Page 110 of Lorran
“You’re only saying that because you want to christen the new bed.”
“I hadn’t, but I do now. And this will answer the question of who performed this service for us.” Lorran held out the note he found on the round table in the food prep area. A glance at the first line confirmed that it was from Hazel and intended for Wyn.
“Paper? Wow.”
“And cookies.” He held out the counter. Unopened, he recognized the scent of almonds, butter, and sugar.
“Hello, Bronwyn,” his mate read. “Welcome to the family and your new home. Oh.” She smiled and blinked rapidly.
“Do not cry,” he said, alarmed. “Whatever Hazel wrote, she is not a cruel person. She does not mean to upset you.”
“No, these are happy tears.” She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. Clearing her throat, she continued to read. “We can’t wait to meet you. I hope you don’t mind that we moved Lorran’s stuff into your new digs. You’ve been gone for a week now and the warlord won’t say what’s keeping you, but I figure you’ll be exhausted when you get home.” She blinked again. “Home.”
“More happy tears?”
“Yeah. I don’t know this woman, but I’m going to give her a hug when we meet. Okay, there’s more. There’s a few frozen meals in the fridge. After you’ve settled in, let’s have dinner. Gavran is particularly eager to show his favorite uncle how much he has improved on the rock-climbing wall, which is something I’ll have to discuss with Lorran later. Regards, Hazel.” Wyn smiled and folded the paper carefully. “How lovely.”
Lorran popped the lid off the container. “Chocolate amaretti?”
“Oh my God, I’m going to give Hazel the biggest hug.” Wyn took a bite, her eyes rolling with pleasure. Because he was used to Terrans, the gesture did not worry him, though he still found it disturbing to witness.
“Welcome home,” he said, pulling her into an embrace.
“Home,” she repeated.
Epilogue
Wynn
Three Months Later
A door rattledopen and a blond tween boy shouted, “Uncle Lorran! Mom says put on some clothes and come have breakfast.”
“I am wearing clothes,” Lorran replied, his face serene and upturned to the sun. He continued his routine, his body flowing through the motions and poses.
“Nuh-uh. Booty shorts don’t count.” The door slammed shut.
Wyn laughed, her focus gone. “Michael has a point. Put on pants.”
“Pants are tyrannical,” Lorran said, even as he gracefully rose to his feet. Maybe it was the morning light or the spring air or just her angle, but damn. He was all lean muscle, a popping ass and he moved with suppleness. More than that, he was just good. Fundamentally good and full of an optimism so bright that when he smiled, it was hard to resist joining in.
Like now. He turned that smile on her, bathed in morning light and his hair still rumpled from sleep, and Wyn smiled back.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for booty shorts in private, but…” She couldn’t finish the thought because pants were kind of terrible.
“But?”
Her stomach rumbled. “Food. Pants. Do it.” Already wearing stretchy pants and a tank, she shrugged on her hoody.
This was day four of their visit with Lorran’s family and they had two more days until they had to return toJudgment. Her introduction to Lorran’s family had been a whirlwind of hugs, home cooking, children demanding Uncle Lorran play with them and a general air of happy pandemonium.
She loved it. Lorran’s mother welcomed her in without a moment’s hesitation, and his family already felt like home. Well, it helped that Tani had the same mischievous personality as her son. The other two brothers…they must take after their father. Wyn hadn’t spoken long with her father-in-law, but Lorran told her to expect as much. As much as Tani was involved in the microscopic levels of her son’s lives, Oran was distant.
Just as important as getting to know the in-laws, Sonia’s ship docked that morning at Sangrin Station. They only had a few hours to spend and Sonia wanted to check out a botanical sculpture garden. They were totally going to have a girls’ day.
Lorran grabbed her hand and lifted it for inspection, smirking at the embedded paint in her fingernails. They had experimented with body paint last night; it was nothing that would scandalize her mother-in-law, but Lorran’s satisfied grin was enough to make her blush.
He kissed her paint-soiled fingertips.
