Page 48 of Raven's Instinct
Amy had gotten back to her feet by the time Alan came out of the bedroom, and she shrieked and fled from Alan like she knew what was coming. “Bath time!” Alan hollered. “Owl bath with bubbles!”
He caught her easily and tossed her into the air. She giggled and wiggled and kicked until Alan reminded her not to. “I got you some bath toys,” Alan said coaxingly.
She played with them on the bathmat while Alan filled the tub halfway and corrected the temperature, then let him help her get undressed and lift her in. She sat right down this time, happy to kick and splash in the water. All of the shiny new boats and octopus toys were completely ignored in favor of the original washcloths and plastic cups. Alan had to remind her seven times not to dump water over the edge, not sure if she forgot each time, or if she was just too fascinated by the splashing water to obey.
When the water started to cool and Amy’s motions were starting to get slow and clumsy, Alan pulled the plug. Amy was alarmed at first, then enraptured, then outraged because the water was all gone. She pitched a tired fit as Alan lifted her out,and was less inclined to giggle and play when he toweled her off. By the time he got her dressed again, she was rubbing her eyes and yawning. He carried her into the back bathroom to make sure Kendra hadn’t drowned, and found her floating with a wet washrag over her face.
“Mama?” Amy was very confused. “Mama sleepy?”
Kendra sat up with a jerk and pulled the washrag off her face. “Oh goodness, that was so comfortable. How long was I in here? Are you done already?”
“Enjoy yourself a little longer,” Alan insisted. “Put some more hot water in if you need to. We’re going to go read a book on the couch. Stay in as long as you want.”
Kendra sighed and slipped back down into the water. “Fine. Tempt me.”
Amy cried when Alan carried her out and he worried that it would distress Kendra. “We have to let Mama have some relax time,” he told her. “She’ll still tuck you in.”
Amy put a few fingers in her mouth and seemed to relax. Alan found the board book that Kendra had left on the couch and read it to her three times. She was asleep halfway through the second time, but Alan wasn’t taking chances.
He looked up to find Kendra at the end of the hall, leaning against the wall wrapped in a towel, her face tender and full of wonder.
“I told her you would tuck her in,” Alan whispered.
Kendra’s towel slipped as she went to gather up the sleeping Amy, and Alan wasn’t sorry. He might have helped it a little by holding onto the corner.
He followed her to the guest bedroom and watched her tuck Amy into the play pen that was still set up there, then handed her the towel.
“Baths really are magical,” Kendra murmured, stepping naked into his embrace.
35
ALAN
Bernard was waiting in the gravel pit when Alan and Kendra arrived on Saturday, his head down and his tail twitching as he lurked at the brush along the edge.
He wasn’t the only one. There was already a deep blue SUV with a stock trailer in the spot where Kendra usually parked. She pulled up behind it and Alan parked beside her.
“She doesn’t have clearance to be here,” Noah growled.
Noah was wearing one of his usual suits, though it was inappropriate for a meetup in a gravel pit. Aiden was in a short-sleeved comic T-shirt over a long-sleeved T-shirt. He had a tablet out and his fingers were flashing over the screen.
“This is Kendra Emerson,” Alan said. “I’ll vouch for her.”
Noah and Aiden exchanged glances. They were close enough now that they must be able to verify that she was a shifter. Alan’s report had been thorough, and included her role in finding Bernard.
“I need to check on his leg,” Kendra said mildly. “And I’d prefer to do that with daylight, if you don’t object?” She didn’t wait for permission, but went around the back of the van for her vet kit.
The sun was low in the sky, just starting to color the horizon as it sank. Alan made introductions to Bernard, who had come forward when Kendra and Alan arrived. “This is Agent Noah, he’ll be playing the role of bad cop. This is Agent Aiden, don’t be fooled by the glasses; he’s a geek, but he can sharpshoot while riding a unicycle.”
“Ah, come on, I like to keep that particular talent a surprise,” Aiden said with a grin. “Nice to meet you Bernard. We’ve heard about your little problem and we’d be interested in helping you solve it.”
Bernard grunted, but he turned so that the brand was visible. Even in daylight, it was hard to make out on his black hide. Kendra patted his haunch as she came around to his injured leg. “Leaving the bandage off was fine,” she said in relief after inspecting it. “This is healing up like I’d expect on a shifter.”
“Do you heal many shifters?” Noah managed to make everything sound like a threat.
“Most of my clients are run of the mill animals,” Kendra said without taking offense. “But I’ve had some experience with shifter injuries. No more shots, Bernard, I’m giving you a clean bill of health.” She didn’t offer to leave, standing easily with her kit at her feet. She looked at Noah. “What can you do for him?”
“We tried a number of things with our previous subject,” Noah said, either deciding that Alan’s voucher was enough or accepting that he wasn’t going to win a contest of wills with Kendra. “As far as we can tell, there is no medical, electrical, or physical solution.”
