Page 10 of Kranow (Brides of the Mylos #4)

Melissa stared across the table. She ’ d put on a good front, but when she actually saw Marley Sampson in the flesh for the very first time, it had been like a punch to the gut. She knew Junrig could sense her ill-ease but it looked as if no one else had, thankfully. She wanted to move past what had happened and get on her with her life. That meant coming to terms with it all, including accepting the humanity of the woman who now sat across from her. It meant forgiving her and knowing, no, help ensuring, that she ’ d never do it again.

As Gundar explained the assistant teaching Marley would be doing as part of her community service, Melissa couldn ’ t help but flashback to another such discussion. When she was seventeen, her cousin Cash had been caught TPing their high school principal ’ s house and hanging water filled condoms on the tree at the end of his drive. Seeing as Principal Jameson ’ s brother-in-law was not only there for s family party, but as an officer with the local PD, he saw to it that Cash was charged for his mischief. Cash had been cautioned before for soaping car windows and letting air out if tires and stuff, so when a judge sentenced him to a hundred hours of community service and for him to go through counselling, no one had been surprised.

Cash had picked up trash on the roadside and helped remove graffiti as well as repainted playground equipment. He ’ d thought the counselling sessions were stupid and had only grudgingly gone at first. Then he ’ d simply attended without griping or commenting at all but the change in him had been immense. He enrolled at the college that summer and worked a summer job. When he ’ d graduated the next year, he ’ d not only had several college credits but had gotten accepted to Florida State, the first in their family to go to college at all beyond enrichment community courses.

She knew many would think her naive, but having seen Cash grow beyond his anger and make something of himself and later reading articles about robbery victims, and even family members, who ’ d lost a loved one make peace and support a successful rehabilitation of an offender gave her hope. Hope that change really was possible. If she ’ d been physically harmed and things hadn ’ t come right in the end, especially with Junrig ’ s mating fever, she knew she quite likely would feel differently. All she could do though was trust her and the Mylos ’ judgement was right and that Marley was a new woman. Besides, the men had decided to drug her all on their own. Marley had only asked them to get her alone and talk her into voluntarily coming along in their car with them.

Knowing this in her head and forgetting her remembered fear during her time with those two goons was another matter entirely. She hoped getting to know Marley better would help her put the past where it firmly belonged. As they ’ d furnished and decorated Marley and Kranow ’ s quarters, handling Marley ’ s personal effects, she ’ d begun to feel a connection. This Marley and the woman behind her kidnapping now felt like two separate people to her. In a way, I suppose they are.

While Gundar spoke, Marley sat silently, listening intently. When he fell silent, she lifted her eyes and looked earnestly at both Melissa and Junrig. “ I swear, I will do all I can with every fiber of my being to give all of the kids, including yours, the most enjoyable learning environment possible and ensure they get only the best education. And as your neighbor, I hope that we can get along without you feeling uncomfortable in your own homes. ”

Melissa plastered a bright smile on her face. “ You just keep going as you say you will, we ’ ll be just fine. As for being neighbors, hey, we helped pick out and set up your furniture! ”

Marley nodded, unspilled tears in her eyes. “ Yeah, you did. Thank you. ”

Gundar stood. “ If everyone understands and has nothing further to say for now, we can adjourn. ”

Melissa stood. She didn ’ t really have anything else to say right this moment. There would be plenty if occasions for her to talk things over with Marley, with and without others present, in official capacities as well as just as friends lending support. “ I need to pick up the kids. I ’ m sure Darla and Steven are ready to hand them back over. ” She rubbed a hand over her belly, where her pregnancy was now visible thanks to an obvious bump. “ Me and this little guy just want to put our feet up with a snack. ”

“ When are you due? ” Marley asked timidly.

“ Another four months. Mylos/human pregnancies last six months instead of nine. ”

Marley ’ s eyes grew round. “ That ’ s a lot of growing in a shorter time. I guess not being pregnant for so long though must kinda offset that. ”

Melissa simply smiled and nodded before following Junrig out the door.