Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Elbows braced on the arms of his chair, Knox knitted his fingers together. “I’m not opposed to him going to live with you, Pamela. But I won’t abruptly remove him from the Sanders’ home. It would not be good for him.” And it would be risky, considering there was every reason why Pamela might not want to keep him. She wasn’t the type of person who would blind herself to a child’s nature. “I’ll arrange for you and your mate to meet him and spend time with him. We’ll take it slow. If and when McCauley feels comfortable going to live with you, he can do so.”
Pamela’s fingers flexed. “With all due respect, he is much too young to make such a serious decision.”
“His demon is very tense right now, Pamela. It wants to protect him. It won’t appreciate you pushing McCauley to do anything he’s not ready to do. Win his demon’s trust and approval.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “Talia said she believed that his demon was latent.”
“It may have been latent for a while, but it isn’t any longer.”
After a long pause, Pamela spoke. “When can we meet him?”
“I’ll speak to the Sanders and ask what time would suit them best.”
“Linda will put off the meeting for as long as she can.”
“I suspect she will try to do so, but I will make it clear that the meeting must happen no later than Sunday.”
“Thank you,” said Pamela with a slight bow of her head.
“I have to warn you, Pamela. He may not be what you’re expecting. It seems that his demon has acted as a parental influence.”
Pamela was silent for a moment as she digested that. “Once it realizes that my mate and I will care for McCauley, it may settle down.”
“Let’s hope so.” After she left his office, Knox grabbed his cell and called Wyatt. It rang four times before the demon finally answered. “I’ve just had a visit from Pamela,” Knox told him.
A brief silence met that statement. “She wants to take McCauley.” Wyatt sighed. “She may change her mind once she speaks with him.”
“I don’t want to pluck him from your home, Wyatt. But the Winters want to be part of his life. I’d like him to meet Pamela and her mate, and to let him get comfortable with them. It may be that he doesn’t wish to leave you and Linda, but they’re his family. They should have the chance to build something with McCauley, even if it doesn’t result in him going to live with them.”
A long exhale. “You’re right. It can only be good for him to have family around him.”
“How has he been?”
“No different. Linda’s tried to form some sort of relationship with him, but it hasn’t worked. I worried that the longer he was with us, the more attached she’d become to him. But she’s not attached to him as a person, she’s attached to the idea of him.”
“Which is why it will definitely be good for him to meet his maternal family,” Knox pointed out.
“I’ll speak with Linda and get back to you with a good date and time.”
“No later than Sunday, Wyatt,” Knox warned. “For McCauley’s sake.”
“Right. No later than Sunday.”
Later that day, the girls, Jolene, Tanner, Keenan, and Larkin were scattered around the living area of the mansion, talking and laughing. At first, Harper’s demon was on its guard while so many people were on its territory, even though it knew and partially trusted them. After a while, it lost its tension, though it remained alert.
The day had gone by pretty fast, which could have been because Harper found herself disappearing into her mind between jobs – mentally listing everything she’d need to buy and do to be ready for the baby’s arrival.
Devon and Khloë had commented on her “acting weird”, not at all appeased by her promise to tell them everything later. Tanner and Keenan hadn’t commented, but they had watched her closely. Too closely.
Everyone in the room quieted when Knox and Levi finally joined them. Even as they all exchanged greetings, Knox made a beeline for Harper.
Sitting on the sofa, she smiled up at him as he bent down and dropped a lingering kiss on her mouth. “Hey,” she said simply.
“Hey.” Knox sensed her nervousness and gave her nape a comforting squeeze. His demon relaxed now that she was close – it had harassed him all damn day to find her and stay with her. He’d telepathically checked in with her many times, but it hadn’t done much to placate his demon. I missed you.
And I missed you. “How was your day?”
“Relatively good.” Knox nodded in thanks as Raini and Devon shuffled along, making room for him on the sofa. He took the seat next to Harper, draping his arm over her shoulders. How’re you feeling?
Nervous, Harper replied. I know they’ll be happy for us and I’m confident that they won’t spread our little announcement, but it’s hard not to be… protective of the news.