his annoyance. “Idiots shouldn’t be allowed to use sharp edged tools.”
“That’s what Mother used to say.” Tynan grinned and told Meggie, “She had a tongue sharper than a blade.”
Meggie smiled before a crease appeared between her brows. “She didn’t use that sharp weapon on her pups, did she?”
Busy cleaning, Donal said easily, “Of course she did.”
Meggie looked appalled.
Huh. Tynan had never considered how their mother’s parenting would appear to someone else. Her admirable dedication to healing had left little time or energy for her cubs. She’d also been short-tempered, critical, and sarcastic.
He tried to imagine Meggie flaying a cub with her words.
She wouldn’t.
Their mother shouldn’t have either.
Unsettled, Tynan changed the subject. “I take it that Murphy’s wounds were from a knife?”
“That’s right.” With a groan, Meggie raised her arms and stretched, the posture pulling her shirt taut over her full breasts—and stirring Tynan’s blood. She leaned against the now-clean table. “The brothers were field-dressing a deer, and Kevin got cut.”
“Nicked an artery, the dumbass,” Donal stated. “I doubt butchering would lead to a wound on the inner arm. I daresay the idiots were “sword” fighting and missed.”
“Sounds likely.” The Murphys were good males Tynan would let guard his back any day. But they were less responsible than adolescent shifters. “Did he need help getting home?”
“His brother took him.” Donal washed his hands. “He’ll be fine.”
“Physically, at least. His ego, though, might take a while to recover,” Meggie glared at Donal. “Or, I should say, both of their egos. Your manner with the people you’re caring for isn’t at all polite.”
This was like watching a pixie go after a bear. Tynan rubbed his mouth to hide his amusement
Donal held up his hands, palms out. “I’m nice to the ones who deserve it. Getting slashed from being stupid? They don’t deserve me being polite.”
“That’s not your call. Healer.” She gave him another frown and headed out.
Donal grinned. “If not for that weak ankle, she’d have stomped out.”
“She has a temper.” Tynan heard the front door slam. “Although it’s normally used to defend someone else.”
Donal had drawn a glass of water, and he paused with his hand halfway to his mouth. After a second, he lowered the glass. “You know, you’re right. I’ll try to behave.”
Because he didn’t want to upset the little banfasa.
Tynan smiled. It looked as if he and Donal were on the same trail.
“You’re back early. Did you need me for something?” Donal asked.
“Both of you, actually.” Tynan motioned toward the door. “Let’s go—"
“She’ll be back soon enough. She forgot her bag.” Donal grinned, picked up the big leather medical bag, and led the way to the kitchen.
A minute later, a tap sounded on the front door.
“Come on in,” Tynan called.
“It’s me. I left my bag here.” Her footsteps went into the clinic, stopped, then came down the hall. Meggie appeared in the kitchen.
“Donal, did you take my—” Spotting her bag on a kitchen chair, she shot Donal a quizzical frown.
“Yes, I’m holding your bag hostage.” Donal smirked, then his tone turned serious. “I wanted a chance to thank you for your help in calming the idiot down and getting the bleeding stopped. Sometimes I don’t have enough hands to control bleeding and do the healing.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “You’re welcome.”
“Since that’s done…” Donal grinned. “Tynan—”
“I’m glad I can help,” Meggie said, then frowned at Donal, “but calling your patient an idiot isn’t good.”
“Stubborn much?” Donal scowled. “If I have to deal with stupid injuries, there’s a possibility I won’t have the power to deal with someone who really needs me.”
Tynan gave his brother a sympathetic nod. It was the same with law enforcement. There were only so many hands to go around. It was frustrating to have to deal with disasters that occurred because some idiot troublemaker was dimmer than a cave at midnight.
“I understand.” Meggie pursed her lips. “But our job is to heal—not to judge. Considering some of the stories Tynan’s told me about you two when you were younger, well, I’d think you’d be more understanding.”
Tynan snorted. “She’s got us there.”
“You more than me,” Donal said in a superior voice. “Really, you were the worst—”
“No, I think you get the gnome-brain prize.” Tynan took advantage of Donal’s insulted surprise to move closer to Meggie. “Like when you heard funny mewing noises and were convinced there were kittens buried in the snow.”
Meggie’s mouth dropped open. “Someone put kittens out into the snow?”
Tynan grinned, his silence forcing Donal to reply.
“As it happened, they weren’t kittens.” Donal shot a