Theodore (Xavier's Hatchlings #2) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,12

sort of memory that can do all sorts of things without the benefit of magic.

I have, as well. Aunt Carson asked him to hang on. As he was coming down the ladder, he saw Grandma sitting in her usual chair out in the grass. He asked her how she was getting along.

“Just fine. It’s lovely to have Pem here again. I just wish her grandda had been here to see her too.” She looked away, and he didn’t comment. “I was thinking that since she’s your mate, she should meet the rest of your family. There are a lot of them.”

“Yes, there are six of us here, along with our parents, and I have five uncles, five aunts, as well as a bunch of cousins.” She just shook her head. “My mom is going to come out soon with my Aunt Carson. They want to meet Pem, but also Aunt Carson wants to go over some paperwork for the halfway house we’re putting together for women getting out of prison who need to be helped to the world again.”

“I heard about that. I’ve yet to go out and see it, but I’m betting it’s a humdinger of a place. The newspaper said that it’ll be run by the Manning Foundation. That it would be maintained throughout its standing. I’m assuming that means you guys will keep it up.” He said that was right. “I feel for those women. Some of them, the paper said, have been in there more than half their lives. I think that would be scary to be released without some kind of help.”

“There are things in the place to help us get them trained for jobs too. Computer skills. Their high school education, if that’s needed. Most of the legwork has been done for us. The place they were using here in town had all the things listed that they needed. We took that list and put the things that we could into the new building.” She told him she was proud of him. “It wasn’t my idea, but I thank you for that.”

Pem came out of the house just as he was moving the ladder. She did look better today. Rested, at least. When she stretched and yawned, he made himself turn away and go up the ladder again. Christ, she was beautiful.

“I’ve just heard from the attorney that he’s going to make plans for us to meet at the jail. He told me he thought it would go better if we didn’t allow Dad to be freed long enough to go to his office. I told him I liked that idea, but that if you had any qualms about it, I’d call him back.” MaryBeth said she liked that idea as well. “Also, Austin and his family are in town. I guess they’re staying at the little hotel not far from here.”

“Did he bring his family?” She said that he had. “Great. Now I have to make sure that I’m not sitting next to them. I know it sounds horrible to say that about one’s grandchildren, but they aren’t the grandchildren that I wanted. Mean little shits.”

Theo laughed as he pulled the last of the leaves out of the gutter. Tomorrow someone was coming out to put guards on them, so it wouldn’t be necessary for this to be done again. Harold used to do it, and Theo had been terrified for him.

“Theo, I wanted to ask you if you’d come with us tomorrow.” Theo told Pem that he’d be there. “I don’t know what is going to happen, or if anything will. I want my grandma safe, and I have a feeling she won’t be if they find out about a few things she and I have set up.”

“I’d be glad to be there for the two of you.” Pem nodded. “My mom and Aunt Carson will be arriving tonight. Not just to meet you, but to bring some paperwork that we have to go over with the foundation.”

“I’m not ready to meet parents yet, Theo. I know that yesterday I might have given you the impression I’m all right with this, but I’m not.” She looked worried for a moment before continuing. “Your family, they’re well connected, you said. I’m assuming they’ve looked into my life?”

“Yes.” He decided he’d tell her if she asked, but not before then. She was stressing again, and he could almost taste it in the air around her. “Finn and his wife, Rachel, are hoping you and