do not want her to be afraid.”
“You’re doing a fine job, Inzen. She’s obviously loved and happy,” Abby said firmly, but then she sighed. “But I agree that you can’t put your fears on her. I’ve seen children crippled by their parents’ fears.”
She stared out across the fields, frowning thoughtfully. “How’s Cassie doing? With Angel?”
Cassie was another of the human females they had rescued and both she and her daughter, Angel, shared his house in town. Cassie operated a small but successful clothing business from the ground floor of the house.
“Very well,” he said proudly. He thought of the girl as another daughter. “Her business is thriving. She keeps Angel in the shop with her as much as she can, and I help out when she lets me. You know how independent she is.”
“Doesn’t that help? To see how she interacts with her daughter?”
“To a certain extent, yes. But I think it is harder for me in some ways because I already know what it is like to lose a child.”
“It probably also helps that she has her shop to focus on,” Abby said softly. “She can’t spend all her time worrying.”
Was she suggesting that he find employment? He sponsored a training school and gave lessons there a few times a week, but he did not need the income and could think of nothing more important than raising a child. Before he could respond, Abby frowned again.
“Has Cassie shown any interest in a boyfriend?”
“A boy? As a friend? I do not understand. Why would she want to be friends with a young male?”
“No, I mean a male. A romantic interest.”
He shook his head as he understood the direction of Abby’s thoughts. He also worried about Cassie’s obvious distrust for males of any species. Although she had told him enough about her past for him to know she had been abused by those she should have been able to trust, he hoped that someday she would be able to move past it.
“She says that she is not interested and I am not willing to push the matter.”
“Maybe I should talk to her,” Abby said thoughtfully.
“Please do not. Let her take the time she needs to come to terms with her past.”
“What if she never does?”
“Then that will be her decision.”
Abby’s brows drew together, but to his relief, she nodded. He knew her intentions were good, but he had heard enough of Cassie’s nightmares to know she was far from ready to handle the other woman’s interference, no matter how well-meaning.
“Abigail!” Hrebec strode out onto the back porch. “I have just received the oddest message.”
“Daddy!” Lucie grabbed Tiana and Lily’s hands and came rushing over.
Lily climbed up onto Inzen’s lap while Hrebec reached down and lifted his girls into his arms. His tail reached out to curve around Abby’s wrist and she smiled up at her family.
“Girls, I need to talk to Mama for a minute.” Hrebec placed the girls back on the ground. “If you go into the kitchen, I brought you all a little treat.”
“Cookies?” Lucie asked.
“Why don’t you go find out?” Abby laughed. “But only one each.”
Once again, the three girls trotted off and Inzen did his best not to think about all the possible dangers that awaited them in the kitchen.
“You spoil them,” Abby scolded Hrebec. He laughed and scooped her up, sitting back down with her on his lap.
“It is a father’s right to spoil his girls. Is that not right, Inzen?”
“Oh, I know he’ll be on your side.” One of Abby’s eyes fluttered shut in an odd gesture as she looked at him. “You’re a big softie too, aren’t you?”
“I am not soft.” A Cire warrior was never soft.
“It’s just an expression. It means you have a very kind heart. Both of you,” she added hastily when Hrebec growled. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but why are you home so early? I thought you wanted to finish that table today.”
Hrebec had taken up woodworking since he renounced his ship in order to spend more time with his wife and daughters.
“I received a message from Kwaret.” Hrebec studied Inzen. “You remember that he infiltrated that Vedeckian ship in hopes of discovering if they planned to return to Earth again?”
Although the Vedeckians were an evil race, quite willing to sell illegal slaves if the profit margin was high enough, Kwaret was an exception. Inzen had to admit that the Vedeckian male had proven helpful on more than one occasion.
“Did they return to Earth?” he asked.
“I