Page 305 of Bride of Choice

Zhuii’s head jerked up at my approach. Kneeling beside the children, he was showing them how to check the fruit that had started dropping from the crazy tree they lived beneath. Kehko nearly whacked him in the face as she threw her basket in her excitement to see me and took off towards me at a run. “Jojo-me!” she squeed.

Zhuii and I winced in unison as the boys caught their big sister’s words and joined in on the happy shrieking.

“Missed you too,” I told them as they rushed me for a hug and I knelt to catch them.

Kehko squeezed me so tight I thought I heard something pop in my ribs.

Giving them all a bear hug squeeze back, I smiled through watery eyes. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come back,” I croaked out.

“What’s all the squealing for?” Rosa called out from inside their den. Her eyes widened as she stepped out and caught sight of me.

Leaving the basket for the kids to happily rummage through, a new dolly for Kehko and some bean bags I’d made from an old shirt for the boys to see who could toss them the farthest nestled amongst the treats, I smiled sheepishly and stood.

It was hard to say who was more pleased to see me, the kids or Rosa. She too came at me at a run. She was crying before we’d even made contact. “I was so worried,” she blurted, the second I nabbed her up and gave her a Kehko approved squish. “I’m sorry,” I started to say at the same moment.

“What are you sorry for?!” she burst out. “I’m the one that pushed things, pushed you too far.”

Shaking my head, I argued, “You were doing what you thought I needed. Trying to go cold turkey without my cousin, my guys, it was the swift kick in the pants I needed. While I’m sorry we were on the outs, I’m not sorry it happened. I really needed it.”

Rosa shook her head. “I didn’t.” Hugging me back to her, she mumbled into my coat, “Next time just let me give you the swift kick in the bottom for you and we’ll get you there in half the time, no separation needed!”

“Deal.” I couldn’t argue with that.

“Joys. Jo back,” Noyel drawled out sarcastically, though his lips tipped up in a smirk.

Checking to make sure the kids weren’t paying any attention, I flipped him the birdy. He laughed.

“How did I not see how much you’re like Doogie?” I muttered, shaking my head.

Rosa burst out laughing, Noyel sputtered, looking instantly offended, and Zhuii chuckled from his safe distance over by the other end of the tree with the basket ravaging kiddlens.

“Noyel not like Doogie!” Noyel burst out.

“You sure about that, No-yell?” I taunted.

“Yes!!” he grumbled, scowling at me as he walked up the den’s steps to join us.

Scrubbing at her arms, Rosa jerked her head to indicate we should head inside. “Five more minutes! It’s chilly out!” she called out to the little ones, who whined in unison.

“Five more minutes?” Kehko called out.

I laughed, because that was literally what she’d just told them.

“Hmmm.” She pretended like she had to think about it. “Okay, but only five.”

Kehko let out a soft little victory hoot and a soft, “Yessss.”

Zhuii and Noyel chuckled, listening to the byplay.

“Where’s Tokre?” I asked.

“Fishing,” Rosa chimed in with a smile. She was so happy her mate was getting out and making friends and everyone was trying to learn his hand signing.

“Mama said Tokre told Celuk about a fishing place he found. They went to go look at it with Daddy,” Noyel added.

“Which one is Daddy?” I leaned in to ask Rosa in a whisper.

“You mean Jo doesn’t know?” Noyel teased, turning from the spot he’d taken near the stove to watch the bread baking to raise his eyebrows at me.

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