Ryland nodded a few times, making the odd comment into the phone, but Connor couldn’t tell the gist of the conversation.
“No shit?” said Ryland. “Ah, Elaine, I’m sorry. That’s got to be hard.”
“What?” demanded Connor. “What’s hard?”
Ryland silenced him with a look. “No, no. I understand. Of course, we can help you.” A pause. “You are not taking advantage. I told you before, this is your home. Your cabin is always available. It’s reserved for you and the kids indefinitely. I would never book it.”
What? Why did she need her cabin? “Ry…”
“Yeah, just text me the info. We’ll make it happen. No, it won’t interfere with the grand opening. Just come home. We all miss you.” He glanced up. “Actually, Connor’s right here. He misses you too. Okay. Hang in there. We’ll see you soon. Bye.” He hung up.
“Well?”
“She’s worried about the kids. They shifted for the first time the other day.”
“What? But they’re munchkins. No one shifts for the first time at that age. That should have happened in their teens. Are they okay?”
“They are now. Gave their human relatives the fright of their lives.”
“You think?”
“I know. That’s why she’s bringing Layla and Andy to the Ursa. I’ll call the doc and make arrangements for her.”
Connor bit his lip. “Is Elaine okay?”
“She sounded, well, she sounded like Elaine.”
Connor understood Ryland’s meaning. Elaine might always appear poised, cool even, but since Lloyd’s death, there had been an undercurrent in all her actions and words. A river of fragility coasted under her, ready to sweep her away at any time.
How much more could one woman take? Connor had already seen her at her lowest. He didn’t think it could get lower. But her kids? If there was something wrong with Andy and Layla, it might very well kill Elaine.
“How would you feel about helping me get Lloyd’s old cabin tidied up? Elaine will be here in a couple of days.”
Connor’s mountain lion put its paw in the air, as if doing a high-five.
She was coming home.
Just as he’d made plans to find a new home.
