Page 33 of Ash

"Me?" Her fingers plucked at the full skirt she wore. "Your bear wants to meet me."

She blinked at him a few times as her smile grew. "That... that's amazing."

Hetty stood up slowly and leaned in toward Suzannah. "I have a few things in the oven-"

Suzannah started to stand, but Hetty put a hand on her shoulder.

"You sit right here, dear." Then she looked over at James. "Would you like to come and help me?"

Suzannah's face was filled with worry. "I can help."

Ash was already on his feet, having learned from his father that a gentleman stood when a lady did.

Hetty pointed a finger at him. "You, sit."

His bear didn't find the command upsetting. Instead, he chuffed happily as Ash put his backside in a chair.

She tapped Suzannah's shoulder with her hand. "And you... You talk to this young man. Get to know him. I'll bring out a sampler of our best."

"But-"

Ash could see that Suzannah was in earnest and wanted to help.

He knew the woman standing beside Suzannah and knew how intent she was to get her own way.

"You should let Hetty get what she wants."

Suzannah smiled at him. "You look like you're speaking from experience."

He nodded. "I've known her all my life."

Her smile turned wistful, and he wanted to reach out to her and hold her hand, but he wasn't sure that she'd appreciate it.

His bear made it clear through their link that he understood his reluctance, but he didn't like it any more than Ash did.

"Maybe," she tilted her head, looking at him with something akin to hope on her face, "you could help me figure out how to fit in here."

She would fit in our home.

He almost laughed and saw the change in her expression. The downturn of her smile.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head. "I wasn't going to laugh at you. My bear," he sighed, and his chin dropped a little, "is poking at me."

"Poking?" She lifted her hand and extended her pointer finger in his direction, poking the air between them. "Like that?"

One eye squinted closed as he winced. "Not physically. But he's making his thoughts and feelingsveryclear."

Her answering smile made him feel like he was basking in the sun again. "That's just amazing. I've wondered about shapeshifters since I saw that news broadcast. I've never known anyone who was a shapeshifter- or at least anyone who saidthey were. And it's certainly not something I could ask another person-"

She blinked at him, and he could see her expression change. It looked like she was biting the inside of her cheek.

"Is person okay?"

He wanted to hug her.

Go ahead, do it. Hug her!

He drew in a lung-filling breath through his nose and growled under his breath.

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