Page 64 of Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case

He deflated a little.

“It’s part and parcel of being a Reader,” I explained, still sympathetic to the shock his system had just taken. Like a sucker punch, no less. “We can tell instantly. It’s part compatibility, part seeing the full nature of the other person, but also we can tell after reading them how well their nature fits with ours. Sometimes, it’s a little harder to see the forest for the trees if we’re directly involved. I knew from the second I met Donovan that he was the most incredible person I’d ever know. But dummy me didn’t realize he was mine until three weeks later. At least your daughter is quicker on the uptake than her master.”

Craig snorted a strained laugh. “Yeah. She’s always been a quick kid. Uh…tell me about your niece?”

“They don’t come better than Skylar. She’s incredibly tech savvy—in fact, she’s responsible for what little tech I have in my home—and she’s by nature both protective and caring.Donovan’s also been teaching her Krav Maga for the entire time he’s known her, so if something does go down, I’m confident she can punch it out flat.”

“I’m only partially reassured.” Craig rubbed his head. “Still, bonding right now is a bit too fast, right?”

“The thing is…no. Sorry, Craig, but when it’s right? It’s right. I bonded with Donovan without even realizing it. The girls are likely to do the same if they’re reacting this strongly to each other already.”

He made another pitiful sound. To my eyes, he looked all sorts of confused by this. Part of him was happy his daughter had found her anchor. That had been a worry he’d carried for a while. Another part was convinced she was too young; his baby girl couldn’t have possibly met her partner already. Another part worried about other things—I couldn’t get a read what all on.

Well, he likely had a lot to worry about as a parent.

“I mean, logistically speaking, how do I keep her and Skylar together on a day-to-day basis?” Craig seriously looked in need of a stiff drink. “We’re an hour and a half drive away, so they can’t go to school together.”

Man had a good point there. “We’ll figure out something. Don’t stress.”

From the couch, I was hailed.

“Uncle Jon?”

I crossed the few feet back their direction, taking the girls in as I did so. They looked blissfully happy, almost giddy with it. Scratch that, definitely too giddy to be sensible. They were sparkling so brightly with happiness their lines were a little blinding, to be honest. I felt the need to fetch sunglasses. Both were curled up together on the couch, holding hands, eyes completely on each other and nothing else. I could see sparks of attraction along their lines, so this was clearly not going to be a platonic relationship.

Yeah, let’s just not mention that to Craig yet. The girls could tell him in their own time.

I was really happy for both of them. Skylar was clearly over the moon. I’d been worried for Abby, not wanting her to experience the same hardships I had, and clearly she wouldn’t. She’d have an anchor from this point forward.

Donovan sat next to them on the couch, high-speed calculations going on over there. I knew what was going through that head of his. He was thinking of how much training he could cram into Skylar before school started back up. Ha! Looked like he had an apprentice now too.

Which meant I had to train apprentices, clear a man’s name, and plan a wedding. All at the same time. Damn good thing the girls were cute, as they were certainly a lot of trouble.

“Yes, Skylar?” I stopped and stood in front of them.

“Pretty sure we’re right, but double-check us? We are a match?”

Ah. It was only human to need reassurance, I supposed. I smiled gently. “You two are one hundred and twenty percent a match. I couldn’t put a better one together if I tried.”

Abby looked quite smug about this, like she’d known but felt justified hearing it.

Skylar blew out a low breath. “Awesome. Tell my mom that? She’ll probably think I’m too young.”

“Oh, I’m sure that’ll be her first argument. Don’t worry, I’ll tell her exactly what I’m seeing.” To Abby, I said, “Your dad’s on board but worried about the logistics of keeping you guys together while in school.”

Abby blinked, then her mouth dropped open. “Shit! I didn’t think that far yet.”

“We’ll work it out somehow. It’ll be fine. Sky, needless to say, you’re now in training too.”

She leaned sideways to put her head on Donovan’s shoulder. “I can’t think of anyone better to train me.”

Not surprised by that, either. She was used to learning from him, so it should go smoothly. It did mean she was now involved in our day-to-day, as the best way to learn was to shadow Donovan. I had no problem with him teaching her, but hopefully we weren’t interrupting fun summer plans.

The back door opened with the force of Upset Mother Incoming and I winced.

“Donovan, just what did you tell her?”

“I got all of three sentences out before she hung up on me and raced here.” Donovan shrugged. “Talk fast.”

---