Page 174 of Broken Bonds

“So how are the plans for the refugees going?” Iris asks Todd.

“I mean, we’re doing everything we can to make sure the rec center building is secure and light-proof. Some of the children and younglings will be vulnerable to sunlight. We want them to be comfortable. They’ve been traumatized. Jax said some of them lost both parents.”

She gasps. “I didn’t realize that!” She looks at Caleb, and he arches an eyebrow at her.

“We cannot adopt one or more of those children, sweetheart,” he says before she can say something else. “For starters, we’re strangers to them. They know the people they’re coming with. Secondly, they are better off with people of their kind. They’re not shifter kids, or even human children, and there are special considerations we are not even close to qualified to handle.”

Iris looks like she’s about to pout, but then turns to Todd again. “You said teachers are going to work with them, right?”

“Yes.”

“Can I volunteer to help?”

Todd shrugs. “I mean, I guess. Send Jax an email.”

Before Todd can even finish the sentence, she whips out her cellphone and furiously taps out a message.

Todd and Caleb share what I’m certain is a familiar expression of them tolerating her exuberance.

“They’re not puppies,” Caleb reminds her. “You cannot bring one home.”

She sticks her tongue out at him. “No, you’re right. But I can volunteer however they need me.”

Although I suspect this is a conversation she’ll revisit with Caleb the longer she works with the kids. From what Todd told me, she always welcomed kids when he was growing up, his friends, sometimes fostering orphaned kids who showed up, basically everyone’s mom if they needed a mom.

I wonder if my father had been a different person if my mother would be like this? I’m he browbeat her into submission with his vicious control.

Goddess, I hope Alizée is right and she’ll be here.

If I’m lucky, maybe it’ll be because my father’s dead.

I end up lying down for a nap after lunch. When I awaken, Iris is still there, helping Todd fix dinner for his brothers. After everyone leaves—including Iris—and we can finally go to bed, I curl up in Todd’s arms and wonder how I ever existed before him. The way our bodies fit together is perfect, as if we were made for each other.

I used to think that was just romance-book bullshit, but I guess those writers really know what they’re talking about.

The other thing is I feel comfortable with him, like we’ve been together for years and not less than a couple of days. Like my soul knows him, has always known him.

“You did good today,” Todd says. “Told you Mom would love you.”

“Holy cow, you were not exaggerating.”

“She’s always been like that. I mean, it could have been—” His jaw snaps shut.

I look up at him. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, say it. It could’ve been what?”

He sighs. “My hoof in my mouth, is what. I was going to say it could have been worse, because they accepted me being gay instead of being assholes.”

I lay my hand on his chest. “Hey, you didn’t make my father act like an asshole,” I assure him. “Once I get used to wearing Iris like a trench coat when she’s here, it’ll be fine.”

He bursts out laughing. “She was really bouncing you around. I’m sure she’ll calm down, but you have to remember she just hit the daily double—a new son-in-law and a grandbaby. Actually, I’m surprised she wasn’t worse.”

“Worse? I’m shocked I still have eardrums.”

He snickers.