Page 150 of Fragile Sanctuary

I didn’t miss the warning tone in Anson’s voice. “You’re going to be my prison warden, aren’t you?”

One corner of his mouth kicked up. “Already took leave with Shep.”

I groaned. Anson wouldn’t let me get away with anything.

My mind again flickered to Shep. Besides his worry about me, he had to be behind on his jobs with all the setbacks, losing Anson for a couple of weeks, and Owen permanently. Owen, who apparently hadn’t learned his lesson and mouthed off so badly to his new boss that he’d been fired there, too.

“There’s my baby girl,” Lolli called from the porch, pulling me out of my worry spiral. “You need anything? Some of my special brew? My poppy tea will cure what ails you.”

Trace slammed the door of his SUV. “You did not seriously say you are making opium tea in front of me.”

Lolli just shrugged. “I’m not selling it. The seeds are legal, you know.”

“Jesus.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Auntie Rho!” Keely called, darting around Lolli. “You’re home! Are you okay? Does your arm hurt? Can I sign your cast? I’ll draw a real pretty picture on it.”

Trace hoisted her up into his arms. “Keels, baby. Let’s give Rho a chance to get settled.”

I grinned at her. “You can decorate my whole cast if you want.”

Keely’s eyes went wide. “Really? I got my markers here, too. I’ve been drawing with Supergran. But her flowers look funny.”

Lolli beamed at me. “More dick flowers for you, my girl.”

“Lolli,” a chorus of voices shouted at once.

Nora sent her a scathing look as she wiped her hands on her apron and maneuvered toward me. “I’ve got soup on the stove and a few casseroles in the freezer. I stocked up some ginger ale in case the painkillers are rough on your stomach. I’ve got everything cleaned,including fresh sheets on your bed. I’ll bring more food over tomorrow and?—”

“Nora,” I cut her off.

She halted just in front of me.

“Thanks for being the best second mom I could ever ask for,” I whispered.

Nora’s eyes filled as she wrapped me in the gentlest hug. “Best honor I could ever have, getting to be a part of raising you. Loving you.”

“Love you so much,” I choked out.

“More than all the stars in the sky.” She finally released me and wiped at her eyes. “Let’s get you settled.”

And that’s what she did. I let Nora mother me onto the couch she’d set up with blankets and pillows. My siblings created quiet chaos around me, eating and talking but keeping things light.

Anson settled on the couch next to me, Biscuit between us, already happily snoring. Anson scratched between his ears. “What would you think about keeping Biscuit?”

The question was about more than adopting a pet. It was asking if I was ready for real permanence in my life in a way I’d been too scared to reach for before. My fingers sifted through Biscuit’s fur. “I actually texted Nancy from the hospital and asked if I could.”

Anson’s mouth curved. “You did?”

“I did.”

His hand covered mine on Biscuit’s back, and his gaze bored into mine as if trying to read every micro expression. “Do you still want to live here? Still want to fix up the house? Or do you want to start fresh?”

I thought about it for a long moment. There was so much pain here, but there was far more joy. That was life. The valleys only made you appreciate the mountaintops more. “He doesn’t get to steal the magic of this place. I won’t let him.”

“That’s my girl.” Anson’s fingers wove through mine. “How would you feel about my moving in here while we bring that magic back?”

My eyes burned. “You want to live with me?”

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