Page 56 of Claim Me

“Well, there’s your answer. If they didn’t like you, you’d be very aware of that fact. They don’t like Claw. When they go to his house to play with his kids, they won’t talk to him.”

“Why don’t they like Claw?”

“They saw Yvette freaking out on him. Since Yvette made them sandwiches and treats, they view her as the good guy. That made Claw the bad guy.”

“So, if we argue, I’ll be the bad guy.”

“Oh, yeah, so mind your Ps and Qs, Mister,” I taunt, poking at his chest.

Indigo frowns, taking me too seriously. He glances at the girls who sit in the beds and watch us.

“I love Siobhan,” he says and hugs me against his hard body. “She’s beautiful.”

The twins’ faces light up, and they run over to hug me.

“I look like Mommy,” Kiera says and strokes Deirdre’s cheek. “You do, too.”

“Soon, we’ll all look like royalty,” I announce, and the girls hug us tighter.

Indigo never looks more handsome than as he gets swallowed up by girl cuddles. He seems so comfortable right now. How many times did he picture himself at my house with the girls and me?

I often worry reality won’t live up to his dreams. Right now, as he wears a little grin as I dress the girls as princesses, I only see a man in his element.

INDIGO

As Siobhan picks up the twins from school, I borrow an SUV from the farm and drive up to the hills. The dogs aren’t around when I pull up to Caveman’s house. I enter to find the place quiet. The doors are all unlocked.

I pack up my clothes and take the bag to the SUV. Out back, I find Tangina relaxing in the shade. I give her a little love and then whistle for the dogs. Rather than Grumpy and Sleepy appearing, Caveman exits the woods with Vanilla and Chef. He towers over the two children. His skin is golden while their pale skin leaves them looking like ghosts. They’re sporting new clothes, and I spot a tag hanging from Vanilla’s khaki pants.

“Abandoning us already, boyo?” Caveman asks as he arrives near the back porch.

“Siobhan wants me to stay with her.”

“My niece has no taste for solitary living,” he says and rubs at his beard. “Are you ready for such commitment?”

“I don’t know.”

Caveman smiles and wags his finger in my face. “You know.”

“I want to be with Siobhan.”

“Every day and night? That’s a lot for a man like you.”

“No, I never wanted to be alone. I just didn’t know how to get her to see me.”

“And now she does,” Caveman says and nods. “Siobhan got unlucky with Sync. I’m glad she’s found herself a better man.”

I smile at Caveman’s words. Maybe sensing he’s being too nice, he adds, “Plus, you can help her dumb daughters learn to multiply and fear bears.”

“Okay,” I say rather than arguing over his hangups. “Do you know where my dogs are?”

“Ran off with loose bitches, no doubt.”

I glance at Chef and Vanilla who watch me. “Where’s Farmer?”

Vanilla brushes hair from his pale blue eyes. “His dad got out of jail and took him home.”

“Well, Siobhan’s twins are always doing fun shit. Maybe I can bring you along for an outing, so you can play with them.”

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