Theodore (Xavier's Hatchlings #2) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,49

room, the other woman’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “I knew you’d be in some cushy house with your feet propped up. How the hell have you been?”

The two women hugged, and he made his way to the kitchen to ask for another plate to be put at the table. While he waited, he grabbed some aspirin and a small glass of water for the stranger. When he returned to the dining room, Pem was telling everyone who the woman was.

“This is Doctor Jamie Darkhouse. She was my go-to anesthesiologist when we worked together overseas. She’s really good at her job too.” Jamie shook hands with everyone at the table and sat down next to Pem when George moved down a seat. “The last time I saw you, you were having some trouble with Pecker Head.”

“Yes. He got his comeuppance right before I came home. I’m here to see to some things, then head back to my place to live out the rest of my days, I guess. I’m not going to be able to re-up, but that’s neither here nor there.” Theo watched the two of them and could tell that they were very good together. They didn’t go as far as finishing sentences, but he could tell they would work very tightly together. Jamie was telling them about the last few days that Pem was on duty. “She’d been shot up to fuck and back. The idiot that operated on her said that he was going to leave one of the bullets in her to keep her from taking his job. He should have known I’d say something to someone. Anyway, he was discharged a few days after Pem here got her walking papers. By the way, I heard what Doctor Shivas did to you. A lot of women are singing your praises right about now.”

“He made a pass at me, an unwanted one, and then told me he could get me some drugs to help with the depression. He also told me that depression wasn’t real and that I was only doing it for show. I dislocated his arm when he touched me and sent him to the floor.” Jamie laughed and said how they’d had to put it back in its place, and she’d been there. “I bet he milked that for all he was worth too.”

“You know it.” Jamie looked around the table. “Christ, you guys are huge. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. But damn, I’m also thinking that none of you are human. Maybe some more of the wolves running around?”

“Dragon.” She nodded, and he watched her face. When she smiled at him, he had a feeling that whatever came out of her mouth now would be forever funny to them. “You don’t have a problem with us being dragons, do you?”

“No. But I was thinking about the old saying about a bear shitting in the woods. I’m guessing when you guys do, you leave quite a pile. I haven’t any idea where that thought came from, but there you have it.” She put out her hand, and before he took it, he told her that she might get a zap from him. “That’s all right, Theo. I’m not long for this world anyway, so you go ahead and zap me all you want.”

As soon as he put his hand around hers, he could feel it. Not only was she not long for this world, but it was happening sooner than even the doctors knew. He told her he was sorry. After waving him off, he asked her what she was doing hanging around there.

“My sister. She’s been in a nursing home since she was hurt when my parents were. I turned over my share of her insurance so that she’d continue to have care. Two weeks ago, I was informed that her money was all gone and that I’d have to see about taking her on my own. I can’t, so that is where I’m headed in the morning.” He asked her if she had a place to stay. “I’m staying at my parents’ home. Well, it’s mine, but I’m going to be staying there.”

“Holy shit. You’re Jamie Darkhouse.” She nodded at George. “Let me rephrase that. You’re part of the Darkhouse family that lives right outside of town. In the large mansion there.”

“Yes. Mansion it is, but worth nothing. It was in poor repair even before they were both killed. Now it’s an eyesore. The town wants to buy