“You do?”
“Yes. It makesme feel warm inside.”
“Aye. That’swhat it’s supposed to do.”
She made her wayto the sofa and curled her legs under her bottom. “Are you sure I didn’t wakeyou earlier?”
I handed her ablanket, then sat across from her. “Aye, love. I don’t sleep much.”
“How come?” sheasked, as she pulled my tartan over her legs.
I took a deepbreath, forcing myself not to outwardly react to my colors on her body. “I’venever slept much. I just don’t need it, I guess,” I lied. The truth was, theCauld Ane didn’t need as much as humans, but she’d know that for herself soonenough.
“Oh, wow. I lovesleeping. I don’t get to partake in it much, but when I do, I enjoy it.”
“What do you dofor work?”
“I work for myfather. Sort of.”
“What do youmean by ‘sort of’?” I asked.
She bit her lip.“I help to run the non-profit for widows and orphans. It doesn’t pay much, butI enjoy it.”
“Do you?”
She sighed. “Ido…”
“But?” Ipressed.
“We’re onlyallowed to help the widows. Single mothers who are divorced are ignored andthat bothers me to no end. We are not allowed to ask why they’re divorced, theyare just seen as jezebels and sent on their way.”
“But you stayworking for your father anyway.”
She straightenedher shoulders and frowned.
“That’s not acriticism, love,” I rushed to add. “It’s an observation.”
“Sorry,” shebreathed out. “It’s a bit of a trigger for me, because I’d love to get awayfrom my father, but I can’t seem to walk away.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Idon’t know, maybe that’s just an excuse. I tell myself we’re helping people,because we are, but the longer I’m there, the more I question if it’s all worthit. Then there’s my little sister and if I walk away, I’m leaving her to thewolves.”
“You can’t takeall of that on your shoulders, love.”
She smiledslightly, staring into her glass. “You don’t think so, huh?”
“Iknowso.”
“What makes youso smart?” she asked, taking another sip of her drink.
“Outside of thefact I’m a doctor?”
Her perfectmouth popped open in surprise. “Wait, you’re a doctor?”
“I am.”
“What kind ofdoctor?”
“I wasoriginally going to go into family medicine, but I’ve found the lab is where Ifeel the most comfortable.” I smiled. “I am my mother’s son.”
“Right. Of course.Your mother’s a doctor as well. Researcher, right?”
