The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales (Cainsville 3.5)

She twisted to look at Ricky, eyes narrowing more. "I know you."

"Yeah, I'm the guy holding you so you don't hurt that baby."

"I would never--"

"You hurt her by taking her from her family. Her father will be dealt with. You have my word on that."

"And who are you to give that word?"

Ricky went still. He glanced at me. At the baby. Then back to the gwragedd. "If I were someone who could give orders, and I ordered you to join those who invited you, would you accept that? Or would you insist on knowing more, on getting answers I'm not going to give? Maybe harm me--or someone else--to get those answers?"

"I would never--"

"Yeah, you would. But if I am who you think I am, you know the Cwn Annwn would take vengeance. Terrible vengeance."

She glanced at Maggie. "I would care for the child, as if she were my own."

"But she's not your own," Ricky said. "She's human, and someday

others would find her out here, and they'd find you, and you know what happens then. Nothing good."

"I do not know where to find this pack."

"They told you," I said.

"I have forgotten."

"No, you haven't. But in case you're a little foggy on the details, I heard them. I can remind you."

"I do not know how I would get there," she said, but mumbling it now, like a child making excuses.

"You got here," I said. "From a lot farther away. You can get there. Basic instructions: head south. Hit water. Cross water. Head south."

"I want to take the baby to her home. I want to be sure she is safe."

"And you will," Ricky said. "Which doesn't mean we're handing her over and trusting you'll do that. You've tricked us enough. Now let's move. We've got a long walk."

Sixteen - Ricky

It was a long walk. But that was the only way to do it, babies not being motorcycle-friendly. They came around the rear of the Lyons's house, and the gwragedd snuck to the spot she'd used for watching the baby. From there she could listen as they returned Maggie to Krista. And if the fae had any doubt that Maggie's mother wanted her back, Ricky was sure those first few minutes of reunion squashed them.

Liv told a story that wasn't far off from the truth. She said they'd heard what sounded like a baby when in the forest yesterday. On hearing Krista's story, they'd gone back last night, and they'd met someone camping out there but had seen no sign of a child. Then Liv had looked into it some more. She'd overheard something that made her suspect Owen might have given that "person in the forest" reason to believe Maggie was in danger. They returned, got the baby and got the story, too--of what the baby-snatcher overheard and why she'd taken Maggie.

And, yeah, telling that version had a bonus. Liv had been careful to pretend they'd found Maggie far from the swimming hole--they wouldn't undo the gwragedd's work by sending the police there. But it gave the fae a reason to leave the area. Liv had gifted her some money, too, and written directions.

Owen would be questioned. There probably weren't grounds for arrest, but the police would put the fear of it into him. His parents would be worse, and yeah, Ricky kinda hated letting them know their son had considered selling his child. But it had to be done, for Maggie's sake.

Liv asked Krista and her mom not to take it out on the Parrs. Allow them access to their granddaughter. Just make them understand that they could be part of Maggie's life, and Owen didn't need to be. Ricky had a feeling they'd happily pay his share of the child support for that continued access to Maggie. They were good people. As for Owen, Ricky hoped he'd grow up and pull his head out of his ass, but if he didn't, Maggie would be fine without him. One devoted parent was all a kid needed.

Liv took the money Krista offered. There was no way to refuse. When they checked out of the inn, she gave the money to Hildy, to be returned to Krista, with a note asking that it be put into a college fund for Maggie.

Once they were sure the police didn't need to speak to them again, they left town. Easier that way. People were grateful for Maggie's return, and that was just awkward. It was nice to play the hero for once, but not as much fun to hang around with people wanting to buy you drinks and meals when all you wanted was to get back to your vacation and spend some time alone.

They got their alone time that night, this time in a place that rented cabins by the ocean. They'd planned to just get a B&B in town, but then Liv had seen . . . Ricky wasn't exactly sure what had caught her eye, only that she'd wanted to pull into one of those kitschy roadside tourist trap shops. And she'd insisted on running in alone. Then she'd come out and given him directions to this place.

Not that he was complaining. It was a tiny cabin right on the edge of the ocean, surf pounding the rocks, pebble beach for walking. That was exactly what they were about to do, though Liv seemed to be taking a while to change into her shorts. He was starting to wonder whether she'd left them behind when the sliding door opened, and she stepped onto the deck, wearing . . .

It looked like a skirt. Okay, it was a skirt. It was the fabric that confused him. It seemed almost like . . .