“Let me show you to your rooms.” Falkor leads us down a narrow hallway. The carpet is threadbare in places, and I notice a water stain on the ceiling that looks like it needs attention.
He opens the first door on the left. “This one is yours, young lady.”
The room is small but charming. A single bed with a faded quilt in soft blues and greens. A dresser with a spotted mirror. Lace curtains that filter the afternoon light into something soft and dreamy.
“And this one,” Falkor says, moving to the next door, “is for you, Grim.”
I peek into Grim’s room. It’s similar to mine. The bed looks barely big enough for someone his size.
Both rooms need work. Peeling paint. Creaking floorboards. Small repairs that have been put off too long.
“You can settle in,” Falkor says cheerfully. “I’ll go make us some lunch.”
“I’ll be right there to help,” I tell him quickly. The last thing I want is for this elderly shifter to feel like he has to wait on us.
Falkor beams at me before heading back toward the kitchen, humming softly to himself.
I stand in the hallway for a moment, then turn to look into Grim’s room. He’s already unpacking the duffel bag, pulling out clothes, and setting them on the bed.
“Let me take my things out, and then you can have it,” he tells me, since I packed a few things in it for myself as well.
I make a noise of agreement.
I watch him for a moment, taking in the way his muscles flex beneath his shirt. The concentration on his face. The careful way he handles even the simplest tasks.
“I’ve got you all figured out, you know?” I say from the doorway.
He looks up, frowning. “What do you mean by that?”
“You’re not as gruff and unfriendly as you make out to be.” I lean against the doorframe, unable to stop the smile that spreads across my face. “Underneath that hard exterior is a big ole teddy bear.”
His neck flushes. “It’s no big deal. If someone needs help, I give it. That’s all.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
I keep watching him, and he shifts uncomfortably under my gaze. Good. Let him squirm a little.
“What?” he growls.
“Nothing.” I shake my head, but I can’t stop smiling. “You’re just full of surprises, Grim.”
He grunts and goes back to unpacking, clearly hoping I’ll take the hint and leave.
I don’t.
Because suddenly something is bothering me. Something I need to voice.
“Is it a good idea to stay here?” I ask, my smile fading. “Falkor might see the news and turn us in. I wouldn’t blame him if he did. They’re saying some horrible things and making it look believable. Even worse, he might end up getting hurt because of us.”
“We won’t get caught,” Grim says, pulling out the last of his things. “We won’t stay for long. We’ll keep moving around.”
The way he says it, so casual, makes something click in my mind.
“To more elderly folk you’ve helped over the last few months. All on your own time. You’ve probably used your own money to help them out and expected nothing in return.”
He shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “Of course I wouldn’t expect anything in return.”
My heart does this stupid flutter thing in my chest.
