Bear the Burn(35)

Cody and Gage shook her hand one by one, but it was Boone who pulled her in for a rough hug. A trio of towheaded five-year olds ran through the crowd.

“I’m Aaron,” the ringleader said in an adorable, squeaky voice. “Me ’n Tate ’n Arie made this for you.” He held up a large sheet of crinkly paper, ripped and bent at the corners, but in the middle was a small herd of what looked like long-clawed bears.

Arie’s little pigtails bobbed as she lurched forward and pointed to a bear lying on the ground with its tongue hanging out. “That one’s you.”

Dade snorted as surprised laughter bubbled from Quinn’s throat.

“I’m sorry,” Rory said through an apologetic smile. “The kids saw you Change on the television.”

“Oh, that’s all right,” Quinn said, stifling a giggle and taking the picture from Aaron’s hands. “It was a rough first Change, so no wonder they drew me like this.” It looked like she was being trampled by the other bears. And was that a blood puddle under her head? “It is very good. I’m going to hang it up the second I get home.”

With a satisfied nod Aaron exclaimed, “Oh! I also got you this.” He handed her a pink paperclip and squeaked out, “Come on!” Then led Tate and Arie on a chase toward a rope swing that hung from a towering pine.

Quinn stared at the little treasure in her hand.

“He has this thing with paperclips,” Cody said through a proud smile as he watched his boy help Arie onto the swing.

Dade rubbed her lower back as she clipped the little gift to the collar of her dress. She would keep always as a memory of the first time she ever laid eyes on the Breck Crew.

“You want a beer?” her mate asked.

“Please.” She offered him a grateful smile and followed the Kellers toward the front porch.

“Grab me one, too,” Rory called.

“Yep,” Dade said. “Leah?”

“Sure, why not?” the dark-headed woman said, bumping Quinn’s shoulder. “I think after the week we’ve had, we could all use a drink.”

“About that,” Quinn said as she settled into step between Leah and Rory. “I’m really, really sorry about all the trouble I’ve caused.”

“What trouble are you talking about?” Cody asked over his shoulder from up front.

“You know, forcing you to come out to the public.”

“Don’t blame yourself for that one. No one here does. We were talking about coming out of hiding years before you came along. This was all going to happen eventually. I’d rather you be here for Dade than wait a little while longer.”

Quinn swallowed a lump down and wiped her clammy palms against the fabric of her dress. “Thank you for saying that.”

“I didn’t say it to absolve you,” Cody said, turning his honest gaze on her. “This just isn’t your fault is all.”

Quinn sighed, releasing the weight of a stress she hadn’t realized she was carrying. “Thank goodness. I thought you would be mad at me for all of this.”

Ma wrapped her arm around Quinn’s shoulders and hugged her against her side. “If the blame rests with anyone, it’s IESA and that little she-weasel, Shayna, for pushing us into a desperate measure. You just sped up the process, dear. Here, you and Dade can have the glider.”

“Thank you,” she murmured as she sank onto a lime green two-seat rocker. The clatter of plastic chairs scuttled across the wooden porch floor boards as the others pulled theirs in close. All except Gage who manned a grill on the other side. It smelled like they were making hamburgers, and Quinn’s stomach growled in anticipation. “Sorry,” she murmured as the Breck Crew turned amused eyes on her. “I can’t seem to eat enough since the Change.”

“That’s not just your bear, Quinn,” Ma said as she settled into a rocking chair across from her. She looked pointedly at the red, angry scars that were peeking out from under the hem of Quinn’s sundress. “Healing takes it out of you. Gage, when you finish those burgers, can you get Quinn a plate?”

“Yeah, Ma,” came his quick answer.

Quinn moved to cover her legs, but Rory reached over from her seat right beside her. “Don’t do that. You earned those. This life requires scars. Some are more obvious than others, and some are only on the inside. What matters is how you spend your time during the good parts.”

Quinn’s eyes burned with tears, and she swallowed hard, determined not to be a complete wuss the first time she met Dade’s family.

“Oh, lookey here,” Boone crowed. “We’ve got another sappy bear in the crew. Rory, you aren’t alone anymore.”