Page 16 of Lion Conquers All
Each cabin had a similar view. She’d made sure the architects designed it so that everyone got a nice water and or mountain view out their living room windows. The cabins were about a quarter of a mile apart. Not close enough for shouting, but close enough that people could be on each other’s doorstep pretty darn fast.
Naomi’s babies started scooting around, playing with the little rattles and toys their mom had brought along in addition to the plethora of toys Penny and Kann had out. There was never a shortage of baby items. Everyone bought things for the children. Clothes. Toys. Diapers.
It truly was a blessing and Penny couldn’t have been more grateful. When the four of them had arrived, she’s been so scared. So overwhelmed.
She hadn’t really ever even babysat. How was she supposed to know what to do with babies?
Not just the Tribe had come together for her, but the town as well. She had several of the knitting grandmothers calling and checking on her regularly. Mrs. Sampson had even had Katherine drive her out a few times so she could personally deliver some blankets the group had made and give her tidbits of wisdom about how to manage her sanity with four babies stealing it daily.
The old woman had been a godsend, sharing burping techniques, rocking, holding, and so many tips and tricks Penny had lost count. Naomi had been great too. Thevraka’smate had grown up in a big family and knew a lot about babies too.
Though Naomi had shared on more than one occasion that she too was also overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do with three babies all at once.
Penny grinned down at the squirming, cooing, mass of infants sprawled across the blankets.
Naomi touched Penny’s arm and their gazes met for a moment. Joy reflected in Naomi’s eyes. The same joy that filled Penny ever single moment since the babies had arrived.
“They’re amazing, aren’t they?”
Naomi nodded. The others murmured their agreements.
“How are the others settling? Didn’t Heather and Shenn find a place in town to rent?” Kann spoke up, starting a topic everyone wanted to discuss but had been unwilling to announce. “And Penny and I were just discussing what might could be done to help Connie and Aarav?”
"Heather and Shenn are doing well. Yes, they found a house to rent in Katherine's neighborhood. And we are going to do absolutely nothing about Connie and Aarav. They have to move at their own pace."
Kann nodded. He wouldn’t argue with Naomi, but Penny knew it wasn't the end of it for him. He was determined that Connie was making a mistake denying thesoul call.And maybe the sweet EMT was making a mistake, but it was Connie's choice. And as much as Penny wanted tofixit too, Naomi was probably right.
Aarav couldn't force the issue. And she was impressed that the Ka'lagh male hadn't been pushy in the least.
Since Aarav arrived in Mystery at the beginning of the year he had worked his ass off. He’d gotten his certification for the department, been hired as a deputy, and did everything he could to make sure Connie was taken care of without making her uncomfortable.
The whole Tribe hoped the two of them would eventually get together, but it had to be on Connie's terms.
There was nothing to be done, but wait. She knew that. But it didn’t make it any easier to be reminded of that fact.
Penny picked up Angela, wrapped her in a swaddling blanket and put her up on her shoulder. Her eyes had been drooping and was definitely on her way to dreamland. She almost always went down for a nap the fastest.
Saul plucked Mia from the floor next and wrapped her other daughter up just as tightly in a bright yellow blanket. He smiled across the circle at her. They got up and walked up the stairs to the nursery.
Originally the cribs had been in hers and Kann’s master bedroom on the bottom floor, but as soon as the little ones had transitioned to sleeping through most of the night without waking to be fed, they’d moved them to their own room. The way the cabins were designed, all the extra bedrooms were upstairs along with a large open living space.
“How are you and Lorelei doing?”
“Very well, Penny. Thank you.”
“Has she been sleeping better?”
“The nightmares are less, but still difficult for her. It is good to have distractions and our rotation with you and Naomi. It gives her mind something else to focus on.” He swayed back and forth while gently patting her daughter’s back. “Are her eyes closed?”
“Yes.”
He lifted the baby and placed her ever so carefully in the crib at the far end.
Penny had put labels on each of the cribs so she wouldn’t forget which baby slept where. They liked the consistency and routine, but all the Reyleans justknewwhere to put the babies.
Penny chalked it up to scent. They all put the baby in the bed that smelled like that baby. Kann did the same thing without ever looking at the labels.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t tell the difference between her children. She could. It was more that she was usually so tired she forgot to pay attention to which bed they preferred and would rather avoid the scream-fest from that mistake.
