Total pages in book: 254
Estimated words: 240032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1200(@200wpm)___ 960(@250wpm)___ 800(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 240032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1200(@200wpm)___ 960(@250wpm)___ 800(@300wpm)
I left my leg where it was.
“I’d like to be caught up on what I missed while I’ve been away, but first, I have some news you might be interested in, Nina,” Franklin said after we’d all eaten a little.
I barely managed not to drop my fork as I swiveled on the stool to face him. “About Duncan?” I might have sounded deranged.
A heavy hand settled between my shoulder blades, and I turned my head to meet Henri’s gaze. His expression didn’t change, but his touch said what his mouth didn’t—he was there for me—and that touched me so much I had to fight the urge to throw my arms around him.
The older man forked food into his mouth like he hadn’t just teased the crap out of me. He made a pleased face while eating his eggs, and I understood. They were delicious. They were buttery and fluffy, and I understood why Hazel Eyes had wanted to take credit. I would have too.
I should add him to my notes app. I poked at the eggs when that thought made my stomach hurt worse.
“Yes. I had some success with the pup’s background,” Franklin began to explain between bites. “I reached out to an old friend, who steered me to someone else, and I was able to get in contact with a man in California who I was told might have very specific knowledge. He wouldn’t admit a word over the phone, so I took a trip to visit him.”
That was not what I’d been expecting him to say. He’d gone to California for Duncan? After barely meeting him?
“He told me about a set of brothers in Alaska who might have answers.” Franklin didn’t stop eating or chewing as he continued with his story, but I’d swear his voice got funny. Maybe a little flat? “They live in a community there.”
It had to be the one that Matti had mentioned as a backup to here.
Franklin kept talking, “I took a trip there—”
“They allowed you to visit?” Henri asked, sounding surprised. “I was under the impression they don’t allow guests.”
That question had the elder pausing. His hesitation was evident, and I wondered why. “I… have a family member who calls the community home. I am an exception.”
Was that something worth being secretive about?
“As I was saying.” That was quick. “The magic there is rich, but not as strong as ours. They have less land than we do. Their community is much newer. Their organization is mediocre; it’s run as a monarchy for now. They have some things to sort out.” He made a slight face. “They didn’t ask for my advice, and I didn’t provide it, but there are some issues they’ll have to address one day,” he told us with a huff.
“I digress. It took some coaxing to get the brothers to speak with me. Once they agreed, they had several questions. I answered them to the best of my ability. When I shared the pup’s physical description, there was a reaction there. I attempted to get them to admit what they thought the pup might be, but they refused.” He sniffed and gave us a pleased and almost smug grin. “It took some time, but fortunately, we were able to reach a compromise.”
What did that mean?
Franklin paused his story as he ate a breakfast sausage, and once he was done, added, “The brothers are older and avoid traveling. They would like to send a representative of the community first to confirm the information I provided. At that point, the pup could travel back with the rep, or they would consider coming here, under the right circumstances. Those circumstances being that they strongly believe in certain signs regarding the pup’s parentage.”
I sat up straight, and I mean real straight. From the wall where he was eating his breakfast—at least I’d thought he was—I felt Duncan’s “no” shoot across the room at the same exact time.
And if none of that was enough, Henri’s almost scary, cool voice said, very carefully, “They aren’t taking Duncan, no matter what he is or isn’t.”
My body and brain were well aware that, to some extent, I couldn’t violently react to what Franklin had just announced. I couldn’t cry, I couldn’t get mad, and I couldn’t freak out. I wanted to. Over my dead body, and a whole lot of others, would my boy be going anywhere without me.
I couldn’t control my heartbeat speeding up a little, but I managed, just barely, to keep from getting upset.
I didn’t want Dunky to know.
But my hands balled up into fists as I tried to rein in every curse word I knew. I was so busy focusing on not freaking out that I almost lost my balance when the stool I was sitting on got spun around.
That perfect face that I was learning every inch of, with its clean-shaven jaw and those orangey-light brown eyes that shouldn’t have been possible, was suddenly right there, inches from mine. “Don’t lose your shit,” he ordered quietly.