Rance shook his head. “We have simple needs. Some members of the Grove weave clothing; others hunt or forage. I’m pretty good at using my magic to bend wood. I can weave baskets well. We don’t need a lot. There is only so much room in a tree. We sell things we collect in the forest when we want luxuries like books or different food, but other than that we just live.”
Kat didn’t want to push, but his instincts screamed at him to protect the vulnerable youth. Rance might come across as a brash teen, but everyone needed support, and it sounded as if his mother didn’t have time with him while running the Grove. “Are you sure you’re safe there?”
Beneath Kat’s regard, Rance bit his lip and fidgeted with the hem of the tablecloth. “I’ve been avoiding thinking about that. They don’t want me, and I don’t want to live with them if I can avoid it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Mother, but I’m tired of being around people who hate me. This is my chance to leave.”
The desperation in his voice tugged at Kat’s heart. He patted Rance on the back. “Do you think your mother would stay in a place that won’t accept her son? Especially if they need you to create the Grove.”
Rance’s cheeks flushed. “Mother would want to stay for the health of the Grove. The others don’t understand Mother Nature's rites enough to maintain a healthy forest, and Mother isn’t the type to abandon people to their fate, even if they want to kick her son out.” Rance bit his lip. “Some of them have been calling me an abomination since I was a baby. A new Grove won’t change their opinion even if I grow it.”
The teen sounded fed up with the entire situation. Kat didn’t blame him.
“You can stay here,” Kat blurted out. Damn, he meant to be more subtle. He’d been balancing his budget in his head and was confident he could make enough to support them both.
Rance’s eyes lit up for a second before he frowned again. “For how long?”
“Well, you have three years until you’re eighteen. You can stay here until you reach your majority, and then you can decide what you want to do afterward. We can prepare you for college or train you in a trade. You don’t have to go back to them.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
Despite his words, Kat saw the hope in his eyes.
“It’s no imposition. I know you barely know me. You can say no, but I’d enjoy the company. I can’t imagine you’ll be a lot of work. You seem self-sufficient.” He was almost too self-sufficient, as if he’d been caring for himself for years. Maybe it was his dryad nature. Kat would be the first to admit he knew little about dryads.
Rance leaned over to get a better look at Kat’s notes. “I can read, but I’ve never been to school. I don’t think I’d do well in college with all those people around me. Can’t I help you instead?”
Kat raised an eyebrow. “You want to make skincare products?” That wasn’t something he’d think would appeal to a teenage boy.
Rance hummed. “I know my herbs. It’s part of being a dryad. I could instinctively tell if something conflicted. See here.” He pointed to two ingredients on Kat’s list. “If you combine these, it will be super itchy for vampires and could cause rashes.”
Kat reviewed Anthony’s list against the recipe and nodded. “You’re right. How about you can be my consultant while we home-school you? I’m sure some on the pack would be willing to help. I don’t want someone to take advantage of you when you enter the real world.”
“That sounds good, but don’t you think you should ask your mate before offering me a place to stay?”
Kat frowned. “If he’s willing to kick out a kid, he isn’t the mate for me.”
“You can always ask him now.”
“I don’t want to call him until I know his schedule better. I’d hate to interrupt him while he’s doing something important.”
“He’s free now.”
“How do you know that?”
Rance pointed. “Because he’s at the back door.”
Kat’s head snapped up. Xavier’s face was framed in the back door window. He waved when Kat looked his way. Kat stumbled to his feet, tripping over the chair leg and almost face-planting onto the floor. Luckily, he regained his balance in time.
He ripped the door open after fumbling with the chain. “Hey,” he called out, breathless.
“Hello.” Xavier’s wide smile eased Kat’s anxiety.
“Do you want to come in?”
“No, he wants to stay on the porch,” Rance called out.
“Teenagers,” Kat sighed.
Xavier laughed, a warm, comforting noise that melted Kat’s spine. “Come in.” He stepped back and waved Xavier inside.
