by Ardy Kelly
She set her glass down. “Now what is so urgent you need to speak to me about?”
“The restaurant closed.”
“I warned you, didn’t I?” She smiled, taking pride in being right once again regarding her children’s bad decisions. “What’s the appeal of an Irish fusion menu?”
“It was re-imagined comfort food.”
“The only places serving corned beef are Jewish delis and Irish pubs. No wonder it went out of business.”
“It closed because the landlord wouldn’t renew the lease. It’s going to be a gym.”
She finished her drink. “Probably for all those people who ate the corned beef.”
Luckily, brunch arrived before an awkward silence could settle in. David took one look at the crab salad and whipped a napkin to his mouth. “Take it away. I can’t eat that.”
Constance stared at her son. “You’re practically green.” She waved her empty champagne flute at the waiter. “I’ll have another mimosa and bring my son some oyster crackers and dry toast.”
He took a sip of water and avoided her gaze.
“You’re here to ask for money, aren’t you, David?”
He was unwilling to lead with a yes. “I’ve saved enough to get by.”
“You should. You’re living rent-free in one of our nicest apartment buildings.”
How could I forget, with you constantly reminding me?
The waiter returned with a bowl of soup crackers. David chewed on a few before continuing. “I want to open my own restaurant. I was planning on waiting until I saved more, but there’s no time like the present. I just need a loan to augment what I already have. If I could borrow from the trust…”
Constance picked up her salad fork. “I’m not sure now is the best time for you.”
He needed to push for himself, regardless of how his stomach reacted. David kept silent while the waiter delivered Mother another mimosa. After nibbling on a few more crackers, he asked, “Why not?”
“Running a business is a 24/7 job. You wouldn’t have a life. How are you going to meet the right girl while you’re trying to launch a business? It makes more sense to start a family than open a restaurant.”
“I’m a chef, Mother.”
“Look at your sister. She’s going to have a baby any day now. I want the same for you.”
“What you want are Morehouse twins.”
She leaned forward. “I’ve been protecting you as long as I can. Your grandmother and great-grandmama hound me every Sunday about you. They worry about the family line.”
“Diana is going to have a baby soon.”
“Yes, yes. But she’s not a Morehouse like you are.”
“Here is your dry toast, sir.” The waiter placed the plate in front of him before disappearing.
“Lucky me,” David said under his breath.
Constance slowly spun the stem of the glass between her fingers. “I don’t expect you to understand until you’re a parent yourself, but family is much more important than you single people realize. Just watch. After Diana gives birth, you won’t recognize her. Babies have a way of completely changing a person’s priorities.”
Just tell her! It was time she faced facts. Their dynasty ended with the gay man sitting in front of her. He opened his mouth to confess but only a belch escaped. The girl with the torn jeans gave him a disapproving glare.
“Eat your toast, David. I can tell how much having this conversation upsets your stomach.”
David bit into the bread, not ready to admit defeat.
Sipping on her drink, she changed tactics. “Here is what I’ll do. I will give you an allowance, so you don’t have to touch your savings. And I’ll ask your father to set up a few dates with some nice shifter women.”
“Mother—”
“Hear me out,” Constance insisted. “If you find someone, settle down, and make a family, I will pay for your restaurant. Not a loan. A gift.”
The chance of that happening was zero. “But—”
“We’ll iron out the details after Diana’s baby is born. I can only deal with one crisis at a time.”
David surrendered. “Okay.” He would tell his family he was gay after Diana gave birth. It would be a good test to see whether his mother’s words were true.
Do babies really change everything?
The next two days were a blur of nausea, avoiding Dominic, and internet searches for home remedies. The Morehouses didn’t do doctors, blood donations, or DNA kits. They kept their secrets safe.
By Thursday, David’s stomach still hadn’t settled. He blamed it on the pressures of avoiding Dominic.
A marimba woke him from a nap. His hand groped across the nightstand before he located his phone. “Hello?”
“Hello, Uncle David,” Diana chirped. “Your favorite sister just gave birth to a baby boy named Joshua.”
The twins had kept in touch over the last two years. Having both grown up outside the shifter circle, David was an understanding ear when Diana needed to vent about “those damn wolves.”
He smiled. “Joshua? How did you pick that name?”
“I could bore you with a long story about Lionel’s family tree and the mind-control powers my mother-in-law still holds over her son. Or I could tell you it’s a wolf thing and leave it at that.”
“So, we’re agreed. It’s a wolf thing.”
“Now get in your car and drive up here,” Diana demanded.
“I might be coming down with something.”
“You’ve got too much wolf blood to ever be sick. Upset tummy?”
“It’s tender, too.”
“I had those exact same symptoms.”
“What was it?”
“Pregnancy,” Diana replied with a chuckle.
David groaned. Morning sickness might be preferable to the other possibilities a weekend of unprotected sex could create. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts. I don’t want to expose Joshua to germs.”
“Mother called. She said you agreed to meet some ‘nice shifter women’ on your visit. So don’t tell me this has anything to do with germs.”
David hesitated. “Maybe next week.”
“If you promise to come today, I’ll tell Mother you’ve already met some of my friends.”
“You’ll lie to Mother?”
“It’s not a lie. You met my bridesmaids. Some of them are still single.”
“No surprise there,” David replied.
“The fresh air will do you good,” she insisted. “And the ranch has a healer now. I’ll book you for some naptime with Ricky. He’s better than any doctor.”
“I’d rather stay home and be miserable.”
“You’ve got to come up now,” Diana pleaded. “Mother will be here tomorrow and you won’t want to miss the disappointment on her face that Joshua isn’t a girl.” She lowered her voice. “Really, please come. Don’t make me face her alone. I’m having enough trouble with hormones as it is.”
There was nothing else needing his attention. He was between jobs, and in no mood to look for one this week. Getting out of the city seemed like a good idea. He was tired of ghosting the neighbors. “Okay. As long as you promise to tell her I’ve met some of your girlfriends.”
“You’ve got it.” A baby wailed in the background. “Oh, Joshua is hungry again. I’ve got to go. I’ll expect a call from you when you’re in Timber Crossing.”
Hanging up, David searched online for the B&B that hosted the wedding guests. Finding the Welcome Inn, he was disappointed to discover their website only had pictures and a phone number.
“Don’t have online booking,” Trisha, the owner, explained when he called. “Brings in the wrong kind of people. If you don’t have the patience to actually talk to someone on the phone, you won’t have any patience for Timber Crossing.”
When he gave her his credit card information, she paused. “David? You have a sister at Lone Wolves Ranch, right?”
David drooped. Everyone in Timber Crossing would always remem
ber him as the brother who sprung his naked sister from jail. “That’s me.”
“Glad to have you back. But, uh, we do have a two-night minimum. Is that a problem? I can give you the friends and family rate but you will have to stay two nights. No skipping out early like last time.”
Trisha had quite the memory. He hadn’t realized how small this small town was.
Traffic was light (for California) and he arrived at the inn by early afternoon.
Trisha handed him a room key. “The door says Honeymoon Suite, but don’t pay that no never mind. Breakfast is from seven to ten every morning except on Sundays, when it’s eight to ten thirty.”
“I don’t intend to stay that long.”
“That’s what all us locals said once.”
As he settled in his room, it was hard not to pay the Honeymoon Suite “no never mind.” It was enormous, with French doors that opened onto a private rooftop patio, complete with hot tub. The bed was big enough to rent as a separate room, and the bathtub appeared to be Olympic sized.
In keeping with the inn’s diversity appeal, all the towels were monogramed with “Hers/His/Theirs.”
He unpacked his duffel bag, dumping the clothes inside the elaborate burl wood armoire. David wasn’t known for traveling light, especially if he wasn’t sure of the weather. The only reason he fit everything in one bag for this trip was because his dryer was on the fritz, and most of his clothes were in the dirty laundry hamper.
Once settled, he called his sister. “Is this a good time to visit?”
“Yes. Joshua should be finished his nap by then.”
On his way out, Trisha called, “Kiss Diana’s cub for me.”
David stiffened. “Cub” was a word shifters used. Mother never allowed Father to utter it in front of her, and David had inherited some of her disdain for the syllable. Does Trisha know about the ranch?
If Lone Wolves Ranch changed in the last two years, David didn’t notice. The intimidating guard station still monitored the gate. Once past it, the property retained the charm of an early twentieth century Sierra mountain resort.
Parking in front of his sister’s home, he grabbed the baby gift from the backseat. By the time he reached the porch, Diana was already there with one arm open, and the other cradling Joshua. She looked disheveled, but happy.
She pulled him in for a hug, tossed the gift on the sofa, and handed David his nephew. “Please watch him. I’ve got to shower, and I’m still at the stage where I’m afraid to leave him alone for a second. I’m told it will pass.”
Joshua’s tiny hands latched onto David’s shirt with surprising strength. Diana kissed both men on the cheek, and dashed to the back bedroom.
“You’re lucky you dodged the bullet,” David told his nephew. “If you had been a girl, there would be swarms of Morehouse women buzzing around you, hoping you’d save their family name. They won’t care so much for baby boys.”
Sitting in the rocking chair, he stared at his nephew. David had seen newborns before, but this was the first time he ever held one. “Your grandma said babies change everything. I can see why.”
He rocked the chair slowly, feeling at peace for the first time this week. I should visit more often. Something about sitting with a baby in his arms felt right.
“You look like a natural parent,” Diana said, walking back in the room.
“Joshua’s doing all the work. I’m just rocking out.” He tickled his nephew’s chin. “His childhood is going to be so much easier than ours, here on the ranch. You and Lionel won’t need to hide who you are.”
“Except when Mother comes to visit.” Diana threw the drapes back. “It feels like ages since I’ve been outside. I wish Lionel had put the stroller together.”
She kicked the box with a picture of a smiling infant and the words “some assembly required” in tiny print. It toppled over, spilling the contents on the rug.
“Can you figure it out?” Diana asked. “Lionel tried but since he never follows directions, he didn’t get very far.”
David stood, handing Joshua to her before sorting the loose parts. “So, I’m one of those boring guys who always follows the rules?”
“You’re cautious. You look both ways before crossing the street. You use your turn signals—”
“There’s a law about using your turn signals.”
“You follow the laws,” Diana continued. “Maybe I didn’t appreciate that as much before.”
“Why the change of heart?”
“I’m a mother now. I have to worry about who I trust Joshua with.”
David nodded his head. “So, I’m an approved babysitter.”
“You’re not working. Maybe you need a career change. Mannies are very popular right now.”
“Mannies?”
“Male nannies. Plus, you can cook! Any new mom would love you.”
“I can’t imagine taking care of a baby 24/7.”
“It is frightening,” Diana replied as her eyes welled up with tears.
David rose and gave her a hug. “It isn’t frightening at all,” he assured her. “You’re going to be a great parent. If for no other reason than to spite Mother.”
Diana sniffled. “It’s good to have goals.”
He held her face between her hands. “Are you all right? You’re not the teary-eyed sort.”
“Sorry,” she said. “My emotions have been all over the place this week.”
He bent down and grabbed the instructions. “Get Joshua bundled up, because this won’t take long.”
Twenty minutes later, David snapped the last wheel on the front leg and tested it for sturdiness. “Ready for the crash test dummy.”
“That’s a terrible thing to call your nephew.” She studied the stroller. “No missing parts?”
David shook his head. “And no leftovers, either. I followed all the directions, despite the terrible translation.”
“I knew you would.” She placed Joshua in the stroller. “Now, Dad doesn’t know you’re here. I figured we’d give your tummy a day off. If he sees you, just say it was a surprise visit.”
“You want me to lie?”
“Of course not. But aren’t you surprised you’re here today?”
David laughed as they lifted the stroller down the front steps.
Once outside, Diana’s mood brightened. “I keep forgetting I’m a wolf,” she said. “I can’t stay cooped up in the house as long as I did. Makes me crazy.”
“Do you need to shift and go for a run? I can watch Joshua.”
Diana’s eyes widened. “Did a Morehouse just ask me if I wanted to shift?”
“You know I’m not a good Morehouse.”
She nodded. “And you know I’m not a good wolf. I just need to breathe the fresh air and feel the sun on my skin.”
They walked through the compound, approaching the front gate. David stopped short when he saw a patrol car parked at the guardhouse. “Let’s change directions. I don’t want to run into Sheriff Thompson this trip.”
“That’s right,” Diana said, as she turned toward the playground. “You two had a date. How did that go?”
David blinked. “You told me to call it off. Mack said he didn’t want us getting too friendly.”
She shook her head. “That was just our shifter paranoia. He knew about us the whole time.” She pointed her thumb back to the guardhouse. “He’s something, too. I can’t remember what. Has to do with earth vortexes or something. You know, I never believed all that supernatural malarkey.”
“Said the woman who can turn into a wolf.”
Chet’s plan finally paid off. Over the last two years, he made sure to visit Lone Wolves Ranch at least once a month. Now that he no longer hid his gift as a watcher, he could talk openly with Sarge and his crew on whatever the vortex revealed.
During the fire season, it could be a site predicted to flare up. During winter, it could be a tree expected to topple over. Since the pack leader’s brother had lost his home to a falling redwood, the r
anch grew to value Sheriff Chet’s predictions.
Yet, despite his welcome presence, he was never allowed past the guardhouse. It frustrated Chet, but he didn’t let it show. He knew he would wear them down eventually.
It better be soon. Today was the day he waited two long years for. The vortex had predicted it. And his brief visit today proved it.
David was back. It’s about time.
Once the sighting was confirmed, he drove to Timber Crossing for some reconnaissance work. His first stop was the Welcome Inn.
Trisha, wearing a faded sundress, was pruning bushes in front of the inn. “Sheriff Chet, you’re not here to revoke my license, are you?”
“Don’t worry. Just came by to check in on you.”
“Me? Or one of my guests?”
“You should have been a detective, Trisha.”
“Oh, please. The whole town has been waiting for Chastity Chet’s boyfriend to return.”
His jaw dropped. “You’re kidding. I’m Chastity Chet?”
Trisha shrugged. “People throw themselves at you left and right, but you ignore them all. Not one single date in all the time you’ve been here.”
“Not true,” Chet replied. “I took Steven to lunch, and I know there were witnesses.”
“Yeah, we all had hope until Mack showed up. You didn’t have a chance against him.”
Though Chet’s good looks entitled him to an enormous ego, he didn’t have one. Yet that comment made him puff up his chest. “Why?”
“You really want dating advice from the Granny Tranny?”
Chet nodded. “You’ve never held back before.”
“True.” She pointed a finger at him. “You’ve got no game. Those wolves have moves. This whole Mr. Nice Guy act of yours can’t compete with that.”
“It’s not an act.”
“Look, I’ve been in your shoes. Before I transitioned, I was a nice guy, too. But I found it’s better to be good than to be nice.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Nice guys follow other people’s rules. Good guys do what’s right. It took me years to become a good guy and do what was right for me. It made me the woman I am.”
