Devon walked Philip and Tracey to the front door. The few hours they’d been there had crawled by with stilted silences and awkward small talk. The kids enjoyed the novelty of having another set of grandparents, even if said grandparents didn’t embrace them without spine stiffening tension. He breathed a sigh of relief when they’d informed everyone they needed to head out.

“Thank you for allowing us to see the kids,” Philip said with genuine gratitude filling his voice. He’d stopped right outside the front door. A small wistful smile tipping his lips.

“Of course. We would never keep you from the children. It was one of Sasha’s most fervent wishes for you to be part of their lives. From how it seemed before the accident, you were well on your way. I can't begin to tell you how happy she was to have you in her life again.”

Philip nodded. Bursts of joy, mixed with a small bit of sadness, escaped the man in soft, salty-sweet puffs.

Tracey let out a delicate snort. All evening she’d been like that. Small, judgmental noises coming from the back of her throat. Not loud enough for human or tiny shifter ears, but loud enough for the adults in the area to hear. She held herself apart and acted as though he and his family weren’t good enough to associate with. The exact opposite of her husband. It was easy enough to make the conscious effort to ignore how she acted, though. It wasn’t out-right or in the face derision. The kids wouldn't have picked up on her attitude and, if they did, they very well could have thought Tracey was nervous. It was a blessing that their range of identifying emotions via scent was undeveloped yet, to his knowledge. None of them mentioned sensing or smelling anything out of the ordinary. Even by full shifter standards, the kids were too young to be entering that stage of development.

“Well,” Philip started and paused. Devon could tell he was reluctant to leave. Could see the hope that they would be invited back again.

Devon made the rash decision, in that moment, to voice the question that played on repeat throughout the evening. “I have to ask. Why now? Why show up after so many years to see the kids?”

For the first time that evening, Tracey spoke first. “Because we saw the newspaper article. Someone tried taking our grandchildren, and we needed to see they were safe, in person.” The words were cool and judgmental. “I’m surprised there isn’t security placed around your home. Or, do you think because you’re a shifter, you don’t need precautions like that? Is the safety of your children not a high enough priority for you, Devon? Do you honestly think having some woman who happened to be in the right place, at the right time, is enough to keep them guarded and safe? Or is it that you shifters think your power and strength as an animal is enough?”

Devon’s hackles rose at the tart words. The tiger shifted closer to the surface, taking offense at the woman’s assumption that he wouldn’t protect his children with every fiber of his being. That she saw him as an animal.

“Now honey,” Philip soothed, “there’s no need to start anything. I’m sure Devon is doing everything he can to keep the kids safe. He must be grateful that Carolline was there, but isn’t depending on the woman for full on protection.” He patted Tracey’s arm before turning his attention back to Devon. “It was such a surprise to be able to meet her. I'm grateful for what she did. It’s so nice of you to include her in your family activities.”

Tracey grunted delicately, turning her head to the side and tipping her nose up at them.

Philip just chuckled at the woman. “You’ll have to excuse her, Devon. With everything that’s happened in the last couple years, and not being in Sasha’s life like we should have been, we’re,” he paused and shrugged, seeming at a loss for the proper words. “I don’t know. We’re unsure of every decision we’ve made, and don’t know how to move forward. We’ve always been concerned about the kids, even though we weren’t part of their lives. There is a fair amount of guilt also with how we acted. It’ll take time to come to terms with it. I hope you can understand and will be patient with us.”

“Of course, and to ease your mind, Tracey, we do have protection. The Sheriff has been very accommodating with us, and has had personnel stationed at the house. The school has done everything possible to keep the children safe, and not just for mine. We’ve only just started paring it down so the kids can try to get back to feeling normal. We think it was making them a little nervous to have police presence around all the time, and while we do want to protect them, we don’t want them to grow up in constant fear. The people I know, friends or otherwise, watch out for the kids, as well. We’re a very close-knit community. Things like the attempted kidnapping don’t happen here. We've all rallied together to do everything we can to make our town the safest it can be.”

“That’s good to know,” Phillip nodded. “We decided to stay at the bed and breakfast in town. We were hoping to spend more time with the kids. And you, of course," he rushed to add. "Get to know your family. Our family. Really, the only family we have left.”

Devon nodded and pulled a business card from his back pocket. He’d slipped it in there earlier, just in case. He wasn't sure he would give it to them. Didn't know if he wanted to. They’d refused to be part of his family, but the earnest look on Philip's face made the decision for him. “These are my numbers. Work, cell, and home. I'm sure we can come up with something after I get a look at this week's schedule.” He flipped the card over. “Just in case of an emergency. I put my parents’ numbers and Carolline’s numbers on the back. If for some reason you can’t reach me, try one of them.”

“Thank you.” Phillip took the card and slipped it into his jacket pocket. He canted his head to the side, a considering look on his face. “This Carolline, is she more than just a friend? I noticed the kids were familiar with her. Didn’t have any issue climbing on her lap and clinging to her.”

Something in the back of his mind had Devon hesitating to answer. It told him to hold back on telling them the truth about what Carolline was to him. A half-truth would be the way to go. Lucky for him, they wouldn't know the difference. “The kids feel safe with her after what happened. My parents and I talked about it and then consulted Carolline. We thought it was best to have her around. Keep a level of comfort around them. Cubs are drawn to people who have shown to be protective of them, and she has definitely proven that without question.”

Phillip nodded slowly in understanding, but Devon wasn’t convinced he believed him. The look on his face changed quickly. A smile taking over his face. “Do you mind if we call you tomorrow so we can see the kids? Have an evening in and do dinner? Or we could go out, our treat.”

“Dinner in would be better. I like to keep them on schedule, and going out on a school night throws it completely off. I'm sure I can swing getting off work around five. If you want to come over around five-thirty, that will give you time with the kids while dinner is cooking.”

“Great, that’ll be fine with us. We might explore the city some. Check out where our grandchildren are growing up. I'm sure by then we'll be ready to relax and hear all about their day,” Phillip smiled. It warmed a small part of Devon’s heart to see how much Philip wanted to be with the kids and get to know them. He never would have guessed the man to be like this after his own experience with him.

“We will be safe walking around town, won’t we?” Tracey asked. Devon got a hint of fear and irritation rolling off her. Never once did Devon see her relax around his family, not even with the kids. She held herself apart, even when they were close. That was exactly what he expected when he finally took a moment to reflect on the fact his in-laws were in his home.

“You’ll be perfectly safe here. Sasha was when she used to walk around town, and she was human.”

“Yes, but the people here knew she was married to you. I am assuming your status meant something to the people here.”

“It does, but that bore no weight on the way she was treated. We have many humans living in Garden. We welcome all with open arms.”

“Including kidnappers,” she retorted softly, probably unaware he had enhanced hearing or expecting him to hear.

Philip wrapped his arm around Tracey’s shoulders. “We can talk more about that tomorrow, dear. I bet Devon needs to get back inside so he can get the kids in bed and say goodnight to his other company. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Phillip said before steering his wife away and to their car parked in the driveway.

Devon waited until they pulled out of the driveway and were no longer in sight before he looked over his shoulder. His father stepped out of the shadows, a scowl on his face. The Jordan’s hadn’t noticed when his father had made his way around to the front of the house. His quiet footsteps soft enough they weren’t alerted to his presence. Devon picked up on it immediately, and was glad for his father’s presence and support. “What do you think?”

“I don’t trust them.”

Devon snorted and turned to face him. He didn’t either, but he had to give them the benefit of the doubt. For now at least. It was what Sasha would have wanted, he repeated to himself.

“I know you don’t either. I also know you promised Sasha, but it’s too much of a coincidence for them to show up now. Philip seems genuine in his desire to get to know the kids, but that woman.” His dad shook his head. A frown pulled down the corners of his mouth. “There is something about her that makes me want to hide the kids away and never let them near her again.”

Devon couldn’t help but agree. “I can’t keep them away.”

“I know, but you can keep an eye on them when they’re here. You know what they say, you keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

“I will, Dad.” He paused. Brows furrowing. “I think I’ll talk to the Sheriff too. Just let him know they are in town. See if he can keep an eye on them.”

“Do you think that’s wise?”

“If neither of us feel like we can trust their motives, then yes. He might want to check into them as well. Do his due diligence on everyone.”

“What about Carolline? Are you going to talk to her about them?”

“No.”

His Dad’s eyebrows jumped to his hairline in surprise. “No?”

“Not yet. I have this feeling I should keep her involvement to a minimum. Play down her role in our lives.”

“Don’t you think she should know that, so she doesn’t say something to the contrary?”

“She won’t. She’s wary of us to begin with. Add in my dead wife’s parents, and I have the feeling she’ll withdraw a little bit more. I don’t want to be the one to push her that way. She may have taken the mating bite, but I know she hasn’t settled yet. Probably won’t until after all of this is resolved.”

“She’s very good at reading people,” his father quipped with a smile on his face. It was easy to see that Carolline had won his parents over. A soft smile. A gentle handshake. And the unshakeable urge to protect their grandchildren. It all added up to putting her in their good graces and in their hearts. “I don’t think you’ll be able to keep her in the dark for too long.”

There was a barely-there sound coming from behind the door. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was the shuffling of little feet in socks. He nodded his head toward the door. “I might not be able to keep it from her at all. There’s someone on the other side. Probably heard everything we just said.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the door opened. Carolline stood with Sebastian on her hip and Tabitha hugging her leg, one arm wrapped around it. Devon’s heart melted at the sight.

“Carolline,” she stressed, “didn’t hear much of anything, except toward the end where Russell was saying that she, who I am guessing is me, shouldn’t be kept in the dark long.” She gave him a pointed look. It looked like he would have to answer questions later. A lot sooner than he thought he’d have to. “The kids are ready for you to tuck them in.”

Devon scooped up Tabitha, who flung her arms around his neck and giggled. “Let’s go, munchkin. Where’s Marcus?”

“Helping Nana put the food away. He said he didn’t need story time, but Seb and me do.”

“Okay then.” He slipped past Carolline and pressed a kiss to her cheek. A preemptive strike to put him in better favor. “Let’s go read a story.”