These people — orcs and humans alike — have welcomed me as if I’ve always been here. As if there was always a Sloane-shaped space at this kitchen table, just waiting for me to fill it.
If only Larry Aldridge was already behind bars, I’d feel truly settled. That’s the last piece of the puzzle for both me and Anna. Once he’s arrested, the threat ends and I can start building something real here. Something permanent.
Truckee versus Georgetown.
I turn it over in my mind again as I watch Ellie laugh at something Garlen says. Georgetown has my apartment and my routines. Lucy, my best friend, is a metro ride away. There’s the constant buzz of DC politics and breaking news.
Truckee has mountains, clean air and Saturday pancake breakfasts and an orc who loves me.
The knock at the front door comes right on schedule. Dane and Laurie arrive for the Saturday ritual. Laurie sweeps in carrying a bag of pastries from the bakery in town and immediately spots me on the couch.
“Well, look at you!” She beams. “Up and walking and everything. You look wonderful, Sloane.”
This woman is so kind. One of the best people I’ve ever met. “Thank you, Laurie. I feel wonderful.”
Dane nods his quiet approval, then moves to pour himself a cup from the fresh pot I made. My pot. A tiny thing that makes me irrationally happy.
Aldar appears last, tablet in hand, because of course. He settles into the armchair and I watch his eyes drop to his screen.
“Lucy says congratulations on walking,” he reports without looking up.
I laugh. “I suspect you talk to my best friend more than I do and she’smybest friend.”
“She texted me first.”
“At what, seven o’clock in the morning on a Saturday?”
“She’s east coast time,” he reminds me again.
I catch Ellie’s eye across the kitchen. She mouths “Oh my god” and we both have to look away to keep from laughing.
Whatever is happening between Aldar and Lucy is accelerating by the day and neither of them will admit it. I’m certain that he talks to her more than I do. He knows her schedule and he gets that expression on his face when her name pops up on his tablet. It’s nice, though. Lucy is wonderful and she deserves someone who pays this much attention to her, even if Aldar doesn’t realize that’s what he’s doing yet.
The kitchen fills up. Everyone finds their spot around the big table. Garlen serves pancakes in towering stacks. Ellie puts out eggs, bacon and fruit. Laurie arranges the pastries on a platter. Dane supervises his coffee. Zoe feeds Loki pancake scraps underthe table when she thinks no one is watching. Aldar scrolls his tablet and occasionally contributes a dry observation that makes Laurie laugh.
It’s loud and chaotic and perfect.
But where’s Jonus? It’s pushing nine o’clock now and he still hasn’t appeared.
Heavy footsteps sound in the hallway.
And then Jonus is standing in the doorway.
He looks rumpled and sleep-deprived, like he showered in about thirty seconds, but the expression on his face stops me cold. It’s not the easy smile he usually wears for the family. It’s not his charming-media-handler mask either.
His dark eyes find mine immediately across the crowded kitchen.
Chapter Nineteen
Sloane
“Uncle Jonus,” Zoe calls out, “we saved you pancakes! I put extra chocolate chips in yours!”
“Thank you, Zoe.” His voice is on autopilot.
Laurie hands him a plate. “You look like you could use some breakfast, honey.”
“Thank you, Laurie.” He takes it without looking at it.
