Sherman's Pride [Spirit of Sage 6] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Jools Louise

  Chaz’s sent a wide-eyed look to David, who was smiling widely. “Aiden and Murphy are taking in five more of the little ones,” David explained. “Aiden’s building onto their existing cottage, putting the kitchen in the back, to make more room for them.”

  “What about the older kids?” Chaz asked. “Some were supposed to be heading into town, weren’t they, to stay at Chester’s?”

  “Uncle Pace said the critters are too unpredictable to be in town right now,” Blue interjected without looking up from his castle building. “He said the little fuzz butts would cause havoc, so he told Uncle Joe to keep ‘em all here, where they can raise hell in safety.”

  Chaz burst out laughing at that, knowing how Pace, the sheriff, felt about people causing trouble in his town…even if they were pint-sized.

  “Uncle Pace may just have to eat his words,” David said dryly, winking at Blue, who giggled. “The little fuzz butts are taking a trip into town tomorrow to check out the new waffle house.”

  “I love waffles,” Blue said, licking his lips and turning his tongue blue from the paint smeared across his face. Chaz grinned, nodding.

  “Me, too,” he said. “Kevin and Kieran will have fun making different shaped waffles for you guys. They bought some special molds, in animal shapes, just for their younger clientele. I love banana and nuts and chocolate sprinkles on mine, with lashings of whipped cream and maple syrup.”

  Blue looked up, his blue eyes wide, and licked his lips. “Hmmm, that sounds scrummy,” he said. “I’d like one of those, too.”

  Chaz smiled back and high-fived his little friend. “What time are you coming into town?” he asked David.

  “As soon as I can round up enough people to help,” David said. “Mabel and Charlotte said they’d pitch in, and Kristoff and Olivia are coming, too.” David sighed. “We need a few more. The little ones are escape artists. I can’t risk any of them getting hurt.”

  “How many are you bringing?” Chaz asked, thinking Sheriff Pace was going to have kittens.

  “There are twenty of Blue’s age, who I think would be okay to come tomorrow. We’ll split them into groups of five, between the four teenagers. Another ten of the younger ones, who can be transported in strollers, are coming in with Aaron, Cameron, and me. We need extra helpers when we’re in town, though.”

  “Sometimes, the little kids shift and run,” Blue said knowingly, in a stage whisper. Chaz bit back another laugh, knowing from Murphy that Blue was one of the ringleaders.

  “That must scare your daddies,” Chaz said, trying to keep a straight face.

  Blue looked thoughtful, and then nodded. “Yes, because that’s when they use bad words that we’re not supposed to hear. “Uncle John said we’re wiry little fuckers, and maybe he might invest in leashes.”

  Chaz fell apart at that, laughing so hard he fell to the floor, grabbing his stomach. He could just imagine John’s language when one his troop tried to escape.

  “Now, Blue,” David scolded gently, glaring at Chaz. “What have I told you about using that kind of language?”

  Blue blinked, his lower lip trembling. “I’m not supposed to swear,” he said earnestly. “I’m sorry for swearing, Uncle Chaz and Uncle David,” he added. He looked devastated at being told off, even though David had used the gentlest tone.

  “We’ll have a word with Uncle John when he gets here,” David said. “And we’ll tell him he can’t swear either.”

  “Do I have to go in the basement?” Blue asked, his eyes flooded with tears.

  Chaz stopped laughing abruptly, hearing the fear in Blue’s voice. He remembered that Blue hadn’t had a great childhood.

  “The basement?” he asked carefully.

  “We got put in the basement when we were bad,” Blue said, his voice wobbling. “There were spiders and cockroaches down there and it smelled really bad. Like death. One time, we saw one of our brothers who had been hurt, he was bleeding everywhere—he died. I didn’t like going down there.”

  Chaz opened his arms wide, and Blue stepped into them, clinging on for dear life. “You don’t have to go in the basement ever again,” he whispered to the little boy. Blue nodded, trembling a little, his tears dampening Chaz’s T-shirt.

  “You apologized, Blue, which is good enough for me,” David said gently. “You shouldn’t repeat what Uncle John tells you, especially when he uses bad words. He’s not supposed to say them, either, and he knows better—he’s an adult.”

  “I was just trying to explain what Uncle John said,” Blue said plaintively.

  “Uncle John is going to get a time-out for swearing in front of you,” David said firmly. “He’s been told lots of times and doesn’t seem to be listening.”

  Blue nodded, smiling now and sucking on his thumb. “I won’t say those words again, Uncle David,” he said, sniffing hard.

  David produced a tissue and blew the boy’s nose. “Good. Now, how about showing Uncle Chaz here the ball pool? Does that sound like fun?”

  Blue nodded again, scrambling out of Chaz’s arms and tugging him to the ball pit. He let out a loud whoop of joy, then leapt into the center, sending the multi-colored balls flying in all direction, shifting in mid-leap into a tiny mountain lion. A second later all that could be seen of him was his long tail as he submerged completely.

  Chaz shared an amused look with David, and was glad Blue was so resilient. He would no doubt carry some scars with him always. He was bouncing back, though—literally.

  “What happened at college?” Chaz asked, recalling what Cal had told him earlier.

  David sighed, rubbing his jaw wearily. “Just some jackasses who wanted to pick fights all the time. Human morons making stupid comments about where I’m from and what I am. They’re nobodies, unimportant, but they made me homesick. I don’t need to surround myself with those kinds of people anymore. These youngsters are important, and I realized that they needed me more than I needed to prove that I can teach. This is where I’m most useful…not some college inhabited by moronic rich kids. I can relate to these kids.”

  Chaz patted his shoulder sympathetically. “You’re doing a fantastic job,” he said sincerely. “I haven’t been up here for a little while, but from what I can see, this is absolutely the right fit for you.”

  David smiled gratefully and they hugged. “Thanks, coz,” he said, grinning.

  Chaz gave a mock shudder, and gave his cousin a noogie. “I’m so glad we didn’t do the deed,” he replied, which had David nodding emphatically.

  “Yeah, you’re much better off with the Sherman tank,” David retorted, laughing when Chaz shifted suddenly into his mountain lion, and leapt on top. Shifting, as well, David tumbled with Chaz, right into the ball pit. The other kids all squealed with excitement, and turned fuzzy, then jumped in after them, turning the relatively sedate kindergarten into chaos.

  Chapter Five

  Sheriff Pace groaned aloud when he saw the small procession of vehicles parking up on Main Street. David, Joe, Cameron, and Aiden drove their own SUV’s with three more bringing up the rear. The latter were manned by some of the older kids from the ranch, who had chosen to stay after being rescued from the Idaho facility. It was the younger members who made Pace groan, piling out onto the sidewalk and chattering excitedly to one another.

  He recognized Blue, Primrose, Murray, and Honey, plus the rest of John and Murphy’s tribes, and the entire bunch looked like trouble in miniature form. The worst kind as far as Pace was concerned.

  “Oh, good grief.” Pace heard John’s pained tones and turned, feeling better that even John was not exactly enamored of having the town overrun with little fuzz butts.

  “I take it this wasn’t your idea?” Pace asked, biting back a grin.

  John shot him a horrified look. “I love my children more than life itself, but I do have some self-preservation instincts.” He slapped his hand over his face, backing away slowly. “They’ll turn Sage upside down in a second…remember last time?”

  Pace w
inced, recalling how when the town was being rebuilt they’d had plenty of the little ones rushing off all over the place. He still had the grey hairs to prove it.

  “Daddy!” a little voice squealed, and John cursed under his breath.

  “Uncle John, you’re not supposed to use words like that,” another voice scolded. They both looked down to see Blue, naked as a jaybird, staring up at John, pointing his tiny finger at John, much like a parent to a child.

  Pace battled not to laugh at John’s shame-faced look. The big snow leopard shifter was the most laid-back and fearless guy Pace had ever met. He’d walk up to the devil himself and spit in his eye, laughing all the way, if he thought he needed to. He was incorrigible, until it came to the kids. Then he turned into a marshmallow.

  “I apologize, Blue, I didn’t realize you were so close,” John said, eyeing Blue’s finger warily. “Do you think it may be a little…chilly…to wander around with your naked bottom on display?”

  Blue giggled, shifted into his animal form, and then scampered back to where David was trying to corral the rest of them, too much laughter from the tiny tots who were alternating between animal and human form at will. At their age, nudity was not an issue for them and now that they had the freedom to shift when they wanted, they took full advantage.

  “I just got reprimanded by a four-year-old,” John said, shaking his head.

  “Yes, you did,” David called, scowling at John. “Blue here repeats whatever you say, and he hears everything.” Pace sniggered at John’s shocked look. “Something about…wiry little effers…’” At this, with a euphemism replacing the actual swear word, John flushed bright red.

  “I got into trouble yesterday for saying bad words,” Blue added, shifting back to two-legged form. “Uncle David said you needed a time-out, because you haven’t learned yet.”

  John simply stared, flushing even more under Blue’s gimlet stare. David arched one brow haughtily. “Well? Don’t just stand there, John. You just swore again, in front of these children…go and stand by the wall for thirty minutes. A minute for each year of your age.”

  “He’s thirty-four,” Pace said helpfully, earning a growl from John. “If you need help enforcing the time-out, I’m your man,” he added, grinning wickedly at John, who flipped him off.

  “John!” David said exasperatedly, glaring as the children giggled. “Add another thirty-four minutes now, for unnecessary sign language.”

  John rolled his eyes, slumped his shoulders under the interested stares of the youngsters, and turned to face the nearest wall, which happened to be beside the new pancake and waffle house owned by Kevin and Kieran, named simply Scrumptious.

  “Well, now, kiddies,” Kevin said cheerfully as he came outside, a wide grin on his face. “Let’s get your orders up and some delicious waffles in your bellies.” He pointed at John, wagging his finger, his face showing mock disappointment as he sighed. “Uncle John will have to wait for his…sixty eight minutes, by my reckoning.”

  John ducked his head, closing his eyes, and obviously biting back a succinct reply which would have earned him more minutes.

  “Never mind, John,” Pace said, patting him on the shoulder. “In just over an hour, the humiliation ends.” Waggling his brows, Pace sauntered off, heading toward his husband, Zack’s, office to tell his mate the fun news.

  * * * *

  Chaz and Sherman exchanged an amused look as they left the garage, heading out for a late breakfast, and saw John standing with his face to the wall outside the shop. Sherman rubbed his hands together gleefully, eager to tease the big Brit, who had his forehead resting against the brickwork, hands in his pockets, looking resigned and embarrassed at the same time.

  “What did you do?” Chaz asked, unable to prevent the chuckle that escaped him.

  “Daddy got a time-out,” a little voice said from beside John, the speaker hidden by the big shifter’s body.

  Chaz walked up, peering around John to see his adopted son, Murray, sitting on the sidewalk, digging into a waffle that was piled high with whipped cream, maple syrup, and fresh fruit, with chocolate flakes over the top. Murray’s little face was smeared with cream and syrup, and he looked to be enjoying his feast immensely.

  “What did he get a time-out for?” Sherman asked, sniggering.

  “He said some bad words and Uncle David and Blue made him face the wall.” Murray looked up, eyes wide. “Daddy John is really old, he got thirty-four minutes for swearing and another thirty-four for making a rude sign.”

  Sherman and Chaz both laughed at that, collapsing against each other as they viewed John’s pained look toward his adopted son.

  “Daddy’s not supposed to talk, either,” Murray said, seriously. “I brought out a waffle for him, and asked if he wanted it, but he couldn’t talk or eat so I ate it instead.”

  That set Chaz off again, and both he and his mate were literally crying with laughter, holding their ribs.

  “You shouldn’t tease Daddy,” Murray scolded, licking his fingers. “He’s being punished.”

  Chaz gulped, wiping his eyes, and tried desperately to choke back his amusement. John was by far the biggest wind-up merchant in town, if not the entire state, and to hear that he’d been put in time-out for the whole town to see was just too funny. The guy was taking it well, though, although Chaz could imagine he’d be getting some payback against all those who were teasing him right now. The trials for the Shifter Games were a week away…and John was entered into several events.

  John turned his head, his green eyes glinting with the promise of retribution, before turning to look at the wall again.

  “Lets’ go get some waffles, shall we?” Chaz told his mate, tugging on Sherman’s sleeve when the lion shifter hesitated.

  “Me and my guys are getting a soccer team together,” Sherman drawled. “I just signed up yesterday…those wolverines are sneaky and tricked me into it. My crew and I are thinking about the basketball, as well…should be fun to see what you Two Spirit wannabes can come up with. Sherman’s Pride are looking to whup some fuzz balls,” he added, smirking, before wandering off inside the waffle house. “You may be out of time-out by then.”

  Chaz heard John’s low snort and grinned at his friend, then joined Sherman, shaking his head. John deserved everything he was getting…and Chaz half suspected part of the whole show was him showing the youngsters that even adults got it wrong…and had to take their punishment.

  * * * *

  A low rumble reverberated from the east of town, growing louder and louder until it was a thunderous wall of sound. John, with ten minutes of his time-out left to go, stared up the street warily. A line of motorcycles came into sight, Harleys mostly, but it was the riders that had him grabbing Murray quickly and bundling his son into the waffle house.

  “Keep the little ones inside,” he ordered David, seeing the alarm in the man’s eyes. “We have visitors, who may or may not be trouble.” David nodded, and John saw Sherman step forward with Chaz close behind.

  “I recognize their cuts,” Sherman said, looking intently out the window as the bikers pulled up further down, some fifteen in all.

  “Yeah, so do I,” John replied tautly, heading back outside. Sherman and Chaz followed, and they shut the shop door behind them carefully.

  John saw Mick sauntering down the street, Pace and Zack coming from another direction, and Murphy, as well. Cal, Chaz’s brother, headed over from the apartment complex, and Mason, and Jay added to the welcoming committee. John smiled to himself. The bikers may be perfectly harmless, but no one was taking chances.

  “I understand this town welcomes shifters,” the lead biker drawled, removing his helmet casually and placing it on the seat of his big roadster. The guy was big, at least six-foot-three, and had shaggy blond hair and arresting hazel eyes.

  “It welcomes shifters who play by the rules and are respectful to the residents,” John replied, stepping into the street to meet the newcomer. He eyed the other bikers carefully, mem
orizing their faces.

  “Hey, brother,” the leader greeted Sherman, and John looked at the lion shifter in surprise, seeing a dawning horror—and anger—on the man’s face.

  “We’re no longer brothers,” Sherman shot back, curling his lip. Right then he looked every inch the dangerous ex-con. John had heard the guy’s story, about killing some guys who went after his friend’s sister. He could imagine what kind of horrors they had endured in jail. He had a healthy respect for Sherman, his crew, and Aston who had been incarcerated with Sherman’s friends.

  “We’re still related, Sherman,” the other guy said, frowning. “Or had you forgotten that your mother married my dad.”

  “I haven’t forgotten a thing. You sold us out and then ran like a little rabbit when things got tough,” Sherman said, not giving an inch. “You didn’t help, you just hid when the cops showed up.”

  “I was fifteen,” the man protested, flushing. “You’d just killed three men. I did what I could and called the cops to stop you getting into trouble. What else was I supposed to do?”

  “You’re really Sherman’s stepbrother?” Chaz asked, tilting his head and studying the other guy curiously, holding Sherman’s hand tightly.

  “No, he isn’t,” Sherman snarled. “When Squeaks was taken by a rival gang owned by the cult this idiot watched them take her, and did nothing…didn’t call us or the cops the second it happened. When we got home from work, she was already gone. We did everything for him, and he repaid us by letting them take her.”

  “I didn’t let them do anything,” the biker snarled right back, fists clenched, his hazel eyes sparking angrily. “I was fifteen years old and they had guns and knives. I was alone in the house, and they came in fast. It was two in the morning, I was woken from a sound sleep to find six guys in my bedroom, with an AR-15 pointed at my damned head. They took Stephanie, then knocked me out. I woke up when you came home.” The guy stepped right up into Sherman’s face, nose to nose, his fangs bared. “I didn’t hide when you went to get her, I followed after calling the cops, so you didn’t get hurt. So don’t fucking tell me that I did nothing.”