Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,84

jail cell after being arrested for public lewdness.”

“It’s the equinox.”

Like that explained away everything.

“Mom, we need to get you dressed.”

“Not with him here.”

See, crazy. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned that you’re naked in front of Lucky than getting dressed in front of him?”

Siri flattened her lips in a stubborn line.

Gemma let out a frustrated sound and got to her feet to reach for the orange inmate uniform that Siri must have shed as soon as she was left alone. But Lucky beat her to it, holding the clothes suspended behind Siri. She sent him a mental thank you and took the uniform. “Hands up,” she ordered Siri.

Siri grumbled, but like a two-year-old, she raised her arms above her head and let Gemma yank the top down. Siri continued to mutter nonsense as Gemma pulled her to her feet and had her step into the cotton pants.

“Why have you not heeded my warnings?” Siri asked, once fully covered. “Dreamweavers are nothing to fool around with. Your soul is at stake here, Gemini.”

Rosie suddenly appeared, holding up a bag filled with prescription bottles. “I found her pills. She’s been stashing them in the couch cushions.” Rosie shook her head. “By my calculations, she’s been off her meds for two weeks.”

“I’m not taking them.” Siri crossed her arms over her chest. “And you can’t make me.”

Oh great, she was once again the parent of a middle-aged toddler. Gemma breathed a tired sigh.

A hand massaged the muscles at the base of her neck. If she turned, she’d see nothing, but she felt Lucky silently offering support. She’d give anything to be able to lean back and let him help her take care of things. How she wanted to just sleep. Lay her head down and check out for a few days. But with Siri’s latest shenanigans, sleep was the last thing she’d be able to do.

She’d been alone for what seemed like forever. Her dad had died when she was eight, and since that time she’d been the main decision maker. It had been up to her to make sure they’d eaten. Left to Siri, Gemma had gone days without a real meal. Eating whatever she could scrounge. She’d learned fast how to procure groceries, cook dinner, and hide money to pay the bills. She’d been an adult for a long time. More years than her twenty-five years. Being able to lean on someone was more seductive than the hottest kiss.

Thankfully Rosie had moved in with them after Social Services started visiting. A teacher had become concerned when Gemma had worn the same outfit to school for more than two weeks. She’d been clean, well as clean as an eight-year-old could be washing her own clothes.

Aunt Rosie had taken pity on the both of them and promptly taken over. That had helped. And had kept Gemma out of foster care. Barely.

“In ancient times your mother would have been revered for her talents,” Lucky said, obviously trying to soothe.

“I don’t need some Dreamweaver standing up for me,” Siri said. “Though, thank you for that.”

Witnessing her mother naked for all the world and God to see would scare off most suitors—though her mother still looked dang good at fifty. The scary thing was the brightness of her eyes and the crazy stuff coming out of her mouth. She seemed high on something. Gemma had seen her high many times with all the “organic” foods her mother baked—when she had baked. But she’d hoped between her and Rosie they’d nipped that. Trooper Cooper didn’t seem to suspect narcotics or she was sure a blood test would have already been performed and Siri charged with more than indecent exposure.

“Wait a minute. Mom, you can hear him?”

“Of course I can.” She gave Gemma a look that questioned her intelligence.

Gemma turned to Rosie. “Can you hear him?”

“Hear who. I have no idea what the two of you have been talking about since I got here. I’ve been contemplating whether or not I should take Siri’s meds.”

“Just an idea,” Lucky interjected, “but you might want to move this conversation somewhere more comfortable and with less institutional ears.”

“Your Dreamweaver has a point,” Siri said. “Besides, I’d like some tea. The floor of this place was mighty cold on my nether regions.”

“A shower might be in store too,” Gemma said. Who knew the things that had walked across this floor? “Rosie, if you can stay with her—” and make sure she stays dressed, she silently added, “—I’ll go see what Trooper Cooper needs