We went around the house to the front, and Richard opened the garage door for us. The kitties would have to live in there for the time being. Re and I stood guard near the opening until the door rolled closed again.
“Vervain?” my mom prompted.
“There are storms all over the country,” I said. “And there's another thing. Beavers are attacking people. They come in with the floodwaters.”
“The beavers?” She lifted her brows.
“I'm not joking,” I said. “They're going crazy all over theU.S., and we think a god is behind it.”
“We also think a god is behind the storms,” Re said. “I encountered some resistance when I pushed the rain back.”
“What do we need to do?” my brother Danny asked.
“Barricade the doors and windows,” I said. “I don't think they'll break through the glass, but I don't know. Re and I will help you secure the house. Then we have to help others.”
“Oh, the poor wild animals,” my mother said. “And all the strays.”
“The animals will go to higher ground,” Re said. “They'll be fine. You are the ones in danger.”
“Re!” I snapped.
“What? We're not barricading the windows because it's playtime.”
“I'll set a stronger ward around the house,” my mom, who was also a witch, said.
Then someone shouted, “Vervain?!”
“Is that Trevor?” Mom asked. “Sounds as if he's at the front door.”
“I'll start gathering plywood,” Richard said.
“I'll get the door,” Danny offered.
“Nope.” Richard waved him deeper into the garage. “You're going to help me. Mom can get the door.”
Danny grimaced but followed his father.
“Come inside, you two,” my mom said to Re and me.
We followed her into the house just as Trevor called for me again and knocked on the front door.
“Grandma!” Lesya called next.
“Lesya?!” My mom raced to the door and flung it open.
“Grandma!” Lesya and Vero shouted together and launched themselves at my mom.
“What are you doing here with them?” I growled at Trevor. “Are you insane?”
“They'll be fine,” Trevor said as he bounced the twins in his arms.
“Grandma!” the twins cried.
“Oh, babies!” my mom exclaimed and stood up to kiss their cheeks. “You've gotten so big. Come in. You want some cookies? I just made some yesterday.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes. “You see? Now she's going to be dealing with them instead of helping us secure the house.”
“Your mom can't be lifting heavy things anyway,” Trevor said. He paused to lean in and kiss her cheek. “Hi, Mom.” He put the twins down, and they grabbed her legs.
