Reclaimed

And to top it off, Isaac would not be able to stay inside to protect them, so it left them even

more vulnerable. She’d never hear the end of the tirade Marie would throw her way if she knew he had all but moved in. So, she needed to hide it.

And hide it good, darn it.

She ran to her phone to call Isaac.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Isaac, we have a bit of an issue.”

“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he said in a rush and hung up. She sighed at his quick response and walked outside. She hadn’t meant to pull him away from work, but if he’d come on foot—and he probably had—he was already halfway here.

She might as well tell him in person, and maybe get a kiss or two to hold her over. She paced across the walkway for a few steps before deciding to head into the woods for more privacy. She didn’t want Marie to overhear them. And besides, Isaac could follow her scent.

She found a cozy clearing and sat on a stone to await Isaac. Not long after, she heard a twig snap behind her, and she jumped to her feet, eager to feel his arms close around her and hold her close. His lips were compressed, and his face shuttered. She stopped in mid-flight to his arms.

“It’s okay, nothing’s wrong. I just had some bad news.”

He didn’t seem to hear her, asking instead, “Why are you here, Sabrina?”

“Here? You mean in the woods? I wanted privacy. What’s the problem?” she asked in confusion, before an idea dawned on her. “Oh, God, is there another mongrel loose?”

“No, I’m sorry. I guess I’m a bit paranoid after your phone call. Why do you need privacy?” He quickly changed the subject as he ran his hand through his hair.

Well, he’d obviously been upset by something if he did that.

“My sister decided to surprise me with a visit. I have no doubt it’s because she wants to meet you, and see what’s going on between us. She already found your shirt in my room.” Sabrina sighed.

He cringed. “Oh, well this does complicate things. I’m guessing she wouldn’t like to see her sister spending every night with a man she just met?”

“No, she wouldn’t. She’s already given me the third degree about how much time we spend together, and why your shirt is here, etcetera.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, shit.”

He opened his arms, and she catapulted into their welcoming warmth.

Heaven.

“Do I get to meet this sister?”

“Yes, she already commanded she wants to meet you, and soon.” She giggled.

He chuckled in return. “Tonight, or should we wait until tomorrow?”

“Hmm, maybe tomorrow would be better. Make it seem like we didn’t already have plans. I’ll give her my undivided attention tonight.”

“Ugh, I don’t like this. Can I at least sneak into your room at night?”

She laughed, and though he sounded like he joked, she knew he didn’t. And, God, she wanted to say yes.

“You could try.” She waited until his eyes lit up before continuing. “If you enjoy spooning a six-month pregnant woman who kicks.”

He groaned dramatically. “The baby or the woman?”

“Both!” She responded.