Page 22 of Holiday with the Aliens

And now it was Ro’s turn for surprise. “Youknow?” Knowledge of her father had been eating her up inside foryearsand May knew? What the hell? “When did you find out? Why didn’t you tell me?”

That got her sister to put her tools aside and look over. “I could ask you the same question,” she shot back. “But he sent a letter when Lee was born. Thanked me for giving me his first grandchild and said he regretted what he did but thought that it turned out for the best.” There was bitterness in the statement, but it was old. After all, she’d had ten years to get used to it.

Ro had a choice to make. She could get mad that May had kept this from her, or she could move on. After all, she’d been keeping the same basic secret for almost as long. And she tried not to be a hypocrite. Most of the time. “He seemed happy when I saw him. I don’t know if that’s good or bad. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted… I didn’t want you to have to deal with it. And I know that I have a tendency to be like him, putting work above family, making you think I don’t care, but I’m going to be better. I’ll keep in touch more, try and visit when I can. I want to be there for Lee, and for the other kids. Maybe I can even look into transferring?—”

“You’re not Dad, Rowan. I’m sorry that I’ve made you think that. I should have trusted you when you said you were coming.”

They both grew silent and looked at each other. Other sisters might have hugged, but they’d fallen out of the habit a long time ago, and Ro didn’t know if she was ready to fall back into it yet. “So… um…” Should she go? Leave May to her work?

“Hand me that wrench.” May pointed to the tool she wanted, as if Ro couldn’t identify it by herself.

“I know what a wrench looks like,” she said as she scooped it up off the table and handed it over.

May rolled her eyes. “So what’s the story with you and the guy? I thought you were single.”

“You and me both.” But talking about Dash was easier than talking about their dad, and Ro told her most of it, leaving out the whole reindeer thing and the details about the sex. When she was done she couldn’t stop smiling, and May was looking at her as if she’d grown a second head.

“If you let that man get away when he can put that kind of smile on your face, you’re crazy. If I wasn’t happy with my husband I’d be asking if he had a brother.”

“He’s got a cousin,” Ro offered, “but I’m not sure she’s your type.”

“Brat,” May rolled her eyes. “Hand me the screwdriver.” This time she didn’t point. And for the first time in years Ro spent a nice afternoon with her sister and was able to think that things might end up alright between them.

Chapter Eleven

He needed to stop pacing, but the longer Ro was gone, the more worried Dash became. He’d been the one to tell her to go to her sister, but what if it didn’t work? What if he was wrong? Gradually, a current of good cheer wafted up towards him and he relaxed a bit. He could feel the flavor of Ro in it and knew something must have gone right. But he wanted to know what. Wanted to know it all. And he needed to tell her the truth. It had weighed on him since his shift, since he’d confirmed that his horns were glowing for her. She’d taken his second form in stride. But what about the mate bond?

He tried to lay down and sleep like he’d said he would, but his mind was racing too much for that.

What would he do if Ro rejected him? Should he keep the information to himself? It didn’t need to change anything. So they’d been destined to be together by the hands of fate. It didn’t change the fact that they’d fallen in love on their own. Or, well, he’d fallen. Definitely. He’d seen Ro’s drive, her heart, and how she handled pressure, and all of it made him love her more. He’d been gone on her before he knew his antlers were glowing, and if they hadn’t been, he’d still be right here, with her.

But he couldn’t keep it from her.

If their relationship progressed—when—she’d find out eventually. Either Ettie would let it slip, or one of his other cousins. And if they had children, he’d need to tell them what it meant. Besides, he’d just told her that it was better to share the truth rather than let it fester.

Maybe he could wait until they left, though. Let her enjoy the holiday without it hanging over her.

“Are you okay?” Dash whipped around. He’d been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn’t heard Ro enter. She looked as good as always. Better, actually, like she was no longer carrying a heavy burden.

“I’m fine,” he said, maybe a little too quickly. “How did it go?”

Ro thumped down on the bed. “My dad’s an asshole, but I think things might end up okay between me and May.” She patted the seat beside her.

Dash sat. “So the conversation went well.”

“Better than expected.” Ro leaned against him. “And we didn’t just talk about Dad.”

“Yeah?” She was so soft against him that Dash wanted to cuddle her close and never let go.

“We talked about you. And me. And… stuff.”

“Stuff.” That could be good or bad, but it had to be good if she was touching him, right?

Ro swallowed loud enough that he could hear it, but when she spoke, it was a little quiet. “I like you, Dash. More than I’ve liked anyone in… well, ever. And I don’t want this to be some holiday fling that we look back fondly on after we go our separate ways. So how do we make that work?” She tilted her head up at him. “That is,doyou want to make that work?”

“You’re my mate!” He froze after he said it, his instincts kicking in, and if he was in his other form he might have sprinted away. He was no wolf, ready to face a threat with teeth andclaws. But Rowan wasn’t a threat and as he got his reactions under control he was able to stay in place. “You’re my mate,” he repeated, a little more calm. “That’s why my antlers glowed. And anywhere you go, I’d follow. Or lead. Or walk beside you. Just so long as we’re in this together.”

“Mate.” Ro tried the word out. Not rejecting, but not jumping for joy either. Her levels of cheer hadn’t changed since she’d walked in, but he’d take that as a good sign for the moment. “That’s… what is that supposed to mean?”

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