“Thanks,” Fallon said.
She finished her waffle and said, “Ready to hit the garden, Mom?”
“You bet.”
“I’ll be in the greenhouse if you need me,” Zara said.
“I’m doing laundry, which is not very exciting but necessary,” Tris said.“I’ll have deli wraps and pasta salad in the fridge for lunch, help yourselves whenever.”
Fallon and Sera cleaned their dishes and walked outside to the barn to grab their gardening gear.
“I love how everyone works together here,” Sera said.
“Me too.It’s really special.”
“I’m sorry that you’re having problems with the other herd and, of course, the worry about Otto, but I believe you’re in the safest place in the world.Who else could better protect you than your soulmate?Avi is a fierce and determined male.He’d burn down the world to keep you safe.”
“You know what, Mom?I feel the same way.”
* * *
Fallon and her mom headed to the gardens to work.At their old home in the prowl, they’d had flowers in pots on the patio, but they’d never really had a garden of their own.
“I never thought I’d like digging in the dirt, but there’s something really satisfying about harvesting veggies and then cooking with them,” Fallon said.
Sera sat back on her heels and smiled.“I agree.You definitely lucked out with the farm here.Has Sunny come to visit?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head.“I’d love to see her, but we’re hoping that Otto will give up at some point.Once it’s safe, then we can get together.”
Her phone trilled in her pocket, alerting her to a call.
Pulling her phone out, she smiled as she swiped to answer.“Speak of the devil.”
“I’m an angel and you know it, bestie,” Sunny said.
“If you say so.But I know the truth.How’s it going?”
“I’m good, but I need to tell you something and I don’t want you to freak out.”
Fallon’s stomach immediately felt like it was full of lead.“What happened?”
She put the call on speaker so her mom could hear.
“A few of the park shifters were picking up supplies and Otto and some males approached them.They wanted to know where you were, and Otto said he was going to drag you and Sera back home.”
“Oh crap, are the park shifters okay?”Fallon asked.“Did they get back to the park safely?”
“Yes, they’re fine and made it back safely.We think this proves that he’s watching the park and believes you and Sera are here.We’re not going to give him any reason to think otherwise.”
“Damn,” Fallon said.
“Yeah, I’m so sorry.I’m glad you’re safe where you are, even though I miss you.”
“I miss you too.I was just talking to Mom about you coming for a visit.I guess that’s a pipe dream.”
“I’d love to visit and I’d love you to come here to visit too.But yeah, we can’t take any chances.You guys are safe and I’m safe with Seneca.”
“Silver linings,” Sera said.
