“Darren, this is Harry,” Flo announced.
“Hello, Harry.Please don’t do magic around my girls.”
“I can block them from seeing my magic if you wish.You’re lucky magic was here at lunchtime.”
“What do you mean?”Darren asked.
“I was waiting until the girls went to bed to tell you.Two guys were hired by your ex to abduct the girls, but Harry stopped them.”Flo explained.
“Why didn’t Carlotta stop them?”Darren asked.
“Because not everyone can stop criminals before they even get inside,” Carlotta answered.
She had to admit that she was getting annoyed at him.Instead of just being happy that they had been stopped, he decided to question everything and make it sound like she hadn't been doing her job.
“She used magic?Don't you have magic, too?”Darren asked.
“All magic isn't the same kind, nor is all magic equal.”Carlotta offered.
“Thank you, Harry, for helping,” Darren said.
He didn't seem very happy about having to say it, but at least he had good enough manners to do so.The look Harry gave him told her that she agreed and didn't understand his problem with witches.
“It seems you got here just in time for supper.Harry and I would love for you to join us,” Flo explained.
“Thank you.I always love eating here,” Harry admitted.
Almost like magic, Liza brought out another place setting and more food.It was like she just knew that there were extra guests here.Darren fixed the girls' plates and then his own, while everyone else gets their own food.Harry liked to pile her plate high, and Carlotta had heard that Harry could feed her magical energy with food.It was something she wished she could do, but she couldn't.Her magic was slow to come back when she used a lot of it.Harry carried on the conversation with the girls' help.
Since they had already started supper, they were done eating before Harry finished.Flo suggested the girls go play in the living room.That left the adults to talk.
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you a heads up about coming home early.”Darren looked at his mom.
“Thank you for that.Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know.I slept most of the way home, and maybe I just put it off until I woke, then I was almost here.”
“Just remember your manners next time,” Flo admonished.
“Yes, Mom.I’ll do better next time.”
Carlotta hoped he would because if it happened again, Flo would be furious.She might look younger than Darren, but she was still his mother.Her mom didn’t look much older than she did, but it had to be odd when your mother looked younger than you did.Darren had a lot to deal with, but at least he had family to help him.He had one of the best possible families to give him the support he needed.
Harry had only stayed a little while after supper because she was always busy.She flashed away, and Darren seemed relieved that she was gone.Carlotta hoped she would be able to spend more time with Harry next time she visited.Harry’s flashing ability was impressive to say the least.It was obvious that Flo loved Harry, and Darren hadn’t met her before now.The son was nervous around magic even though he wasn’t a wolf.From what she’d seen, Darren was nervous around any paranormals at all, but she suspected it was because he’d not believed in paranormals at all until recently.
“How are you feeling about your new job?”Darren had come up behind her and practically whispered in her ear.
Carlotta stood looking out of the window at the full moon.She’d realized he had moved toward her, but not how close he was.She shivered because he was so close.
“The girls are darlings.”
“Have you worked with children before?”Darren asked.
“Only a few times and only as a guard.Teaching them will be the challenging part, but your daughters seem excited to learn.”
“They are both bright and willing to work to learn.I didn’t expect you to work with them on schoolwork yet.”
“I thought it best to get a quick start in case there are days that they are unable to do schoolwork, like if they have a trip of some kind,” Carlotta said.
