“No!” Her voice shook as she tried to put her hands over his, but he pushed them away. “P-please, Adam, it’s not like that.”
“What else could it be?”
“Adam, I can’t explain right now,” she sobbed. “I’m just … it’s not what you think. I would never leave you and Darcey behind.”
“You said we would always be together. And that—that we were family.” His voice cracked. “That was a lie, too, wasn’t it?”
“Adam, no, please.”
The tears streaking down Sarah’s cheeks made Daniel’s heart ache. “All right now,” he began, then took a deep breath. “I think we’re all tired and had a long day.” How the heck did this kid get all the way here anyway? “Adam, why don’t you give me your weapon?” The kid shot him a death glare and clutched the stun gun tighter. “All right. You can keep it. But you must be hungry. How about you get something to eat? Thoralf could you help us out?”
The dragon shifter nodded. “I have already begun heating up a ‘frozen pizza.’ I did not want to bother any of you, but I was already famished. I must admit, the settings on the oven intimidated me, but the instructions on the box were quite thorough. Do you think you could check if I have done this correctly, young man?”
Adam gave him a look that said, ‘are you for real?’, but when Thoralf didn’t flinch, he nodded. “Fine.” Placing the taser on his lap, he wheeled himself forward, following behind Thoralf.
Sarah stood there, frozen as she stared after her brother. “You probably have questions,” she finally said when Adam disappeared into the kitchen.
“You don’t have to explain anything,” he said. Tentatively, he reached out to touch her shoulder. She didn’t flinch, but instead, leaned into his touch. “But do you want to talk about it?”
Turning to him, she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Adam isn’t my biological brother. But he, our sister Darcey, and I were at the same foster home for a time. I was fourteen, Darcey, thirteen, and Adam was seven. He’d already been in a wheelchair then, because his biological dad beat him up so bad, it injured his spine permanently. His mother couldn’t care for him, so she left him with the state.”
A surge of rage tore through Daniel and his grizzly. What kind of monsters would do that to their own child? “I didn’t realize you were raised in a foster home.”
“Several, actually. My parents abandoned me when I was four.” When he opened his mouth, she shook her head. “No, I don’t know who they are, and I don’t remember. I think … they might have been migrant farmers working in California. CPS found me wandering around the road somewhere in Bakersfield. I only knew my name and my age.”
“Sarah …” Unable to stop himself, he pulled her into an embrace, not even giving her a chance to struggle. “I’m sorry,” he murmured into her hair.
“It’s fine. I got over it. They put me in an orphanage for a bit, then that’s when I started bouncing around foster homes.” She shrugged away from him, and though he didn’t want to let her go, he did so anyway. “Then I was placed with Eddie and Josie McLaren. Those pieces of shit only used kids for the money. Darcey and Adam had already been there a couple of months when I arrived. It was … horrible, to say the least. The house was always filthy, there wasn’t always enough to eat, and the McLarens drank heavily and would scream at us for any little thing we did. Usually, I’d start acting out so my foster parents would have no choice but to call my case worker and take me away, but I couldn’t do that to them. They were so helpless, Darcey and Adam. I couldn’t leave them behind.”
“So, you stayed.”
“Yeah. Four more years. Worked every job I could, saved my money, and even managed to graduate high school. As soon as I turned eighteen, I took Darcey and Adam and ran away from that place. The McLarens didn’t seem to care because they got their checks anyway, and CPS was too busy to check up on us. Just like dozens and dozens of kids in the system, Adam and Darcey just fell through the cracks.”
“And you were there to catch them.” He stared at her in complete awe. His mate was absolutely … amazing. Selfless and beautiful, inside and out. If he wasn’t in love with her already, he was mostly there.
She harrumphed. “You make it sound like I’m some kind of hero. But they’re my family, you know?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m doing my best for Adam. At least I thought I was. We’ve been fighting a lot and … and now … oh!” she cried. “He must think I’m doing the same thing his mom did. Abandoning him.” She snapped her fingers. “I need to tell him that I’m not doing that. Reassure him that I’ll never leave him.”
“Wait,” he said, catching her arm before she ran into the kitchen.
“But I have to go see him—”
“Just wait a sec, okay? Look.” He paused to get his thoughts together. “I’ve been that age before. He’s been through a rough time, probably got a lot of teasing and bullying because of his condition and his home situation. I can kind of relate.”
She nodded. “But I can’t imagine anyone bullying you.”
“Believe me, teen boys will find anything to tease another kid about.” He scratched his chin. “If you go in there and start mothering him, he’ll just keep closing himself off. He needs time and rest. And so do you.”
“But—”
“No buts. You need to step away for now. Why don’t you call your sister and tell her what’s going on? Like you said, she must be sick with worry.”
“Darcey. Right.”
“Meanwhile, after Adam’s done eating, I’ll get him settled into one of the bedrooms.”
“I—wait.” She stared at him, slack-jawed. “You’re letting him stay?”
“Of course I am. I’m not tossing a kid out into the streets. He can stay as long as he needs to.”
“I didn’t say—I thought—” She pursed her lips. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Don’t worry, okay? I’ll take care of him.” From now on, he wanted to take care of everything for her. “By the way, how the heck did he get all the way here from Las Vegas?”
She rolled her eyes. “Adam’s kind of a genius. His IQ is off the charts and he loves computers. Last year he wanted to go to Burning Man to meet his Internet friends, but of course we wouldn’t let him go. Somehow, he got on a bus to Reno, then found some other people on their way to the festival and caught a ride with them in their RV. He was halfway there by the time we caught up to him.” She covered her eyes with her hand. “So I’m not at all surprised he got here so quick.”
“Smart kid,” he said. “Anyway, go tell your sister that he’s fine. I’ll check on Thoralf and Adam. I don’t smell anything burning so at least I know they got the pizza figured out.”
She opened her mouth and then closed it again. “Thank you.” Turning on her heel, she sprinted back upstairs.
Daniel watched her go, then headed into the kitchen. Thoralf and Adam were already at the kitchen table.
“Ah, there he is. Daniel, come join us!” Thoralf waved him over and pointed to the extra-large pie on the table. “This pizza is delicious. And young Adam here was telling me about his journey. I must admit, he is quite crafty and cunning. Imagine, he was able to come here purely by his own wiles.”
“Can I sit here?” he asked, nodding at the empty chair next to Adam.
Adam looked at him suspiciously, but shrugged. “It’s your house.”
Sitting on the chair, he helped himself to two slices of pizza. “Listen, Adam,” he began. “I know you’re probably angry at Sarah. And I get that.” He took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. “Our family was so … different, and the other kids at school teased me for it. I got mad a lot at my parents when I was your age. But my dad always said that words can be more powerful than any weapon. And when you say something, you can never, ever take it back, so you have to be careful how and when you use them.”
Adam didn’t say anything, but just kept eating his pizza.
“You don’t have to talk to Sarah t
onight. Or to any of us. In fact, I don’t recommend it. Cool off, get a shower, have a good night’s sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning, I promise you that.”
His head snapped up. “I can sleep here?”
“Of course. There’s a room next to Thoralf’s that you can use. I think you’ll like it. You can open the glass door and sit out on the patio. We have a pool too, and you can swim in the morning if you want.”
Adam polished off the last of his slice. “Okay.”
“I have more food if you’re hungry. How about juice? Or soda?” He nodded at the fridge. “They’re in there, help yourself. Maybe you can grab some for us, too?”
Thoralf made a move to stand, but Daniel looked at him meaningfully, so he relaxed. Adam wheeled himself toward the fridge, opened the door, and grabbed three cans of soda. “Thanks, man,” he said, taking one of the cans the teen offered.
“How about I grab one of those beers too?” Adam asked slyly.
“Now you’re pushing it, kid,” Daniel retorted, but chuckled after, bringing a wide smile to the young man’s face.
“Hey.”
All three of them turned toward Sarah, who stood in the doorway. Adam then looked to Daniel. “I think I’d like to get cleaned up now.”
He nodded. “Thoralf will show you the room.”
The dragon shifter got to his feet. “Of course. Come with me, young man.”
Sarah moved aside as Thoralf headed toward her, Adam rolling behind him. She looked distraught, but as Adam passed by her, he slowed down. “’Night, Sarah,” he whispered.
“’Night, Adam,” she called, her lower lip trembling as she watched her brother leave the kitchen.
“Are you all right?” Daniel asked when they were alone.
Her breath hitched, but she nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a seat. And a slice.”
“I—No, it’s okay. I’m not hungry.”
“But—”
“Really, I’m exhausted. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep.”
Daniel desperately wanted her to stay and sit with him, and more important—talk about what happened in the bathroom—but he could see she really was tired. Her body slumped forward like a deflated balloon. “All right, I’ll clean up and leave the slices in the fridge in case you get hungry.”
“Thanks.” Pivoting on her heel, she shuffled out of the kitchen.
Once he heard her rush up the stairs and the door of the bedroom close, he let out a breath and buried his head in his hands. This was going to be a long night
The next day when he opened his eyes, Daniel immediately sat up so he could get ready for work, then remembered it was Saturday, his day off. He was hoping to have some time alone with Sarah today, but he guessed that wouldn’t be happening, not with Thoralf and Adam around. He didn’t resent the kid for coming here, but now that he understood their situation more, he knew that there were more important things. Yes, even more important than getting laid. Even more important than seeing Sarah in—and out of—that sinful outfit again.
God, his cock got so hard when he remembered what happened in the shower, it was almost painful. He supposed he could take care of himself, but it seemed weird, having all those people in the house, plus, it would only satisfy him temporarily. His body craved for the real thing.
After a very long, cold shower, he got dressed and bounded downstairs. He could smell bacon frying all the way from the hallway, so he followed his nose to the kitchen. The sight that greeted him made his heart leap out of his chest. Sarah was by the stove, her hair pulled up into a messy bun, wearing an apron over some kind of pajama top and shorts, humming to herself as she leaned over a frying pan. This was something he wanted to see every morning for the rest of his life—her, looking so relaxed and at home in his house. He watched her for a few more seconds before clearing his throat.
“Oh.” She turned to him. “I hope you don’t mind. I made breakfast.” She nodded to the table that was already heaped with food—a pile of toast, a mountain of eggs, and a platter of bacon.
“Not at all, thank you for making it.” He slid up next to her and leaned over, pretending he was looking into the pan, but really, he wanted a whiff of her scent. “Smells amazing.”
“It’s the last of the bacon,” she said.
“How are you feeling?”
Her shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t sleep,” she confessed. “I just kept thinking about Adam. What I’m going to say to him.” Turning off the flame, she wiped her hands on the apron and rubbed her temple. “He deserves the truth. He’s old enough. I know he’s ready to face … these things.”
“Then, what’s the matter?”
“I’m not ready.” She looked up at him sheepishly. “See … I’ve been his mother figure for half of his life now. And I know he’s always looked up to me. I’m not ready for him to see that I could do stuff like that. Get drunk and … other things. I mean, I’ve dated before. Always discretely, and he’s never met any of those men because I’d never been comfortable enough with any of them. But I can’t show him that … that …”
“That you’re a normal human being?” His tone turned serious. “That you’re an adult woman with feelings and needs and wants.”
That last word sparked something between them, and he knew she was thinking of what happened in the bathroom. He reached out toward her. “Sarah, I—”
“Good morning!” Thoralf’s booming voice echoed across the kitchen, and Sarah whipped around and busied herself with the pan. “Another breakfast feast, I see.” His eyes scanned the table laden with food. “I have never been so well fed and warmly welcomed anywhere.” He stepped aside to let Adam roll in. “You are so lucky, Adam, to have a sister who cooks breakfast so skillfully.”
Adam sniffed at the table. “I’m starving,” he said to Sarah. “Can we eat now?”
“Of course.” Sarah excitedly ran over to him. “Do you want some juice? Or some water? Coffee? Let me get some food for you.”
The teen shifted uncomfortably. “I’m fine.” He yanked the plate away before she could grab it. “I can feed myself, okay?”
She shrank back but nodded. “Okay. I’m here, just tell me what you need.”
Her nervous energy made the atmosphere even more awkward. Daniel understood that she was edgy, but she was probably making things worse by coddling him, especially in front of two other males. But at the same time, he hated seeing his mate in distress like this. An idea popped into his head. “So, Adam, do you know anything about Blackstone?”
“Only that it’s a town full of shifters.” He bit into a strip of bacon. “You’re a grizzly, right? What about you?” he asked Thoralf. “What are you?”
“Adam!” Sarah admonished. “That’s rude.”
“What?” he said through a mouthful of bacon. “I’ve only ever been around one shifter, and Darcey isn’t anywhere near a bear or wolf or lion. I bet he’s something huge.”
Sarah’s sister was a shifter? Now he was even more intrigued. But he filed that away for now. “Yes, that’s true about Blackstone, and yes, I’m a grizzly bear. I’ll let Thoralf answer your other question if he wants to. But, aside from that, Blackstone is also known for its mountains. There’re tons of things to do up there if you like the outdoors. Camping, swimming in the lake, and lots of hiking trails that’ll bring you up to some awesome views. Would you like to go up and see some with me today?”
The teen glared at him. “Are you stupid or somethin’?”
“Adam!” Sarah looked daggers at her brother. “This is Daniel’s home. Watch your mouth. God, what is it with you today?”
The teen’s lips peeled back. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m never ever going hiking with these.” He slapped a hand on his legs. “So, no, I don’t want to go hiking with you, unless you wanna carry me all the way up there.”
Sarah’s face was all red now, and her breathing turned ragged. Reaching over, he placed a soothing hand over her knee
. “The Blackstone Mountains is one of the most wheelchair-accessible forest reserves in the United States,” he began. “There are several trails that are wheelchair-friendly.”
Adam’s eyes widened as he swallowed audibly. “Really?”
“Yeah. A local ADA advocate petitioned to have those trails built, and the rangers and the Lennox Foundation were only too happy to oblige.” He couldn’t help the smile that tugged up the corners of his mouth. “His mate, you see, loved hiking up in those mountains, and they wanted to share that together.”
He seemed in awe at first, but in a very teen-like way, shrugged his shoulders. “I guess that would be nice.”
Daniel fought another smile. “Sure. Maybe you and I could check it out first. Before we invite anyone to come.” Sarah looked like she wanted to protest, but he squeezed her knee harder.
“Yeah, I can do that.” Grabbing the plate of eggs, he heaped some onto his plate and shoveled it into his mouth.
The rest of the breakfast passed by in relative silence, though the tension had somewhat eased.
When every bit of food was gone, he said to Adam, “Go and get ready, and we’ll leave in twenty minutes.” Catching Sarah’s eye, he cocked his head toward the doorway and then got up and strode out. Thankfully, he heard her chair scrape the tile as she stood up to follow him.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said when they were in the hallway out of earshot. “It’s your day off, isn’t it? You shouldn’t have to go into work today.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” he said. “Really, I love being up there. Look, it’s obvious to me that neither of you are ready to talk to each other yet. At least this way, I’m buying you time to think about what you have to say to him.”
She bit her lip. “I think … I think Adam always wished he could do stuff like this. You know, sports and outdoor things. He never gets to do it. There just wasn’t any opportunity or time or money to get him all the special stuff he’d need.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I wish—”
“Stop that.”
Blackstone Ranger Hero Page 12
