the back of the chair. Cullen had carved in relief a perfect likeness of Vincent, with his arms protectively around Catherine in front of him, holding Little Jacob in her arms. As if that poignant scene wasn’t enough, he had also carved a perfect likeness of Diana in the background, holding a sword and shield, looking like a warrior princess. “Is that really me?” Diana asked.
    “That’s the way I see you, little Avenging Angel,” Cullen answered.
    “I don’t know what to say! I guess the only thing I can do to thank you for including me is to sit in it.” Diana immediately sat down in the rocker with the baby and began rocking and humming a lullaby to Little Jacob.
    “Well, I guess we timed that just right!” Cullen laughed.
    Vincent smiled warmly. “You did, Cullen. They make a pretty picture, don’t they?”
    “They certainly do. Well, 111 leave you now, so she can put him to sleep.” Cullen walked toward the doorway.
    “Good-bye Cullen, and thank you again.” Vincent walked with him to the doorway.
    “You are very welcome!” Cullen looked pleased over their admiration of his work.
    Pascal stayed behind with Vincent and Diana. He smiled as he watched Diana with the baby. With his finely tuned hearing, Pascal was the hub of this world’s communication system. Born below, and trained