“Hi! I’m one of Carter’s sisters,” said Emma. She eyed Fen. “I don't know what Carter's done with you, but you obviously need new clothes. You look about my size, so I'll get you something of mine. It won’t be as nice as yours. Sorry."
Before Fen could protest that she was sure Emma's clothes were just fine, she was getting hauled off at high speed. Emma kicked things out of the way as she went. Fen caught brief glimpses of flying toys, clothes, and pillows.
Next thing she knew, she was in a bedroom. It was furnished in a pleasant rustic style, and had a number of tools scattered randomly about, including a hammer on a pillow.
“What’s your shoe size?” Emma asked.
“Seven.”
Emma stuck her head out the door. “Riley! Fen needs shoes! High heels! Your nicest ones!”
“It’s really not—” Fen began.
A woman’s voice yelled, “What’s her favorite color?”
“Honestly, anything—” Fen started to say.
“What’s your favorite color?” Emma demanded.
Resigning herself, Fen said, “For shoes, black or red.”
“Black or red!” Emma shrieked, then slammed the door. “Right! Let’s get you some clothes. Normally we’d just offer you something from the stash—we have a stash of clothes in all sizes, in case anyone shifts unexpectedly and needs something—but they’re all pretty basic, you know? And you should have somethingelegant. You obviously like elegant things. Riley’s at least two sizes bigger than you, and I don’t have your sense of style which isawesomeby the way, loved the steampunk jacket at the press conference, but I can at least get you something that’s not ripped to bits.”
Before Fen could reply, Emma flung open her closet door, then began pulling out all her dresser drawers. “Take anything! Try it on!”
Emma’s taste overall ran more to the practical than the pretty, but Fen found a nice black linen skirt and a cream-colored sweater. As she tried them on, Emma confided, “I’m not even going to ask what’s up with Carter’s shift form because I’m sure he’ll want to tell all of us at once, but I just want to thank you for looking out for him. He looks so happy! He hasn’t looked happy in years, since that awful thing happened to him. He can be so proud and annoying and closed-mouthed, so don’t take any bullshit from him, but he is my brother and I love him. Does the skirt fit? I could try taking it in with safety pins.”
Fen, slightly dazed, said, “No, the skirt’s fine.”
The door opened without knocking and another woman barged in. She was plump and very curvy, with her black hair in tumbling curls, and held a pair of high-heeled shoes in each hand. “Here you go! I have more if you don’t mind them not being in your favorite colors. Hi, I’m Riley. Carter’s sister.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Fen, taking the shoes. “How many sisters does he have?”
“Four,” said Riley. “All older. He’s the baby. Zinnia and Ashley aren’t here right now, but we’ve called them. They’ll be here by dinner time.”
“Four older sisters,” said Fen thoughtfully. “You know, that explains a lot.”
Riley and Emma laughed. Fen selected the red satin heels, and they praised her when she modeled them.
“I always knew Carter’s mate would be something,” said Riley. “You know how he is about never settling for anything less than the best. And here you are!”
“Well, I—” Fen began.
“Absolutely gorgeous,” said Riley, looking her over.
“And brilliant,” said Emma.
“Averysuccessful businesswoman,” put in Riley.
“And tough. Very tough,” said Emma.
“She needs to be, to stand up to him,” said Riley.
“And to think all the times he ranted about you at the dinner table!” Emma exclaimed. “Fenella Kim this and Fenella Kim that!”
“Fenella Kim is ruining my vacation!” Riley’s voice was a hilariously apt imitation of Carter’s.
“And here she is—his mate!”
