Page 24 of Temel

Dora was still staring at her, her eyes wide.

“You mean you want us to live here?”

“That’s one option,” she admitted. “And it would be the most economical. Another possibility would be to ride Lady back and forth from the house at the crossroads—assuming it made it through the storm—but that would be time-consuming.”

Looking down at Angel, Dora sighed.

“I guess that wouldn’t make much sense. But you’re sure there aren’t any better options in town?”

“I am, but I’m willing to check again. Whatever we do, I want it to work for all of us. I don’t want you to be unhappy.”

“After this past year, I’m sure I can manage anything.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” she said gently.

“I know, but I’m not even sure I believe in happiness anymore. Not for more than a few fleeting moments anyway.”

Her heart ached for her daughter, but it had been a difficult year and it would take time for her to heal.

“There’s one more thing. If we do stay here, I think we need to tell them the truth about Angel.”

“What? No!”

Dora’s vehement protest startled Angel into releasing her nipple with a soft cry. Murmuring an apology, Dora gently encouraged her to start feeding again.

“Someone is bound to figure it out eventually, but I don’t think any of them would think less of you. Very few places are as old-fashioned as Wainwright.”

“But… What if he thinks…” Color flooded her daughter’s cheeks as she looked away. “I just hate anyone knowing how stupid I was.”

“You weren’t stupid. You were trusting. There’s a difference.”

“It doesn’t feel like it,” Dora muttered, but she calmed a little.

“You don’t have to decide right now. Just think about it.”

“All right.” Dora’s expression lightened as she studied her face. “And what about you and Mr. Big Blue Alien? You seem pretty cozy.”

“He’s very kind,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Kind, huh?”

The memory of the previous night’s kisses rushed through her head as she jumped to her feet.

“I’ll just go and get started on breakfast.”

Before she could leave, her daughter reached out and grabbed her hand.

“I wouldn’t mind, you know. If you found someone else. You deserve to be happy, and I know Papa could be… difficult sometimes.”

It was the first time Dora had ever acknowledged that Abner had flaws, and an unexpected lump filled her throat.

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

She bent down and hugged Dora, then headed for the kitchen, determined to put all thoughts of a new relationship out of her mind. But when she looked up from frying eggs and saw Temel smiling at her, her heart did a funny little jump and she found herself wondering if it was already too late.

Naffon and Kalpar wandered in, followed by a yawning Tommy with his hair in wild spikes all over his head and a misbuttoned shirt. Her heart skipped again when Temel fixed the shirt and smoothed the wayward curls.Dammit.Everything seemed to be moving very quickly all of a sudden. And after all her lectures to Dora about getting to know someone before becoming emotionally involved.

When Dora and Angel finally joined them, she served breakfast. Dora was still refusing to speak to Naffon, but although he watched her from those bright blue eyes, he didn’t push it. Instead, he addressed his conversation to Tommy, even though several of his remarks were clearly intended for Dora.

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