Page 39 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“I don’t have a nametag. Yet.”
“Ah!” interjected the other man, amusement shining in histawny eyes. “But you must have a name.”
They didn’t need her name to order coffee. So she simplyasked, “May I take your order?”
The taller man’s gaze flicked to the menu board. “What wouldyou recommend?”
Melissa was more concerned about the weight of the phone inher apron pocket than in discussing coffee blends. In her frazzled state, shewent off-script, offering her own opinion instead of the stock descriptionsRook had made her memorize. “Cozy Cottage is rich and mellow, good for sipping,and Harvest Herald has hints of spice, a nice reminder that autumn is close. Personally,I prefer Founders Favor, which has a wild bite. It’s not for everyone, but itpairs well with the baked goods from next door.”
“Interesting.” He held out a hand.
She glanced between it and his face. And a distressing ideacrept into her mind. The resemblance wasn’t terribly strong, for the angleswere different, the build thicker, and the eyes behind his glasses framesentirely shrewd.
Rook hurried out, and his arm came around Melissa’sshoulder, but his voice thrummed with warmth and gladness. “Welcome home,Brother.”
Doon-wen twitched his fingers impatiently.
This time, she placed her palm on his. He leaned forward andsaid, “Melissa.”
“Yes,” she whispered, rather glad Rook was there.
He bent to press his lips to the back of her hand. “Thankyou for making True comfortable.”
Melissa immediately brightened, for Doon-wen’s arrival meantthe she-wolf’s wait was over. “She’s missed you terribly.”
Rook put in, “And no wonder, with you gone at such a time.”
Doon-wen straightened, but he didn’t release her hand.
“She’s restless in her confinement,” added Rook.
Melissa hadn’t realized True was pregnant. Perhaps that’swhy she was being kept separate from the wolves in the main Kith shelter.
When Doon-wen released her, she reflexively caught his wristand shyly tugged his pinky.
His eyebrows lifted.
“I’m glad you’re home,” she offered.
He drummed his fingers lightly on the countertop, thenexcused himself with a small bow.
As he disappeared into the back, Melissa remembered herself.“Rook, may I leave early?”
“What’s wrong?”
She wanted to tell him, but the second gentleman was stillstanding there, watching them with bright-eyed interest.
Rook said, “Cyril is both a friend and a founder.”
“Then you probably both know a little something aboutallthe clans …?” she asked.
“Very probable, indeed,” Cyril said smilingly.
“Are there Amaranthine with leaves for hair?”
Neither answered, though they exchanged a long look.
Dipping into her pocket, she showed them her phone.
