Page 14 of Prospecting

The twenty-one-month-old and one-year-old babbled incomprehensibly at him. Sheridan sat with her family hearing all their news while holding Frannie. Tappn stood back but never took his eyes off Mia.

The family flowed around, conversation and laughter filled the room. Food was organized and set out for everyone to eat. Tappn took a plate to Mia and held Frannie while she ate. Swaying gently with the baby, he watched her mother.

“How are you,” Cade said holding Calli’s youngest.

“Humbled,” Tappn said. “I owe you an apology.”

“Yeah, probably a lot of them,” Cade said.

Tappn snorted, “Yeah. I didn’t know.”

“And now,” Cade asked feeling protective of Sheridan’s sister.

“She’s my mate,” Tappn said. “I can’t claim her. She’s too fragile right now.”

“You were never good at patience,” Cade said.

“I’m learning to be,” Tappn said. He looked down at the little girl in his arms. “This one has stolen my heart. When she told me … I want to find him and kill him.”

“You probably shouldn’t go back there any time soon,” Cade said. “Or maybe we should meet there.”

“Yeah,” Tappn said. “I may have overstepped.”

“In what way,” Cade asked.

“Do you remember my cousin, Argl,” Tappn asked.

“Works for security forces, doesn’t she,” Cade said.

“I gave her his name,” Tappn said. “They have him under surveillance.”

“Good,” Cade said. “It’s better than us doing typical Sinivite male things.”

Tappn snorted. “Why do you want to hurt him,” he asked.

“He hurt my mate and her sister,” Cade said.

“I thought you were the quintessential loner,” Tappn said.

“Was,” Cade said. “Then she came into my life.”

“Yeah. It’s like hitting a brick wall,” Tappn said rubbing his chest above his heart.

“Slamming in at light speed,” Cade said.

“Having a good time with her,” Tappn said.

“Don’t make me bash you,” Cade said without heat.

“We’re both holding babies,” Tappn said. “I don’t want to wake up Frannie.”

“True,” Cade said.

***

Sheridan got four days with her family. They went to the dock every day while the haulers waited for their load. Cade put his hands on her shoulders as they watched the ships leave. She took a deep breath. “Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “Now we have a couple of stops to make on the way back to the ship, before we leave.”

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