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Malia shrugged. “I don’t think it’s him as much as the fact that he’s made friends with a couple of real sleazebag hunters, and that’s rubbing some people the wrong way.”
“Do Mom and Dad know yet?” he demanded.
Malia shook her head. “You’re the first person I’ve told. I’m kind of worried about how everyone else will react when they find out.”
Rob leaned over and drew her into a one-armed hug. “If you say Lucas is a good guy, then I’m sure he is.”
“Thanks, Rob.” She smiled gratefully at him.
“I trust you, M. You’ve always had a great instinct when it comes to people,” he said seriously. “That’s why you’re gonna be an awesome cop.”
“I appreciate your faith in me.” Malia couldn’t help feeling a pang of apprehension. She prayed that her gut feeling about Lucas was correct. And that he wasn’t actually a poacher, or one of the guys who had shot Rob.
They dug into their lunches. As she ate, Malia told Rob about Lucas and his girls.
When she broached the subject of taking him hunting, Rob enthusiastically agreed. “I can’t hold a rifle with my arm like this, but it would be awesome to get out there and spend some time with my new brother-in-law. Besides, I know a few secret places where elk like to hang out. “
When they had finished eating, Malia reluctantly prepared to head out back into the cold rain.
“You gonna go tell Mom next?” asked Rob. “Or Dad? He’s working from home today, if you want to drop by.”
Malia’s parents lived nearby, in a neighborhood two blocks off Main Street.
She considered. “I need to fill out a couple of reports,” she said. “So, I guess I’ll see Mom first.”
Dread gathered in the pit of her belly as she left Rob’s apartment and headed for the police station. This wasn’t going to be a fun conversation.
As she entered the building, she waved at Roy, the tall Shoshone eagle shifter who was one of the department’s longtime officers. He was currently on front desk duty and busily typing something.
Then she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and walked straight back to Mom’s office.
She didn’t hear Mom talking to anyone on the phone, so she tapped on the door and stuck her head inside. “Hi, Mom.”
“Malia,” her mom greeted her warmly. She was tall, with long blond hair wound into a neat bun at the nape of her neck. “What can I do for you?”
Malia edged into the office. “Um, I have some news to tell you and Dad.”
Then Mom’s eyes widened, and she recoiled a fraction. “Elizabeth Malia, what have youdone?”
That was when Malia knew her scent had betrayed her. Crap.
Mom recovered her composure quickly. “I meant, this is a real surprise, but congratulations, sweetheart.”
“Thanks. It was, um, a surprise to me, too.” Malia felt cautious relief. Mom was obviously trying to be supportive despite her shock.
“Does he make you happy?”
Malia blinked. But before she could answer, Mom gave a quick shake of her head. “Hold on before you answer that. Let’s call your dad first, so that you won’t have to repeat yourself. I’m sure we both have a lot of questions for you.”
Dad answered the phone on the first ring.
“Hey, honey, how’s your day going?” he said in his deep, rumbling voice. “Want me to drop by and deliver some lunch?”
“My love, I’ve put you on speakerphone. Malia’s here, and she has some big news she’d like to share with us,” Mom said.
“Um, hi, Dad. I mated someone last night. I thought you and Mom should know,” she finished lamely.
“What?” her dad demanded. “Are youkiddingme?”
