Page 27 of Saber's Surrender

“A push.” I snort. “He gave me a dick, Harper.”

“He told me you nearly ripped that appendage off when you felt Saber up,” she laughs.

“You try waking up in a man’s body and see how you react, Harper,” I lecture. “I promise, it was more than simple curiosity.”

“It’s a good thing you didn’t rip it off,” Laney states. “I know that what happens in the dreamworld doesn't always follow you home, but think about it, he has the probability of getting stuck in time, isn’t that curious?”

“Explain that,” I demand. “He can get stuck in someone’s mind?”

“He can without his anchor to the real world,” Harper states. “Which just so happens to be me.”

“You have a gift too?” I ask, interested in what they’re saying instead of boxing things up.

“You’ll find that we all do,” Laney expresses.

“I don’t,” I argue.

“Are you sure about that?” Selah asks, setting the bubble wrap to the side and placing all of her attention on me.

“Pretty sure,” I reply, bobbing my head. “I’d know, wouldn’t I?”

“Not if it’s dim and doesn’t show itself unless you’re around others like you,” Laney suggests. “I’ve learned that in this world, you never know what’s behind locked doors.”

Careening my head to the side in contemplation, I ask, “You think I’ve locked it away? If I have one that is.”

“Would that surprise you after everything you’ve learned?” Selah inquires.

“No, I suppose not,” I acknowledge.

“Well, there’s no need in worrying about something that might not be. For now, just ride the wave and if something exposes itself, we’ll help you through it,” Harper suggests. “Let’s wrap up, we’re almost done here. How’s it going in the bathroom, Selah?”

“I’m done,” Selah answers. “I have a trash bag full of things to be tossed, a box prepared to donate to charity, and the other is wrapped and ready to be stored with keepsakes.”

“I wonder how the guys are doing in the garage?” I ask.

“I’m sure they’re going through everything the same way we are. They’ll make sure that Canyon has his dad’s tools stored in a way that they won’t degrade,” Laney resolves.

The rest of the day we work in silence. It takes us eight hours in total to finish packing the rest of the rooms then cleaning the house since it’ll be going on the rental list sometime in the next week. Since we weren’t totally sure about what to do with the McAllisters’ clothes, we got airtight and waterproof totes to store them in because the kids might want some of them when they’re older. If they don’t, at least they’ll still be in good enough condition so that they can be donated at that time. Like Weston and I have discussed several times since all of this has happened, none of those decisions have to be made today.

“You ready for this?” Weston asks as we walk up the front porch to RiffRaff and Jillian’s house. It’s a huge, sprawling farmhouse which makes me happy because that means there’s plenty of space for Canyon and Egypt to roam and play. The kids had a rough night according to them, and they thought maybe us coming over and introducing ourselves will give them something else to think about.

“I don’t know that I’m ready, but even with that being said, I think the sooner we do this the better it’ll be for all four of us,” I reply. Okay, so in reality, I want to vomit, but I’m supposed to be an adult and face shit head-on, not cower. So, I’ve metaphorically pulled up my big girl britches and am standing by my man’s side.

“Just remember, if they’re short or mean-spirited, it’s nothing you’ve done, Foxy. They’re going to be overly emotional and ready to attack at a moment's notice. It doesn’t help that Canyon is fourteen and his hormones are out of whack,” he says, reminding me.

“I remember those days,” I snicker, bumping his shoulder. “You were an asshole when you were his age.”

“I was not,” he says in mock outrage. “I was as cool as a cucumber.”

“Lies!” I accuse, rolling my eyes. “You acted like the spawn of Satan.”

“Now who’s lying?” he asks, cackling.

Before I can continue with our bantering, the door swings open and RiffRaff steps outside, he looks worn and his eyes are somber when he lifts them and looks at us. “Egypt had nightmares all night. She got a total of four hours of sound sleep. Every time she closes her eyes; she lives through the crash.”

My heart breaks for the little girl. Her whole life has been turned upside down and now she’s with strangers. Granted, her big brother is with her, but he’s likely in his own head and little comfort to his scared, traumatized sister.

“We may need to call in Wrecker to help her soothe some of those memories,” Weston recommends. “Dragon may be able to assist him to dull the moment too.” I knew in my gut that Dragon’s attribute had to do with the mind, but seeing as I told Weston I’d wait until his president wanted me to know I wouldn’t probe any further, and I haven’t.

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