Page 34 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“You found a girl,” she repeated, crossing to the door,which flapped open behind him. “In the orchard?”
A child wriggled free and skipped around the kitchen.
Joe stated the obvious. “She’s not human.”
“She’s not dressed.”
“That’s how I found her.” Joe’s gaze pleaded for help. “Icouldn’t leave her out in the cold.”
“Where did she come from?” Tami watched the child tiptoe andtwirl from appliance to window, touching knobs and exploring textures.
“She was under our tree.” He caught her hand. “She knew myname.”
Quite the mystery. But Tami needed to take charge,preferably before Dad and Grandad found a baby dryad frolicking between theoatmeal bowls. “Grab her,” she ordered.
Joe obediently scooped her off the kitchen table while Tamiducked into the mud room, where their washer and dryer lived. From the basketon the folding table, she snagged a pink T-shirt and returned. “Hands up.”
The girl complied, and Tami gently pulled the soft shirtover the girl’s leafy head. “Do you have a name, little miss?”
“Chick-a-biddie!”
Joe winced. “I called her that when I found her. Sorry.”
Tami laughed softly and held out her hands, as much torescue her blushing brother as to get a closer look at the girl. “Fromeverything I’ve heard, Amaranthine are incredibly protective of their children.What clan are you from, sweetheart?”
“Chick-a-biddie,” the girl corrected.
“All right, Miss Biddie,” Tami conceded. What was the harmin a silly nickname? “Now where did you come from?”
She caressed the girl’s cheek, which was the waxen hue offlower petals. Up close, Tami could detect a faint pattern. Joe was right. Biddielooked as if she’d been carved from wood, but she was warm and pliant andanimated as any child should be. “You’re beautiful,” she murmured.
Deep green eyes sparkled, and thin arms twined around Tami’sneck. “Sister?”
Thinking this was how Joe had explained her, Tami hummed anaffirmative.
Just then, Grandad scuffed into the room. “What’s going onout here?” he grumbled. Catching sight of Biddie, he went very still.
Tami was about to explain, but the girl suddenly framed herface with small hands.
“Joey-boy said you would love me, and I will love you.”Biddie pressed her lips to Tami’s and declared, “You are my Lisbet.”
Grandad make a strangled noise. That had been his twinsister’s name.
She didn’t like to disappoint the child, but neither wouldshe lie. “That’s close, little one. I’m Tamiko Lisbet Reaverson. Most peoplecall me Tami.”
Biddie gave a small shrug and a sweet smile. “Love you, myTami.”
And something happened. A whole pile of emotions tumbledover Tami in a cascade—fear and relief, longing and contentment, wanting andfinding. The only thing she was sure about was their source—Biddie.
“I … I think I’d better call in sick,” Tami whispered.
“Something’s changed,” Joe said, pale and frowning. “Whatjust happened?”
Tami had no idea.
A kitchen chair squeaked, and Grandad lowered himself intoit. His chin was trembling, and his eyes were moist. “Never thought I’d see theday,” he mumbled.
“Grandad?” Tami asked. “Do you know what’s going on?”
