Caden

by Tl Reeve

  Dani sighed. “You sure you just don’t want her moving in, you know, so she’s readily available?”

  “Don’t be a smartass,” he scolded her.

  She gave a dramatic roll of her eyes before giving in. “Okay then, while she’s here, she can stay in the house.”

  “Good girl,” he praised her.

  “I aim to please.” Her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Caden chuckled, eyeing up the monitor. The boys hadn’t made a peep. “How much longer do you think they’ll sleep?”

  Dani shrugged. “If they’re not up in an hour, I’ll be waking them up. Otherwise, we’ll have issues getting them down tonight.”

  “So, we have an hour?”

  “Or less.” She smiled, her eyes sparkling with desire.

  Caden ordered her to wrap her long legs around his hips. He stood, then grabbed the monitor before making his way into the house.

  “Caden, the plates,” she crumbled.

  “Fuck the plates, pumpkin. I’ll take care of them later. Right now, I want my dessert.” He took the stairs to their room two at a time.

  “I don’t have anything sweet.”

  He shook his head at her naiveté and chuckled. “Dessert, baby, is you. I’m going to spread you out on our bed, get between your legs, and eat your pussy, till you scream in pleasure.”

  “Okay then, who am I to stop you from having your dessert.” She grinned, the scent of her desire clawed at his gut.

  “Damn straight, mate.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  There was something familiar about Sage. The deputy had a no-nonsense approach to everything she did, but she also had a quietness about her. She observed everything with a critical eye, as if she saw more than she’d say or admit to. Danielle watched her from the corner of her eye while Aiden and Nicolas played on the floor of the living room. Today, Nicolas learned to balance himself as he sat up, another sure sign her boys were growing up to be strong and healthy.

  Everything Caden told her about Allen only made her more determined to protect her children. She might not have birthed Aiden, but for all intents and purposes, the boy was hers. No one would ever take that away from her. Many nights she worried he’d reject the mendings she performed on him. Between the puncture marks and the broken bones, he’d been near death when Caden found him. Now, he thrived. She loved his mop of crazy curly hair. In fact, it kind of matched Sage’s hair, only the deputy pulled hers back in a low ponytail. Interesting...

  Of course, everyone, to Danielle, could potentially be Caden’s daughter. She’d become a little obsessive when it came to finding her. The last piece of Caden’s puzzle lay with the one who held his DNA the longest besides his brother and their son, Nicolas. However, until Keeley got her computer system up and running completely, the chances of scouring the net to find Caden’s daughter were slim to none. Which reminded her she had to be over at Keeley’s in an hour. They finally had some time to go over the donations and start building lists of things they would need and begin ordering them.

  Rapier assured her the house would be done within two weeks and with that, she could move the children into the home. It would also mean they’d need to hire an in-house nanny. A position they hadn’t even advertised about, yet. They’d do it today though. Ugh, they had so much work to do still and as long as she was under lock and key by her mate, she’d use the time wisely. She stood from the mat then made her way into the kitchen where Sage took up residence in the tiny nook she and Keeley used to sit at.

  “Hi,” Danielle said, announcing her arrival. “I need to meet with Keeley about the orphan house. We should be leaving within the hour.”

  God, she didn’t even know how to talk to this girl. With Jace, all she had to say was, “look, I’m leaving,” and he’d be ready to go, but there was something about this girl...something that said she needed a softer touch. It kind of freaked Danielle out. She hated not being able to get a read on someone. No, she’d never invade their emotions or root around in their mind, but some people wore their feelings like clothes.

  Sage nodded. Her grey eyes narrowed a bit, almost like she too was trying to read Danielle, which intrigued and frightened her all in the same breath. “They said you were different. I didn’t believe them until now. What are you?” Sage held up her hand. “I’m sorry, that’s rude of me. You have a multi-colored aura around you and yet... You’re very quiet.”

  Multi-colored aura? “Empath, but I have other abilities.” Danielle gave a small smile. “I’m also all over the place right now with everything going on. Are you... Special?”

  Sage snorted. “My mom taught me how to read auras. She’s into the hippie-dippie crap. She lives in Sedona, where I grew up. The commune we were a part of was all about the new age stuff. Love, peace, good deeds. They think all of Sedona is the vortex where life began. They say every red-rocked peak has a portal to another dimension attached to it.”

  Danielle laughed. “Interesting.”

  “Eh, she’s a good mom.” Sage shrugged. “Just a few woo-woo’s loose of a full crystal.”

  “I wish I could say the same about my mom,” Danielle whispered. “But what’s done is done.”

  She hadn’t really even thought of the woman in a long time. Instead of enriching hers or Keeley’s abilities, she tried to suppress them and, on most days, ignored them. Danielle blamed the reason she and Keeley ran for so long had to do with their parents’ refusal to even acknowledge beings like them existed, much less lived in their home.

  “True.” The deputy stood. “So, how is everything going with the orphan house?”

  “Well, great, if we can keep it to a dull roar with the whole blowing up of the town—thing,” Danielle answered. “We should be ready to open the doors in two weeks. Which means we have our work cut out for us. We also need someone to oversee the children during the day and at night.”

  Sage tilted her head. “Have you got anyone in mind?”

  “No, I planned on making an advertisement while I was with Keeley this afternoon. Why?”

  “I think my mom would be perfect for the job. She loves kids. Is extra gentle. She’s always been this like, enigma of a person. Always a nomad. I think she stayed in Sedona after my birth because she didn’t want to move around anymore. You know...kids.”

  Danielle inclined her chin. “They do change everything.”

  “Right? I’m at the age now, my mom is nagging the hell out of me for a few grandkids to spoil.” She laughed. “I’m not sure kids are in my future, so, why not help her fulfill her dream.”

  Danielle bit her bottom lip. If the woman was anything like Sage described her, she’d be the perfect fit for the orphanage. “She’ll have to have a background check and get fingerprinted. Do you think it’ll be a problem?”

  “Nope. I can run the check for you later, and she can give you her prints when she arrives. While you’re getting the boys ready to leave, I’ll make the call. But, a bit of warning... She’s a little um... Out there, if you know what I mean.”

  “Don’t worry.” Danielle laughed. “I think we all are, a little bit.”

  * * * *

  Keeley greeted them at the door when they arrived. Sage carried a sleeping Nicolas while Danielle held Aiden’s hand. After their conversation, a new sense of purpose washed over Danielle. Like, everything would be okay now. She didn’t understand it, nor did she question it. She figured it had something to do with the fact she ticked off another thing from her burgeoning list.

  After getting the boys settled, Keeley and Danielle sat at the table with Sage. Danielle liked the girl. She’d never really gotten the chance to get to know the deputy, other than while Keeley had been kidnapped. She was sharp, smart as a tack, and had a peaceful sense about her. Even if she didn’t believe in her mother’s ways, the woman still had a lightness to her, even if she had a wicked tongue and wit about her. Danielle liked that about people, as it made it easier reading them. She’d also been focused on the idea of readin
g auras. Another form of being an empath, she assumed, only dealing with colors.

  It didn’t surprise Danielle one bit when Sage said her mother moved from place to place during her life, until she found the commune. If her mother’s life had been anything like Keeley and Danielle’s, well, she could understand. She only hoped others found their serene place too in the world. She grabbed her note-taking pad, the one she made all of her lists on along with the bank statement showing how much money they had to play with. Right now, they needed the basics. Beds, furniture, clothes, food, toys. It seemed daunting to her at the moment, but at least they had one of the biggest hurdles out of the way. A house mom.

  “Sage and I were talking,” Danielle began. “Her mother will be arriving tomorrow to apply for house mom.”

  Keeley’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  Sage grinned. “She was very excited when I told her about the position. However, I think part of it is the idea of being closer to me. She misses me.”

  “She reads auras,” Danielle added.

  “Holy shit,” Keeley hissed. “I have never met an auraist before!”

  “Uh, Keeley, are you even using the correct term?” Danielle glanced at her sister, surprised by her excitement.

  “I don’t know. I don’t care. Do you know what this means?”

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Sage said. “But, my mom calls it bohemian theosophy.”

  Danielle laughed as Keeley deflated a bit, but was nevertheless happy. “How long has she been able to read auras?”

  Sage glanced between them. “She says all her life.”

  “Wow.” Keeley sat back. “This is amazing, Sage. Truly. I can’t wait to meet her.” She placed her left hand on the table, and a glint of sparkle caught Danielle’s attention.

  “What’s that?” She pointed to the ring her sister wore.

  “I forgot to tell you.” Her sister beamed. It’d been the happiest she’d seen her sister since the birth of the twins. “Kalkin proposed the night of the auction.” She showed Danielle the ring. It had three half-karat diamonds mounted in the middle with gold and diamond filigree around the band. It wasn’t anything ostentatious or bulky. It fit her sister perfectly.

  A small pang of jealously hit Danielle in the chest, but she squashed it, not wanting to diminish her sister’s happiness. “It’s beautiful. So, are you planning a ceremony now too?”

  Keeley chuckled. “No, we’re way too busy. I told Kal we’ll have to wait until after the orphans are taken care of and Vigilante is up and running. Then, maybe we’ll start planning.” She winked at Danielle. “I am sure Caden will hear the brunt of it.”

  “Probably.” Danielle gathered herself. “Anywho, we have tons of reasons to celebrate now. Your engagement, we also have a potential house mom and two incredible workers. Now all we need is stuff to go in the house.”

  “Right,” Keeley said, opening her laptop. “We need furniture that’s functional and made for the wear and tear of kids.”

  “Scotch guard everything,” Sage said. “Or, get it in plastic. Nothing like having to clean puke out of fabric. It’s why all the Sheriff Department vehicles use plastic. You can hose that shit out and never have to touch it.”

  “Scotch guard it,” Danielle and Keeley said at the same time.

  Sage laughed. “The both of you share a collective brain, don’t you?”

  “Sometimes,” Keeley answered. “Do you think bunk beds will work? We can get two sets for each room, and they’ll still have space for a couple of desks.”

  “I agree,” Danielle stated. “There will be plenty of closet space, and I am sure we can figure out dressers and such as we place all the furniture in the rooms.”

  Sage’s phone rang, and she excused herself. “Mom? What’s wrong?”

  As she stepped away, Keeley eyed Danielle. “Tell me you don’t see it.” Her sister kept her tone down.

  “See what?”

  Keeley rolled her eyes. “Ohmigod, Danielle. Sometimes you’re so dense.”

  “Wait, what? Mom...are you sure? Today? But...but it’s an almost four-hour drive.” Sage’s voice rose slightly.

  “I’m not sure I’m getting what you’re saying,” Danielle said, half listening to her sister and Sage.

  “Let me spell it out for you. Her wit. Her sharpness. Her demeanor. She is the female version of Caden.”

  Danielle flinched and scrunched up her face. “What? No way. She said her mom.” However, hadn’t she seen the subtle likenesses to Aiden. Even their hair texture. “I think we’re too hyped up on trying to find her. Besides, she doesn’t have any of the Raferty features.”

  “Same could be said about Nic.” Keeley pursed her lips. “Danielle, it’s her. I can feel it.”

  “Okay, mom, just be careful. Call me if anything happens. Yeah, I know. See you soon.” Sage entered the room as she touched the screen of her phone. “Surprise...my mom is on the way now.”

  “Great,” Keeley said. “It’ll give your mom time to settle in before starting her new job and us a chance to get to know her too.”

  Sage nodded. “Just, don’t forget what I told you, okay?”

  Danielle smiled. “We won’t. Promise.”

  The knock at the door surprised them. Sage put her hand out as she stood. Her other hand automatically went to the hilt of the gun at her hip as she crept toward the door. She opened it slowly then shook her head. “Oh, it’s you.” She laughed. “Sorry for being jumpy. Guys, it’s Jace.” She stood aside, allowing Jace and Bodhi to enter the house.

  “Hey,” Jace said lifting his hand. “I was wondering if Bodhi could stay with you while I work.”

  Danielle stared at him for a moment. Every inch of Jace had been stiff. Bodhi didn’t seem to notice. If anything, he appeared happy. “Sure. The twins and Nicolas are sleeping, and Aiden is playing, if you want to join him, Bodhi?”

  The boy grinned and nodded. “Thanks.”

  Danielle waited till the boy was out of earshot before speaking. “Everything okay?”

  Jace rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know. Define okay.”

  “It doesn’t get easier,” Keeley stated. “At some point you’re going to have to explain it to him. To all of them.”

  Jace nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “How’s Loraine?” Sage added. “I need to go see her.”

  “She’s improving every day. I’m sure she’d like to see you.” Jace pointed to Keeley’s ring. “When did this happen?”

  The corner of Keeley’s lip curled upward. “After the auction.”

  He flicked his gaze to Danielle. “You get one to match?”

  “No,” Danielle answered. “But, I’m not worried about it. For now, we’re a work in progress. I’m happy we’re finally on the right path.”

  * * * *

  It took them almost four hours to go through everything. From ordering what they wanted to setting up the delivery of supplies to the Orphanage in a little over two weeks. If Rapier was wrong about being done, and Danielle sincerely hope he wasn’t, she’d have to rent a storage unit for all the beds and accessories to go in each room.

  She and Keeley decided it was important for each child to feel like they had and were responsible for items in their rooms. They ordered a wide range of colors, patterns, and characters for comforters, bedding, and towels so each child could choose what they wanted. Sage came up with the brilliant idea of buying cases of soap, shampoo, and other things so welcome bags could be made for each new arrival.

  It was all coming together.

  With a sense of newfound accomplishment, Danielle and Keeley finished making lunch for their kids and now they had them all outside playing to work off some excess energy. Bodhi was helping, providing an extra set of eyes, for the quick moving pups who scurried around the front yard.

  Danielle felt a slight shift in the air pressure, and the wind changed directions. Almost like a static charge crackled through the air, right before a thunderstorm. Odd, to say the least,
because she’d checked the forecast, and it had called for clear, sunny weather for the next several days.

  “Mom is coming.” Sage stared out towards Danielle’s home almost as if she expected her mother to appear out of thin air…

  “How do you know?” Keeley inquired.

  “Change in the air,” Sage replied.

  “What is she, a nanny who arrives from the east on the wind with a black umbrella?” Keeley quipped.

  Dani snickered, knowing exactly who Keeley was referring to. Just then, an old wood-paneled station wagon came trudging down the lane, red dust kicking up behind it. The vehicle pulled into Danielle’s long driveway and stopped with a flourish.

  “Brace yourselves,” Sage whispered.

  The door opened, and a woman resembling Janis Joplin stepped out. A trail of white smoke filled the air behind her then dissipated quickly. If the woman smoked, it might be an issue for her to do so when she was with the kids. Danielle made a mental note to ask.

  Sage’s mom had on a pair of big round, brown-lensed sunglasses. They reminded Danielle of when she and Keeley were kids and those types of frames were the rage. Every female movie star wore them. The woman had long, curly grey hair and wore flowing skirts, which hit her ankles. Over a long-sleeved ribbed shirt, she had on a fur vest. Sage’s mom was the epitome of sixties hippie.

  Fur in Arizona. In the summer.

  Window Rock was never going to be the same, Danielle could just feel it in her gut.

  “Moonbeam!” the woman hollered with a slight southern twang. Danielle swore Sage had said she grew up in Sedona. “Yoo-hoo, where are you, my little moonbeam?”

  Moonbeam? Keeley’s eyes were wide, sparkling with mischief.

  “Mom!” Sage raised her arm, waving to get her mother’s attention. “Over here.”

  “My moonbeam.” Her mother scurried down the path and across the bridge.