He’d been so wrapped up in last-minute preparations, he hadn’t even thought to check his phone. “What message?”
From the way Estelle blanched, she’d already worked out what the message must have been. “Is—is my dad not coming?”
“I’m sorry, Estelle,” Diana said, her eyes soft with sympathy. “The crew got an emergency call a few hours ago. There’s a big wildfire north of here, and the Thunder Mountain Hotshots were the only firefighters who could reach it in time.”
“Oh.” Finley attempted a smile, but the corners of it wavered. “That’s—that’s okay. We understand.”
“Mom?” Rufus said out loud, his voice no more than a dry, scratchy whisper. “Dad?”
“I’m so sorry,” Diana said again, helplessly. “They’d be here if they could, Rufus. But they can’t. They have to go where they’re needed.”
“It’s okay, Rufus.” Finley put a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We always knew this might happen, right? It’s—it’s just part of the job. And they’ll still be thinking of us, just like we’re thinking of them.”
Rufus said nothing, staring at the ground. Conleth could practically see him retreating into himself, shutting down to escape overwhelming emotions. Rufus always liked knowing what was going to happen, and struggled to cope with unexpected disruptions to his routines. This last-minute disappointment would hit him even harder than the rest of the kids.
“But even if my dad can’t be here, my mom’s still coming,” Estelle said. “Right?”
“I’m afraid your little brother woke up with a fever this morning, Estelle,” Diana replied. “Your mom’s had to take him to see the doctor. I don’t think she’s going to be able to make it to Parents’ Day either.”
“Well—good!” Estelle announced, blinking rapidly. “This whole thing is stupid. I didn’t want them here, anyway.”
“Yes, you did,” Ignatius said, though for once there wasn’t the slightest hint of sarcasm or superiority in his tone. Somewhat awkwardly, he bumped his shoulder against Estelle’s. “And it sucks, not to have anyone coming. Believe me, I know.”
“Ignatius!”
Oh, shit.
Conleth knewthatvoice all too well. Usually, it was haranguing him down the phone about asinine concerns over ‘security’ or ‘exclusivity.’ Right now, it was the last one he’d expected to hear—and the one he leastwantedto hear.
Ignatius clearly did not feel the same way. He spun around, all studied preteen ennui forgotten. “Uncle?!”
Lord Golden picked his way toward the cabin with the expression of a man forced to cross a field recently vacated by several hundred nervous cows. As usual, the dragon shifter wore a tailored suit and gold-shot silk waistcoat, with heavy rings gleaming on every finger. Against a background of log cabins and pine trees, the overall effect was…jarring.
DidIlook that much of a dick?
Summoning every ounce of willpower, Conleth mustered a welcoming smile. “Lord Golden. This is an unexpected honor.”
“I am aware,” Golden replied in icy tones. “It seems my invitation went astray.”
“A most regrettable oversight,” Conleth lied. “I shall have strong words with the person responsible.”
In fact, he was currently doing so, in the privacy of his own head. They were mostly expletives. All the other disasters of the day were minor inconveniences compared to this calamity.
“Uncle, you’re—here?” Ignatius couldn’t have sounded more stunned if the Dalai Lama had dropped by for the campfire singalong. “How—why?—?”
“I happened to have a business meeting with an associate whose child also attends this…camp.” The way Lord Golden pronouncedcampmade it synonymous withoverflowing septic tank. “He assumed I would be present today, as the guest of honor. As did I, once I managed to discover what on earth he was babbling about.”
“Of course, we are overjoyed that you’ve been able to grace us with your presence.” Conleth was somewhat amazed that neither his hair nor his pants immediately burst into flame at this statement. He added, rather more hopefully, “Though of course, since your time is so valuable, I expect this will only be a fleeting visit?”
“It was inconvenient, but I have cleared my schedule.” Lord Golden flicked a minuscule fleck of dirt from one snowy cuff. “Ignatius is my nephew and heir. He is always my highest priority.”
Ignatius looked like the King of Sweden had just shaken his hand and awarded himallthe Nobel prizes.
“And of course, I wish to see what progress he has made so far this summer,” Lord Golden added. He turned to his nephew. “Youhavebeen spending your time productively, I trust?”
Ignatius knew just as well as Conleth that his uncle didn’t mean singalongs and friendship bracelets. He sagged, proud glow fading. “I’ve been trying my best, Uncle. But I still haven’t been able to shift yet.”
“I’ve taken personal responsibility for your nephew this year,” Conleth said, hoping to divert Golden’s displeasure tohimself rather than Ignatius. “He’s a very impressive young man. I have no doubt that his animal will be just as remarkable, in the fullness of time. In my experience, the most powerful alphas are often the late bloomers.”
