“Callie, as always, it was awesome.” Anandur leaned to kiss her cheek.

She smiled up at him. “Are you finally full?”

“Yes. Thank you for making my dream a reality.”

“If all it takes to make you happy is grilling a few steaks, then you’re an easy guy to please. Right, Wonder?”

After the stressful time Wonder had had at Kian’s, she was finally unwinding, mainly thanks to Callie. The girl knew how to put people at ease. Which was the opposite effect Kian had.

Still, Anandur had to admit that Kian had made an effort to throttle down his intensity and smile at Wonder from time to time.

“I’m just glad you’re not mad at me for Tasering your boyfriend. I was afraid that you were going to put something in my food.”

The fact that Wonder was joking was an excellent indicator that she was starting to get comfortable around his family. The girl didn’t have anyone, and Anandur was more than happy to share his with her.

Callie waggled her finger. “I will never tamper with food. But that doesn’t mean I won’t use some of my sharp knives. So beware.” She winked.

Brundar wrapped his arm around Callie’s shoulders. “My girl is a killer cook and extremely handy with the knives.”

Anandur wasn’t sure Wonder would understand his brother’s dry humor. Those who knew Brundar would get that he was joking, but his toneless delivery might confuse others.

Fortunately, it seemed Wonder got it.

She smiled. “That she is. Thank you. I don’t remember ever eating so well.”

“You’re welcome to come join us any day. Our door is always open, and I always cook way too much food. In fact, just to make it official, you are both invited to dinner tomorrow.”

Anandur pulled the door open. “We’ll see. I have to check my assignments first.”

“Are you guys sure you can’t stay for dessert?”

Wonder cast Anandur a sidelong glance.

He shook his head. “Maybe next time. Syssi is waiting for us to come back so she can take Wonder to her new place. I don’t want to keep her waiting.”

“Okay, that’s an excuse I can’t argue with,” Callie said. “But make sure you can come tomorrow at the same time and bring Wonder with you.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good night, you guys.” She pulled Wonder in for a quick hug and then hugged Anandur.

Brundar only nodded.

“You too.” Wonder waved as they went down the steps.

“Did you have fun?” Anandur asked.

“Yes. Callie is so nice. And Brundar is not as scary with her around.”

Anandur chuckled. “You can say that again.”

“What now?”

“Syssi is going to introduce you to your new roomies.” She’d texted him during dinner. Apparently, Gertrude and Hildegard had a spare bedroom in their house and were eager to take in Wonder as a third roommate.

“Are you sure they are okay with me staying with them?”

“Everyone other than the couples, which aren’t that many, is sharing housing in the village. They’ve got a three-bedroom house, so naturally they were expecting another roommate. They are very excited about you joining them.”

“Are they nice?”

“You’ll have to find out for yourself. But don’t worry. You’re a celebrity. They are going to love having you.”

She cringed. “Are you sure? I was the bad guy in this story.”

He stopped and put his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t do that. You took down three Doomers and by doing so saved at least three women, probably more. You’re a hero. Own it.”

“You’re right, but what about taking you down? Everyone has been worried sick about you. Callie said it was like a graveyard here. People weren’t smiling and were moping around.”

“Well, what can I say? I’m dearly loved. But I’m back safe, and all is well except for my pride. I don’t think I’ll ever live down being taken by a civilian female. My life is going to be hell.”

She smiled. “I doubt it. People love you and are scared of Brundar. They wouldn’t dare.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders again, which she seemed to enjoy, and kept walking toward Syssi and Kian’s place. “You’ve got it figured out pretty quick.”

“It’s not hard to do. It’s quite obvious.”

“Hi, guys.” Syssi came out of her house, hefting a huge suitcase.

“What’s that?” Anandur asked and rushed to take it from her.

“Amanda collected more things for Wonder. You know what she’s like.”

“Very generous,” Wonder said.

Syssi chuckled. “Yes, that too. You don’t need to shop for clothes for about five years. And as far as torture panties go, don’t worry. I found a new five-pack I didn’t open yet of comfy cotton panties for sensible girls. Regrettably, though, I didn’t have any new bras.”

Wonder looked a little uncomfortable. “I’m so grateful for all that you’re doing for me.”

Syssi waved a hand. “Think nothing of it.”

“Which house is it?” Anandur asked.

“The first one after this turn.” She pointed before turning to Wonder. “You’ll be rooming with Hildegard and Gertrude who are both nurses. Hildegard works full time in the clinic, and Gertrude only when she’s needed. She grows herbs the rest of the time.”

“That’s an interesting hobby,” Wonder said.

“It’s more than a hobby for her. She supplies several high-end restaurants and makes good money off it.”

“Callie uses Gertrude’s herbs in her cooking,” Anandur said. “She says they make everything taste better, and I agree.”

“Here we are.” Syssi walked up to the front door and knocked.

Hildegard opened up. “Hello, Wonder. I’m so glad you agreed to share the house with us. We are so excited.”

From behind her, Gertrude nodded. “You have no idea how refreshing it is to have someone new around who hasn’t heard all of our stories yet.”

“Thank you for having me,” Wonder said.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Gertrude and Hildegard had Wonder settled in her bedroom and shooed Syssi and Anandur out.

“The girl needs to get some rest,” Gertrude said. “I can’t believe you dragged her around the entire village on social calls. After the injury she sustained, you should have insisted on her taking it easy. Go home, Anandur. You can come back and see her tomorrow.” She practically shoved him out the door.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow morning,” he called out from the front porch.

“Good night, Anandur.” Wonder waved before disappearing down the hallway.

“She is going to be okay.” Syssi threaded her arm through his. “She is in good hands.”

“I know.”

It was just so damn hard to say goodbye to her. Spending the entire day with Wonder had felt so natural, it was as if they belonged together, and without her, he felt like part of him was missing.

Stop that. It’s nonsense. He was getting carried away on the wings of his romantic soul.

“Remember the dream I told you about?” Syssi said.

“What about it?” He hadn’t thought about it in weeks.

“Wonder is the girl I saw in the dream with you.”

Anandur felt as if Syssi had punched him in the gut with a battering ram. “Are you sure? Because Wonder never cried on my shoulder or off it. She is a tough cookie.”

“I can’t be completely certain because I didn’t see her eyes in the dream, or her entire face. I just saw her profile, her hair, and her build. But everything that I did see matched. I’m ninety-nine percent sure it was her.”