Paige made a brief, hastily stifled noise, clamping her lips together.
Conleth repressed a sigh. “It’s Tiernach-West, actually. Conleth Tiernach-West. I trust you remember my colleague, Paige Brown?”
The sheriff gave Paige a brief nod before turning back to Conleth. “Been some odd things going on in this area recently. Wanted to ask you a few questions. This a good time to talk?”
“Of course,” Conleth said smoothly, praying the upcoming conversation was not going to involve the wordsTyrannosaurus Rex.“Though I can’t say we’ve noticed anything unusual around here. What sort of odd things?”
Whatever had brought the sheriff to camp, apparently it was going to remain a mystery for a while longer. The man’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. He stared past them, blood draining from his face.
Conleth automatically reached out with his pegasus to see what had attracted the man’s attention, and bit back a curse.He wheeled around, ready to dash across the square and whisk Archie away?—
Except there was no need. Archie stood there, alarmed and confused and very much human.
“Mom?” Archie tugged at his mother’s hand. “Mom, what is it?”
She didn’t reply. Like the sheriff, she seemed to have frozen solid on the spot. For a long, drawn-out moment, the pair simply stared at each other.
The sheriff broke the silence first. “Denise?”
“Patrick,” she breathed, still motionless.
“Wait.” Paige looked between her mom and the sheriff. “It’shim?”
The sheriff paid her no attention, taking a few steps toward her mom. He took his hat off, holding it nervously in both hands. “I—I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“Mom, what’s going on?” Archie asked.
The sheriff appeared to notice Archie for the first time. He sucked in his breath as though he’d just been punched in the ribs. “This your boy?”
Her hand tightened on Archie’s. She nodded jerkily.
“Right. Right. Of course you’d have…” The sheriff cut himself off, broad face flushing. “Don’t know why I—well, just want to say, whoever his daddy is, he’s a lucky man. Hope he appreciates that. You.”
Paige’s mom still didn’t say anything. Conleth wasn’t sure shecouldspeak. She was trembling all over, eyes locked on the sheriff’s.
After an awkward pause, the sheriff put his hat back on. He touched the brim, dipping his head. “Well. It was nice to see you again, Denise. Take care.”
Conleth felt Paige stir, as though to intervene. He put out an arm to stop her, mouthingwait.
The sheriff turned away. He got all of two steps before he swore under his breath and spun on his heel.
“Look,” he said roughly, striding back to Paige’s mom. “This is going to sound crazy, but if I don’t say anything I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life. Maybe you really are a, a damn were-bear. Maybe I just lost my mind that last night. Either way, I don’t care. You may have moved on, but I never will. I’ve thought of you every day for the past ten years. If you’re happy, then just say so, and I’ll leave you in peace. But, if you’re not…if, if you’d be willing to give me another chance…”
He trailed off helplessly, gazing at her as though his life hung on her next few words. Archie stared between the two adults, eyes going huge.
“Mom?” he whispered. “Is this…?”
“Yes.” His mom took a deep breath. “Patrick, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“It’s been nearly two hours.” Leonie paced around the edge of the dining hall like a caged lion. Conleth had called all the leadership team together for an impromptu senior staff meeting, to explain what was going on. “They’ve probably run out of coffee by now. I’ll take them a fresh pot.”
Conleth blocked her way as she tried to head for the kitchen. “You just want to eavesdrop. Stop fretting. Paige and her family don’t need anyone barging in with well-meaning attempts to help. Give them space to figure this out on their own.”
“I wish I could share your calm, friend Conleth.” Ragvald fidgeted with a heavy gold goblet from his personal hoard, rolling it between his huge hands. “The outlander man is a mere human, with no guiding animal to whisper wisdom in his ear.Though he seems to still have feelings for our shield-sister’s mother, this unexpected meeting must be a great shock to him.”
“I’m sure they’ll work it out,” Honey said. She gave Buck a sidelong glance, the corner of her mouth lifting in a small, fond smile. “They’re fated mates, after all.”
“Even so.” With a flick of his wrist, Ragvald made the goblet disappear back into his hoardspace. “It is a terrible thing to keep a father unaware of his own child for so long. Such a grievous wrong would test even the bond between mates.”
