Page 88 of Shifters Unifying

Olivia snickered, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Logan has a big manor house out in the country, lots of acres. We do most of our construction company staging from there.”

“I’d heard he’s successful.”

“That’s true.”

“Thanks to Olivia,” I said.

“Naturally,” Sophia answered. She studied the extra sandwich before picking it up off of the plate. She took a bite. “You two better eat.”

“Not sure I’m hungry,” I said.

“The woman said eat,” Olivia quipped. “You’d better eat.”

Arguing didn’t seem conducive to winning any points with Sophia, so I shoveled my sandwich into my face, barely tasting it. At least I couldn’t be expected to talk with food in my mouth.

“You know, last time I saw Emma, I also met Jasper,” she began. “He took those four young people to lunch. What were their names?”

Olivia frowned and then grinned. “Oh, then you must have met Blaze, Izzie, Oliver, and John.”

“That sounds right. Are they like you?”

“Newly,” Olivia said, around a bite of her own sandwich.

“I think there are some missing posters up around town for one of the teens. I think one of the boys. Their parents must be looking for them, also.”

“Good to know,” I said. “We’ll have to get them to reach out to their parents, let them know they’re okay.”

“You’re so good at that,” Sophia cooed. “Making sure kids update their parents.”

Olivia shook her head. “He tries, Sophia. He does try.”

“Now, when can I see Emma?”

“You’re welcome at Six-Mile manor anytime,” I offered. “We have plenty of room.”

“Maybe you can tuck me into a corner, then, some place where you’re not bedding my daughter? I don’t think I want to be anywhere near that. Her father must be rolling over in his grave.”

God. I can’t win with this woman.I shoved another bite of my cheesy sandwich into my mouth, glad for the meal. Couldn’t recall the last time I’d eaten anything other than Emma.

Olivia polished off her sandwich and pushed her plate away. “We have guest houses, little cabins not connected to the main house. Those could probably work.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.” This time, her stern look included both of us.

Olivia fished her cell phone out of her pocket and unlocked it. “If you give me your number, I can send you a location pin.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea? What if Emma isn’t there when she wants to come visit?”

“Better than letting a poor mother worry about her daughter,” Olivia said, handing her phone to Sophia so she could type her number into it.

“Shouldn’t we coordinate with Emma to work out an appropriate time for visiting?” I asked, weakly. This was turning into battle I wasn’t likely to win.

“Better than explaining everything or working it all out here in Willow Creek. Don’t you think, Logan?”

“We might be taking care of other business.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwood. I’ll let Olivia know before I come out, and I won’t interrupt anything you might be doing… to my daughter.” She handed the phone back to Olivia. “You won’t even know I’m there.”

“Of course.” I’d been beaten, and I knew it. “Why don’t you call me Logan?”