Lordewoofed again, and I was moving, jogging down the steps and across the yard, calling Lorde’s name, afraid she was going to run herself into danger.
“Hi, hi, hey!” a voice called out cheerily.
Lorde’s tail went into full wag mode, just as I realized Val had spooked his way ahead of me, stopping just short of the trees.
“Hi! I knew we’d find you. I told you we’d find them, Dan.”
Before I could process what my instinct was telling me, what my ears were telling me, Abbi, grinning wide and waving, walked out from between the trees, a scowling Danube behind her.
Chapter Twelve
Dinner was amazing, and Lu had made plenty enough to invite Abbi and Danube to sit down for the meal. Val lingered as we all ate around the kitchen table, alternately throwing glares at Danube, and staring off in the middle distance, lost in his own thoughts.
Ricky didn’t seem concerned about the mix of guests, but she did seem quietly fascinated by Abbi.
Abbi laughed and talked with her mouth full and acted like a young girl having the time of her life.
I helped with clean up, washing the dishes in the big farm style sink, my sleeves rolled up, and bubbles up to my elbows.
Ricky and Danube pitched in on drying and putting plates away.
When Abbi had been curious about Lu’s next dessert—puffed rice cereal with melted marshmallows made into squares—Lu had set Abbi to the task of making them in any shape she wanted. We all gathered in the sitting room just down the hall where we could keep an eye on the girl through the open doorway.
“Why did you come here?” Lu asked Danube. Lu and I had taken the loveseat, even though we barely fit. I had my arm up over the back to make room for her against me, and she’d thrown one leg over mine.
“Abbi would have come alone,” he said. “I caught her sneaking away.”
“Does Summer know you’re here with her?”
He shrugged. “Abbi left her a note. If Summer wanted to be here, she would be here.”
“This is Kearney territory?” I asked.
“Not…here.” Danube nodded at Ricky. “Neutral ground. Crossroads.”
“This is true,” Ricky said. “All may come, but I decide who stays.”
“So what are we going to do with Abbi?” I asked. “Other than keep her safe.”
“Safe from who?” Danube asked.
“A god sent us to find her—Cupid,” Lu said. “Your pack is trying to guard her from something. Hunters?”
The werewolf shook his head. “Hunters don’t really bother us. Abbi isn’t something anyone is looking for. People look right past her because she’s such an annoying child.”
Abbi, who had been singing off key in the kitchen, squeaked. “Annoying? You’re a meanie head, Dan! I am the great Rabbit in the Moon! Worship me! Bring me offerings!”
The corner of his mouth pulled up in a quick smile. “I’m out of chewing gum,” he called back to her.
“I don’t even like your delicious watermelon gum.” Her voice grew louder as she walked our way. “Moon balls!”
She appeared in the doorway, holding a platter of puffed rice treats. “Squares were too werewolfy.” She looked at Danube. “Boring. Squares were boring like werewolves, so I made moon balls.”
Danube rolled his eyes like an older brother annoyed by a kid sister.
She circled the room so we could all get a good look at the crispy rice marshmallow treats shaped into balls, some of which she had dipped quarter, half, or full in chocolate. “The best thing about these,” she said, “is that they’re portable.”
“You’ll eat them all before we get home,” Danube said.
