Page 40 of Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection (Amaranthine Interludes #3)
“What even is this? Somebody ’s gone and posted his flight path,” Nonny jumped up and clopped around the breakfast table. “This isn’t the least bit subtle. Place’ll be packed. What’s wrong with the guv?”
Joe was the odd man out as phones made an appearance, and everyone was tapping screens. “Is there going to be a parade or something?” He knew there were websites you could check for publicized flight paths. Sometimes, the local news even covered upcoming Amaranthine fly-bys.
“Like that, but a solo flight,” said Nonny. “And he’s listed Bellwether as his destination.”
“His lordship is already on his way,” announced Reinier, who was scanning fast.
“Arriving early this afternoon,” confirmed Kip, who offered his phone to Joe.
The featured listing was accompanied by bolded text—RARE APPEARANCE and FOX IN FLIGHT. Apparently, Argent Mettlebright would be in the area.
Kyrie said, “If Dad posted a destination, it will be a decoy.”
Kip was nodding. “So while everyone’s got eyes on Bellwether, he’ll be …?”
“Here,” said Boniface. “My brother just confirmed it. Lord, he could have given us some warning.”
“Maybe this counts …? Wonder if he’s been worried about us.” Nonny looked to Kyrie.
The boy smiled softly. “I have missed him, as well.”
“It’s good of him to come back,” Harrison said, a wobble in his tone. “There’s really no putting it off any longer. Time for me to say goodbye.”
Plans had been in the works all along, but Jarrah looked worried. He scurried to Joe’s side, tugging at his arm. “Are we going already?”
“Not yet. Not until the end of the school year. Remember?”
Shaking his head, Jarrah asked, “But what about our maze?”
It was hard to have to say it. “We’ll plant the field soon, but the maze won’t be ready until fall.”
“But …! But …!” Unable to go on, Jarrah bolted out the door. It had clearly never occurred to the boy that he’d be gone before their design was fully finished.
Joe pushed back from the table and followed much more slowly. As he tied back into his boots, he tried to think how he could make it better. Maybe he could arrange for another visit in the fall? Or maybe … well, maybe Jarrah could stay.
With Biddie’s help, Joe found Jarrah’s hideout in the barn. He sat, and the sobbing boy scrambled onto his lap to cling. Talking about the future wasn’t going to happen. Inconsolable, Jarrah cried himself to sleep, so Joe carried him home, straight up to his room, and resolved to stay.
Kip checked on them. “Aww, man. Poor kid.”
Jarrah sprawled limp against his chest, one hand locked around Joe’s overall strap. He didn’t mince words. “I want to keep him.”
“We’re adopting?” His tail flicked three times.
“If Jarrah wants. I’ll have to ask him.”
“Might be a few days.” Kip patted the little guy’s back. “Kids like him need to sleep more often. He’s been keeping up pretty well since he’s been tucking in with you most nights. But I think he was due for a crash.”
“I’ll be here when he wakes up, and I’ll see what he thinks.”
Kip slowly nodded. “Might as well tuck us in together. I need to sleep before Harrison’s big send-off.”
So they got comfy and crowded into their twin-sized nest.
Totally relaxed, Kip asked, “Want me to talk to Argent about Jarrah?”
“Do you think he’ll be okay with the idea?”
Cracking a smile, Kip said, “I think this was his idea all along. But Jarrah’s say-so matters more than anyone’s.”
Joe lay his cheek against Jarrah’s puff of hair. “You’re okay with it?”
“Totally am.”
“He’d be ours.”
“Totally will be.” With a dozy smile, Kip added, “I’ll be a terrible influence.”
Which wasn’t true at all. But Joe was too hopeful and happy to argue.