Page 7 of Dreaming of His Omega
Vale’s green eyes narrowed at me. “In a manner of speaking. Who are you?”
“I’m Traviel. This is my mate, Elarian.”
The sheriff nodded. “And… what exactly are you doing here?”
“Um…” Traviel looked at his vase. “Working on a flower arrangement.”
It didn’t seem to be the right answer. “I meant,here.”
“Here?” I asked.
“In Vale Valley. What are you doinghere?”
I looked at Traviel in confusion, then back at the sheriff. “I’m sorry, sir. I’m a bit confused. We live here.”
“You live here,” Vale said flatly.
Traviel and I nodded.
Vale crossed his arms over his chest. “And, just how long have you lived here?”
“We moved in a couple of months ago,” Traviel said.
“In March,” I added. I grabbed one of our business cards from the counter near me and offered it. “You’ve probably seen us around. Enchanted Gardens.”
The sheriff took our business card and examined it for a minute before saying, “Well, that's the problem. You see, I haven't.”
You haven't…?”
“Seen you around,” he clarified, pocketing our business card, as he looked back and forth between the two of us. “Nobody has.”
I frowned, confused. “I'm sorry. What do you mean nobody has seen us around?”
“I mean,” he said, “that as far as anyone is concerned, you and…” He looked around the greenhouse, then through the glass toward our house. “None of this was here last night.”
“What?” Traviel demanded.
“Your entire property was just trees last night,” Vale said. “It all just—” He held his arms up helplessly. “Appeared this morning.”
“That's not possible,” Traviel stammered. “We've lived here since March. You can ask anyone.”
Vale pulled out a small notebook and flipped it open. He read it over for a moment. “Not according to the seventeen different reports called in this morning. You've caused quite a stir.” He flipped the notebook closed and looked at us. “Is there anyone who can vouch for you?”
“We go to Sweet Bites all the time.” I put my hands on my stomach. “Especially with the baby. Oh, the doctor!” I said, is it occurred to me. “I’ve been to Vale Valley General Hospital several times for the baby. I have an appointment there this afternoon.” I couldn't resist adding with a small smile, “Hopefully we'll find out the gender.”
He pulled out a pen and flipped it around in his fingers. “Who's your doctor there?”
“It's…” I glanced at Traviel. “Um… baby brain. What's our doctor's name? Her name is…” I started.
“His name is…” Traviel and I said at the same time. We both stopped and looked at each other in concern. Why couldn't I remember the name of my doctor? In fact, I couldn't even picture what she or he looked like.
“Sweet bites?” Vale prompted. “You said you go there a lot?”
“Oh, yeah,” I said confidently. “We’re there all the time.”
“Who there helps you?” he asked.
I blanked on that name too. And the face. I shot a helpless look at Traviel, who looked as concerned as I was.
