“I want to help you.” I said the words quietly. “And I’m trying the only way I know how.”

“Why?” She frowned. “Why now? Why here?”

“Because you need it.”

“I’m not good for you.” She bit her lip. “Last night—”

“It can wait.” I shook my head. “You have enough on your plate right now.”

“I don’t just kiss people.” She frowned. “That sounded wrong. I mean I don’t go around kissing people all the time.”

“Well, for being out of practice you’re pretty damn good at it.”

Rose crept up her cheeks and I felt a stab of pride that I had put it there.

“You reminded me of what I was missing out on.” Her eyes darted to my lips briefly.

“Maybe we can try it again sometime.” It was taking all of my willpower to keep from trying it again right that moment. “When things calm down.”

“Maybe.” The word came out a little breathless.

It was like my body was on autopilot. I could only sense what I wanted and right that moment I wanted her. Her breath fanned out across my face and I inhaled deeply. Her hand wrapped around my wrist and she stood up on her tiptoes.

“Mom!” Marty clambered down the stairs.

Meredith jumped away from me as if she had been electrocuted. “Back here.”

“Saved by the bell.” I winked at her and was surprised when she blushed. I had a feeling that I was getting a rare look at the real Meredith.

“C’mon! I’m starving.” Marty stuck his head out of the hallway. “What are you doing?”

“Just talking.” I shrugged.

“You can leave your poles there while we eat dinner.” She looked at me briefly before gently pushing Marty toward the dining room.

“I hate to impose.” I followed behind them not really feeling guilty in the least.

“Don’t worry about it. D’Lynsal is two hours from here. You’ll starve to death by the time you reach your family’s home.” She shook her head at me. “Besides, we have enough for everyone.”

“If you insist.” I smiled at her.

“We insist!” Marty said firmly. He opened the door to the dining room and quickly jumped into a chair.

She sat next to her son and I took a seat opposite them. She started dishing out the food, despite Marty’s grumbles about beans and broccoli. Between mouthfuls he told her about fishing.

“And he can’t tie a lure on!” He laughed. “Can you believe that? I had to do it for him.”

“It’s not nice to make fun of someone,” she admonished, but couldn’t help a small smile.

“To be fair, I’m complete rubbish.” I held up my hands. “It’s been years since I’ve gone fishing.”

“I thought you liked to fish!” Marty looked at me accusingly.

“I do! I just haven’t had the free time in a while.”

“Well, you should definitely practice some more.” He stabbed a bean with his fork and stuck it in his mouth. “You should come back tomorrow.”

“We’ll have to check with your mom about that.” I looked at her as she tried to decide what to say.

“I believe your sister and sister-in-law are coming tomorrow.” Meredith shrugged her shoulders uncomfortably. “They want to pay their respects.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” I had to fight to not laugh. “They like to take care of people. Both of them. If you’re not careful, they’ll wrap you up, send you to bed, and take over everything.”

“What is it with your family?” She looked at me with disbelief.

“We take care of our own.” I wondered if she realized that she had been adopted by my family. Because that is exactly what had happened. And once they set their hooks in you, you were never alone. Something she had no experience with.

NINE

MY HEART BOUNCED in my chest as Max teased Marty. They had obviously bonded over the last couple of days. They got along effortlessly, like they’d always known each other. I felt a little like the third wheel.

But he had called us their own.

As if that was normal. The way it should be.

Theirs.

That was such a foreign concept. Other than Granddad, Marty and I had forged our way through life with just the two of us. It wasn’t until Granddad found out about our lineage that we’d all come back to Lilaria together. Dad had just gotten out of jail after being caught in an underground gambling ring. At first I had thought that maybe things would work out. Granddad insisted that Dad would shape up, but I knew better. I applied to schools, looked for other options. The night I got my acceptance e-mail for university in England, Dad came back to Thysmer incredibly drunk. I’d been so relieved to have a way to escape.

“Mom?” Marty’s voice broke into my thoughts.

“What, baby?” I looked at him and realized he must have been asking me something before that.

“Is there anything for dessert?” Marty looked at me hopefully.

“Hm. I don’t know.” I pursed my lips. “Did you clean your room today?”

“Um, mostly?” He looked at me hopefully. “I ate all my beans though.”

“Well, that is something to celebrate.” I laughed. “Go see if we have any ice cream.”

“Yes!” He was out of his chair faster than lightning.