“Yes, but they have a bit of freedom.”
But it wasn’t autonomy, and Sienna knew it.While Liam was driven to learn more about the gathering and understand the truth about himself, he couldn’t leave the Teague family.He liked their calm acceptance of him and caring natures, even though it was increasingly clear Sienna was keeping secrets.
Chapter 7
“Sienna,whatareyoudoing?”her mother called through the door.“You’ll be late.”
Sienna opened the door, still thinking about her conversation with Liam the night before.He’d guessed their entire relationship was a lie, yet he’d stayed.Even now, he was out with her brothers investigating the flash they’d seen.
“My hair wouldn’t go right,” she said.
Her mother’s expression said she saw through the flimsy excuse.“I’m coming with you.I want to grab fresh bread and supplies.If Hedrek and the boys must retreat to their camp, they’ll need stores.”
Sienna picked up her bag, knowing nothing would dissuade her mother.The village wasn’t the welcoming place it’d been yesterday, but they needed more information to make the best decisions for their family.
“I like Liam,” Mama said after they’d locked the cottage door and started walking.
“He’s a good man.”Sienna meant every word, although her conscience tweaked.
“You should tell him everything you know.”
Sienna didn’t reply immediately.She should’ve known her mother would suspect there was more.
“His loved ones will be concerned about his absence.”
“We talked last night.He knows—or at least suspects—that something is off.The thing is, I like him.He’s kind and caring and accepts Papa and the boys without a flinch.He treats them as equals, and no one else has ever done that.I-I can’t regret having him in our lives.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” her mother said.
“You don’t approve.”The realization unaccountably hurt Sienna.
“It’s deceit, and not the Teague way.”
Sienna’s eyes stung at the rebuke.“I-I know.We couldn’t afford the money we spent to send me to the gathering, but I tried.The moment the Devon shifters saw me, I knew they’d start rumors.They looked at me the same way they do Papa and the boys.It was sobering.I thought I understood, but it’s different when you’re the one being judged.”She drew a breath.“That’s why it’s hard to understand their positivity.But they were so excited when Liam suggested they try making hearts.”
“It’s your Papa.He’s the steadying influence.”A shadow crossed her mother’s face.“But the boys are at an age when they want to take a mate.No one here will accept them.Look what happened to Kitto.”
“So what do we do?Things might be even harder in a new town.At least here, we’re familiar with the rules.”
Her mother shrugged as they left the winding hill path and crossed the gravel road to walk along the cobblestones at the village entrance.“It’s clear some people here want us gone.We can’t stop them, but we can control how we respond.The less attention we draw, the better.”
Her mother was a wise woman.
They reached a fork in the path and embraced.
“Have a good day, Sienna.Take care, but gather as much information as you can.”
“I will.You be safe, too.”
The office was busy when she arrived.Busier than normal.Sienna stowed her bag and hung her coat on a hook in the staff room before she walked to her desk.
“You’re late,” Molly snapped, frazzled, as the phone began ringing the second she set it down.
“I’m sorry.I’ll work late to make up the time.Should I take charge of the phones?”
“Yes, please,” Molly said, sounding calmer now.
Sienna took over the switchboard, answering and transferring calls across departments.Most callers wanted to speak with the mayor and complained about the hunters, though two angry men also brought up the mall project.
