The book she pulled off the shelf was a new science fiction she hadn’t read yet. Putting her feet up on the chair, Lily sat there admiring the room when her phone went off a second time. She’d been notified that whoever had called left a message, but she was enjoying herself too much to see what they had to say. She knew what she was behind on. Lily didn’t need someone to remind her of it.
She was well into the third chapter of the book when someone knocked at the door. Lily jumped up, thinking that one of the kids might need her when she heard laughter from the doorway. It was Loman.
“I forgot.” He leaned against the door and asked her if she had enjoyed herself. “I did, actually. I can’t remember the last time I read even a want ad in the paper without anyone coming to get me. It was wonderful. But out of line. You must think I’m a terrible mother.”
“What I think of you is that you’re an amazing woman, and exactly like Rogue described you to be—a good person and a great mom. You have done an amazing job making things work out when you didn’t have two pennies to rub together.” Loman laughed. “Donna is the spitting image of Rogue. I don’t know how that happened, but I love it. She’s going to be a heartbreaker one of these days.”
“Billy too. Oh, she wanted to talk to your brother. The one that is a vet. Rogue said she’d fix it for her. I didn’t know she had thoughts of working in husbandry until this trip.” Loman told her that Quin was out right now and would return in the morning. “I wouldn’t have thought his sort of job would take all day. But then I’ve never had a pet in my life, so I haven’t any idea how they work.”
“Rogue told you we were lions, correct?” She nodded. “Good. I’m telling you that because there are currently six kittens in the barn that have been adopted by your kids. You can leave them here if you’d rather not take them with you.”
“I don’t even know where we’re going.” He said they had a home for them to use. “All this. I just don’t understand any of it.”
“What do you mean?” She told him. “We’re being nice to you because you’re a friend of my family. Not only that, but you’re a nice person as well. Even if I didn’t know your sister, I’d still think you’re a wonderful human being. Just being around you makes me—”
He stiffened, and she knew one of her kids had been hurt. When she started around him, he stopped her with his hand. Loman told her that her kids were fine. It was Rogue.
“Is she hurt? Does she need me to come for her?” He said she was venting. “Oh. She does that very well too. I hope you don’t get offended easily.”
Loman shook his head while he still looked concerned. She followed him down the stairs, and when he pointed to the back doors, she headed that way so he could deal with Rogue. At the last minute, she ran back up the stairs to get her phone. Sending her sister pictures might cheer her up, she thought.
The kids were having a wonderful time. They had on swimsuits she’d never seen before but didn’t mind. Once her sister returned, she’d ask for a loan and pay these kind people back. Her phone was ringing again just as she was getting the kids lined up in one shot. It was the same number. She also had four messages from it.
“Hello.” She looked up at Cass when he sat down next to her on the decking around the pool. “I’ve been working on your case. I hope you don’t mind me telling you, but you were royally screwed on it. I’m going to get back your home, money, and anything else I can take from that—” He looked around before he whispered “bitch” to her.
“Your mom is close—is that the reason for the whisper?” He nodded at her and grinned. “All you Foster men, you’re very charming, aren’t you? Rogue told me that you and Loman used to have so much fun when you were in college. Also, that women were always falling all over you. I can see why now.”
An elderly woman in the ugliest bathing suit came and sat with her too. “My goodness, it does a person a good turn when there are children around, don’t you think? I’m Jane Foster, this one’s grandma. I was talking to him about your case earlier. My goodness, that woman needs to have her tits pulled up over her head.” Lily couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing. “I’ve been hanging around my granddaughters-in-law. Not too much, mind you, but it certainly has been fun learning new ways to insult someone. Those are the most well behaved children I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. You’ve done a good job with them.”
“Thank you. They’ve made it very easy for me.” She watched them playing while her phone rang again. “Someone is really wanting to talk to me. I’ve only just decided I’m not in the mood to be told how much I owe someone. I know I’m behind. It’s why I’ve been working so hard.” She looked at the two people at her little table. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that to you.”
“You trust us. That’s a good thing.” Jane looked at the kids before getting up and going to the water again. “One thing you’re going to find out soon enough is that we protect those we love. And I’m quickly falling in love with your little family here. You let Cass there see
