Page 47 of Lucius

“I’d be happy to.”

Her mom had never once asked Sidney to draw something for her.

She could have cried all over again.

“How’s it going at the salon? You look a little stressed.”

“I was stressed because you and I were on the outs and it was all my fault. But the salon is doing great. Delia’s youngest sister is going to cosmetology school and took your job. She startedTuesday and is so happy to sweep and wash hair, and she’s great with the customers.”

“I’m glad that worked out, I hated how we left things.”

“Me too. But you should come to the salon anytime you need a haircut, and you too, Lucius. I’m pretty good with a pair of clippers.”

“I will, thanks.”

They talked for a little while longer, and then her mom said, “I should get back. I left Delia in charge and said I’d bring back lunch. She probably thinks I fell in a hole.”

Sidney and Lucius walked her out to her car, and Sidney said, “I can’t believe you bought a ticket to come here and look for me.”

“Worth it,” she said. “So next Sunday, I’d love if you would come for dinner. I’ll make your favorite.”

“Oh, meatloaf with sweet glaze and mashed potatoes?”

“You bet.”

“Yum.” She looked at Lucius. “My mom makes the best meatloaf on the planet.”

“Can’t wait to try it,” he said.

Linda hugged Lucius and whispered something to him, and he chuckled and then nodded. “I promise,” Lucius said.

“Promise what?” Sidney asked as she hugged her mom.

“Don’t worry about it, honey. Love you so much.”

“Love you too.”

She waved as her mom pulled out of the parking spot and drove down the aisle toward the exit. Lucius put his arm around her and they walked toward the front gate.

“What did she say?” she asked.

“She said welcome to the family.”

Sidney glanced at him. “Is thatallshe said?”

“Um, she also said that she has a rifle and a shovel, so I’d better treat you right.

Sidney barked out a laugh. “Now that sounds like my mom.”

“She’s a momma bear at heart.”

“Definitely.”

Bear shifter Senecadidn’t normally work security, but his bear was feeling cooped up so he’d offered to take an evening patrol and walk the grounds Saturday night after the park was closed. The sun had set and the park was illuminated with lights along the paths that wove around to the various attractions. At the aviary he heard the screech and call of the birds. At the petting zoo he heard Rhomi and Mercer talking to the baby animals as they settled them in for the night.

And at the safari tour, he stopped at the lions’ paddock and saw the bonfire winking in the darkness.

He was happy that Lucius had met his soulmate and that she’d come to the VIP tour through the new email marketing program that they’d tried instead of the traditional physical coupons they’d been mailing out for the last couple years.

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