Page 53 of A Bloom in Winter

“Rhamp is ten years out of his transition—and I can’t believe I’m saying that. I had him and his sister young myself. And yes, they’re twins.”

“You have twins?” Petrie put her hand on her collarbone with a rush of surprise. “My sister and I are twins.”

“No kidding! Identical?”

“No, but we do look so much alike and we’re so close. She lives next door.”

“That’s really cool.” Qhuinn laughed. “I bet your sis has been over here a lot in the last twenty-four hours. My two kids are inseparable—especially when times are . . . stressful.”

The maid took a deep breath, but not like she was bracing herself. “Anna stayed with me all day long. And she’s coming back after she gets off her shift. I . . . don’t have work right now.”

As the female’s face tightened, Qhuinn leaned forward onto his knees. “You know, we’d be happy to talk to some people. We have a lot of contact with folks, and if you’re concerned about . . . things like that . . . we’ll put a word in. Won’t we.”

Tohr nodded immediately. “Absolutely.”

“I have some savings.” She retwisted her hair. “But I am worried about the future. I’m just feeling a little ragged. I’m not sure I trust my composure, if you know what I mean.”

“I do,” Qhuinn said. “And it’ll get easier, I promise. You’ll never forget what you saw, I’m not going to lie. It’ll get draped over by other, more normal things, though.”

“Really?”

“Is your daughter mated?”

The maid blinked as if she were surprised at the subject change. “Ah, no. She isn’t. But she’s dating a very nice male. I think things are headed in that direction—and he lives in Caldwell, so she’d come back here. I’d love that. Myhellrenpassed seven years ago.”

“I’m really sorry.” Qhuinn nodded gravely. Then he shook his head in a wry way. “I don’t know if either of my kids will ever get mated.”

“No?”

“My son works hard, but he’s always at the clubs with his friends. My daughter . . . well, she’s a free spirit. I don’t know who’s ever going to tie her down. He’d have to be a helluva male.”

“Fate has a way of working miracles. I wish them the very best.”

“And I do the same for your daughter.”

Well, what do you know. Qhuinn still looked fierce as hell, especially with all the metal in that ear—oh, and his eyebrow was pierced, too. But it was amazing how bringing up young could level all kinds of playing fields.

And now there was nothing awkward in the pause: As the maid looked over at Tohr, it was clear she was ready to talk.

“I’d like to show you a picture of someone.” He put his hand up. “There’s no pressure. I just want to know if you’ve ever seen them before?”

“Of course.”

He already had the still snapshot from the waiting room at the Audience House up on his phone, and he turned the screen around.

As Petrie’s eyebrows pulled together over the bridge of her nose, he motioned forward with the Samsung. “Here, take my cell.”

She nodded absently and they met in the center of her area rug for the exchange. The female eased back slowly, concentrating on the image.

“Am I supposed to know her?” she asked as her eyes lifted.

“So you don’t recognize the female.”

The maid slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve never seen her before?”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. I am.”

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